"It's just a small county like Goulan County. If our Inspection and Supervision Department can't keep track of the slightest disturbances there, how can we grasp the great trends of the world?" Xie Lingyun's voice carried a hint of pride.
The two walked into the room, and after Xie Lingyun sat down, his eyes fixated on Zhang Chen, making Zhang Chen feel uneasy. "Why are you staring at me like that?"
"What was the weapon you rushed out of Prince Pingbian's Mansion with that day?" Xie Lingyun stared at Zhang Chen intensely.
Such a weapon is truly the nemesis of any army or martial artist.
"Oh, it was just some small tricks I picked up accidentally, nothing worth mentioning." Zhang Chen laughed it off dismissively, knowing the importance of gunpowder, he wouldn't spill the secret easily.
That excuse wouldn't fool a ghost! If that's a small trick, then what would count as a big one?
Seeing Zhang Chen's unwillingness to elaborate, Xie Lingyun decided not to press the matter and changed the topic instead: "How's the situation with that tomb?"
"I was just about to tell you about the tomb." Zhang Chen quickly recounted the events within the tomb when prompted.
Upon hearing this, Xie Lingyun was so shocked that he sat up straight: "The Tree of Life Coffin? The body of an Ancient Divine Demon? If this news gets out, it will surely throw the world into chaos. I must immediately report back to the chief leader and have them personally retrieve that coffin. This news can't remain hidden for long; once Yellow Heaven Dao finds out, it will be even more troublesome!"
Xie Lingyun was stunned by the news brought by Zhang Chen. Whether it was the Tree of Life Coffin or the body of the Ancient Divine Demon, the court would never let go.
"Don't be in such a hurry, I have something to ask of you." Zhang Chen quickly called out to Xie Lingyun.
Xie Lingyun turned back to Zhang Chen upon hearing his plea, "What else is there?"
"I want you to help me find a suitable location." Zhang Chen quickly described the geomancy of the Eight Trigrams Furnace.
"That is a simple matter. Just wait for my message."
After speaking, Xie Lingyun left in haste, leaving Zhang Chen standing in the inn, pondering with the Tier Twelve bead in hand: This is a Tier Twelve Divine Being. If I can fuse it, I could obtain the power of a Tier Twelve Divine Being, but it holds little use for me since my cultivation focuses on magical power. It'd be better to refine it into a magical treasure. This item is formed of the Law of Earth and can replace Innate Earth Essence. For now, I'll refine the treasure's prototype and later replace it with various innate Qi mechanisms as I find them.
"Right now, I lack means to counter-act experts in controlling objects. My Light of the True God can harm Yin Spirits, but it must touch the Yin Spirit's body to be effective. And is it not so that Yin God Strong Persons directly command and suppress through materials? My Light of the True God is practically useless against their object-controlling abilities. However, if I refine it into a God-Beating Whip, then I can directly strike the opponent's soul back into their body or even cause their soul to scatter entirely; now that would be truly domineering." Zhang Chen mused to himself.
Moreover, even if I want to fully refine this bead and unleash all its divine might of the twelfth tier, who knows how long that would take.
"Better go find that kid Zhong Xiang, and find a way to borrow his Qilin Flame."
Zhang Chen only planned to use the Qilin Flame to ignite the layout of the Eight Trigrams Furnace, to ignite its Primordial Qi Creation. That flame would simply serve as a lighter, to ignite the furnace.
But just as Zhang Chen opened the door to find Zhong Xiang, he discovered Zhong Xiang already standing at his doorstep.
"Is my hideout really that easy to find? If that's the case, won't Prince Pingbian's Mansion also find me soon?" Zhang Chen looked at Zhong Xiang outside and became wary.
"Xie Lingyun directed me here. I want to make a deal with you." Zhong Xiang gazed at Zhang Chen, squeezing out a smile that looked more painful than crying because seeking help was not easy for him.
"What kind of deal?" Zhang Chen looked curiously at Zhong Xiang, his eyes full of surprise. This kid actually needed to seek help?
"You... the two questions you asked on the platform that day were so tricky that my grand-uncle got stuck in a dead-end. Can you help him out of it?" Zhong Xiang said with helplessness.
If it weren't for the current scramble for the Tree of Life Coffin, with his grand-uncle being one of the top experts in their camp, he would never come here to ask for help.
The upcoming scramble for the Tree of Life Coffin is vital for determining the future course of great matters around the world. The Zhong Family can't possibly handle it alone, and they need expert assistance.
Moreover, many Confucian scholars have fallen under a curse. Although it wasn't directly Zhong Xiang's fault, suspicion was pinned vaguely on him. With discontent towards him reaching its peak, Zhong Xiang urgently needed his grand-uncle to recover and back him up, stabilizing the situation.
Confucianism's inner heart is quite miraculous; it can break in a flash and mend in one as well. As long as his grand-uncle's mental impasse can be untangled, repairing his inner heart shouldn't be difficult.
"So it's about this? By coincidence, I have a favor to ask of you too." Zhang Chen smiled at Zhong Xiang. What a coincidence, isn't it?
"Let's talk inside! Prince Pingbian's Mansion is searching for your whereabouts like crazy; make sure they don't see you. I don't want to get dragged into this." Zhong Xiang pushed past Zhang Chen into the house as he spoke.
"You afraid of Prince Pingbian's Mansion?" Zhang Chen asked, surprised, looking at Zhong Xiang.
"You wouldn't get it even if you were told." Zhong Xiang replied irritably.
As he spoke, Zhong Xiang pulled a handful of dry grass from his sleeve and started chewing on it.
Zhang Chen, seeing this scene, almost couldn't help but laugh out loud as his lips twitched violently.
"I need your help with something." Zhang Chen cut straight to the point and told Zhang Xiang about using the Qilin Flame to light the Eight Trigrams Furnace.
"Refining a treasure? What kind of treasure?" Now curious, Zhong Xiang asked.
"A life-critical treasure. Can you help or not?" Zhang Chen evaded the question.
"Help you? You've got the nerve to ask! You broke my grand-uncle's heart, and you actually dare to ask for my help??? How is your skin so thick!!! You're lucky I haven't finished you off; you actually dare ask me for a favor?" Zhong Xiang laughed coldly.
"That was a misunderstanding, wasn't it? If I had known the old gentleman was your elder, I wouldn't have dared to act otherwise. Anyway, we're trading fairly now, right? I'll try to enlighten your grand-uncle, and you help me ignite the flame. It's a win-win deal!"
Mr. Wu may have only crippled Chen Sanliang, but Han Suzhen's death had nothing to do with him, so Zhang Chen did not wish to incur the enmity of Confucianism.
With his mouth apologizing, Zhang Chen's eyes were set on Zhong Xiang, while discreetly slipping the Body-Stabilizing Talisman into his fingers, plotting on the success rates if he had to resort to force. If Zhong Xiang wouldn't agree to the trade terms, he might as well capture Zhong Xiang, and at worst, jab him somewhere painful later.
Zhang Chen opened his Dharma Eye and saw Zhong Xiang was covered in a faint red light, the red Qi mechanism flowed around continuously, always guarding his body, indicating that Zhong Xiang was wary of being tricked by him.
Just as Zhang Chen was contemplating tactics against Zhong Xiang, Zhong Xiang abruptly changed the subject: "If you can answer my grand-uncle's questions, and help him re-assemble his Heart of the Dao, I'd consider assisting you with a task."
The golden and silver talismans in Zhang Chen's sleeve vanished, and he looked at Zhong Xiang with joy: "I knew you were the best, Zhong, the most reasonable one."
Zhong Xiang glanced irritably at Zhang Chen, choosing to ignore him.
"Let's hurry and see the elder," Zhang Chen said cheekily.
With the worry that burdened him eased, he felt genuinely delighted.
"Let's go then!" Zhong Xiang rolled his eyes at Zhang Chen, having no recourse against his antics, and turned to leave the room.