[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-after-the-immortals-disappeared":3,"chapter-after-the-immortals-disappeared-after-the-immortals-disappeared-chapter-122":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","After the Immortals Disappeared",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2284006,4468,"Chapter 122: Exposed","after-the-immortals-disappeared-chapter-122",122,"\u003Cp>Wu Shaoyi had 1,100 men of his own, so he felt even more confident about facing the coalition of Lu Yao and the government troops at County Magistrate Village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dividing and destroying them was, after all, a standard military tactic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>￥￥￥￥￥\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the end of the third watch, the two men’s drinking session was drawing to a close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yao’s face was flushed, and the table was littered with cups and plates. He gulped down another mouthful of wine, wiped his mouth, and stood up: \"It’ll be dawn in less than two hours. Lord He can rest easy now, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Chunhua was puzzled: \"Rest easy about what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yao let out a chuckle and turned to leave. This official was still uneasy, insisting on dragging him out to drink so he wouldn't have time to plot a surprise attack with his subordinates, little knowing that he hadn't intended to make a move tonight at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having drunk too much, his stomach felt a bit bloated. He found a spot to relieve himself and asked his subordinate: \"Why is there still no news from Wu Shaoyi’s side?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The subordinate didn't know either and hurried off to ask around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't until Lu Yao had waited impatiently that this man returned, jogging all the way with a scout: \"General Wu was fond of his cup; he only set out after sobering up, and he had an upset stomach along the way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yao frowned: \"How could he be so sloppy? Something’s wrong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked around and suddenly said: \"Where’s Fatty? Where the hell is Wang Pangzi? Where did he die off to?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, all such news was coordinated by Wang Pangzi and reported to him; why would he ever need to worry about it himself? The subordinates looked at each other, stammering that they didn't know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yao gulped down the hangover tea offered by a villager and pressed a cold towel to his face. The heat in his head subsided, but suspicion began to rise in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something wasn't right. Wang Pangzi was always proactive; how could he have disappeared for most of the night?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking back to how He Chunhua had inexplicably sought him out to drink for several hours, could he have been trying to cover something up? Lu Yao glared at his subordinates: \"Go! All of you, go find Wang Pangzi. If you can't find him, I’ll eat you alive!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group scattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once people’s lives are in danger, their efficiency becomes incredibly high. The bandits rounded up all the civilians in the east of the village and asked: \"Who else saw our Brother Fatty tonight? The one who lives in the Zhu family’s house?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They asked twice, but no one made a sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed they wouldn't act without some motivation, so the bandit added: \"Whoever gives a clue can take their own child back immediately!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did the villagers react, all of them deep in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman in the back row considered for a long time before suddenly gritting her teeth and saying: \"I’ve seen him!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh?\" The task assigned by their leader was nearly complete, and the bandit was pleased: \"You, come out and speak!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>￥￥￥￥￥\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Chunhua watched Lu Yao’s retreating back, a cold sneer appearing at the corner of his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back on his own turf, the soldiers were sleeping with their weapons ready, while the villagers were anxious and uneasy. He Yue was keeping Lady Ying company, while Zhu Xiuer stared out the window, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her husband, Lady Ying breathed a sigh of relief: \"Thank goodness, that villain didn't give you a hard time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He loses all sense of propriety once he starts drinking; he’s only too happy to have as many listeners as possible.\" He Chunhua sat down. Seeing his face flushed red, Qian Ma knew he couldn't hold his liquor well and hurried to fetch water for him to wash up, then served him a hangover soup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since my warning arrow, Wu Shaoyi’s troops haven't advanced; instead, he’s summoned his remaining forces from the foot of the mountain,\" a guard reported. \"However, he keeps an exceptionally sharp spirit pet, which seems to be a marten demon. I was nearly pursued the second time I went, so I didn't dare get closer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Chunhua was overjoyed: \"Heaven helps me! With such a spirit pet, it’s even more convenient than a scout. It will be effortless for Wu Shaoyi to verify the authenticity of the letter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Yue laughed: \"It wasn't in vain that Father drank all night and wore himself out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lingchuan walked out from the inner room and was startled to see He Chunhua: \"Wow, Dad, your face is really red.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Chunhua let out a hiccup: \"I haven't drunk like this in years! Even though I took a hangover pill beforehand, I was still worried that I’d blurt out our plans if I got drunk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Ying felt a pang of worry: \"Lu Yao is a brute; how could you compete with him in drinking!\" She then added anxiously, \"We’ve occupied the west of the village; won't the other rebels come from the west?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wu Shaoyi is coming along the eastern route, so he should attack from the east of the village and face Lu Yao head-on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Yue said: \"Wu Shaoyi has halted his troops, likely wanting to join forces with Pei Xinyong. Since he’s taking the eastern route, Pei Xinyong will likely circle around to the west.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Ying’s expression changed slightly: \"Wouldn't that lead them right to us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lingchuan chuckled: \"Sentry Rock is in the west. Only if Pei Xinyong goes to intercept the 700 ambushers Lu Yao has set up will Wu Shaoyi dare to attack County Magistrate Village, so the west is perfectly safe.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Ying said \"Oh,\" but she only felt relieved once He Chunhua nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Qinghe added: \"To prevent any mishaps, I’ve placed Crying Vine Dolls in hidden spots along the western route. If anything passes by there, these little things will cry out to warn us; if things continue to pass by, they will keep crying.\" With that, he tossed several small, cone-shaped objects onto the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The objects looked much like hazelnuts, and the patterns on their skin resembled human faces, with eyes and mouths, though those mouths were currently tightly shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the middle of the night, if living things were continuously passing along the western route, it could only be an army of humans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lingchuan picked one up: \"This thing looks like a hazelnut; can you eat it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was just asking casually, but the guard actually answered: \"Yes, but it’s extremely bitter and will give you a stomachache.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Chunhua glanced at it: \"The Great Shaman gave these to you, didn't he?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lingchuan’s heart stirred at the mention. Were they talking about the Great Shaman Zhaomandu? The Great Shaman whose name he had heard since waking up but had never seen? Just then, someone outside suddenly shouted: \"Zhu family, Zhu Xiuer, come out!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This voice came from the east.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this new variable at such a critical moment, everyone’s heart skipped a beat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Ying was filled with doubt and asked the Zhu woman: \"Why are the bandits looking for you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Xiuer shook her head to indicate she didn't know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Chunhua stood up and said: \"Let’s go out and see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group walked a few steps outside before realizing Zhu Xiuer hadn't followed. Looking back, they saw her standing where she was, as if in a daze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Ying asked with concern: \"What’s wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since learning of Zhu Xiuer’s background, she had felt extra pity for this young woman who had been abducted and sold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Xiuer shook her head again, lowered her head, and followed silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bandits outside shouted three times before He Chunhua finally walked out, standing on the west side of the center line to ask: \"What is the matter?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m not talking to you, official!\" the bandit said. \"Who is Zhu Xiuer?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, there were only three women in the group; besides Lady Ying and Qian Ma, everyone subconsciously turned to look at Zhu Xiuer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are the Zhu woman!\" The bandit raised his hand and pointed high up: \"Look, what is that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village was on low ground, and the terrain rose as one went further west. The bandit was pointing at the mountain road to the west, which was at least fifteen zhang above the ground, and the cliff face was bare and empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1434,"2026-06-20T02:23:30.219Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","33afc7d8bde7e32635bdc0367693058fbeab670dd383e1d39d30e43aaa311534","after-the-immortals-disappeared-chapter-123","after-the-immortals-disappeared-chapter-121",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fafter-the-immortals-disappeared-cover.jpg"]