Scourge Messenger

Chapter 369 The Thieves' House - Case Four

Shang Xinlei and the pharmacist were both taken aback and looked at Ying Rushi at the same time.

"What was the [Love Lock] that was triggered yesterday?"

"Just as you all thought, Baihu and I encountered danger and triggered the [Heart Lock]." Yan Qing replied calmly, "Unfortunately, it was useless. We still had to rely on Baihu's Heaven-Slaying Sword to turn the tide."

"Didn't you go to the Demon Gathering Land? Is the White Fox also in the Demon Gathering Land?" Shang Xinlei asked.

“We met by chance.” Ying Rushi finally found an opportunity to interject, and hurriedly explained, “I encountered danger inside, and Huang Quan recognized me and saved my life. In order to repay him, I helped him explore the Guiding Land. Besides me, my best friend was also in the team. The three of us temporarily teamed up inside, and then we separated after leaving the Guiding Land.”

"Why do you seem a little nervous?" the pharmacist asked, somewhat puzzled.

Yan Qing said, "Oh, that's because of her and me—"

"That's because I'm afraid you'll misunderstand and think that I've formed a secret alliance with Yellow Dog!"

Ying quickly interrupted him: "The Thieves' House's missions are becoming increasingly difficult. We should trust each other and cooperate seamlessly. I don't want any suspicion, conflict, or rift between us. Although I owe Huang Quan a favor, I will repay him in other ways and will not side with him because of this."

"Black Wolf, how dare you ask me that?" Ying Ru said, sounding aggrieved. "If you hadn't had such a falling out with him during the last mission, would I be so nervous? You know your own temper. What if we have a disagreement during the meeting and I agree with Yellow Dog's opinion, and you misunderstand that I'm deliberately teaming up with Yellow Dog to suppress you?"

In fact, Shang Xinlei and Yaoshiyuan were only a little surprised and didn't think much of it. If Yan Qing and Ying Ru had secretly concealed this matter, they might have suspected something. However, Ying Ru's nervousness was reasonable, and Yan Qing's honesty was straightforward. Naturally, they accepted this closer teammate who shared a secret.

"What danger did you encounter? How did the [Love Lock] trigger?"

"Need any help? Whether it's me coming over to help or you coming over to lay low, it's fine!"

While chatting with them about information about the Demon Gathering Land, Ying Rushi pleaded with her eyes for Yan Qing to stop talking. Yan Qing scratched his head, thinking that women's minds were really complicated. Ying Rushi's eyes had looked so pitiful just now, and she even hesitated to greet him. That's why Yan Qing was so open about how he and Ying Rushi had teamed up in the Demon Gathering Land, so he could gradually reveal the contract between them.

He certainly didn't want to see a bloodbath or women fighting, but he also didn't intend to carefully maintain the balance of the thieves' family. He simply didn't have that ability, and visual novels hadn't taught him that. All he could do was question his own heart, let the feelings between them develop naturally, and not deceive others or himself.

Yan Qing wasn't entirely clear about his own thoughts. He just felt that he certainly didn't have the cunning to navigate a world of women with ease, so he didn't bother thinking about it too much. What's the point of thinking? Enjoy the peaceful times, endure the storms, let things happen as they will, hold on to what needs to be held onto, allow everything to happen, and just don't have any regrets.

However, Ying Rushi now wanted to keep it a secret, which Yan Qing didn't quite understand, but since her mood seemed to have improved, she let her be.

Suddenly, with a click, a large hole appeared in the center of the round stone table, and the sand table rose up from within. Everyone stopped chatting and looked over. As the sand table constructed a giant city, everyone showed expressions of "I knew it!"

Of the three major cities in the Central Plains, everyone has already visited two, so it's only fair that we visit this city as well.

"Target of this theft: The Never-Sleeping City, the Crystal Dream Pearl"

Location of Arrival: Imperial Palace, in front of the Taiji Gate

"Descend time: 5 days later at 3:30 PM"

Evacuation point: Return to the front of Taiji Gate to evacuate.

"Evacuation deadline: 3:45 PM"

"Theft successful: Obtained the magical artifact, the Glass Bead."

"Failed theft: 300,000 spirit jades deducted, permanent disqualification from entering the Thieves' Den"

"The Crystal Dream Pearl!?" Shang Xinlei's eyes widened: "I remember this isn't..."

"The Divine Martial Emperor rose from humble beginnings as a servant, dominating the Central Plains and sweeping across the land. He controlled the Western Medicine Master and subdued Liang Shao in the south, relying on only a sword, a banner, and a pearl." The Medicine Master stared intently at the glittering golden pearl in the sand tray: "Could this be—"

"Yes."

Everyone was stunned, because Ying Rushi removed her mask, revealing her long, flowing black hair. Her expression as she looked at the sand table was complex, her eyes hiding an unyielding melancholy, yet a proud smile played on her lips. The moment Yaoshi Yuan and Shang Xinlei saw her face clearly, they immediately glanced at Yan Qing, their gazes sharp and unfathomable. Even though Yan Qing was prepared, their stares still made him shudder.

"This is the protective magic treasure of the Divine Martial Emperor, the Glazed Dream Pearl," Ying said. "For centuries, it has been a treasure passed down within the Qi Kingdom's royal family. Therefore, the person who currently possesses it is the current Emperor of Qi, a Foundation Establishment True Person who rules over millions of people in Qi—"

"Ying Le".

Everyone looked at the tiny figures wearing beads in the palace on the sand table. The sand table was not very clear, but the graceful figures could still be seen.

The palace was enormous and magnificent, with fully armed guards standing inside. She lay on the highest throne, drinking and smoking in a dissolute manner. Even through the medium of the sand table, they could feel her boundless loneliness and unparalleled arrogance.

Shang Xinlei swallowed hard, while the pharmacist's expression turned solemn.

They knew that Yan Qing had slapped Ying Le once, but teasing Ying Le and robbing Ying Le were completely different concepts. They dared to try the former now, but the latter meant that they had to defeat Ying Le head-on. Only by beating a Foundation Establishment Messenger to his knees could they possibly force her to hand over the family's treasure!

"My name is Ying Rushi. I was once a member of the royal family of Qi and was granted the title of Prince of Lanling. However, I have now defected from Qi. The reason I fled to the Demon Gathering Land is because I was being hunted down by Ying Le." Ying Rushi explained to their questioning gazes, "The reason I am revealing my identity is to verify the truthfulness and source of what I am about to say. There is no point in me continuing to hide it. Currently, besides Ying Le, I am the only one in Qi who knows the details of the Glazed Dream Pearl. You only need to do a little investigation to find out that it is me."

“Alright.” Pharmacist Yuan decisively removed the black wolf mask. “Pharmacist Yuan.”

"The Duke of Jin of Northern Zhou." Ying Rushi showed little surprise and smiled, "I have long admired your name and have been friends with you for a long time."

“Shang Xinlei,” Shang Xinlei also took off her mask, “but you definitely don’t know me. I’m just the fourth young lady of the Shang family, with no official position or rank.”

Ying Rushi shook his head: "You're wrong. I know you. You and Jiang Shi set the highest score in history in Mansu Forest. You ranked third on the Hidden Dragon List at the young age of twenty. As a member of the Qi royal family, how could I not notice you, this hero of Liang? In my heart, you are the future threat to Qi."

Shang Xinlei had been praised countless times since she was a child, but Ying Rushi's words still made her feel comfortable and her face flushed slightly. "Now she is second on the Hidden Dragon List."

At this moment, everyone looked at Yan Qing, who had no choice but to take off his mask. "Yan Qing."

“Let me tell you something you don’t know.” Shang Xinlei pouted and imitated in a muffled voice, “I, Yan Qing, will lead the Natural Disaster Organization—” “Continue talking about the Glazed Dream Pearl.” Yan Qing quickly steered the conversation back on track.

"The Glazed Dream Pearl is the foundational magic treasure of the Divine Martial Emperor. A magic treasure is a spiritual object bestowed by the fortune of heaven and earth. It cannot be obtained by those who are not destined, nor can it be possessed by those who are not blessed with great fortune." Ying said, "But precisely because it is closely connected to the foundation of the Dao, magic treasures often have a characteristic: the treasure recognizes its master."

"This is why the Qi royal family has been able to keep the Glazed Dream Pearl all this time, because apart from the deceased Divine Martial Emperor, no one else can use the Glazed Dream Pearl. As far as I know, the foundational magic treasures of Emperor Taizu of Zhou and Emperor Taizu of Liang have also been passed down."

The pharmacist nodded: "When I was a child, I touched the Dao Foundation Treasure of Emperor Taizu of Zhou, which was a round fan painted with black otters."

"I'm not royalty," Shang Xinlei retorted. "It seems that Emperor Shao's foundational magic weapon is a flag. I do have a replica at home, which was a gift from the emperor. As for where the real one is, I don't know."

"What I'm about to tell you is a secret that no one knows." Ying Rushi looked around and said, "The Divine Martial Bloodline... has a way to control the Glazed Dream Pearl."

"what?"

The most surprised person was not anyone else, but Yan Qing.

Not to mention the four people present, even if we were to discuss all the Foundation Establishment True Persons and Golden Core Immortal Lords in the world, he would dare to say that he is the person who understands the Dao Foundation Magic Treasure the most, without exception.

If tokens are like tradable equipment, then magic weapons are like unique, upgradable equipment for each player. Although they are troublesome to obtain, difficult to upgrade, and have low initial limits, they are easy to customize and repair. Even if you want to ascend to immortality later, they can be used as core materials to refine spiritual treasures to offset a lot of effort. Therefore, any Foundation Establishment player who has time to play the game will definitely cultivate magic weapons.

However, as Ying Rushi said, all Dao Foundation Magic Treasures are soul-bound and cannot even be traded in the game. The only way to remove them is to delete the account or refine them into spiritual treasures after ascension.

It's understandable that magical artifacts can be passed down in reality, but how could other people possibly control them?

"This isn't something someone told me or something I read in a book; it's something I experienced firsthand," Ying said. "When I met Ying Le, I could feel the rhythm of the Crystal Dream Pearl in her arms many times. I clearly realized that I might be able to control this magical artifact, but I'm currently too weak to even have the ability to move it."

The pharmacist suddenly thought of a possibility and tentatively asked, "The Divine Martial Bloodline?"

“The Duke of Jin is learned and knowledgeable,” Ying Rushi nodded gently. “Yes, I have awakened the Divine Martial Bloodline and mastered the Dao Foundation Divine Power of the Divine Martial Emperor, the Pillow of Red Dust. This is probably why I can sense the Glazed Dream Pearl.”

Supernatural!
To wield supernatural powers with the body of a mortal!
The pharmacist pursed her lips: "When did you awaken?"

"Before the last mission," Ying said, "without [Pillow of Red Dust], I would never have been able to kill Li Long so easily. Duke Jin, you don't need to underestimate yourself. [Pillow of Red Dust] has both advantages and disadvantages for me. I would never use it unless it was a critical moment. It is far inferior to your steady and reliable strength."

"I'm not as good as you, so why say such things? We're teammates, not rivals. The stronger you are, the happier I'll be." Pharmacist Yuan frowned. "Once I reach Foundation Establishment, I will catch up with you."

"Wait and see."

"Wait a minute, doesn't this mean we have a Foundation Establishment level combatant?" Shang Xinlei said excitedly, "Even if the enemy is Ying Le, we still have a chance!"

"I confessed that I awakened the Divine Martial Bloodline, not to show off." Ying Ru said with a wry smile, "Ying Le also awakened the Divine Martial Bloodline, and she has been in the Foundation Establishment stage for ten years. Even if she is not as good as the Divine Martial Emperor back then, she has at least gone further than any member of the Qi Kingdom's royal family."

"Even if she cannot yet fully utilize the Crystal Dream Pearl, she is probably already able to unleash some of its wondrous power."

"No wonder you took off your mask," the Pharmacist said, looking at the sand table. "If it weren't for your personal account as a member of the Divine Martial Clan, we probably wouldn't have believed that our next mission would involve dealing with... a Foundation Establishment True Person wielding a sixth-rank magic weapon!"

……

...

The Never-Sleeping City, the Imperial Palace.

Half-drunk and half-asleep, Ying Le suddenly opened her eyes, inserted two slender fingers into her clothes, and pulled out a bead from the deep cleavage where the wine had slid in.

The beads are perfectly round and transparent, with a myriad of colors flowing together inside, resembling the dazzling starry sky above, or the pure morality in people's hearts.

"Strange, I didn't even take it out, so how did it get triggered?" Ying Le turned the bead, her gaze gradually rising to stare at the patterns on the dome: "Could it be... such a coincidence?"

"They distance themselves from me when they want me, but come closer when they no longer want me?"

She sighed in a voice like that of a hymn: "The way of Heaven is to take from those who have more than enough and give to those who have less than enough; the way of man is to take from those who have less than enough and give to those who have more than enough..."

"His Majesty."

Three figures suddenly appeared in the main hall. Ying Le narrowed his eyes. "Coming together, are you trying to intimidate me?"

"I dare not," said the white-haired old general on the far left. "The Divine Martial lineage has a successor. How could this old minister not serve to the death? Duan Xiaoxian is willing to go through fire and water for the Divine Martial bloodline!"

"Hulü Ming is willing to go through fire and water for the bloodline of the Divine Martial!"

"Hou Gujing is willing to go through fire and water for the Divine Martial Bloodline!"

The voices of the three generals echoed loudly within the hall, causing even the nearby guards to sway and fall. If the nobles of Qi were to witness this scene, they would surely turn pale with shock: these three old ministers were none other than the last remaining Foundation Establishment cultivators from the era of Emperor Shenwu!
For over a century, the Qi royal family has changed hands many times, but they have never paid attention to it, focusing on cultivation and ignoring worldly affairs. They never expected that they would now submit to Ying Le, who is much younger and stronger than them!

"Go! Within five days, I will have every centurion behead ten thousand men." Ying Le pointed outside, and the atmosphere in the hall instantly changed, with boundless malice surging outwards.

The exquisitely crafted, vibrant manicure on her fingers now appeared grotesque and sinister.

"Once my [Thousand Blood Feather Stream Dao Foundation] advances further through sacrifice, I will naturally complete the unfinished work of the Divine Martial Emperor—"

"To rule the Central Plains, and seek gold to ascend to immortality!"

(End of this chapter)