Scourge Messenger

Chapter 290 Regional Event 'Gathering Places'

In Yanzijun Town, near the cliff city, Jiang Shi and his group climbed the steps to visit the Murong family.

This is a very peculiar town because the military town is built at the foot of the mountain, while the city is built on the mountain. The vast majority of people live in the military town at the foot of the mountain, and only a few direct descendants of the Murong family are qualified to live in the city on the mountain. This reminds Yan Qing of the Warring States period in "Taiko Risshiden 5", where the residents and the noble class are also separated in the same way.

The reason why Yanzijun Town is so special is because the entrance to its secret realm is inside the cliff. Even though the messenger has the ability to cut through mountains and break through the earth, he dares not change the terrain. Destroying the terrain and causing the secret realm to disappear has happened more than once in history. The only option is to build a city on the mountain. However, as the population grew, a town also formed at the foot of the mountain.

But precisely because it is so far apart, the security in Yanzijun Town is even more relaxed than in Pingcheng. There are no fees for entering or leaving the city, and it is close to the Wei River. It is a natural commercial distribution center with a permanent population of over one million. Its prosperity is second only to the county attached to the main city.

Jiang Shi and his group had actually arrived at Yanzi Military Town three days ago, but they did not immediately look for the Murong family. Firstly, they wanted to find a long-term foothold in the military town. Secondly, they planned to investigate the reputation of the Murong family. Thirdly, Yan Qing was busy at the time, as he was holding an unrestricted fighting competition with Qi Guo Bai Bao.

Most importantly, the people who built the building were all worried about one thing: Ying Rushi had sworn that the Murong family would definitely protect them, but it was Ying Le who wanted to kill them. Could the Murong family really withstand the pressure from Ying Le?

However, no one would question this now, because they learned an important piece of information soon after arriving in Yanzi Army Town: the Murong family has a Foundation Establishment True Person.

The current head of the Murong family is also the granddaughter of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Some might be surprised that Jianlouxian only found out about this now, but there are no rankings or chaotic books in this world (even if there were, local Muggles wouldn't be able to see them). Ordinary messengers might only know about the big shots in other military towns. As for the higher-ranking Foundation Establishment cultivators, unless you are already in the 'Foundation Establishment Clan' circle, even if you have completed the third stage of cultivation, no one will specifically tell you this common knowledge.

Ying Le may seem crazy, but he is actually very measured. For example, in this great purge, he didn't touch the real big clans at all. He only targeted the middle-level powerful families. Even though he stirred up a bloody storm, there were countless people who served him. It can be said that he could kill people with a flick of his finger. As long as it's not a matter of principle, Ying Le would not offend a Foundation Establishment clan like the Murong family.

"The old master of the Bi family is inside." The servant respectfully pushed open the palace gate of Linya City: "Please come in."

Yan Qing also knew something about this old man from the Bi family. He was said to be the chief steward of Yanzi Army Town, who was in charge of the secret realm strategy all year round. He was also the commander of the three thousand Canhe Baibao in Linya City. In this land, he was second only to the emperor and above a million people. Everyone thought he must be a middle-aged man with a very deep mind. He was surrounded by guards in armor, whose eyes were sharp enough to see through people's hearts.

However, there were no guards in the palace, only cherry blossom trees blooming like cotton candy. Heaven knows how they managed to grow cherry blossom trees indoors. The walnut floor was covered with cherry blossom petals, and at the end of the flower-lined path sat a beautiful young woman dressed in brocade and silk. She greeted them warmly, "Please have a seat, gentlemen."

Only Jiang Shi, Gai Louxian, and Bu Liuguzhen entered Linya City to visit, while Rabbit Girl stayed in Yanzi Army Town to avoid being wiped out.

The beautiful young woman focused intently on brewing tea, her movements simple yet elegant. She poured three cups of tea, each with just one tea leaf floating in it, demonstrating her profound skill.

"Distinguished guests have come from afar. I apologize for any shortcomings in our hospitality," the beautiful young woman said with a smile.

Although they had vaguely anticipated it, everyone was still surprised to hear her admit that she was Xi Zifeng, the elder of the Bi family. Gai Louxian and Bu Liuguzhen hurriedly held out teacups, as they dared not be disrespectful to the elder of the Bi family who had personally brewed the tea. Only Jiang Shi remained expressionless and did not pick up a teacup, directly asking, "Where is the head of the Murong family?"

"You say you came to Yanzi Army Town at the invitation of an old friend? Do you have any tokens of your trust?"

"Yes, but it can only be given to the head of the Murong family."

"The only token the Murong family would recognize is the Green Mountain Token." Xi Zifeng's answer was firm: "If you have one, please show it; if you don't, please leave."

After a brief silence, Jiang Shi handed over the [Green Mountain See Me Token]. Xi Zifeng respectfully accepted it with both hands, examined it for a moment, and then returned it to Jiang Shi. "It is indeed the Green Mountain Token that the patriarch instructed. According to the patriarch's instructions, the Murong family will do its best to help everyone. As long as the quota does not exceed three hundred people, the Murong family will do everything in its power."

"Three hundred people?" Everyone was a little confused. What a strange metric. Was it that the GDP of a company could not exceed three hundred people?

"At most, three hundred of the Canhe Baibao will be killed, which is about one-tenth of the strength of Linya City." Xi Zifeng casually stated a terrifying figure. "The Canhe Baibao are the most important asset of Linya City. Before three hundred Canhe Baibao are killed, Linya City will send Canhe Baibao to meet all your demands."

Gai Louxian and Bu Liuguzhen were both stunned. Although they knew that Ying Rushi had a lot of influence, this was too much! You have to know that all three thousand members of the Sanhe Baibao were messengers, while the Pingcheng Military Town had less than three hundred messengers. In other words, the token in Jiang Shi's hand was equivalent to giving them ten times more power than the Pingcheng Military Town!

“No need,” Jiang Shi said calmly. “We only need the right to freely enter the secret realm for training, and the qualification to purchase military town items.”

Hearing that Jiang Shi so easily gave up his immense power, Gai Louxian and Bu Liuguzhen couldn't help but want to say a few words of advice. Just then, Xi Zifeng turned to look at them. Although she had a pair of gentle and charming eyes, they felt as if their hearts had been seen through, and they couldn't say a word.

"So, you're voluntarily giving up more rights?" Xi Zifeng asked. "Perhaps I didn't express myself clearly. To be precise, before losing three hundred of the Sanhe Baibao soldiers, Yanzi Military Town will meet all your demands. Millions of soldiers and civilians, including myself, will obey your orders."

“I don’t need it,” Jiang Shi said. “I came here to cultivate, not for pleasure. What good are ten thousand bushels of grain to me? But I would like to see your inventory. If there is anything suitable, I will buy it.”

Xi Zifeng's smile faded, and she calmly looked at Jiang Shi. Although she still appeared as a delicate beauty, the imposing aura of a third-rank messenger swept through the hall like a whirlwind, seemingly indicating her displeasure with Jiang Shi's attitude. Jiang Shi remained unmoved, like a rock, but Gai Louxian and Bu Liuguzhen, the two second-rank messengers, turned pale with fright. Offending the Murong family in Linya City was tantamount to courting death.
Suddenly, Xi Zifeng chuckled, and instantly thousands of pear blossoms bloomed. "Congratulations on passing the patriarch's test. You are now officially members of Yanzi Army Town. No matter who you offend, as long as the Murong family exists, we guarantee your safety."

"test?"

“I’m sorry, this is the patriarch’s order. Lord Qingshan has a long history with the patriarch, and the patriarch… is worried that Lord Qingshan will be deceived, so he deliberately set this trap. If you can’t resist the temptation, we won’t do anything to you, but we will only give you a sum of money and allow you to live in Yanzi Military Town. That’s all.” Xi Zifeng paused: “The patriarch has always wanted to prove that Lord Qingshan is too trusting of others.”

Although it was said in a very veiled way, Yan Qing still understood: the head of the Murong family and Ying Rushi were indeed friends, but the head of the Murong family was very dissatisfied with Ying Rushi's character and conduct, so he set a trap to entrap Ying Rushi and prove that she had trusted the wrong person.

That's quite childish. As long as he can get into the secret realm, that's all that matters. Yan Qing never expected the Murong family to protect his alt account; it would be good enough if they didn't harm it.

After discussing this matter, Yan Qing made preparations, but then he remembered something and asked Jiang Shi to inquire, "Where is the head of the Murong family? Someone asked me to pass on a message."

Xi Zifeng said apologetically, "The patriarch left Yanzi Army Town for the [Gathering Demon Land] seven days ago and will probably not be back for another half a month."

"The Murong family will also go to the [Gathering of Demons]?" Gai Louxian asked in surprise. "Generally speaking, only small families go there, right?"

"This is the patriarch's hobby; for her, the annual [Gathering Place] is a rare form of entertainment."

Yan Qing's heart skipped a beat. Once a year?
Jiang Shi: "What kind of place is the [Gathering Land of Demons]?"

Gai Louxian explained, "It's a special secret realm that's open for about fifteen days each year. However, there's nothing of value inside, just some blood-replenishing pills and spirit jade. I went there once thirty years ago, and the scenery was indeed bizarre and wonderful. Unfortunately, you have to stay for more than five days once you enter, so the investment is high and the returns are low. Apart from small families and first-tier messengers, most people aren't interested in the [Gathering Demon Land]."

“Although the rewards are low, the dangers inside are considerable.” Xi Zifeng picked up her teacup and said, “As you can tell from the name ‘Gathering Demon Land,’ there are many demons inside, and they are very powerful, including many powerful demons at the third level. But unlike normal secret realms, the demons in ‘Gathering Demon Land’ will not attack on their own initiative. Even if you bump into them, there will be no fight. You have to attack them first for them to react.”

Jiang Shi: "Can you kill the demons inside?"

“Of course you can,” Gai Louxian said. “However, generally no one would do that. The Demon Gathering Land is very large, and people go in to collect resources. Killing demons doesn’t bring any benefit, and you can get the resources inside without killing demons, so why bother?”

Yan Qing rubbed his chin, looking suspicious.

At first, he thought it was a dungeon similar to the Wildwoods dungeon, but it was quite different. There were many demons inside, but they wouldn't attack on their own. Once the messenger entered, he was forced to stay for five days, and there were resources to collect... Could it be a search-attack-retreat mode?
Jiang Shi: "When will the [Gathering of Demons] open?"

“Um…” Gai Louxian shook his head: “It happened so many years ago, I’ve forgotten the exact date…”

Xi Zifeng remained silent for a moment, quietly watching Jiang Shi. Just when everyone thought she didn't know either, she suddenly spread out her five fingers.

"Five days later?" Jiang Shi asked.

The next second, Xi Zifeng retracted one finger. "Four, three, two, one. [Gathering Demon Land] is now open."

Gai Louxian and Bu Liugu hesitated, seemingly wanting to speak but holding back. In their eyes, this old man from the Pen Family seemed a bit eccentric. Without a timekeeping device, how could he calculate so accurately? Of everyone on and off the screen, only Yan Qing was frightened.

The moment Xi Zifeng finished her countdown, a new message popped up in the chat box in the lower left corner:

The "Gathering Places" event in the Nightless City area has begun.

"Regional Event 'Guiding Grounds'"

Event Location: (81, 631)

Event Period: April 25th - May 10th

"Event details: Players who enter the dark-shrouded ruins during the event period will be teleported into the limited-time dungeon 'Gathering Places'."

"Event Level Restriction: Level 10~39"

"Event Rewards: All players who clear the limited-time dungeon will receive 1 Foundation Building Pill of varying quality based on their clear score (click to view details)"

Wait, what the hell did you reward me with?!

　"Monthly Regular Event - Requesting Monthly Tickets"

　　Event Period: 25th to 31st of each month

　　Event Details: Requesting Monthly Tickets

　　"Event Reward: You'll sleep better tomorrow."

　　
　
(End of this chapter)