Chapter 714: That Axe

Chapter 714 That Axe

After a brief discussion, the two decided to go undercover and investigate in disguise. Even if they were wrong and worrying for nothing, it was still more sensible than acting recklessly.

Hidden in the forest, Zhao Changhe took out the Qinghe Mirror to look at his face, turning left and right as he pondered what disguise to adopt. He had used the yellow-faced man too often in the past, and many people had seen it—no longer suitable. Then there was Wang Daozhong, who was dead now, alas.

How tragic for Daozhong—he hadn't even had time to burn incense at his grave.

Sighing, Zhao Changhe applied medicinal powder to his face. Before long, the mirror reflected the appearance of Snowy Owl.

Zhao Changhe cleared his throat and let out a series of eerie laughs like a night owl, then turned to ask Yue Hongling, "Do I look like him?"

Yue Hongling was caught between laughter and tears. "Snowy Owl is usually very composed, you know. This isn't Wang Daozhong—don't be so over-the-top."

"Oh, oh, I'll be careful."

"And don't touch me with that face."

"..." Zhao Changhe had no choice but to pick up a brush and apply medicine to her face. "You should disguise yourself too. The Lady Si from before won't work anymore. Actually, thinking back, that name wasn't great—it sounded like I was Si Si's husband. You're my wife, so you should be called Lady Zhao."

Yue Hongling, both exasperated and amused, let him apply the makeup. Soon, a messy, ugly face appeared before her.

"Are you that twisted? You won't even let others take a second look at me, will you?"

"Not really," Zhao Changhe said seriously. "I simply can't imagine another face equal to yours. No matter how I paint, it will always be uglier than the original."

Blind Man: "Ugh..."

Yue Hongling, who hadn't heard many sweet words, was quite pleased and accepted the explanation. "At least you know what's good. Now, what's the plan?"

Zhao Changhe glanced outside the forest and pondered for a moment.

The Miao territory here wasn't just a single map. Within Peach Blossom Town, there was an entrance to the Spirit Clan's secret realm, which stretched for thousands of miles. This was actually two maps. No one knew whether Si Si was outside or inside the Spirit Clan's domain.

Moreover, the Miao territory alone was vast. If Si Si was outside, was she in Peach Blossom Town, Dali, or even somewhere larger like modern-day Kunming? No one knew.

Yue Hongling said, "It seems we should split up to investigate. I once assassinated the Pacification Commissioner in Dali, so I'm familiar with the roads there. I'll check Dali, and you go to Peach Blossom Town. Whatever we find, we'll meet here at midnight and share our findings."

Zhao Changhe hesitated. "I wanted to go with you."

Yue Hongling chuckled. "There are two of us. We can handle two separate tasks. Why tie ourselves together? Splitting up to investigate and then collaborating—isn't that still working hand in hand? Don't be childish."

Zhao Changhe stopped hesitating. "Then we meet here at midnight. No matter what, we'll be here. Oh, take this Qinghe Mirror with you. Since I've learned the Diamond Sutra, I'm much better at warding off evil. The poisons and curses here—you'd better keep it."

Yue Hongling didn't stand on ceremony. She took the mirror, lightly stepped back, and flew backward, making a farewell gesture with her hands—utterly graceful.

In high spirits, Zhao Changhe checked his Snowy Owl disguise again in the nearby stream, satisfied. He left the forest, signaled the dark horse to find its own grazing spot, and headed straight for Peach Blossom Town.

...

He arrived in the morning, and by the time he entered Peach Blossom Town, it wasn't even lunchtime. The market was still bustling with people.

The biggest difference between Peach Blossom Town and other towns like Dali was that its population was primarily Xia people—or now, Han people. Walking through it, there was no noticeable difference in clothing or language from the Central Plains towns. Only the architecture and the occasional foreigner reminded him that this wasn't the heartland.

It was essentially a Chinatown.

Zhao Changhe swaggered along the streets he remembered, heading straight for the main stronghold of the Spirit Clan.

From a distance, he saw heavy guards outside, fully armed soldiers patrolling in orderly formations. Inside the stronghold, there were also powerful crossbows and bows, as if ready for battle at any moment.

Zhao Changhe was startled for a moment, then tapped his head. Of course, only overwhelming military force could protect a region. Theoretically, the Miao territory wasn't unified—it operated under a "joint council" system among various tribes. Flaunting military power was normal. Maintaining such a disciplined and strong army during relatively peaceful times was a testament to Si Si's impressive leadership.

Unlike the early days when Si Si mainly relied on Han troops, now there were as many foreigners as Han soldiers, many of whom might have come from the Spirit Clan's secret realm. It was a delicate balance. He didn't know if there were hidden tensions between the groups, but for now, it seemed within normal bounds.

Normal or not, how was he supposed to investigate inside?

No matter how strong he was now, he hadn't learned invisibility. Should he use mind control to sneak in? Was it really necessary?

Just as he was hesitating, a low voice whispered directly into his ear: "Master..."

Zhao Changhe didn't immediately register who was being addressed, but the voice was clearly a telepathic message. He turned his head without changing expression. In a tavern by the street, an ordinary-looking Han man was drinking at a table near the door. When he saw Zhao Changhe look back, he made a gesture that no one else could understand.

Regardless of whether he understood the gesture, the man was definitely calling him.

Zhao Changhe felt a mix of amusement and exasperation. When he had disguised himself as Wang Daozhong here, Shi Wuding had chased him with a blade—a case of trouble caused by the original Wang. Now, disguised as Snowy Owl, he was running into something again. But this time, it seemed like good fortune.

He walked over calmly, sat down expressionlessly across from the man, and said flatly, "You have disappointed me."

As he spoke, his eyes flashed with sword intent, as if a real blade stabbed into the man's mind, causing a piercing pain.

The sharp, fierce sword intent—whether from the Sword Hut or the Listening Snow Pavilion—was something Zhao Changhe had always possessed. His previous trip to the Miao territory had been to hone this very sword intent, and he had sparred with Shi Wuding and Snowy Owl many times. Imitating Snowy Owl now was as good as his earlier imitation of Wang Daozhong.

The man's face twisted in pain, cold sweat pouring down. He almost wanted to kneel, but in the crowded tavern, he dared not show it. He lowered his head and said, "Master, the guards are truly formidable. We can only infiltrate slowly; progress is slow... We never expected you to come in person. This... we deserve death ten thousand times."

Zhao Changhe said coldly, "Spare me the nonsense. I only want to know the progress."

"So far, we know that the divine axe is not outside. It has been taken into the Spirit Clan's secret realm. The Spirit Clan claims that the axe is fated to be with them... Whether it's just a claim for the treasure or genuine, we don't know."

The Eternal Heaven Divine Axe... So after the Thief Saint stole the axe, he didn't take it to the Thief Sect in Kunlun but brought it to his disciple?

If the Eternal Heaven Divine Axe was fated for the Spirit Clan, Zhao Changhe's first thought was the giant who seemed to have transformed into the earth in the Spirit Clan's secret realm. A giant axe cleaving the heavens—that fit the legend. The claim might have some truth to it. However, the Eternal Heaven Divine Axe was huge for ordinary people but tiny compared to the Spirit Clan's giant—like a toothpick, hardly matching.

Thinking this, he deliberately said, "The divine axe belongs to Ye Wuzong. If he gave it to Xiang Simeng out of love for his disciple, what claim does the Spirit Clan have? Do they intend to go against Ye Wuzong? Do they have the guts?"

The man whispered, "According to our observations and intelligence, Ye Wuzong has been injured and hasn't recovered. Xiang Simeng has been putting great effort into caring for her master."

Zhao Changhe's heart skipped a beat.

The Thief Saint had been injured when he stole the axe—everyone had seen it. But he hadn't expected the injury to persist for so long...

Was the axe's backlash really that strong?

No wonder the Thief Saint didn't dare return to Kunlun and hid with his disciple. He wasn't giving the axe to his disciple; rather, he was seeking protection. He didn't trust Yu Xu.

And Snowy Owl had sent people to scheme for the axe.