The Fairy: From the Traveling Merchant

Chapter 902 Another Prophecy
In fact, although Tang Miao was redeemed from "Star Chariot", ownership still belongs to Zhao Chen, who can directly contact her through "Star Chariot".

But since Zhao Chen said he would set her free, he would not use "ownership" unless absolutely necessary, so he gave her the talisman as a "medium".

After assigning the task to Miss Tang, Zhao Chen called over three former officers, Fang, Wei, and Chu, introduced them to each other, and then opened the "Black Domain Passage" with peace of mind and left Shuzhou.

However, he did not return directly to Kyushu. Instead, he went to Xingqing Prefecture to see the little black cat and asked her about the progress. After learning that preparations were still underway, he then visited several properties in Ganzhou and finally arrived at the gate of the Guiyuan Sword Sect in Sanhe Mountain.

This place has long been occupied by Kong Lin, the "Yinling Saintess" of the "Holy Spirit Sect," and has been developed into a lower courtyard of the Holy Spirit Sect. Now, it is the only force in the Yicheng area that can openly rival Wuyou Valley.

Upon seeing Zhao Chen, Kong Lin took the initiative to greet him. As one of her own, she was naturally attracted to the owner of the "Five Immortals' True Qi," and her eyes and heart were already filled with Zhao Chen.

Although she still appears to be "three-no" on the surface, she actually has a rich emotional life.

Ultimately, even though Kong Lin is supposedly a "redeemer" without emotions, she is still a human being, and it is much easier for her to regain her emotions than for an artificial human like Ming Xueling.

After leading the man to her bedroom and serving him tea, Kong Lin asked, "Young master, is there anything you need me to do?"

Zhao Chen didn't stand on ceremony with her and nodded directly, saying, "I need you to go to the southwest immediately to investigate some things."

Since many of his and his companions' plans pointed to the southwest, Zhao Chen felt that he would definitely encounter a lot of trouble once he got there, so he had to make preparations in advance to avoid being led by the nose from beginning to end, just like in the capital.

Tang Miao and the three former military officers established a gang, which was their overt power, while Kong Lin was his covert means.

“Please speak, young master,” Kong Lin said earnestly.

Zhao Chen explained in detail what he wanted to find out and gave her 100,000 strings of cash as funding.

Zhao Chen, who had once again squeezed money out of the Liang Prince's Mansion through "business warfare," was not short of money.

After that, Zhao Chen picked out a dress from the "witch's" collection and gave it to Kong Lin. Finally, before leaving, he saw the "evil spirit saintess's" heartfelt smile.

Unfortunately, Kong Lin hadn't learned how to express gratitude, which left Zhao Chen with some regrets after returning to Mianchi.

Of course, he completely forgot about this regret after entering the Empress's palace again...

……

The mysterious spring of Fengdu gushes forth at night, and the pure spirit of the Nine Netherworlds dissolves in the jade cup.

The dew-laden peaks, like solidified fat, seem to swallow the heavens; the snow-covered clouds seem to overturn the dragon boat.

In the bathtub of a side hall of the palace, after absorbing fifty percent of the "Five Immortals' True Spirit Energy" as usual, the Empress leaned lazily against the bluestone by the pool, her eyes sweeping over the listless Zhao Chen beside her, and said:
"I cast a divination for you yesterday, would you like to know the result?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chen immediately perked up, disregarding the precious state of enlightenment he had been in while cultivating with the "Nine Nether Divine Body," and asked, "What is it?"

"There are only eight words." The Empress didn't keep her in suspense any longer and said with a smile, "Advance when you encounter 'flower,' retreat when you encounter 'fire.'"

"Advance when encountering 'flowers,' retreat when facing 'fire'?" Zhao Chen pondered these words, unable to fully grasp their meaning for the time being, but he kept them firmly in mind.

"And don't forget our agreement," the Empress added at this point.

I know, we have two agreements. One is a deal after I ascend to the third level of the Divine Power Ladder, and the other is to find an opportunity to unravel the historical mystery of a certain grotto-heaven in eastern Yingzhou...

Zhao Chen nodded, indicating that he remembered.

However, the former cannot be completed in a short time, while the latter will probably have to wait until the "Bodhisattva" assigns that cave to him and Fei Meng as a task before they can complete it. Just as Zhao Chen was talking with the Empress, Qing Ling's "Nine Netherworld Divine Body" also ended its dual cultivation and emerged from the pool. She wrapped her arms around Zhao Chen's neck and said reluctantly, "Are we really leaving tomorrow?"

After glancing at the Empress without leaving a trace, Zhao Chen patted Qingling's smooth back and comforted her with a smile, "I have to work hard so that your body can walk openly in the outside world."

"And we'll see each other again in a few months, since the pollution on your face needs to be cleaned regularly."

Wang Qingling was silent for a moment, which seemed to indicate that she accepted his explanation. Then she whispered in her ear, "The train you are on should pass through Xuzhou. I have a gift for you then."

"What gift?" Zhao Chen asked curiously.

"Keep it secret for now!"

……

The next day at noon, at the Beijing train station platform.

Zhao Chen stood in front of the carriage, saying goodbye to each of the people who came to see him off.

There were quite a few people present, including not only her close female friends such as Sister Hongxia and her apprentices Mo Qiu and Ning Meng, but also the Qiu brothers from the Shenmu Gang, Miss Shen Lin, and friends and subordinates such as Chu Yuan and Chu Nan, who had not yet set off.

"I'll leave the business in the capital to you and Miss Shen. If you encounter any difficulties, you can seek help from the Xuan Nu Palace," Zhao Chen said, patting Qiu Wuyan on the shoulder.

The Imperial Concubine and he have a messenger in their "heart realm" to relay messages.

"I understand!" Qiu Wuyan nodded, but did not intend to use this channel lightly.

After instructing the Shenmu Gang members, Zhao Chen turned to Shen Lin, the female manager he had poached from the Tiangong Pavilion, and said with some guilt, "I promised to help you get revenge, but who would have thought that Prince Liang would disappear..."

The young lady from the family of a former fifth-rank civil official said nonchalantly, "No, I should be thanking you, young master... I'm already taking my revenge!"

"It's actually better that the King of Liang isn't here for the time being!"

Her words were full of delight.

Although Zhao Chen didn't know what she had done in private, he wouldn't interfere as long as it wasn't too outrageous. So he simply said, "Be careful!" and walked past her to Chu Yuan and Chu Nan, the father and daughter.

To be honest, Zhao Chen had done him a favor by arranging for Chu Nan to work for Master Zhou Sheng, which completely relieved Chu Yuan of his worries.

Seeing the young master looking over, Chu Yuan immediately said, "I will set off soon to complete your test, young master."

Zhao Chen nodded slightly: "Don't be too anxious, you still have plenty of time."

After a brief chat with his subordinates and friends, Zhao Chen finally arrived at the table with his several female confidantes.

He first looked at Ning Meng, the little girl with white hair and red eyes, who was still pouting and looking unhappy.

"What's wrong? Still sulking?" Zhao Chen teased upon seeing this.

"I've been busy for ages, and in the end, Master really got to eat meat, but I didn't get to drink anything..." Ning Meng hadn't finished complaining when she was slapped on the face by the red-cheeked Master Mo Qiu next to her: "What nonsense are you talking about!"

(End of this chapter)