The Envoy of Abundance from Onphalus

I've gotten used to things in Xianzhou these past few days.

The fact that the strategist Chang Qingzu personally came to invite him conveyed the urgency of General Jingyuan.

As the train crew entered the solemn and dignified Shence Mansion, Jing Yuan wore his usual smile, which seemed to dispel all pressure, but the fatigue and seriousness in his eyes were clearly visible.

"Friends of the Star Train," Jing Yuan's voice was steady and powerful. He bowed slightly and paid his respects to Xing, March 7, and Walter Yang.

"Luofu has once again suffered a calamity, but thanks to your generous help, we have been able to overcome this crisis. We at Luofu will forever be grateful for this kindness."

He straightened up and glanced at the three of them: "Although the Star Core is temporarily dormant, the foundation of Luofu is still shaking. The Pill Cauldron Division... the place that sustains the lifeline of medicine for the Immortal Ship, is now cut off from all communication and shrouded in mist, which may lead to a great change."

"The main force of the Cloud Cavalry needs to maintain the overall situation in Luofu and cannot be moved lightly. After much consideration, only you all are the most suitable vanguard, as you have both swift and decisive methods and will not alert the lurking venomous snakes."

He paused, his tone carrying an almost earnest entrustment: "The future of the Luofu Immortal Ship rests in your hands. Please be sure to uncover the truth about the Pill Cauldron Division. Luofu will forever remember the train crew's kindness."

……

Leaving the Shence Mansion and embarking on the long road to the Pill Cauldron Division, March 7th couldn't help but kick a small pebble, his face filled with frustration.

"Uncle Yang, Ah Xing, do you think we're being used as free labor by General Jing Yuan? These missions keep coming one after another, like running through the main storyline in a video game, we just can't seem to finish them all!"

"After capturing Kafka and fighting the monsters, we have to go check the Dan Ding Division..." She sighed dramatically, "We don't even have time to rest!"

"A reward," Xing replied succinctly, casually patting a seemingly empty trash can by the roadside, her tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible anticipation.

"After completing the commission, there should be some decent reward, right? There are also rewards in the game. If the reward is generous enough, I'd be willing to rummage through trash cans every day looking for 'precious junk'." Her eyes lit up as she imagined finding rare materials.

"Hey! Ah Xing!" March 7th immediately jumped up, hands on hips, pointing at her, "I could hear your scheme all over the next planet! You want to show off and fight monsters, and you also want to eat and take advantage of everything, do you want to have it all?"

Walter Young pushed up his glasses, looked at the two bickering girls, and shook his head helplessly: "Alright, you two. General Jingyuan also has his difficulties."

"With Luofu suffering such a great calamity, the main force of the Cloud Cavalry must prioritize stabilizing the core area and dealing with any larger crisis that may break out at any time. The situation of the Dan Ding Division is unclear. Rashly sending a large army to press on the border will only provoke the dangerous elements lurking there to take desperate measures."

“For example, if they were to take hostage those physicians and alchemists who hadn’t colluded with them, the consequences would be unimaginable.” He looked at the vast complex of buildings shrouded in an unusual fog in the distance. “We are the probe that pierces into the fog.”

"Sigh... I understand the logic." March 7th pouted, but her eyes became serious. "Let's just treat it as an extremely difficult pioneering mission! But..."

She looked around at the intricate streets and alleys of Xianzhou, blinking blankly. "Which direction is the Dan Ding Si? We can't just keep asking passersby, 'Excuse me, how do we get to the Dan Ding Si?' That would be too silly."

Just then, a sweet and melodious voice, with a touch of languid charm, came from the side: "My benefactors—this way, this way!"

The three looked in the direction of the sound and saw a fox-woman standing gracefully at the crossroads. Her distinctive fox ears twitched slightly and her fluffy tail swayed leisurely. She was Tingyun, the ferryman from the Tianbo Bureau.

"Miss Tingyun?" March 7th's eyes lit up, and he jogged over, curiously examining her. "Didn't you go back to the Sky Ship Company to report to Lord Yukong? What are you doing here again?"

Tingyun covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes sparkling: "Oh dear, I did go back to report. However, General Jingyuan has issued another order, saying that you benefactors are going to a dangerous place like Dan Ding Si, where you are unfamiliar with the area. It would be more appropriate for me, an acquaintance, to lead the way."

“It’s much better than sending a complete stranger at the last minute, which would make our benefactors feel awkward, wouldn’t you say?” She bowed slightly, her movements elegant and graceful.

“I see.” Walter nodded, his gaze behind his glasses sweeping thoughtfully over Tingyun. “Thank you for your help, Miss Tingyun. It’s always a good thing to have a guide.”

"You are too kind, my benefactors." Tingyun smiled sweetly. "It is my honor to guide you. In fact, I should thank you properly on behalf of Luofu."

Her smile remained bright, but a subtle, elusive depth seemed to flicker in the depths of her eyes.

Led by Tingyun, the group quickly made their way towards the Dan Ding Division.

The closer they got to their destination, the more somber the atmosphere became. Along both sides of the road, fully armed Cloud Cavalry soldiers were continuously assembling and setting off, their heavy footsteps and the creaking of armor blending into a tense torrent, all heading towards the vast area shrouded in ominous fog.

Xinghe and March 7th's expressions turned serious, and Walter frowned slightly, observing the army's movements and the unusual surroundings. Tingyun, walking at the very front, had an unusually calm expression in the shadows of the marching troops, even... carrying a subtle, indescribable quality.

Upon entering the territory of the Dan Ding Division, a foul wind mixed with a strong smell of herbs and a certain putrid odor rushed towards them.

The sight before them made the three members of the train crew gasp. Where was this once the medical mecca renowned for its order, precision, and life-saving spirit?

Everywhere you looked, there was chaos. Broken medicine jars, scattered books, and overturned alchemy furnaces were everywhere.

Even more chilling were the grotesque, monstrous creatures that roared, crawled, and even devoured each other amidst the ruins. Some were covered in deformed tumors and vines, while others had limbs distorted like blades, their eyes flashing with an ominous crimson light.

The once neatly planned courtyards and corridors have been completely destroyed, and the pervasive fog has blurred the view, adding to the eeriness. Chaos and disorder have completely replaced the former order.

"Oh dear..." Tingyun gently covered her mouth and nose with her fan, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed, her voice carrying just the right amount of surprise and worry.

"It hasn't been long, yet it has changed so much... completely unrecognizable. This fog is also very strange, obscuring our vision." She took a step forward, turned slightly to the side, and instructed the three people behind her, "My benefactors, please stay close and don't stray too far from me."

"In this perilous place, I am powerless and helpless. If I were alone, I'm afraid..." She hesitated, looking pitiful.

Xing gripped the iconic metal baseball bat in his hand, weighed it in his palm, and it emitted a dull hum. A confident and eager smile appeared on his face: "Don't worry, Miss Tingyun. Galaxy Bat Man is here. If any bastard comes, I'll knock it away! I guarantee they won't even touch a hair on your head."

March 7th immediately summoned his Ice Crystal Longbow, its chilling aura emanating from it: "That's right! I'm here too! My ice arrows are no joke!"

Walter didn't say much, but nodded steadily, a faint light shimmering at the tip of his cane, his sharp gaze sweeping into the depths of the thick fog.

……

The train crew disappeared into the thick fog at the entrance of Dan Ding Si, but their figures were clearly seen by a pair of eyes in the shadows. That person was Dan Shu.

She sat upright in a cold, dark room filled with medicine cabinets, her fingers unconsciously stroking the cold metal armrests.

“Jing Yuan… is indeed cautious.” Dan Shu’s voice was low and cold, devoid of emotion. “Using these extraterrestrial visitors as pebbles, do you want to find out my hand, but are you afraid of pushing too hard and making me tear up all my remaining chips?”

A figure shrouded in a dark cloak appeared silently behind her, a hoarse voice saying: "Lord Dan Shu, those stubborn physicians and alchemists who refused the mercy of the Medicine King have all been captured and imprisoned in the old alchemy chamber underground."

"What should we do? Should we let them... also bask in the glory of the Medicine King?" A hint of bloodthirsty excitement emanated from beneath the cloak.

Dan Shu remained silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head: "No need. Forcibly converting them will only create more mindless and weak puppets."

“If someone among them has a slightly stronger will and retains a sliver of clarity, and then turns against them at a crucial moment, it will be even more troublesome. Some things, in the end, must be accomplished by those of us who truly understand the true meaning of compassion.” Her tone carried an almost fanatical obsession.

"Yes! Your Excellency is wise!" The cloaked man bowed respectfully. "Furthermore, in accordance with your plan, the physicians we have already deployed to various parts of Luofu are ready. They are just waiting for your command to make the entire Luofu feel the warmth of 'Compassion' in their designated areas."

"Very well." A twisted smile finally appeared on Dan Shu's face, an anticipation of the impending chaos. "Then let this immortal ship, bewitched by the 'Demon Bow,' burn completely!"

"Use the flames of chaos to cleanse the filth of the old world! In the end, all the people of Luofu will abandon that hypocritical hunt and return to the embrace of the Compassionate Medicine King!"

"We will rebuild the ancient system and worship the one true God!" She suddenly stood up and looked into the endless void.

She knew perfectly well that she had chosen a path of no return. Jing Yuan would never let her go, and she had already cut off all her escape routes.

Since failure is inevitable, let it be a more devastating defeat, one that will bring ruin to the entire Luofu! Without hesitation, she pressed a hidden button on the control panel.

Instantly, the already pervasive fog in the Dan Ding Si suddenly intensified, churning and surging like a living thing, completely enveloping the entire area in a thick white fog where one could not see their own hand in front of their face, increasing the eerie atmosphere tenfold.

She placed her last, faint hope on the "ally" who had promised her power—the Great Lord of Annihilation, Huanlong.

A desperate person will always desperately grasp at that straw that seems to save their life but actually leads to an even darker abyss.

However, will the fox-woman named "Tingyun," who is currently "weakly" following the train crew, really become her help to turn the tide?

Dan Shu was unaware that the price of Huan Long's "help" far exceeded her expectations. Moreover, Huan Long's reputation was also terrible.

……

"Wow! Why has the fog suddenly become so thick?" March 7 exclaimed in surprise, barely able to see the stars half a meter away.

The cold, damp fog clung uncomfortably to the skin. The howls of the surrounding monsters, obscured by the thick fog, became distorted and erratic, seemingly coming from all directions, adding to the terror.

"Miss Tingyun!" March 7th's voice was filled with worry as he struggled to make out the pale figure in the thick fog. "It's too dangerous ahead! This fog is eerily thick, and the evil creatures are elusive! Why don't you retreat first?"

“It will be safer for you to stay with the main force of the Cloud Cavalry when they arrive!” she sincerely suggested.

From within the thick fog came Tingyun's still gentle voice, which now seemed to carry a barely perceptible echo: "Oh dear, thank you for your concern, Miss Sanyue."

"However, General Jingyuan specifically instructed me to 'stay close' to all my benefactors. If I were to leave the group without permission, and the General were to hold me accountable, I, a mere ferryman, would not be able to bear the consequences. You agree, benefactors, don't you?"

The way he called out "benefactor" was gentle and the reason given was perfectly respectable.

"Uh...that seems to make sense." March 7th scratched his head, thinking it made sense.

Xingye nodded: "The general's orders must be obeyed." She gripped the baseball bat tightly, listening alertly to any sounds coming from the thick fog, ready to swing at any moment.

Only Walter Young's brows furrowed even more. The thick fog obscured Ting Yun's expression.

However, the doubts surrounding this Tianbo Division commissioner grew like a snowball with each step he took deeper into the Danding Division.

From the chaos at the Star Core to the escape from the Star Chariot Sea, and now to leading the way into dangerous territory... she has been there "just in time" for almost every key event.

Was it really just a coincidence and a matter of duty? She acted too perfectly, too obediently, as if…

A chess piece placed precisely on the board subtly influences the course of the game. That delicate sense of disharmony is like a thorn in one's side.

Everything seemed too coincidental. Why was Miss Tingyun always able to help them at just the right time? Too many coincidences might not be a good thing.

If we were to truly identify the mastermind behind the Luo Fu Star Core Disaster, then Ting Yun, a member of the Tianbo Division, would definitely be on Walter's list of suspects.

Walter took a deep breath of the cold, damp air, which smelled strongly of medicine, and forced himself to calm down. Perhaps he was being too paranoid?

That's probably true. At least Miss Tingyun is still helping them. Perhaps she's just an eye on things from the Luofu Immortal Ship side.

I was probably being too suspicious.

I hope so.

...............

4K today, combos tomorrow, goodnight.

The Golden Branches Endure Through the Ages: Chapter 169 The Beginning of Chaos at Luofu

The train crew successfully cracked the core mechanism of Dan Ding Si, and the thick fog that permeated the entire area instantly dissipated, as if wiped away by an invisible giant hand.

The last protective barrier surrounding the Dan Ding Division has completely collapsed.

The Cloud Cavalry outside the blockade line were already on high alert.

The moment the mist dissipated, countless figures surged into every pass of the Dan Ding Si from all directions like a burst dam.

The heavy footsteps blended together as they formed a tight formation, like a moving steel wall, their steps steady and unstoppable.

They were slowly advancing towards the core area of ​​the Dan Ding Division, compressing all space for resistance.

Dan Shu stood on the high platform in the central square, her view suddenly opening up. She could clearly see the Cloud Cavalry surging in from all directions, like a silver torrent.

His gaze swept over the giant furnace, which could no longer emit a wisp of smoke, and a barely audible sigh escaped his lips: "The furnace... has finally gone out."

Her gaze immediately locked onto what was directly ahead. The train crew was crossing the square, heading straight for her.

At the same time, the encirclement of the Cloud Cavalry was rapidly closing in, their sharp blades gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

Dan Shu and her remaining confidants were firmly trapped in the small area of ​​the central square, like the last isolated island in the eye of a storm.

The confidants were pale, breathing rapidly, some even trembling uncontrollably, their eyes filled with despair and fear.

However, Dan Shu himself was unusually calm, with even a faint smile on his lips, as if he were holding a secret card.

She glanced up at the empty rooftop, then turned to her followers. Her voice was not loud, but it carried a strange penetrating power.

Her words were both a reassurance and a final encouragement: "Stay calm...don't panic. What's meant to happen will happen. We've been waiting for this moment for a long time."

Before the words had even finished, a clear and authoritative voice pierced the tense atmosphere of the square:

"I never expected that the master of the Medicine King's secret teachings would be you, Dan Shu." Fu Xuan stepped forward, surrounded by elite Cloud Cavalry.

She calmly scrutinized her former colleague, the former head of the alchemy department, who had now clearly fallen into the form of a monster.

"Even though divination had foreseen this, seeing it with my own eyes, I am still...deeply surprised."

Dan Shu slowly turned around to face Fu Xuan, his posture still carrying a trace of his usual composure.

She nodded slightly, performing a standard yet incredibly ironic ritual of the alchemist: "Elder Dan Shu greets the Grand Diviner. However, your expression... does not seem entirely surprised."

Fu Xuan snorted coldly, the light of the jade omen flowing slightly around her: "Why be surprised? The divination has already revealed it: the core of the Medicine King's secret teachings must be hidden deep within the Pill Cauldron Department."

"The general and I are well aware of this, but previously there was insufficient evidence to hold the Six Ministries accountable. Unfortunately, you couldn't hold back and jumped out."

She pointed her finger at Dan Shu, each word like a cold judgment: "Spraying poison pills into the Cloud Cavalry, intending to create large-scale chaos; colluding with foreign enemies, introducing evil spirits from the star core into the immortal ship, attempting to revive the Jianmu tree; kidnapping colleagues within the Dan Ding Division who refused to cooperate as hostages..."

“Your crimes are too numerous to recount! The Ten Kings' Court will settle accounts with you one by one. Such heinous sins deserve to be punished with annihilation, body and soul!”

"A sin?" Dan Shu's voice suddenly rose, sharp and piercing, as if he had heard the most absurd joke. "If everything I've done is a sin, then wouldn't the ancestors of the Immortal Ship Alliance be guilty of the same sin as me? Heh heh heh..."

She suddenly opened her arms, her voice filled with twisted fanaticism and icy mockery: "The tragedy of all bountiful creatures begins when they accept the blessings of the Compassionate Medicine King!"

"Their descendants—we, the so-called immortals, are born with the curse of demonic possession, struggling and decaying over countless years... Isn't this the greatest irony?!"

"The secret teachings of the Medicine King are nothing more than retracing the path chosen by our ancestors! What's wrong with pursuing transcendence in life?!"

"If pursuing longevity is wrong, then why don't you immortal beings who live on in this world just kill yourselves right now?!" Dan Shu's gaze swept past Fu Xuan and over the Cloud Cavalry soldiers who were standing by in battle formation.

Her voice drifted away like a dream, as if she were reminiscing about the past: "Back then... the Jianmu tree's mysterious roots pierced through Luofu Mountain, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was abundant and full of life... What a glorious era that was!"

"Everyone can seek the Dao and become an immortal, changing freely and living a carefree life... That is the prosperous scene that life should have!" She was completely immersed in the fantasy she had woven, her hands outstretched as if to embrace that long-gone era.

She was oblivious to the cold blades and countless hostile gazes around her, completely immersed in her own world.

"And look at the Celestial Ship now!" Her voice suddenly turned fierce. "The upper echelons are willingly driven by the demons, slaughtering their fellow believers in abundance!"