What Hu Li the Immortal said was very amusing, but Zhang Chen couldn’t laugh at all, and could only let out a faint sigh.
He thought of those pampered "man-eating" old masters and collaborators in his previous life, as well as countless men of benevolence and righteousness.
"Don’t laugh! Those people are just fence-sitters. Wherever they go, that place will be thrown into turmoil. You of the Demon Race take in those fence-sitters, and sooner or later something big will go wrong inside." Zhang Chen reminded Hu Li the Immortal, "It’s better to kill those harboring sinister intentions as early as possible."
Hu Li the Immortal waved his hand at these words. "You don’t understand! For the Demon Race, letting the Human Race nobles bring in knowledge and order can enlighten my Demon Race, make us more intelligent, allow us to form a true civilization and a truly complete, closed-loop organization. Those nobles who betray the Human Race to join us are indeed parasites, but for the Demon Race, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks."
Hearing this, Zhang Chen no longer tried to persuade him. What did the future of the Demon Race have to do with him?
He couldn’t wait for more of the Demon Race to die, so that he could upgrade his Sea of Blood to Perfection.
"What effects does that Magical Treasure of yours have?" Hu Li the Immortal asked.
"This treasure is called the God-Beating Whip; it is specialized in striking a person’s soul. It can beat a person’s soul back into their body, or it can beat the soul out of someone else’s body." Zhang Chen said.
The "God" in this God-Beating Whip does not refer solely to a Divine Spirit, but encompasses the "Spirit" in Essence, Qi, and Spirit.
"What a fine treasure! With such Divine Techniques, isn’t it specifically meant to restrain Steel Bones and indestructible Golden Bodies?" As soon as Hu Li the Immortal heard this, he quickly understood the stakes.
"Exactly. No matter how formidable the Copper Skin and Iron Bones or indestructible Golden Body, in front of this treasure of mine, it’s nothing but brittle skin." There was a proud note in Zhang Chen’s voice.
"If I can obtain the blessing of this treasure, perhaps I’ll have hope of defeating the Great Virtuous Master." Hu Li the Immortal’s voice burned with fervor.
Zhang Chen only smiled without answering, merely shifting the topic and starting to drink tea with Hu Li the Immortal.
Hu Li the Immortal stayed for another half day, chatting at length with Zhang Chen, before finally turning into a breeze and leaving.
Seeing Hu Li the Immortal depart, Zhang Chen took out the God-Beating Whip from his sleeve. The God-Beating Whip shrank to about ten centimeters, and Zhang Chen held it in his palm, examining it.
Only after quite a while did Zhang Chen let out a faint sigh and begin circulating his Magical Power to perform Sacrificial Refining on the God-Beating Whip.
The God-Beating Whip was a Magical Treasure refined by Zhang Chen; he had mastered this treasure’s Manipulation Mantra, so Sacrificial Refining it was naturally not difficult. With the God-Beating Whip assisting him, Zhang Chen found the Refining Treasure process smooth and easy.
Time seemed to settle; all was peaceful in Jinling City.
In the blink of an eye, three months passed. It was now the second month, when the grass grows and orioles fly, and a fine drizzle was falling from the sky.
Zhang Chen’s eyes looked toward the distant gray curtain of fine rain, a trace of weariness showing in his gaze. Recently, the Sacrificial Refining of the God-Beating Whip had consumed too much Magical Power, and his Primordial Spirit had begun to grow tired. However, Zhang Chen’s results were remarkable: the God-Beating Whip’s Sacrificial Refining was complete, and he had fully mastered its thirty-six Innate Restrictions.
This was originally a Magical Treasure he had refined himself; he already possessed the Manipulation Mantra, and with the current changes in Heaven and Earth, the Innate Spiritual Treasure had also sensed that something was amiss and actively cooperated with Zhang Chen’s Sacrificial Refining. In a mere three months, Zhang Chen relied on his insignificant Cultivation to complete the Sacrificial Refining of an Innate Spiritual Treasure—this deed could be called a miracle.
The God-Beating Whip was a weapon that also functioned as a Magical Treasure, existing in the space between weapon and Magical Treasure.
When fighting others, it could be used as a weapon, or employed as a Magical Treasure to decide the battle in a single move.
"Zhang, I’ve gotten hold of a fine jar of wine. Care to have a good drink with me?" Chen Ping’s voice sounded from outside the door. He came in holding an oil-paper umbrella and carrying a sealed jar of wine.
Zhang Chen did not get up, but lay lazily on the lounge chair, giving him a sidelong glance. "What brings you here?"
"I’m here to thank you. I’ve now successfully inherited the escort agency and become the Chief Leader of the Dragon Tiger Escort Agency." There was a hint of pride in Chen Ping’s voice.
Zhang Chen’s face showed surprise at these words. "You’ve already taken the escort agency into your hands? And what about your younger brother Chen An?"
"I sent him off under the pretext of seeking Spirit Medicine for our father, to have him go searching for Spirit Medicine." Chen Ping’s voice carried a trace of smugness.
Zhang Chen gave Chen Ping a look. A Mysterious flow of Qi Mechanism swirled around this fellow, and the Qi Blood Power within him surged; he could now be called a capable fighter in his own right. But since the other man had not made a move, Zhang Chen did not know his current foundations.
Still, if someone had already mastered the Power of Thunder, how weak could they possibly be?
"This jar of wine is a hundred years old. It was buried when my grandfather was born. Sadly, my grandfather died on an escort route back in the day and never had the blessing to drink it." Chen Ping let out a quiet sigh.
Zhang Chen’s eyes lit up at that. "Then it really can be called fine wine. I truly must have a taste."
At these words, Chen Ping slapped the seal off the jar and poured wine for Zhang Chen. The wine was like amber, with a faintly viscous look to it, proof that it was indeed fine wine.
The two of them didn’t bother with any dishes, tasting the wine straight from the cup.
After three rounds of wine, Chen Ping finally said, "I plan to settle the matters of the escort agency, and once it is stable, I’ll head to Dragon Tiger Mountain to undergo the assessment and then join Dragon Tiger Mountain for cultivation. I’ve already mastered the Power of Thunder, which can be considered stepping into the mysterious realm. If I can cultivate with Dragon Tiger Mountain’s Secret Techniques, my strength will definitely rise to another level."
Zhang Chen was stunned at these words, a bit surprised in his heart. Why did Chen Ping want to go cultivate at Dragon Tiger Mountain? And what about the escort of the Tree of Life Coffin?
"The world is in chaos now, and Jinling City will be taken by the Demon Race before long. I’ve already begun secretly disposing of my assets in Jinling City. Once everything is handled, I’ll Transfer the escort agency to Kyoto. Those demons are too ferocious. If the Dragon Tiger Escort Agency continues to remain in Jinling City, I fear it will be slaughtered by the Demon Race." Chen Ping’s voice carried a faint oppression.
"I’ve already received a promise from a certain great figure in Kyoto. As long as I accomplish a certain matter for him, I will henceforth be under his protection in Kyoto, and the Dragon Tiger Escort Agency can relocate to Kyoto and receive that great figure’s patronage." There was an indescribable flavor in Chen Ping’s voice.
Zhang Chen’s heart moved at these words. With the agility of his current Primordial Spirit, he instantly deduced a possibility: "The so-called great figure’s protection is very likely Grand Steward Dugu Qiu. Dugu Qiu asked him to escort the Tree of Life Coffin; as long as he transports the Tree of Life Coffin into Kyoto, he will naturally not lack for benefits. And this old fox Dugu Qiu is truly formidable—who would have thought he’d transport a treasure like the Tree of Life Coffin to Kyoto using the mundane method of a mortal escort agency?"
The whole world believed the Tree of Life Coffin had long since been transported away by Dugu Qiu, yet who knew the Tree of Life Coffin was still on the road?
"Zhang, come with me when the time comes. The fall of Jinling City is only a matter of time. Those beasts of the Demon Race have utterly lost their humanity. Once the Demon Race army sets foot in the territory of Jinling, they will surely massacre all Human Race commoners—no one will be able to escape disaster." Chen Ping fixed his eyes on Zhang Chen.
"When are you leaving?" Zhang Chen asked.
"After I finish handling my assets in Jinling territory. It’ll probably have to wait until the end of the Debate on the Dao." Chen Ping replied.
"Alright! I’ll go with you then." Zhang Chen nodded in agreement.
He didn’t know the road to Kyoto. Traveling along with Chen Ping’s escort agency was the best choice.
Of course, accompanying mortals on the road would make the journey somewhat slower, but Zhang Chen didn’t mind; he had nothing else to do anyway.
Moreover, he still had to personally keep an eye on the Tree of Life Coffin, lest someone intercept it midway.
The two of them talked for another half day before Chen Ping took his leave, leaving Zhang Chen drunk and reeking of wine as he went to sleep.
In the deep of night, accompanied by a peal of thunder, Zhang Chen woke with a start from his sleep. The fine drizzle outside the door had already turned into a downpour. His eyes looked at the heavy rain outside; he got up to add some oil to the Soul-Forming Lamp, then lay back down on the bed to continue lazing in sleep.
Li She Vassal States
Within Changcao Academy
Under the dim flow of a wavering candle flame, Zhou Qiucheng sat facing the dean of Changcao Academy.
The dean of Changcao Academy opposite Zhou Qiucheng was a burly man in his fifties, his entire body knotted with muscles. He looked nothing like a scholar, more like a formidable military general.
"Have you really thought this through? Han Suzhen is the one and only Reverse Scale in Chen Sanliang’s heart. If you attack him using his wife, you will surely enrage Chen Sanliang. Once the bow is drawn, there is no turning back; once this deed is done, there will be no room for retreat." Zhou Qiucheng asked.
"If we don’t think of a way to curb his momentum, Jiangnan Dao will be surrendered by those parasites who occupy their positions without doing anything. I’m willing to be the vanguard and fight to win a sliver of Vitality for our Human Race." The dean sighed lightly. "It’s just that I must trouble Zhou to look after my family."
"Sir, your great righteousness will pull Jiangnan back from the brink of collapse. Even if I am smashed to pieces, I will protect your family." Zhou Qiucheng let out a faint sigh.
The next morning, when the rainstorm had ceased, Zhang Chen got up and walked out of the courtyard, hearing the incessant chirping of insects within.
Feeling bored, Zhang Chen sat beneath the eaves reading. Around noon, Golden Light suddenly burst forth from the direction of Chongzheng Academy, and immeasurable Divine Power surged heavenward, piercing straight into the clouds.
Zhang Chen turned his head toward Chongzheng Academy, a trace of surprise in his eyes. "The Exquisite Tower actually grew another level?"
Originally, the Exquisite Tower had only twelve levels; now two more had grown, making a total of fourteen.
"A pity that, in the face of the greater situation, it’s of no use!" Zhang Chen shook his head. He did not feel that Zhou Qiucheng’s growing yet another level of the Exquisite Tower at this time would change anything. For Chen Sanliang, there was no difference between thirteen levels and fourteen.
"Zhang, something major has happened!"
Just as Zhang Chen was musing, Huang Chao came rushing over, his footsteps hurried and his voice full of urgency.
"What major event?" Zhang Chen looked at Huang Chao with curiosity. Anything that Huang Chao called a major event certainly wasn’t minor.
"Have a cup of water first. Whatever it is, it won’t hurt to say it slowly." Zhang Chen poured him a full cup of tea and patiently urged him.
Huang Chao took the tea and gulped down a large mouthful, still shaken as he said, "A great calamity has struck! Chen Sanliang has declared he will slaughter all living beings in the entire Jiangnan Dao and will no longer accept the surrender of scholars from Jiangnan."
"What?" Zhang Chen was struck with shock and horror. "How could this be? Is the news reliable?"