Chapter 506: Why Is It the Four Symbols Cult Again?

Chapter 506: Why the Four Symbols Sect Again?

Of course Sisi dared; she had already been plotting when to sneak in and dig.

But she couldn’t act recklessly—she needed to find a suitable passage to tunnel through, not just dig randomly, or disaster would surely strike.

Sisi ordered her maid to fetch clan texts related to ancient tombs, while Zhao Changhe sat cross-legged on that smooth platform, eyes closed in contemplation.

Sisi had no idea what he was meditating on; she felt that ever since Zhao Changhe arrived here, he had been trapped in some kind of deep thought, lacking enthusiasm for anything he did.

So she didn’t disturb him, just sat beside him, chin resting on her hand, keeping him company.

Zhao Changhe’s mind was actually immersed in the illusory scenes of the Celestial Book, for those visions were no different from a small world—complete with sun, moon, and stars. Of course, they were illusions, unlike this situation. But could there be something to reference?

For instance, did the Celestial Book have boundaries? If so, what were they like? When the sun set at the edge, could it be touched?

He had never thought in this direction before, his spirit always focused on the green hills and clear waters before him. Now, deliberately trying to expand outward, he found it endless, without any limit.

In a daze, he felt like a giant chasing the sun, ceaselessly pursuing a phantom dream.

Only when his spirit was utterly drained did he withdraw, exhausted.

Opening his eyes, he saw Sisi sitting beside him, chin in hand, staring at him without blinking. She had been watching for who knows how long, looking a bit like a lovesick fool.

Seeing him open his eyes, Sisi pulled out a silk handkerchief and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead: “What were you doing? You kept frowning the whole time… Can cultivation meditation really make you sweat so much?”

“Nothing much…” Zhao Changhe smiled. “Have the texts I asked for arrived?”

Sisi turned to look into the distance: “Not yet.”

She paused, then suddenly laughed: “Such a proper master… Isn’t there something different from the master I remember?”

Zhao Changhe sighed: “Because the memory of Longque jumping in my face is so vivid, I don’t remember much of you taking me to examine corpses and solve cases.”

Sisi pouted—that wasn’t the answer she wanted. Who didn’t know that when it came to serious matters, you were indeed earnest? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have come this far…

Essentially, it was a girlfriend acting spoiled: “Am I prettier, or is football prettier?” “Play games or play with me?”

Nowadays, Zhao Changhe understood, so he gently pulled her into his arms and said softly: “People say I cultivate quickly, but I’ve always felt time is pressing… Behind Maitreya, the Corpse Demon has awakened; in the Spirit Clan’s forbidden land, the Blood Ao has revived. In previous years, they were still dormant and recuperating, but now they’re all surfacing, one after another, and they’re strong… None of them can be dealt with at our current level. I’m even a little afraid to leave this place now, afraid that when I go out, everything will have turned upside down.”

Sisi truly empathized with his anxiety.

In her childhood, she hadn’t enjoyed many carefree days before the “sacred beast” inexplicably awakened in the forbidden land, throwing the entire Spirit Clan into chaos.

The Spirit Clan was just a microcosm; it was visible that turmoil was brewing everywhere under heaven.

For a moment, she lost her mood for flirtation and leaned gently against Zhao Changhe’s chest, gazing at the sky.

The stars were brilliant, beautiful.

Sisi suddenly thought: In Zhao Changhe’s relationships with others, was there ever much romance or sweet talk? Whether with Yue Hongling or Tang Wanzhuang, their interactions mostly revolved around serious matters, and they gradually joined hands while walking side by side.

Was it now her turn?

It seemed nice.

“I used to wonder what gave Maitreye the audacity to rise up so early; I thought maybe he was just brainless… But actually, the Corpse Demon couldn’t wait any longer, eager to expand his influence and obtain resources for his revival. Similarly, everyone is puzzled by the Wang family’s actions—it might not be Wang Daoning’s intention, but rather related to the mysterious sea race.” Zhao Changhe stared absently at the starry sky and said softly: “Then the question is, was the chaos in Miaojiang solely because of Lei Zhentang?”

The storm was brewing… This wasn’t a contest of warlords, but the emergence of gods and demons.

Sisi understood Zhao Changhe’s worries, but it seemed there was nothing she could do. He was already cultivating as fast as possible—how could he go faster?

All she could offer was intelligence: “According to reports from outside, Lei Zhentang’s injuries are almost healed. It should be within a few days… Once he recovers, he will definitely make a move.”

Zhao Changhe asked: “What’s the situation outside?”

“Because of Lei Zhentang’s injury, many of the Black Miao’s actions have been put on hold, giving other factions—especially us—a chance to grow.” Sisi smiled. “Although I’ve been in the secret realm these days, the development of Taoyuan Town hasn’t stopped… Ah, that Mr. Si’an has helped quite a bit; he’s quite knowledgeable.”

“Of course he is—he’s one of Wanzhuang’s generals. She probably knows about this by now.”

Sisi: “…”

Could you not bring up Tang Wanzhuang at a time like this? Forget it.

She sniffed and continued: “But because troops were sent in, Taoyuan Town hasn’t dared to expand recklessly. For now, it’s a relatively stable situation—a true ‘Five Clans Council’ where no one can crush anyone else. Unless I send the clan members from the secret realm out, which I asked you about a couple of days ago… For now, I don’t dare; I’m not sure what hidden dangers there might be.”

“Mm…”

“If it’s a stable state under the Five Clans Council, then civil war probably won’t break out; instead, they’ll unite against external threats.” Sisi said: “Originally, with the turmoil in Miaojiang and the assassination of the Pacification Commissioner, normally the Shu Commandery would send troops to suppress it…”

Zhao Changhe found it strange: “They still haven’t come? It’s been so long…”

“Exactly.” Sisi also found it odd: “Even if there was a delay in reaction, it’s been too long without any movement. That’s too slow. This is also a bit strange.”

Zhao Changhe mused: “Two possibilities. One is that they’re waiting for Lei Zhentang to recover—the entire Black Miao uprising has been secretly supported by Zhai Muzhi, aiming to foster rebellion for his own benefit or even ally with the Black Miao; he wants to rebel too. The other is that if the turmoil was truly caused by oppression and exploitation, then their bloated incompetence might indeed cause such a lag… Based on my observations when I passed through Bashu, the second possibility is more likely for Zhai Muzhi. His greed and stupidity are almost enough to push the Divine Radiance Sect into rebellion. That doesn’t seem like a scheme—how could he play with Li Shentong?”

Sisi: “…”

“The reason Li Shentong hasn’t openly rebelled yet is probably because he’s wary of the Snowy Owl… I suspect the one playing schemes is more likely that old sixth. From the situation at the Sword Hut, the chaos across Bashu and Miaojiang bears traces of his covert manipulation… What is he thinking?”

Sisi, who had been enthusiastically explaining the situation, fell silent, once again feeling like nothing more than a little maid providing intelligence—analysis and decisions were best left to the master.

“Your… Your Majesty…” A timid voice came from below the stone platform.

The queen, dressed like a maidservant, was nestled in a man’s arms like a little bird—the sight was indescribable. If you’re a maidservant, what does that make us?

But Sisi seemed utterly unconcerned, saying lazily: “Found the texts?”

“Yes, just these few volumes that mention ancient tombs.” The maid held up three or four ancient books.

Sisi reached out and took the ancient texts, and Zhao Changhe stood up: “Come on, let’s go inside and read.”

The maid said: “I’ll light the lamp for the Holy Envoy.”

Sisi glared: “Get lost, what business is it of yours?”

If you take over lighting the lamp and grinding ink, what’s left for me to do?

The maid was dumbfounded.

Not that—if you do it all, what are we here for?

The maid left, looking back every few steps, and saw the newly built courtyard, a soft candlelight flickering inside.

Through the paper window, faint figures could be seen.

A man sat at the table, reading by lamplight, while the queen stood gracefully beside him, as if explaining some specific terms in the texts. They were very close, looking very warm.

But… you have to rest sometime, right?

There was only one room.

“The place where gods were buried, the abyss of the setting sun…”

“Vermilion Bird and White Tiger converge in the southwestern wilds… Before the sun sets, the moon fills the desolate mound.”

Why does the Vermilion Bird and White Tiger keep popping up? Zhao Changhe stared at the few lines recorded in the ancient text, scratching his head frantically. This shouldn’t be—what does the Spirit Clan have to do with the Four Symbols Sect? What relation does the Spirit Clan’s ancestor have with the Night Emperor?