Daji, Merit Jade Pendant

You arrived at Chaoge, the capital of the Yin Dynasty.

It was because the last person you needed to inform was there—the Martial Cheng King, Huang Feihu!

You had previously gone to Huang Feihu's territory, only to find that he was not there. After making inquiries, you learned that Huang Feihu had gone to Chaoge.

When you entered Chaoge, you sensed a demonic aura soaring into the heavens. The entire city was saturated with it; Chaoge was practically completely blanketed by demonic aura.

At last, you gained a clear understanding of Demon Fox Daji's strength.

You clearly realized that, with your current strength alone, you were no match for Demon Fox Daji. No—even if you were ten or a hundred times stronger, and even if Jiang Shang were at your side, the two of you might not necessarily be able to defeat her.

Demon Fox Daji gave you a headache. With no time to think further, you immediately concealed yourself and began searching Chaoge for traces of Huang Feihu.

After searching for some time, you found Huang Feihu drinking himself into a stupor in a tavern. Looking at him, you realized that most of those won over by Xi Qi were civil and military officials who had suffered persecution at the hands of Di Xin and Daji. It seemed that, if not for Di Xin and Daji, these people might not have joined Xi Qi at all.

You patted Huang Feihu on the shoulder, left behind an envelope, and departed. Huang Feihu might not have been able to sense anything in Chaoge, but you could clearly feel demonic aura permeating even the air itself. If you stayed any longer, you might not make it out alive.

Just as you prepared to leave Chaoge, a voice sounded beside your ear. "Don't be in such a hurry to leave. Stay a little longer."

Your expression changed. You immediately realized that Daji had discovered your presence long ago, and that the demonic aura you had sensed upon entering Chaoge had all been deliberately released by her.

And now, Daji clearly intended to keep you here.

You formed several hand seals and immediately sped toward the outskirts of Chaoge.

Just as you were about to leave Chaoge, you suffered a heavy blow. At the same time, you heard something on your body make a cracking sound.

Noble Phantasm Merit Jade Pendant activated!

Daji's attack struck you, leaving you seriously injured. Fortunately, you escaped her clutches. After hastily dressing your wounds, you rushed nonstop toward Xi Qi.

It took you nearly fifteen days to return to Xi Qi. By the time you reached Marquis of Xi's Mansion, your injuries had become so severe that you fainted.

When you awoke, you were already lying in bed, with Jiang Shang and a physician beside you.

Seeing that you had awakened, Jiang Shang softly told you that your injuries were severe and that you should rest and recuperate for a while first.

You merely gave a bitter smile and said that you had still underestimated Daji.

Jiang Shang offered no comment, only saying that Daji's strength was beyond anything you could imagine.

Yet at the same time, he revealed a faint smile, completely forgetting what he had just said.

After thinking for a moment, you told Jiang Shang that Chaoge was already entirely under Daji's control. The instant you entered Chaoge, Daji had already known.

Jiang Shang was not surprised in the least. He told you to recuperate properly. In half a month, Xi Qi and the Yin Dynasty would go to war, and you could not afford to be absent.

After Jiang Shang left, you formed several hand seals, and more than half of your injuries healed in an instant.

This was a healing Dao technique Xuanyuan had taught you. You were simply not very proficient with it yet; otherwise, your injuries would not merely have healed by more than half—they would have been instantly cured.

You took out the Merit Jade Pendant given to you by the Yan Emperor. It had long since lost its luster. You knew that it had blocked most of the damage for you; otherwise, you would not be lying in bed, but in a coffin.

You got up and walked outside. For the next while, you intended to properly rest (slack off). Even if Ji Chang personally came to ask you to handle something, you absolutely would not go!

For the next fifteen days, you recuperated in Marquis of Xi's Mansion. Yet Jiang Shang came to see you almost every day, leaving you with no choice but to discuss the Dao (chat idly) with him each day.

And so, you spent thirteen days there.