"Daddy, is it just the two of us?"
On the ship, the Ghost Child, who hadn't appeared for a long time, frowned as it looked around, seemingly disliking the chilly atmosphere.
Although Jiangnan is still shrouded in mist, the mist has actually thinned considerably. Under Chen Qing's control, most areas are now freely accessible, but some places remain shrouded in thick mist.
Even Chen Qing can't control those places now, because according to the rules, Chen Qing must be able to control the zombies from infecting the outside world before the magic array can be opened. But in this place, even if Chen Qing can guarantee it, the spirits inside the magic array won't believe him.
That is the place that controls Princess White Jade's retinue!
The struggle within the Ancient Insect Sect is now very clear. The one in the West Sea holds the biggest advantage, possessing the most cities and the largest population in the West Sea. The Eldest Princess, representing Fifth Master Shen's power, also holds a share. Only Princess White Jade seems to have made no move.
Chen Qing was also puzzled by this. In his opinion, when the Eldest Princess and the one from the West Sea were locked in a fierce battle, she would have been the most suitable person to get involved, seize control of the West Sea, and create a three-way power struggle.
But the other party seemed to have no such intention at all. After taking over Master Shen San's body, Princess White Jade made no further moves, which made Chen Qing feel that something was wrong.
Just at this crucial moment, the guy I hadn't contacted for almost a year suddenly reached out to me.
"It can only be the two of us." Looking at the Ghost Child, Chen Qing sighed, "No one can leave the faction now!"
Honestly, there are quite a few capable fighters in my own faction. Among the sorcerers, there's the Shen Family family, any one of whom is at the level of a Nine Minister. Among the martial artists, there are Xu Hu and Tian Heng, both of whom are Above First Rank. Even Wei Gongcheng, with the power of the Underworld now, as long as he doesn't leave Liuzhou, there aren't many people in the world who can do anything to him.
But nowadays, they can hardly leave!
Tian Heng and Xu Hu cannot be moved lightly. They now represent the largest military system in Chen Qing's forces. If either of them gets into trouble, it will greatly affect Chen Qing's military strength. Although the Battle God Army is developing rapidly, if the Principal God dies and no one can replace him in a short period of time, the impact will be significant.
The sorcerers of the Shen Family have all taken up positions in the Underworld, making it even more difficult for them to leave.
"Why didn't Daddy bring that woman?" the Ghost Child suddenly asked.
"You like it so much that I brought her here?" Chen Qing looked at the other person with amusement, knowing that this brat was talking about Murong Yunji.
The Ghost Child blushed, then turned around. "Who wants to take her along? I'm just asking. She seems pretty idle all day, doesn't do anything productive, just eats and drinks for free."
"Right?" Chen Qing shook her head with amusement, but was too lazy to expose the Ghost Child's little scheme.
Murong Yunji is a very good fighter. She almost killed Yuchi Feihong in a single encounter. Her direct combat strength is even comparable to Yuchi Peng. Logically speaking, it would be best to bring her along. As for why she wasn't brought along...
" Lord Chen has finally arrived?"
A familiar yet long-lost female voice rang out, drawing Chen Qing's attention.
The giant seashell remained in the mist, but now the woman sitting in its center was no longer the alluring woman of the past. Instead, it was Master Shen San, dressed in white. Although he had a male face, his alluring charm remained undiminished. This bewitching male style made Chen Qing feel inexplicably uncomfortable.
"Greetings, Your Highness." Chen Qing patted the wary Ghost Child and bowed with a smile.
Beside Princess White Jade stood Yuchi Feihong, his body shrouded in black mist, his scarlet pupils icy cold, devoid of any warmth he once possessed as a human. This made Chen Qing wonder if Yuchi Feihong still possessed any consciousness.
"I heard that Lord Chen has recently made quite a splash?" Baiyu looked at Chen Qing and smiled with narrowed eyes, but her every move was full of coquettishness, giving people a strange feeling.
"Well, it's all about saving face for each other. I just acted as a middleman."
"Does Lord Chen still remember the agreement?"
"An agreement?" Chen Qing's smile faded as she looked at the other person.
The initial agreement was that the two would work together to open the Dragon Palace.
"Does Lord Chen no longer wish to acknowledge it?" Baiyu said with a smile, "Indeed, things are different now. Lord Chen's power is immense now, with hundreds of thousands of the Fighter Army. He was able to force the Princess to abandon Nanming Prefecture and even force the imperial court to negotiate peace. You look down on them now, don't you?"
"Your Highness has remained in seclusion, yet your intelligence network remains remarkably efficient," Chen Qing said with a smile. "I wonder how Your Highness managed to gather this information?"
He was very curious about this. Princess White Jade was a pure zombie force, unlike the eldest princess who already had a deep foundation in the human world. She was trapped in this misty Jiangnan area, and merchant ships avoided her. Tian Heng's Sea God Army was very strict in its defenses here. Almost no ships within a hundred miles would approach, and even if someone secretly approached, they would be trapped inside the magic array due to the risk of infection.
Therefore, under normal circumstances, Princess White Jade would have almost no access to information outside.
Even though Chen Qing's current actions are all in the open and known to the world, they do not include the closed circle of Baiyu.
There's only one possibility: this woman has someone she's working with outside the marriage!
This is interesting.
Chen Qing stroked his chin. Who could it be? Someone who has cooperated with Baiyu until now, and can still communicate with him through the magic array barrier... Could it be that last hidden Ancient Insect?
He had never forgotten that of the nine Ancient Insect, there was one that he had never been able to find!
" Lord Chen, you must allow me to keep some secrets, right?" Baiyu looked at Chen Qing. "Just like you, sir, you have so many secrets, but you don't necessarily share them all with me, do you?"
"It's because I've asked too many questions," Chen Qing said with a smile. "Your Highness hasn't contacted me for so long, I'm still a little unaccustomed to it. I wonder why Your Highness suddenly thought of me at this moment?"
"Of course, it's because the Dragon Palace is about to open." Baiyu smiled at the other person, "Didn't Lord Chen say that the Dragon Palace is about to open? Now, there's only about a month left, right?"
Chen Qing: "."
Chen Qing did mention the upcoming opening of the Dragon Palace during a meeting of several parties, but those involved were all important figures from each faction. This news would never leak to the common people. Even in the imperial court, it would only be mentioned when important figures gathered for a small court assembly. Ordinary noble families and civil officials did not even have the qualifications to participate in this matter.
So the question is, how did she know that?
Thinking of this, Chen Qing suddenly became somewhat wary.
The other party's contact person is likely not simple. To know inside information, they are either planted next to the Eldest Princess and the Laoda son of the Shen Family, or like Fifth Master Shen, they are a powerful family that cooperates with the court. Even more dangerous is that the person they are cooperating with is within their own power base!
Within one's own faction, those who can access my important information... tsk.
Who could it be?
Several faces flashed through Chen Qing's mind, but even someone as quick-witted as him couldn't quite figure them out, because there was more than one suspect.
What is Lord Chen thinking?
"I'm wondering who your inside man is, Your Highness," Chen Qing said frankly, without mincing words.
"Has Lord Chen thought of anything?" Baiyu asked with a smile.
Chen Qing shook his head. "I didn't expect that Your Highness invited me here for a riddle game, did you?"
"I've come seeking some security."
"Sense of security?"
"After all, Lord Chen has already discussed everything with those important figures, from how the Dragon Palace will be divided to how to enter, everything is clearly stated. But I haven't made any promises at all. It's truly disheartening. You know, I was the first person to cooperate with you."
Chen Qing smiled and said, "Your Highness's words are indeed true. What Chen Qing Highness desired was the Dragon Palace's secret medicine, and I guarantee that once I obtain it, I will share it with the princess. Wasn't this agreed upon in the magical pact?"
" Lord Chen is really good at playing tricks."
What does Your Highness mean?
"If Lord Chen has absolutely no interest in that secret medicine and never intended to obtain it from the beginning, what should I do?"
Chen Qing was taken aback. This woman's intuition was quite accurate. He really had no interest in that Dragon Palace secret medicine. From the beginning, he had no intention of touching that damned thing. Therefore, he was very casual when he made a contract with Baiyu. As long as he didn't get that thing, he had no obligation to give it to her, and whether she could get it or not was none of his business.
What does Your Highness wish to do?
"That place in my memory has been acting very strangely lately. I feel it must be the location of the Dragon Palace Spring. I can't count on Lord Chen for help at a crucial moment, but at least we should do some preparation, shouldn't we?" Baiyu smiled at Chen Qing, " Lord Chen should also be scouting the exact location, shouldn't he? Could you take me with you?"
Chen Qing: "."
Why does this woman even know this?
He hadn't told anyone he was going to scout the location himself!
Princess White Jade?
Wei Gongcheng and Seventh Master Shen both frowned deeply, especially Seventh Master Shen. He was no stranger to that Princess White Jade; the Shen Family family's secret records contained detailed accounts of that insidious woman. This woman had been missing for over a year after seizing his third brother's body, and now she had suddenly reappeared, summoning Chen Qing away at this crucial moment. Was it a coincidence or deliberate?
"But is there a problem?" Chen Ying asked curiously, sensing something was wrong when she saw the two of them frowning.
Wei Gongcheng solemnly recounted the matter.
" Above First Rank demon?" Chen Ying was taken aback, and her expression turned serious. "Is Seventh Master Shen certain?"
"I can't be completely sure," Seventh Master Shen rolled his eyes at the little girl. "It might be even more troublesome than Above First Rank!"
Chen Ying gave a wry smile, "Don't scare me, Seventh Master Shen. Liuzhou can't afford any turmoil right now. Something just happened at Great Azure Mountain."
"What happened over at Great Azure Mountain?" Wei Gongcheng a beat.
"Hmm, I'm not entirely sure." Chen Ying frowned. "It seems to be that Ziyue. She's been a bit unstable lately, with bursts of Spirit Energy coming out of her body from time to time. Especially after our master left today, it's become even more unstable. Before, it was once every three days, but in the two hours since our master left, that woman's Spirit Energy has become disordered four or five times!"
Wei Gongcheng's heart skipped a beat. Although he didn't know why, his unease grew stronger. He looked at Seventh Master Shen.
Now, the person who knows the most about sorcerers here is probably the only living member of the Shen Family.
Seventh Master Shen frowned, sensing that things were not so simple.
Demons invaded, Chen Qing was suddenly summoned away, and the sealed Ziyue on Great Azure Mountain suddenly became unstable.
All of this... is probably no coincidence!
"Take me to see it!"
I'm posting late, so three chapters are out of the question again today. I'll write a little more tonight and try to post three chapters tomorrow. Hehe, the road to more updates is long!