Free Web NovelChapter 1716: The Scapegoat
Fang Chen's brows furrowed. Hunting a wanted fugitive?
He suspected the awakened demons were hunting for Zhang Shaoming. Perhaps they had caught wind of something and to prevent the three hundred suspected Heavenly Dao Reincarnators from meeting, they had closed off the Starry Teleportation Formations across the regions.
If they've closed them, they likely won't reopen for a long time. I'll have to find another way, Fang Chen thought with a hint of helplessness.
He originally had the most efficient travel method, but the Underworld of the Upper Three Realms had been sealed tight by the demons' forbidden formations. Had the Yellow Springs Roads been open and the coordinates to the corresponding Yin City known, reaching the Feiyu Constellation would have taken a mere half-day's journey.
"Young Lord, shall we find a place to stay here for the time being?" whispered Old Sheng.
Fang Chen nodded. "Indeed, we need a temporary foothold."
Lin Qiang was still grumbling and cursing the Kudu Monastery under his breath. "Daoist Jiang, tell me, is Kudu Monastery wicked or what? Their hearts must be pitch black. They knew full well the Starry Teleportation Formation here was out of commission, yet they still shamelessly pocketed our travel pass fees. Had I known, I could have tried a detour. Now that we had paid the immortal crystals, I'm stuck here even if I wanted to leave."
His face was a mask of financial agony.
"Daoist Lin, what's done is done. You should find a place to stay,” said Fang Chen. “My servant and I must also look for lodgings. Let's talk again when there's time."
After saying that, Fang Chen cupped his hands and turned to leave with Old Sheng.
Lin Qiang glanced around and immediately scurried after them. "Daoist Jiang, we hit it off from the start! Let's not split up. We should stay close to each other so we can watch each other's backs if trouble starts."
Fang Chen smiled and nodded. "Very well."
They scouted the area and eventually settled on an inn not far from the Starry Teleportation Formation. It was of a moderate scale but offered private courtyards. The price was reasonable at one immortal crystal per month. Fang Chen and Old Sheng rented a private courtyard. As for Lin Qiang, unwilling to part with his crystals, he opted for a standard room that could be paid for with high-grade spirit stones.
Over the next few months, monks from the Kudu Monastery visited frequently and repeatedly questioned Fang Chen and Old Sheng about their origins. At first, the frequency was low but after a while, squads of monks arrived to search every three days. It wasn't just Fang Chen; every guest in the inn was subjected to the same scrutiny. Eventually, the monks began carrying a portrait of Zhang Shaoming and searched for him by name and face.
Fang Chen was certain that the demons had narrowed down Zhang Shaoming's general location. Have the demons already captured other Heavenly Dao Reincarnators? Are they using Profound Sect Divination Arts to triangulate Zhang Shaoming's position? Or did the Demon Ancestor leave a 'mark' on him during the demonic calamity?
As Fang Chen was deep in thought, the courtyard gates were pushed open once more. A group of people entered and Old Sheng immediately moved to stand behind Fang Chen. A squad of Kudu monks led the way, but unlike their previous routine of questioning and leaving, they stood aside with looks of profound respect.
Following them was a group of young men and women. There were eight in total, each possessing an extraordinary aura—the unmistakable bearing of Core Disciples.
"My Lords, it is this master and servant. My subordinates reported they arrived less than six months ago, which aligns with the timeframe you specified," said a Kudu monk respectfully. Fang Chen recognised him immediately as he had been a frequent visitor lately.
Less than six months... so they've narrowed their search to anyone who entered Mingwang Star within that window? Fang Chen remained silent and waited for them to speak first. He wanted to see what method they would use to find Zhang Shaoming.
The young man addressed as "Lord" by the monk nodded. After scrutinising Fang Chen for a moment, a vertical slit suddenly opened between his brows. Within that rift, seemingly infinite immortal essence surged, and a brilliant divine light began to flow.
Fang Chen felt a chill wash over him. His divine soul stirred slightly and the sensation vanished as quickly as it had come.
"He does not possess a Formation Heart," said the young man. freewebnøvel.coɱ
He shook his head and turned to leave. The Kudu monks followed suit immediately.
They came and went like a whirlwind and did not exchange a single word with Fang Chen.
No Formation Heart? Old Sheng kept his head low, his expression odd. How could Core Disciple Fang not have a Formation Heart?
It seems they can't find Zhang Shaoming directly, so they're targeting the escorts. They assume the major sects would send core disciples for such a task. That man is able to see whether someone possesses a Formation Heart? Fang Chen mused.
The man had failed to see his Formation Heart, evidently due to the influence of Fang Chen's powerful divine soul.
Just then, a sudden burst of cursing erupted from the direction of the standard guest rooms. A figure soared into the sky while steering an Immortal Boat in a frantic escape. The eight young core disciples followed immediately. Fang Chen recognised their boats. Some were from the Grand Wei Study, some from the Black Sun Empire, and others from the Nine Nether Immortal Sect.
Fang Chen wasn't surprised by the chase, but he was surprised by the prey. It was Lin Qiang!
This meant Lin Qiang was likely a core disciple from an unknown sect.
"Old Sheng, stay here. I'll be back shortly," instructed Fang Chen as he vanished into the shadows instantly.
Sheng Ning watched the spot where he had been and was unable to suppress a sigh of admiration. "What exquisite movement..."
Even as a sixth-transformation Immortal, he hadn't detected how Fang Chen left. With this, his mind was at ease. If he couldn't track Fang Chen, neither could the others.
***
In the void, Lin Qiang's Immortal Boat streaked across the sky at top speed. He didn't head for the border as he knew the guards there would be even more numerous. His only hope was to lose his pursuers on Mingwang Star itself.
The eight core disciples from the Taicang Realm were hot on his heels, followed by a large crowd of Kudu monks. Lin Qiang glanced back and began to howl curses.
"Taicang Realm's core disciples are truly shameless! A whole pack of you bullying a lone man?! If you have the guts, come find me in the Shenwang Realm and see if I don't slap the life out of you!"
The young man with the divine eye technique laughed heartily. "Daoist, do you not understand the concept of doing as the locals do? Since you know there is nowhere to run, why not stop? Let's have a pleasant chat. Regardless of where you hail from, as long as we find common ground, we can be friends!"
"Chat my ass! Don't think I don't know what you're plotting. Ptooey! You shameless awakened demons clearly want to drag me into your mess. I won't fall for it!" roared Lin Qiang.
The young man's face darkened. "Drag you in? Do you think you're worthy? Simply hand over the person you are escorting, and we will let you leave alive. A mere core disciple is of no consequence to us. We will not go back on our word."
High above in the shadows, Fang Chen steered the Black Dragon through the sky. Hearing those words, he realised they had truly mistaken Lin Qiang for him.
