Chapter 86

Qin Zhao paused for a moment, then continued walking.

Huo Chengjin couldn't tolerate being ignored like this. He thought to himself that today he must find out what Zhao Yang Princess was up to.

Huo Chengjin quickly walked ahead of Qin Zhao and said, "Where is Princess Zhao Yang going? Do you need me to escort you?"

Being blocked, Qin Zhao had no choice but to stop.

The people around also noticed the commotion and became curious about why the Asura King was showing such attention to a woman, arousing doubts about Qin Zhao's true identity, especially since she was dressed in men's clothing.

Qin Zhao cast a cold glance at Huo Chengjin, which sent a chill through his heart. This feeling was extremely unfamiliar to him as a killer, and he couldn't calm down for a long time.

Qin Zhao replied, "No need."

Ling Long gathered the courage to speak up, "General, please don't block Her Highness's path."

Huo Chengjin ignored Ling Long's words and continued speaking to Qin Zhao, "Your Highness..."

Qin Zhao was in a hurry to return home and rest, and she didn't have the energy to listen to his nonsense. She interrupted him and said, "Why didn't you bow when you saw this palace?"

Huo Chengjin was speechless, and his mood was already not good. Hearing Qin Zhao asking him to bow, a surge of anger quickly rose to his head.

But in front of so many people, he didn't dare to show disrespect to the princess, so he respectfully raised his hand, lowered his head, and bowed, saying, "Minister pays respects to Princess Your Highness."

The surrounding commoners saw General Huo bowing and confirmed that Qin Zhao was indeed the princess. They knelt down one after another and shouted in unison, "We pay our respects to Princess Your Highness!"

Qin Zhao saw the shiny bald heads in front of her and thought, "It's time to wash my hair."

Huo Chengjin lowered his head, waiting for the princess to tell him to rise, but he never heard it.

He raised his head in anger and looked behind him, but Qin Zhao and Ling Long had already disappeared.

He clenched his fist tightly under his long sleeve, inexplicably developing some indescribable thoughts about Zhao Yang Princess, a woman he used to dismiss with a single glance.

Half an hour later, Qin Zhao and Ling Long entered the princess's residence through the back door.

Although Qin Zhao had a memory of the princess's residence, witnessing it with her own eyes still gave her a considerable shock. The pavilions and towers of the princess's residence were beautifully arranged, occupying a spacious area. It must have been quite expensive to build.

Qin Zhao sighed, realizing that the emperor had done a good job of pretending to dote on his daughter.

Passing over small bridges and long corridors, Qin Zhao arrived at the main courtyard where the princess resided and said to Ling Long, "I want to take a bath."

Ling Long replied, "Yes, I will immediately have someone prepare hot water."

Ling Long went off to make arrangements, while Qin Zhao entered the study and waited.

There were four large bookshelves in the study, and the books on the first shelf were relatively old, indicating that they were the ones the previous owner often read.

Qin Zhao casually pulled out a book and flipped through a couple of pages, only to find that it was a book on women's virtues!

She furrowed her brows and directly threw the book into the wastebasket.

She cursed the previous owner for being useless. Just look at how the emperor treated her!

She shouldn't have wasted her time reading books like this. Instead, she should have focused on martial arts manuals and planned her revenge. How could she read such worthless books?

Qin Zhao's hand rested on the bronze deer head mounted on the bookshelf when suddenly he heard a click!

Swiftly stepping back, Qin Zhao watched as a hidden compartment slowly opened on the bookshelf.

He approached and retrieved a mahogany box from inside. Upon opening the lid, a musty smell rushed into his nostrils, indicating that the previous owner hadn't touched this box in a long time.

Nevertheless, they had cherished it dearly and kept it well-preserved.

Inside were three books, lying silently.

The first book, "Path to Healing," contained methods for treating rare and complicated ailments.

However, the medicinal ingredients mentioned were quite extraordinary, including items like dragon tears, phoenix feathers, kun fish fins, East Sea night pearls, and South Sea corals.

Upon closer consideration, the concoction of remedies for various ailments seemed logical.

The second book, "Strategies of the World," discussed military tactics and the art of gaining power.

Qin Zhao was well-versed in ancient military texts and modern psychology, so he found the methods in this book acceptable.

In summary, it was quite impressive.

The third book, "Lu Ban's Sketches," documented various wooden creations designed by Lu Ban that had never been seen before.

There were soaring wooden dragons, flying boats, war chariots, intricate mechanical arrays, and even wooden soldiers and horses...

Each design had detailed blueprints and construction steps, with the line drawings themselves being works of art! Qin Zhao quickly skimmed through the pages. The impact was so profound that he realized he was drenched in sweat, as if he had just been pulled out of water.

He gently caressed his chest, allowing his breathing to steady.

He placed the books and the box back in their original positions.

Quietly, Qin Zhao apologized to the previous owner for his hasty judgment.

Beneath the previous owner's timid exterior lay immense ambition!

But based on her ultimate fate as depicted in the book, her ambitions were ultimately buried within her desolate heart.

So, did his arrival here fulfill her expectations?

Qin Zhao decided to give an affirmative answer—yes.

He was truly the hope of the entire village!

Just as he was contemplating, a melodious voice called from outside the door, "Your Highness, the hot water is ready. Please proceed to the Hot Spring Hall for a bath."

"Very well."

Qin Zhao pushed open the door and stepped out.

Upon seeing the princess, who appeared as if she had been caught in the rain, Ling Long exclaimed, "Your Highness, did you fall into the water?"

Qin Zhao gave her a look that conveyed his own understanding, frightening Ling Long into silence.

Suddenly, 502 spoke up, "Host, the female lead has infiltrated the princess's residence!"

"Understood."

Qin Zhao entered the Hot Spring Hall and said to Ling Long, "You may leave now. I prefer to bathe without any disturbances."

"Yes, I was just on my way to the kitchen to prepare your dinner."

"Very well."

Qin Zhao closed the door and, as he walked, removed his clothes.

Approaching the pool of hot spring water, he tested its temperature with his foot and found it suitable before stepping in.

Perhaps the comfort of soaking in warm water was too inviting, as Qin Zhao closed his eyes and soon fell asleep.

In a dazed state, he suddenly felt a sharp pain on his neck and abruptly opened his eyes!

"You've finally awakened. If you had been a bit slower, there would have been no need to wake up at all."