Chapter 580: Binding the Birth System to Become a Winner in Life Chapter 581 Infinite Flow Cannon Fodder (28)

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

The path was not as easy to walk as the official road, and the surroundings were filled with bushes half a person tall. Although it was drizzling outside, Shen Yao could still see small animals appearing from time to time.

"The terrain here is flat. Those villagers just now had a smooth journey all the way and can reach Yu Chang Jun in no more than three days."

That is, provided they don't run into any trouble. Xu Ningchen flicked the whip in his hand as the two mules walked along the country path, braying incessantly.

"The officials and nobles of Yu Chang Jun probably don't want to take in this batch of refugees."

Shen Yao shook her head with an indifferent expression, thinking that the upper class of Yu Chang Jun cared more about their own interests. Distributing some rice porridge for a short time was fine, but once it became a long-term task with no return in sight, which capitalist would do business at a loss?

"Yu Chang Jun is behind the Sheng Dynasty Capital, and the Governor of Yu Chang Jun is even the Emperor's confidant." Now that the Emperor has passed away and the Crown Prince has ascended the throne, the court is in turmoil.

With a new emperor comes a new set of ministers. How much longer can this Governor of Yu Chang Jun hold his position?

"This has nothing to do with us. We should hurry to the Capital and settle down."

They continued their journey, the mule cart moving forward as the two bypassed Yu Chang Jun and headed straight for the Capital. Although they encountered a few accidents along the way, they finally entered the Capital's territory.

"Here."

Shen Yao looked up at the magnificent and grand Capital before them. For the next month or so, the two of them would rest here and adjust their departure plans according to the political situation in the court.

Lining up to enter the city, paying the fee.

The rain had stopped by now. Although the sky was gloomy and stuffy, it was much better than the past few days.

Just as the two were lining up to enter the city, a group of brocade-clad youths riding tall horses burst out of the city exit, acting willfully and arrogantly.

Commoners seeing this all avoided them, fearing that accidentally catching their eye would bring disaster upon themselves.

After all, these were all children of aristocratic clans who could take their lives with a stomp of their feet.

Shen Yao and Xu Ningchen blended into the crowd entering the city and were not conspicuous, but the system in their minds loved to join the fun. Moreover, these children of aristocratic clans riding horses through the streets were extremely high-profile and ostentatious.

"Oh no, their eyebrows are on fire and they're still going out of the city to play. Truly, they don't know how to cherish their lives."

"Hehe, either they're the son of a Prince or the heir of a Marquis House. The Sheng Dynasty is really going to fall."

"......"

Shen Yao followed beside Xu Ningchen, and soon it was their turn to line up and enter the city.

First find a place to stay, then find a temporary residence outside the city. As for living in the Capital? Their identities were not qualified enough.

Moreover, although the Capital looked safe, once the city gates were closed they couldn't escape. The villages and towns outside were more convenient.

"You rest first. I'll go to the Tooth Firm to inquire about news."

Xu Ningchen chose an inn near the city gate. After settling Shen Yao, he turned and left.

Shen Yao stayed at the inn. Staying in the room, she pushed open a side window, leaned by the window, and looked down, taking in the lively scene of the entire street.

As expected of the Capital, it was prosperous and bustling with people coming and going.

It was said that a few days ago, when the Emperor passed away, there was briefly some trouble. Later, the Crown Prince ascended the throne and ordered the army to strictly guard, leveling the risks.

It was just that those princes, whether adults or minors, were still in the Capital, fighting with the New Emperor on one hand and looking for opportunities to seize the throne on the other.

Nowadays, the Capital looked calm on the surface, but in reality, everyone from the aristocratic clans was placing bets. It was said that the execution platform at the Vegetable Market had beheaded many heads, all names that commoners had never even heard of.

Shen Yao rested her chin in her hand until she heard a commotion at the doorway and came back to her senses.

Little Two brought the food they had ordered earlier. Steam rose from the tray, everything was arranged neatly, and enough was left for Xu Ningchen. Shen Yao held her bowl and chopsticks and began to eat.

In the afternoon, Xu Ningchen returned to the inn with a belly full of news. As expected of professionals at the Tooth Firm, the questions Xu Ningchen consulted were quickly resolved.

"Walk along the official road for about five li outside the city, and there is a village that isn't too big. Spend some silver money, and you can temporarily stay in the village."

Xu Ningchen picked at the food in his bowl while settling the plans for tomorrow. They would definitely have to enter the city often to inquire about news in the future, and sleep in the village at night.

"Are there many taskers here? Did you run into any on this trip?"

Shen Yao placed her arms on the table, leaned forward, and stared at Xu Ningchen.

"Taskers who can arrive at the Capital during this time period probably don't have bad backgrounds. Our identities are ordinary," it's not easy to run into them.

"Yeah," like that colleague we met on the road, traveling by carriage. Are the horses something ordinary people can buy? Without official positions and connections, you can't even touch them.

Forget it. I just hope these taskers don't start conflicts with us.

Shen Yao and Xu Ningchen stayed at the inn for one night, and the next day they went to the Tooth Firm to handle the procedures.

People like them who weren't local household registrations couldn't stay in the Capital for more than three days. It was better to finish the procedures early, and they could also ease the hardship of their journey.

At this time, news of the internal chaos in Qingzhou had already spread to the Capital, causing everyone to discuss and sigh.

Anyway, it didn't happen to them. Most commoners were just talking for fun, but the civil and military officials in the court took the opportunity to stir things up, extensively excluding dissidents and carrying out purges.

Shen Yao and Xu Ningchen came to Tang Family Village.

It was a small village less than five kilometers from the Capital, named because everyone inside had the surname Tang.

The benefit of being near the Capital was that the commoners of Tang Family Village had no worries about food and clothing, and lived in abundance.

There were many idle houses around the village. Shen Yao and Xu Ningchen were short-term renters. After finishing the procedures at the Tooth Firm, they could move into an empty house in Tang Family Village.

Obviously, the men, women, old and young of Tang Family Village were already used to people like them. After all, although the city was prosperous, spending money was like flowing water. For families without enough savings, choosing to live in the suburbs was a normal consideration.

That evening, Shen Yao and Xu Ningchen took out a rich spread of food from their space to celebrate.

It had been over a month and a half since the two fled as refugees. The coming days probably wouldn't be too easy.

After eating the food on the table to their satisfaction, Shen Yao and Xu Ningchen lay side by side on the bed and slept soundly for once.

Early the next morning, the two stepped out of their room to the sound of chickens crowing in the village.

The weather was gloomy and oppressive as usual. Fortunately, no raindrops fell.

The commoners who got up early in the village had already taken their hoes to the fields. They were all simple farmers. Occasionally, one or two people dressed well walked by, but they only gave a passing glance and left no trace.

Xu Ningchen and Shen Yao did not rush the mule cart into the city, but chose to walk, preparing to inquire about news while also replenishing some consumed daily supplies.

Especially talisman paper, this kind of treasure that would have great use; they had nothing to do on a daily basis, so they certainly had to master this skill proficiently.

"Do you feel the atmosphere in the city is off?" Shen Yao raised her hand and poked Xu Ningchen. "In just one day, how come there's some panic in the city?"

Xu Ningchen signaled Shen Yao to calm down, while he found an opportunity to verbally inquire.

Sure enough, many people were tight-lipped about this, simply unwilling to say another sentence.

In the end, it was the notice pasted on the wall that reminded them what had actually happened. It turned out a Prince had rebelled (whether he truly rebelled remained to be verified), and had already been dealt with by the New Emperor, but the aftershocks were still ongoing. Last night, many participating court officials and their family members were arrested, with words saying they would be beheaded and their clans exterminated.

Xu Ningchen and Shen Yao simply chose to walk where there were many people, and after finishing purchasing the items they wanted, they spent some spare money drinking tea and listening to gossip.

"Aiyo, they're coming out, they're coming out."

"Heh! So many people."

"Are they all going to be dragged to the vegetable market? There are even women and children inside."

"..."

Important figures have already been secretly executed by order of the New Emperor; those being pushed out now are all direct-line family members.

Some people look bedraggled, but their innate dignity — how could it be worn away in a single night?

Shen Yao and Xu Ningchen sat on the teahouse's second floor looking down, and just saw someone jump out trying to escape.

Unfortunately, the surrounding guards were not mere decorations; one person's strength was far too weak, and in the end they were actually directly beheaded on the spot, dying even earlier than the others.

The escorting team was dense and endless, impossible to see head or tail; one also didn't know how many people had rebelled last night. Although the Capital had many high officials and nobles, killing like this, sooner or later they would also find themselves stretched thin.

"Host, there are Mission Takers inside; this time they truly cannot escape this calamity."

The System sighed that a good background doesn't guarantee an easy win; look, they got dragged in and became cannon fodder.

Its own Host, although luck wasn't great, could clear every Instance smoothly.

Comparing the two sides, the Host's luck was still better; its judgment was indeed good.

The System boasted about itself, praising the Host while not forgetting to include itself.

Shen Yao didn't know the System's little schemes; she was currently discussing softly with Xu Ningchen that in the next few days they must pay extra attention to the Capital's situation, and at the first sign of trouble they would immediately flee south.

Xu Ningchen:...

Xu Ningchen helplessly rubbed his forehead. "Not afraid. Unless the New Emperor passes away, otherwise the Capital will definitely be the last place to fall into chaos."

Shen Yao raised an eyebrow, feeling Xu Ningchen was overconfident. Given the Instance's nature, the New Emperor's safety truly couldn't be guaranteed.

You have to know the New Emperor cannot suppress his half-brothers. Killing a portion this time might have a deterrent effect, but it will also startle the snake by beating the grass. As long as they still covet that throne, these Princes will inevitably strike first to gain the upper hand.

At dusk, the two left the Capital and returned to Tang Family Village.

On both sides of the village entrance were rice shoots that had already sprouted and grown, greenery spreading, as if a beautiful blanket had been laid down.

Because the temporarily resided house had no furnishings to speak of, the two were also unencumbered. Aside from feeding the two mules that had followed them wandering north and south, there was nothing else to do.

Nothing to do, so draw talismans. Having mastered three types of talismans, seven types remained.

Strive to learn a few more types before clearing the Instance; this way they would also have more confidence dealing with subsequent Instances, including Paranormal Instances.

For the next two days, the two of them did not go out, but stayed home drawing talismans.

Until they had used up nearly all the talisman paper they bought, Shen Yao moved her wrists, then decided to make another trip to the Capital with Xu Ningchen.

No different from when they came before, only the atmosphere in the air was more bleak.

Sure enough, rebellion is a road of no return; with the first comes the second and third... During this period the Imperial Palace has been very busy; the New Emperor's safety has become the most important topic at present.

Including commoners living in the Capital, all are speculating whether the New Emperor can escape these plots. After all, once the New Emperor on the Dragon Throne passes away, they, these commoners, will be plunged into endless trouble.

Unlike high officials and nobles who fight for merit of supporting the Emperor from the start, bringing glory to their ancestors. Commoners fundamentally have no chance to walk this path; their only peace of mind is praying for the charity of those above.

Xu Ningchen and Shen Yao dared even less to swagger around the Capital randomly; they hurriedly finished buying things, then went to a few teahouses and inns with wide information sources to rest and inquire about news, and returned to Tang Family Village before dark.

The empty houses around Tang Family Village had been rented out one after another these past few days. Shen Yao occasionally went out and would bump into one or two, but they were not very familiar with each other, and had no relationship whatsoever, so they simply treated each other as strangers.

Today by coincidence, Shen Yao saw a person who made her feel familiar — an old acquaintance.

It was that Mission Taker who had once traveled together on the road. They walked together for several days, then separated because of rain, and never met again.

Unexpectedly meeting in Tang Family Village now, Shen Yao was surprised and also puzzled: how come the other party looked like they weren't faring well?

"That is natural. Not everyone can escape disaster like the Host."

The System obviously knew some inside information, but restricted by rules could not reveal too much.

Shen Yao heard this and let out an "oh," turned around and acted as if she hadn't recognized them. "Everyone has their own fate. As long as he doesn't conflict with us, lending a helping hand appropriately is also fine."

Even doing a good deed, if by chance there's an opportunity to cooperate in an Instance in the future, it's still one more favor than with other people.

System:...

After returning to the room and telling Xu Ningchen about this matter, Shen Yao turned her head and threw the person to the back of her mind.

Resumed the daily life of drawing talismans, peaceful and full of hope.

Every two days, Xu Ningchen and Shen Yao would make a trip to the Capital to inquire about news, and by the way buy some clean talisman paper and cinnabar to keep as reserves.

Until they had lived in Tang Family Village for half a month, the Capital's heavy city gates remained tightly shut and did not open. Shen Yao and Xu Ningchen realized the situation was wrong, and hurriedly returned to Tang Family Village to pack luggage and prepare to leave.

Before leaving, Xu Ningchen told the Village Chief here the news that the city gates were closed and not opening.

As for how this already elderly Village Chief would decide, that was not something Xu Ningchen needed to worry about.

"Jia!"

Two mules pulled the carriage behind them on the country path in a mad dash.

Xu Ningchen drove the cart while looking back at the situation behind; confirming the sounds of shouting and killing slowly drifted away, he not only did not reduce speed, but instead flicked the whip striking the mules.

Shen Yao lifted the carriage curtain, looking somewhat helplessly at her own empty rear.

No one could have predicted that the New Emperor survived the half-brother's rebellion, but the army in his hands lost control, indiscriminately slaughtering friend and foe alike throughout the entire Capital. Fortunately the two of them didn't waste time and ran fast; otherwise at this moment they would also only be able to clash head-on with those soldiers.

"Let's first run out of the military disaster's range, then talk. Once the Capital's news spreads, all of Jingzhou will become a mess."

Jingzhou counts as the Sheng Dynasty's base camp. Instability inside the base camp greatly affects surrounding areas. By then several states will connect into one piece, and the two of them will find it even harder to escape.

Sigh.

It seems the Sheng Dynasty's Ending in this Instance Inside was Predestined long ago.