Chapter 434 Probing Intentions

Chen Fei flipped the identity token in his hand a few times, then casually tossed it, lodging it perfectly into the slot above the courtyard’s main gate.

Xu Zhenping’s eyes widened. “Fellow Daoist Chen, what are you doing—?”

“I just don’t like trouble,” Chen Fei said flatly, brushing past him and pushing the door open. “Leaving it here is better. Much appreciated, Commander Xu.”

Without giving Xu Zhenping a chance to respond, he stepped inside.

Ji Wugou, who had been suppressing her questions all this time, immediately followed. Once the door closed behind them, she couldn’t help but blurt out,

“Are they planning something against us? Did you notice anything strange?”

Gone was her earlier arrogance—she now looked like an overly curious kitten, sticking close to Chen Fei’s side.

Chen Fei halted. “They’re probably targeting me specifically. As for that token—it’s engraved with an interesting formation. It can track my location. Instead of carrying it, it’s better off hanging on the door.”

Ji Wugou’s eyes lit up. She began piecing the situation together with excitement.

“So they welcomed you with such fanfare because they’re up to something! You’re a disciple of Tianqing Holy Land… Could it be they want to use you as leverage?”

Her eyes glowed with delight as she continued,

“There’s definitely something huge going on in Beihuang. Maybe they plan to use you to pressure the Tianqing Holy Land into sending reinforcements. But the Zhenbei King hasn’t shown himself… maybe he’s worried your sect will retaliate later?”

Chen Fei gave her a helpless look. “I’m just a core disciple. Sure, I’m the disciple of an elder, but I don’t think the sect would jump into muddy waters just for me.”

Ji Wugou pouted. “And how do you know they won’t? What if they do?”

Chen Fei didn’t bother arguing. Her theory might sound far-fetched, but parts of it weren’t too far from the truth.

Something was definitely brewing in Beihuang, and based on how the Zhenbei Army had acted so far, it was clearly serious—more serious than he’d initially anticipated. That explained why they were going to such extremes.

Keeping a low profile was clearly no longer possible.

Since that was the case, Chen Fei started thinking about using this situation to his advantage—particularly in healing himself and feeding the Heaven Silkworm Gu.

Alchemy.

Zhenbei City was famous for one thing—rare treasures.

Beihuang was harsh and desolate, yes, but precisely because of that, many rare and unusual spiritual herbs could be found here. If he could obtain enough ingredients, he could refine a variety of pills to suppress the Heaven Silkworm Gu’s devouring of his Qi.

But it would require massive amounts of spiritual resources.

That said, the Zhenbei Army had practically delivered him an opportunity. He still didn’t know what they were plotting, but he was ready to turn their schemes against them. Since he was already exposed, why not use the attention to his benefit?

Who knows—he might gain more than he expected.

A faint smile curled on Chen Fei’s lips.

Ji Wugou, who had been watching him closely, noticed the change in expression and instantly lit up.

“You’ve thought of something, haven’t you?” she asked eagerly, rushing in front of him.

Chen Fei looked at her hopeful expression and nodded with a smile. “I have.”

Ji Wugou placed her hands on her hips and grinned. “See? Without my genius insight, would you have come up with a plan so quickly? I deserve some praise!”

She extended her hand expectantly.

“…What?”

“Last time, your grilled meat wasn’t bad. Let’s have that again tonight! A reward for me helping you break the deadlock!” she said proudly.

Chen Fei glanced at her, then turned and walked toward the main hall.

“Hey! Where are you going?” Ji Wugou chased after him, but Chen Fei flicked his hand, and a burst of Qi blocked her at the entrance.

She scowled at the barrier, seething. She was the proud daughter of the Ji family—how could she be treated like this?

“Tonight,” came Chen Fei’s voice from inside, “You sleep in the side room.”

Fuming, Ji Wugou scrunched her nose at the barrier, then stomped off toward the guest quarters, sticking her tongue out at his back as she left.

Meanwhile, Chen Fei wanted to verify something he saw in the tent earlier.

If the Heaven Silkworm Gu only consumed Ji Wugou’s Qi, that was one thing. But if it behaved differently… that would be a far bigger problem.

—

Outside the courtyard, Xu Zhenping stared blankly at the token now embedded in the doorframe.

He hadn’t expected Chen Fei to deal with the matter like that.

Remembering the instructions Ma Shuo had given him, Xu frowned.

He hadn’t even figured out how to proceed when Yan Fei came stomping up in a fury.

Built like a tank and known for his volcanic temper, anyone familiar with him could tell at a glance—someone was about to suffer.

Excited onlookers followed him, eager to see which poor soul had triggered the beast.

Yan Fei locked eyes on Xu Zhenping and stormed over.

With every step, the ground trembled under his feet.

Ordinarily, experts would suppress their Qi while walking. Otherwise, even the best-paved roads would be ruined. But if someone was doing it deliberately?

It meant only one thing: provocation.

“Where is he?” Yan Fei glared at Xu Zhenping, voice booming.

Xu calmly replied, “He’s inside the residence. But Strategist Ma said—”

Before he could finish, Yan Fei roared, slammed his foot down, and ripped up a chunk of stone pavement.

With a furious growl, he hurled it straight at Chen Fei’s front door.

As the rock neared the gate, the identity token suddenly lit up with a flash of green light, blasting the stone to dust and enveloping the entire gate in a protective glow.

Seeing this, a vicious glint flashed in Yan Fei’s eyes.

“You think hiding behind a door will save you?! GET OUT HERE!”

His roar echoed through the courtyard.

Ji Wugou had just been grumbling about Chen Fei being stingy when she heard the yelling. She flung open the door in a huff, only to find the courtyard empty.

If not for her lack of Qi, she’d have marched straight up and taught this brute a lesson. Kicking down the gate and shouting insults?

That was practically a slap to the face!

But what really shocked her was that Chen Fei hadn’t responded at all.

“Could he be cultivating?” Ji Wugou’s eyes narrowed.

That… wasn’t like the Chen Fei she knew.

Of course Chen Fei had heard everything. But now wasn’t the time to act. He was waiting.

This hot-headed Yan Fei had just delivered himself as the perfect opportunity for a counterprobe.

If the Zhenbei Army wanted to test him…

He’d test them right back.