Chapter 136 - 89: Zhao Ci: Performing an On-the-Spot Ascension

Chapter 136: Chapter 89: Zhao Ci: Performing an On-the-Spot Ascension

Zhang Delv was still the picture of a model Great Yu official, greeting the two Princes the moment he saw them. He acted as though lavishly spending forty thousand taels was his personal blessing, as if contributing his meager strength to Great Yu was a virtue accumulated by his ancestors.

The forty thousand taels had long since been shipped to Lingge.

And the one thousand pills from the Xingyu Pill Formula had also arrived.

This Lord Zhang told everyone he met that they must cultivate diligently to protect the peace of the Northern Three Prefectures and not to let his earnest efforts go to waste.

And all the other officials bowed and scraped in agreement.

Zhao Ci was stunned by the sight. ’It really takes a seasoned old fox,’ he thought. ’If it were me, I’m not sure I’d have such a thick skin. If you can’t solve the problem, then eliminate the person who raised it. Including yourself! This Zhang Delv... he’s ruthless!’

The days passed one by one. Kan Luotang delivered the registers in several batches, and in the blink of an eye, only five towns remained.

The last of them were expected to be delivered tonight.

Zhao Ci didn’t go anywhere else, simply waiting in the small courtyard next to the armory.

He had originally wanted to wander around outside the city. After all, most of his memories were confined within Lingge City, and he was curious to explore the world outside.

But on second thought, he decided against it.

It was already the end of the month, and Kan Luotang had warned him many times that it was best not to leave the city for the next few days. The next relic entrance was due to appear near Qingyang County.

He probably wouldn’t get sucked in, and even if he did, it was unlikely to be dangerous. Still, it was best to avoid such things if he could.

So, he had to stay in the city.

’The three cities of Qingyang, Huangjing, and Chiling are the formation cores of the Northern Three Prefectures’ Grand Array. The entrance can appear near Qingyang County, but as long as nothing catastrophic happens, it’s almost impossible for it to manifest inside the city itself. So, I have to lie low. Just get through this dangerous period, finish my business, and head straight back to Lingge.’

But the timing was about right.

Tonight, Kan Luotang would deliver the final batch of registers. Tomorrow, he would hold the "blind box" lottery, and by that afternoon, he could head back to Lingge.

Huang Duzhe and the other guards were also eager to return. After all, the food here was terrible. Since everything was shipped in from outside, the daily meals were all government-issue.

Only the welcome banquet on their first day had been decent. The meals that followed tasted like chewing wax.

Other than not being poisonous, the food had no redeeming qualities.

When a person’s only requirement for food and drink is that it isn’t poisonous, their happiness in life has already hit rock bottom.

So Zhao Ci announced in advance that as long as Kan Luotang returned on time, they would depart the next afternoon.

Thus, tonight naturally became a farewell banquet.

Zhang Delv also seemed impatient to see Zhao Ci off, so he was very generous. The farewell banquet was just as grand as the welcome banquet.

The guards, who hadn’t eaten anything decent for days, were beyond excited.

However, when all was said and done, the mission was the priority. So, the farewell banquet wasn’t held in the Governor’s Mansion or any other grand location.

It was set up right at the entrance to the armory.

This was Zhang Delv’s suggestion, and no one had any objections.

"This toast is to the Tenth Prince!"

Zhang Delv stood, his face wreathed in smiles as he raised his cup to Zhao Ci. "It is thanks to the Tenth Prince’s discerning eye that this official was made aware of such a grave oversight. Otherwise, I would have failed the people who have waited years for these pills, and I would have failed my diligent colleagues even more. Your Highness, please!"

"Please!"

Zhao Ci smiled, deciding not to make things awkward for him.

’After all, everyone is just trying to get by. As long as I achieve my goal, it’s a win-win for everyone. At least in terms of results, Zhang Delv hasn’t caused me any losses. On the contrary, he’s contributed forty thousand taels to my quota and at least ten thousand comprehension points. He’s a good man!’

Toasts were exchanged.

The two of them drained their cups in one gulp, then laughed cordially, appearing perfectly amicable.

After toasting the Pill Granting Envoy, Zhang Delv immediately went to toast the Vice Envoy of the Pill Granting Mission. Zhao Yong was also obliging, and with both sides flattering each other, the farewell banquet quickly grew lively.

The officials all came forward to offer toasts, and soon the air in front of the armory was thick with the smell of wine.

The guards’ mouths watered, but they could only toast with tea instead of wine.

Before long, many were tipsy.

Zhao Yong seemed troubled and downed a lot of wine. Only halfway through the banquet, he was already clamoring to use the latrine.

But just a moment after he left...

The starry, moonlit sky suddenly dimmed.

In an instant, the sound of wind and thunder filled the air. The autumn night abruptly felt like the prelude to a violent storm.

Zhang Delv jumped in fright, but he quickly laughed and said, "Your Highness, do not be alarmed. This is the relic entrance appearing. As long as we stay inside the city, we will definitely be sa—"

Before the words were even out of his mouth,

He saw a giant eye snap open directly overhead in the night sky.

It was followed by an incredibly powerful suction.

SWOOSH!

Zhao Ci, who was right before his eyes, shot straight up into the heavens. A group of people in the distance were swept up with him.

Most of the officials present were at the Physical Body Realm or above and could choose whether or not to resist the immense suction.

But a few with insufficient cultivation were also swept into the sky.

As for the areas surrounding the armory, even more people were pulled into the sky.

For a moment, cries of alarm rang out continuously.

Zhang Delv: "!!!"

He was dumbfounded!

’Where’s my Prince? The Prince who was sitting right beside me a second ago?’

His heart clenched.

’Normally, nothing bad happens inside a relic’s Black Fog Space. But a normal entrance wouldn’t appear over Qingyang County! Why do I have a feeling something terrible is about to happen? Wait! There’s the other Prince!’

Zhang Delv’s scalp tingled with dread. He scrambled toward the latrine. ’Saving one is better than none!’

But to his dismay, after taking just a few steps in that direction,

He saw a bare-assed figure go WHOOSH, flying toward the giant eye in the sky.

Zhang Delv: "..."

’It’s a disaster!’

’Both Princes are gone!’