The Two Sides Meet

With someone to take care of him, Zhang Xuezhou is living a good life.

His life would be much better if he weren't struggling alone.

Clearly, Zhang Qian was such a warm-hearted and caring friend.

By once again abandoning his post to make a recommendation, Zhang Qian can be considered a model representative in the field of recommendation, and once again he has secured his future.

The two rode for a long time, only stopping when it grew dark.

"That's strange. You usually fall asleep as soon as night falls, why aren't you sleeping tonight?"

Looking at Zhang Xuezhou, who seemed to be in good spirits, Zhang Qian was filled with curiosity.

"Ever since I was possessed by Grand Commandant Zhou and Master Dong, my habit of going to bed on time at night has disappeared," Zhang Xuezhou said.

"That's wonderful!" Zhang Qian exclaimed happily.

"But I have a more serious illness!"

"Well?"

Upon hearing Zhang Xuezhou mention his current habit of being awake for seven days and sleeping for seven days, Zhang Qian couldn't stop talking.

He felt that it was truly remarkable that Zhang Xuezhou had survived until now; most people would have starved to death during their first episode of the disease.

"You can even refine pills now?"

Hearing that Zhang Xuezhou had learned the art of Grain Avoidance and alchemy through his own efforts, Zhang Qian felt that Zhang Xuezhou's self-help was very effective.

"Manqian, you're so capable! You found a solution right away!" Zhang Qian exclaimed. "If I had your illness, I'd definitely die from it!"

"Then none of you will take responsibility for my illness. What can I do?" Zhang Xuezhou shrugged.

To make Zhang Qian take some responsibility, Zhang Xuezhou shifted the blame for his own shortcomings onto the potential consequences of his previous recommendation. This made Zhang Qian feel guilty, and he solemnly promised to absolutely guarantee Zhang Xuezhou's safety.

"Putting everything else aside, once we get to Chang'an City, I'm sure I can afford to stay at an inn. There's no way I'll be kicked out. If you want to lie down for seven days, I'll wait for you for seven days," Zhang Qian said, patting his chest.

I knew you were loyal!

Zhang Xuezhou did some calculations and decided to first go to Chang'an City to see if Dong Zhongshu had returned, or to see if Xu Ji and others from the Agricultural Clan had arrived in Chang'an City, before returning to Hibiscus City to find Rong Tianding without delaying either.

After all, Hibiscus City is too far to the north, and they will inevitably pass through Chang'an City along the military route, so it wouldn't hurt to go and take a look at Chang'an City.

This will also allow him to get through the seven days he needs to lie down when his time comes.

As for offering the Crescent Moon Saber Manual, it was purely incidental. If he could exchange it for some benefit, Zhang Xuezhou felt he would gladly accept it. Even if it was worthless, he wouldn't be disappointed, since this manual was the worst gift he had received in the Yedie River Holy Land.

She was harboring her own agenda, and she was also constantly pulling at Zhang Qian.

After Zhang Qian stirred the campfire, he suddenly stood up and drew his sword. Zhang Xuezhou couldn't help but quickly stand up as well.

"Something's up; someone's approaching us?"

Zhang Qian whispered, then stomped on the campfire several times, extinguishing the flames.

"They're robbers... it seems to be Senior Brother Wu Chao!"

In the moonlight, people's appearances were indeed unclear, and even with Zhang Xuezhou's strong perception, it was difficult for him to see their faces clearly.

But the two bald heads were quite conspicuous.

This immediately reminded Zhang Xuezhou of Wu Chao and his men he had seen at Yanmen Pass during the day.

"They managed to catch up with that?"

Zhang Xuezhou and Zhang Qian traveled by horseback, but Wu Chao and the others traveled on foot.

The two groups exited Yanmen Pass one after the other. Zhang Xuezhou did not expect that Wu Chao and his men could catch up.

They weren't riding very fast, but by the time they reached their campsite, they had covered at least two hundred li (about 100 kilometers).

"That legwork is amazing!"

Wu Chao clearly did not gain nothing from the Western Sect; at least they became more adept at traveling.

"May Buddha have mercy, benefactor! We have come from afar and are extremely hungry. We beg you to do us a good deed and give us some food. May Buddha bless you!"

Even when they were still a hundred meters apart, Brother Tathagata saw a sliver of silver light flash across the long sword in the moonlight, and he shouted out his purpose.

Let alone the wilderness, even in a well-ordered city-state, it is not safe.

It would be perfectly normal to draw your sword as your first reaction when encountering someone at night, but the person he encountered clearly lacked experience in the martial arts world. The long sword he was holding reflected the moonlight, allowing him to see it clearly.

"I'm so hungry! I want to eat meat! I want to eat meat! I want to eat meat!"

The Wu Chao cried out.

He didn't see the flash of the blade, but he did see Zhang Xuezhou, whose head was sparsely haired.

This greatly disappointed him, since Zhang Xuezhou had no chance of defeating his senior brother, the Buddha, or beating him to the point of barely surviving and then begging for help.

Wu Chao stated his sole purpose very concisely: he was there to freeload and wouldn't ramble on.

The two brothers' apprenticeship under Hongku was not a pleasant experience, which even caused some estrangement. However, neither Wu Chao nor Zhang Xuezhou would intentionally cause trouble for the other.

However, given enough opportunity, the two will still cooperate to some extent, and they can even cooperate in a way that is extremely harmonious.

Wu Chao came roaring, and the Buddha himself blocked Zhang Qian's two swords.

"Sir, you've slashed me twice, so it's not unreasonable for me to ask for two portions of food, is it?"

The Buddha's body was bronze in color, but the power of that physical body terrified Zhang Xuezhou.

Zhang Qian's Tiger- Subduing Tiger Fist could produce a sound like an explosion, demonstrating his immense power. His skill with swords and knives was even greater.

But Zhang Qian's knife struck the arm of the Buddha's disciple as if it were rubber; not only did it not cause any cut, it almost knocked Zhang Qian's knife out of his hand.

"You wicked monk, don't think you can run rampant just because you have sorcery!"

Zhang Qian was equally shocked. He jumped several steps to keep a certain distance from his senior brother, Buddha, and then glanced at his warhorse, which was tied up several feet away.

"I can't beat them, and I can't run away!"

Only after hearing Zhang Xuezhou's voice, indicating he hadn't moved an inch, did Zhang Qian finally let out a furious shout.

He looked at his fellow disciple, Rulai, and Wu Chao, whom he had only met once at Yanmen Pass. He vaguely remembered Wu Chao's image, but couldn't recall the other person.

He eventually identified the handsome young monk as having an average face, which led to his vague memory.

"Let me tell you, we are from the Western Border Military District. If you dare to lay a finger on us, we will make it impossible for you to move an inch within the Great Han Kingdom," Zhang Qian warned, his tone fierce but his voice weak. "You wicked monk, I've heard of your magic before. Once your possession is destroyed, your invulnerability to swords and blades will also be destroyed!"

"Oh, does the Eastern Land have such abilities as mine?" Buddha asked in surprise.

"Don't think you're unique. There are plenty of people who can do this. You could buy a few Vajra Talismans from the Purple Tenuity Sect and become like you," Zhang Qian said.

"We Westerners are indeed quite incompetent!"

Brother Tathagata let out a long sigh.

He had practiced for nearly a hundred years, but all he had was worth only a few Vajra Talismans in the Eastern Land, which made Brother Tathagata feel quite sad.

I want to buy some Vajra amulets!

Listening to Zhang Qian's introduction, Zhang Xuezhou felt that the study of talismans had great value. If he and Rong Tianding, they would have an extra layer of security.

"That's their family's prized possession; you can't buy it!"

Zhang Qian replied in a low voice.

Looking at his terrified senior brother, he was still extremely satisfied with the power of his words.

But Zhang Xuezhou's whispered questions instantly brought Zhang Qian back to reality.

"But don't worry, as long as this trip goes smoothly, when the court inquires about rewards, you can ask for a Vajra Talisman, and it will definitely be granted," Zhang Qian assured him.

"You mean the Purple Tenuity Sect belongs to the imperial court?" Zhang Xuezhou asked doubtfully.

"It should be," Zhang Qian replied in a low voice. "The Purple Tenuity Sect used to have a sect leader named Huang Shigong, who later passed it on to Zhang Liang. Zhang Liang was the prime minister during the reign of Emperor Gaozu of our Great Han Dynasty, so it became a state-owned sect. I don't know who it was passed on to after that, but asking the court for the Purple Tenuity Sect's treasures should be no problem at all."

He recounted the origins of the Purple Tenuity Sect in a low voice, which inevitably reminded Zhang Xuezhou of that dead King Liang.

The other party once claimed to be a member of the Purple Tenuity Sect.

Given the status of the Prince of Liang, there's no way such a person could possibly be subordinate to anyone in the Purple Tenuity Sect.

Now that the other party is dead, Zhang Xuezhou thought about asking the imperial court for the Vajra Talisman and realized that it wasn't a very reliable idea.