“Do you…do you know who I am?” Ding Yu was at a loss for words.

He felt the strength in his body rapidly recovering.

Being a Super Grade expert naturally meant his physique was strong, and coupled with his inherently greater strength than most people,

he recovered faster than the average martial artist.

“What good is knowing who you are?” Xiaojing said seriously, “Anyway, you will live here with me from now on, so there’s no need to go out.”

“If you don’t go out, no one will know you’re here, so it doesn’t matter who you are.” She replied.

“…” Ding Yu was speechless, feeling a sense of absurdity surge in his heart.

Without hesitation, he stood up and strained his hands.

Pop. The hemp rope was forcibly snapped.

He stepped forward and grabbed towards the girl Xiaojing.

First, capture a hostage!

But seeing him break free from the rope, Xiaojing was not only unflustered, but her face also showed a hint of joy.

Bang.

Ding Yu pressed her shoulder, twisted her arm behind her, and detained her.

“Speak! Where is this place? Who are you people?”

“You’re actually so powerful!” Xiaojing sidestepped the question, her face full of joy. “I really hit the jackpot with this!”

“Answer my question!” Ding Yu grew angry, applying more force.

Instantly, Xiaojing cried out in pain.

“Alright, alright, be gentle, I’m carrying your child!”

“What the hell?!” Ding Yu was stunned; hadn’t he just been knocked out not long ago?

How could there already be a child??

Instinctively, he glanced at her belly.

“It’s true! Here, we only need once to be sure to get pregnant, I definitely have your child now!” Xiaojing quickly said.

….. Ding Yu felt as if he was going crazy, just from this moment of distraction.

Suddenly, he smelled a delicate fragrance.

The body he just regained control over quickly became powerless.

Thud.

This time, his eyes rolled back, and he fell to the ground.

His consciousness quickly sank into sleep.

‘The mission of the lord…. I must not fall here….’ This was his last thought.

But unfortunately, mere thoughts were meaningless.

*

*

*

Songhe Temple.

In the Intelligence Hall, Qingsu was arranging for people to transport all the myths, rumors, and legends of Wushan over.

The books for recording were stacked together, seemingly haphazardly placed on the ground beside Zhang Rongfang.

A number of subordinates devoted to browsing sat cross-legged, helping to search for the needed information.

“The characteristics of the information I am looking for: First, a blue butterfly.”

Zhang Rongfang said in a deep voice.

“Second, a woman in a white dress with a lot of white powder on her face.”

“Third, wishes.”

“Fourth, a Westerner’s clock.”

“Fifth, cobwebs.”

These were the elements he extracted from his recent encounter.

For this, Zhang Rongfang sought out assistance to gather all surrounding myths and legends.

He thought, since the Spirit General is related to gods and spirits, then perhaps that woman’s information could exist in myths and legends.

The Wushan Prefecture vicinity had numerous myths, legends, folk tales, and unofficial records. To ensure nothing was missed, Zhang Rongfang even included reports of supernatural phenomena.

The information present, just in books alone, exceeded a hundred volumes, and others were outside seeking out elders, asking about stories never before recorded.

If Zhang Rongfang had to do this all by himself, years would pass without success.

But now it was different.

With the former Golden Wing Pavilion of Wushan, now Songhe Temple’s help,

over a hundred people mobilized together.

Quickly.

“Found it, sir!”

A woman specifically responsible for browsing the books quickly spoke up.

“Speak.” Zhang Rongfang remained unmoved, calmly seated, eyes closed, listening.

The woman cleared her throat and read clearly: “Thirty-five years ago, north of Wushan, in a place called Red Flame Gorge, there was a folk rumor.”

“It is said that when herbalists went to Red Flame Gorge to gather herbs, they would often inexplicably fall asleep there. When they woke up, they often dreamt of a wooden house, where a woman in a white dress would ask if they had a wish to be fulfilled?”

“If they answered yes, they would receive special responses. Some people found treasure in the mountain and became rich afterwards.

Some people found mountain treasures that cured illnesses of family members.”

“This legend lasted only a year then suddenly disappeared. No one continued to pass it on, as the government seemed to have sent people there once, and then no more rumors of Red Flame Gorge emerged.”

The woman concluded.

“Except for the lack of a Westerner’s clock, this story fits most closely with the key points you mentioned, sir.”

Zhang Rongfang sat quietly, not moving, involuntarily recalling the Blood God Statue that had just appeared behind him.

‘Who really knows these things best?’ This question arose in his mind.

Everyone he had encountered since practicing martial arts flashed through Zhang Rongfang’s mind.

Finally, all the faces converged into one.

Yue Dewen!

‘Yue Shi….’

Zhang Rongfang sighed softly.

He stood up, opened his eyes, and took the material book from the woman’s hand to browse.

The records above are exactly the same. For the record of the woman in the white dress, there are blue butterflies and cobwebs.

But the detail is that no one has actually seen that mysterious woman in the white dress.

Many people simply believe it’s a rumor, a scam.

“Where is the Red Flame Gorge?” Zhang Rongfang had long wanted to carefully investigate matters of the gods and Buddhas.

But was at a loss for assistance.

Now, perhaps it’s an opportunity…

“It’s already filled with toxic mists. If you want to go, sir, you’ll need an experienced old hunter to guide you.” Qingsu said solemnly.

“No rush… wait… first send someone in for a tentative check.” With many subordinates under him now, Zhang Rongfang naturally wouldn’t rashly risk himself.

With so many subordinates, so much wealth, and benefits, there are ways to motivate desperados to take risks.

“Understood.” Qingsu nodded.

“I want results within a month, send in ten teams, no fewer than five people per team. I want detailed terrain, environment, and special features of that place. Anything of value, uncover it all and send it here.” Zhang Rongfang ordered.

“Yes!” Qingsu nodded.

“By the way, any news recently from the Great Capital?” Zhang Rongfang asked again.

“Celestial Treasure Palace has been reestablished; the latest news just arrived. After reestablishment, it’s been renamed as Celestial Sincerity Palace, connecting the main responsible sections of our provinces. Your master, Sect Leader Yue, has returned to the position of Sect Leader.” Qingsu said solemnly.

“What about His Majesty the Spirit Emperor?” In front of others, Zhang Rongfang still paid attention to his words and actions. Although he had a strong dislike for the old guy, the Spirit Emperor, he couldn’t show it outwardly.

“His Majesty has passed away, and now the five kings are preparing according to the traditional rules, to determine the new imperial title.” Qingsu replied.

The rules of the Great Spirit do not involve passing the throne to the eldest son or the Crown Prince.

The Great Spirit has no Crown Prince, nor a rule for the position of the eldest son.

Whoever can inherit the throne depends on who is the strongest!

So next, it depends on which among the five Spirit Emperor bloodlines is the strongest.

And this interim period will be the most chaotic time for the Great Spirit. Perhaps various strange and evil entities will emerge.

“Did Master give any instructions?” Zhang Rongfang asked.

Although he previously learned from his senior brother that Yue Shi was merely hiding and was fine, hearing this news, he still breathed a sigh of relief.

“The Sect Leader requires the local Daoist divisions to submit their local Dao register lists as soon as possible, possibly for reorganization.” Qingsu replied.

“Reorganization…” Zhang Rongfang mused.

“By the way, Master Hui Yong from the Western Sect sent a letter to you.”

“Bring it.”

Soon, a bamboo stick made to resemble a drawing bamboo stick was delivered to Zhang Rongfang.

He gently broke it, extracted the hidden letter from inside.

‘People from the main temple have come, intending to capture your subordinate division over in Wushan, but were blocked by a mysterious expert from the Great Dao Teaching.

Yet another group of unknown origin followed shortly after your arrival and is now inquiring about you, with formidable strength. If you wish to contact them, you may go to Jinlian Nanbo Temple.’

‘As expected, Master has also arranged for experts to protect us here.’ Zhang Rongfang’s heart settled.

Wushan Prefecture was evidently all arranged by Yue Shi long ago. The one who secretly repelled the Western Sect expert is likely the expert from the Great Dao Teaching.

And the other group should be the new arrivals.

They came along with me?

Even Hui Yong called them experts… seems there might be value in taking a look.

Hui Yong, being of the Hui generation and in charge of one province’s affairs, even at his worst, is at the Super Grade Three Emptiness Level.

The experts he mentioned…

Zhang Rongfang put down the letter, casually crushed it, and handed it to Qingsu to throw into the fire basin.

For the stability and peace of Wushan, he intended to personally see this group of people.

If they are peaceful and honest, they can be left alone. If their intentions are sinister, then it’s only…

“Send someone to take me to Jinlian Nanbo Temple.”

“Understood!” Qingsu quickly replied.

*

*

*

Inside Nanbo Temple.

The sky was dim.

Zhang Xuan, Xiao Qingying, and Zhang Xintai, the three of them gathered by the fire, silently watching the burning wood, their feelings strangely complicated.

“Who would’ve thought that Zhang Ying was actually Rongfang? That Rongfang is Zhang Ying?” Zhang Xintai sighed.

“He hid it well.”

“Now he holds a high position of power, being the Daoist of Great Dao Teaching, whether he still acknowledges us is a question.” Zhang Xuan said with a bitter smile.

“I believe in him.” Zhang Xintai shook his head, “He’s not that kind of person.”

“What are you worried about!” A burly giant, as formidable as a black bear, holding a bundle of dry twigs and branches, strode in from outside the temple.

“We’re at a dead end anyway, might as well take a chance. Since he could save you over there, it shows he still values past relations!” The giant man sat next to Zhang Xintai with a thud.

“Of course, if you dare to deceive me, don’t blame Brother Xiong for giving each of you a slap,” the giant man said dissatisfied.

“Rest assured, Mr. Flying Bear, my brother is loyal and righteous; he will surely help us detoxify and save our lives. Everything we’ve said before is true!” Zhang Xintai said seriously.

“Regardless, I can hardly survive anymore. If we don’t hurry, when the drug takes effect, we’ll all die. If you’re deceiving me, you’re deceiving yourselves.” The giant man chuckled twice and began adding branches to the fire.

Zhang Xuan and the other two could only smile wryly.

They were all members of the Righteous Alliance’s guerrilla forces near Qingchuan, along with this Black List expert, the Flying Bear King.

The difference was, they were low-level, while the Flying Bear King was high-level.

However, the internal makeup of the Righteous Alliance was complex.

The Flying Bear King had been betrayed by his subordinates, severely injured by the Shangguan family’s expert, and, before fleeing, ran into Zhang Xuan and others, who were similarly at their wit’s end and about to be surrounded and killed.

While struggling to survive, a mysterious person sent them information.

It turned out that Zhang Rongfang, whom Zhang Xuan and the others had encountered earlier and who had saved them once, was actually Zhang Ying, the Daoist of Great Dao Teaching.

At this time, the Flying Bear King unexpectedly helped save them, claiming he, too, had been informed by a mysterious person.

Thus, the four of them, being pursued, heavily injured, and poisoned, had no way out.

In despair, the mysterious person reappeared, sending them a message that only by going out to sea to seek Zhang Ying in Wushan Prefecture could they find a way to detoxify.

As for who this mysterious person was and why they could send an accurate message to them, they did not know.

They only knew that if they didn’t find Zhang Rongfang soon, all four of them would die.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep