Jing Hongchen's Love for His Grandchildren
Ming Capital, the Mingde Hall.
As soon as the intricately designed metal door closed, Feng Ling walked to the large metal table and tossed a newly unsealed communication jade slip onto the surface.
The jade slip slid down the smooth tabletop to Jing Hongchen's hand, making a clinking sound.
"Shrek is preparing to send Ma Xiaotao to Sunset Forest, and Cai Mei'er will be the escort." Feng Ling pulled out a chair and sat down.
Jing Hongchen was reviewing the Mingde Hall's defense restructuring list when he heard this. He merely raised his eyelids slightly, picked up the jade slip, glanced at it, and casually placed it on the table.
"If you want her, go and do it yourself. What are you doing here with me?"
"You haven't forgotten that Evil Fire Phoenix from the competition, have you?" Feng Ling rested her fingers on her knees.
"If we allow her to rid herself of the Evil Fire and cultivate peacefully for another ten years or so, Shrek will have another Yan Shaozhe. And who can guarantee that she won't become the second Xuan Zi later on?"
Jing Hongchen sneered and flicked the jade slip back with his finger, "There's no need for such words. What would I gain by helping you?"
He knew perfectly well what the Holy Spirit Cult was up to.
Ma Xiaotao's Martial Soul Mutation, and her heart was consumed by Evil Fire. She was a potential threat at Shrek, but in the hands of the Holy Spirit Cult, she became a top-tier Holy Maiden saintess.
Feng Ling wanted to use him as a pawn, but a few alarmist words weren't enough.
"Immortal Herb." Feng Ling uttered two words, a mocking smile playing on her lips.
"The Star Luo Emperor has personally led Dai Hao into the mountains. Isn't that enough to tempt you?"
Jing Hongchen's finger, which was pushing the jade slip, paused in mid-air before slowly retracting.
For Meng Hongchen's Vermilion Clear Ice Toad Martial Soul, he has searched through all kinds of rare pharmacopoeias collected by the Sun Moon Empire's Imperial Family and Mingde Hall over the years. He has seen records of immortal Immortal Herb improving the quality of Martial Soul and washing away hidden injuries in the body more than once, but he has never found the actual product.
The office fell silent, with only the faint hum of the core of the Soul Guidance Lamp in the corner humming softly.
The Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast Embryo was stolen right under their noses, causing Mingde Hall to lose face, and he is still dealing with the Imperial Family's questioning.
What troubled him even more were his two younger siblings at home— Xiao Hongchen had been provoked and had become increasingly impatient during his training in the Soul Guidance Laboratory. A couple of days ago, he even carried him on his back to inquire with the pharmacist about potent medicines that could quickly boost Soul Power.
The Ice Jade Scorpion Soul Bone prepared for Meng Hongchen remains unused in his private storeroom due to the unpredictable risks of the Ultimate Ice's backlash; he dares not let his granddaughter use it.
If there truly were Immortal Herb that could refine Martial Soul and suppress cold poison, then both of these worries could be resolved at the same time.
Jing Hongchen tapped her fingers lightly on the armrest twice, then looked up after a moment of silence:
What do you want to do?
Feng Ling held up two fingers:
"We'll split into two groups. Zhang Peng and I will intercept Ma Xiaotao, Mingde Hall will provide us with three Level 9 Soul Engineer."
Jing Hongchen suddenly looked up, her gaze sharp as lightning:
"Three people? Feng Ling, are you going to deal with Cai Mei'er or Mu En?"
Although Mingde Hall is strong, its Level 9 Soul Engineer are considered its most valuable assets. The Body Sect suffered heavy losses when it caused a great disturbance at the Mingde Hall last time, and its defenses are currently under strain. Yet, Feng Ling has already offered to take away three of them.
"Cai Mei'er may not be able to beat us, but she could certainly escape with Ma Xiaotao. Besides, who can guarantee that Shrek hasn't sent someone else to escort her secretly?" Feng Ling met his gaze, her expression showing no sign of backing down.
"Zhang Peng and I are in charge of rescuing her. Your men will block her retreat and cut off any backup. I want Ma Xiaotao alive; I don't want someone else to suddenly show up halfway through the fight."
Jing Hongchen frowned and leaned back in his chair.
"The three Level 9 Soul Engineer each have their own responsibilities, and I still need to coordinate with the Imperial Family. You guys should be more willing to ask."
"We can report the information about the Immortal Herb together. Do I need to tell you whether the Imperial Family will be interested?" Feng Ling said calmly.
The regent, Xu Tianran, was ambitious and had been plagued by a crippled body for many years. Hearing about the Immortal-Grade Medicinal Herb that could change his constitution, he would be even more eager than Jing Hongchen.
Jing Hongchen didn't respond to that sentence, but changed the subject, her eyes becoming sharp:
"Where is Zhongli Wu? You've taken him away, where are I going to get my immortal Immortal Herb?"
"The Cult Master will accompany you to the Herb Garden." Feng Ling leaned forward slightly.
"If Xu Jiawei can come to our door asking for medicine, why can't you, Master Jing?"
Jing Hongchen said coldly, "Would Xuan Zi give me that much face?"
"Then let him see the Cult Master first." Feng Ling pulled out a pre-prepared map of Sunset Forest from her sleeve and unfolded it on the table with a rustling sound.
"Send me a message when you arrive. Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe are both in the valley, with the Cult Master and you standing in front of them. Do you think they would dare to abandon the Herb Garden and leave?"
Jing Hongchen looked down at the red dot marked on the map, her finger pointing to the outer edge of the Poison Miasma:
There are still Star Luo Empire throughout the valley.
Since Xu Jiawei brought Dai Hao with him, he must also have the Star Luo Imperial Family's retainers with him. If a fight were to break out in the valley, the situation might not necessarily be in their favor.
"Xu Jiawei went to ask for medicine. We don't know how much Shrek will give him right now. It's enough that he doesn't interfere." Feng Ling traced her fingernail across the map, pointing to the Official Road that Shrek Academy had to take to Sunset Forest.
"Once Ma Xiaotao is in our hands, we will rush to her aid."
Silence fell over the office once again.
Jing Hongchen stared at the route on the map, hesitant to give in.
The damage to the Mingde Hall caused by the last attack by the Body Sect has not yet been fully repaired.
Leaving Ming Capital at this time and venturing deep into the heart of the Heavenly Soul Empire, with Zhongli Wu, a leader of Evil Soul Master who could turn on them at any moment, by their side, would have unimaginable consequences if word got out and they were surrounded by the four kingdoms.
Seeing his indecisiveness, Feng Ling didn't try to persuade him further. She simply reached out, rolled up the map on the table, and put it in her sleeve. She then stood up and said:
"If Hall Master Jing is unwilling to go, that's fine too."
"Wait until your granddaughter's cold poison really causes a problem, then go ask Shrek Academy for a herb; perhaps they'll remember our past kindness."
"We will also send a piece of Thousand Year Soul Bone as a token of our condolences."
"Bang!"
Jing Hongchen slammed his palm on the metal table, and the entire specially made alloy tabletop immediately dented.
"You bastard!"
Don't try to provoke me with your dreams!
Feng Ling met his gaze without taking a single step back.
Whether it was to provoke you or not, Master Jing knows perfectly well.
"Shrek will set off no later than tomorrow morning. Once they've passed the outer edge of Sunset Forest and come into Xuan Zi's sight, you won't have a chance to do this deal."
Jing Hongchen stared at her for a long while before finally turning his gaze to the map on the table. His finger hovered over the outer edge of Sunset Forest, remaining there for Jiujiu.
"Even without your words today, I wouldn't have let the Immortal Herb go." He finally spoke, his voice not loud.
"I'll coordinate the people. But regarding the medications obtained, those suitable for laughter and dreams, I'll have to choose one for myself and one for dreams first."
Feng Ling nodded. "Okay."
"Furthermore, the three Soul Engineer will follow our own arrangements."
"You take people away, they're in charge of the blockade; don't temporarily transfer people to do other things for you."
"As long as Ma Xiaotao can stay, I have no objection."