Outside the window, bright autumn sunshine bathed the courtyard as a gentle breeze rustled the deep-green leaves. Tucked away within the bustling city center, Fujia Bay was a secluded oasis of calm, free from the clamor of voices and the roar of rushing traffic.
Zhang Yuanqing sat at his desk, a sheet of paper spread before him, twirling a ballpoint pen. Leaning back lazily in his chair, he gazed absentmindedly at the swaying branches outside.
After a long while, he pulled himself from his daze and began writing on the paper:
1. Confirm whether the female Grand Marshal is in Songhai.
2. When rescuing Demonic Eye, neither Elder Dog nor the Grand Marshal can be present.
3. The rescue operation cannot be interfered with by official powerhouses.
4. Helpers are needed.
Four concise points, yet each gave rise to countless complications.
"Confirming whether the female Grand Marshal is in Songhai is simple—I just need to ask Fu Qingyang. If she is in Songhai, I have to find a way to lure the tiger away from the mountain. With her watching over the Zoo, rescuing Demonic Eye is completely out of the question."
Even if he managed to recruit a demigod-level combatant, Songhai still had six Dominators, and the Zoo itself was a rule-based item.
Once a major commotion erupted and the Songhai Branch's experts assembled, he wouldn't stand a chance.
"Fear Heavenly King did mention back then that he could offer a bit of help when it came to rescuing Demonic Eye..." Expanding his train of thought, Zhang Yuanqing hit upon an idea.
He could have Fear Heavenly King stir up trouble in the Yangtze River Delta region to draw the female Grand Marshal's attention, achieving the effect of luring the tiger away.
With that in mind, Zhang Yuanqing picked up his phone and dialed Fu Qingyang's number.
Once the call connected, he reported, "Boss, I went to Du this morning..."
He recounted the incident involving the auctioned antiques to Fu Qingyang.
"As long as you didn't kill anyone," Fu Qingyang replied impassively.
Zhang Yuanqing thought to himself, Boss, have I really given you that much trauma? I've only killed two colleagues, that's all.
"The materials you purchased won't attract headquarters' attention, will they?"
"They won't." Fu Qingyang gave a succinct two-word answer without further elaboration, consistent with his usual speaking style.
Zhang Yuanqing gave an "Oh" and smoothly steered the conversation:
"I'm Level 6 now, and word of my exploits is spreading everywhere across the forums and beyond. My bounty's been bumped from the Earth List to the Heaven List. Do you think that Fear Heavenly King might come back to Songhai to stir up trouble? He definitely won't take failing to get the Takamagahara key lying down. And now I've killed Divine General Greed, too."
Fu Qingyang said, "The Grand Marshal is still in Songhai."
The Grand Marshal really is in Songhai... Zhang Yuanqing let out a silent sigh, though his voice sounded cheerful. "That's good, then. With the Grand Marshal around, we don't have to fear Fear."
The whole point of asking Fu Qingyang over the phone was to keep the man from seeing his disappointed, deflated expression.
The best way to counter a Scout's Insight was simply not to meet face-to-face.
Ending the call, Zhang Yuanqing opened his messaging app, tapped on Fear Heavenly King's profile picture, and sent a message:
"I'm preparing to make a move soon. O mighty Heavenly King of Freedom, do you have time?"
Perhaps the words "Heavenly King of Freedom" did the trick, as Fear Heavenly King replied swiftly:
"What is your plan?"
Zhang Yuanqing typed: "The plan is still brewing. I may need you to step in and help lure the tiger away from the mountain."
He did not speak too explicitly; someone of Fear Heavenly King's intellect would naturally understand.
Fear Heavenly King: "Understood."
No further messages followed.
Zhang Yuanqing breathed a sigh of relief, deleted the chat history, and refocused his energy on formulating the plan.
The Grand Marshal problem was addressed. Now came the matter of handling Elder Dog.
"I can continue using the strategy of luring the tiger away. The tricky part is how to draw Elder Dog off. The female Grand Marshal is easy because Songhai only has one demigod; she'd have no choice but to go.
"To lure a dog away from the Zoo, I need a targeted approach..."
Have the Palace Mistress step in and make a huge scene within Songhai's borders to draw Elder Dog away?
No, there was no guarantee the one dispatched would be Elder Dog. It could just as easily be Fu Qingyang or another elder.
Moreover, if Elder Dog brought the Zoo along when mobilizing, wouldn't that leave him stranded?
Unable to come up with a solution on the spot, Zhang Yuanqing tossed his ballpoint pen aside in frustration and slumped weakly into his ergonomic chair.
"Trying to become a great Star Official really tests one's IQ. A Fire Master definitely couldn't pull this off. If only I had a Scout's deductive reasoning..."
Zhang Yuanqing's mind stirred as a spark of inspiration flashed.
He might not have a Scout's logical deduction, but he had the Military Soul Mask!
The cunning, sinister white face specialized in scheming and trickery. Wouldn't that be even better than a Scout's logic?
He immediately raised a finger and tapped the center of his brow.
A milky-white halo flared, spreading across his features to veil his entire face. Soon after, black and crimson pigments traced their way across the corners of his mouth and eyes, assembling into a sly, sinister visage.
Zhang Yuanqing arched a brow, hooked the corners of his mouth, and let out a chuckle before leaning back against his chair to rest with his eyes shut.
From time to time he sneered with a smirk, or raised an eyebrow with a cold, mocking grin, looking thoroughly snide and eccentric.
Half an hour later, Zhang Yuanqing opened his eyes. A complex, detailed plan had taken shape in his mind.
Step one: Have Fear Heavenly King stir up trouble in the Yangtze River Delta to draw away the female Grand Marshal.
Step two: Disguise himself as his father, Zhang Zizhen, and call Elder Dog to trick him out of Songhai.
Judging by the clash of Dominators at Songhai Middle School back then, even within Songhai proper, Elder Dog rarely brought out the Zoo.
He would merely be going to meet "Zhang Zizhen," not conducting a major operation like hunting Demonic Eye, so the likelihood of Elder Dog taking the Zoo along was slim.
Besides, using Zhang Zizhen would provide an opportunity to probe Elder Dog and uncover the true nature of their relationship.
However, once this stage was reached, with both the female Grand Marshal and Elder Dog leaving Songhai at the same time, Money Prince—being a Scout—would definitely notice something was amiss.
That brought him to step three:
Use Dark Night Rose to draw Money Prince out of Songhai as well.
If Dark Night Rose's ambush against Elder Hongying and the others took place near the Yangtze River Delta, Fu Qingyang, as an elder of the patrol team, would undoubtedly step in out of duty.
With those three out of Songhai, rescuing Demonic Eye would become vastly easier.
The other four elders had their own territories; so long as no chaos broke out in Songhai, they seldom intervened.
"My only remaining enemy will be the Zoo, that rule-based item."
As for step four, finding helpers, he already had someone in mind.
—The unhinged big sister.
The Palace Mistress, who had nearly become his child bride, was one of the few people he could trust with his whole heart.
On top of that, she was a Dominator with the power to take part in an affair of this scale.
With the plan finalized, Zhang Yuanqing suppressed the excitement surging in his chest and began considering the concrete details.
"Except for the first step, which doesn't require verification through Stargazing, every other step must be planned meticulously and confirmed with caution... This is the first game of chess I'll be playing since learning Stargazing.
"If it succeeds, it proves I have the talent of a chess master, and I can consider specializing in Stars. If it fails, I'll specialize in the Sun or Lunar paths."
***
Four in the afternoon.
Jinshan City, Wuhen Hotel.
Kou Beiyue stood beside the front desk, having withdrawn the entire two months' worth of earnings made by himself and Little Fatty.
He licked his finger and counted through the bills.
"That's the fifth time. Do you think counting it more will make the money multiply?" Xiao Yuan, standing nearby, interrupted her foolish adopted son's antics.
Kou Beiyue scratched his head, looking troubled.
"It's already August twenty-second. In another week, it'll be time for Master Wuhen to gather our companions and lecture on the Dharma. According to our yearly tradition, we have to distribute the team funds around this time so everyone can enjoy a good year."
He stared at the forty thousand yuan in cash before him and sighed. "But we only have this little bit. Even with the hotel's revenue, it won't exceed two hundred thousand."
Yuanshi Tianzun had actually given them quite a lot, but part of that money had gone toward keeping the deficit-ridden hotel afloat, part had been used to bail out companions in urgent need, and part had been spent on materials for Xiao Yuan's advancement from Level 5 to Level 6.
Little Fatty chimed in from the side, "If all else fails, let's just sell a few Extraordinary-grade items."
His suggestion was shot down by his boss at once: "Items are far too precious. We need to save them for future companions to ensure their chances of survival. Even if we have to tighten our belts, we're not selling items."
Yet the funds had to be distributed—this was a rule laid down by Master Wuhen.
Master Wuhen's original intent behind establishing this rule was to curb the members' craving for money.
When people were driven mad by poverty, there was nothing they wouldn't do; morality and conscience counted for nothing in the face of destitution.
Thus, funds had to be handed out so the members had enough to sustain their daily lives, rather than being left to scrape up money on their own.
With a certain amount of savings, the members could rein in their urge to chase profits—much like wandering Daoist priests, earning just enough to survive while keeping themselves away from large sums of wealth.
Without funds, the members would take the initiative to make money, and evil classes were far more prone to losing control when faced with temptation.
Xiao Yuan said coolly, "Stop counting. I'll find a way. Take the money to my room and lock it in the safe."
"Oh," Kou Beiyue replied. Gathering up the cash, he led his lackey deeper into the hotel.
Inside the elevator, Little Fatty asked, puzzled, "If we're short on cash, why not ask Yuanshi Tianzun? He just performed a great deed, so money is the last thing he lacks. The officials' methods of making money are far better than ours as a rogue organization."
"What kind of talk is that!" The fierce-eyed wolf pup snapped in annoyance. "Yuanshi Tianzun is only an outer member, not a core member. Since when does an outer member support the core?"
Little Fatty summarized his boss's underlying sentiment: he wanted to save face and couldn't bring himself to ask.
Little Fatty said nonchalantly, "Anyway, given the relationship between Yuanshi Tianzun and Xiao Yuan, taking a million or so from him wouldn't be a big deal. Just consider it a betrothal gift."
"What relationship does he have with Xiao Yuan? There's not a shred of anything between them!" Kou Beiyue spat a shower of saliva across his lackey's face.
"Boss, you might not like hearing this, but haven't you noticed? Xiao Yuan's been wearing makeup lately," Little Fatty whispered, lowering his voice.
"Huh?" Kou Beiyue froze, realization dawning on him. "No wonder I thought Xiao Yuan looked prettier."
Not only does the boss have the temper of a Fire Master, his utter lack of romance is even more like one... Little Fatty shot him a sidelong glance.
"Then think about it: why did she start wearing makeup now when she never did before? Something must have happened between Xiao Yuan and Yuanshi Tianzun in that instance."
Hearing that, Kou Beiyue felt that anxious dread of "mother is about to remarry" sink even deeper into his gut.
***
Zhang Yuanqing drove the Queen's car to Wuhen Hotel.
He parked, killed the engine, and pulled a half-person-tall suitcase from the trunk. Amid the automated chime of "Welcome" from the sensor door, he strode into the hotel lobby.
Xiao Yuan stood straight behind the marble counter in her receptionist uniform, her makeup immaculate, radiating a cold, dignified elegance.
As Zhang Yuanqing entered the hotel, her lacquer-black eyes brightened slightly as she scrutinized him closely.
"Your mental state is quite good, and that oppressive presence from the boss has vanished as well." Xiao Yuan pondered for a moment before understanding. "Did the spirit realm cleanse your pollution and power?"
Zhang Yuanqing grew irritated just thinking about it. "The spirit realm is a sore loser. I used my own abilities to exploit a bug, so why take it back and knock me back to square one?"
Xiao Yuan smiled faintly and shook her head.
"You're already Level 6, and you've cultivated the Golden Crow Physique. Gaining so much from a single instance is already immense fortune. Obtaining Dominator-level power might not have been a good thing for you."
Zhang Yuanqing chimed in, "Ah, right, right, everything Xiao Yuan says is right."
Xiao Yuan shot him a reproving glance. "Don't speak so sarcastically."
Zhang Yuanqing paused, then broke into a grin. "Alright!"
He could tell that Xiao Yuan's attitude toward him had shifted. Ever since finding out he had a girlfriend, this magical auntie had treated him with marked coldness.
She had given him the cold shoulder, keeping her distance.
Occasionally she would respond or show a bit of warmth, but most of the time she remained aloof and detached.
Zhang Yuanqing had almost wondered if she was stringing him along as a backup option.
Seeing her today, he found that her cold demeanor had softened considerably, and she was far more prone to showing emotion in front of him.
Just as Lingjun had said, she had gradually grown accustomed to the fact that he had a girlfriend, pushed past the agonizing phase of "calling it quits," and still held affection for him...
As these thoughts flickered through his mind, Zhang Yuanqing felt a mix of delight and worry.
Lord Tianzun already had a girlfriend, yet Xiao Yuan remained steadfast and devoted to him.
What was a man supposed to do about this?
Thinking this over, he lifted the oversized suitcase and set it onto the front desk.
Xiao Yuan glanced at the suitcase, then looked at him with curious eyes.
Zhang Yuanqing smiled. "Open it and see!"
Curious, and carrying a hint of anticipation, Xiao Yuan opened the case. With a click of the latches, she froze on the spot.
The half-person-tall case... was packed full of money.
Stacks of red banknotes flooded her vision, piled high like a miniature mountain.
"There's ten million here as follow-up compensation for your lost levels. I've also prepared three vials of Life Source Fluid for you. Not the diluted kind, but concentrated—one shot clears the mind, two banish fatigue, and three grant immortality." Zhang Yuanqing beamed as he set three syringes onto the counter.
Xiao Yuan stood in a daze for a long time. She looked at the suitcase, then at the Life Source Fluid, and finally turned her gaze to Yuanshi Tianzun. After staring at him intently for a moment, her eyes softened with tenderness as she put both gifts away.
"I happened to be short on cash. Everyone is coming over at the end of the month to hear Master Wuhen expound the sutras; make sure you don't skip it when the time comes." She resumed her cold, aloof posture, concealing the tenderness she had just revealed.
I handle the Ghost Mirror all the time now and lost my rebellious, wild streak long ago, so listening to the sutras won't make a difference... Zhang Yuanqing thought his mental state had recovered long ago.
Even so, he gave an "Mm" and did not refuse her.
Next, he brought up the second matter:
"In a while, I plan to open a guild instance. Once the guild's Extraordinary members clear the Extraordinary instance, I'll carry you through the Saint instance. That should earn back some exp, and combined with regular spirit realm instances, the speed at which you regain your peak will increase significantly."
A Level 2 Guild Token could open Level 4 instances.
With a bit of luck, landing an S-rank instance might even bump Xiao Yuan straight back to Level 5.
A flicker of delight appeared on Xiao Yuan's face, and she nodded.
Zhang Yuanqing then asked about the final matter, "How is the cooperation between the Nihility Sect and the Taiyi Sect going?"
Xiao Yuan answered without hesitation:
"A while ago, the Nihility Sect and the Taiyi Sect cooperated and nearly captured Sect Master Chunyang, but he managed to escape. Over the next few days, both the Nihility Sect and the Taiyi Sect lost several Dream Masters and Star Officials in succession, all of whom became nourishment for Sect Master Chunyang."
Because Sect Master Chunyang had a deep grudge with Yuanshi Tianzun, Xiao Yuan had paid special attention to the matter, taking the initiative to ask Little Fatty about it from time to time.
He was cornered, yet grew even more brazen... Has Dark Night Rose been setting the stage all along? Are they planning something big? Zhang Yuanqing nodded:
"Understood. I have things to handle back in Songhai, so I'll be heading off."
He turned to leave.
Xiao Yuan frowned slightly, displeased, but her pride kept her from asking him to stay.
Reaching the entrance, Zhang Yuanqing suddenly turned back, raised a hand, and pinched Xiao Yuan's soft cheek. "Don't miss me too much..."
Xiao Yuan's eyes widened in instant, utter disbelief.
She had been teased again.
***
Having stashed the cash, Kou Beiyue secretly shared a cigarette with Little Fatty, brushed away the smell of smoke, and returned to the lobby.
The hotel entrance was latched from inside. At a glance, he saw Xiao Yuan standing behind the front desk with an oversized suitcase before her, counting through stack after stack of bills.
Her brows were lifted with joy, and her eyes sparkled with delight.
Kou Beiyue stared fixatedly at the money, his heart thumping wildly against his ribs, and stammered:
"Wh-Where did all this money come from..."
He had never seen so much cash in his life.
Even more incomprehensible was how Xiao Yuan had conjured up so many banknotes in the brief time he had been upstairs.
She was a Spiritualist, not a magical mother!
Xiao Yuan lifted her gaze, sweeping her eyes over the dumbstruck Kou Beiyue and Little Fatty. "Yuanshi Tianzun came by just now. He gave it to us."
Boom!
A bolt of lightning seemed to strike Kou Beiyue's brain. Stunned as if struck by thunder, he yelled in exasperation:
"Did he really come to deliver a betrothal gift?!"
***
Eight in the evening.
Having finished his Stargazing, Zhang Yuanqing returned to his bedroom, opened his computer, and logged into the online conference room.
"Step two: use Dark Night Rose to draw Money Prince away..."
He rehearsed his upcoming lines over and over in his mind, running through every scenario until eight-thirty, when the IDs attending the meeting came online.
Fu Qingyang, Challenging Peaks, Hongying, Yin Ji.
Chapter 493