The storyteller was unwilling to pass messages, fearing he might get hunted by the Zhong Family, but there were those who did not fear. Because there are many things in this world more terrifying than death, such as hunger.
In every place, there are beggars, especially in ancient times, where they were even more pervasive.
Prince Pingbian’s Mansion governs three provinces and eighteen counties, and Goulan County, where Zhang Chen was located, was one of the six major towns under Lanting County, one of those eighteen counties.
And Zhang Chen thought of one power: the Beggar Gang.
In every county, the Beggar Gang is actually the largest network of influence.
But finding the Beggar Gang isn’t easy, especially since Zhang Chen didn’t know much about them. However, he did have a strategy; using silver to pave the way, asking beggars along the streets continuously until he found them.
Just as Zhang Chen was about to look for beggars and start gathering information bit by bit, Lady Xie Lingyun arrived.
The Inspection and Supervision Department’s methods were all-pervasive; Zhang Chen had just settled in Goulan County before they found his whereabouts.
Zhang Chen was sitting by the window drinking tea when suddenly the door opened by itself, and in came Xie Lingyun dressed in men’s attire, her face resolute and heroic, saying: "I say, you are really inefficient. Didn’t I tell you to look for me as soon as you entered the town? Why don’t I see any sign of you and instead find you living here? I’m your sister, are you really treating me as an outsider after coming here?"
Zhang Chen put down his tea cup, facing the machine-gun-like reprimand from Xie Lingyun, he could only stand up helplessly, and made a bow to Xie Lingyun: "Wasn’t it because things got delayed? Moreover, I’m entangled in trouble right now and don’t want to involve you, sister."
"The bond between us is deep. If you say the word trouble, you’re really treating me as an outsider." Xie Lingyun sat at the table and helped herself to a bowl of tea:
"Your trouble is merely Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, as long as you enter the Inspection and Supervision Department, I can still protect you."
"It’s not Prince Pingbian’s Mansion." Zhang Chen said.
"And what else could it be?" Xie Lingyun asked in astonishment.
Zhang Chen hesitated for a moment in his heart, but did not hide it. He directly spoke about the matter of the Empress Tomb because it couldn’t be hidden for long and would be discovered by Xie Lingyun sooner or later. Moreover, that tomb contained dangerous unforeseeable elements, and if Xie Lingyun led people in, it would spell trouble.
Sure enough, upon hearing Zhang Chen’s words, Xie Lingyun was shocked: "What? You and Zhong Xiang dug into the depths of the tomb? And you were all cursed?"
Zhang Chen smiled bitterly and said: "That curse is extremely domineering, sister. You should know the extent of my methods, but in the face of that curse, I was only resigned to my fate, unable to resist at all. I’m afraid even a Tier Twelve Divine Being would be attacked by the Power of Curse if they encountered it."
Saying that, Zhang Chen looked at Xie Lingyun: "I’m telling you this to warn you not to be blinded by the tomb. There may not be any Creation inside, but an ultimate Demon God is sealed within. If by chance you get trapped inside, not even immortals could save you!"
Xie Lingyun shook her head upon hearing this: "Exploring the tomb is our duty. I must report this to my father immediately and seek his intervention. Your cultivation and perspective are still too low. What seems overwhelmingly troublesome to you is actually nothing to those Yang God experts."
Xie Lingyun further inquired carefully about the matters inside the tomb and then was about to get up and bid farewell.
"Sister, please wait, I have another favor to ask of you," Zhang Chen called out quickly when he saw Xie Lingyun was about to leave.
"What is it?" Xie Lingyun asked.
"I want to find the beggar leader of Goulan County," Zhang Chen said.
Xie Lingyun did not inquire why Zhang Chen was looking for the beggar leader, but directly said: "Follow me."
The two walked through several streets and arrived at a small alley, which was bustling with small stalls and people coming and going. The civilians who moved through the alley, however, were all dressed in rags, their faces sallow and thin, evidently poor people.
Zhang Chen and Xie Lingyun walked in the alley, standing out conspicuously. Pedestrians saw Xie Lingyun’s lavish clothing and immediately moved aside in respect, lowering their heads to stare at their toes, not daring to take another look.
The two came to a small two-story tavern, where the attendant quickly ran over, bowing and greeting the noble-dressed Xie Lingyun: "Sir, please come upstairs."
"One pot of tea, eight signature dishes." Xie Lingyun tossed a piece of silver into the attendant’s arms.
"Please follow me." The attendant led Zhang Chen and Xie Lingyun to the second floor. The second floor wasn’t lacking people; there were about seven or eight tables of guests, drinking and playing games, making quite the lively scene. But as soon as the two arrived, the room fell silent and then came the sound of tables and chairs moving. In the next moment, all the guests drinking there bowed to Xie Lingyun and then hurried downstairs to settle their accounts.
"We’ll sit here." Xie Lingyun pointed to a table by the window.
The attendant, holding a fresh cloth, wiped the table repeatedly before inviting Zhang Chen and Xie Lingyun to sit down.
After the attendant left, Zhang Chen looked at Xie Lingyun with a face full of confusion: "Why did they leave without finishing their food?"
"Because they fear getting into trouble," Xie Lingyun said.
Zhang Chen was puzzled: "Explain in detail."
"You know, for the nobility, ordinary people are like mere dogs and chickens. They leave in a hurry because if they accidentally anger a noble with their voice or words, it would lead to the ruin of their homes and lives. So keeping away from nobles is a survival strategy for people at the bottom." Xie Lingyun said these words without any emotion, as if she were discussing family trivialities, something entirely normal.