Day and night tour

Chapter 453 Earthly Oracle
The bubbling bubbles in the white liquid caught Zhao Youting's eye; his Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed repeatedly.

This wasn't the first time he'd seen "Di Zi," but he was still just as terrified as when he first saw it.

"Zhao Youting pays respects to the divine Earth God."

Zhao Youting's knees were trembling, and he involuntarily knelt down, fearfully welcoming the water from the "ground".

However, the ground did not appear; instead, a middle-aged woman did.

The woman was dressed in luxurious clothes, her garments inlaid with various precious gems, including iridescent stones from the Western Regions and turquoise tribute from the Snowfield Prefecture.

The red and green colors, when combined, create a dazzling effect.

The white fluid left no trace on her body, making her appear as fresh as a lotus emerging from water.

The woman was extremely beautiful, and when illuminated by the moonlight, she truly possessed a breathtaking beauty.

However… Zhao Youting, who had always been fond of women, dared not look at them even once.
This woman was none other than Di Zi's mother.

My mother's surname was Kong, and everyone in the Imperial Observatory called her "Madam Kong".

Zhao Youting had long heard that this Madam Kong, despite her charming appearance, actually had a large, gaping hole in her abdomen if one lifted her dress.
None of the five internal organs or six bowels exist.

She was able to survive thanks to the enormous amount of white sap in the pool of the "Star Gazing Tower".

The enormous amount of milk was prepared by "Di Zi" for Madam Kong.

When that child was tired, weary, or restless, he would curl up in the fleshy hollow of Lady Kong's belly and fall into a deep sleep.

For this reason, the forbidden areas on Madam Kong's body were not only her exquisite and beautiful face, but also her abdomen.

Zhao Youting had no choice but to keep his gaze lowered, only daring to look at Madam Kong's feet.

"Zhao Youting, the Star Officer of the Imperial Observatory, on the sixteenth floor, pays his respects to the Madam."

Madam Kong, like a female ghost, drifted to Zhao Youting's side and said, "Zhao Xingguan has devoted himself to the capital and made great contributions. I am just a woman, why should I perform such a grand ceremony? Get up."

"Yes."

Zhao Youting wiped the sweat from his brow. Within this level of the pavilion, as long as the "earthly entity" wasn't disturbed, that was already a great stroke of luck.
As for Madam Kong, it is said that she is kind and generous, and at least she would not make things difficult for the people of the Imperial Observatory.

"Di Zi has recently seemed to have some enlightenment, as if he vaguely foresaw the arrival of a great calamity star. In the past few days, he has been studying the omens, some minor matters, or things that are neither too big nor too small..."

"I understand. Although the leader of the Dunjia sect is dead, there is still an ancestor in the Dunjia sect. We cannot panic. It is indeed a minor matter."

"I am not disturbing the earth deity's peaceful cultivation, so I will depart now."

Zhao Youting was extremely eager to leave. In any case, once he stepped into the "Star Gazing Tower," the matter entrusted to him by the branch would be completed, and the branch would owe him a favor.

"Zhao Xingguan seems to be in a hurry. Is there something important at home?" Madam Kong asked.

No, no.

"No, just let me finish what I have to say."

Madam Kong's voice turned cold, so cold that Zhao Youting couldn't help but shiver.

“Please speak, Madam,” Zhao Youting said hastily.

Lady Kong said, "During the 'Dizi's' seclusion, please don't bother it with anything minor, but I can make some decisions for it."

"The leader of the Dunjia Sect has been killed. I'll give you a definite answer on this matter... Zhou Xuan can be killed."

Madam Kong said, "But... the struggles in the martial world are also matters of the martial world. Since they are matters of the martial world, they are naturally matters of the martial world. Therefore, you cannot use the name of the Imperial Observatory to kill. You must do it in the name of your Dunjia Sect."

"The villain understands."

Zhao Youting was overjoyed. He had never expected that this matter could be accomplished, but now it had inexplicably been done.

"Hey... now I can finally hold my head high in the gang."

He was overjoyed and kowtowed repeatedly to Madam Kong.
Words of gratitude naturally flowed from Zhao Youting's mouth in strings.

Finally, Madam Kong grew tired of listening. She waved her hand and said, "I'm tired, you may leave."

"Yes Yes."

Zhao Youting left happily, but after taking only a few steps, Madam Kong suddenly called him back.

"By the way, don't rush off yet."

"Madam, is there anything else?" Zhao Youting turned around again and bowed to Madam Kong.

Lady Kong's right hand transformed from a palm into a claw, and she grabbed towards the white pool of water.
A pale blue sign flew out of the white liquid and landed in her hand.

She tossed the plaque to Zhao Youting and said, "This is the plaque of the Star Gazing Tower. Your Dunjia Sect has caused a great disaster in Mingjiang Prefecture. Show this plaque, and no one will dare to make things difficult for you."
Therefore, since it's about revenge, don't hold back; act with a bit of arrogance.

"Thank you for your kindness, Madam."

Once this plaque is retrieved, Zhao Youting's status within the Dunjia Sect will rise dramatically.

How could he not be pleased?

But Madam Kong's next words were like a bucket of cold water poured over him.

"This plaque can only be held by you and cannot fall into the hands of anyone else. Therefore, you must be present at the scene during the time of the Dunjia Sect's revenge."

"This……"

Zhao Youting finally understood what Madam Kong meant: he also had to go to Mingjiang Prefecture.

"Madam, this..."

"It's getting late, you may leave."

Madam Kong immediately sat on the Divine Infant Bridge, her jade feet dangling down, her toes swaying back and forth in the white pool water.

"Yes...ah..."

Helpless, Zhao Youting could only grasp the light blue, glass-like plaque, sigh, and leave.

"I heard that Zhou Xuan is incredibly fierce. He killed the sect leader with a single blow, and he also used the Valley Scripture to disperse the Dao of Senior Brother Zhao Qingxiao... I'm going to the scene to keep an eye on this beastly character."

"I have to go keep watch. What if I die in Mingjiang?"

Zhao Youting felt more and more upset as he thought about it... Zhou Xuan is now known as the number one person below the nine incense sticks level, so why does he, who is only at the eight incense sticks level, have to go to the scene?

"Attack Zhou Xuan? Who? Me?"

"If I had known this would happen, I would never have come. What in this world is more valuable than my own life?"

……

Inside the Star Gazing Tower, Madam Kong's toes were suddenly grasped by a pair of baby-like hands.

A chilling sound came from the pool.

"Mother, today I am going to designate Zhou Xuan as a 'person of great calamity' and issue a warrant for his arrest to the nine courts, ordering his return to the capital. Why are you obstructing me?"

"Di Zi, Di Zi, you are incredibly brave, but unfortunately, you're not very bright..."

"What's wrong with me being smart?!"

A strange baby with short arms and legs clung to Madam Kong's feet, and then, like a nimble flying monkey, climbed up her legs...

...In no time at all, he had climbed onto Madam Kong's neck, his ten fingers digging deep into her flesh, and then he opened his mouth and began to bite her frantically.
With that bite, the fangs pierced through Madam Kong's right cheek.
Its fangs, like nails, hooked onto Madam Kong's face and ripped it off hard.

Puff!

The crimson flowers splashed into the white pool, staining it crimson.

Half of Madam Kong's face had been bitten off, leaving it a bloody mess, but she showed no sign of pain and instead laughed heartily.

"Haha, Dizi, you've gained some strength lately."

Madam Kong reached out, pressed down on the "ground", and gently stroked it.

The volatile temper of the "Earth Child" gradually subsided, and he said, "Why are you stopping me from dealing with Zhou Xuan?"

“Zhou Xuan, there are people behind you.”

"I know, he's just a fake sorcerer."

"That sorcerer is not fake, but... it's hard to say how many levels of the sorcerer's abilities he actually possesses."

Madam Kong turned her head and said to Di Zi, "It would be best to send Zhao You Ting and the people of Dun Jia to probe Zhou Xuan's strength."

"With the people of Dunjia taking action, neither Mingjiang Prefecture nor Pingshui Prefecture could withstand them. Zhou Xuan will surely have to ask that witch god to fight."

Madam Kong said, "If the sorcerer's fighting power is nothing more than this, then he is only fit to fill the water eyes in the Star Gazing Tower."

Lady Kong thought further ahead than Di Zi, a fact that even Di Zi himself acknowledged.

Di Zi sneered, "Mother, you think far ahead. I only want to capture Zhou Xuan, but you want to touch the Witch God."

"Don't think too far ahead. Our country, which was once a boundless sea of ​​suffering, has long since vanished into the starry sky. How could it possibly become the current overlord of the starry sea?"

"My dear child, go to sleep, go to sleep... With Mommy here, you are the true invincible divine infant in the starry sky."

Madam Kong held "Di Zi" in her arms, gently resting her head on its chest, and sang a soft lullaby.
The place grew even quieter, and in the tranquil observatory, it fell into a deep sleep...

……

"Beep, beep, beep."

"Boom, boom, boom."

Amidst a joyous cacophony of gongs and drums, Zhao Youting, seated in a sedan chair and carried by sixteen burly men, swayed and staggered up the mountain peak of the Dunjia Sect.

Going to Mingjiang Prefecture to seek revenge on Zhou Xuan seems like a joyous occasion, but Zhao Youting knows that this joyous occasion is likely mixed with a funeral.

"Even if it's a funeral, I'll still try to make it a joyous occasion."

Zhao Youting thought to himself.

He looks like an honest and kind person, but he's quite cunning and shrewd.

After leaving the Imperial Observatory, Zhao Youting went to a teahouse to "soak" in the tea.

As he sipped his tea, he pondered a solution.

"Going to Mingjiang Prefecture with the Dunjia Sect to settle accounts" is a job that could very well cost him his head. And the "Star Gazing Token" in his pocket is not a sacred sword, but a death warrant.

"To save our lives, we need to bring out a few of the old masters from the Dunjia Sect."

Those ancestors were all incredibly powerful, but they were all untouchable masters who didn't concern themselves with worldly affairs. They would never take action to seek revenge.

“Those ancient ancestors all thought highly of themselves, no longer considering themselves as mortals, but as one after another high and mighty immortals.”

The Supreme Ancestor was indifferent to his disciples. If it weren't for the allure of the feng shui and spiritual energy of Dunjia Mountain, which he believed aided their enlightenment, they would likely have long ago set off one by one to famous mountains and rivers, seeking out a blessed cave to cultivate.
They no longer cared about the disputes among their disciples.

"But this time, we absolutely cannot let our ancestors stand idly by."

Zhao Youting decided to drag those lofty ancestors into this mess.

How do I pull it down into the water?
Of course, the plan is to make a big show of things, create a grand spectacle, and falsely convey the divine message from the "local deity" to "invite" the elders out of the mountains.

Because he wanted to put on a grand show, Zhao Youting hired a drum and gong team and a dragon and ceremonial troupe to perform loudly on the mountain. "I am a person who loves to cultivate myself, I do not do evil, I do not cheat, at most I just care about face and beautiful women. Although I like to visit brothels, when have I ever cheated those brothel owners out of even a penny?"

Did I do anything wrong? No!

"Why should I, a mere beast, have to face that wild beast Zhou Xuan?"

Thinking of this, Zhao Youting lifted the sedan curtain, called over the manager of the lion dance troupe, and instructed, "Manager Zheng, have your men carry the offering table at the very back carefully. If the contents inside are knocked or damaged, they could lose their heads."

"Lord Zhao, don't you trust us? In the entire capital, everyone knows we're one of the top professional teams..."

"Boom! Boom!"

A series of sounds of rummaging through drawers and cabinets drifted over.

"..." Zhao Youting.

Zhao Youting craned his neck to take a look and saw that the offering table he had prepared had been overturned on the ground. Fruits and pig heads had all fallen onto the winding mountain path and were rolling around on the mountain road.

"Is this what you call a profession?"

Zhao Youting hurriedly got out of the sedan chair and went to the back of the procession to check.

He prepared eight offering tables, each carried by six strong men. At this moment, two of the tables overturned.

The offering tables were all covered with red cloth. He went straight to the first offering table. This offering table was not overturned. He lifted a corner of the red cloth and looked inside. He saw that the blue "Star Gazing Tablet" in the center of the offering table was still standing upright, so he was relieved.

The others who had overturned the offering table hurriedly came forward to beg for forgiveness: "Lord Zhao, it just rained in the mountains, and one of the laborers slipped..."

"Don't say useless things."

Zhao Youting glanced at the two shattered offering tables and said, "Today is a joyous occasion for the Dunjia Sect. Carrying these broken tables up the mountain would only spoil the festive atmosphere. Throw them all away; we don't need them anymore."

But all those red cloths were picked up, and the melons and fruits that were in good condition were wiped clean, wrapped in red cloths, and distributed to the disciples when they entered the mountain...

"It would be good to create a festive and joyful atmosphere."

As for Zhao Youting's character, he was indeed as he described himself: he had small acts of kindness but no major evils, and he was quite adept at handling ordinary trivial matters.

After his guidance and adjustments, the team resumed their journey.

Having learned from their previous mishap, everyone proceeded with extra caution on the mountain path ahead, and no further trouble ensued.

Once the sedan chair reached the mountaintop and passed through the gate of the Dunjia Sect, Zhao Youting called for it to stop.
All the sedan chair carriers, as well as the musicians and lion dancers, stopped what they were doing and started shouting all at once.
"The Earth God instructed us to enter the mountain, and the disciples of the Dunjia School came out of the mountain to guide us."

After the shouts, the mountain seemed to shake, and the Taoist priests all over the mountain, like startled larks, gathered in front of the mountain.

The three leaders of the Dunjia Sect also appeared.

They are Zhao Longhu, Zhao Luosheng, and Zhao Zibi.

The three men, their sleeves fluttering, arrived at the mountain gate and bowed to Zhao Youting.
Among them, Zhao Longhu, as the highest-ranking Grand Master of the Dunjia Sect, took the initiative to receive the divine oracle.

He rolled up his sleeves a little higher, cupped his hands and said, "Taoist Zhao Longhu, along with his disciples, has come to respectfully welcome the divine decree."

Zhao Youting then stepped down from the sedan chair, strolled leisurely around to Zhao Longhu's side, and whispered, "Senior Brother Longhu, there is great news."

"What's the joy?"

"Didn't you all beg me to go see Di Zi and report on Zhou Xuan's matter? Well, that's settled."

"Really?" Zhao Longhu couldn't help but look smug as he glanced at his two junior brothers.

Now that the sect leader Zhao Jinjia has passed away, all three of them are qualified to succeed him as sect leader.
Zhao Longhu persuaded Zhao Youting to go to the "Earth God" and relay the news of the sect leader's death, which was a great achievement for the Dunjia Sect.

With this achievement, his chances of becoming the sect leader would be much greater.

He deliberately raised his voice and said, "Then, Lord Zhao, what about the land?"

"This is the content of the oracle."

Zhao Youting walked to the main offering table, abruptly lifted the red cloth, revealing the light blue plaque.

He suddenly grabbed the plaque and said, "The Star Gazing Plaque is here. Seeing this plaque is like seeing the 'Land' (geomancy)."

"Di Zi" was extremely famous in the capital city, and the disciples of the Dunjia School immediately knelt down in a great number.

Zhao Youting glanced furtively at the crowd, and seeing that his act of falsely conveying divine decrees hadn't been exposed, he cleared his throat and said...

"Zhou Xuan first killed my senior brother Zhao Qingxiao of the Dunjia Sect, and then killed my sect leader Zhao Jinjia. His methods were vicious and extremely cruel."

The "Earth God" clearly indicated that he was dispatching the Supreme Ancestor of the Dunjia Sect, along with Zhao Longhu, Zhao Luosheng, and other skilled members of the sect, to Mingjiang Prefecture to capture Zhou Xuan and bring him back to the capital.
Zhao Zibi will remain in the sect to handle daily affairs.

When Zhao Longhu heard the first half, he was beaming with joy, occasionally glancing back at his two junior brothers.

But when they heard the second half—that he was among the people chosen to capture Zhou Xuan!
His expression immediately changed, and he cursed inwardly.

"What kind of nonsense is this? I just wanted to report the sect leader's death, I didn't mean to actually kill Zhou Xuan."

"Even the sect leader of Nine Incense Sticks Sect was brutally murdered, what use is it for me to care?"

"You'll lose your head."

Right now, he wanted to slap himself... If only he hadn't caused trouble, he could have stayed in the mountains to cultivate and enjoy the scenery. Wouldn't that have been wonderful?

As for how the sect leader died, besides him, how could his two fellow disciples not know?
Zhao Luosheng was the third senior brother. When Zhao Qingxiao and Zhao Jinjia were still alive, he was considered the fourth leader.

Now, he is also eliminating Zhou Xuan's "nominees," and he is even more furious.

"What crime have I committed? I don't want to compete for the position of sect leader. I've been diligent in managing the affairs of the mountain. Even if I haven't made any great contributions, I've still put in a lot of hard work. Now you want me to fight Zhou Xuan?"

I'll beat your mother to a pulp!

The two fellow disciples both had liver-colored faces, while Zhao Zibi's task was to manage affairs in the mountains.

In the past, managing affairs was a thankless and exhausting job, but now it has become a highly desirable position.

At least we don't have to face that monster Zhou Xuan.

The first person under the nine incense sticks, with sixteen sword techniques, cut Zhao Jinjia and his armor in two.

Although Zhao Jinjia suppressed his cultivation level, he was still at least at the eighth or ninth level, and he also had the divine armor of his sect protecting him.

Based on their cultivation levels, these individuals certainly lacked the courage to confront Zhou Xuan directly—they were no match for Zhao Jinjia, who had suppressed his cultivation level.

As for Zhao Zibi, she got the best job, but she pretended to be regretful and said,
"Alas, I envy my second and third senior brothers, who can fight on the battlefield and capture Zhou Xuan. As for me, I have the will to kill the enemy, but I can only stay in the mountains. It's not pleasant, not pleasant at all."

"Since you're so unhappy, junior brother, let's switch."

Zhao Luosheng seized the opportunity and immediately demanded a change of position. "You don't want to kill Zhou Xuan?" "What a coincidence! I don't!"
"Nonsense! The divine decree of the Earth God is clear; how can it be altered?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zibi immediately waved her sleeves and denied the idea of ​​"changing her position".

"Exchange? Only a fool would exchange with you?"

Zhao Zibi thought to herself with disdain.

For a time, these fellow disciples each had their own thoughts.
Zhao Longhu then said to Zhao Youting, "Lord Zhao, Junior Brother Zhao, we still have to hold a grand funeral for the sect leader in the mountains, which will probably take a year. Otherwise... we can go and take revenge a year later?"

"That's right, a true man's revenge is never too late, even after ten years."

Zhao Luosheng echoed this sentiment.

The two thought they could delay for a year, and after a year, "Di Zi" would forget about it, and they wouldn't have to face Zhou Xuan.

But Zhao Youting scoffed at it, wishing he could spit on each of them.
If he doesn't set off within ten years, Madam Kong will skin him alive!

"Nonsense! The clear instructions from the land can't be changed just like that! Where is the authority of the gods?"

After Zhao Youting uttered a harsh rebuke, he grew increasingly angry. He simply pulled his three fellow disciples aside to a quiet place, laid out half of his hand, and said…

"I've figured it out. You three senior brothers don't have the guts to kill Zhou Xuan! But you do have the guts to use Zhou Xuan to seize the position of sect leader! And a great deal of guts at that!"

"Today, you were the ones who begged me to plead for an explanation for the death of the sect leader. Now that the explanation has been given, none of you are willing to do it?"

The three senior brothers were all annoyed that Zhao Youting would not give them any face at all and would speak so bluntly.

Zhao Youting didn't care about this or that, and continued, "I've obtained the divine decree from the Earth God for you. If you don't comply, that's simple. I'll just report to the Earth God that the three of you... are all cowards!"

"If 'Di Zi' gets angry then, I won't be held responsible."

He brought up the name of "Di Zi" again. Zhao Longhu scratched his head and said, "Who would have thought that Di Zi would actually grant us permission to take revenge? Now that things have come to this, Junior Brother You Ting, I'll be frank."
In our sect, no one can truly defeat Zhou Xuan. He's the number one expert below the nine incense sticks mark. Who among us has nine incense sticks' worth of skill?

“That’s right, when Zhou Xuan killed our master, he hadn’t even used his special skills yet,” Zhao Luosheng interjected.

"The Landscape Painting can intimidate the high monks of the Buddhist Kingdom; the Valley Scripture is the true teaching of the Dao Ancestor; and Mingjiang Prefecture is the place where Zhou Xuan's vows flourish. He can use the power of the whole city to make a move. There are no way we can defeat him."

Zhao Zibi said very sincerely.

"Oh, I can't beat them."

After Zhao Youting nodded, he poked Zhao Longhu's nose and started cursing: "You motherfucker, you know you can't win, so what are you pretending to be so noble for? You're still in my mansion, vowing to avenge your master?"

"Now's your chance for revenge. Go for it!"

"I dont go."

Zhao Longhu said with a bitter face.

Zhao Luosheng also insisted on not going.

At this moment, Zhao Youting finally revealed his true colors, saying, "Since things have come to this, we are all in the same boat. I have an idea for you. Didn't the divine decree say so before?"

"Send you two senior brothers, along with the Supreme Ancestor, to capture Zhou Xuan—you may not be able to defeat Zhou Xuan, but surely the Supreme Ancestor can."

“Indeed… with the divine decree, even the Supreme Ancestor has to go. If he doesn’t want to, then we’ll have to talk to the ‘Earth God’.”

Zhao Longhu's eyes flashed with a fierce light as he agreed.

“That’s right. The important thing is for us to work together to persuade our ancestors to come out of seclusion.”

Zhao Youting added, "However, the details need to be changed."

Relying solely on "local power" to suppress our ancestors won't make them easily submit.

"How will it change?" Zhao Longhu asked.

Zhao Youting said, "Let's deceive our ancestors. We'll say that Zhou Xuan was predicted by the Earth God to sever the inheritance of the Dunjia (遁甲) technique, and that the Sixteen Forms of the Blade Technique will break through our mountain gate."
The ancestral fortune is connected to the mountain gate; the mountain gate is their foundation, and they cannot allow Zhou Xuan to act recklessly.

"Pah, pah, pah!"

The three senior brothers actually clapped at the same time, praising Zhao Youting's method as truly ingenious.

"Let's do it this way, let the ancestor come out of seclusion and deal with Zhou Xuan."

……

Dongshi Street, Cui Jie's Restaurant

The restaurant was bustling with activity.
Zhou Xuanzheng and Yun Ziliang toasted each other.

Suddenly, a paper umbrella took root inside the house, and Di Tong, the head of Mr. Ye's gang, emerged from the red light beneath it.

His face was filled with anxiety as he said to Zhou Xuan, "Master, you're still drinking? Zhao Youting from the Imperial Observatory wants to kill you."

(End of this chapter)