The Immortal Cultivation World of Male Inferiority and Female Supremacy-Chapter 261. I have no interest in stirring up bromance at all.

Chapter 261: 261. I have no interest in stirring up bromance at all.

The Grand Canal was ordered to be excavated by the founding emperor of the Chu Kingdom, connecting the north and south regions, and it’s now one of the most important navigable waterways of the Chu Kingdom.

Huge boats sail through the canal, and Qiao Sen and her entourage are on the ship.

Born as the imperial daughter of the Chu Kingdom, Qiao Sen naturally has immense wealth, but she did not indulge in luxury by directly buying a large boat. This is the same boat they used to come to Jingnan State, and now they’re using it to return home.

Ever since getting on the boat, Fang Zhou often stays inside, rarely showing his face. Only Qiao Sen would come to him daily to discuss the plans once they return to the capital.

Yu Qing occasionally joins in. In the eyes of outsiders, she is graceful, humble, and gentle, completely different from her girlish demeanor when alone with Fang Zhou. Qiao Sen’s group, from top to bottom, all liked her.

Since that night, Zhao Lofei hasn’t spoken to Fang Zhou, only occasionally exchanging looks with a guilty expression, as though she’s done him a great wrong.

Zhao Lofei ordered the guards and attendants not to discuss anything about Fang Zhou any longer. With this cold treatment, and Fang Zhou himself not appearing, gradually, no one paid attention to him anymore, leaving only a vague impression as "the prince’s male concubine."

Cao Zixuan, the insider, has also stopped paying attention to Fang Zhou. Recently, she received a message from Di Ao’s side.

Coincidentally, the message was transmitted through Hong Tang, another insider. Under Cheng Xing’s long-term guidance, Hong Tang has learned to read and write and naturally understood the message for Cao Zixuan.

The message contained only one thing: Di Ao’s side already knew about Qiao Sen seeking aid from the Heavenly Sword Sect, and they planned to send people to probe. Di Ao’s order to Cao Zixuan was to protect Qiao Sen’s life, ensuring she doesn’t die on the road.

Seeing the message, Fang Zhou found it strange. It wasn’t surprising Di Ao would send someone to probe, but it was unexpected he wanted Cao Zixuan to protect Qiao Sen’s life.

Fang Zhou actually had this question from the beginning. Considering Di Ao’s current influence, secretly killing Qiao Sen would be rather simple, just poisoning someone could do it.

Yet Di Ao has never done so; instead, he ordered Cao Zixuan, this insider, to protect Qiao Sen’s life.

Could there be some secret relationship between Di Ao and Qiao Sen that cannot be disclosed?

He probed Qiao Sen with this question. Qiao Sen said she and Di Ao had a good relationship since childhood, close like sisters, but later turned against each other.

Fang Zhou instantly imagined numerous melodramatic love-hate dramas, which could potentially become a hundred-episode TV series.

He did not disclose this matter to the three of Yu Qing, especially Xuan Ling and Gou Cheng. Fang Zhou did not trust these two, telling them posed too much risk.

Out of caution, Fang Zhou also didn’t tell Yu Qing. Di Ao’s probing was seen as an emergency test to see what outstanding responses the young elites of the Heavenly Sword Sect could make in sudden situations.

However, for several days after receiving the intelligence, everything remained calm, making Fang Zhou think the other side had gone on strike.

This day, the weather was excellent. Qiao Sen drew the three celestial elders to enjoy the view of the river and its banks from the ship’s deck. Fang Zhou also rarely came out to soak up some sun.

All being young, after more than ten days of interaction, there was not much barrier, and soon they began chatting freely.

Qiao Sen finally seized the opportunity to ask Yu Qing and the others about Taobao Mall, Heavenly Sword Daily, and even inquired about the legendary Prophetic Treasure Book—Wangyue Daily.

These legends she heard avidly in the capital, collecting and buying every issue of the Heavenly Sword Daily, yet never obtaining a Wangyue Daily.

Of course, she didn’t miss out on stories from Lao Shiji. Qiao Sen is a loyal fan of Lao Shiji, and the only regret on her trip to the Heavenly Sword Sect was not having the chance to meet Lao Shiji and get an autograph.

The three of Yu Qing seemed to smile knowingly, occasionally using hidden eyes to glance at Fang Zhou, the instigator right in front, yet Qiao Sen asked the three of them about the details, which indeed was amusing.

Fang Zhou wore an indifferent face, striving to play the role of a vase, unaffected by the three’s intermittent glances.

Besides Yu Qing and Xuan Ling, there was Gou Cheng whom Fang Zhou couldn’t quite understand. Before setting out from the Heavenly Sword Sect, Fang Zhou thought this guy, being of the same gender and possible rival, should be very hostile toward him, likely causing trouble.

The one causing trouble turned out to be Xuan Ling, the troublemaker, while Gou Cheng remained quiet, instead being very polite to Fang Zhou, performing well on the surface. The look in his eyes was also gentle with occasional curiosity, yet no hostility.

This made Fang Zhou very wary, because when Yu Qing first met him, she also scrutinized him with such gentle and curious eyes.

As things unfolded, everyone knew, so when Gou Cheng used this kind of gaze on Fang Zhou, it made his hair stand on end.

Spare me; I have no interest in those who stir up trouble.

Just as Fang Zhou decided to find an opportunity to probe Gou Cheng’s sexual orientation, a large ship suddenly approached from the front.

The large ship veered off course, turning directly toward Qiao Sen’s vessel, with its deck already filled with men wielding weapons.

Fang Zhou thought to himself they’ve taken long enough; I’ve been waiting forever.

"Protect the prince!"

Zhao Lofei suddenly stood up and directly jumped off from the deck.

Qiao Sen sat still, but her hands clenched tightly, eyes fixed on the scene below.

Yu Qing felt somewhat tense. She rarely ventured out to train; every time it went exceptionally well. This was her first time facing an enemy.

Xuan Ling remained much more composed; she often ventured out to handle affairs for her master and was richly experienced.

Gou Cheng appeared equally calm; whether naturally brave or experienced in similar situations was unknown.

Dodging was already impossible; the two boats were bound to collide.

Zhao Lofei, indeed an experienced general, swiftly mobilized the guards to face the enemy, even organizing the attendants to stand by for orders, preparing water barrels to prevent the enemy from setting fires.

"Stand firm!"

With a loud shout, the large ship crashed head-on, a loud bang resounding as everyone felt the ship shake intensely, nearly knocking people over.

The opposing ship, higher in elevation, had its deck swarming with sailors who began jumping down for battle.

Two of Zhao Lofei’s deputies led the guards to meet them head-on, and a bloody fight ensued immediately, the sound of battle echoing across the river.

Zhao Lofei led her personal troops, holding back for now. She didn’t need to act personally yet; only when opponents with high skills showed up would it be her turn to handle them.

But soon, Zhao Lofei was pressed into action. A tall woman, heavily armored and wielding dual axes, jumped down from the opposing deck. Her axes swung in succession, chopping several guards, including enemies, into halves.

This person should be the enemy leader. Zhao Lofei’s eyes showed a sharp glint; she drew her Longsword and strode forward.

The opponent saw Zhao Lofei’s attire and judged her identity, immediately giving a vicious grin and slashing down with an axe.

The giant axe descended with the momentum of Mount Tai, but was quickly parried by Zhao Lofei’s sword, followed closely by the other axe, which was blocked by her scabbard.

After a round of initial combat, both sides seemed evenly matched, and the fierce fight began without delay.