Chapter 301 - 130: Zhao Ci Joins the Dream-Eating Gu’s Game, the Saintess Tearfully Sacrifices Her Eldest Son

Chapter 301: Chapter 130: Zhao Ci Joins the Dream-Eating Gu’s Game, the Saintess Tearfully Sacrifices Her Eldest Son

It was very inefficient.

Not worth it.

On the other hand, a minor leader from the Five Poison Sect had been broken out of jail in Wangshan County.

Zhao Ci had just achieved a breakthrough and felt his strength had surged. Having also mastered the Hundred Poison Secret Manual, he wasn’t the least bit intimidated by the Five Poison Sect’s tactics.

Even if there were many Physical Body Realm masters among the suspects, he wasn’t worried at all.

In fact, the minor leader who escaped had only just reached the Physical Body Realm and likely didn’t have many followers.

So, this mission was the perfect choice.

The four riders traveled south.

"Brrr! It’s cold out here!"

Feng Kucha tightened his scarf, sighing to himself. ’A healer’s body is so frail. The cold wind cuts right through me, and I can’t stop shivering.’

After all his recent cultivation, he had become a healer with an overflowing well of power. From deep gashes to broken bones, there was no injury he couldn’t mend within two hours.

But that was the extent of his skills. His physical constitution was pathetic.

Zhao Ci grinned. "I don’t feel cold at all!"

"Easy for you to say!"

Feng Kucha said indignantly, "This is definitely the coldest year in a decade. Haven’t you noticed the disaster relief and grain distributions started early? I heard the Court even allocated ten thousand taels of silver just to gather firewood for the common folk. You’re one of His Majesty’s sons, too. Why can’t you learn his good qualities instead of just running your mouth?"

Zhao Ci: "..."

’Looks like it really has gotten cold.’

’Cold enough to make Feng Kucha’s mouth turn foul.’

’Speaking of which, Old Deng is really good at keeping up appearances.’

’Never mind all the chaos he lets fester among the populace.’

’He never drops the ball when it comes to disaster relief and grain distribution.’

’Every winter, he has the newly appointed Junior Officials make the rounds in the surrounding poor counties and towns to boost their presence.’

’After a single tour, they get a surge of compassion for the suffering of the people, which in turn fills them with an overwhelming sense of belonging to the Court.’

’It would be great if I could get a disaster relief mission.’

’I’d definitely be able to farm a ton of wishes.’

’Too bad...’

’Not just anyone can hand out disaster relief.’

’This kind of work—winning the hearts of the people—can, in most cases, only be done by the Emperor.’

’Unless, of course, it’s being done intentionally to build up momentum for a New Emperor.’

’Even when I went to the Northern Three Prefectures to do charity work, I didn’t dare to be too ostentatious.’

’For one, I gave away my entire reward of two hundred thousand taels.’

’And for another, I did it under the name "Emperor’s Gift Pill".’

’When it comes to winning popular support, I can only be number two.’

’Among the various princely competitions, disaster relief missions are basically nonexistent. They’re the kind of thing you can only stumble upon by chance, never seek out.’

Xiao Shenke’s face filled with reverence. "For the Great Yu to have such a wise and brilliant Monarch as His Majesty... it is truly a blessing for the people!"

Zhao Ci: "..."

’Great.’

’Another one gone lame.’

’Nope!’

’I can’t be the only one suffering through this nausea.’

’I’m going to make a member of the Demon Sect praise Old Deng.’

He turned to Zhang Da Yong. "Da Yong, they’re all praising my father, the Emperor. How come you haven’t said a word? You got a problem with him or something?"

"Huh?"

Zhang Da Yong froze, not expecting this turn of events.

Although he could tell Zhao Ci was joking, the situation was too pointed to ignore. It would be impossible to get out of this without offering a few words of praise.

’But... praise Zhao Huan?’

His face twitched for a long moment before he managed to choke out, "Your Ma-Your Majesty... is truly a good Emperor."

[Zhang Da Yong (Huangfu Song)’s Current Wish: Kill Zhao Huan and complete his revenge. Reward for Completion: Insight +10,000, Dragon Slaying Skill x1.]

Zhao Ci: "..."

’Huh?’

’What kind of grudge is this?’

’Ten thousand Insight... that’s clearly on the level of a main life quest.’

’Just what is the beef between this Huangfu Song and Old Deng?’

Before he could dwell on it, the wish refreshed.

[Zhang Da Yong (Huangfu Song)’s Current Wish: Find an opportunity to stuff the Paradise Gu into Zhao Ci’s mouth. Reward for Completion: Insight +1,000, Talent: Joyful Dream.]

Zhao Ci: "..."

’Oho!’

’It’s been a while!’

Ever since this wish first appeared nearly two months ago, Zhao Ci hadn’t seen it since.

’So, for it to suddenly appear now...’

’...does this mean he’s about to make his move?’

Zhao Ci’s heart tightened, yet he wasn’t afraid. Instead, he felt an indescribable excitement.

’To be honest, he wasn’t really afraid of the Demon Sect making a move.’

’If they’re trying to force a Paradise Gu on him, their goal definitely isn’t to kill him.’

’At least, killing him isn’t their primary objective.’

’It’s about some effect derived from the Joyful Dream.’

’The instant the Paradise Gu is forced into my mouth, I’ll gain the Joyful Dream talent myself, which will surely weaken my opponent’s version of it significantly.’

’At the same time,’

’I also have the Peace Jade and the warm jade my Little Aunt gave me.’

’In that situation, I can summon them both at once.’

’The people from the Imperial Clan Court are hidden nearby. Once I summon them, they’ll be top-tier combat assets.’

’Their cultivation might be a few tiers lower than Huangfu Song’s, but with the Secret Skills of the Imperial Clan Court, there’s no way they’d let Huangfu Song harm anyone.’

’Besides,’

’There’s still Little Aunt!’

’This is nowhere near as dangerous as the Black Fog Space incident.’

’And there’s a good chance I can even turn the tables on them.’

’One, I can figure out what these lunatics are trying to do.’

’Two, this could help Little Aunt regain some control within the Demon Sect.’

’I can’t chicken out!’

’I’m definitely going to take them on!’

’As the bait, I have to play my part perfectly.’

He adjusted his mood.

Zhao Ci gave his horse a kick on the rump. "Stop dawdling! Let’s get this mission over with."

With a wooden expression, Zhang Da Yong quickly followed.

But he was silently plotting.

’This operation will proceed on two fronts.’

’Push all those Junior Officials to their breaking point. Any who manifest the Celestial Demon Pattern will immediately be added to the list of candidates.’

’Over here, I’ve laid an inescapable trap for Zhao Ci. Although we’ll surely face a heavy-handed response from the Imperial Clan Court, all that matters is that I successfully use the Paradise Gu and escape.’

’As for the subordinates laying the trap, if they die, they die!’

’The masters from the Imperial Clan Court and their Secret Skills are indeed formidable, but there’s no way they can stop me from forcing this Paradise Gu down Zhao Ci’s throat.’