I picked up skill fragments in the demon world

#303 - Back then

Chapter 302: Past Events

When Zhang Chen arrived at Xie Lingyun's small residence, Xie Lingyun was brewing tea, holding a book in her hand, dressed in men's attire, lazily propping herself up with one hand on her knee. An incense burner was lit in front of her, creating a picturesque scene.

"This is life!" Zhang Chen looked at Xie Lingyun's leisurely and carefree appearance, filled with envy. This was truly life.

If one could be born into wealth and luxury, who would willingly struggle so hard?

Xie Lingyun could be said to have been born with a silver spoon in her mouth, naturally wealthy beyond compare. Her current quality of life was the endpoint that Zhang Chen would only be able to achieve after a lifetime of desperate struggle and effort.

"Why are you here?" Xie Lingyun put down the book, her clear black and white eyes looking at Zhang Chen.

Zhang Chen sat down opposite Xie Lingyun, hesitating slightly before speaking, "I have come here today with a matter that I would like to ask for your help with."

"What is it that you're being so formal about?" A look of surprise appeared on Xie Lingyun's face.

"Regarding my background, I would like to ask you to help me investigate it," Zhang Chen said to Xie Lingyun.

Xie Lingyun paused upon hearing this, then picked up the teapot on the table and poured a cup of tea for Zhang Chen. "I had already investigated your background and everything about your past when I first met you."

Zhang Chen was not surprised to hear this. On the contrary, he would have found it strange if Xie Lingyun hadn't secretly investigated him.

"So, I came to the right place today, and I can definitely return satisfied?" Zhang Chen's eyes looked at Xie Lingyun, his voice full of anticipation.

Xie Lingyun shook her head upon hearing this. "You will be disappointed, because the information about your father's identity is classified. Even I was turned away. I only vaguely found out that this matter is related to the imperial power struggle in the past, and your father made a big mistake in that turmoil."

Zhang Chen's pupils shrank upon hearing this, finally realizing the seriousness of the matter. Any matter involving the change of imperial power could lead to a crushed body and shattered bones with the slightest carelessness.

Therefore, Zhang Chen's expression was very serious at this time, his eyes looking at Xie Lingyun. "So, my background?"

"A direct descendant of the Zhang family," Xie Lingyun said.

A look of surprise appeared in Zhang Chen's eyes. "The Zhang family?"

He didn't remember anything about the family matters. He only remembered living in a very, very large courtyard when he was a child.

"One of the eight great families in the capital, although it is in the lower three ranks, it is still a first-class existence," Xie Lingyun said.

Zhang Chen fell silent upon hearing this. Such a huge Zhang family in the capital couldn't even protect his father and his wife and children. It could be seen how intense the turmoil was back then.

"You better not go to the capital for the rest of your life, and never enter that vortex. With your current talent, it is not difficult to lie low quietly and be a wealthy man. It would be good to live a life of wealth and luxury," Xie Lingyun warned Zhang Chen. "Once you go to the capital and reveal your identity, I'm afraid that the storm that has subsided in the past will be set off again. The waves will be enough to crush you to pieces and put you in a place of eternal doom."

"But I want to go to the academy to see the mysteries of this world," Zhang Chen said.

Seeing the mysteries is a facade; picking up skills is the real thing.

"I think it's more important to stay alive! Moreover, the academy will also open branches all over the world. If you really want to see the achievements of Jixia Academy, you can go to Jiangnan. I heard that the branch of Jixia Academy has already started construction secretly in Jiangnan," Xie Lingyun said. "You can first plan an identity in Jiangnan, and then use the name of the Jiangnan scholars to have the opportunity to go to the academy for exchange."

It could be seen that the matter back then was very big. This was already the best choice that Xie Lingyun had given after careful consideration!

Zhang Chen fell silent upon hearing this, his eyes staring at the kettle in front of him. Suddenly, he pointed with his hand, "The water is boiling again."

Xie Lingyun picked up the teacup and poured another pot of water for Zhang Chen. "My suggestion is that you join the Surveillance Office. I can create a fake identity for you. As long as you don't stand out and don't attract the attention of the capital, I can guarantee that you will be a wealthy man for the rest of your life, and you will die peacefully without illness. If you want to make contributions, the Great Yue Kingdom next door has been restless recently. My family still has some connections, and it is not impossible to create an identity for you and insert you into the army to make contributions, so that you can become a general guarding one side in the border army, but you must not do too much, so as not to be summoned to the court and expose your identity."

Zhang Chen shook his head, rejecting Xie Lingyun's invitation. His goal was to live forever and collect skills that could make him immortal. Where did he have the mind to sell his life for the imperial court?

He had long seen through the game of dynasty hegemony. The so-called struggle for royal power and national sentiments were just lies woven by those in power. After all, the pen was in the hands of those carnivores.

The essence of war was that everyone united to protect their property. Zhang Chen was penniless. Where did he have any property to protect?

To ask Zhang Chen to risk his life to protect the property of those nobles and landlords, wouldn't Zhang Chen be a fool? Any smart person wouldn't do that kind of thing.

So what if the neighboring country invaded? What loss would Zhang Chen have?

Zhang Chen would just change from a citizen of the Great Sheng Kingdom to a citizen of the Great Yue Kingdom. What would change? In the five thousand years of history in his previous life, there were hundreds of dynasties. The identities of the people changed, but what impact would it have on the people at the bottom, except for the nobles?

Zhang Chen couldn't cross thousands of miles to kill a poor man's child!

Zhang Chen couldn't join the Surveillance Office. Once he joined the Surveillance Office, wouldn't his fate be controlled by others?

Haven't you heard: People in the world can't help themselves?

As for going to the border to kill enemies and make contributions, Zhang Chen directly rejected it. Those nobles and landlords were unwilling to go to the front line and hid behind to be parasites, asking him, a poor man's child, to protect their assets with his life? Zhang Chen would rather die than sell his life for the imperial court.

Unless he also became a powerful person, became a vested interest, became a part of it, became a beneficiary, became a member of the gentry, and had assets, otherwise, he would never be willing to go to the front line to fight for his life.

But now, it was obvious that Zhang Chen couldn't even go back to the capital. That system was afraid that it couldn't accommodate him. It was simply wishful thinking for him to become a member of the gentry.

Rather than pursuing those yellow and white things, he should choose immortality.

"Is there any other news?" Zhang Chen asked again.

Xie Lingyun said, "The rest is about the Zhang family in the capital. As one of the eight great families in the capital, it is lush and vigorous, but in recent years, it has been somewhat lacking in successors. It is difficult for the younger generation in the family to achieve anything. The eight great families are connected by the same spirit, and their power is mainly spread throughout the army. It can be said that 99% of the armies in the world have inextricable connections with the eight great families."

When Xie Lingyun said this, Zhang Chen couldn't help but gasp. These eight great families were so amazing. Were they not afraid of arousing the jealousy of the royal family?

"Above, there are three great mysteries suppressing everything, so the Great Victory Royal Family simply doesn't care about controlling the military. Even if you have a million soldiers, you can't live in the military camp every moment of every day. There will be times when protection is insufficient. When the power of mystery suddenly suppresses down, bringing down a thunderous strike, it will surely turn you into ashes," Xie Lingyun said.

Zhang Chen nodded upon hearing this. The appearance of the mysteries had indeed changed the格局 (ge ju, overall situation) of the world. Although a million soldiers are terrifying, they are definitely not the only factor in winning a war.

"By the way, how is that matter being prepared? You must know that there are 100,000 soldiers guarding the foot of the mountain. Their Qi is condensed. Even if a Yang God True Man comes, he will be suppressed and die here with regret," Zhang Chen asked.

Xie Lingyun smiled: "You're mistaken. Are those 100,000 soldiers only suppressing us? Even Huang Li Temple will be suppressed. As long as the 100,000 soldiers are there, with the impact of the military formation's Qi, blood, and baleful aura, they cannot confer godhood. Therefore, before conferring godhood, the Prince of Pingbian will definitely order the 100,000 soldiers to retreat."

Zhang Chen's heart suddenly cleared upon hearing this: "How confident are you?"

"Eighty or ninety percent," Xie Lingyun said confidently: "After conferring godhood, obtaining a divine position doesn't mean immediately gaining divine power. The gods must return to their positions. And the altar of Huang Li Temple is thirty miles away from the Miluo River. That thirty-mile distance is the best time for us to act."

Just as Zhang Chen and Xie Lingyun were talking, a report came from outside the door: "My lord, someone from the Zhu family is here to visit."

Xie Lingyun's beautiful eyes looked at Zhang Chen. Seeing this, Zhang Chen tactfully took his leave and departed from the backyard.

Returning to his own residence, Zhang Chen thought of his own background and the distant Shangjing (capital), and couldn't help but shake his head secretly: "This is really going to kill me. My old man died, but he actually left behind such a mess. The events of that year probably involved too many secrets and taboos. Even Xie Lingyun can't find out any information."

After Zhang Chen arrived at his small residence, he pondered the matter of the underground secret chamber: "If the Huangtian Dao holds the Investiture Ceremony, and the battle to slaughter gods breaks out, everyone's eyes and attention will definitely be drawn over. I might have a chance to sneak into the secret chamber to investigate."

When Huang Li Temple holds the Investiture Ceremony, it will definitely extract incense and faith on a large scale. At that time, the incense Qi attached to the stone walls of the secret chamber will also begin to weaken. I may be able to penetrate the protective barrier on the stone walls and then take the opportunity to sneak in.

Thinking of this, Zhang Chen sneaked out again and began to look for pangolins in the mountains. He didn't have the power to dig through the stone walls, so he had to prepare the pangolins in advance.

In the mountains, a stream of water converged, and Zhang Chen's figure appeared in the mountains. At this time, he looked around from a distance and saw that the 100,000 soldiers of the Pingbian Royal Mansion had already begun to retreat in an orderly manner.

Zhang Chen glanced at it and ignored it. The facts were indeed developing in the direction Xie Lingyun had envisioned.

It is said that Zhang Chen concealed himself all the way, searching for ten pangolins, hiding them quietly in the cave, and then returned to the Taoist temple to continue reading and practicing calligraphy leisurely.

"Zhang Chen."

Just as Zhang Chen was grinding ink, preparing to practice calligraphy, Xiao Douding (Little Bean) walked down from upstairs with disheveled hair, her eyes red like a little rabbit.

"What's wrong?" Zhang Chen stopped grinding the ink and asked.

"I feel uneasy, and inexplicably have a sense of fear. I can't sleep. Hold me while I sleep." Cheng Yu's voice was full of horror.

Hearing Cheng Yu's words, Zhang Chen frowned and put down the inkstone. He didn't dare to underestimate Xiao Douding's intuition. Cultivators have a kind of spiritual perception in the dark, especially the strong who cultivate Yin Gods. That kind of mysterious intuition, like the cicada sensing the autumn wind before it moves, is already comparable to great divine powers.

"Why?" Zhang Chen held Cheng Yu in his arms, with a pensive look in his eyes: "Could it be related to the upcoming Investiture Ceremony of Huangtian Dao?"

Zhang Chen was a little puzzled.

"That thing is flickering." Xiao Douding pointed to her head.

Zhang Chen's pupils shrank, and he looked at Xiao Douding deeply, stroking Xiao Douding's head and said: "Don't be afraid, I'm here! Don't worry, I'll hold up the sky for you."

Zhang Chen's comfort worked, and Xiao Douding quickly fell into a deep sleep, snoring in Zhang Chen's arms.

Zhang Chen stroked Xiao Douding's head, then carefully held Xiao Douding in his arms, and walked around the yard like this, until the sky became dim again, and then he saw the stars moving and the morning bell rang. Xiao Douding was awakened by the morning bell, and stood up sleepily: "Zhang Chen, I'm so sleepy."

"You've been sleeping all night, why are you still sleepy?" Zhang Chen stroked Xiao Douding's head, while mobilizing the flow of blood in his body to relieve the sore muscles all over his body.

"I don't know, I'm just so sleepy. I'm going back upstairs to sleep. You can go to the morning class yourself today." Xiao Douding yawned and returned upstairs to sleep weakly.

And Zhang Chen looked at Xiao Douding's back, and couldn't help but feel a little worried: "I hope the Huang Li Temple's Investiture Ceremony this time won't have too much impact on Cheng Yu, otherwise..."

Zhang Chen stopped speaking here. He seemed to be unable to do anything about Huang Li Temple. The gap between the enemy and us is too great. Although Huang Li Temple is only a branch temple, its strength is not something Zhang Chen can shake.

Zhang Chen did the morning class, then got breakfast, and returned to the yard to come to Xiao Douding's door.

Zhang Chen came to the door on the second floor and shouted a few times into the house: "Senior Sister, breakfast is here, come out to eat."

"Senior Sister, don't sleep! We're having steamed buns this morning! Get up quickly!"

"Senior Sister, if you don't get up again, I'm going to eat all the steamed buns by myself."

"..."

Zhang Chen stood outside the house and called out, his voice full of teasing.

Unfortunately, after Zhang Chen howled a few times, there was no response in the house. Zhang Chen's heart tightened, looking at the closed door, he couldn't help but feel a trace of urgency in his heart. The situation seemed to be a little bad.

Xiao Douding is a martial artist. Even if she is sleeping soundly, such a loud knocking on the door should have awakened her.

Who has ever seen a martial artist sleep like a pig?

"Senior Sister? Are you okay?"

"Three-inch Ding? It's time to get up and eat!" Zhang Chen's shouting outside the door became more and more presumptuous.

Zhang Chen was a little anxious. What if something happened to this girl alone in the house, and then it was delayed, wouldn't that be bad? Missing the best treatment time?

But that girl repeatedly told him not to enter the room on the second floor, so for a while, Zhang Chen couldn't make up his mind.

It's just that Xiao Douding's situation in the house is unclear at this time. Zhang Chen is afraid that Xiao Douding will suffer an accident. What if the treatment is delayed, wouldn't that ruin things? So, after hesitating slightly in his heart, the next moment, the Water Control Technique was activated, and then the door bolt in the house was opened. Xiao Douding's mysterious second-floor room also slowly unveiled its mysterious veil in front of Zhang Chen.