Chapter 504: Ha Le

Jiu Niang Qu was known for her fiery temper, independent nature, and greed for money. Yet, she was not blind to situations or ignorant of human hearts. Upon hearing the news, she arched her delicate eyebrows and asked, “Who are you planning to swindle?”

“Ze Luojing,” Meng Qi replied, lifting his robe and sitting opposite Jiu Niang Qu with a bold posture.

Jiu Niang Qu clicked her tongue disapprovingly, “That old rogue Ze Luojing is treacherous and ruthless. I wonder why he never thought of eliminating you earlier. Seems like karma has finally caught up with him.”

Smiling, Meng Qi said, “He once chased me in Jiangdong.”

“Jiangdong…” Jiu Niang Qu mused, perhaps recalling the hidden protection of the external scenes, any of which could scare Ze Luojing away. “Do you now have the confidence to kill him?”

Her beautiful face bloomed into a dazzling smile as she stared at Meng Qi, as if saying, “Pay me, and I’ll join you. After all, it’s you who will draw the hatred of the weeping elder.”

Meng Qi’s fingers lightly tapped the table, “Not yet. Although Ze Luojing is an experienced external scene master who has long reached the third heaven, he has never crossed the first heavenly ladder. His strength might surpass mine slightly, but in a direct confrontation, I might still have a gap with him. However, killing someone isn’t solely about strength. My mere appearance here already gives me a 30% better chance of victory!”

Throughout history, there were countless examples of assassins from the Buren Building succeeding against stronger opponents.

Jiu Niang Qu showed no attempt to hide her disappointment, “Ze Luojing has been famous for many years and is the leader of bandits. I find it hard to believe he doesn’t possess valuable treasures.”

“Throughout history, haven’t many masters of external scenes been assassinated before they could even utilize their treasures? If Ze Luojing gets the opportunity to wield his treasures, given how well his Kuang Sha Kung Fu synergizes with the Hanhai, even with our combined efforts, stopping him from escaping would be extremely difficult. Don’t you have a secret treasure you’re willing to deploy?” What Meng Qi left unsaid was that with his Bay Jiu Xuan Miao, he could both launch surprise attacks and vanish without a trace. Bringing Jiu Niang along might only hinder their plans.

“As long as you can afford it, there’s nothing I wouldn’t use,” Jiu Niang Qu sneered, suddenly shedding her disappointment and smiling slyly, “I was just testing your confidence. Indeed, someone who can survive four heavenly tribulations is extraordinary.”

“If you really wanted me to join you, I wouldn’t agree because Ze Luojing is no longer at Evil Ridge. Five days ago, he headed west to Haile, probably seeking advice from the weeping elder. There are many external scene masters in Haile. Your Bay Jiu Xuan Gong is versatile, making it easy for you to escape after committing an act, but I wouldn’t dare to follow you into such danger.”

She looked as if she wasn’t against the idea of joining forces, but the price would need to be multiplied several times over, clearly the act of a shrewd merchant.

This woman… Meng Qi thought, wiping a cold sweat from his mind, pondering, “Ze Luojing left for Haile five days ago…”

The news he received about Ze Luojing was earlier than he had anticipated, indicating someone had deliberately investigated his situation.

“With an enemy like you, I dare not overestimate myself. It’s better to be cautious. Whether he seeks the weeping elder’s secret protection or directly looks for an opportunity to ambush and kill you, he must have a countermeasure and cannot keep waiting for you to grow stronger,” Jiu Niang Qu said with a smile.

Meng Qi lightly tapped the table and said, “Once I ‘stabilize my realm,’ no one will know when I will seek vengeance against Ze Luojing. The Weeping Elder, with his ambition to unify the Hanhai to the west and the Land of the Dead to the east, certainly won’t have the time to protect Ze Luojing indefinitely. Most likely, he will bestow a protective or enemy-defeating artifact and then wait for an opportunity to march into the Central Plains to eliminate future threats.”

“The ‘Eighteen Blows of the Vengeful Ghost’ by the weeping elder are famous throughout the world. If there’s an enemy-defeating item, it’s likely related to it, not necessarily a secret treasure. Once Ze Luojing returns from Haile, even if he doesn’t expect you to be waiting for him at Evil Ridge, you might find it hard to succeed,” Jiu Niang Qu continued along Meng Qi’s line of thought.

“Is the weeping elder currently in Haile?” Meng Qi already had his plans.

The greatest challenge in seeking revenge within the Hanhai was the scarcity of information. Spies could easily leak secrets, prompting targets to take refuge in perilous locations and evade attention. This was precisely why many external scene masters from the Central Plains struggled to confront their adversaries in the Hanhai. Consequently, Meng Qi turned to Jiu Niang Qu for intelligence.

Jiu Niang Qu smiled, her eyes sparkling. She rubbed her thumb and index finger together, mimicking the action of holding a gem, “I told you Ze Luojing’s whereabouts for free. Now…”

Meng Qi, familiar with her nature, took out an item, “I don’t have any gems, only this land deed.”

“A land deed from Jiangdong… Fine, completely acceptable.” Jiu Niang Qu swiftly grabbed the land deed, examined it, and then stored it in her Ji Zi Ring, fearing Meng Qi might take it back.

Her face flushed with excitement, like a weasel that had stolen a chicken, “Haile has annexed the small kingdom of Xiao Wan, but failed to subdue its king, who is an ultimate expert and has repeatedly caused trouble for Haile. The weeping elder personally pursued him, and now they are in the Desert of the Dead. Even if everything goes smoothly, it will take at least half a month for them to return to Haile.”

I knew the weeping elder wouldn’t have much free time… Meng Qi exhaled in relief. Otherwise, once Ze Luojing received the treasures and returned to Evil Ridge, he would have to team up with this greedy Jiu Niang, not knowing how she would swindle him!

As for now, although Haile is dangerous, Meng Qi still had the courage to venture in!

…

In the vast yellow sands, Ze Luojing merged with the wind and sand, stretching across the sky, rushing towards Haile.

His face was solemn, his remaining eye slightly narrowed, a faint greenish glow occasionally visible beneath his black eye patch.

Zhen Ding the monk had actually ascended in one step, even surviving four heavenly tribulations, becoming similar to the human emperor!

At this point, Ze Luojing had already exceeded his capabilities. Even if his master scolded and punished him, or if the Soul Infusion of the Wronged Dead occurred, he had to ask his venerable master to intervene!

If left unchecked, within nine years, or even sooner, he would possess the strength to kill even his master!

Ze Luojing didn’t consider setting traps for Kuang Dao, who might seek revenge using the Mad Blade, because once he stabilized his realm and mastered his external scene techniques, he would have received the news long before. Wouldn’t he anticipate such precautions and seek his master’s assistance?

If he were Kuang Dao, he would definitely be patient and not act hastily, because with his potential, waiting a few years would allow him to ignore all precautions and take revenge at will, wiping him out completely!

Xuan Bei revised his techniques in middle age, regretted his pivotal moment, and grew slowly after reaching the peak of the external scene. Without entering the upper level of the Stupa of Relics to view the relics of many high monks, he could never achieve self-enlightenment and reach the semi-step of the Dharma Body in his lifetime. Therefore, he and his master had no reason to fear. However, Kuang Dao, having ascended in one step and bearing four tribulations, had a cultivation speed and potential at least comparable to Su Wuming. For himself and others, it was truly a death knell that grew louder each year, necessitating early preparation!

“This time, I must definitely ask my master to grant me the ‘Five Poisonous Yin Ghosts.’ If Kuang Dao is indeed impulsive and comes for revenge in a few months, I can save myself from many worries,” Ze Luojing contemplated his strategies. “At the same time, I should ask my master to contact the Buren Building to investigate his whereabouts, seize the opportunity, and personally eliminate the threat…”

Because he didn’t know when Kuang Dao would come and the Five Poisonous Yin Ghosts were prone to backlash, Ze Luojing didn’t want to wait anxiously all the time. As the saying goes in the Central Plains, it’s easier to be a thief for a thousand days than to guard against thieves for a thousand days!

“In short, no matter the cost, Kuang Dao must be killed within two years!” Ze Luojing’s eyes gleamed with malice. He believed his master would agree with his view!

The howling wind and swirling sand made Ze Luojing instinctively vigilant, hiding within them and flying swiftly.

…

The sun was high in the sky, swallowing flames, the yellow sands blowing in the face, the wind dry and strong.

Meng Qi sat cross-legged behind a sand dune, his acupoints open, absorbing the true fire of the sun and other forms of primordial qi, which seeped into his Bay Jiu Zhen Qi.

Within his many acupoints, the true fire condensed, resembling miniature suns. Meng Qi’s spirit was empty and serene, feeling them resonate with the sun in the distance. The heat around him surged, capable of burning all things.

Hoo, Meng Qi exhaled a breath of stale air and slowly stood up. After nine days of arduous travel, he had finally reached the western edge of the vast desert. The oasis ahead marked the country of Haile.

Nine days ago, relying on the intelligence from Jiu Niang Qu, he had detoured through areas with fewer bandits and demons, successfully avoiding detection. This was unlike before. During the Jin Dynasty, he had intentionally left some traces for future reference. But now, every bandit and every desert traveler could potentially be linked to Ze Luojing. He had to stay concealed—he could only stay concealed!

Throughout the journey, Meng Qi had scarcely passed through any oases, traveling by day and flying by night. As a result, he was utterly exhausted both physically and mentally. Before entering the capital of Haile, he took time to meditate and rest overnight, absorbing the power of the stars and the Yin force. Eventually, by drawing in the true fire of the sun, he fully restored his spirit and physical condition to their peak.

The capital of Haile was nestled deep within a vast oasis, enclosed by towering walls. Its architecture boasted houses with pointed and domed roofs, exuding an exotic allure. The bustling crowds were predominantly descendants of gods and demons (shen mo hou yi), their eyes shimmering in various hues. It was not uncommon to spot vertical eyes on foreheads or wings sprouting from backs among the passersby.

Clad in a white robe as a Sha Ke (sand traveler), Meng Qi strode into a lively tavern.

The layout here was different from that east of the Hanhai, featuring a bar counter for selling wine with a row of chairs in front, allowing patrons to drink directly without needing to occupy an entire table.

It was not yet noon, and the drunkards were still lost in their dreams. The tavern was nearly empty. Meng Qi walked up to the counter and rapped on the table with a hoarse voice, “A glass of flame wine.”

Upon hearing the rhythm of the knocking, the bartender lowered his eyelids, “It’s sold out.”

He was tall and thin, with dark skin and a bearded face.

“Oh well…” Meng Qi turned to leave and went around to the back of the tavern.

At this moment, the bartender was already waiting there.

Meng Qi took out the token given by Jiu Niang Qu and waved it, “I’ve already paid Jiu Niang.”

“What information do you need?” This bartender was a peripheral member of the Immortal Trace (Xiān Jì) developed by Jiu Niang Qu, responsible for gathering intelligence in Haile. However, Meng Qi intentionally avoided using his Immortal Trace (Xiān Jì) identity, instead pretending to have bought the information from Jiu Niang Qu.

“Where is Ze Luojing?” Meng Qi asked directly.

The bartender didn’t hesitate, “He arrived six days ago and is staying at the National Teacher’s Mansion.”

“And the weeping elder?” Meng Qi asked further.

“He hasn’t returned yet.” These were common pieces of information, and the bartender answered easily.

Meng Qi nodded, “How many external scenes are currently in the capital?”

“Besides Ze Luojing and Yan Shiche, there are still three more. The strongest is General Wusun Qi, a Grandmaster of the seventh heaven,” the bartender added after a moment’s thought.

Meng Qi had already learned from Jiu Niang Qu that, excluding the faction of the weeping elder, Haile, as a major western nation, possessed eleven external scenes, one Grandmaster (Zongshi), and two Pinnacle (Jué dǐng) experts.

“Where is the National Teacher’s Mansion? Do you have a map of the city?” Meng Qi inhaled lightly.

The bartender took out a map, pointed to the location of the National Teacher’s Mansion, and warned, “There are formations in the city, and the National Teacher’s Mansion has them too. Don’t act recklessly!”

Meng Qi took the map, smiled, and turned around.

How does the formation in Haile compare to that of the Divine Capital?

…

Inside the National Teacher’s Mansion, in the martial arts hall, multiple formations were activated to prevent Ze Luojing’s sword practice from affecting other buildings.

With one slash of his sword, ghosts followed, black winds eroded bones, and the copper figure in front suddenly collapsed, turning entirely into copper dust, like flying sand.

Ze Luojing let out a breath, as if the bronze statue were the doomed Kuang Dao!

After venting his resentment, he deactivated the formation, left the martial arts hall, and returned to his room.

After arriving in Haile, his instinctive vigilance had basically disappeared, as this was a place where he felt safe.

Night fell, and the formations at the National Teacher’s Mansion were activated as Ze Luojing sat in meditation, adjusting his breath and cultivating his martial arts.

In the garden outside his room, a rat that had infiltrated before sunset quietly waited!

Ze Luojing at least had one protective treasure, so he couldn’t hope for a single successful strike. He had to consider the second and third strikes!

After three strikes, if he couldn’t succeed, he had to immediately flee far away!

Meng Qi closed his eyes, waiting for dawn. The night made people vigilant, while the rising sun made people relaxed!