When he was so embarrassed, he wanted to say "I've never liked anyone before" to ease the embarrassment, but he got stuck halfway through. He would rather get beaten up than finish saying it. Does that mean... he actually likes her?

He doesn't know.

Yue Hongling has a feeling that his previous words might be true.

When did he start wanting to hug Sister Yue?

It started when he sat behind her on the horse.

Then why didn't he take advantage of her injury?

Because he respects her.

Could this causal statement be a lie told to the heavenly maiden?

There is a great possibility that it is actually true... this smelly bandit is actually an honest person when he wants to be.

It's okay, as long as he says it's fake, she will pretend not to know, and everyone will still be the same, like friends who are like teachers and sisters.

But it's so difficult.

Looking at the atmosphere of the two of them being silent, he always feels that there is something lingering in the air, but he can't distinguish it.

Zhao Changhe sighed and suddenly laughed at himself. He sat back in his chair and poured himself a drink: "Hey, I was just thinking, maybe my pretending to be anxious is not entirely fake. Maybe I'm actually a pervert who wants to take advantage of heavenly maidens."

In fact, he has started to doubt himself now. It's very likely that he chose this method because the other person looks so much like Yue Hongling. After all, there are other ways to use euphemisms without being so desperate. Is it because he has satisfied some inner desires...

But if he said this straightforwardly, Yue Hongling probably wouldn't think that way anymore... Poor aboriginals, they don't know the value of cosplay.

Sure enough, Yue Hongling didn't think too much about it. She casually sat down next to him, snatched the drink he had just poured, and coldly snorted, "Being a pervert is nothing. As a man, it's not a big deal. Just don't go astray."

Zhao Changhe said, "Like the Maitreya Sect?"

Yue Hongling nodded, "You really know about their nature... And it seems that you are already dealing with them. That's why I came to find you. I heard that you appeared near Yangzhou before, and I wanted to find you. I was wondering how to find you, and here you are."

"Why did you want to find me?"

"I feel that there is a strange atmosphere in Yangzhou, as if everyone is acting, from the moment I first saw Wandongliu until now."

Yue Hongling thought to herself that she also felt that the atmosphere here was inexplicably strange, so she wanted to discuss it with him, as they have a long history together.

The two inadvertently glanced at each other and then quickly looked away.

Yue Hongling looked down at the drink in her cup. She didn't know why such a simple conversation became awkward...

Is it because they hugged just now?

She reluctantly changed the topic, "What's wrong with Wandongliu?"

"This person gives me a strange feeling, like he's with the Maitreya Sect, but he also seems to have other intentions. In any case, the Cao Gang is of utmost importance. Once the Cao Gang goes wrong, chaos will ensue in this world. My target is the Maitreya Sect, but I actually value Wandongliu, who hides his true abilities."

Yue Hongling pondered and said, "Can we say that as long as the Cao Gang doesn't lean towards the Maitreya Sect, the situation won't be too bad?"

"That's about right."

"Okay, as the local snake, Wandongliu often invites young talents who come to Yangzhou, as a courtesy of the martial world. He has invited me to a banquet before, but I declined. If there is another invitation, I will go and meet him."

Zhao Changhe remembered the scene where Wandongliu invited him before and invited Tang Buqi today. He knew that there would be more banquets like this in the future, so he nodded, "He might invite me as well..."

After a pause, he said with a strange expression, "Maybe he will invite both of us together. Many people want to see the joke when I see the real Yue Hongling. Damn..."

Yue Hongling hesitated, "Should we discuss it first? How should we behave when we meet in public?"

This is actually quite interesting. The two of them don't have that kind of relationship at all. Originally, a normal interaction in public would be enough to clear up any misunderstandings. But because of the Maitreya Sect's involvement, they have to continue with the original plan, otherwise the Maitreya Sect's plan will be exposed.

Zhao Changhe said, "Then... should I really pursue you?"

Yue Hongling's heart skipped a beat and she turned her head, "I reject you, that's it, right?"

Zhao Changhe sighed helplessly, "Alright."

Yue Hongling fell silent for a moment and said softly, "I was unfair to you... You never wanted to pursue Yue Hongling, but you made a fool of yourself to protect my reputation..."

Search "pawread dot com" for the original.

Zhao Changhe interrupted, "I'm willing to do it."

The atmosphere quieted down again, and Yue Hongling once again avoided his gaze, bending down to retrieve another "Yue Hongling" from under the bed. She said, "Let's not talk about this anymore. We can start by figuring out the Maitreya Sect's plan."

The topic change was quite impressive. Both of them didn't have that kind of relationship, so a normal interaction in public would be enough, and it would also clear up any misunderstandings. But because of the Maitreya Sect's involvement, they have to continue with the original plan, otherwise the Maitreya Sect's plan will be exposed.

Zhao Changhe said, "So... I didn't kill her?"

Yue Hongling gave him a disdainful look, "Why would I kill her? I was just worried that no one would ask questions. Isn't it convenient for her to fall into our hands?"

Zhao Changhe looked at this disguised heavenly maiden, who still looked quite similar to Yue Hongling. Of course, the fake is still fake, and it might fool those who don't know her well, but it definitely won't fool those who are familiar with her.

Really, how could he think they could deceive others so convincingly? He has made a fool of himself in front of Yue Hongling.

Yue Hongling had already awakened the unconscious heavenly maiden. When the heavenly maiden opened her eyes and saw her situation, she realized what had happened and said with a bitter smile, "I didn't expect Zhao Changhe and Yue Hongling to be a pair. Even Buddha was deceived by you..."

Yue Hongling said, "?"

Zhao Changhe said, "..."

Yue Hongling didn't bother to argue and held a sword to the heavenly maiden's neck, saying coldly, "I ask you, what is Fa Yuan's strength?"

This is the reason why she has been observing and hesitating to take action. If she randomly attacks without understanding the true strength, it would be a waste.

But the fanaticism of the Maitreya Sect far exceeded her expectations. The heavenly maiden actually closed her eyes stubbornly, refusing to answer.

Zhao Changhe squatted beside the heavenly maiden with a smile on his face. He took a pair of scissors and gestured on her face, "Guess what? If I cut you up and hang you naked upside down on the Twenty-four Bridges, with 'Maitreya Sect Heavenly Maiden' written all over your body, will Maitreya and the Old Mother still reward you for your loyalty?"

Yue Hongling rolled her eyes. He's really good at this...

The heavenly maiden opened her eyes, and her expression changed slightly when she heard the words "True Void Homeland." She thought to herself that Zhao Changhe pretended to be completely ignorant, but he probably knows more than Yue Hongling... because this is a term unique to the White Lotus Sect. Even someone who has deep knowledge of the previous era may not be familiar with it, but Zhao Changhe seems to be well-informed!

"Do you think that if you die like this, you can enter the True Void Homeland and receive praise from the Unborn Mother? I can't say for sure." Zhao Changhe smiled and took out a pair of scissors, gesturing on her face. "Guess what, if I cut you up and hang you naked upside down on the Twenty-four Bridges, with 'Maitreya Sect Heavenly Maiden' written all over your body, will Maitreya and the Old Mother still reward you for your loyalty?"

Yue Hongling couldn't help but admire him a bit. Even though the heavenly maiden may or may not believe his words, it is still a good opportunity for her to openly talk about the information of the Maitreya Sect. Yue Hongling looked at the heavenly maiden, who was disguised as herself, and wondered how she would choose.

After hesitating for a while, the heavenly maiden asked in a low voice, "Is there really a possibility for you to join us?"

Zhao Changhe said, "Of course. Except for you guys trying to trick me, we don't have any grudges, do we?"

The heavenly maiden finally said, "The Maitreya Sect tested Fa Yuan Buddha and said that he has the strength of the Human List, but they were afraid of leaking information and didn't engage in a real battle. In other people's eyes, the early Zhang Banfo was at the Xuan Guan level six or seven."

"That's impressive. How many hidden experts like Fa Yuan does the Maitreya Sect have?"

The heavenly maiden's eyes once again lit up with a hint of fanaticism. "Countless."

Zhao Changhe nodded, not knowing whether to believe it or not, and suddenly said, "Since Master Fa is so powerful, why do you need me? It should be a simple task for him to assassinate the Yangzhou Prefect."

Yue Hongling realized that she wasn't needed anymore.

As long as the first question is answered, the rest will naturally follow. There's no need to hide anymore.

(End of this chapter)