Calamity Messenger

Chapter 328: Chapter 265: Discontent and Heartstrings

Seeing the city walls of Tombstone Military Town, Yan Qing breathed a sigh of relief.

After traveling continuously for three days, he finally arrived at this place.

But unlike the relaxed Ping City, Tombstone Military Town was heavily guarded, with evil ghost mask-wearing Baibao guarding the gates and archers patrolling back and forth on the walls.

The difficulty of infiltrating during the day was too high, so Yan Qing found a dark corner and tucked ’Yan Shiyi’ and ’Ye Si’ inside, waiting to act at night.

That’s right, ’Yan Shiyi.’

Yan Qing’s new account was not a new member of the Zodiac Guardian Gods, but rather a return to the original number sequence.

Because this was a destined-to-die account.

Upon discovering that the Tombstone Forest Secret Realm was a Corpse Ghost Demon Fiend dungeon, Yan Qing began considering how to destroy this secret realm. Creating a new account was inevitable, as the greater the level difference, the more Celestial Calamity Karmic Force Yan Qing could gain. The question was, what kind of account should Yan Qing create?

This was not the time for Yan Qing’s XP system considerations, and even being casual wouldn’t work, because the account used to destroy the secret realm would certainly be seen as an Heir of Calamity. From the attitude of the True Man of Locking Dragon, it’s clear that local people are often impolite to heirs of calamity—weak ones are bound and put to sleep in the basement for training, and powerful ones are seen as demon thieves that must be exterminated by all.

In other words, this account would inevitably be disposable, as the risk of reuse is extremely high, akin to maxing out everyone’s hatred meter, so it must be deactivated after use. Meanwhile, Yan Qing does not plan to hide the account’s identity, as he intends to go big this time. Bingzi Pepper Forest is definitely going to be used, and hiding makes no sense since everyone will know that the Heir of Calamity is closely linked to Thief Yellow Dog.

Finally, Yan Qing thought of a perfect solution: masked account.

Firstly, it eliminates the need for spending effort on facial creation; secondly, a masked account won’t draw attention in the initial phase; thirdly, he quite likes this bandage monster design.

Jiang Shi and Rabbit Heroine went to the Murong Family, because they traveled with Gai Louxian and his team, moving and stopping along the way, naturally slower than the constantly traveling Yan Shiyi and Ye Si, who are still on their journey.

The reason for such team division is because Yan Qing’s plan requires at least two accounts in collaboration to maximize efficiency. However, this mission carries high risks, with the possibility of low returns if the accounts all perish. An important task like this must be carried out by Yan Qing’s top general, Ye Si.

It was almost noon when Yan Qing opened the Treasure Pavilion and listed today’s items for sale. His most profitable product was no longer the Advanced Sword Technique Secret Manual nor the Seven-Star Sword, but the "Flame Pattern Seven-Star Sword"!

Upon Yan Qing achieving the "Famous Zhen San Mountain" milestone, the immortal item "Basic Whetstone" upgraded to "Intermediate Whetstone," offering a qualitative leap: the ’sharpening’ effect no longer restores durability, instead increasing maximum durability; the ’flame pattern’ provides double fire damage.

More importantly, the "Intermediate Whetstone" works on swords below the fourth transformation, no longer limited to White Iron Straight Saber!

When Yan Qing first sold the "Flame Pattern Seven-Star Sword" the other day, it fetched nearly two hundred thousand Spiritual Jade, a high price. The Seven-Star Sword was already a fine rare longsword, and with added flame pattern damage, it could almost be considered a ’Small Curiosity’.

Seeing that it was about time, Yan Qing wrapped his face in bandages and headed out for lunch.

...

...

"Are you looking forward to something?"

During lunch, Shang Xinlei suddenly asked.

Yan Qing hesitated for a moment, pondering, "Did you notice? We’re doing blindness training today, and I’m still remembering how you kicked me a few days ago, so I’m planning on getting revenge this time."

After three days of training, Yan Qing and Shang Xinlei could withstand needles in their eyes without flinching. Naturally, they would proceed to other training projects next, with blindness being the top priority, as there are countless ways to obscure vision, and learning to cope correctly without sight might save their lives someday.

"What are you talking about? I never kicked your butt, how can you accuse others when you’re a grown man..." Shang Xinlei said with a puzzled expression, "I’m concerned about you. Honestly, you’ve been gloomy for days, but today you seem cheerful, even eating with enthusiasm, so I was thinking you’re probably looking forward to something."

Yan Qing was taken aback and turned to Pharmacist’s Wish: "Am I that obvious?"

Pharmacist’s Wish glanced at him, setting down the large copper bowl: "A little bit, perhaps. During training, your gaze often isn’t on Red Snake and me, as if you’re thinking of something else."

Apparently, they noticed all along.

Yan Qing’s emotion could be summed up in one word—unpleased.

He actually didn’t care much about the fight between messengers, seeing the messengers of Ping City Military Town getting bloodily slaughtered didn’t evoke much feeling in him. On one hand, he wasn’t familiar with these people; on another, he held an ambiguous concept that ’messengers are players’.

Those who possess violence must be prepared for its destructive consequences. Those choosing to pursue power as messengers must accept the hardships they’ll encounter on the way, such as sharp winds and frost swords. Do messengers gaining power dream about benefiting the world? No, most of them are simply after more significant interests, and Yan Qing is no different—security, power, freedom...the more you possess, the more others lose.

If you seek stability, don’t blame others also seeking it to confront you.

Thus, even when Evil Ghost Elite and Ping City Military Town’s battles became brutal, Yan Qing wouldn’t frown; to him, it’s no different than battles between two player gangs—it’s just dogs biting dogs.

But seeing ordinary people outside the military town, watching them get mashed into red mud without any resistance or knowledge, Yan Qing couldn’t help but feel a little bothered.

He wasn’t the kind of person who’d see others’ misfortunes and get furious to resist society like a revolutionary, nor did he believe the world shouldn’t be this way and aspired to change it with grand plans. He’s a person who goes with the flow; he could accept spending life gaming in Thief’s House.

Yet, he still felt bothered, still felt unpleased.

Because he saw it, heard it, knew about it.

If Yan Qing were just an ordinary messenger, even if he absorbed all the Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends, infinitely nearing the mortal limit of the Third Transformation Great Perfection, in facing this situation, all he could do is endure. The Emperor of Qi Ying Le was far above mortals as a Foundation Establishment; mere third transformation couldn’t withstand her brutality.

But Yan Qing wasn’t just a messenger.

He was also a player.

The game console gave him the courage to be kind and the right to be angry. Facing Ying Le, and even the Seventh-Turned True Monarch, as long as he wished, he could throw punches at any strong adversary, even if it meant being destroyed the next second.

These matters had nothing to do with Yan Qing; Ying Rushi’s compensation also allowed Ye Si Jiang Shi and others to continue training in the Second-Turn Secret Realm. He only needed to endure as if nothing happened. But still, as the saying goes: playing games should be enjoyable, why tolerate?

If they make me unpleased, I don’t mind being their trouble.

"If," Yan Qing suddenly said, "I were to commit the greatest mischief in the world, possibly affecting many people, what would you think?"

Shang Xinlei stared at him for a while and asked, "Will you feel happy doing this?"

"Probably, because some people would get mad."

"Then that’s good enough," Shang Xinlei said. "Why care about others? I don’t know them, I only know you."

Yan Qing blinked.

Pharmacist’s Wish thoughtfully looked at Yan Qing: "Is it... within the Zhou Kingdom? No, don’t tell me." She shook her head again.

"If it affects the Zhou Kingdom, would you stop me?" Yan Qing asked. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

"No."

Yan Qing was a bit surprised: "Really? Wouldn’t you, who cares the most about the Zhou Kingdom, stop me?"

"Since I was young, my concern wasn’t the Zhou Kingdom but a platform where I could excel. The Zhou Kingdom is merely a resource for me, just like any other people can’t use it well, hence I’ve always wanted to seize it for myself," Pharmacist’s Wish said casually. "Resources are meant to be used, and if you utilize these resources in your way, I would certainly support you, at least... you’re my leader."

"I trust your judgment."

Upon reflection, it’s reasonable. They were the noble daughters of prestigious families—one from the Red Gate of Liang Kingdom and another from the Grand Minister of the Imperial Secretariat in Zhou Kingdom, raised in privilege and hardly naïve. In terms of moral standing, Yan Qing might be the pinnacle within the room.

Despite this, hearing their unwavering support stirred him emotionally, as if his heartstrings were gently plucked, and dust rose up.

"Are you at ease now? Hurry and eat, we have trainings later," urged Shang Xinlei. "I have an appointment with friends this afternoon. Battling with you guys gets me sweaty, I’ll need a shower. Let’s make it quick."

"Your wording..." Yan Qing twitched his mouth and suddenly asked, "Are you sure you didn’t kick me?"

"Nope." Shang Xinlei gazed at him with wide eyes: "Why would I kick you when I’m perfectly sane?"

"Oh."

Watching Yan Qing puzzlingly bow his head to eat, Shang Xinlei secretly laughed. After finishing and cleaning the dishes, Shang Xinlei suddenly felt a hit on her rear, snapping her upright.

"Yellow Dog!" Shang Xinlei blushed with anger.

"I figured, even if you didn’t kick me, I could still kick you!"

"You figured my big headed demon!"