Calamity Messenger

Chapter 354 - 289: Regional Event ‘Demon Gathering Land’

Yanzi Military Town, Lin Ya City, Jiang Shi and others ascended the steps to visit the Murong Family.

This is a very peculiar town, as the military town is built at the foot of the mountain while the city is built atop it. The vast majority of people reside in the military town below the mountain, and only a few direct descendants of the Murong Family are eligible to live in the city above. This setup reminded Yan Qing of the Sengoku period in "Taikou Risshiden 5," where residents and noble classes were similarly segregated.

The uniqueness of Yanzi Military Town stems from the entrance to the secret realm being located within the cliff. Even though a messenger has the ability to break ground, they dare not alter the terrain, as destroying the landscape has led to the disappearance of secret realms more than once in history. Thus, the city was constructed on the mountain, and as the population grew, a town also formed below.

Due to this separation, Yanzi Military Town’s security is even more relaxed than that of Ping City, with no entry fees and its proximity to the Wei River making it a natural trading hub. The permanent population exceeds a million, with its prosperity second only to the Fuguo County of the main city.

In fact, Jiang Shi and the others arrived at Yanzi Military Town three days ago, but they didn’t immediately seek out the Murong Family. Firstly, Gai Louxian and the others wanted to find a long-term base in the military town. Secondly, they planned to investigate the reputation of the Murong Family. Thirdly, Yan Qing was busy at the time, participating in an unlimited combat tournament with the Canhe Baibao from the Qi Kingdom.

The most important concern was this: Gai Louxian and the others were worried about one thing—Ying Rushi confidently claimed that the Murong Family could definitely protect them, but the one who wanted to kill them was Ying Le. Could the Murong Family withstand Ying Le’s pressure?

No one doubts this now because they soon learned crucial information after arriving at Yanzi Military Town: The Murong Family has a Foundation Establishment Zhenren.

The current Patriarch of the Murong Family is the direct granddaughter of the Foundation Establishment Zhenren.

Some may wonder why Gai Louxian and others only learned of this now, but the world doesn’t have rankings or chronicles of the troubled times (even if one existed, local commoners wouldn’t see it). Ordinary messengers only know about big figures in other military towns, as for higher-level Foundation Establishment Zhenrens, unless you are in the ’Foundation Establishment Race’ circle, even if you are at Third Transformation, no one will specifically tell you this common knowledge.

Ying Le seems mad but is very measured. Like this time’s grand purge, he didn’t touch the real races, only slaughtered the mid-tier elite. Even amidst bloody turmoil, countless people followed him eagerly. One could say he rules over life and death with the flick of a finger. As for races like the Murong Family, as long as it doesn’t involve principle-based interest, Ying Le wouldn’t rashly offend them.

"The Patriarch is inside." The servant respectfully pushed open the palace doors of Lin Ya City: "Please enter."

Yan Qing had some understanding of the Patriarch, said to be the chief manager of Yanzi Military Town, responsible for the secret realm strategy for years, and the Grand Commander of Lin Ya City’s 3,000 Canhe Baibao. In these lands, it’s perceived as one below a million people, presumably being a deeply scheming middle-aged person surrounded by armor-clad guards with penetrating eyes that seem to see through people’s hearts.

However, there were no guards in the palace, only cherry blossom trees blooming like cotton candy. Heaven knows how they managed to plant cherry trees indoors. The walnut wood floor was covered with cherry blossoms, and at the end of the blossom path sat a beautiful young woman in embroidered silk, warmly welcoming: "Please have a seat, everyone."

Only Jiang Shi, Gai Louxian, and Bu Liuguzhen entered Lin Ya City to visit, while the Rabbit Heroine stayed in Yanzi Military Town to avoid being caught en masse.

The young woman focused on brewing tea, her movements simple and elegant. She poured three cups of clear tea, each with precisely one tea leaf floating on the surface, demonstrating her deep skill.

"Honored guests from afar, Zi Feng’s hospitality may lack, seeking forgiveness." The young woman smiled.

Though faintly expected, upon hearing her admitting to being the Patriarch Xi Zifeng, everyone couldn’t help showing surprise. Gai Louxian and Bu Liuguzhen quickly held their teacups, as drinking tea personally brewed by the Patriarch was an honor they couldn’t disrespect. Only Jiang Shi remained expressionless and didn’t pick up the teacup, instead asking directly: "Where is the Murong Family Patriarch?"

"You mentioned you came invited by an old acquaintance to join Yanzi Military Town? Do you have proof?"

"Yes, but it can only be given to the Murong Family Patriarch."

"The sole token that the Murong Family acknowledges is the Cyan Mountain Order." Xi Zifeng’s reply was firm: "If you have it, present it; if not, please leave."

After a brief silence, Jiang Shi handed over the [Cyan Mountain Meets Me Order]. Xi Zifeng respectfully received it with both hands, inspected it for a moment, and then returned it to Jiang Shi. "Indeed, it is the Cyan Mountain Order known to the Patriarch. According to the Patriarch’s instructions, the Murong Family will do everything possible to assist you, provided the number does not exceed 300 individuals."

"300 individuals?" Everyone was a bit puzzled, wondering about this strange measurement. Was it the production value not exceeding the total of 300 individuals?

"Up to 300 Canhe Baibao deaths, about one-tenth of Lin Ya City’s forces." Xi Zifeng casually mentioned a frightful metric, "The Canhe Baibao is the most vital asset to Lin Ya City. Before 300 Canhe Baibao deaths, Lin Ya City will dispatch Canhe Baibao to fulfill your every request."

Gai Louxian and Bu Liuguzhen were stupefied. Though they knew Ying Rushi was well-connected, this was overwhelmingly connected! To know that all 3,000 Canhe Baibao members are messengers while Ping City Military Town has fewer than 300 messengers, meaning Jiang Shi’s token grants them ten times the influence of Ping City Military Town!

"No need," Jiang Shi calmly said: "We only require the freedom to enter the Secret Realm for training and the qualification to purchase items from the military town."

Hearing Jiang Shi so easily give up such enormous influence, Gai Louxian and Bu Liuguzhen couldn’t help wanting to advise him. Just then, Xi Zifeng turned her gaze to them. Despite her gentle, alluring eyes, they felt as if their hearts were seen through, rendering them speechless.

"Are you voluntarily forgoing more authority?" Xi Zifeng asked: "Perhaps I didn’t state it clearly, but accurately speaking, until 300 Canhe Baibao losses occur, Yanzi Military Town will meet your every demand. Everyone, including me, among the million residents, will heed your orders."

"I don’t need it." Jiang Shi said: "I am here to cultivate, not for pleasure; ten thousand bells mean nothing to me. However, I would like to see what you have in stock, and if suitable, I’ll purchase it."

Xi Zifeng restrained her smile, calmly looking at Jiang Shi. Although she outwardly remained a tender beauty, the force of her Third-Turn Messenger aura swept the hall like a fierce wind, seemingly displeased with Jiang Shi’s attitude. Jiang Shi remained unmoved like a reef, but the faces of the two small Second-Turn messengers, Gai Louxian and Bu Liuguzhen, turned pale from fear at offending the Murong Family in Lin Ya City, as if seeking death.

Suddenly, Xi Zifeng chuckled, prompting a spectacle of blossoming pear trees, "Congratulations on passing the Patriarch’s test. Now you officially become a member of Yanzi Military Town. No matter whom you have offended, as long as the Murong Family endures, you’ll remain unharmed."

"Test?"

"I’m sorry, but this is the Patriarch’s order. The Cyan Mountain Order Master has a deep connection with the Patriarch, and the Patriarch... is quite worried that the Cyan Mountain Order Master might be deceived, so this trap was deliberately set up. If you can’t resist the temptation, although we won’t do anything to you, we’ll only give you some money and allow you to live in the Yanzi Military Town, but nothing more." Xi Zifeng paused: "The Patriarch has always wanted to prove that the Cyan Mountain Order Master is too trusting of others."

Although the words were quite vague, Yan Qing still understood: The Murong Family Patriarch and Ying Rushi are indeed friends, but the way Ying Rushi handles things displeases the Murong Family Patriarch, so they set up the trap as a form of entrapment enforcement, intending to prove that Ying Rushi trusted the wrong person.

Quite childish.

As long as I can enter the Secret Realm, it’s fine. Yan Qing never expected the Murong Family to protect his small account; not harming it is already good enough.

After discussing this matter, Yan Qing prepared, but then he remembered something and asked Jiang Shi to say: "Where can I find the Murong Family Patriarch? Someone asked me to deliver a message."

Xi Zifeng apologized: "The Patriarch left Yanzi Military Town and went to the Demon Gathering Land seven days ago and will likely return in half a month."

"The Murong Family also goes to the Demon Gathering Land?" Gai Louxian asked in surprise, "Usually only small families go there, right?"

"This is the Patriarch’s interest. For her, the annual Demon Gathering Land is a rare entertainment."

Yan Qing was intrigued. Once a year?

Jiang Shi: "What is the Demon Gathering Land?"

Gai Louxian explained: "It’s a special Secret Realm, open for about fifteen days each year. However, there’s nothing good in there, just some Blood Replenishing Pills and Spiritual Jade. I went once thirty years ago. The scenery inside is indeed fantastical, but unfortunately, once you enter, you have to stay for over five days. The investment is high and the yield is low, so except for small families and First-Turn Messengers, most people are not interested in the Demon Gathering Land."

"Although the yield is low, there’s quite a bit of danger inside." Xi Zifeng took a sip of tea and said: "You can tell from the name ’Demon Gathering Land’ that there are many demons inside, and they’re extremely powerful, including Great Demon Fiends of Third Transformation Level. But unlike normal Secret Realms, the demons in Demon Gathering Land do not proactively attack; even if you bump into them, no fight occurs. Only if you actively attack will they respond."

Jiang Shi: "Can you kill the demons inside?"

"Of course you can," Gai Louxian said: "But generally, no one does that. Demon Gathering Land is extensive, and those who enter aim to gather resources. Killing the demons brings no benefits; you can obtain resources without fighting them, so why make the unnecessary effort?"

Yan Qing rubbed his chin, looking skeptical.

At first, he thought it was a dungeon similar to Mansu Forest Land, but there were significant differences. There are many demons inside that don’t attack proactively; messengers must stay for at least five days, and there are resources to gather... could it be a search-and-retreat mode?

Jiang Shi: "When does the Demon Gathering Land open?"

"Uh..." Gai Louxian shook his head: "It’s been so many years, I’ve forgotten the exact date..."

Xi Zifeng remained silent for a moment, quietly watching Jiang Shi. Just when everyone thought she didn’t know either, she suddenly spread out five fingers.

"In five days?" Jiang Shi asked.

The next moment, Xi Zifeng withdrew a finger, "Four, three, two, one. The Demon Gathering Land has now opened."

Gai Louxian and Bu Liuguzhen were about to speak but stopped, thinking that this Bi Family Patriarch seemed a bit eccentric. Without any timing tools, how could she count so accurately? Among all the people present and watching, only Yan Qing was frightened.

At the moment Xi Zifeng finished her countdown, a new message popped up in the chat box in the lower left corner:

"Nocturnal Heaven Region Event ’Demon Gathering Land’ is now open."

"Region Event ’Demon Gathering Land’"

"Event Location: (81, 631)"

"Event Duration: April 25 to May 10"

"Event Content: Players who enter the ruins shrouded in darkness during the event time will be teleported into the limited-time dungeon ’Demon Gathering Land’."

"Event Level Restriction: Level 10 to 39"

"Event Reward: All players who clear the limited-time dungeon will receive different quality Foundation Establishment Pills based on their clearance points × 1 (click for details)"

Wait a minute, what the heck are the rewards!?