Pursuit

The stalemate between Dong Zhongshu and Jin Chang did indeed last for a long time.

Even after Zhang Xuezhou spent seven days adjusting in the real world, the two still hadn't resolved the issue.

Just like when Zhang Xuezhou wanted Zhou Yueyan to cultivate a part of the extraterrestrial demon's body, things didn't go smoothly.

The price to be paid is extremely high; it's not something that can be solved by simply talking about it.

Dong Zhongshu and Jin Chang were clearly the same; their words ultimately couldn't compare to the actual price they had to pay.

A top-tier technique isn't something you can just take out at will, nor is a realm technique something you can just hand over whenever you want.

This also involves the verification of the King of Huainan's Household, which is an issue that Dong Zhongshu and Jin Chang cannot avoid.

"With your strength and status, you should be able to produce a first-class technique," Jin Chang said, frowning.

"With your abilities, accomplishing this shouldn't be difficult," Dong Zhongshu said, also frowning. "The Huang-Lao philosophy isn't something that can be mastered simply by seeing it; it requires our joint study to quickly understand it!"

"What you said is quite right, but to say you only participated in the research is to overestimate your own abilities," Jin Chang said.

"This is not boasting, but I do have some expertise in these areas," Dong Zhongshu said.

"Coincidentally, my learning and comprehension abilities are also quite good, which is why my senior brother has praised me since I was a child," Jin Chang replied.

When Zhang Xuezhou came downstairs after practicing blood circulation, Dong Zhongshu and Jin Chang were sitting at a small square table drinking cheap liquor and haggling over the price.

Zhang Cigong, Zhao Liang, and Zhang Bayang were sitting on the other side.

Zhao Liang's face showed considerable anxiety, but he could only wait.

Zhao Liang only waved after Zhang Xuezhou came downstairs.

"Manager Dongfang, are those secret manuals they mentioned really absolutely necessary?" Zhao Liang asked in a low voice.

"Manager, have some water!"

Zhang Cigong brought over a bowl of water and then urged the waiter in the inn to quickly bring some dishes.

Zhang Bayang, on the other hand, looked numb and sickly, chewing a piece of dried meat in small bites.

It's clear that everyone is going through a lot of hardship.

Originally, we were just going to rest in Shouchun City, but now almost half a month has passed.

Although Shouchun City is not like Chang'an City, where Zhang Qian could spend two months' salary in a few days, the expenses here are indeed much higher than in Shu County.

The merchant group was already only spending and not earning, and the robbery by the Soviets caused most of their money to fall into the river. Zhao Liang felt that if they continued to endure this, it would not only be a matter of time, but also involve the money for everyone's food, drink and lodging.

He hoped things could be resolved quickly, rather than spending his days engrossed in chess.

But he was powerless to help Zhao Liang solve the problem.

Zhao Liang lacked both top-tier skills and the ability to become one of the top three guest advisors in the King of Huainan's Household.

If Dong Zhongshu didn't leave, his own journey would be of no use.

"If we want our journey to be smoother, I think it's absolutely necessary," Zhang Xuezhou nodded.

"Is that technique really that miraculous?" Zhao Liang asked incredulously.

"If you believe, it exists; if you don't believe, it doesn't!"

Zhang Xuezhou didn't know if practicing a certain technique could make life smoother, but since everyone was saying so, he figured it wouldn't hurt to join in the fun.

After all, they were already near the King of Huainan's Household; they couldn't just leave on a whim.

The matter has been entrusted to Jin Chang and Dong Zhongshu to resolve; now it remains to be seen whether these two can pay the corresponding price.

As someone who's just there to observe, Zhang Xuezhou can only wait and see.

"Do you truly know my identity, or are you pretending?" Dong Zhongshu asked with a troubled expression. "If you truly knew my identity, perhaps you've heard the rumors, and I would never have been able to produce a top-tier technique."

"Then do you truly know my identity or are you pretending?" Jin Chang said, "If you truly knew my identity, you should know that I have lived a life of poverty and could only survive by depending on others."

When both of them fell ill, in order to avoid causing serious consequences, not only did Dong Zhongshu stop encouraging Jin Chang to challenge the top three first-class guest ministers, Jin Chang also rationally refrained from probing Dong Zhongshu's abilities.

The two eventually turned to their respective skills, hoping the other would offer a top-tier skill in exchange for the qualification to enter the Wenying Pavilion's Class A room, while the other would provide compensation.

However, the two could not reach an agreement on this point.

If it weren't for the need for each other to comprehend Huang-Lao philosophy, Jin Chang and Dong Zhongshu would have already parted ways.

"A life of poverty?"

"Impossible?"

Dong Zhongshu and Jin Chang each spoke out again, clearly trying to verify the truthfulness of each other's statements.

"Dongfang Shuo, you prove it. You know everything I have; it's truly impossible for me!"

Dong Zhongshu frowned and pondered for a while, then began to call for outside assistance.

"Dongfang Bubai, you should also prove that I'm truly as miserable as can be, and it's very difficult for me to accomplish something like this in a short time!"

Jin Chang glanced at Dong Zhongshu, then called out to Zhang Xuezhou.

The two looked at each other and saw the bitterness in each other's eyes.

The fact that they dared to verify their claims suggests that what they said is clearly true.

This isn't about hiding anything; it's that the two of them are genuinely incapable.

"We need to think of a solution," Jin Chang said. "Continuing to fight like this is just a waste of time!"

"I think you're right," Dong Zhongshu said.

"Since you're so knowledgeable, tell me where I can find top-tier techniques, but that faction doesn't seem to have any real power," Jin Chang said in a low voice. "I have a little skill; let's see if I can steal it."

"The Mohists built a mechanical city in the East Sea, which must contain top-tier mechanical techniques," Dong Zhongshu said after a long pause. "The Mohists were driven out of the Southern Jambudvipa Continent, and none of their remaining students amounted to anything; there are no truly formidable individuals among them."

Where in the East China Sea?

"They are piloting the mechanical city in search of the immortal island; perhaps they are still adrift at sea, or perhaps they are near some island!"

"Thank you for telling me this amazing secret!"

Dong Zhongshu told Jin Chang the location of a top-tier technique, but Jin Chang felt that this secret was of no use whatsoever.

Jin Chang hated these long journeys; he felt that if he ever went out to sea to find the Mechanized City, he might die at sea.

"Could you suggest something nearby?" Jin Chang frowned. "Preferably near Huainan, but not beyond the borders of the Han Kingdom."

"Speaking of which, would the Beast Taming Sect's Soul-Stirring Beast Control Technique be considered a top-tier technique? If so..."

Just as Dong Zhongshu was about to consider targeting the Beast Taming Sect in Huaibei, he heard a muffled groan outside the guesthouse, and Lei Bei ran in covered in blood.

"Help... help me!"

Upon seeing the group of people at the window, Lei Bei stumbled and ran over.

"This is bad!"

"Misfortune has struck!"

Before Dong Zhongshu and Jin Chang had finished their discussion, they saw Lei Bei in blood, and both of them felt a chill run down their spines, almost turning around and leaving.

But when a middle-aged swordsman in white, wearing straw sandals, walked into the inn, his sharp, sword-like gaze swept over them, and the two felt as if they had taken a step too slow.

"I'm not with him," Jin Chang said first, distancing himself from the situation.

"Let's value harmony and discuss everything. Brother, please don't kill someone in the inn; it's illegal," Dong Zhongshu advised.

"Killing someone who fled the ring isn't illegal; after all, such a person is a waste of time!"

The middle-aged swordsman in white spoke calmly.

His expression was cold, a bloodstain still lingering on his face, as he pointed his longsword at Lei Bei.

"Qinglingzi, what kind of arena is this in front of the royal palace?" Lei Bei retorted angrily, "The king hasn't given the order, what right do you have to kill me!"

"I said it's a fighting arena, so it is a fighting arena," Qing Lingzi said calmly. "Since the King hasn't objected, that means he agrees I can kill you."

The ferocity of the infighting among the retainers in Huainan exceeded Zhang Xuezhou's expectations.

This middle-aged swordsman in white is also Qing Lingzi, the second-best swordsman in the King of Huainan's Household's Mansion.