Chapter 155: Paradise Savings Card

In the Liu residence, Chu Danqing learned of Liu Bai's identity.

A martial champion from twenty years ago, holding only a nominal title.

Yet according to him, his own strength does not rank as the best in the land.

The capital is full of all kinds of experts.

Martial prowess is only one part of being a martial champion; a military post demands more than just fighting skill—it requires training troops, deploying formations, and other abilities.

They need commanders and generals, not mere brutes.

In their conversation, Liu Bai subtly probed Chu Danqing's background.

Chu Danqing, having once served as a powerful minister for several months, guarded every word carefully.

Liu Bai might be an ally, but since it was uncertain, caution was necessary.

"Lord Chu, your breadth of knowledge is impressive—no wonder you're from the capital," Liu Bai sipped his tea, deliberately setting a trap.

"Nothing special," Chu Danqing replied casually; if he had any advantage, it was the perspective gained from the information explosion era.

As for actual experience or intelligence, he was only slightly sharper during his time as minister—otherwise, he was thoroughly average.

Hearing Chu Danqing's response, Liu Bai understood.

Chu Danqing did not deny his origins—he accepted them.

This confirmed he was from the capital.

He was far away in Lin Yuan City; how could he know the capital's current state?

He had once visited the capital, but only to take the martial examination; after his mother's death, he rushed back to Lin Yuan City and never stayed long.

Besides, that was twenty years ago—the capital had changed entirely since then.

"I've had enough tea. I should be going," Chu Danqing rose to leave.

He had no intention of staying at Liu Bai's residence—he had matters to attend to tonight.

Chen Gou of the Azure Dragon Society said that every fifth day, at the end of the Hai hour, three large ships would dock.

Today was the fifteenth—perfect timing to go see for myself.

As for changing plans due to unforeseen events?

They'd need a reliable communication channel for that.

This isn't a high-cultivation world where one can transmit voice over a thousand li or make a modern phone call.

Carrier pigeons are even less reliable—the ships aren't stationary, then teleporting here.

Since it's smuggling, the goods must be transported far; the ships are already en route—they can't just stop on a whim.

The most likely scenario is they'll complete this delivery, then lie low for a while.

"Lord Chu has no residence in Lin Yuan City. Why not stay at my humble home?" Liu Bai immediately invited.

He believed he could leverage Chu Danqing's strength to rescue someone.

Staying at the Liu residence would offer far greater operational flexibility.

Chu Danqing waved him off: "No need. I'm not used to it."

He could feign during conversation, but living under the same roof would expose too many flaws.

He wasn't a professional performer, nor an actor.

The longer he stayed, the more likely he'd slip up.

Upon hearing this, Liu Bai did not press further—he merely said, "Then let me see you off."

Saying this, he rose to accompany him.

Once Chu Danqing had departed, Liu Bai reviewed their exchange in his mind.

"Something feels off. I need someone in the society to investigate him," Liu Bai muttered, watching Chu Danqing's retreating figure.

The biggest inconsistency was Wei Chuyi—why would Chu Danqing bring along such a common servant?

At first, he assumed Wei Chuyi had been captured; his behavior seemed to confirm it.

But upon closer observation during their talk, he realized Wei Chuyi seemed willing.

He had tested this—offering to free Wei Chuyi, letting him go.

To his surprise, Chu Danqing was indifferent, but Wei Chuyi refused.

On the other side, Chu Danqing sat on his war chariot, pondering where to stay.

He had canceled his inn reservation, and since he planned action tonight, he couldn't possibly stay there.

The best solution was to rent a house through a realty agency.

To match his current persona, he'd need a fine residence, plus maids and retainers.

Chu Danqing checked his storage space—his silver was still sufficient.

But paper can't hide fire; if Lin Yuan City's elite used their connections to investigate the capital, he'd be exposed.

But it didn't matter—he was counting on the time gap. Once he completed this side quest, the rest would be handled by Guo Ming's two flying swords.

Entering the realty agency, he scattered silver—and within half an hour, everything was arranged for him.

Chu Danqing moved into a grand mansion, complete with maids and retainers.

"Fortunately, I still had plenty of gold and jewels left from the last trial," Chu Danqing thought with relief.

Too bad such items without a panel had limited utility—they couldn't match the value of true treasure-type objects.

"Lord Chu, a man is outside requesting an audience."

Chu Danqing had just sat down when someone arrived.

Before he could speak, the Son of Heaven's Heaven stirred violently, golden specks rapidly coalescing.

"I've come to propose cooperation," came the voice of Blood Eagle, weary.

When Chu Danqing saw him again, his left arm had been severed at the shoulder.

The Son of Heaven's Heaven understood Chu Danqing's intent and retreated behind him, the golden light dissolving swiftly.

"You may go," Chu Danqing told the retainer.

Once alone, he said: "You two nearly ruined my plans."

"The feud is between you two. Under current circumstances, if one of you dies, the other will cease pursuit."

"Then why shouldn't I kill you first?" Chu Danqing said calmly.

Blood Eagle had come to him wounded—killing him was the most direct solution.

Unless Qing Jian was a mad dog, this would allow everyone to proceed with the trial in peace.

"You didn't strike first—that means cooperation between us is possible," Blood Eagle said. "I used a fine-grade revenge-marking item to lock onto Qing Jian."

"One of its effects is that upon completing revenge, you may select one item from the target's storage space."

"Help me, and I'll transfer this permission to you."

"Qing Jian is a seed talent in the Longhu Alliance's reserve tier—she's guaranteed to carry at least one top-tier fine-grade item," Blood Eagle said.

He had considered approaching other Apostles, but found none suitable.

Only Chu Danqing was this conspicuous—and his strength, Blood Eagle had personally experienced.

"Not worth it," Chu Danqing said.

If Qing Jian was a seed talent in the Longhu Alliance's reserve tier, she must carry something similar to a revenge mark.

Chu Danqing had no desire to get covered in sheep's stench just to eat a morsel of lamb.

But Blood Eagle's words reminded him—if he killed Blood Eagle, he might attract the Tiance Prefecture's attention.

He wasn't afraid, but the aftermath would be troublesome.

"I'll kill her—you only need to help me restrain her. It won't touch you," Blood Eagle sensed Chu Danqing's hesitation.

Then he produced another item and displayed its properties: "This is my payment."

"Qing Jian won't offer you a higher price—and she won't cooperate with you."

"If you want to end this chaos quickly, partnering with me is the most advantageous."

Chu Danqing said nothing, his gaze fixed on the item.

【Paradise Savings Card】

【Type: Currency】

【Quality: Fine】

【Effect: Use to gain 50, 00 Paradise Points】

The other party showed serious intent—immediately offering fifty thousand points.

It seemed Blood Eagle had originally planned to cooperate with other Apostles during this trial.

But plans had changed.

"I'm curious—what grudge do you hold against Qing Jian that you'd risk so much, even abandon the trial?" Chu Danqing did not take the offer, but asked instead.

Blood Eagle, without concealment, replied: "Tielu, a seed talent of the Tiance Prefecture's reserve tier, is my younger brother."

"Tielu was far more promising than I was. Had nothing gone wrong, his future would have been limitless."

"Until he met Qing Jian." Here, Blood Eagle paused, then continued: "He's dead. This is my only chance for revenge."

"With her strength, completing an A-rank trial is easy. Once she gains passive five-dimensional attributes and completes her talent quest, the gap between us will widen further."

"It will grow so vast that I won't just be unable to seek revenge—I won't even see her shadow."

Blood Eagle's voice carried hatred.

He was not a seed talent of the Tiance Prefecture; the resources allocated to him were insufficient to keep pace with Qing Jian.

With his strength and potential, he could only qualify for a C-rank trial—but he paid a heavy price, and since his goal was to strike at the Longhu Alliance, the Tiance Prefecture invested in him.

He used permanent attribute-enhancing items to meet A-rank trial standards, then obtained a fine-grade revenge-marking item from the Tiance Prefecture, allowing him to enter alongside Qing Jian.

Blood Eagle could never have completed an A-rank assessment.

He never intended to return alive from here.

The only advantage he had was that initial ambush in the ruined temple; after that, he was simply fighting for his life.

Otherwise, how could he have been chased to the courthouse by Qing Jian?

"I won't intervene—best I can do is let him help you." Chu Danqing pointed at Huang Tian Zhi Zi.

This deal is worthwhile.

It not only eliminates the trouble but also yields a substantial reward.

Blood Eagle's gaze settled on Huang Tian Zhi Zi; he exhaled in relief: "Fine, proceed with the notarization."

"Let me be clear—he will only grant you buffs, healing, and recovery, plus some negative controls. He won't attack for you."

Chu Danqing didn't know how Longhu Alliance judged things, so he avoided direct contact.

"Let him test the waters first." Chu Danqing spoke, and Huang Tian Zhi Zi activated buff and healing spells from the Tai Ping Shu.

Blood Eagle, observing the data displayed, promptly accepted.

"Agreed." With these buffs and healing, plus Huang Tian Zhi Zi's control, if he still couldn't exact revenge himself, it would be his own fault.

The two finalized the notarization through the Paradise.

"I'm curious—what's the meaning behind this savings card? Can't we transact directly?" Chu Danqing toyed with the savings card.

Blood Eagle spread one hand: "I don't know. It's one of the resources provided by Tiance Prefecture."

(End of Chapter)