Chapter 694: Xu Ziling’s Request

If Kou Zhong went to Lord Yang’s treasure vault, there’s no reason for players to be excluded from the plot…
He paused slightly with the wine cup in hand, glanced happily at that unfamiliar face once more, and quietly drained the wine in the cup. Realizing he had found one of the most crucial flaws in this plot, many scenarios and possibilities flashed through his mind as he quickly sorted them out, forming a rough idea.
Suddenly, noisy sounds came from outside the pleasure boat. Vaguely, words like “Kou Zhong” and “Lord Yang…” could be heard.
Kai Xin was startled.
Immediately afterward, he saw that the members of the Demon Sect, including the Dark Queen, stood up without hesitation and quickly left the hall.
The large front hall became much emptier, but the people of the righteous path, court officials, and some merchants remained motionless—they certainly didn’t care about Lord Yang’s treasure vault!
Xu Ziling’s expression changed slightly.
Shi Feixuan and Li Shimin both stood up, along with the military generals and strategists at the adjacent tables, who rose like springs and moved behind him.
“Brother Kai Xin, are you interested in seeing the legendary Lord Yang’s treasure vault?”
“Lord Yang’s treasure vault?”
Kai Xin was slightly surprised. He glanced at Li Shimin, who was smiling, and Xu Ziling, who remained silent, then shook his head with a smile. “My main purpose for this trip is to hear Master Shi play. Being able to hear him up close now is already very satisfying. I’m not very interested in something like Lord Yang’s treasure vault.”
“…Since that’s the case, I won’t force Brother Kai Xin. If you have the chance in the future, please come to Tiance Mansion. I’ll be waiting eagerly!” A hint of regret and disappointment flashed in Li Shimin’s eyes, but he quickly recovered and bowed to take his leave.
“I won’t see you off.”
Kai Xin quickly stood up.
After Li Shimin and his group left, Shi Feixuan’s face, as delicate as a orchid in a secluded valley, appeared before his eyes, and her pleasant voice slowly reached his ears:
“Lord Yang’s treasure vault involves too many complex matters. Feixuan can’t just sit by. I’m afraid I can’t accompany Young Master Kai Xin.” After bowing, she drifted away under Kai Xin’s gaze.
More people left the hall one after another.
Kai Xin’s surroundings suddenly became empty, with only Xu Ziling left. With different thoughts in mind, the two spoke little, creating an awkward atmosphere.
Kai Xin simply ignored everything else and settled down to listen to Master Shi play behind the curtain ahead…
For a while, he felt refreshed and at ease, enjoying a unique pleasure.
He sat like this for half an hour!
The people in the front hall were utterly captivated.

Kai Xin seemed to have completely forgotten about Master Yang’s treasure trove until Shi Qingxuan’s cool voice rang out, “It’s late already. Let’s stop here for today. All our distinguished guests, please return. Qingxuan needs to rest.”
“Thank you for your time.”
The people in the hall stood up one after another and left their seats.
But at this moment, Xu Ziling kept Kai Xin back, “Brother Kai Xin, please wait! Ziling… has a favor to ask.”
“Hmm?”
Kai Xin had already been somewhat disappointed, thinking he had missed out on the plot-related task. Unexpectedly, Xu Ziling still spoke up, so he stopped immediately and turned around in surprise, “Go ahead and say it.”
Xu Ziling didn’t speak right away but instead stared thoughtfully at the entrance to the front hall of the painted boat.
Kai Xin didn’t rush him either.
After waiting for all the guests in the front hall to leave, they saw Xu Ziling say to the player behind him, “Go and watch the entrance for me.”
Although the person behind him wasn’t Xu Ziling’s disciple, he must have received some guidance from him. He glanced at Kai Xin, didn’t hesitate, and quickly headed outside.
At that moment, Kai Xin noticed that only he and Xu Ziling were left in the hall.
He also realized that Shi Qingxuan behind the curtain hadn’t made any move to ask them to leave, suggesting their relationship might be even closer than in the original story.
“What is it? So mysterious,” Kai Xin said in a half-joking tone.
Yet Xu Ziling’s face grew serious as he stared into Kai Xin’s eyes and said earnestly, “Brother Kai Xin, although this is our first meeting today, Ziling can see that you are a chivalrous man who disdains fame and wealth. Today, Ziling really has an unreasonable request to make of you.”
As expected, he got straight to the point. Kai Xin was momentarily stunned, “Ziling thinks too highly of me. I’m not worthy of such praise. If it’s a small matter, it’s fine. But if it’s too heavy a burden, I need to think it over.”
He didn’t dare to be too confident.
There were quite a few mythical-level monsters in Yangzhou City. If he provoked one of them, he would be in big trouble!
“Ziling wants to ask Brother Kai Xin to protect this painted boat…”
Xu Ziling’s next words left Kai Xin completely confused.
Even before, this painted boat had been well-protected, and no mythical-level monster would come and raid it for no reason.
But upon further thought, Kai Xin frowned slightly, looking serious, “With Brother Ziling here, who would dare target this boat?” He naturally guessed that Xu Ziling might not be able to stay on the boat, but he needed Xu Ziling to say it himself.
Sure enough!

Xu Ziling showed a troubled expression and said, “I won’t hide it from Brother Kai Xin—with so many people rushing after Kou Zhong, I can’t stay put. I’m afraid I won’t be able to remain on the boat. But Yangzhou City has been full of changes lately, with many powerful figures around. I’m worried that Qingxuan alone on the boat, without any skilled guardians, might be in danger. That’s why I want to ask Brother Kai Xin to help watch over her.”
“…”
Who said Xu Ziling wasn’t clever? At this moment, Kai Xin realized the strategy behind his request.
If Kai Xin agreed, he wouldn’t be able to leave the boat, allowing Xu Ziling to take the players guarding the entrance and carry out their mission undisturbed…
If he refused, it would be perfect—he could leave the boat immediately without any reason to stay. Xu Ziling could still find a way to complete the mission secretly. In any case, Kai Xin’s presence or choice couldn’t stop the progression of the plot.
Impressive!
“Kai Xin has always admired Master Shi’s skills. If someone disturbs the boat, I’ll be the first to refuse. I can agree to this task, but how will you leave the boat, Ziling?”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ve prepared a water-based escape method to leave unseen from beneath the water.” Hearing Kai Xin’s agreement, Xu Ziling’s face lit up. He then took out a human skin mask. “But I need Brother Kai Xin’s help. If anyone tries to board the boat, I hope you can appear in my guise and drive them away.”
Upon hearing Xu Ziling’s request, Kai Xin finally breathed a sigh of relief—Xu Ziling didn’t intend to completely exclude him from the mission.
With Xu Ziling’s human skin mask, it seemed he was now involved in this mission!
With a thought, Kai Xin rubbed the mask in his hands and replied after some deliberation, “Wearing a mask isn’t completely impossible, but our martial arts styles are different. We’ll surely expose flaws if we fight… What should we do?”