The Fairy: From the Traveling Merchant

Chapter 1018 Xingqing
Ningzhou, Xingqing Prefecture.

A middle-aged man who looked to be around forty years old led a magnificent black horse into the city through the west gate.

This man was handsome and had an outstanding temperament. He was none other than Mu Zirong, the "Lu Gongbei" who was once listed as the thirtieth in the "Ganzhou Chronicle".

In the "Xuancheng" incident, this master of supernatural powers had his body possessed by "Chai Xun's" supernatural body. When he was finally handed over to Zhao Chen, he was in a very special state—his physical body and inner world still existed, but his true spirit had disappeared without a trace.

This is simply the best vessel for the "Mysterious Heart Incarnation Seal" supernatural power, even more convenient than Wang Qingling's "Nine Netherworld Maiden" body.

Therefore, after Zhao Chen mastered the "Mysterious Heart Incarnation Seal" and simulated it with "Myriad Manifestations of the World," he easily made it into his own incarnation. Not only did he inherit the three supernatural powers that Mu Zirong already possessed, but he could also be granted new abilities at any time through the "Great Sun Lamp."

To protect Hongyue's safety, Zhao Chen himself naturally had to remain with the delegation until the "Commander of Troops" returned.

This newly created clone then traveled in his place.

Their first destination was Xingqing Prefecture, where the little black cat lived.

While it is true that one must be extremely cautious in planning and scheming against a real person, the lack of progress over such a long period of time clearly indicates that trouble has been encountered. That is why Zhao Chen sent his clone to lend Gong Yun a helping hand.

After all, it wouldn't be appropriate for him to appear in the Northwest, otherwise it would definitely arouse Feng Qing's suspicion.

—After being included in the "Biographies of Young Masters" by Fengxin Tower, Zhao Chen became famous throughout the world. In particular, his friendship with several powerful female cultivators with supernatural abilities made him incredibly powerful, which naturally made Feng Qing wary.

She had always mistakenly believed that Feng Wan was having an affair with Zhao Chen... Of course, now that things have come to this, it's no longer a misunderstanding.

Back to the present, Zhao Chen looked around at the somewhat ancient streets and suddenly had the illusion of "traveling" back to ancient times from modern times.

"These prefectures and counties in the Northwest, which are controlled by powerful clans and factions, are not enthusiastic about developing people's livelihoods or improving industry..."

"That's true. The fundamental techniques of these families and sects are basically unrelated to 'technology.' As long as the industrial and livelihood systems ensure that the upper echelons can enjoy convenience and the lower echelons don't starve, that's enough. Continuing to develop them might be seen by most families as allowing the imperial court's influence to infiltrate!"

"In this respect, the major states with aristocratic families or sects are more open-minded. Even the more ancient 'Sword Pavilion' only rejects firearms and steam engines."

"And the industrial level of the territories controlled by the Zheng and Wu families is no worse than that of the Central Plains."

As a series of thoughts raced through his mind, Zhao Chen turned into a small alley and patted the head of the black horse.

Immediately afterwards, the magnificent black horse transformed into a sheet of Xuan paper woven with magical power, on which were written two seal characters – “Wuzhui”!
This is one of the applications of the "Thousand Character Classic" of the Mu family, which can concretize the things described in "civilization".

Unfortunately, the achievements of the Great Xia Dynasty are not included in this "civilization". Only the ancient times are recognized as "civilizations" by the supernatural power of the "Thousand Character Classic". Otherwise, there would have been many more methods available.

The reason Zhao Chen used the "Thousand Character Classic" to summon Xiang Yu's steed was due to an "experimental accident"...

"Although I knew long ago that my 'Great Sun Star Chariot's' ability to 'travel between worlds' was unreliable, it's still outrageous that the error could be so large, deviating by nearly 300 miles, even with a beacon!"
"This is still the same realm. If they really open a route to another world, it could really kill me!"

Mu Zirong himself did not possess the supernatural power of flight; he could only describe flying vehicles using the "Thousand Character Classic." However, any "vehicle" that could be recorded in ancient times and passed down to this day was either too dazzling or impossible to "write," making them unsuitable. Moreover, it was not worth wasting star coins to bestow a "flying supernatural power" upon him using the "Great Sun Lamp" after he had deviated more than two hundred miles. Therefore, he summoned the famous demonic horse, "Wuzhui."

To be honest, aside from the lack of comfort, this horse is much faster than flying over short distances, and it's also more prestigious.

Sure enough, Zhao Chen had only been in the city for a short time when he realized he was being watched by people with ill intentions, so he deliberately went into a secluded alley.

"There are seven people in total, all of them are experts at the 'Refining Aperture' realm. They should be from the same gang... Are they planning to bully me, an outsider cultivator?"

"Or perhaps they are testing my origins?"
"It seems that because the Bai family has retreated to protect themselves, the struggle between the Guo and Feng families is becoming increasingly fierce, and even the security in this prefecture has deteriorated..."

With a sweep of his divine sense, Zhao Chen knew the details of those "tails" behind him. He shook his head and casually wrote the character "ghost".

The next moment, a cold wind suddenly rose, and several ghosts with near-magical power appeared out of thin air, rushing straight towards the villains.

Although this was just a ghost created using the "Deciphering Words and Making Money" technique, one of the prerequisite spells for the "Thousand Character Classic" supernatural power, it wasn't very powerful. Even Zhao Chen, who had opened his six orifices back then, could have easily killed it. But these gang members clearly didn't have that kind of strength.

Therefore, in just one encounter, most of their energy and spirit were taken away by those ghosts, and they all collapsed to the ground, some even fainting.

In other words, Zhao Chen didn't intend to kill them; otherwise, these people would have already died from exhaustion.

After dealing with these people, Zhao Chen scanned a courtyard further away with his divine sense, then made a hand seal, and a golden light seemed to flash before disappearing from the spot.

This is one of the three supernatural abilities that Mu Zirong has mastered. It is called "Empty Book Escape" and is considered a relatively advanced "invisibility" supernatural ability, ranking in the fifth rank.

Shortly after he left, two figures arrived in front of the gang members who were lying on the ground convulsing. The leader, after a brief examination, said to the people behind him:
"He should be a powerful cultivator skilled in 'ghost' magic. He's not highly suspicious. Let's keep an eye on him for now..."

The other person took out paper and pen to make a quick note, and replied, "Yes."

The leader looked at the wounded scattered on the ground and sighed inwardly, "Although instigating gang members to test the waters is a way of keeping things separate, if we happen to encounter an unreasonable expert one day, our lives might not be safe either..."

"Moreover, after suffering a few more losses, these gang members probably won't be blinded by such small gains again."

"After all, there aren't many people like him who are willing to show mercy today..."

"Who exactly is the patriarch looking for?!"

……

Helan Snow Mountain, the Feng family's residence.

Feng Qing, the "Flying Snow Fairy," sat in the Frost and Snow Palace, flipping through an ancient book. She frowned sometimes, then rejoiced at other times. After a long while, she put the book down and lowered her head in deep thought.
"According to this ancient book, there is indeed a secret place in Ningzhou used to cultivate 'ginseng fruit'... but how come I've never heard of it before?"
"However, if we can really obtain the 'Ginseng Fruit,' not only can it extend our lifespan, but it can also counteract the side effects of the 'Ten Thousand Beasts Sect's' pills..."

(End of this chapter)