Chapter 152: Aren't You Secretly Delighted Underneath?

From Fang Xu's perspective, he understood that Qiu Chuji had indeed been quite terrified.

Since that was the case, and since he was currently able to provide Qiu Chuji with a sense of security, why wouldn't he gladly do so?

Moreover, Fang Xu had been harboring a lingering sense of awkwardness regarding what had previously happened at the Quanzhen Taoist Temple.

Especially when he recalled that he had forced Qiu Chuji to rest alongside him, the crucial point being that at the time, Fang Xu truly had no idea Qiu Chuji was a woman in disguise.

Now that he knew the truth, Fang Xu could not help but realize that his earlier actions had indeed been rather overly presumptuous and somewhat improper.

Thinking of this, Fang Xu genuinely felt as though his lifelong reputation for brilliance had been ruined in a single moment!

"Um... Chuji... is this your real name?" Fang Xu asked curiously, looking back at Qiu Chuji, who was timidly clutching the corner of his robe and following closely behind him.

After all, Fang Xu was genuinely curious: could there really be any girl named Qiu Chuji in this world?

"This is my Daoist title... but it is also my real name..." Qiu Chuji murmured softly with lowered head, leaving Fang Xu somewhat stunned.

Walking right at the front, Gu Bei kept casting sidelong glances back and forth at Fang Xu and Qiu Chuji. If not for the warning glares Fang Xu kept shooting his way, Gu Bei might have blurted out some teasing remarks.

"Earlier... earlier back at the Quanzhen Taoist Temple, I really must apologize..." Fang Xu said sincerely, though Qiu Chuji remained silent.

Fang Xu assumed that Qiu Chuji must be feeling awkward right now—especially since he himself felt like dying of embarrassment.

However, what Fang Xu did not realize was that Qiu Chuji wasn't merely feeling awkward; she was feeling profoundly shy and bashful.

Why was that? Naturally, Qiu Chuji had almost managed to put the incident at the Quanzhen Taoist Temple out of her mind, given how many things had happened since then.

Yet now that Fang Xu had brought it up, all those memories rushed back to her instantly, causing her cheeks to flush with a deep crimson.

Especially when she remembered that she had actually shared a bed and pillow with Fang Xu, the thought alone was enough to make her die of embarrassment.

Thus, along the way to the fierce bandits' treasury, the atmosphere grew rather delicate and awkward.

Gu Bei, leading the procession, felt goosebumps prickling across his skin, yet he dared not utter a single word.

Whenever Gu Bei even thought about speaking, he could immediately feel Fang Xu's murderous gaze fixed upon the back of his head.

That being the case, how could Gu Bei possibly dare to say anything unnecessary?!

Fang Xu was also trying to prevent Gu Bei from blurting out any nonsense. After all, having spent so much time together, while Gu Bei used to be an honest and straightforward fellow, he had been completely corrupted and led astray by Old Wu. Under normal circumstances,

Fang Xu wouldn't have minded if Gu Bei made a few suggestive jokes. But now? Look at the atmosphere! Just look at the mood, will you?!

If they kept making off-color jokes right now, were they trying to die of embarrassment, or were they trying to kill Qiu Chuji with shame?

In his heart, Gu Bei began to pray fervently—praying for Old Wu's swift return.

It was as if Gu Bei's silent prayers had truly been answered, for soon enough, the sound of heavy panting echoed from behind the trio.

Both Fang Xu and Qiu Chuji turned around with curious looks as Old Wu came jogging up toward them, while Gu Bei looked at Old Wu as if seeing a savior, ready to shed tears of gratitude.

The reason Fang Xu and Qiu Chuji were curious was naturally because they wondered why Old Wu had returned. Fang Xu clearly remembered instructing Old Wu to escort those young masters and ladies back to their respective estates!

However, Old Wu explained that he had already assigned his subordinates to escort the young lords and ladies back home, while leaving a few men behind to secure this shady inn.

As it turned out, the underground cell where Fang Xu and the others had previously been imprisoned was located right beneath this very establishment.

As for why Old Wu had rushed back, it was simply because he could not rest easy regarding Fang Xu's safety. No matter what, Old Wu would never forget Fang Xu's identity or his own primary duty.

Hearing this, Fang Xu could not help but smile wryly, while Gu Bei looked at Old Wu as though he might burst into tears of relief at any second.

Seeing Gu Bei acting like this genuinely startled Old Wu, who wondered if something terrible had happened.

Gu Bei then began to pour out his grievances to Old Wu, tearfully complaining about how Fang Xu and Qiu Chuji had been publicly displaying affection and acting like a couple, which was nothing short of malicious psychological torture for a lonely bachelor.

Weren't single people human beings too?! Or rather, weren't single dogs still living creatures?!

Upon hearing Gu Bei's bitter complaints, Old Wu cast a complex look at Fang Xu and Qiu Chuji, causing the latter to lower her head in bashful shyness.

Old Wu could not help but marvel at Fang Xu's extraordinary charm, yet at the same time, he felt a lingering sense of sorrow for him.

Based on Old Wu's own judgment and perspective, the current Emperor was certainly not someone easy to compromise with and possessed an absolute, overbearing desire for control.

However, these were ultimately matters for Fang Xu and Qin Suwen to resolve between themselves. Since that was the case, why should Old Wu waste his energy worrying about it?

Fang Xu remained completely unaware of Old Wu's inner musings. With the addition of Old Wu, the atmosphere inside the tunnel instantly became even more intricate and subtle.

Previously, Fang Xu could still manage to keep Gu Bei in check, but Old Wu knew Fang Xu's temperament all too well, so he immediately joined forces with Gu Bei to start throwing out relentless, suggestive banter.

If not for his fear of frightening Qiu Chuji, Fang Xu might very well have resorted to physical discipline against Old Wu and Gu Bei right then and there!

After all, from Fang Xu's perspective, had he lost his edge with a blade, or had Old Wu and Gu Bei simply grown too full of themselves?

Was teasing him really that much fun?! Sensing that they were about to cross Fang Xu's absolute bottom line, Gu Bei and Old Wu instantly bit their tongues and chose to remain silent.

This left Fang Xu feeling utterly helpless, forcing him to sigh and wonder why on earth he had been saddled with these two jesters.

Fortunately, the four of them soon arrived at the secret chamber where the fierce bandits kept their accumulated treasures, which instantly reignited the excitement in Old Wu and Gu Bei.

Both Old Wu and Gu Bei knew very well that behind that heavy stone door lay generations of wealth amassed by these brutal bandits.

By current standards, this horde of treasure was undoubtedly an immense fortune. More importantly, Fang Xu was currently broke!

Not only was Fang Xu broke, but the entire State of Qin was strapped for cash! There was every possibility that this sudden windfall could temporarily patch up the financial deficits of the Qin royal treasury.

Naturally, Fang Xu understood this as well, and his breathing grew slightly hurried at the thought.

Old Wu and Gu Bei exchanged a questioning glance with Fang Xu. Receiving a nod of approval, the two men spat into their palms, rubbed their hands together, and stepped forward, fully prepared for action.