Chapter 933: Chapter 539: Secret Investigation, Meeting with Zhao Shixiong
"But it doesn’t matter, you won’t answer now, but the younger you might." Zhao Douan muttered, got up and returned to the bed, throwing himself onto it, exhaling and inhaling, entering the Big Dream Scroll.
...
In a daze, Zhao Douan appeared in a mountain forest temple.
Inside the Big Dream Scroll, it was also nighttime, with stars scattered across the sky. This was the sky from six hundred years ago, during the late Qi Dynasty.
"Crackling."
Zhao Douan sat cross-legged in front of a bonfire, opened his eyes, appearing as a youth dressed in plain Daoist robes, hair styled in a Daoist bun. The firelight spread from the front, illuminating the surrounding dilapidated temple, quickly swallowed by darkness beyond.
This was six hundred years ago, roughly corresponding to a mountain forest area on today’s Xiping Road.
In the past two months, Zhao Douan had been walking the Martial World as a small-town youth, following the younger Pei Niannu.
Along the way, he became accustomed to the local customs and saw many Jianghu sects that had long disappeared from history.
For example, the Zoroastrianism was one of them.
However, at this point in time, Zhao Douan and his master had already left the Zoroastrianism territory, continuing their training in the Martial World.
At this time, Pei Niannu had achieved Worldly Realm strength, although not in the top tier, she was still of considerable status in the Martial World.
As her disciple, Zhao Douan understood some of Pei Niannu’s past.
For instance:
In her youth, she and a group of like-minded companions opposed the Evil Mage. Indeed, the Evil Mages of this era were powerful, far more formidable than six hundred years later.
Eventually, many were injured and returned home, but only Pei Niannu continued to grow. Now, as a high-grade worldly realm figure, she visited the residences of former companions, only to find that they had either retired, left the Martial World, or simply died.
Yes...
This journey somewhat echoes the tone of "Frieren’s Burial..."
At this moment, footsteps sounded from outside the temple, revealing the silhouette of a female hero wearing a silver mask and cape in the darkness.
Yes... Fuli is back... Zhao Douan’s spirit shook, he rose to greet her, "Master."
"Yes," the young Pei Niannu casually tossed the hunted small beast to the ground, saying blandly, "Hungry, roast it to eat."
Then sat down flamboyantly, waiting for the meal.
Zhao Douan sighed softly, skillfully preparing the ingredients, saying, "Master, can a Martial Artist assassinate a Magician from a sufficient distance?"
He then detailed the various powers he controlled in reality and the approximate situation of the enemy.
This question was abrupt, but Zhao Douan had long discovered that the Pei Niannu within the Big Dream Scroll, although seemingly wise, was actually not a "living person," similar to Xu in the Martial God Map.
Just an NPC... so even if such strange dialogues occur, the other party wouldn’t "suspect" anything.
The one that truly feels alive is only the Pei Niannu hidden within the Six Chapters Scripture, none other.
Sure enough, after hearing his question, Pei Niannu [Silver Armor Version] pondered for a while, suddenly stood up, and stepped out of the temple again, but this time she didn’t go far, quickly returning with several bamboo pieces.
Bamboo? Zhao Douan thought thoughtfully.
...
The same night, Yunshao Courtyard was brightly lit, Supervisor Wang Qi returned in high spirits, taking a carriage back to the military camp.
Arriving at his residence within the camp, Wang Qi, originally looking drunk, with a large belly known for his licentious reputation, suddenly had eyes as clear as water.
As if not the least bit intoxicated, he sat at the desk, methodically reviewing the reports sent by several dozen other "supervisors" within the army.
This was his daily task, and today remained uneventful.
"Instruct the subordinates to be more vigilant lately, though the court seems inactive, once Xue Shence returns to the eastern front, Zhao Douan will surely take action to contain us," Wang Qi calmly stated.
A supervisor reporting in the room nervously asked, "Sir, are you worried they’ll attempt assassination?"
Wang Qi solemnly said, "That Zhao Douan is quite cunning, he has several Worldly Realm individuals at his command, which cannot be ignored. But, I hope he sends someone to assassinate me; if they dare to act, I’ll ensure they return in vain."
As he spoke, the corpulent supervisor’s large hand somehow appeared holding an antique small blue and white porcelain bowl.
The rim of the bowl was marked with red talisman characters, inside, a pool of clear water.
No matter how the bowl was shaken, even turned upside down, the water inside never spilled a drop.
...
...
Over the next few days, there was a subtle change in Yongjia City.
The change occurred in Lower City District, initially with Red Snail Gang competing for territory leading to several clashes with Night Fragrance Sect, surprisingly resulting in Night Fragrance Sect gaining the upper hand and instead swallowing up much of Red Snail Gang’s land and members.
However, this was just the beginning. Subsequently, the Night Fragrance Sect continued to clash with the faction "Yin Wa Craftsmen."
This faction, originally formed by craftsmen specialized in house repairs, was part of an established force. After the rebel army entered the city, a large number were forcibly conscripted to build defensive works, causing significant decline.
As a result, they were quickly swallowed by Night Fragrance Sect.
In less than a few days, the Night Fragrance Sect’s power doubled, astonishing many and causing more factions to become nervous, forming secret alliances to contain Night Fragrance Sect’s unchecked expansion.
"We can’t let this faction continue to grow, or we’ll lose all remaining territory." The Red Snail Gang leader slammed the table, instructing to seek aid from the rebel army backer.