However, Zhang Chen still felt uneasy. The Yellow Heaven Dao’s influence on Xiaodouding was too significant—how could they let Xiaodouding go easily?
But now Zhang Chen had no way to help Xiaodouding. Even he had no place to settle himself, so how could he settle Xiaodouding?
"Junior brother, don’t worry, I’ll take care of myself." Xiaodouding looked at Zhang Chen with a smile, reached out to pat his shoulder, and said in an old and wise manner.
Hearing Xiaodouding’s words, Zhang Chen pondered slightly before saying, "I will send a message to Commander Xie. When the time comes, please have him take you down the mountain. Stay at the Inspection and Supervision Department after you go down and don’t come back. Huangli Temple is a wolf’s den; you never know when a crisis will erupt. You cannot stay here any longer."
Zhang Chen’s voice was full of seriousness. Now that he knew Huangli Temple was a wolf’s den, keeping Xiaodouding there would be foolish.
Moreover, Zhang Chen had a premonition that this time when he went down the mountain, he might completely sever relations with Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, end in a showdown, and decide life and death. By then, there would certainly be a fierce battle, and if he lost, there would be no place for him in the Northern Land, compelling him to wander away.
As for defeating Prince Pingbian’s Mansion?
Don’t even think about it! Zhang Chen wasn’t that arrogant!
What is the Yang God level? Even in mythical novels, it’s a Pure Yang True Immortal of the Soul Pure Yang Level, considered top-tier strength. For him, a mere ant that just started on the path of cultivation, being able to gain any advantage is already good; as for killing the opponent?
The cultivation realm difference between the two sides is too vast; it’s simply impossible.
Zhang Chen patted Xiaodouding’s head. "Are you willing to go down the mountain and wait for me?"
Chengyu nodded obediently. "Don’t worry, I will wait for you obediently at the Inspection and Supervision Department."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen nodded with satisfaction. The next morning, he packed his bag, bid farewell to Xiaodouding, and headed down the mountain.
Zhang Chen made his way to Goulan County and didn’t go straight to Prince Pingbian’s Mansion; instead, he first checked into an inn where he had stayed before. Sure enough, not half an hour passed before Xie Lingyun in white slowly arrived outside Zhang Chen’s door and entered without knocking.
"Why are you in the county?" Xie Lingyun asked in surprise upon entering to see Zhang Chen sitting inside reading.
"I came down the mountain to handle some matters." Zhang Chen looked up from his book and carefully put it away. He didn’t mention his grievances with Prince Pingbian’s Mansion to avoid Xie Lingyun accidentally alerting the enemy, which could create unforeseen trouble.
"I came this time to ask you for a favor, sister." Zhang Chen said, pouring Xie Lingyun a pot of tea.
"What is it?" Xie Lingyun asked.
"I would like you to bring Xiaodouding down the mountain and hide him well," Zhang Chen said.
Upon hearing this, Xie Lingyun’s pupils contracted. With her intelligence, she couldn’t help but wonder, "Has the situation become that serious?"
"Not really, just taking precautions." Zhang Chen replied.
"This matter is simple. The Yellow Heaven Dao is nothing; I don’t take it seriously," said Xie Lingyun calmly. With the backing of the Great Victory Court and fifty thousand Inspection and Supervision Department elites under her, she had the confidence to disregard the Yellow Heaven Dao.
Even if the Yellow Heaven Dao made a huge commotion, in the eyes of the Inspection and Supervision Department’s army, it was just a group of unruly martial world scoundrels, not worth mentioning.
The court naturally had a condescending attitude towards those rabble.
"What about you?" Xie Lingyun asked, somewhat worried.
Zhang Chen smiled faintly. "No one in this world can kill me. Even if a Yang God True Man took action, I could still escape."
After hearing this, Xie Lingyun looked at Zhang Chen meaningfully, decided to trust his words, and said nothing more.
"In half a year, I will leave the Northern Land for Kyoto to be promoted. I’ll take care of your parents and Xiaodouding," Xie Lingyun said, eyes seemingly speaking to Zhang Chen:
"Would you like to come with me? The Northern Land is Prince Pingbian’s territory. Staying here, you’ll eventually be plotted against by Prince Pingbian’s Mansion."
Zhang Chen shook his head. "I still have unfinished business in the Northern Land. You go first. Once I’ve settled everything, we’ll meet in Kyoto."
"Would your stepmother, little sister, and little brother like to come with me?" Xie Lingyun tentatively asked.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen’s mind raced with thoughts. He feared his unique identity might implicate Xie Lingyun, and ultimately decided to refuse: "Just make sure they are settled properly. Let’s see the situation in half a year."
He felt that half a year would be enough time to handle the matters regarding Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, allowing him more options.
Besides, Xie Lingyun wasn’t his real sister, and it wouldn’t be right to involve her in such matters.
The most crucial point was that he didn’t want to get too deeply involved with the Inspection and Supervision Department. If entangled with them and mixed up with the Great Victory Dynasty’s fortunes, Zhang Chen believed it would surely lead to major trouble.
It would be better to maintain boundaries now, allowing himself more options.
The current Great Victory Dynasty is unstable, and from Zhang Chen’s perspective, its future looks bleak, with signs of a collapsing grand edifice.
He didn’t want too many entanglements with the Great Victory Dynasty.