Wu Chao Goes Looking for Trouble

"Legion battles?"

"Is this Crescent Moon Blade manual really that important?"

Zhang Qian explained a lot, but Zhang Xuezhou, looking at the gift from the Hunyu tribe's Bodeng Ha, still couldn't understand how such a secret manual could influence the outcome of a war.

Zhang Qian even described it as very serious, saying that it could potentially affect the fate of the nation.

"It's really important," Zhang Qian nodded.

"You mean this secret manual is very valuable?" Zhang Xuezhou asked again.

"It's no exaggeration to say it's priceless," Zhang Qian agreed.

"Then go to the imperial court and find me a city to play in. It doesn't need to be too big; a small city like Hibiscus City will do!"

"I... I just said that!"

Zhang Qian believed that the Crescent Moon Saber manual was priceless, but whether others thought so was another matter entirely.

This set of secret manuals is highly targeted, but it can only be used in specific situations when engaging in close combat with this elite nomadic group that is skilled with scimitars.

If the imperial court possessed such a secret manual, Zhang Xuezhou's manual would be worthless.

He tried to reason with Zhang Xuezhou, but Zhang Xuezhou misunderstood him seriously, and his face almost screamed "Go exchange cities!" and "Go exchange money!"

"You always say that," Zhang Xuezhou sighed. "Last time you said we'd make something of ourselves and live the high life, but when we got to Chang'an City we almost slept on the streets, and then we ended up in jail!"

"There shouldn't have been a problem, but..."

If nothing unexpected happens to the crown prince, Zhang Qian believes that everyone in his group will be rewarded after the mission is completed.

The problem arose because of the treasures those three demon kings pulled out.

If even the crown prince is not doing well, then there's no need to say anything more about the others.

He looked dejected, clearly regretting his previous actions.

"But this time is different," Zhang Qian argued. "This time we're presenting books, not people, so it won't cause us any trouble!"

"And what's the benefit?" Zhang Xuezhou asked. "I'm not bringing this secret manual here as a gift."

"Making a copy is easy. Just think of it as doing a good deed and hand in the extra copy," Zhang Qian advised. "I can't guarantee what we'll get in return, but since we've given it up, we should at least get some reward from above!"

"You're absolutely right!"

Zhang Xuezhou pondered for a few seconds and felt that Zhang Qian's suggestion made sense.

This is not a donation, nor is it a tribute of heavenly materials and earthly treasures. He can simply memorize this secret manual, and there's no major problem in giving it away.

If it could bring some benefits to the country and the nation, Zhang Xuezhou felt there was nothing wrong with it, even if the exchanged benefits were mediocre, since it was a risk-free business.

He thought about it and realized that his thoughts had become noble.

"That's right?" Zhang Qian asked tentatively.

You plan the itinerary, and I'll follow along!

Zhang Xuezhou thought for a moment and realized that he was going to Chang'an City to take a look before returning to Hibiscus City to find Rong Tianding and the others. His itinerary did not conflict with Zhang Qian's at all.

Even if Zhang Qian doesn't take the initiative, he will actively beg Zhang Qian.

The situation seemed to have reversed, with Zhang Qian now begging him, but things were clearly much easier to handle.

"You have to help me prepare for the festival. We need to bring extra money this time, so we don't have to stay on the streets when we get to Chang'an City. I also want to..."

Zhang Xuezhou kept recounting the various problems that arose during their first trip to Chang'an. They clearly wanted to avoid similar issues on their second trip and make sure everything was prepared.

"Don't worry, I haven't used any of the money I've saved over the past three years. It's enough for us to eat and drink in Chang'an City for a month or two without any worries," Zhang Qian assured him, patting his chest. "Even if those officials above us are slow to react, this should be enough to get a reply."

For Zhang Qian, money was not the issue; the real question was whether Zhang Xuezhou was willing to recommend him again.

Those who are recommended receive a reward, and those who make the recommendation obviously also deserve credit.

Hiding in front of Yanmen Pass, a formidable pass that even the Xiong State didn't want to look at, Zhang Qian endured from the age of seventeen to twenty-seven, achieving nothing in ten years.

Without meritorious service, one cannot be promoted to a military rank; without meeting the standards for a military rank, one cannot learn more powerful techniques.

The reason he was practicing Subduing Tiger Fist three years ago and is still practicing Subduing Tiger Fist three years later is this.

If things don't improve soon, he'll be back to practicing Subduing Tiger Fist in three years.

Three years passed, and the golden years of his life came to an end. It would be increasingly difficult for him to make a comeback in the future.

Zhang Qian's enthusiasm for making recommendations stemmed from this very reason.

He looked pleased and was very satisfied with Zhang Xuezhou's sense of righteousness.

"Once we two brothers become rich, let alone living in a hotel in Chang'an City, we'll buy a house in Chang'an City, the biggest piece of land and the most luxurious house," Zhang Qian said boldly.

You really know how to make people happy!

Zhang Xuezhou was very familiar with Zhang Qian's tactics; he would also make empty promises, but it was all just talk. As for the future, he would deal with it later. If Zhang Qian didn't fulfill his promise, he wouldn't bother to catch him and beat him up.

But the atmosphere during their conversation was clearly quite pleasant.

Zhang Qian had a need, and Zhang Xuezhou also had a need.

As for the Crescent Moon Saber Manual, let whoever wants that kind of mounted combat martial art do it; Zhang Xuezhou just considers it as gaining more knowledge.

After all, you can't master a skill just by picking it up. It's better to specialize in a particular skill than to learn only a little bit. Otherwise, you won't even know how you lost your life.

He translated the script of the Xiong State, while Zhang Qian gave instructions on how to master the Crescent Moon Blade, and even demonstrated it while riding a horse.

"Why don't we demonstrate as we go? Wouldn't that be wonderful?" Zhang Qian suggested eagerly.

"Indeed wonderful!"

Zhang Xuezhou touched his stomach, intending to ask for something to eat, but he felt no hunger at all.

"It's been over ten days, this shouldn't be happening!"

After taking a deep breath, Zhang Xuezhou felt very full and lost all interest in freeloading at Yanmen Pass.

He followed Zhang Qian to get the official seal, finally gaining more proof of normal passage through the Han Dynasty territory.

"Why did the name on your 'festival' become Dongfang Shuo?" Zhang Qian asked.

"Oh, I've returned to the Northern Border to acknowledge my ancestors and changed my name," Zhang Xuezhou said.

Emperor Jing is dead, but Zhang Xuezhou does not intend to use his old name to avoid being implicated.

He looked at his 'section' with great satisfaction, feeling that his identity had returned to normal.

Back in the Han Dynasty, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief, no longer worried about trouble from demon kings like Yangli, nor burdened by grudges with sorcerers like Hongku.

In short, the matter is over.

"Our domestic security is paramount!"

Zhang Xuezhou kept thinking about it.

"Senior brother, why don't you use your real name, and why don't you let me use my real name too?"

The familiar voice brought Zhang Xuezhou back to his senses.

Wu Chao isn't intelligent enough to cause trouble everywhere. Judging from Wu Chao's situation, it probably wants to get rid of that senior brother, Buddha.

"Don't be so stubborn. It's normal for us monks to have a secular name. We can't rely on our Dharma name to go around," Brother Tathagata said with a headache. "This benefactor, you don't need to pay attention to my junior brother. He's just been a monk for a long time and is finding it difficult to adapt to normal secular life!"

There was a knock on the door of the government office handling the "festival" procedures, and the door opened a few seconds later.

When Zhang Qian took Zhang Xuezhou out after finishing his business, Wu Chao couldn't help but look as if he had seen a ghost.

He tried repeatedly to get Hongku's attention, but his cheap teacher completely ignored him. Instead, his cheap junior brother popped out from somewhere.