Who gave you permission to travel through time with Earth?

Chapter 94 The Golden Cauldron Meeting

"I don't know... but even if the royal family is willing to break the bottom line to lock down the news and delay time, there is undoubtedly still a huge flaw in this."

As he spoke, the innkeeper glanced at Fang Jin discreetly, then immediately lowered his head and hurried away. A slender woman in a blue dress took her place, her soft, red lips parting slightly as she spoke…

"My lord, the very fact that you are still alive and well is the biggest flaw in Li Chao's plan."

A survivor of the nunnery incident, one of the last remaining soldiers of the Jinxiu Army, a storyteller who claims that the miracles of Buddhism and the Buddha's teachings truly exist in the world... plus the offspring of the Fang family head, Fang Jin's role is indeed somewhat ambiguous.

But without a doubt, he was the most obvious gap in all the rumors, big and small. The Zhou family went so far as to confiscate property and kill people in order to block the news, so why did they let Fang Jin, who was outside the city, go?

Could it be out of consideration for Fang's father's sacrifice... Fang Jin himself was willing to believe it, but looking at Zhou Bensi's extremely resentful eyes before he left, he found it hard to convince himself with such a reason.

"...What happened to the Fang family in the west of the city? Were any of them among those whose property was confiscated and whose entire clan exterminated?"

"There are no similar rumors for the time being. Our people are also focusing on the surrounding area. We haven't seen any blood or signs of dragging a corpse, but that area has been sealed off by the Beijing Army, and we really can't find anything further."

"……Thanks for your hard work."

Fang Jin frowned and tapped his temples. This passive feeling was very uncomfortable. He could clearly sense that Li Chao was plotting something, but he just couldn't find an opportunity to intervene.

Moreover, the system seemed to be dead. After the nunnery incident, the main storyline never refreshed again. After that, the dungeon storyline would proceed exactly as it was supposed to, without giving him any room to plan ahead.

...Damn Nightmare difficulty.

"...So why did you change personnel?"

"Some unpleasant news can at least soften the mood for women and children, and most people will be lenient... That's what Father said."

A little girl with a high ponytail crawled out from under the table, carrying a plate of snowflake pastries on her head. She spoke cautiously, pretending not to see the two missing corners and the crumbs all over the little girl's hands.

"There are two more pieces of news related to the royal family. Father specifically asked us to tell you. Whether they are useful or not is another matter, but you still have to pay the reward, sir!"

"...Speaking of which, doesn't the title 'Master' sound a bit too cheap to you guys?"

The other one, presumably the older sister, wore a red jacket and had her short hair tied up. She grabbed a large plate of roast chicken and slammed it heavily on the table. Then, with a mischievous grin, she tore off a chicken leg, put it in her mouth, and mumbled something indistinctly.

"First, the royal family is currently holding a martial arts tournament, summoning the most outstanding martial arts masters in the city to participate. Sixteen golden cauldrons have been placed in the square, and those who ultimately occupy seats will receive the treasures sealed inside the cauldrons."

"This is not the royal family causing trouble. The Li Dynasty has a strong martial spirit, and the Martial Arts Tournament is just a routine event. It usually takes place around this time."

"The only strange thing is that the number of Golden Cauldron seats this year is twice as many as in previous years, but it's not too abnormal. It's probably because there are a few more elders in the city who have accumulated forty years of cultivation this year."

"...I see."

Fang Jin nodded, then snatched another chicken leg and stuffed it directly into the hand of her little sister, who was blinking her big eyes. The little girl immediately shouted excitedly.

The older sister, however, looked disdainful, took the entire plate away, jumped onto the table, and used her height difference to claim all the food. Then, looking down at Fang Jin, she excitedly said while engrossed in her food:

"And then there are some rumors. It's said that the prince named Zhou Bensi, although he wasn't demoted to a commoner because of the nunnery's negligence, has basically lost his right to the throne."

"He flew into a rage over this, spending several days in brothels and drinking heavily. He even beat two courtesans to death, reportedly leaving their bodies for the madam and her family. It was a truly tragic and ruthless act."

"There are also rumors that the eldest prince has necrophilia..."

Zhou Bensi's madness was not unexpected, because the throne of the Li Dynasty not only meant the ruler of the country, but also represented the pinnacle of martial arts in this world... the throne of one of the four Jiazi Grandmasters.

The method of the Boundless Journey Technique is quite unique. Even if one cultivates it to the Celestial Realm, the user's lifespan will not increase in the slightest, but it can be passed on to blood relatives without any loss or depletion.

The great-grandfather who overthrew the capital was a grandmaster, which meant that his descendants would inevitably inherit the title of grandmaster, generation after generation. That position was enough to drive future generations crazy.

Of course, this kind of inheritance is not without its price. The true energy passed down by that ancestor was too domineering. Even princes who cultivated the same way could have their meridians cracked, or even die.

This results in most of the descendants finding it difficult to advance further beyond their original level of sixty years, even if some exceptionally talented individuals fully absorb the teachings and even achieve greater progress in their understanding of the methods...

It may also fail to be passed down due to the mediocrity of its descendants.

"But it's like rising to the top in one step...who wouldn't be envious?"

In fact, this is why Fang Jin didn't directly attack the capital. Although he could easily kill some elders at the shallow level, it didn't mean he could kill a grandmaster head-on.

Sixty years of cultivation, converted into the Origin System, would make him a true mid-level player, a master of the fourth tier. The gap brought about by this qualitative change in his life is not something he can bridge with some means.

Fang Jin could understand Zhou Bensi's resentment and knew his role in pushing things forward. It could be said that he had shaken the very foundation of the Li Dynasty's existence, forcing them to find ways to change and survive.

but……

"You resent me for something like this? Ha... You think you're worthy?"

Fang Jin couldn't help but sneer. In the entire Li Dynasty royal family, only Zhou Bensi was not qualified. If it weren't for the Fang family head risking his life to save him, he would just be a withered broken leg in the mountains now. What was he thinking about the throne?

This was just his rough guess. Fang Jin had no way of knowing the details of Fang's father's dying request and the promises made by everyone. If he had known in advance... Zhou Bensi would not have lived to see the capital.

"Snapped!"

Just then, Fang Jin took out a whole petal of the Blood Demon Flower and slammed it onto the tea table. The younger sister glanced up at it, then continued eating the chicken leg with uninterested expression.

But the meat in her sister's mouth had already fallen out. She knew the value of this thing. Her father had treasured each and every one of them before, and she had even heard that one could be exchanged for a large yellow croaker...

Anyway, you can buy a lot of roast chickens!

"Take this to your father and tell him to spread the bait evenly. As for the other details... he should know better than me how to do it."