It was only the abacus of Zhang Chen that was clattering; who knew plans couldn’t keep up with changes. Before he could even handle the mansion transfer, a loud knocking echoed at the front door: "Open up! Quick, open up!"
The knocking was extremely noisy, with torches blazing outside. Dozens of people stood outside, clamoring in a hubbub.
Zhang Chen was stunned upon hearing the shouting outside and turned his head to look at Fox Fairy Nannan. Fox Fairy Nannan was equally bewildered, clueless as to why someone came knocking.
"Is anyone inside? If you don’t come out, I’ll set this courtyard on fire! We’ve already checked the government documents today, and we know a buyer has acquired this mansion. We’re here to collect taxes today. If you won’t open the door, don’t blame me for setting this mansion ablaze," came the shouting from outside.
Zhang Chen’s eyelids twitched upon hearing the cursing: "So it’s the Yellow Heaven Dao rogues. They know anyone buying this mansion must be filthy rich, so they’re here to take advantage."
He turned to Fox Fairy Nannan: "You go and deal with them."
Upon hearing Zhang Chen’s words, Fox Fairy Nannan rolled her eyes and was about to turn away when Zhang Chen stopped her: "No need to go. They’ve already come in."
Zhang Chen sensed through the mist in the air, perceiving that someone had jumped over the courtyard wall.
At this moment, a trace of murderous intent flickered in Zhang Chen’s eyes: "There’s a path to heaven but you won’t take it; there’s no door to hell yet you charge right in!"
Since the Yellow Heaven Dao crashed into him, there’s no saying of settling things peacefully. Moreover, since they climbed over the wall, they likely won’t let things go easily.
As for whether killing all of these people would cause trouble?
Zhang Chen was planning to use the Blood God Child to create some puppets, but who knew they would come knocking on their own?
"Don’t kill anyone! Killing them will cause big trouble, surely alerting the Yellow Heaven Dao. Why resort to violence for matters that money can solve?" Fox Fairy Nannan hastily stopped Zhang Chen.
"I’ll go fetch some silver coins to appease them," said Fox Fairy Nannan.
"This spacious courtyard, plus a maiden as beautiful as you, I fear once they see you, they won’t just want money, they might want to take you away too," Zhang Chen sighed.
Hearing this, Fox Fairy Nannan was taken aback. Her eyes carried a complex expression as she looked outside. She saw the torches rapidly approaching, the crowd noisily shouting as they drew near.
Just as the blood light shimmered behind Zhang Chen and the Blood God Child was about to act, he suddenly froze upon seeing the newcomers, because he recognized one of them, someone of significance to him: Huang Chao (Chapter 202).
The very beggar who dared to spit in Young Master’s mutton soup, later getting beaten by him. Then upon hearing about the Empress Tomb, he went to try his luck there.
Zhang Chen first saw this scene between him and Young Master in a tavern, invited him upstairs for a chat, gave him gold, and asked him to spread the Empress Tomb rumor. Zhang Chen had even given him a protective talisman.
Later, this man gained the Curse Origin in the tomb, transforming in various ways, almost mastering the Seventy-Two Transformations. Zhang Chen had to use the Six-Word True Mantra to barely stabilize the Curse Origin.
Their friendship was undeniably deep.
When Zhang Chen saw Huang Chao, Huang Chao also saw Zhang Chen. He was stunned, seemingly disbelieving his eyes. He then brought the torch closer for a better look, and upon seeing the familiar smiling face in the firelight, he exclaimed, "Sir, is it really you?"
"I also didn’t expect to see you here," Zhang Chen said, looking at Huang Chao, whose life had taken a dramatic turn. Gone was the beggar’s look, replaced by a man clad in gold and silver, with a gold ring on his arm, a gold collar around his neck, and pearls set into his outfit. He seemed to carry the demeanor of an upstart.
"I bought this courtyard, so I have to be here," Zhang Chen said with a smile.
Huang Chao quickly clapped his thigh upon hearing this: "The flood rushed into the Dragon King Temple, not recognizing family!"
Then he turned to the people behind him: "All of you, back off, do not disturb the master’s peace."
Then Huang Chao solemnly bowed to Zhang Chen: "I had no idea you were here, sir. My apologies for the intrusion. Please forgive me."
Zhang Chen hurriedly helped Huang Chao up, saying, "The uninformed are not to blame. How could I possibly blame you?"
Huang Chao glanced at Zhang Chen, then looked at the guards retreating in the distance. Suddenly, he fiercely drew the long knife from his waist and abruptly turned towards the crowd, accompanied by waves of screams. In just a few moments, he had killed all the guards, leaving only corpses strewn across the ground.
"What are you doing?" Zhang Chen was stunned by Huang Chao’s actions. He saw that at this moment, Huang Chao was holding a steel knife, his clothes stained with blood, and the blood was slowly sliding down the blade, emanating an indescribable aura of evil.
"You are being hunted by the Yellow Heaven Dao, and since they have seen your face tonight, if they do not die, your whereabouts might be exposed," Huang Chao said as he sheathed his long knife. Though his face was covered in blood, the words he spoke moved Zhang Chen profoundly, leaving him in a multitude of emotions.
"Go fetch a basin of water and tell Huang to wash off the bloodstains," Zhang Chen instructed Fox Fairy Nannan.
Fox Fairy Nannan obeyed, and soon brought back clean water for Huang Chao to cleanse himself. Afterward, Zhang Chen invited Huang Chao to sit. Once seated inside the house, Zhang Chen asked, "How did you end up in Jinling City, Brother Huang?"
Huang Chao’s expression turned sorrowful upon hearing this, "Don’t even mention it. This damned world gives us common folk no chance to survive. That day, you suppressed the anomaly for me, and I originally intended to continue seeking the mysterious to remove the hidden dangers from my body. But who would have thought that chaos would suddenly break out in the Northern Land? Prince Pingbian forcibly conscripted soldiers, and I fled and hid all the way home, only to encounter a catastrophic flood. Fortunately, with the mysterious power, I transformed into a fish to escape disaster. But before I could feel relieved, the accursed Demon Race invaded, killing and looting all the way. Chased by the demons, I refused to accept my fate and retaliated by killing several great demons, rescuing a group of civilians. Thus, I assembled a troop to resist the demons, fighting and retreating in the Northern Land. Yet, who would have thought Prince Pingbian’s Mansion would team up with the demons to slaughter my troops, leaving them in complete disarray. So I led the remaining forces in another retreat, only to encounter the Yellow Heaven Dao recruiting soldiers, and I was dragged into it by them."
Huang Chao cursed, his voice filled with anger, but listening to Huang Chao’s words, Zhang Chen felt a complex and indescribable emotion rising within him.
It was not only Huang Chao’s sorrow but the sorrow of all ordinary people living in these times. Huang Chao was merely a microcosm of countless people.
Huang Chao, at least, had the mysterious power protecting him, allowing him to struggle a bit. Yet, many ordinary people didn’t even have the right to struggle, facing the massive waves of the era that only tore them to pieces.
"Later, the Yellow Heaven Dao intended to plot against Jinling City, so I was dispatched here. Using my skills along the way, I managed to become a commander of sorts, leading several thousand men," Huang Chao spoke with bitterness.
"Alas, you’ve had it hard," Zhang Chen sighed.
"Why are you, sir, also in Jinling City?" Huang Chao asked with a surprised look.
Upon hearing Huang Chao’s question, Zhang Chen gave a bitter smile. "It’s a long story. I came to Jinling City to seek refuge with relatives—the Shen Family destroyed by your Yellow Heaven Dao."
"Ah?" Huang Chao was stunned, staring blankly at Zhang Chen, unsure of what to say.
Seeing Huang Chao looking like a child who had made a mistake, lost and clueless, Zhang Chen smiled and consoled him, "To be honest, your Yellow Heaven Dao avenged a grievance for me. You weren’t aware that I had a deep-seated enmity with the Shen Family."
As Zhang Chen began recounting his grudge with the Shen Family, Huang Chao, hearing Zhang Chen’s experiences, flew into a rage. "That damned Shen Family truly deserves to be cut to pieces. Had I known sooner, I would’ve killed more of the Shen Family’s collateral members while pursuing their heirs back then, to vent your anger, sir."
"Rest assured, sir. I will surely pursue the remaining Shen Family members to the very end to avenge you!" Huang Chao bit his teeth as he spoke.
Huang Chao’s voice was full of resentment. To him, Zhang Chen was a benefactor, akin to a reborn parent. Hurting Zhang Chen was tantamount to hurting him.
"Forget it! The matters of the Shen Family are past, and we need not pursue it any further!" Zhang Chen shook his head, interrupting Huang Chao. "The Shen Family’s main line has already been wiped out, with most of them dead. What meaning does continuing revenge hold?"
At this point, Zhang Chen looked at Huang Chao and asked with intention, "How are you now?"
He was referring to the power of superpower within Huang Chao, for within Huang Chao resided the curse origin.
Upon hearing this, Huang Chao gave a bitter smile, "Ever-changing, transformations from the heart. But... but... as my abilities grow, the power of the curse becomes increasingly difficult to suppress. I am now nearly unable to keep it under control."
Zhang Chen had already anticipated Huang Chao’s situation, so he pulled out a sealing rune from his sleeve and handed it to Huang Chao. "This talisman can keep you free from the curse’s influence before reaching the Twelfth Tier. I am now practicing the Six-Word True Mantra Seal anew. Its divine techniques have significantly increased, providing you additional suppression. The combination of the two should allow you peace of mind for a while."
Hearing this, Huang Chao was overjoyed, his face respectful as he accepted the sealing rune. "Thank you, benefactor. I also ask for your assistance, benefactor."
After acquiring those transformative abilities, he was delighted to have a means to survive the chaotic era. However, its uncontrollable backlash was ultimately a significant trouble and concern for him.
Reuniting with Zhang Chen was indeed excellent news for him.