Calamity Messenger

Chapter 407: Chapter 337: I Can Be Loyal Too

"A thousand blood... Although I don’t know which demon is a thousand blood, hunting the Third-Turn Demon Fiend team is definitely a correct choice, it’s just at our limit."

After hearing Yan Qing’s introduction about the special features of the demon devouring lineup, Murong Hui thought for a moment and asked, "Should we still go hunt the Eight Demons?"

Yan Qing pondered for a moment and shook his head: "Not now, but we can try before midnight tonight."

From now on, every second is crucial for development. The Eight Demons are clearly not something the initial lineup can defeat, but they’ll refresh and revive after midnight, so challenging them before then might be worth a try.

Just as Yan Qing’s trio was moving, a low voice suddenly sounded from a distance:

"Greetings."

Everyone was startled and immediately retreated to an area with buildings for cover. Turning to look at the top of the opposite building, they saw a figure covered in fur and wearing a deer helmet mask. His posture was more like kneeling like a beast rather than squatting, resembling a person hidden beneath deer skin.

No wonder the Golden Fish Goggles hadn’t detected him; they can only scan for lines. If this person doesn’t show any human posture, moving like an animal, Yan Qing would naturally see him as a demon, considering that the demons from the Demon Gathering Land also roam around.

"Are you... ’Deer-headed Demon’ Lu Fang?" Murong Hui frowned, "Do you dare involve yourself in this matter? Aren’t you afraid of dying? On account of meeting you before, if you leave now I’ll pretend I didn’t see you."

Murong Hui had every right to say this. Although ’Deer-headed Demon’ Lu Fang is somewhat renowned in the Northern Territory, he is merely a Second-Turn Messenger. In terms of combat power, he’s no match for her, even escape is impossible. She couldn’t understand why he’d dare show up before them.

"Patriarch Murong, I’m not here to make enemies, but to relay something," Lu Fang said, "Baibao Guards sent us to deliver a message: as long as you and Mr. Bandage are willing to split from the Prince of Lanling, Baibao Guards won’t pursue you."

"Do you think such a crude divide-and-conquer tactic will work?" Murong Hui laughed, "If we’d cared about that, we wouldn’t have opposed Baibao Guards initially. Are you stalling for time until Baibao Guards gather? Seems like you’ll never leave—"

"I never intended that!"

Lu Fang quickly said:

"I genuinely came to offer advice! Patriarch Murong, even if you don’t trust me, you should trust my family; the Lu Family is merely a few hundred miles from Yanzi Military Town. If I were to make an enemy of you, it would be suicidal. Regardless, Baibao Guards can never harm you. By then, you can retaliate, and even have a legitimate reason for it. What kind of great benefits would Baibao Guards offer me to risk the lives of my entire family against you?"

Murong Hui thought it made sense, "So what are you trying to say?"

"I’ve heard of the deep bond between Patriarch Murong and the Prince of Lanling. I’m not here to persuade you to separate, but priorities need to be managed. The Prince of Lanling can hide safely somewhere, so even if you and Mr. Bandage venture for a Foundation Establishment Pill, Baibao Guards won’t hinder you."

He paused:

"Should you be willing to collaborate and share the route to the Foundation Establishment Pill, I believe both Northern Messengers and Baibao Guards would gladly assist you, helping you seek higher-grade Foundation Establishment Pills!"

Murong Hui found it bizarre, "What Foundation Establishment Pill?"

"Don’t you know?" Lu Fang was slightly taken aback, then immediately said, "On the Skeleton Document Square, the Skeleton Document started displaying text patterns days ago, indicating that someone triggered the special rules of the Demon Gathering Land, receiving a Foundation Establishment Pill reward. As of today, the Skeleton Document has shown only two participants, one of whom is your Mr. Bandage, with yesterday’s reward being an Ordinary Foundation Establishment Pill, which today became a ’Rare Foundation Establishment Pill - Corpse Ghost Enhancement’."

"Everyone speculates that as participation deepens, the Foundation Establishment Pill’s quality improves. So I suggested you act separately, because concerning the Foundation Establishment Pill, you don’t need to clash head-on with Baibao Guards. Let the Prince of Lanling hide for a while, and allow Patriarch Murong and Mr. Bandage to focus on improving the Foundation Establishment Pill grade."

Murong Hui and Ying Rushi’s pupils contracted, turning to Yan Qing, noticing he showed no change in expression, confirming it was true.

"I’m here just to discuss this matter," Lu Fang said with his head down, "Within half an hour, this vicinity will be under my patrol, temporarily safe. I’ll leave now, wishing you a smooth journey."

"Lu Fang," Murong Hui called him: "I’ll remember this favor."

Lu Fang showed a delighted expression, nodding respectfully, even obsequiously, at Ying Rushi and Yan Qing. After he turned to leave, Yan Qing scanned the surroundings, seeing no Baibao Guards, indicating it wasn’t a delaying trap.

"I didn’t expect you to have such good relations," he laughed, "Even with Ying Le’s army pressing, people still tip you off."

"What does our good relations have to do with it?" Murong Hui looked at him oddly, "He came for you."

"Me?"

"He indeed doesn’t dare offend me, but if he signals from afar for Baibao Guards to come, how would I know he summoned them? On the contrary, if he warns me, what benefit can I give him? The world bustles for benefit—it’s because he believes helping us yields greater returns than the rewards from Baibao Guards, the key in all this being you—the future Foundation Establishment Zhenren!"

"It’s not only about becoming a Foundation Establishment Zhenren," Ying Rushi agreed, "The Demon Gathering Land opens every year. Even if you, Yellow Dog, obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill from it annually, you essentially stabilize the production of Foundation Establishment Zhenren. Not just Ying Le, even the Three Central Plains Kingdoms can’t compare to you."

"Getting close to you equates to associating with the Foundation Establishment Influence you represent, compared to the trivial rewards from Baibao Guards, the return from fostering a connection with you is unimaginably huge. There’s no need for reciprocation, just letting people know the Lu Family held your favor post-Fourth Transition would suffice to ensure a century’s prosperity."

"That’s the allure of a Foundation Establishment Zhenren; even a future one can attract countless sycophants and manipulators," Murong Hui cast a sideways glance at him, with malicious intent, "No wonder Yellow Dog’s master kept it hidden, surely out of worry that us underlings would envy and conspire against him."

Yan Qing grabbed Murong Hui’s mouth, exasperated: "Speak properly! If you have opinions, voice them!"

"Master, how dare I have opinions?" Murong Hui replied full of resentment.

"Stop fooling around, Hui. It’s normal to retain some during major matters," Ying Rushi said.

"I knew there were Foundation Establishment Pill rewards, but I didn’t expect it to be publicly announced," Yan Qing said, "I didn’t intentionally hide it either; you never asked."

Murong Hui thought that made sense, making a fly-rubbing gesture with her hands, "Master Yellow Dog..."

"Don’t think about it; the Foundation Establishment Pill reward is closely linked to the Flesh Cage Bracelet; none of you can meet the conditions."

"But didn’t Lu Fang say there were two participants in the Skeleton Document? Who’s the other one?"

"Ye Si," Yan Qing glanced at Ying Rushi, "He’s one of my subordinates."

"Only you and your subordinate can participate in the Demon Gathering Land activities?" Murong Hui quickly said, "I can be your subordinate too, I can be loyal!"