Chapter 1175: Two Emperors Enter the Game

In the dim alleyway, Chen Ling slowly removed the Nuo mask from his face.

Drizzling rain moistened his hair, and the red and black theatrical robe he wore quickly faded to red. He looked at Shen Nan, a helpless expression in his eyes.

"It's you, after all?"

Shen Nan also took off his Nuo mask. He spoke in shock, "How much time has passed... and you've already mastered the power of Nuo??"

"Actually, it's been quite a while," Chen Ling answered honestly.

For Chen Ling, the process was indeed long, but in Shen Nan's eyes, only a little over a day had passed. He stared blankly at Chen Ling, speechless with shock for a moment.

"Why are you here?" Chen Ling asked.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Shen Nan regained his composure. "I'm a registered 'White Hand' of Bureau 749 and a guest at the Wushan Conference, so of course I'd be here. You're wanted nationwide by Bureau 749, yet you dare to just waltz in here??"

"It's just Bureau 749; let them put out a warrant."

Chen Ling waved his hand dismissively. He was already a wanted man by all of humanity after the Great Cataclysm; what was a small Bureau 749?

Shen Nan: ...

"Don't tell me you actually plan to sneak into the Wushan Conference."

"Yeah, what about it?"

"Membership requires verification and registration; how will you get in?"

"I have connections."

Chen Ling seemed to remember something and looked in the direction Sun Bumian and the others had left. "You came at the perfect time; come with me."

"...To do what?" Shen Nan's expression was a little strange.

"To do your duty."

***

Huixian Hotel.

Creak—

Ying Fu slowly pushed open the door to the room.

He had now changed into an inconspicuous black tracksuit, carrying a cloth bag with the meeting agenda in his hand, and even wore a pair of semi-rimless black glasses on his nose, concealing the naturally commanding upward curve of his eyes. His imperial aura was hidden beneath his simple appearance; at first glance, he would attract no attention whatsoever.

The scent that assaulted Ying Fu as he opened the door instinctively made him frown, but he did not resist, instead calmly stepping inside. Behind his glasses, his sharp eyes meticulously scanned every corner of the room.

After confirming nothing was amiss in the room, his gaze went through the window to the floor below.

At that moment, Han Xiang, wearing a greenish-gray Chinese-style shirt, was speaking with several other guests. His status within Bureau 749 seemed quite high, and the guests' faces were full of smiles, showing great respect for Han Xiang.

Meanwhile, Han Xiang, who was chatting and laughing, seemed to sense Ying Fu's gaze and casually glanced upwards, then smiled and said:

"Everyone, I'll return to my room to rest for a bit. We can chat more tonight."

"Hahaha, Elder Han, please get some good rest. We have plenty of time anyway."

"That's right, Elder Han, taking care of your health is most important."

Han Xiang walked through the hotel corridor, his gaze occasionally sweeping back and forth. After confirming no one was passing by, he quietly entered Ying Fu's room.

He closed the door behind him and gently wrote on the back of the door. A moment later, a small character "Barrier" (障) appeared.

Energy and sound were sealed off by an invisible barrier. Only then did Han Xiang finally relax. This elder, who held a very high position in Bureau 749, looked at Ying Fu's back by the window, a look of genuine respect appearing on his face.

"The accommodation for this conference isn't ideal... I apologize for the inconvenience, Your Majesty," Han Xiang said with a wry smile.

"It's nothing."

Ying Fu pushed open the window. "Is Chu Changqing settled?"

"He's settled. He's at the Lotus Hotel next door, and two people are watching him there, so there won't be any problems."

"Good."

Ying Fu suddenly asked, "Why is the accommodation for this time different from what was mentioned before?"

"My informant within Bureau 749 sent word. Apparently, the originally designated conference hotel wasn't fully repaired, so all guests have been temporarily arranged at the foot of the mountain... They'll proceed to the venue once the conference begins."

Ying Fu's eyes narrowed slightly. He glanced back at Han Xiang. "Han Xiang, what's your take on this?"

Han Xiang pondered for a long time before finally speaking,

"Your Majesty, I believe there are three points of suspicion."

"Speak."

"First, every previous Intangible Cultural Heritage Conference aimed to facilitate interaction among Divine Path holders and strengthen Bureau 749's control over the 'White Hands'. It was typically a celebratory and peaceful event. Therefore, in previous years, not all 'White Hands' were compelled to attend, especially some of the more senior experts. But this time, regardless of their seniority or location, everyone is being forced to attend."

"Second, past Intangible Cultural Heritage Conferences were always announced at least half a month in advance, and most were held at the end of the year. However, this year's conference is not only too early but was also announced with only three days' notice, appearing exceptionally rushed. It's as if something unusually urgent needs to be implemented quickly."

"Third, Wushan is not on the list of target cities for the Intangible Cultural Heritage Conference. Previously, for the convenience of guests, central hub cities were chosen, but this location has extremely inconvenient transportation and relatively backward facilities. Even the selected conference venue hasn't been fully renovated yet...

Neither timing, location, nor human harmony is favorable. I truly cannot fathom what Sun Zhongliang is thinking."

Ying Fu listened to Han Xiang's analysis with a poker face before calmly saying,

"He simply carries out his orders. Sun Zhongliang has managed Bureau 749 for so many years, always adhering to rules, yet this time he acts with such haste. The true source behind this is already extremely clear..."

Han Xiang was slightly startled. "Your Majesty, are you suggesting..."

"This conference isn't orchestrated by Sun Zhongliang; he's merely a pawn." Ying Fu slowly looked up, gazing at the overcast sky. "The true strategist is higher up."

No one understood imperial stratagems better than Ying Fu. Even though he was still very unfamiliar with this era, and despite his lack of knowledge about Bureau 749, in Ying Fu's eyes, regardless of how times changed, the structure of power remained largely the same. He could precisely discern the crux of a matter from just a hint of an appearance.

"The purpose of this conference... Your Majesty, do you perhaps already have an idea?" Han Xiang asked in surprise.

Ying Fu didn't answer; he merely glanced at the thick overcast clouds, then turned and walked back into the room, as if the storm outside, however fierce, had nothing to do with him.

"What they want to do doesn't interest Us... All We want is this opportunity."

"It has been prepared for you, Your Majesty."

Han Xiang pulled a list from his pocket. "Tonight, all conference guests will attend a welcoming banquet in the Glazed Hall. I have already highlighted the individuals worthy of attention."

Ying Fu took the list and, after a quick glance, several circled names and their corresponding Divine Paths caught his eye.

"...Oh?"