HomeMelody of Golden AgeChapter 77: Zhuyan, Master of Disguise

Chapter 77: Zhuyan, Master of Disguise

The Empress stood amidst colorful beams of light, her dragon robe even more majestic and dazzling under the glow, symbolizing the presence of a true dragon.

Colorful phoenixes called continuously in the sky above, surprising and pleasing the Empress.

“Heaven’s will, truly heaven’s will.”

Her authoritative voice echoed throughout Ximing Temple.

“My inheritance of the throne is heaven’s will. Under my rule, the Great Zhou will surely enjoy favorable weather and the country will be prosperous and the people at peace.”

At these words, the surrounding crowd applauded in praise.

Nearby, Zhuyan, made up by Lu Chuichui, was so surprised she could hardly control herself.

In all her years, this was the first time she had encountered such an extraordinary event. It was truly incredible.

Blending into the crowd, Shen Du and the others were not far from her.

While everyone was amazed by the miraculous scene before them, only Shen Du’s eyes were fixed firmly on Zhuyan.

This woman looked truly beautiful when dressed up, but it also meant she was in more danger.

He had never imagined that at this moment, he would be hoping the killer wouldn’t come.

He must be going mad. If they couldn’t catch the killer, he would lose his head.

Yet now, seeing Zhuyan dressed like this, he felt that death wasn’t so frightening anymore…

Zhuyan was completely immersed in the miraculous scene, even forgetting why she was there.

At this moment, a person wrapped in a black cloak, their face completely hidden, appeared not far from Zhuyan.

Shen Du was lost in thought about other matters, while Zhuyan and some of the Internal Guard Bureau brothers who were lying in wait were completely absorbed in the miraculous scene.

The black-cloaked figure quickly approached Zhuyan, lightly tapped her shoulder, and then turned to leave.

Zhuyan paid no attention to this, thinking it was just some citizen accidentally bumping into her in the crowded space.

But the next moment, she felt something was amiss.

A special fragrance had somehow permeated the air. This scent seemed familiar as if she had smelled it somewhere before, but she couldn’t remember where. It was very attractive, making people unconsciously want to follow it.

Zhuyan sniffed hard, looking at the crowded people around her, making sure it wasn’t coming from them.

“What’s this strange fragrance?” Zhuyan asked puzzledly, turning to follow the scent away from the crowd.

At this point, Zhuyan hadn’t realized she was no longer in control, just following the scent.

Even as she left Shen Du and the others’ line of sight, she didn’t realize what was happening.

The scent was too alluring, seeming to have some sort of magic that could penetrate one’s soul and bones, making it impossible to resist.

“What’s going on?” Away from the crowd, Zhuyan began to sense something was wrong.

She wanted to go back, but her feet wouldn’t obey. Moreover, the urgent feeling in her heart shocked even herself.

“Can’t others smell this wonderful fragrance?” Zhuyan said reluctantly, sniffing hard again.

The fragrance seemed to be drifting from some alley in the distance.

By now, she had completely forgotten her duty. That special fragrance seemed to have captured her soul, making her unable to resist.

The alley was not far ahead. Zhuyan slowly broke into a smile. She was already bewitched, her expression becoming blank as she involuntarily walked towards the alley.

Shen Du suddenly came to his senses. The previous haziness felt like a dream.

When he regained consciousness, Zhuyan was nowhere to be seen.

“Damn it!”

Shen Du shouted coldly and rushed into the crowd, but still couldn’t find Zhuyan.

Jinglin and Jiang Langxing also seemed to wake from a dream, their minds foggy, unable to remember what had just happened.

“What just happened?” Jiang Langxing asked Jinglin as he approached Shen Du.

Jinglin also looked confused. “I don’t know either. It’s like we were drugged with some sort of bewildering incense. I feel like we missed something important.”

“Sixth Sister is missing,” Lu Chuichui’s voice suddenly sounded from beside the two, her tone very anxious.

The two were shocked. No wonder the Grand Prefect had suddenly lost control and rushed into the crowd.

Jiang Langxing grabbed her wrist, instructing, “Stay close to me. Don’t get separated.”

By now, Jiang Langxing had realized the seriousness of the situation. The killer was too cunning and skilled at creating smokescreens.

Not only had they taken Zhuyan, but what if they decided to find another target?

He had to keep a close eye on Lu Chuichui.

Lu Chuichui hadn’t fully reacted, allowing Jiang Langxing to pull her through the crowded throng.

“Grand Prefect.” After great effort, Jinglin, Jiang Langxing, and the others finally pushed through to Shen Du’s side.

By now, Shen Du’s face was ashen, his whole body trembling. It was clear he was furious to the extreme.

“What are you standing there for? Find her quickly!”

At this cold shout, several Internal Guard Bureau brothers also trembled, hurriedly scattering to search.

But in this vast sea of people, so crowded, how could finding one person be an easy task?

Shen Du was now filled with regret. He should never have agreed to let Zhuyan act as bait.

Even if it cost him his life, he couldn’t let that woman come to any harm.

The more anxious he became, the more chaotic things got.

Shen Du had completely lost control. The blood-red in his eyes was like an enraged lion as he forcefully pushed through the crowded throng, searching for that figure that worried him so.

Before her eyes was a sea of flowers. Zhuyan was very surprised. She had lived in Chang’an all her life but never knew there was such a beautiful scene here.

The fragrance was drifting from this sea of flowers, and strangely, there was no one admiring such a beautiful scene, which was truly perplexing.

But Zhuyan couldn’t think about that now. She had completely lost her ability to think, fully immersed in the sea of flowers.

She moved forward, wanting to reach out and touch the swaying flowers.

“Zhuyan!”

A shout that seemed to use all of Shen Du’s strength.

Heaven rewards those who persevere. Just as Zhuyan was about to turn the corner of the alley, Shen Du finally caught sight of her figure.

But that figure was no longer familiar. It had become very strange, with somewhat stiff movements, completely like a marionette controlled by someone else.

Shen Du let out a cold shout and was about to move forward when his arm was suddenly grabbed by another person.

He was about to get angry when he saw it wasn’t just anyone, but Lai Luozhi.

“You?” Shen Du seemed to realize something, glaring at Lai Luozhi. “I don’t have time to discuss anything with you now. If you don’t want to die, let go.”

Shen Du gave the order, but the hand on his arm tightened even more.

“Has Lord Shen lost his head over this matter?” Lai Luozhi’s words were loaded with meaning, his expression profound. “Don’t forget, that Madam Shen is Zhang Xingwei’s person. Her presence by your side is merely to monitor your actions. Why doesn’t Lord Shen take this opportunity to eliminate an internal spy?”

Shen Du looked at Lai Luozhi, his deep eyes filled with viciousness.

So he had known Zhuyan’s identity all along. No wonder he had kept her around until now. Truly an old fox.

At this moment, Shen Du had no heart to deal with this person. He just snorted coldly, forcefully pushing away his hand and sprinting towards where Zhuyan had disappeared.

Seeming to hear the shout, Jinglin, Jiang Langxing, and the others also hurriedly squeezed out of the crowd.

After giving Lai Luozhi an unfriendly look, they followed Shen Du’s figure.

Jiang Langxing hadn’t gone far when he was caught up by Xu Xiangren who was chasing from behind.

“What’s going on?” Xu Xiangren anxiously inquired.

Before Jiang Langxing could answer, Lu Chuichui was already crying anxiously, “Something terrible has happened. Zhuyan used herself as bait and now she’s been taken by the killer. She’s sure to be in danger. Quick, go save her.”

Hearing this, Xu Xiangren also became anxious.

Looking at Jiang Langxing, he ordered, “Take good care of Lady Lu. I’ll handle Madam Shen’s matter.”

“Yes,” Jiang Langxing quickly agreed. “The killer is cunning. General, please be very careful.”

Xu Xiangren nodded, then followed in Jinglin and the others’ footsteps.

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