Chapter 2848: I’m Sure You Don’t Want That

Zu An recalled the times he had foiled Annihilation’s plans.

I’d be courting death if I joined the path of Annihilation, though Dissonant Melody doesn’t seem to be aware of the grudge between me and the Deity of Annihilation.

It makes sense. I might have gotten in Annihilation’s way several times, but a universal deity wouldn’t pay much attention to a mere human.

The first time I truly caught the attention of the Deity of Annihilation was during the Deity of Death’s trial, but Mi Li and Meng protected me. Even if the Deity of Annihilation was humiliated by that affair, there's no way they would tell their subordinates about it.

It’s normal for Dissonant Melody not to know about it.

So, Zu An replied with an excited tone.

Dissonant Melody could tell that Zu An wasn't being sincere, but he didn’t mind it. He figured that once the other universal deities fell from grace, Zu An would submit to Annihilation sincerely.

...

The Manchu army continued to advance with unstoppable momentum, breaching even Ningyuan City. The Ming army lost many of its strongholds, though it managed to stand its ground at Shanhai Pass.

Under Second Elder Hermes’ leadership, the remaining soldiers of the Ming army somehow managed to fend against the Manchus time and time again, despite their huge disadvantage.

Zu An had to concede that Hermes was truly a prodigy.

Shanhai Pass also lived up to its reputation as the number one stronghold. He had previously inspected the pass, and its sheer scale was thousands of times larger than that of his previous life. It was equipped with magic formations and star-vanquishing cannons.

That was why Dissonant Melody had failed to breach it.

The Universal Conglomerate had previously intended to subdue the Manchus, re-establish order, and offer this feat as tribute to the Deity of Order. However, after suffering a string of tragic defeats, they had learned their lesson and were focusing solely on defense.

Naturally, it wouldn’t be easy to breach Shanhai Pass when the Ming Empire was focusing solely on defense.

Zu An wasn’t assigned an important post after surrendering. He was left behind in the main camp, though he was happy to idle around. He spent his days gathering information about the Annihilation faction while looking for chances to reunite with Jiang Luofu.

It could have been due to Zu An’s previous request for Dissonant Melody to gift him Jiang Luofu, but the latter had chosen to hide Jiang Luofu deep inside the palace, thus stopping him from making contact with her.

Zu An was ultimately a defector. There were many eyes on him. It wouldn’t be easy for him to find a chance to slip into the palace.

An opportunity appeared one day when Harjol, the empress whom Huang Taiji doted on a lot, summoned him to the palace.

Zu An looked at Jiang Luofu and the Little Fiend Empress, who were seated on an elevated platform due to their high stature. The former was cold and mature, whereas the latter was bewitching. Their clothes were similar, making them look like sisters.

Both Jiang Luofu and the Little Fiend Empress’ eyes lit up upon seeing Zu An, but they couldn’t express their feelings as Huang Taiji had many eyes around them.

The Little Fiend Empress used the continued failure to breach Shanhai Pass as a pretext to ask Zu An if he had any suggestions as a former powerful official of the Ming Dynasty. At the same time, she secretly sent a telepathic message, “Don’t worry, Ah Zu. Little sister Jiang is fine. My previous slip-up nearly resulted in her being humiliated, so I’m keeping her close now.”

“Given the sturdiness of Shanhai Pass, I fear it’ll be impractical to breach it head-on...” Zu An replied on the surface while sending a telepathic message over as well, “It’s a huge relief you’re around. I can’t bear to think about what could have happened otherwise.”

“Hmph! You’re an important official from the Ming Empire. Our Khan went to a great extent to recruit you, but you can’t offer any useful ideas? What use do we have for you?!” The Little Fiend Empress feigned outrage while chuckling in her telepathic message. “That shows that you and little sister Jiang are meant to be. What are the odds of her bumping into you when in such a crisis? Do you know how shocked I was when I heard about it?”

“Please calm down, Your Majesty! While a frontal attack is impractical, we just need to heap pressure on Shanhai Pass. The Ming Empire is facing trouble within its walls. Li Zicheng’s rebel army has regained its momentum and is growing in scale. A change will happen soon, and that will be our Khan’s chance to strike...” Zu An replied with feigned horror, though he spoke gently telepathically, “It’s also fate that I met you under such circumstances.”

“Tsk, what a sweet tongue. That must be how you charmed little sister Jiang into giving you her heart.”

“It’s nowhere as sweet as yours. I’d love to taste it again.”

“There are too many eyes in the palace. I doubt we’ll have a chance any time soon. Speaking of which, what should we do now? Are we going to aid Annihilation in their fight against Order?”

“What’s the current situation within the Annihilation faction? Tell me about their inner structure.”

𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

“Dissonant Melody, as an Annihilation envoy, wields absolute power here. Another notable figure within the faction is the Conqueror King, who is also known as Dorgon in this world. They seem to be on bad terms...”

...

Zu An and the Little Fiend Empress exchanged intelligence while pretending to discuss invading the Ming Empire.

The Little Fiend Empress and Jiang Luofu were currently Huang Taiji’s empresses; it would appear out of place if Zu An stayed for too long. So, he left once it was about time.

Shortly after he left the imperial palace, a cold voice suddenly snorted, “You’re in an illicit relationship with Harjol and Da Yu’er!”

Zu An was horrified. Killing intent flared from him. He knew that they would all be doomed should their relations come to light. He was about to make a move when he suddenly froze up.

Standing before him was a beautiful lady reminiscent of a butterfly. She wore a unique purple and white dress with sleeves resembling a butterfly’s wings.

“Zhao Xiaodie! Why are you here?” Zu An recognized the other party as the daughter of the Cultivation World’s King Qi, Zhao Xiaodie.

The lady paced around Zu An with her hands behind her back. Her lips crept into a smile as she replied tauntingly, “If you can be here, why can’t I?”

Zu An’s heart skipped a beat.

Come to think about it, Zhao Xiaodie entered the Annihilation Divine Palace in the Cultivation World. It makes sense for her to appear here.

“I’d have never expected our regal regent to end up as a prisoner. How the tides turn!” Zhao Xiaodie laughed in glee.

Zu An frowned. “Given your strength, I doubt you’d be of high stature in the Annihilation faction. You aren’t in a position to laugh at me.”

“Is that so?” Zhao Xiaodie snorted. “I should let you know that I’m a Qing princess!”

“A princess?” Zu An narrowed his eyes. “You’re Dorgon’s daughter in this world?”

“That’s right!” Zhao Xiaodie’s eyebrows shot up in glee.

I finally see why novels love their cliched black horse trope. I didn’t know turning the tables on an enemy could feel so good.

After feeling his overwhelming strength in the Cultivation World, she'd thought she would never be able to exact vengeance against Zu An. But fate could be truly wondrous at times.

“What do you want?” Zu An asked grimly. Even though they shared an intimate history, judging from her current attitude, that could have been an act. In the worst-case scenario, he could have to silence her, but even that wouldn't necessarily be enough to conceal the truth.

“I’m sure you don’t want Huang Taiji to know your secret, right?” Zhao Xiaodie looked as gleeful as a little fox.