Chapter 106: Journey to the Capital [Additional Chapter for Ally Lin Boyilang]

Zhou Yi looked at Ye Qing. The fact that she spoke this way at least showed she didn’t want them to be overwhelmed by sheer numbers, which brought Zhou Yi some comfort.

In hindsight, since the old patriarch could perceive the workings of heaven, foresee everything, and was aware of what would happen later, Ye Qing’s remaining behind was likely for that very reason.

“Don’t worry. We’re only going to gather intelligence. But you all must proceed cautiously and avoid revealing your whereabouts. Once we’ve discerned the truth, we’ll rendezvous with you. Cheng Zhi can sense your position as well.”

Ye Qing nodded.

She knew she had little control over the situation, and her abilities were indeed limited—though she had improved somewhat compared to before.

“As you command. I will lead the group to Youming Mountain immediately.”

“No need to rush. Be wary of being followed. Also, although the Black-Robed National Preceptor is dead, his mount—the vulture—still lives. So be extra cautious for any vultures flying about, scouting.”

Ye Qing promptly acknowledged and withdrew slowly. Soon, she returned to the main hall accompanied by a disciple from Qingcheng Mountain. Zhou Yi glanced at Sophia.

Aside from the Black-Robed National Preceptor, Sophia could discern the cultivation levels of these formally trained individuals. After scanning them, she nodded slightly at Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi offered words of encouragement, and the group quickly departed.

Outside the mountain gate, their figures vanished into the forest. Their wood-element concealment techniques were quite effective, especially in such mountainous terrain, making detection difficult.

Sophia approached Zhou Yi quietly.

“Are we really going to the capital to kill Emperor Liang directly?”

Zhou Yi’s eyelid twitched.

Sophia spoke earnestly, forcing Zhou Yi to take her seriously. Remembering that she was half-robot and had spent most of her time at the base, Zhou Yi looked at her with solemnity.

“We are outsiders. Though we are Chosen, entrusted with controlling this world, we must allow it to develop steadily. For a nation, if its emperor is assassinated, it marks a dynastic upheaval—a major event.

This could destabilize the court, leading to civil strife in Liang, widespread war, and the displacement of common folk. Such chaos would imperil the entire world, especially as awakened individuals might emerge in vast numbers. This is precisely what we must avoid, isn’t it?”

Sophia nodded. She lacked such experience, given that this ancient world was their first encounter, and she had no relevant memories.

“Then, what is our purpose in going to the capital?”

The stout man smiled, leaning in.

“I can somewhat guess the leader’s intention: first, to investigate whether the Black-Robed National Preceptor had any surviving allies.

Second, to determine whether Emperor Liang’s behavior was influenced by the preceptor or was inherent to his character. If it’s the latter, then we can identify and support suitable successors to prevent the chaos of the emperor’s assassination.”

Zhou Yi gave an approving hum. The stout man understood Zhou Yi’s intentions well.

He then activated the control panel on his wrist. The map on the screen expanded, revealing clearer details around the Liang Kingdom.

Heading southward, a border line appeared, suggesting the presence of other nations. To the immediate northwest of Liang was a territory marked “Wei.”

At the map’s center was the Five Elements Tomb. However, the triangular symbol there had turned black. Roughly estimating the size of the desert, it occupied about eighty percent of the map, surrounded by over a dozen countries. Liang was still the largest among them.

As Zhou Yi’s gaze swept over the Liang border, a red triangular mark appeared on the desert east of Wanzhou City.

Zhou Yi’s hand paused.

When they had landed at the Five Elements Tomb, there had been a similar symbol. Could this indicate the presence of spirit stones or some kind of tomb guardians there?

Noticing Zhou Yi’s halt, the others gathered around. The stout man’s eyes widened.

“My goodness! We must hurry there. There’s treasure!”

Zhou Yi nodded, pointing to a mountain within the capital on the map.

“Let’s go. We’ll change attire and depart using the teleportation disk directly to the capital. This spot appears to be a mountain inside the city. We can enter directly.”

Sophia frowned slightly.

“Shouldn’t we wait until nightfall? Or meet with Xu Shiqing and the others first?”

Zhou Yi shook his head.

“To avoid unnecessary delays, we’ll scout first. Although we lack invisibility techniques, Cheng Zhi can conceal our movements. If the palace guards are too vigilant, we can wait until night to act.

As for Xu Shiqing, let him stir up trouble. The entire capital already knows about this, which works to our advantage because attention won’t be on us, making our movements easier.”

The stout man looked worried but quickly said,

“Is Qingcheng Mountain really going to play the empty city tactic? I see many valuable items stored here, just left unattended? Why don’t we take some important ones, then seal the rest with earth escape technique for safety?”

Sophia considered briefly.

“Let’s go. I’ll come with you.”

With that, she grabbed the stout man’s belt and leapt out the door. His shouts echoed through the air over Qingcheng Mountain.

Before long, they returned. The stout man hurried away from Sophia.

“The boss finished organizing. All valuables are with Miss Su. I sealed the doors and windows of the other halls with earth escape. No one can enter.”

Zhou Yi nodded. Sophia said nothing and promptly took out the teleportation disk, placing it before the main hall’s door. She set the destination as the mountain Zhou Yi had selected.

With a wave of her hand, her bodysuit transformed into a dress—such quick changes were beyond Zhou Yi’s group. They hurried to their rooms, donning robes and hats.

Back in the main hall, seeing the hats atop everyone’s heads, Sophia nearly laughed and looked at Cheng Zhi.

“This is too conspicuous. Use your technique to help. I saw Ye Qing do this before—when she combed her hair, she’d touch here and a bun would appear, touch there and the hair would be pinned up.”

Cheng Zhi said nothing, snatched the stout man’s hat, tossed it aside, and placed his hands on his head. The stout man panicked.

“Hey, Big Orange, we’re close, right? You can’t just use me as a guinea pig. If you want to experiment, use your own hair! I don’t want to end up with green hair. If worst comes to worst, use some of Sophia’s.”

Sophia rolled her eyes and leaned toward Cheng Zhi to guide him.

She and Ye Qing had discussed this before, so she had some idea. Under her direction, Cheng Zhi tried again. Though clumsy at first, he improved, and the hair didn’t end up mangled.

In moments, a cascade of jet-black hair flowed down. The stout man looked like he had stepped out of a martial arts novel, resembling a fierce disciple. Cheng Zhi chuckled, but the stout man grumbled.

“Just treat me as a joke. The hair grew, but how do you pin this? Nearly thirty years of life and I never thought I'd braid my hair. No experience here.”

Sophia didn’t mind and quickly pinned the stout man’s hair atop his head, inserting a wooden hairpin. It truly had an ancient flavor.

Cheng Zhi hesitated to do Zhou Yi’s hair first, lacking confidence. Instead, he lengthened his own hair, and Sophia helped style it. Then it was Zhou Yi’s turn.

“Miss Su, the gentleman wants the same style as ours?”

Sophia nodded.

“Just grow it long, I’ll give him a more distinctive bun.”

Zhou Yi bowed his head slightly, being tall. As Cheng Zhi worked, Zhou Yi felt heat on his scalp. Soon, his hair fell to his waist. The stout man grinned beside him.

“Boss, you’re just too tall. Otherwise, with that look, you could pass as a woman.”

Zhou Yi glanced at the stout man, who quickly looked away as if nothing had happened. Sophia signaled Zhou Yi to sit, then styled his hair into a bun, capping it with a crown before inserting a jade hairpin.

When Zhou Yi stood, Sophia smiled with satisfaction.

“Not bad. Truly elegant. Going out like this, you won’t attract unwanted attention. Let’s go!”

Zhou Yi wasted no words. As long as it wasn’t conspicuous, it would suffice. Walking the streets with short hair would draw too many stares and make concealment impossible.

He stepped onto the teleportation disk first, followed by the other three. A flash of light swallowed them.

Moments later, atop a mountain in the capital, the light flashed again and the four landed.

The stout man jumped down quickly, but then faint shouting was heard.

“Second Princess, slow down! Your kite servant will go fetch it for you. Don’t fall! Oh dear, you can’t go to the mountaintop! Wait, servant!”