Bao Boyang

The Bao residence was not actually far from where Cao Xiaochun had been before. After walking for about ten minutes and turning through two alleys, the two caught sight of a somewhat antiquated courtyard estate.

The plaque above the entrance was fashioned from fine redwood and looked as though it had been there for many years. Standard grand residences like this were quite famous in this era; only wealthy, gentry-level households could afford to build them.

Just as the two approached, the gates of the Bao residence slowly opened. A crowd hurried out to the entrance, while a passing carriage tossed down a blood-covered young man.

Judging by the dog-headed, human-bodied driver, they were all members of an alien race.

A middle-aged man with graying hair and several women hurried forward. At the sight of the miserable youth, tears instantly streamed down their faces.

"Quick, help the young master inside!"

Bao Butong shouted, and several maids rushed forward, each supporting one of Bao Boyang's arms as the others followed behind.

About twenty minutes later, the once-noisy Bao residence returned to its usual calm.

Seeing this, Cao Xiaochun softly let out a breath. He led Li Hanyi to the gates of the Bao residence and gently knocked on the door.

"Who are you?"

The Bao residence's steward was an old man in his sixties. When he saw the two young people dressed in such strange attire, he froze briefly before asking in confusion.

"Hello, sir. We're friends of Young Master Bao. We heard that something had happened to him, so we came specifically to see him."

Cao Xiaochun cupped his hands and spoke respectfully.

"Friends of the young master?"

The steward was certain that he had never seen Cao Xiaochun or Li Hanyi before. Yet their clothes resembled those worn by the alien races beyond the Nine Provinces. Then he recalled that the young master had once traveled beyond the Nine Provinces to study and had met quite a few people from the Nine Provinces who shared some of his interests.

They must be the young master's friends.

"Come in first. I'll take you to see the master."

After considering it, the steward slowly opened a small side door and ushered Cao Xiaochun and Li Hanyi inside before leading the way.

After waiting in the reception hall for a while, Bao Butong slowly approached. He first gave the pair a glance, then said mildly, "You two are also from the Nine Provinces?"

"Of course. What alien race looks like us?"

Cao Xiaochun did not mind Bao Butong's question and simply told the truth.

"Judging by your clothes, you studied abroad beyond the Nine Provinces, didn't you?"

"I wonder, when you and my son studied on Cherry Blossom Island, had you heard of our little town?"

Bao Butong invited them to sit down. Stroking his beard, he spoke with a smile.

At a time like this, anyone who still dared to come to the Bao family was either his son's friend or an alien race playing tricks. Thus, Bao Butong intended to test them.

"Master Bao, perhaps you remembered incorrectly. We've always studied on Demon Bear Star. How could we have studied on Cherry Blossom Island? That place isn't suitable for learning at all. Those dog-headed people weren't exactly friendly toward us."

Cao Xiaochun pondered for a moment, first observing Bao Butong's expression. He felt that the man would not say such things for no reason.

There had to be something behind those words—perhaps Bao Butong was trying to lure him into a trap.

After thinking it over, Cao Xiaochun decided to take a gamble. In this era, it seemed there was only one force willing to actively help this storm-tossed continent.

Thus, Cao Xiaochun named Demon Bear Star.

"Hahaha, look at this old brain of mine. There have probably been too many trivial matters lately, and I mixed it up for a moment. My apologies."

Bao Butong picked up the tea beside him and took a light sip. Though he apologized verbally, his manner showed little concern.

Indeed, Bao Boyang had studied abroad, but everyone knew that he had supposedly gone to Cherry Blossom Island. In truth, he had gone to Demon Bear Star. That was why, when his son had previously been imprisoned by that alien race, Bao Butong had used this well-known question to test Cao Xiaochun and Li Hanyi.

"What exactly have you come to see my son for?"

After some thought, Bao Butong directly asked why they had come.

"We were originally planning to head to the Capital City, but we heard on the way that something had happened to him. So we came over to see if there was anything we could help with."

Cao Xiaochun smiled faintly, neither servile nor overbearing.

Based on the information provided by the first stage, combined with the current era—and the fact that the owner of this stage was surnamed Bao—Cao Xiaochun had formed a bold guess. Over the past three hundred years, if there was one person surnamed Bao who had left a profound mark on history, it was likely Bao Boyang, the man known as the God of War!

"You mean well, but Boyang is injured right now and cannot receive visitors. If you wish to see him, you'll probably have to wait a few days."

Bao Butong nodded, then sighed. Clearly, he did not want Cao Xiaochun to see his son.

"In that case, we won't trouble you any further. We'll come visit Brother Bao again in a few days."

At the mention of the name Boyang, Cao Xiaochun's pupils contracted. Now that the truth had been confirmed, there was no point in staying any longer.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Cao Xiaochun left with Li Hanyi.

The two found a secluded spot. Cao Xiaochun turned to Li Hanyi and asked, "Where did your family obtain this strange dungeon?"

It was no wonder Cao Xiaochun had such doubts. Bao Boyang had been born in an unknown little town. After going through all sorts of events, he fled to the Capital City, gained Taizong's appreciation, formed the Qilin Army, and, together with the various defensive forces, launched the Nine Provinces' counteroffensive against the alien races!

Later, in the battle to defend the city, he led eight thousand Qilin Army soldiers in holding back fifty thousand dog-headed people for three days and three nights. In the end, he gave his life for the Nine Provinces!

He had been the foremost figure of the resistance three hundred years ago. In modern times, even three-year-old children knew the great general's name!

Yet the lingering obsession of such a famous figure had appeared in a Black Iron-tier dungeon, which Cao Xiaochun found rather strange.

"The black market. I don't know the exact details either."

Li Hanyi paused. The shock in her heart was no less than Cao Xiaochun's.

This was General Bao Boyang! If it was true, then the two of them were helping this God of War free himself from his obsession!

Seeing that Li Hanyi did not know the origin of this either, Cao Xiaochun thought it over and decided that now was not the time to dwell on it.

Regardless of why General Bao Boyang's obsession was only Black Iron rank, the most important thing now was to clear the dungeon first.

Recalling Bao Anyang's past, Cao Xiaochun pondered carefully for a moment. Then, he suddenly remembered a passage recorded in unofficial histories.

General Bao was arrested for organizing a march. The Bao family spent all their wealth pulling strings. That very night, the family head stained cloth with blood to make a battle banner and ordered two guards to transfer Bao Boyang elsewhere.

Yet that same night, all seventy members of the Bao family were massacred by the gnoll tribe, while the money that had supposedly been promised to the foreign race vanished without a trace!

At that thought, Cao Xiaochun suddenly understood. The obsession in this stage was the entire Bao family!