Calamity Messenger

Chapter 186 - 147: I’m Going Too

After getting up the next day, Yan Qing didn’t rush to log into the Rabbit Heroine account but instead logged into Jiang Shi and took Baibao through the Three Mountain Secret Realm once.

Although the profits from the First-Turn Secret Realm have significantly dropped, even a little meat is still meat for mosquitoes, and fighting monsters helps Jiang Shiyi Si increase the Secret Technique level. Besides, clearing the secret realm 200 times can achieve the ’Famous Three Mountain’ milestone, which Yan Qing treats as a daily task, with the added bonus of grabbing breakfast from the military camp.

To Yan Qing’s amusement, upon declaring his intention to run the secret realm only once today, many people couldn’t help but ask if Jiang Shi wasn’t feeling well. Some even urged Ye Si to quickly send Jiang Shi for treatment, as the barracks were already crowded with Baibao concerned about Jiang Shi’s condition.

Even Gai Louxian came by to offer greetings, and the Banner Master Bu Liuguzhen, who had been crushed by Ye Si earlier, anxiously inquired at the door of the barracks, leading to a conflict with other newcomers who admired Jiang Shi because their frequent explorations of the secret realm allowed Baibao following them to quickly accumulate battle merits, markedly increasing the messenger promotion rate.

These new messengers credited this success to Jiang Shi, filled with admiration and respect, knowing full well that Jiang Shi had already expressed a heart devoted elsewhere, leaving them unable to pursue him, opting instead to silently protect him, snatching monsters during secret realm explorations, reducing Jiang Shi’s Secret Technique practice experience.

Yan Qing amusingly thought Jiang Shi’s death would turn the camp into a haven of grieving widowers.

Logging into Rabbit Heroine’s account, Yan Qing found herself alone in the room.

However, it was expected, as daylight had arrived, and Changle City’s optimal travel time was late night to early morning, akin to nocturnal animals belonging to nighttime and daytime meant for human activities: only those strong enough had the privilege to travel openly; the weaker ones must avoid detection to minimize risks.

Since Rabbit Heroine had chosen to part ways, naturally Pharmacist’s Wish and her group didn’t have a reason to continue together; leaving early suited her swift and decisive nature.

Yan Qing didn’t enjoy dragging things out unnecessarily, thus opting to log off last night and declining further discussion, as they were all merely chance companions, coincidentally traveling together for two days.

Thinking in such a manner, rational yet with a hint of subtle emotion in Yan Qing’s heart... not even a farewell or a letter.

After pondering, perhaps they bid farewell before leaving, assuming Rabbit Heroine would hear them, without needing to write a letter. Yan Qing preferred believing this possibility, as she quite liked Pharmacist’s Wish and her group.

Rabbit Heroine openly checked out from the place downstairs, though the shopkeeper wasn’t last night’s Fu Nan but also a Red Name Messenger.

Standing on her tiptoe, Rabbit Heroine leaned against the counter and asked, "How do I go up Shu Dao Mountain?"

The shopkeeper glanced at her, "Head north when you exit, after passing the city gate there’s a mountain path, just keep heading up."

"Thanks, Uncle."

Leaving the inn, Yan Qing didn’t start off immediately but wandered around the city to see if there was anything to purchase, surprisingly discovering Sword Tassel tokens for sale, albeit pricey, but Yan Qing didn’t lack the money.

"Tassel Sword Tassel"

"Grade: Second-Turn Ordinary"

"Equipment Requirement: Sword Token"

"Effect: Energy-Saving: Reduces spiritual power consumption by 1 to 5 points when sword tokens activate their effects; the higher the spiritual power consumption, the more reduction."

"Evaluation: An ordinary sword tassel, suitable for swordsmen just entering Jianghu."

Most weapon tokens can be paired with additional tokens, with some weapons allowing multiple companions; Yan Qing saw players boasting on forums about a Legendary Gloves equipped with five gemstone slots to attach five gemstone tokens, considered top-notch.

The Seven-Star Sword happens to be a heavy spiritual power guzzler, making it perfectly suitable for pairing with the Tassel Sword Tassel. Yan Qing lingered in Changle City for a while longer, ensuring the news spread enough before controlling Rabbit Heroine to strut towards the north city gate with unconcerned steps.

Choosing to test capacity, Yan Qing wouldn’t sneak around; they embraced incoming crowds to tackle all troubles at once, simplifying things.

Greater difficulty only thrilled him; he was type to always opt for the highest difficulty setting, believing it to encompass all game fun... Thus granting ample time for Demonic Messengers to prepare everything.

There were no obstacles leaving Changle City; gatekeeper messengers charge entrance fees but not exit fees, although you have to pay again when re-entering.

Being a small city, news spreads fast; Rabbit Heroine’s distinct appearance draws varied expressions from gatekeepers, with some even advising, "Are you headed the wrong way? This direction leads to Shu Dao Mountain, exiting is through another gate."

"Just perfect."

Rabbit Heroine leisurely replied, "The lady knight is keen on exploring Demon Path Evil Land."

With everyone staring dumbfoundedly, Rabbit Heroine headed towards the mountain path. Yan Qing had anticipated someone blocking the city gate, but unexpectedly found tranquility. Now realizing the adversary feared Rabbit Heroine escaping back into Changle City.

Changle City is a black market maintained by three Great Guardians, Blood Phase followers dare not openly defy its rules; hence to tackle Rabbit Heroine, they must wait until she leaves Changle City.

To ease her departure, the possible tail didn’t follow, almost as if Zhong Ji had abandoned revenge.

"Wait!"

Rabbit Heroine turned to see Pharmacist’s Wish approaching with a sack. She carried the Soul-Breaking Spear, her brown cloak stained with dark red blood yet to solidify, evidently having finished a fight.

Throwing the sack in front of Rabbit Heroine, with a swipe of the spear, revealed a beaten man inside, bleeding from the head, with several holes from the spear, but the hemorrhaging had stopped.

It was a Red Name Messenger.

Pharmacist’s Wish expertly pierced near his throat with the Soul-Breaking Spear, "Repeat what you told me before."

"Blood Steward... Zhong Ji sent people to monitor you. They eavesdropped on the little girl’s claim of heading up Shu Dao Mountain, planning an ambush on the path. Shu Dao Mountain’s trail is indeed designed with traps against outsiders..."

"Anything else?"

The Red Name Messenger glanced at Rabbit Heroine, gasping, "Zhong Ji... Zhong Ji mentioned the little girl carries incredibly valuable tokens, raising concerns if she makes it back to Changle City. That’s why Zhong Ji summoned all under Blood Phase, including the Four War Generals, bear family, Yellow Sand Eighteen Wolves, Liangzhou Double Fiends... Even if you flee it’s futile, Zhong Ji himself excels at tracking, but I know of an unknown path to escape Shu Dao Mountain, I can—"

Before finishing, Pharmacist’s Wish ended him with the spear.

Yan Qing felt a twinge of regret, as he wanted to kill Red Names for the ’Asura’s Enemy’ milestone but restrained for Pharmacist’s Wish’s trophy. However, if the Red Name Messenger’s statement held true, there’d be ample Red Names ahead, likely creating plenty to kill for Yan Qing.

"You’ve heard it, sister," Pharmacist’s Wish stated, "The adversary already knows of your treasure and convinced Zhong Ji to deploy all means, even Blood Phase’s direct involvement... Still insist on proceeding to Shu Dao Mountain?"

"Certainly." Rabbit Heroine affirmed decisively, "However, they’re merely Third-Turn Messengers; my brother wasn’t even afraid of Foundation Establishment Messengers. If I shy away, he’ll mock me!"

Yan Qing prepared for persuasion attempts, realizing it was slightly troublesome, but since Pharmacist’s Wish showed clear care for him, Yan Qing couldn’t uphold yesterday’s dismissive demeanor.

If persuasion failed, Rabbit Heroine would just pretend to relent and leave, only to sneak back up at night to reach Shu Dao Mountain.

After all, if Rabbit Heroine died then, it might motivate Pharmacist’s Wish in her future Foundation Establishment Fourth Transition to eradicate Shu Dao Mountain, allowing Yan Qing to perform a daily good deed.

Unexpectedly, Pharmacist’s Wish’s reply surprised him.

"Alright." Pharmacist’s Wish solemnly nodded, "Since that’s the case, I’ll go too."