Sword from the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 157 The True Demon Delivers the Order
Zhou Yi bent down and continued to examine the body.

He was so engrossed that he ignored the stares of others.

The girl in blue stood beside him, holding a lantern to light his way. Her dark, jewel-like eyes looked him up and down with a hint of doubt and curiosity.

Because the assassin came from Duzun Fortress, Fan Caiqi was at a loss and couldn't make up her mind.

Noticing that Qingzhu was acting strangely, he quickly said, "Qingmei, move the lantern a little further away; it's almost touching Young Master Zhou's face."

The girl hummed in agreement and moved the lantern away, then bent down to watch Zhou Yi's movements as he touched the corpse.

She has a keen eye and noticed something amiss.

There were many members of the Sichuan Gang around, but she pretended not to hear the words "Miss Shi" and asked, "Is there any secret in these acupoints?"

"Let me see if it's related to the coffin palace, or..."

Zhou Yi paused for a moment: "Or it might involve the Evil King."

When the words "Evil King" were mentioned, the girl didn't respond, but her eyes became complicated, filled with a mixture of emotions, mostly wariness and estrangement.

Fan Caiqi, standing to the side, frowned and said, "I have never offended them."

“This has nothing to do with whether Miss Fan provoked them or not. I only have suspicions,” Zhou Yi said after examining all fifteen corpses from Duzun Fort. “It seems I’m overthinking it.”

Fan Caiqi didn't dare to relax: "What should I do?"

"Don't panic."

Zhou Yi stood up:

"First of all, you need to understand one thing: Lord Jie of Duzun Fort has no reason to order his men to assassinate you. He set the pattern in Sichuan and Chongqing. If he wanted to be the only one in power, he should have assassinated Chief Fan to annex the Sichuan Gang, not killed you to provoke your father's anger."

"Clean up these bodies and carry them back to the Sichuan gang at dawn."

Fan Caiqi hesitated and said, "My father..."

"You are unharmed, and Chief Fan has been able to remain calm, so this matter can be clarified. I know very little about the internal relationships of your three major forces. Let your father judge for himself what kind of struggle it is."

Seeing her nod, Zhou Yi pondered for a moment before heading towards Hou Xibai.

Beside him, of course, was a figure carrying a lantern.

"Master Zhou."

"Ok?"

"Who is this 'Stone Girl' you just mentioned?"

Zhou Yi put aside his thoughts and glanced at her sideways: "Of course it's you."

"why would you say so?"

She wanted to test him further, but he suddenly blurted out, "I've heard Old Lu mention him, um, Mr. Lu Miaozi."

Old Lu knew very well about Bixiu Xinshi Pavilion. Even on his deathbed, he was able to send a secret letter to Youlin Xiaogu. Zhou Yi only needed this one sentence to explain the whole story.

Upon hearing the name "Lu Miaozi".

The girl's doubts vanished as she had the same thought as Zhou Yi.

Besides her skill with the xiao (a type of vertical flute), she was also proficient in medicine and mechanical arts. In her medical skills, she had access to many classic texts from Lu Miaozi.

This all stems from the friendships of the previous generation.

Zhou Yi then said:

“Mr. Lu told me about the two sects and the six paths. Judging from Brother Hou’s actions and martial arts, he must be a disciple of the Flower Sect. That must be what Shi Zhixuan taught him. He spoke to you without any reservation, which shows that he trusts you. Then I remembered that Miss Shi is Brother Hou’s junior sister and happens to be in Bashu, so I guessed your identity.”

"So that's how it is. Qingxuan's little tricks really couldn't hide from Grand Commander Zhou," the girl said with a smile, cupping her hands in a salute as she swayed the lantern in her hand.

"Is Mr. Lu alright?"

"Mr. Lu has recovered from his old illness and is now enjoying his retirement."

Upon hearing this news, she revealed genuine joy: "The Grand Commander also possesses medical skills?"

"No, I just know some unusual martial arts techniques."

Since it involved Lao Lu's private affairs, Zhou Yi didn't dabble in it and changed the subject: "Miss Shi is fond of quiet and elegant people, how could she be willing to stay in a tavern in the city?"

"How did you know I prefer quiet? Did Mr. Lu tell you that?"

"Yes, as the saying goes, one can understand the meaning behind a stringed instrument; the sound of a flute can have the same effect."

“Young Master Zhou, don’t try to fool me,” she raised her eyebrows slightly. “The painting you made for me was perfunctory, and my Jiangdu Palace Moon is just a whimsical fabrication. How can you know a person’s character?”

"That's not entirely true. Sometimes the emotions revealed in a melody are subtle and cannot be concealed even if the composer wants to. When these emotions reach the ears of the audience, the true feelings cannot be hidden. I once listened to this melody with the creator of Jiangdu Palace Moon and learned about Miss Shi's feelings. Is that strange?"

Shi Qingxuan chuckled softly: "It is said that Grand Commander Zhou of Jiangnan is an eloquent and persuasive man. How could a mere woman possibly win an argument with him?"

The implication was that she still didn't believe it.

However, they didn't dwell on such a trivial matter.

"Qingxuan's hiding in the tavern was a last resort; my secluded cottage in the woods is now in extreme danger."

Zhou Yi glanced at her and asked seriously:

"Is Miss Shi under Anlong's protection, or is she on guard against Anlong?"

Shi Qingxuan hadn't expected him to know so much:
"Among the people who went to the vicinity of Youlin Xiaozhu a few months ago, there were some from Duzun Fortress, but they didn't seem to be sent by Jie Hui, because not many people know where I live in seclusion. In addition, the enemy I met tonight makes me even more suspicious that it is related to Anlong."

As they spoke, the two arrived at Hou Xibai's location.

By the time dawn broke, Hou Xibai's injuries had mostly healed.

Through Shi Qingxuan's conversation with Zhou Yi, Hou Xibai realized that, just as he had guessed, he had no secrets from Zhou Yi.

As a result, people spoke more casually.

"Brother Zhou, do you think this is Master Shi's arrangement?"

Zhou Yi remained silent, but Shi Qingxuan, sensing his gaze, spoke directly:
"Young Master Zhou, there's no need to overthink my relationship with that person. If he were to arrange for someone to kill me, I wouldn't be surprised."

The distance in her words was obvious to everyone. Her feelings for her father, the Evil King, were extremely complex, including resentment, fear, and unforgivable feelings, as well as blood ties.

But what's surprising is that...
This negative emotion, which could almost destroy a person, does not prevent her from feeling the colorfulness of life under the bright spring sunshine, forever maintaining vitality and boundless energy, and also playing a clear and melodious flute tune with elegance and tranquility.

"Brother Zhou, Brother Zhou"

Hou Xibai called out twice and poked his arm with his fan.

Zhou Yi composed himself and said, "It might not be your master, but more likely your senior brother."

Hou Xibai felt a headache coming on whenever he talked about this senior brother.

He had learned from the Illusionary Demon Body Technique that Yang Xuyan was his senior brother, and he also knew about Yang Xuyan's assassination attempt on Yang Guang.

"Why would Yang Xuyan do this? Isn't he afraid of Shi Shi? If An Long disobeys Shi Shi, wouldn't he also be doomed?"

Hou Xibai shook his head repeatedly, and Zhou Yi patted him on the shoulder:

“Brother Hou, you can no longer view the martial world with the same old perspective. You think An Long is loyal to your master, but he might be the first to betray you. I’m almost certain that Yang Xuyan went to Champion City just like you. But he’s much bolder; he probably entered the Coffin Palace and obtained something.”

"Moreover, he is also a member of the Great Ming Zun Sect."

Hou Xibai's expression changed several times as he followed Zhou Yi's train of thought.

He sighed slightly: "It seems that Master Shi already has the answer. When it comes to the inheritance of our sect, I am indeed inferior to Senior Brother Yang."

After speaking, he suddenly looked relieved, unfolded his folding fan, and waved it gracefully.
"Master Shi once made a sacred oath that if I could not withstand his full power of the Flower Sect's highest martial art, the Twelve Branches of Flower Sect, when I was twenty-eight years old, I would have to die for the sect."

"Going all out?"

"Yes."

"Then you're doomed. Your master captured the monk Bu Tan at Longxing Temple. That thought of the unity of Buddha and demon is his best remedy. In addition, he is cooperating with the Great Venerable. Who knows what else he will gain. When you turn twenty-eight, he will make his move with all his might. You will have no chance of survival."

Hou Xibai remained calm, exuding an even more refined and elegant air: "Therefore, I must cherish every day of my future, since my days are numbered."

Suddenly, he saw Zhou Yi smiling and asked, "Brother Zhou, what can I do for you?"

“Brother Hou, you must not die. You are my friend, how could the Evil King kill you as he pleases?”

Hou Xibai asked doubtfully, "Brother Zhou, how do you plan to deal with Master Shi?"

"That's simple, I'll just capture his daughter."

Hou Xibai was taken aback, then realized that he was joking to comfort him. Shi Qingxuan glared at him irritably: "You have such a crooked idea, he'll kill me too."

"Just kidding," Zhou Yi smiled. "Brother Hou, don't worry. Your master's training speed may not be as fast as mine. When you turn twenty-eight, I will definitely be able to protect you."

"Even if I only live to be twenty-eight, having a friend like Brother Zhou, I will die without regrets."

The wealthy young man picked up a fan and used it to fan Zhou Yi, who was standing nearby.

Zhou Yi put his arm around his shoulder and said earnestly, "No one in the world understands my paintings better than Brother Hou. People say that true friends are hard to find, and I cherish them very much."

“Miss Shi, in this situation, why don’t you play a tune for us?”

Shi Qingxuan actually cooperated, but the tunes she played were inconsistent, sometimes like "the sound of tearing silk chills the heart" and sometimes like "a sobbing spring flows under the ice," and were generally unpleasant to hear.

Soon, the Grand Commander's voice came from inside the room again: "The music is wrong, the music is wrong."

The girl was responding to his bad idea.

The evil king's daughter was captured, and the flute music she played naturally had this kind of melody.
……

"Coming."

Fan Caiqi pointed ahead: "After walking half a street, you'll reach the headquarters of my Sichuan Gang."

The Sichuan gang members carrying the body walked in front, with Zhou Yi and his three companions bringing up the rear.

As they approached the headquarters of the Sichuan Gang, Fan Caiqi deliberately slowed down.

She wasn't stupid when it came to important matters. Even though someone had informed her, she still needed to give her father time to react.

Looking across the world's various powers, anyone who knows that the Grand Commander of Jianghuai is personally coming would probably not dare to be negligent.

The Sichuan Gang headquarters and the Nanyang Gang are very different.

Zhou Yi could see the towering watchtower from afar. The layout of this gang's headquarters resembled a village or mountain stronghold, only with taller buildings, a more prosperous location, and more exquisite decorations.

They even diverted a tributary of the Jieyu River from the inland river to pass through the headquarters, giving it the feel of a "mini moat".

However, this layout did not add to the grandeur; instead, it had a gentle and peaceful feel to it.

The river was perfectly calm, shimmering with golden light in the spring sunshine, without a single ripple.

The tranquility of the river was broken by a series of footsteps.

Over a hundred strong men rushed out of the Sichuan Gang headquarters. The middle-aged man in the lead was dressed in a brown martial arts uniform. Fan Caiqi and he looked seven parts alike. Fan Caiqi was the leader of the Sichuan Gang, the Gun Master Fan Zhuo.

He recognized Zhou Yi at a glance, his short-bearded face beaming with smiles, and he clasped his hands in greeting from afar.

"I am sorry that I have failed to greet the Grand Commander properly."

Zhou Yibin responded politely with a fist and palm salute:
"Chief Fan, you are too kind. I apologize for my unauthorized visit and hope you will not take offense."

Fan Zhuo waved his hands repeatedly and raised his voice: "Not at all, not at all!"

Then, he said something that slightly surprised Zhou Yi:

"Knowing that the Grand Commander was coming, I had made preparations more than a month in advance."

After exchanging pleasantries, he was overly polite and offered to lead the way.

Among the leaders of the three major forces in Sichuan and Chongqing, Jie Hui of Duzun Fortress stands out in terms of personal martial prowess, far surpassing the Sichuan Gang's gun lord and the leader of the Ba Alliance.

However, as a major local gang, the Sichuan gang had a large number of members and influence, with branches in various counties of Sichuan and Chongqing.

Even if Zhou Yi has a special identity, as a powerful local figure, there is no need for him to adopt such a humble attitude, especially with so many Sichuan gang members around him.

Zhou Yi was a little confused.

With this question in mind, they walked all the way to the headquarters, a five-story building. In the main hall on the third floor, where there was a statue of Guan Yu, Fan Zhuo invited him to sit down next to the main seat.

Behind Zhou Yi and Chief Fan, three large incense sticks were emitting wisps of smoke.

As the two sat down, the straight column of cigarette smoke bent over.

Hou Xibai and Shi Qingxuan also took their seats in the hall.

Fan Caiqi poured tea for the two of them.

Another waiter stepped forward and poured Zhou Yi a cup of fragrant tea.

Fan Zhuo, being rather outgoing, said with a smile, "Our Sichuan teahouses are scattered throughout the market. Whether you're a peddler or a merchant, you'll always stop here to rest and discuss business, and you'll always have a sip while exchanging stories and experiences."

He turned his palm over to indicate:
"This is Mengding Shihua from Mengding Mountain. It is the earliest curly green tea in Sichuan and Chongqing and is known as the top tribute tea. This cup of tea is made from an old tea tree at the very top of Mengding Mountain. This tree is bathed in clouds all year round and is called 'fairy tea' by the people of Sichuan and Chongqing."

Fan Zhuo stroked his short beard, a hint of pride in his voice as he introduced the tea.

Zhou Yi observed that the Mengding stone flowers were straight, even, and beautiful, as dazzling as silver flowers. The tea soup was yellowish-green, clear and bright.

Its aroma is rich and complex; it is truly no ordinary product.

He couldn't help but laugh and said, "I am just a wanderer in the mortal world, yet I have tasted a divine delicacy. This trip to Sichuan has been worthwhile."

Fan Zhuo clapped his hands and laughed, seemingly unconcerned about the corpses that had been brought in earlier.

He then chatted with Zhou Yi for a few more minutes over tea.

Zhou Yi spoke eloquently, recounting his conversation with Shi Long about the Guangling Tea Granny to Fan Zhuo.

Gun Master wasn't surprised to hear this.

Given Zhou Yi's status in the martial arts world, he naturally possessed extensive knowledge and was able to get closer to these strange tales of tea immortals.

Weiwei glanced at Hou Xibai and Shi Qingxuan.

He knew Hou the boy, and his daughter had mentioned the other one. There were also two elders and the deputy gang leader Yan Chongxian in the hall; there were no outsiders.

After a brief chat, let's get back to the main topic.

This topic should have been brought up by Zhou Yi.

He came from the Jianghuai region with the aim of taking over Sichuan and Chongqing. As a local strongman, he should be waiting for the right price to go.

But for some reason, Fan Zhuo couldn't wait any longer. "A month ago, a distinguished guest came to our gang from Meishan County and gave me a lot of advice. Does the Grand Commander know who this person is?"

Meishan County.

"Could it be Fellow Daoist Yuan Tiangang?"

"It is indeed Master Yuan!"

Before Zhou Yi could ask any further questions, Fan Zhuo suddenly changed his form of address and then revealed the inside story: "Master Yuan said that I, Fan, am facing a predicament that can only be resolved with the guidance of the Celestial Master. I have always admired Master Yuan's physiognomy skills. Back then, Du Yan and I received guidance from Master Yuan, which is why we are where we are today."

"And I have also encountered this disaster, which is probably more than just one difficulty."

Fellow Daoist Tiangang is truly a good friend, even coming to our door to set up a plan.

Zhou Yi felt grateful and casually asked, "With Chief Fan in charge of the Sichuan Gang, is there anything in Sichuan that he can't resolve? Even so, there are still the Ba Alliance and Duzun Fort. Why does the Chief think that the responsibility must fall on me?"

How could Fan Zhuo not understand this simple truth?

"The surface of Bashu is calm at present, but the undercurrents are turbulent and terrifying. Both Bameng and Duzunbao are too busy to take care of themselves. If I were to use all my strength, I could indeed resolve the crisis temporarily, but the subsequent troubles would be endless. We would have to live in fear from now on, and I can't even imagine what that would be like."

Zhou Yi took a sip of tea, and Fan Zhuo, seeing him put down the teacup, said again:
"Even if this matter cannot be resolved, it will not prevent our gang from supporting the Grand Commander. Two months later, the three major forces in Bashu will hold a meeting to re-determine the general trend. Regardless of the attitudes of Duzunbao and Bameng, I, Fan, will be the first to stand up and speak for the Grand Commander."

Hearing his statement, Zhou Yi was even more surprised.

Who did the Trump faction offend?

"Chief Fan, who do you intend to settle your score with?"

Fan Zhuo frowned and said, "About twenty days ago, my son Fan Yan offended a member of the Demonic Sect at the Wuping County branch. This person was low-key, but I didn't expect him to be such a great master."

"He kidnapped your son?"

"No, my son is unharmed. He just sent word that my son provoked him, and he disdains to fight with a junior and wants to compete with me. If I lose, he will show him the family's ancestral martial arts."

Zhou Yi smiled slightly: "This person is reasonable. If the gang leader hosts a banquet to entertain him and then has another match, perhaps they can turn enemies into friends."

"Ugh."

Fan Zhuo sighed, "If it were a few months ago, I would have done the same. My martial arts skills are among the best in Sichuan, and I would not hesitate to fight."

“But things are different now. Many masters of the Demonic Sect are active in Sichuan and Chongqing. I don’t know this person’s background and I’m worried that if he comes to my door, there will be constant trouble. Very few people in the martial arts world are willing to offend the Demonic Sect. These people are unpredictable and there will always be times when we can’t guard against them.”

Zhou Yi understood his concerns: "When will he come to visit?"

"Judging by the time, if we come as agreed, it should be in three or four days."

"it is good."

Zhou Yi had a natural confidence in the Demonic Sect: "I've agreed to this, but how to resolve it depends on who he is."

"Thank you!" Fan Zhuo clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"Does Chief Fan have any other troubles?"

At this moment, Fan Zhuo let out a long breath and took out a black token from his sleeve, on which was carved a "coffin".

"It is this Coffin Palace Decree."

Even the most skilled gunner in Sichuan and Chongqing felt a chill run down his spine upon seeing this thing.

This is what forced him to this spot.

Inside the main hall, apart from Yan Chongxian, the deputy gang leader who knew the inside story, there were others.

The others all showed strange expressions.

Fan Caiqi looked worried; she had no idea about this: "Father, how did this token end up in your hands?"

This strange token is only found in the Coffin Palace, and it was made by the owner of the Coffin Palace.

Anyone who offends the Coffin Palace, especially if they are a powerful force, will receive this decree from a true demon.

The leaders of powerful forces either go to the coffin palace to resolve the conflict, or fight it to the death.

Both are difficult to choose between.

The number one force in the demonic path today is none other than the Coffin Palace.

Leaving aside the true demon masters who are single-mindedly devoted to martial arts, the sheer number of powerful demonic sect masters alone is enough to terrify anyone.

That old sect leader Zhou was an even more formidable figure.

Although the Sichuan gang has a large number of members, if they were to suddenly attack the headquarters, it would be an instant disaster.

Fan Zhuo waved his hand at her: "Telling you will only cause you more trouble."

After he finished speaking, Zhou Yi was seen playing with the token with great interest. His expression seemed even more relaxed than when he heard about the demonic sect expert.

Fan Zhuo was greatly puzzled.

"How did the gang leader offend them in Sichuan and Chongqing?"

A fleeting look of frustration crossed Fan Zhuo's face: "There is an Evil Emperor Temple outside this city. I heard some time ago that the Evil Emperor Temple holds a great secret of martial arts, and many people are digging for it. I belatedly found out, so I sent people to investigate. In fact, we just joined in the fun and gained nothing."

“The people from the coffin palace investigated the matter and said that I had dug up their ancestral graves, and they told me to hand over the things in the ancestral graves.”

"This is outrageous! Our Sichuan gang only had a brief encounter with the Evil Emperor Temple, yet we've been unfairly smeared."

This wasn't anything new; Zhou Yi had already heard Hou Xibai mention it.

The troubles of Duzunbao also stemmed from this, and their situation was going to be even worse.

Jie Hui was powerful, so when his men arrived at the underground of the Evil Emperor Temple, rumors spread that he had obtained the Evil Emperor's relic.

However, Duzun Fort is a tough nut to crack, and the various forces watching it dare not make any rash moves.

The relics are in Yang Gong's treasure vault, not in the Evil Emperor's Temple.

Zhou Yi couldn't help but glance at Shi Qingxuan.

She likely possesses a fake relic, and this fake relic is quite intriguing.

Otherwise, given the formidable perception of the four veteran artists of the Holy Ultimate Sect, they wouldn't have fought over the fake relic just because she tossed it up. Even if it only fooled them for one round, it shows that this thing is almost indistinguishable from the real thing.

When will the people from the coffin palace arrive?

"I don't know."

Fan Zhuo shook his head: "I have had this order for some time now, but the True Demon has not yet come here. I don't know if they have forgotten or did it on purpose."

Zhou Yi lightly tapped the incense table: "Chief Fan, I can also help you resolve this matter."

His calm tone brought Fan Zhuo a great sense of relief.

The deputy leader Yan Chongxian, who was standing to the side, also stood up and thanked the leader Fan, saying, "Thank you, Grand Commander!"

Champion City and Nanyang are so close, yet they coexist peacefully.

Adding to the battle at Longxing Temple, they believed Zhou Yi had the ability to resolve the situation.

It's best not to resolve this matter with violence, otherwise our peaceful days will be over.

Seeing the undisguised excitement of the two leaders of the Sichuan gang, Zhou Yi found it amusing.

Old Tan was right to give that token; otherwise, it wouldn't have been so easy to break through the Sichuan gang.

After drinking a few more cups of tea, they chatted about the latest situation of the three major forces. Duzun Fortress was embroiled in the rumors of the "Evil Emperor's Relic," and although the Ba Alliance had not been involved in the conflict of the Evil Emperor's Temple, it was also facing considerable trouble.

Yan Chongxian said:

"Several relatives of Luo Feng, the chief of the Miao people, have become living dead and are still clinging to life. Many people from the four major tribes of Bayannur have died because of this strange phenomenon, and there is no sign of it stopping. Perhaps it is some rare plague, because they have been moving around very little lately."

"Jiaoluofeng believed that the spirit medium was responsible, so he found the Yao tribe leader Sina. Sina then invited her master, the Tongtian Shenmu of the Heyi Sect."

The Heavenly Goddess has also arrived?
Zhou Yi's interest was piqued, and he kept asking what those living dead were an omen of.

Fan Zhuo recounted the details of these living dead in detail, and Zhou Yi couldn't help but feel curious when he heard him mention the textures.

Fan Zhuo explained, "Several people in our gang have been in similar situations before."

"They held on for more than ten days, and then they all died."

Yan Chongxian felt a chill run down his spine and scratched his head: "I once dissected a corpse and found that the victim's heart was ulcerated, with honeycomb-like holes, as if it had been bitten by insects."

"Later, the Miao elders determined that it was not caused by insects gnawing at the body. When it comes to the Heart-Eating Insect Gu, no one is more proficient than the Miao people."

"So Jiao Luofeng said it was the work of ghosts and monsters. Now that Tongtian Shenmu has gone to Ba Meng, I wonder if she has subdued this spirit medium."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yi realized it had nothing to do with the demonic energy and couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed.

He had assumed that Lao Tan was setting up a plan in the Baram organization and was going to acquire a ready-made asset, but it seems he overestimated Lao Tan's efficiency.

"I've heard that the Celestial Master can travel between the realms of Yin and Yang and pull people back from the brink of death. If even the Heavenly Mother is helpless, why doesn't the Celestial Master give it a try?"

Fan Zhuo's eyes lit up when he thought of this: "Bameng is quite close to the Li family, which may be a breakthrough."

Zhou Yi initially wanted to refuse.

However, he was also curious about the so-called living dead: "I would like to trouble Chief Fan to keep an eye on this."

"That's simple, but..."

Fan Zhuo cautioned, "These people have strange tempers and are united but xenophobic. If you take the initiative to approach them, you're likely to run into a brick wall. The Celestial Master shouldn't visit them; we must wait for the people from the Ba Alliance to come and invite him. Once I've relayed the message to Jiao Luofeng, if Tongtian Shenmu can't save his relatives, the Celestial Master will be the last straw."

"He who listens to advice will eat his fill," so Zhou Yi naturally listened to this local bully.

The idea of ​​actively going to Bayannur to investigate has been temporarily abandoned.

With Yuan Tiangang's connections and the involvement of the Demonic Sect, Miss Fan got along well with the Sichuan Gang.

With so many connections, Fan Zhuo is still reliable.

At lunchtime, Chief Fan ordered a table full of delicious dishes.

Zhou Yi ate with great relish, and Shi Qingxuan also ate quite a bit. Of their companions, only Hou Xibai barely ate a few bites.

That's because the hairy beast he caught yesterday all ended up in his stomach.

Zhou Yi took a few sips of the soup, but found it had a strong fishy smell and was difficult to swallow.

Because Hou Xibai was injured, Miss Fan said that the bird was very nourishing. Hou, being a man who cherishes beauty, couldn't bear to refuse the beauty's good intentions, so he ate it all.

After the meal, Miss Fan found them a place to stay through the help of the gang.

The headquarters of the Sichuan gang was like a huge and luxurious mountain stronghold with many houses. I originally wanted to find a lively place so that they could experience the atmosphere of Sichuan and Chongqing.

Zhou Yi chose a secluded spot.

Hou Xibai felt it was a pity, but Miss Shi was secretly satisfied.

After making the arrangements, Fan Caiqi said, "You all rest first. My father wants to ask me about what happened at the mansion last night. I'll go and explain."

"What happened to those corpses?"

"Load them onto the carriages and deliver them all to Duzun Fort later, then hand them over to Uncle Jie."

After Fan Caiqi left, Zhou Yi talked to Shi Qingxuan and Hou Xibai about the Evil Emperor Temple.

"Fake relics?"

Shi Qingxuan tilted her head slightly to look at him: "Are you asking me for it?"

"you have not?"

"Of course I don't have any, but I can go look for them. Are you in a hurry?"

Zhou Yi was a little puzzled, then realized she wasn't joking: "No rush, let's deal with the Sichuan gang's matter first, and also the Ba Meng."

Hou Xibai reminded him:

"The Coffin Palace is dangerous, and many forces in Bashu are eyeing it. The Evil Emperor's Relic is extremely attractive to people from both factions and the Six Paths. When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits. At this time, if Brother Zhou wants to succeed in Bashu, he cannot directly confront them."

"Yes, I've dealt with the people from the Coffin Palace quite a few times, and I'll handle this matter carefully."

Hou Xibai nodded, and Zhou Yi then looked at Shi Qingxuan: "Miss Shi, do you have the Undying Seal Technique?"

"You're also interested in the Undying Seal Technique?"

She observed Zhou Yi's changing expression: "This Immortal Seal Scroll is useless to anyone other than that person's successor."

Zhou Yi thought to himself, "Whether it's useful or not doesn't matter, I just want to take a look."

"By the way, Brother Hou, have you seen it?"

"No."

Hou Xibai laughed and said, "Without Master Shi's permission, how could I dare to ask for the Immortal Seal Scroll?"

"Young Master Hou, you'd better be more honest. The Grand Commander is so domineering, demanding to see someone's family's secret techniques as soon as he arrives. Could you give him a reason why I should show you the Immortal Seal Scroll?"

"The reason is simple."

Zhou Yi smiled confidently: "I will find a way to quell the chaos in Sichuan and Chongqing and restore a peaceful secluded forest retreat for you."

Shi Qingxuan gazed at the azure sky: "This reason is very tempting, and I can't refuse it."

"It's a pity, though."

She looked dejected: "I was attacked at my door, and during my escape, I lost the Immortal Seal somewhere."

Hou Xibai sighed after hearing this.

If he could cultivate the Undying Seal Technique, he would gain tremendous benefits.

That's just how fate is.
Just as I was about to sigh, I heard Brother Zhou's voice ring out again:
"Miss Shi, don't try to fool me."

"No way! I don't have that kind of bad habit."

Zhou Yi glanced at her a few times, but Shi Qingxuan's gaze remained unwavering. This time, Zhou Yi knew she wasn't lying. Hou Xibai, standing to the side, lost his last bit of hope and couldn't help but sigh again.

Suddenly, the girl covered her mouth and laughed, her eyes full of playfulness and joy.

"Although the printed scrolls were lost, I can still recite them from memory."

Her bright, dark eyes sparkled with an indescribable liveliness, and she spoke before Zhou Yi could:
"Grand Commander, please don't look at me with such a stern and imposing gaze. When I get nervous, I can't remember the Undying Seal Technique."

Zhou Yi couldn't help but laugh; she really was the daughter of the Evil King.
……

(End of this chapter)