Chapter 383

Chapter 383: Can’t Understand Women

Looking at the table full of items, Zhang Yang was momentarily stunned.

It was an entire table of holy power martial arts technique scrolls!

Yue Buqun showed a hint of embarrassment and said, “We don’t have anything particularly valuable to offer except this. It is the result of our dynasty’s accumulation over thousands of years: a total of twenty-one types of holy power martial arts techniques. Although it’s far from comparable to the Mother Bead, it is still a token of our sincerity.”

“No, this is enough. More than enough,” Zhang Yang replied as he took out the Mother Bead and handed it back to him.

Yue Buqun was overjoyed and hurriedly expressed his gratitude, adding, “Our saints have decided to create a second set of Mother-and-Child Beads to gift to the Lord of the Sacred Forest.”

Just as Zhang Yang was about to refuse, Yue Buqun cupped his hands in farewell and left through the ancient teleportation array.

“Brother Zhang, this is the Cold Moon Dynasty’s sincerity,” the moon-returning dragon said seriously.

Zhang Yang understood the special significance of the Mother Bead to the Cold Moon Dynasty. It was not just a practical treasure, but also a symbol of national fortune, offering a morale boost to the entire dynasty.

The two of them were already life-and-death companions, so there was no need for further formality.

With so many holy power martial arts techniques combined with the Earth’s holy power, Zhang Yang began forming new ideas.

He collected all the martial arts scrolls.

Returning to the main issue that had been discussed long ago:

The destruction of Taixu Palace had already pushed the Taixu Dynasty to its limit. They had to tread carefully, as they were entangled with all the major forces of the Western Desert.

Now, with the exposure of the Mother Bead and Gu Qianhan’s identity, and the death of the Black Cloaked Strategist, retaliation from the Taixu Dynasty was inevitable, and it would be swift and violent.

“They want to retaliate? We certainly can’t just sit back and wait to be attacked,” Zhang Yang sneered. “I’ve already thought about it. Since Jin Shengtian dared to say in front of me that he wants my head as a tribute to the Black Cloaked Strategist, how could I not respond?”

“What do you mean, Brother Zhang?” the moon-returning dragon asked.

Zhang Yang replied, “Brother Yue, help me gather some fire starters, the more violent and numerous, the better. My Vast Forest has just been established and lacks a foundation. I’ll have to rely on you for this.”

“Leave it to me. The Cold Moon Dynasty has some resources,” the moon-returning dragon patted his chest. “If you need anything else, just let me know.”

Zhang Yang said, “Not for now. Once you’ve taken care of that, let’s attend the Treasure Gathering Conference tonight. I’ll stir up some trouble for Jin Shengtian.”

“All right!”

The moon-returning dragon left with his men to gather the fire starters.

Before leaving, he turned back and asked, “Stir up some trouble? Just a little?”

Zhang Yang smiled. “Just a little.”

The moon-returning dragon laughed heartily as he departed. Indeed, just a little. Today’s killing of the Black Cloaked Strategist may have seemed like a single life lost, but it was enough to throw the Western Desert into chaos and trigger a wave of storms to follow.

Only Zhang Yang and Bing Yuyan remained in the Bi Tian Pavilion.

Demon Sword Yi was still outside, celebrating his imminent freedom.

Tiger Howl Wind and Cold Thief Tian were still secretly meeting with their contacts, although their true mission was to recruit new members for the Falling Star Holy Place, an assignment arranged by Yuluan.

“Mine,” Bing Yuyan extended her delicate, fair hand, showing no sign of the calluses one might expect from years of sword practice—she had resolved that issue through a special secret technique.

Zhang Yang took out the Ice Spirit Scroll and handed it to her. “This is the top secret scroll from a once-glorious holy place in the Northern Plains. Aren’t you excited?”

Bing Yuyan seemed indifferent. She took the Ice Spirit Scroll, flipped through it a few times, and her eyes lit up, yet her expression remained neutral, showing neither happiness nor joy.

Zhang Yang scratched his head and mumbled, “What does that even mean? I thought I could tease her with some candied hawthorn. Forget it, better not invite trouble.”

Smack!

Bing Yuyan slammed the Ice Spirit Scroll down on the table, her face bright with happiness as she said, “Give it to me.”

“What?” Zhang Yang asked, confused.

“My candied hawthorn,” Bing Yuyan said plainly.

Zhang Yang pulled it from his pocket, but before he could even unwrap the candy paper, it was snatched from his hand by Bing Yuyan.

“La la la~~”

Bing Yuyan skipped away, holding the candied hawthorn and the Ice Spirit Scroll.

Zhang Yang stood there in confusion and muttered, “What does that even mean? Is candied hawthorn more appealing than the Ice Spirit Scroll? I just can’t understand women.”

As dusk fully descended, the nightlife of the Crimson Flame Dynasty came alive, its bright lights outshining anything he had seen in Mo City. The atmosphere was rich, colorful, and bustling.

The Treasure Gathering Night Banquet was about to begin.

People were arriving one after another.

Cold Thief Tian, Tiger Howl Wind, and Demon Sword Yi had already returned.

This kind of Treasure Gathering Night Banquet was one of the most fascinating events in the vast world, filled with fierce competition. It not only tested individual strength but also one’s luck and intuition.

The moon-returning dragon brought even more people this time, including some who had rushed over from the Cold Moon Dynasty.

Among them was Yue Buqun, though Gu Qianmu was not present.

Zhang Yang now understood that the one who had betrayed Gu Qianmu—causing him to be stranded in Mo City for years and enabling the Taixu Dynasty to infiltrate and dismantle his intelligence network was none other than Gu Qianhan’s… twin brother!

Gu Qianmu was currently unavailable.

This top talent of the Cold Moon Dynasty had been temporarily assigned to guard the moon-returning dragon.

The moon-returning dragon informed Zhang Yang that he was already preparing the fire starters and would send them over in about an hour to maximize their numbers.

Zhang Yang’s request was simple: everything had to be resolved before dawn. In this regard, the moon-returning dragon’s efficiency was genuinely impressive. Zhang Yang sighed, reflecting on the seemingly formidable appearance of the Vast Forest, which in truth still lacked true strength. Leaving aside the number of saints or those at the immeasurable stage, they were still far behind and needed time to grow and accumulate power.

As they prepared to set off, Zhang Yang smiled and asked, “Guess what? Do you think that venomous woman, Jin Liuli, will be itching to make a move on the road?”

The moon-returning dragon replied, “She definitely will.”

“Why?” Zhang Yang asked.

“The people of the Taixu Dynasty are used to being overbearing. They can’t tolerate even the slightest humiliation. Jin Liuli, in particular, is fierce and domineering. Watching us strut around at the Treasure Gathering Night Banquet must have been more torturous for her than death. Besides, Jin Shengtian is bound to send people to her aid, so she will definitely act,” the moon-returning dragon explained.

Zhang Yang chuckled. “I don’t like being on the defensive.”

Zi Tian Pavilion

Since Zhang Yang’s departure, Jin Liuli had smashed nearly everything in the pavilion in a fit of rage, yet her anger remained unsatisfied. She screamed in frustration for a while longer.

Her fury finally began to subside with the arrival of the forces arranged by Jin Shengtian.

Everyone who came was an elite from the Taixu Dynasty, all below the saint level.

Among them were the top two from the Great Boundless rank: Li Xingkuang and Summer God Blade. These two naturally took command, leading a formidable team composed entirely of Great Boundless experts.

Additionally, the top three in the Small Boundless and Opening the Sky realms from the Hunters’ Guild had arrived.

Of the original three, Hunt Tiger and Hunt Moon had been killed during the Battle at Heavenly Reaching Mountain. Jin Liuli had selected two new members from the Hunters’ Guild to fill their places. The group remained a trio, still led by Hunt Dragon.

Under the leadership of Xiao Xiong and Wind Dragon, all nine of the Great Boundless heroes were now assembled.

Finally, Ye Wolf led the elite assassination squad known as the Seven Wolves. Each assassin bore the name “Wolf,” and all were present and ready.

Jin Liuli’s glassy eyes sparkled with a cold, radiant light as she declared, “I don’t want to see Zhang Yang or the moon-returning dragon appear at the Treasure Gathering Night Banquet.”

With a wave of her hand, she shouted, “Move out!”

A large group instantly departed.

The hunt had begun.

The entire Zi Tian Pavilion was emptied.

Only four handmaidens remained, assigned to protect Jin Liuli. She walked slowly to the window, gazing at the night sky as she whispered to herself, “Zhang Yang, you’ll come to understand just how terrifying it is to offend the Taixu Dynasty.”

“I don’t know. How about you tell me?”

A sudden voice echoed through the silent Zi Tian Pavilion.

Jin Liuli abruptly turned around, only to find Zhang Yang sitting comfortably in the very chair from which she had just issued orders. He had been completely unnoticed until now.

“What are you doing here?” she asked in shock.

Zhang Yang replied, “Knowing you want to kill me, how could I stay passive? I came to kill you first.”