Bearing the blue sky

"The Lord of Yuanyang City is seriously injured?!"

Zhu Ge frowned: "It's only been a few days, hasn't it? So fast?"

"Yeah yeah!"

Liu Jianjian moved closer to Zhu Ge, glancing around like an old woman at the village entrance about to gossip about someone.

"I heard that before the Plague God Sparrow and the Red River Dragon Python even made a move, someone in Yuanyang City betrayed them and seriously injured the Yuanyang City Lord."

Betrayal?

Zhu Ge's brows furrowed even deeper.

Judging from the fisherman in the straw raincoat's previous behavior, the Lord of Yuanyang City shouldn't be that kind of fool.

"If the Lord of Yuanyang City is murdered, then we'll be in trouble."

Zhu Ge could foresee the devastation that would ensue in Honghe Prefecture afterward.

Before the Lord of Yuanyang City falls, the more powerful demons, ghosts, monsters, and gods in various places will at least restrain themselves.

After all, the Great Sheng Dynasty was still nominally the ruler of the world.

However, if the Lord of Yuanyang City falls, those demons, ghosts, monsters, and gods will certainly not watch those groups of "food" live freely.

Hunting?

Struggle?

Just like the god of fungi.

Instead of searching everywhere for believers, it's better to just swallow an entire village.

It's important to know that humans are social animals and highly intelligent.

High intelligence means a strong soul, which is most delicious to gods and ghosts.

Without guardians like the gentleman, every village in Honghe Prefecture would become a feeding ground for these gods and demons.

The same applies to the demon race.

In short, the fall of the Lord of Yuanyang City would be an absolute disaster for the human race.

However, Zhu Ge always felt that it wasn't that simple.

Something's not right...

Zhu Ge narrowed her eyes, recalling what she had seen and heard along the way, as well as the previous death of Hua Liusha.

Why did you leave Jianshan Village for Yuanyang City?

I need medicine!

In reality, ordinary plagues do not require seeking medicine, and even if medicine were needed, there would be no need to take such a great risk to go to Yuanyang City.

Many villages in the surrounding area also have medicine.

But why does the gentleman still want to go to Yuanyang City?

Zhu Ge guessed that the master might be worried about the situation in Yuanyang City, and had sensed something from the plague among Hua Liusha and her daughter, and wanted to go to Yuanyang City to warn them.

A scholar of Confucianism and Taoism came to deliver a message; it is unlikely that the Lord of Yuanyang City would not take it seriously.

Even if the gentleman fails to deliver the message successfully along the way, Zhu Ge estimates that some villages will be able to do so.

How could a powerful fortune teller, who had made thorough preparations beforehand, still be harmed by his own people?

Zhu Ge felt something was off the more she thought about it.

"Master, Master?" Liu Jianjian asked curiously, seeing Zhu Ge deep in thought, "Master, why did your eyes start darting around after I said just one sentence? What happened?"

Just now, Liu Jianjian only mentioned that the Lord of Yuanyang City had been assassinated, and Zhu Ge began to think with his head down.

"It's nothing, I just thought of something."

Zhu Ge had a vague guess in his mind, but he didn't say it aloud. Instead, he asked Liu Jianjian, "Is there any other news?"

"Yes!" Liu Jianjian nodded, a hint of worry appearing on her face.

"I heard from the little monkey in that old crooked-necked forest that the border pass at Hekou Pass has been breached! Monsters from the Southern Yue and Burmese wilderness have entered, and there might be many monsters fighting for territory in the future!"

Has the border been breached?

Zhu Ge's pupils contracted, and then her mind was filled with a myriad of thoughts once again.

If he weren't limited to only one year of lifespan, he would really like to wear the Kunpeng and assess the situation.

However, combining the two pieces of information, Zhu Ge already had a clear answer in mind.

Or rather, it's not a result, but rather that he considered two possibilities.

One possibility is that the Lord of Yuanyang City is seriously injured, the border of Honghe Prefecture is breached, and the land will be covered in blood.

At this point, Zhu Ge could no longer go out hunting or practicing martial arts at will. Instead, he had to consider whether to break through to the Mountain Destroyer level to protect himself.

However, this is just another case.

In his heart, he actually believed in another scenario more, and the probability of that scenario occurring was as high as 80% in his mind!

"This is a setup..."

Zhu Ge smiled.

He Zhuge was just a village boy, yet he was able to assassinate a fisherman in a straw raincoat.

The fisherman in the straw raincoat, though only at the third level of cultivation, remained cunning and treacherous. It took Zhu Ge a tremendous amount of effort to kill him.

Reality is not a novel.

Some characters in novels who hold high positions and wield great power may be simple-minded.

However, in reality, someone like the Lord of Yuanyang City cannot be easily killed.

Zhu Ge is only one realm, while the fisherman in the straw raincoat is only the third realm. The two must use their wits and courage to test each other repeatedly.

To the level of the Lord of Yuanyang City?

"Perhaps this is all a setup."

Zhu Ge's understanding became clearer and clearer.

A deadly trap!

Entrapment!

Lure the snake out of its hole!

Startle the enemy by disturbing the grass!

In any case, the general idea is... the Lord of Yuanyang City was faking his injury!

His intentions were quite clear.

He spread the news of his injury, causing panic throughout Honghe Prefecture, thus forcing out his enemies and finding his friends.

Win over those who can be won over, distinguish between friend and foe, and then wipe them all out in one fell swoop!

Thinking about it this way, Zhu Ge even felt that the claim that the Lord of Yuanyang City had not condensed his own immortal domain was false.

Such a cunning and treacherous person might, while fighting the Plague God Sparrow and the Red River Dragon Python, suddenly release the Immortal Realm and turn the tide of battle.

At that time, not only will the border threat be resolved, but the legacy of the Plague God Sparrow and the Red River Dragon Python will also be obtained, and the prestige will be greatly enhanced, ensuring the Red River Prefecture's deterrent power for a hundred years...

In short, it achieves multiple benefits!

"You can't believe a single word these cunning old foxes say..."

Having figured these points out, Zhu Ge felt a little more relaxed.

Since it's very likely a fake injury, Zhu Ge doesn't need to be in such a hurry to break through.

However, even if a breakthrough is not needed, necessary preparations are still required.

"Tomorrow we need to set some traps and devise escape methods; a cunning rabbit has three burrows."

"The trap doesn't have to be lethal, but it should allow me to anticipate danger."

"Furthermore, since the Lord of Yuanyang City has set this up, is it possible for me to profit from it...?"

Zhu Ge began to plan and strategize in her mind.

After the incident with the mushroom god and the fisherman in the straw raincoat, Zhu Ge had completely shed his naivety and become steady and astute.

In other words, they are both sneaky and extremely cunning.

In the midst of such a grand scheme and confrontation between behemoths, a small person cannot simply think of finding peace in a corner.

Instead, one should cautiously seek benefits while ensuring that one is not caught in the crossfire.

Of course, most people in the world would find it difficult to even protect themselves during times of turmoil.

However, Zhu Ge currently has some spare capacity, so he naturally wants to seek progress while maintaining stability and to make profits even while being cautious.

Only by growing with a variety of nutrients can Zhuge become stronger and stronger.

"Liu Jianjian, from now on you will go out and collect fruit every day..."

Zhu Ge didn't care at all when she saw the two or three sour and shriveled fruits that Liu Jianjian had brought back.

This guy's real intention isn't to go out and collect fruit, but to wander around, chat, and gossip.

However, this information was also useful to Zhu Ge.

"Really, Master?" Liu Jianjian exclaimed in delight. "I'll definitely pick lots and lots of fruit to eat together!"

"Yes." Zhu Ge nodded. "Also..."

Do you know where the Blackhorn cattle are?