Evil Hidden Within the Golden Box

Some time ago, miners under Xu Qin's command had been digging in the depths of Brute Ox Mountain when one swing of a pickaxe unexpectedly dug out a pitch-black opening—a chill, sinister air seeped from it, drilling straight into the cracks of their bones. Summoning their courage, the miners explored below and unearthed an ancient tomb that had been sealed away for who knew how many years. The most eye-catching things within were a chest of gold objects wrapped in black cloth: golden hairpins, golden bracelets, and the little golden box later given away. Every piece gleamed with heavy golden light, yet carried an indescribable wickedness.

After Xu Qin received the news, he sealed off the tomb overnight and personally led men inside to investigate. Beside the tomb owner's coffin, he found a bronze plaque covered in writing. Though the words had blurred somewhat, their core meaning remained clear—every one of those gold objects contained an evil spirit! The weaker ones possessed strength comparable to a Peak Martial Master, while the strongest had been sealed inside the specially made little golden box. Its title was "Calamity Star of the Endless Night · Qiluo," and its strength nearly reached the Grandmaster realm!

The bronze plaque also recorded the evil spirit's infamous name: throughout history, "Calamity Star of the Endless Night · Qiluo" had repeatedly ravaged entire regions. There were too many noble families annihilated because of it to count on one's fingers.

Xu Qin looked at the Golden Box, a trace of viciousness flashing through his narrow eyes—as long as Zhu Chenhao dared open it, even if Zhu Chenhao himself somehow survived, the capital would surely be thrown into earth-shaking turmoil. Then Xu Qin could sit back and reap the fisherman's profit.

Over in Northern Garrison City, Lin Zhao spent half a month finally preparing everything needed for the journey.

He first carefully hid away the Radiant Crystal he had acquired earlier. The crystal was entirely azure-blue and translucent, with what seemed like flowing light turning within it. It was a supreme treasure for cultivating internal energy. Carrying a large piece on the road would draw too much attention, so he only took a small piece and kept it close to his body, wrapping it in three layers of waterproof deerskin pouch. Afterward, through Xuan Yao Pavilion's connections, he contacted a traveling merchant who frequently journeyed between Oirat and the Ming Dynasty.

The merchant was named Li Yue and known by the nickname "Thousand Mile Guest." Lean and wiry, with two little mustaches, he always carried a mixed scent of horse sweat and spices. He was a "peddler born from the ranks of martial masters," though he did not deal in Pangolin Dragon Essence. Instead, he specialized in Oirat furs and medicinal herbs.

Lin Zhao spent freely, directly paying two hundred taels of silver to hire him as a guide. Li Yue's eyes lit up at the sight of money, and he patted his chest as he promised, "I absolutely won't let Lord Shen Luo take a single wasted step."

Before departing, Lin Zhao specifically informed Zhao Tieying so those at home would not worry. By then, he had already put on that familiar Rakshasa mask. Its eye sockets were set with black jade, gleaming coldly beneath the sunlight. The name "Hundred Refinements Heavenly Craftsman" had now gained some renown in Northern Garrison City; traveling in a mask would spare him plenty of trouble from petty scoundrels casting covetous eyes his way.

"Lord Shen Luo, listen to my advice. Once we enter Oirat territory, avoid clashing with the locals if we can!" While riding along, Li Yue moved closer to Lin Zhao and lowered his voice. "Those Oirat people are as fierce as hungry wolves on the grasslands. Every one of them excels at riding and archery. Ordinary martial masters are no match for them, so there's no need for us to smash head-on into them."

Lin Zhao held the reins, his gaze sweeping over the Gobi ahead. His voice remained calm. "Don't worry. I know my limits. Just make sure you lead us along the right road."

Over the following days, the two traveled by day and rested by night. They rode during daylight hours, then found sheltered caves or ruined temples to sleep in at night. Lin Zhao never dared slacken. Every evening, he set aside two hours to cultivate his internal energy. Without secret medicine to assist them, the Black Flood Dragon Technique and Netherworld Technique progressed as slowly as snails, so he shifted his focus to the Iron Rhinoceros Technique, Brute Ox Technique, and Blood Poison Technique.

When practicing the Iron Rhinoceros Technique, his qi and blood churned throughout his body, blue veins bulging along his arms as though a force of a thousand jin were crashing about within him. When practicing the Brute Ox Technique, the true qi in his dantian raced like stampeding cattle, and with every circulation through the heavenly cycle, he could feel his strength steadily increasing. When practicing the Blood Poison Technique, fine silver threads seeped from his fingertips, and their speed had increased by several degrees compared to before.

Half a month later, the two finally stepped into Oirat territory. After traveling another month, just as the Oirat wheat harvest season was drawing to a close, they arrived at Oirat's border city—Kala City.

But as soon as they entered Kala City, Li Yue brought bad news. "Lord Shen Luo, we came too late! The shops in the city say that a group of Persian merchants bought out all the Pangolin Dragon Essence a few days ago. There isn't even a scrap of stock left!"

Lin Zhao's brows drew together slightly. Seeing this, Li Yue hurriedly added, "But don't worry! I asked around. Lanting, Oirat's most prosperous capital, will definitely have Pangolin Dragon Essence! That's Oirat's capital. Not only Pangolin Dragon Essence—even Night-Luminous Pearls from the Western Regions and Persian carpets can be bought there!"

At the mention of "Lanting," a glimmer of interest flashed through Lin Zhao's eyes. Since he had come to Oirat, there was no harm in visiting its capital. The two immediately resumed their journey without stopping. Half a month later, on the final day of the harvest month, they finally arrived at this legendary holy city.

"Whew... traveling through a foreign land really isn't suffering fit for a human being!" Li Yue reined in his horse and wiped sweat from his forehead, though he could not hide his excitement. "But it was worth it! Look at this holy city—it's magnificent!"

Lin Zhao raised his eyes. Lanting City indeed lived up to its reputation. Its walls were built from blue rock and stood over forty zhang high. Oirat wolf-head banners flew atop them, snapping loudly in the wind.

The city's architecture was utterly different from that of the Ming Dynasty. Pointed-roof buildings stood in neat, scattered rows, while in the distance, a towering spire rose straight into the clouds.

Li Yue said that the capital had a permanent population of over five million, but Lin Zhao saw the disparity at a glance. The streets of the outer city were narrow and crowded, with earthen houses pressed one against another. Ragged refugees could be seen everywhere, making it look like an enormous slum. The buildings in the middle city were far more refined, with red walls, green tiles, and silk curtains hanging at their entrances. They were clearly the residences of minor nobles and wealthy merchants. In the deepest inner city, golden palace roofs could vaguely be seen. Guarded with great severity, it was where the Oirat royal family and high officials resided.

"Sadly, we don't have travel documents. If we try to enter directly, we'll definitely be stopped." Li Yue scratched his head, then his eyes suddenly lit up. "But I have a way! Follow me!"

He led Lin Zhao around to a gate on the western side of Lanting City, where a group of people had gathered. It was an acrobatic troupe preparing to participate in Lanting's three-hundredth anniversary celebration. The troupe master was a fat nobleman with a bloated head and belly, dressed in a silk robe embroidered all over with patterns as he directed his men to load carts.

Li Yue stepped forward, took several Oirat gold coins gleaming with silver light from his clothes, and quietly slipped them into the fat nobleman's hand. He spoke a few words with a fawning smile. The fat nobleman weighed the coins in his hand, grinned, and waved dismissively. "Fine. Let them follow at the back. Just don't let them make a sound."

Lin Zhao and Li Yue hurriedly slipped into the rear of the troupe's procession. There were quite a few heavily made-up women among them, holding smoking pipes and puffing out clouds of smoke. Several bare-chested strongmen carried gongs, drums, and instruments. A blond girl with painted designs on her face saw Lin Zhao and Li Yue approach, pointed at a jar of paint beside her, and spoke casually. "Hurry and paint your faces. Don't speak when we enter the city later. If the guards question you, we can't protect you."

As she spoke, Lin Zhao noticed the cage behind her. It was forged from refined iron, and inside lay an enormous Scorpion-tailed Tiger. Blackish-brown scales covered its entire body, while a poison sting that gleamed with cold light tipped its tail. It lazily swished that tail, its yellow beast eyes watching Lin Zhao warily.

Once fully grown, a Scorpion-tailed Tiger was comparable to a mid-stage martial master. Though it was not as ferocious as the black bears of the Northern Frontier, it was still not something an ordinary martial master could handle. It was clearly the acrobatic troupe's "money tree."

The blond girl was the Scorpion-tailed Tiger's beast tamer. Seeing Lin Zhao stare at the cage, she did not stop him. Instead, she folded her arms and watched with interest. The Scorpion-tailed Tiger was locked in the cage, after all. It could not turn the sky upside down.

Lin Zhao picked up some paint and casually smeared a few strokes across his face, concealing most of his features. He himself possessed beast-taming abilities, along with the special effect of the Heart of Beast Taming, allowing him to clearly sense the Scorpion-tailed Tiger's hostility. The beast instantly perked up upon seeing a stranger. It abruptly rose to its feet, bared sharp fangs, and let out a low, rumbling growl from its throat. Its stinger-like tail pointed straight at Lin Zhao, and it slammed into the cage bars hard enough to make them clang.

Lin Zhao's gaze turned cold. Without showing it, he clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking sharply. In an instant, the aura around him changed. At his heart meridian, the phantom of a Black Flood Dragon coiled and danced wildly. The whimpers of a Black Wolf, the roars of a Black Bear, and the cries of an Iron Rhinoceros intertwined within his aura. Those phantoms of legendary savage beasts seemed to come alive, crushing toward the Scorpion-tailed Tiger with terrifying pressure.

"Whimper..."

The Scorpion-tailed Tiger's roar stopped abruptly. Its previously ferocious appearance instantly collapsed. Its tail tucked tightly between its legs, every scale on its body trembling as it retreated step by step into the corner of the cage. It did not dare look at Lin Zhao again, and even its breathing became careful and restrained.

The blond girl was so shocked that her eyes nearly fell out of their sockets. She had raised this Scorpion-tailed Tiger for three years and had never seen it fear anyone like this! To frighten a savage beast comparable to a mid-stage martial master into such a state, this masked young man was definitely an expert hiding his depths! She immediately put away her casual attitude, no longer even daring to look Lin Zhao directly in the eye as she obediently retreated to one side.

After successfully entering the city with the acrobatic troupe, Lin Zhao discovered that patrol soldiers could be seen everywhere in the streets of the outer city. Dressed in leather armor and carrying curved sabers at their waists, they swept sharp gazes across the passing pedestrians. They were clearly preparing for the three-hundredth anniversary celebration one month from now.

"Haha! Better to arrive early than arrive at just the right time!" Li Yue rubbed his hands excitedly. "I heard there'll be horse races, wrestling, and lots of delicious food during the celebration. We can join in the fun!"

But Lin Zhao had no interest in joining that excitement. He knew the purpose of this journey clearly: he had to buy Pangolin Dragon Essence. Beyond that, he needed to collect as many things as possible that could improve his internal energy, such as cultivation techniques, Netherworld Grass, and Evil Dust. The more, the better. He could not make this trip for nothing.

After parting ways with the acrobatic troupe, Li Yue directly led Lin Zhao to Lanting's largest trading house—Western Regions Trading Post. The shop assistant wore a respectable long robe. Seeing the two enter, he hurried forward. "What would you two guests like? We have medicinal herbs from the Western Regions, spices from Persia, and Oirat's specialty furs. They're all top-quality goods!"

"Do you have Pangolin Dragon Essence?" Gou San asked directly.

The shop assistant's eyes lit up, and he nodded. "Yes! But there isn't much left. One liang costs one hundred silver coins, and only five liang remain. How much would you like, sir?"

Lin Zhao's brows furrowed slightly. The price was reasonable—converted into Ming silver, it was only around two hundred taels, much cheaper than in the Ming Dynasty. Pangolin Dragon Essence in the Ming Dynasty had long been driven up to five hundred taels per liang, and it was often out of stock.

But the problem was that there were only five liang, nowhere near enough for him. The journey to Oirat had been long and difficult. Returning with only five liang of Pangolin Dragon Essence would be far too great a loss.

"We'll take all five liang." Lin Zhao had Li Yue relay the message, then added, "May I ask whether there will be more stock in the near future?"

The shop assistant thought for a moment before replying, "If you want more, you'll have to wait one month. During the holy city's grand celebration, there'll be the traditional beast-fighting performance. The Guardian General of the Nation will personally take the field and kill a Pangolin Dragon barehanded in the beast arena! After that performance, a new batch of Pangolin Dragon Essence will be consigned to our trading house. There'll definitely be enough then."

Lin Zhao's eyes flickered. Killing a Pangolin Dragon barehanded? The strength of this "Guardian General of the Nation" was rather intriguing.