After waiting for many days, Hei Yun finally received the news he wanted to know, but he couldn't feel relieved at all.
To be honest, he didn't really expect Wei Gongzhan, a mere soldier, to find out any secrets. He only asked around occasionally to find some psychological comfort and something to do when he had nowhere else to go.
And these past few days, as I kept asking him questions, I don't know if I was infected by the silly boy's cheerful demeanor all day, but I actually found myself listening to his daily news with great interest.
For example, what did you and your neighbors catch in a fishpond today? What interesting things happened in the red berries field when you were planting tomorrow? What are some of the neighbors thinking about planting some chili peppers and making some pickled meat and vegetables for dinner? Every Heavenly Capital mundane daily matters, but there's no trouble at all. You don't have to worry about food and clothing every day. You just discuss how to make your life more enjoyable. This kind of daily life may sound boring at first, but as you listen, it's easy for Hei Yun to become engrossed.
He recalled that when he was young, he was a tenant farmer for a wealthy family. His ideal life was to have a few acres of his own land, and during the off-season, he could sit on the edge of the field, drink a pot of warm wine, and roast some fragrant corn.
Before he knew it, he had become a big shot in Beijing that everyone envied, but he never thought about those days when he would brew a pot of wine and roast an ear of corn in the fields.
These past few days, listening to the boy talk about those days, he felt inexplicably envious.
When he heard the strange man begin to approach the villagers, he knew that his leisurely time listening to idle stories was over.
"You're saying that after those villagers had contact with that man, none of them had any memory of him?"
"Yes," Wei Gongzhan nodded solemnly, "Not only those villagers, but me too. Xiaoli said that the man spoke to me at least three times, but I have absolutely no recollection of it. Thinking about it now, it still terrifies me."
Hei Yun wasn't too surprised to hear this, as Yin Devourer naturally possessed this ability, but in theory, Yin Devourer wouldn't wander around aimlessly.
Because the number of Yin Devourer in the capital was increasing, he, having caused trouble, naturally began to secretly observe Yin Devourer habits. Based on ancient records and observations, he concluded that these Yin Devourer preferred to stay in familiar areas within his fragmented memories.
Influenced by the memories of the spirits, these monsters also feel close to the relatives and friends in their memories. Moreover, these things are not very bold and mostly only show up in places familiar from their memories, rarely interacting with strangers who are not in their memories.
The reason is also recorded in ancient books. Because this kind of monster is weak in combat, once it gains the recognition of some creatures through memory, they will stay there for a long time in order to seek protection. Because if you come into contact with a new evil spirit, you can hardly guarantee that you will not be killed.
The one Wei Gongzhan holding was clearly moving strangely.
Warlocks are the most logical people; any unusual activity must have a reason. The Yin Devourer personality is based on one's living environment and is the most difficult to change. If it has changed, something must have happened that forced it to change.
Could this be related to that terrifying monster in the capital?
Hei Yun had a guess: the abilities of the Yin Devourer Demon in the records had never been revealed, yet it could completely wipe out an Kingdom of Ancient Desolation. Could it possess such great power on its own?
Is there any connection between the increasing number of Yin Devourer in the capital and the Yin Devourer Demon? Could the Yin Devourer Demon control the Yin Devourer?
That would be terrifying. If such a group of beings with bizarre abilities were to develop an organization, the things they could do would be countless!
"Is what that little fox spirit said reliable?" Hei Yun asked curiously.
"It should be reliable." Wei Gongzhan nodded. " Xiaoli is a child, a bit mischievous, but also kind. A child like that wouldn't lie when confiding in someone."
Hei Yun rolled her eyes. "You talk like you know everything about kids."
Wei Gongzhan scratched his head sheepishly.
"Hmm, doesn't that child tell his mother about this?"
"Her mother seems to forbid her from speaking ill of that man," Wei Gongzhan said in a low voice. "I don't know why, but her mother must know how dangerous that man is, so she doesn't let Xiaoli come into contact with him on a regular basis."
"Then the most important question is about the child," Hei Yun asked doubtfully, "Can she avoid being affected by that man and losing her memory?"
She said she wouldn't.
"Really?" Hei Yun's eyes lit up, and she said, "Then you should spend more time with her and let her find out which villagers that man talks to every day, and if possible, what they say." Then she added seriously, "But you must be careful. That child is His Majesty's offspring. The Crown Prince is weak and incompetent, but this child has pure blood. Do you understand what I mean?"
Wei Gongzhan's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly replied, "I understand!"
Go ahead. Be careful yourself.
"Yes, sir!"
"Oh, right."
"Hmm? Is there anything else you need, sir?"
"You mentioned before that the prefect of Liuzhou would personally visit Great Azure Mountain every now and then. Have you heard anything about him lately?"
"Well..." Wei Gongzhan scratched his head. "I heard it from my neighbor. I haven't been here long, and so far, I haven't met that highly respected Lord Chen."
"Yeah?"
Hei Yun looked outside. The situation outside was changing dramatically. Chen Qing had created a paradise in Liuzhou, but he couldn't avoid dealing with those powerful figures outside, could he?
The Shen Family, the Eldest Princess, and that person from the West Sea— none of them are easy to deal with. With such a dangerous being as the Thousand-Faced Fox imprisoned here at Great Azure Mountain, how could he possibly be at ease if he didn't return for months?
Or are you simply too busy right now?
If it's the latter, is there anything I can do here?
Hmm. Is the Yin Devourer starting to act up?
Chen Qing murmured to himself
What is Lord Chen thinking?
Inside the cabin, a gentle and elegant voice interrupted Chen Qing's thoughts. Chen Qing looked up at the person who had come over to strike up a conversation and sighed slightly.
So handsome!
Previously, Cui Yan had struck him as a very handsome man, but this guy in front of him was even more handsome than Cui Yan. Judging by his age, he was at least close to fifty, but the way he carried himself was several levels better than Andy Lau in his previous life.
It has to be said that the eldest princess really knows how to pick people.
That makes sense. At that level, one's status is practically at its ceiling, and their abilities are among the best in the world. Finding a man stronger than oneself is almost impossible, so wouldn't one have to find someone handsome?
"Greetings, Your Highness." Chen Qing smiled and bowed.
"Oh, we're all princes, there's no need to be so polite," the man said with a gentle smile.
Chen Qing: "."
There's a generational difference between them, and besides, why did this guy suddenly come to chat with me?
" Mingxue is a good girl. Now that Lord Chen has arranged a marriage with her, he should cherish her."
"To be able to marry Her Highness the Princess is an honor beyond measure, and I will certainly treat her well," Chen Qing said with a smile, "Just as you would, sir."
The man's smile froze slightly.
Chen Qing observed this and a thought struck him: Did the Fei Family have a story to tell?
"By the way, I heard from Vice Minister Wang that Fei Jun has also come to the front lines to join you. Lord Fei Jun and I have been friends since we were in the capital, and it's been a while since we last saw each other."
" Jun'er?" A complex look flashed in the man's eyes.
Chen Qing, observing this, roughly guessed what was going on and whispered, "It's rumored that the Golden Dragon Guard was originally led by the Crown Prince, but now it's under your Golden Dragon Guard. I'm a little curious, His Highness the Crown Prince, how is he?"
man. "."
"I see." Chen Qing nodded.
Fei Jun is loyal to the Crown Prince and is a complete member of the Crown Prince's Crown Prince's Faction. He had met Fei Jun, and the other party should be loyal to the Crown Prince, otherwise he would not have concealed the Crown Prince's secret meetings with women. Wang Ye looks down on the Crown Prince, and Fei Jun probably looks down on him deep down as well. However, his family probably groomed him as a member of the Crown Prince's Faction at that time, and he should have been trying to adapt to this role.
It's normal for a young person to feel a bit devastated if, after many years of adjustment, they are suddenly told that they have betrayed the party.
In reality, there are quite a few examples like this. Many corrupt officials even keep this a secret from their children. After all, children are young and can't keep quiet, so there are many things they definitely can't tell them. On the surface, in their children's minds, their parents must be good officials. After their values are formed, they'll tell them, "Actually, your father is a huge corrupt official. I've already acquired hundreds of millions of assets for you overseas. Your father has been exposed. You should quickly come with your father and flee overseas so we can live the good life of capitalists together."
I reckon the child would have a mental breakdown if he were even slightly normal!
Fei Jun is clearly a person with very sound values. It would be strange if things didn't go wrong with him having such a domineering and cunning mother.
" Fei Jun is on the third ship. If Lord Chen is a friend of Fei Jun, he could try to persuade him when he has time."
Chen Qing's eye twitched. Was Fei Jun's father out of his mind?
I'm now in cahoots with your wife, and I'm even trying to persuade him.
But suddenly, the man's hand was under the table, and a gentle spiritual energy emanated from under the table, causing Chen Qing to shudder!
This guy.
"You certainly have plenty of leisure time," the princess's icy voice came from outside. "Your son hasn't eaten for days, and you still have the mood to chat with a stranger?"
The man immediately turned around with a wry smile, "I heard that Chen Qing is Jun'er's good friend, so I asked him to persuade Jun'er."
"Is that so?" The eldest princess glanced at the man, then casually walked in and looked at Chen Qing: " Jun'er did mention you to me. I rarely hear him praise someone. But then again, he probably doesn't expect that Lord Chen, at such a young age, is already a chess player with us."
"Your Highness flatters me."
Chen Qing suppressed her surprise and responded with a calm smile.
"We'll be arriving in Nanming soon. Now it's time to see Lord Chen's performance."
"I will do my best!" Chen Qing stood up and returned the greeting.
"Well, it's still about half an hour away. If Lord Chen has time, please go and chat with Jun'er." As the princess stepped out of the cabin, she finally uttered a warm sentence.
"This junior obeys."
When Chen Qing looked up again, the eldest princess and the prince consort from the Fei Family had both left their cabins. Chen Qing slightly raised his hand, looking at the lingering warmth in his hand, his expression incredibly complex.
Fei Jun's father did make a subtle move just now, conveying only four words to him.
His Majesty's secret decree!