Chapter 802: Chapter 744: Arrival of the Vermilion Bird
The Vermilion Bird sneered: “The so-called tiger’s den and dragon’s lair of Chang’an, in my eyes, are nothing. I can come whenever I want and leave whenever I wish. Who can stop me!”
After saying this, the Vermilion Bird glanced again at Zhao Changhe’s disguised face and continued: “Little brother from the Buddhist sect, I have something to say to you. Would you be willing to have a chat?”
Zhao Changhe had no choice but to say: “Since the Venerable invites, even if knives rain down from the sky, I must go.”
The Vermilion Bird flicked a crimson cloak and turned into the alleyway’s end: “Then follow me.”
Yuxu looked at the two acting, shook his head, and flew away.
The Jiuyou’s instigation behind the Buddhist and Taoist conflict was something Yuxu always knew. Zhao Changhe helped him during Kong Shi’s challenge, so he might be viewed as an eyesore by Jiuyou. Moreover, this “rootless and unexplored expert” might be considered by Jiuyou for recruitment. It was foreseeable for Jiuyou to trouble “Qin Jiu.”
This was something that happened for Yuxu’s sake, and Yuxu should repay it. Therefore, he initially reminded Zhao Changhe to beware of Jiuyou. Unfortunately, Zhao Changhe couldn’t understand such reminders, or even if he did, it was useless. As long as he was single and left, he would always take a beating. The small wooden token Yuxu gave was actually a battle sensor; once Zhao Changhe encountered an accident, Yuxu would rush over immediately.
Is the debt repaid now? Yes and no; if Jiuyou continues to trouble Qin Jiu, should Yuxu continue to intervene? If so, it would mean openly opposing Jiuyou. Has sufficient preparation been made for this? What is the Tao Venerable’s opinion?
More troubling is the appearance of the Vermilion Bird in Chang’an, making an intentional disturbance. As she said, what changes would occur if Chang’an’s forces thought that Yuxu was colluding with the Four Symbols Sect?
It’s truly mind-boggling… Whether it’s the Ancient Demon or the current era’s Demon Sect, along with an Asura King with a bandit background, not a single heart is pure. The Taoist virtuosos are really frustrated with such a vortex.
Yuxu glanced back. In the pitch-black alley, Zhao Changhe and the Vermilion Bird were nowhere to be found… Inwardly, Yuxu was also somewhat expectant. Chang’an’s chaos, he was always passive. He wondered what variables someone like Zhao Changhe, who gathered this fortune, would bring to Chang’an.
Speaking of which, his Wind Control abilities, are they from old Leaf… For the old man to teach out his treasured technique, perhaps his life expectancy isn’t much longer.
One by one, old friends wither away. This world has become unfamiliar, almost beyond recognition…
Meanwhile, the Vermilion Bird led Zhao Changhe through the winding dark alley, and after a short time, they reached the back of an ordinary shop, climbing over it. Seeing the two enter, several guards patrolling at the back were startled and soon knelt on one knee: “Greetings, Venerable.”
—The Four Symbols Sect’s secret base in Chang’an, headed by Vermilion Bird’s direct subordinate, the Ghostly Golden Sheep.
As a Demon Sect that has been operating secretly while evading persecution, the Four Symbols Sect once had bases in Kunlun, so naturally, there would be one in Chang’an. It’s just that no one anticipated Zhao Changhe would mysteriously show up in Chang’an, so this place wasn’t arranged in advance, and Zhao Changhe had no idea where it was. Now that the Vermilion Bird had arrived, they naturally had a stronghold.
The Vermilion Bird waved a hand to signal them to dispense with ceremony: “Open the door.”
The guards immediately activated some mechanism, revealing a pitch-black passage to the backyard, and the Vermilion Bird nodded and went down into it.
Zhao Changhe followed in, the outer passage closing, while inside, the soft glow of the Luminous Pearls illuminated the surroundings.
Inside, the Ghostly Golden Sheep was organizing materials when he saw the two enter and was dumbfounded: “Venerable? Why didn’t you say something first?”
The Vermilion Bird coldly said: “Am I supposed to announce before catching an affair?”
Ghostly Golden Sheep: “???”
The Vermilion Bird glanced at the materials he held: “Any new intel?”
Ghostly Golden Sheep shook his head: “None, it’s still the Buddhist and Taoist conflict, with some undercurrents among the Guanglong families. The internal power struggle is quite normal, nothing too exceptional.”
The Vermilion Bird said: “There’s a woman, dressed in black gauze, her face is pale, eyes are pitch-black, a fox-like oval face, and she carries an air of cold aloofness, thinking she’s indifferent when she actually resembles a corpse. Where’s this wretched woman from?”
Zhao Changhe couldn’t bear to watch and had to cover the restless Star River in his ring: “Little Star River, be good, Aunt Vermilion Bird wasn’t talking about you. At least you don’t have an oval face; yours is round. She wasn’t talking about you, was she… You have quite a temper, don’t you…”
Over there, the Ghostly Golden Sheep was also at a loss for words. What can such a description possibly correspond to?
“Whatever.” The Vermilion Bird waved it off: “How are the living conditions inside?”
Ghostly Golden Sheep quickly replied: “We’ve always maintained the secret chambers, and we just replaced them with fresh bedding today.”
The Vermilion Bird nodded with satisfaction: “Alright, you all can leave. I should have a chat with this Buddhist disciple first.”
Ghostly Golden Sheep gave Zhao Changhe a strange look before bowing and leaving.
The secret chamber quickly fell silent, with only the faint glow of the Luminous Pearls.
Suddenly, the Vermilion Bird grabbed Zhao Changhe by his collar: “I saw you kissing her hand from far away!”
Zhao Changhe’s face twitched: “Is this the reason you displayed your Dharma Image in anger and caused such a commotion?”
“So what?” The Vermilion Bird huffed: “Unlike you, who harbor the Heavenly Book coveted by gods and demons, I’m purely involved in a power struggle. Do you see the Tao Venerable bothering with me? As long as they don’t act, how can the Li Family’s collusion with foreigners possibly contain me.”
In theory, yes… Zhao Changhe sighed: “But Jiuyou is different; she truly might kill you.”
“Oh, so her name is Jiuyou! Wait a minute.” The Vermilion Bird frowned: “This name sounds familiar.”
Zhao Changhe reminded: “The records mention Emperor Ye vanquishing Jiuyou to the North Pole, among other things.”
“Emperor Ye…” The Vermilion Bird was stunned: “Is this why she’s hostile toward me?”
“Of course, it’s because of this!” Zhao Changhe stomped: “She’s here to kill me. Did you think she was here to throw herself at you, fighting over you with me?”
The Vermilion Bird realized the misunderstanding, but still stubbornly hummed: “Difficult to say, you did kiss her hand, right? With her strength, could she be kissed at random by you? I think she’s just a wench craving men.”
Zhao Changhe was speechless, not knowing what the blind man was doing. You have the ability to silently restrict her hand, so why not just beat her directly! Now it’s all…
Even as she spoke, the Vermilion Bird knew there was a misunderstanding. Her anger faded, and she pouted: “Anyway, I don’t care. Seeing your new face is uncomfortable. Change it back.”
Zhao Changhe easily removed the disguise, revealing his true appearance.
The Vermilion Bird looked him up and down and nodded with satisfaction: “This looks more pleasing, albeit a bit ugly, but it’s something I’m used to.”
“Who’s ugly?” Zhao Changhe stepped forward.
The Vermilion Bird retreated, her eyes darting: “You, you! Like a pig!”
Zhao Changhe embraced her, lowered his head, and kissed her: “Then the pig is going to gnaw on you.”
The just recently imposing Vermilion Bird Venerable was now weakly cornered against a wall, lost in a kiss as the world turned upside down.
“I just asked~ the bedding is fresh~” she panted, coquettishly whispering.
Zhao Changhe wrapped her waist, lifted her up, kicked open the side secret room door, and the two quickly tumbled onto the bed.
On the other side of Chang’an City, Jiuyou was slowly striding along the brightly lit Vermilion Bird Street, contemplating the street’s name, her eyes flickering.
A group of armored guards rapidly approached from one end of the street, the leader kneeling on one knee: “Miss, we’ve finally found you. The master is worried sick.”
Jiuyou withdrew her gaze from the street sign and said mildly: “Spread the rumor that Yuxu is colluding with the Four Symbols Sect, and see how he responds tomorrow. Also, inform Kong Shi, considering the current situation, does he still want to cling to his True Illusion Mirror?”
“Understood.” The guard immediately accepted the order, without needing to report back to the Family Head.
Looking at the scene, it was hard to tell whether she was the lady or the progenitor.
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PS: Asking for monthly tickets!