Chapter 1139: The Second Fruit of Long Qi?

Yellow sand billowed, the long wind howling.

Hearing someone call out, Liang Qu's expression froze — how could there be someone in the great desert who recognized him?

Without efficient means of information transmission, without lifelike portraits circulated everywhere, perhaps no one under heaven was unaware of his name, Liang Qu, but to recognize him at a glance upon seeing him was absolutely impossible!

It was an acquaintance.

He rolled up the map, raised a hand and wiped, and water mist expanded.

A thin layer of water film emerged on both sides, blocking the sky-full of yellow sand, like wiping a layer of paint off glasses — no more obstruction, inside and out crystal clear.

Atop the sand dune, the visitor's vision cleared, and he grew greatly excited, dancing with joy: "It really is you, Marquis Xingyi! Riding a dragon to command the heavens, rare in all the world,

and possessing such mighty power — I said it looked like you!"

Liang Qu found the other's face familiar, pondered a moment, then suddenly realized.

"It's you? This place is Loulan?"

"Yes! This is precisely the Kingdom of Loulan. Last year, the year before, it was I who went as envoy to the Great Shun state, and even watched your military exercises and troop reviews — what magnificence!" Alshak was overjoyed. "The wind and sand are too fierce out here; you might as well come down and we'll talk. I'll send someone at once to inform our sovereign — hosting Marquis Xingyi will surely be his greatest pleasure."

He'd actually run out of Great Shun, and without noticing, run all the way here?

The world is truly small.

Liang Qu's face showed conflict.

This great desert lay in Great Shun's northwest, north of Blue Lake, south of Beiting; because the environment was harsh and resources not abundant, it was mostly a strategic buffer zone, with many small states.

Loulan counted as one of the stronger ones among them, or rather the strongest.

It possessed a whole large intact oasis, its habitable area genuinely several Pingyang Prefectures in size, and moreover several small oases dotted about,

almost able to call itself king and hegemon.

【18】 Rumor had it the state also had an aged Wu Sheng, rarely seen active, belonging to the very few truly independent Martial Saints.

It is said that there is still an elderly martial saint in the country who rarely comes out to engage in activities, belonging to the extremely few truly independent martial saints.

For comparison, within Great Shun's borders there were many Martial Saints who did not obey Great Shun, held no office, received no kingship, but remained inside Great Shun, acknowledged Great Shun's rule,

held Great Shun household registration, and Great Shun collected taxes from the common people in their territories — the Southern Frontier and Beiting both had such "free Martial Saints," but "free Martial Saints" are not "independent Martial Saints."

Loulan was different.

Loulan's unit was a state; although in reality great states and small states are not equal, in theory it was on the same level as Great Shun and Beiting — Great Shun's tax collection could not reach the subjects under that Wu Sheng's rule.

However, Liang Qu didn't much want to go to Loulan.

Not because it involved some diplomatic issue, but because the other party's intentions were impure — there was precedent.

They coveted his body.

The matter of his past promotion to Hunt Tiger, the lavish offers to sire a child — vivid in memory, fresh as ever.

Isn't this nonsense?

Who doesn't know that he, Marquis Xingyi, keeps himself pure, has never even

found the door to a brothel.

"I just happened to be passing through; no need for trouble." Liang Qu declined politely.

"No trouble, no trouble." Alshak grew somewhat anxious, scanning the surrounding canyon, a bright idea striking — "Marquis Xingyi has come a thousand li to my Loulan, carving out such a massive canyon — to ordinary people it's practically a natural moat. Of course, I know Marquis Xingyi surely didn't mean it; you must have forgotten to present a state letter and make contact with our border sentries?"

You bastard!

Silence for an instant.

Liang Qu dispelled the sand-blocking water film, dissipated the Azure Dragon, descended from the sky, raised his hands in a bow,

"Trouble you then, Ambassador."

Since he'd taken a strand of their long qi, Liang Qu felt a trip there was no harm.

"Haha, today I'm not an ambassador — when I go to Great Shun I'm Loulan's ambassador. My name is Alshak, also a Central Plains name, An Shiche. Quick, quick, please come, please come."

Alshak, or rather An Shiche, beaming with joy, grabbed Liang Qu's hand, then hauled over a camel's reins, chased the guard off its back, and barked commands in the Loulan language,

"Give your camel to Marquis Xingyi to ride. You run and report to the sovereign at once — say Marquis Xingyi arrived with a merchant caravan to our Loulan, and I'm bringing him back as a guest."

"Yes!"

The guard shouted loudly, hand on the long saber at his waist, stood at attention, and sprinted off toward the west in a puff of smoke.

Liang Qu didn't stand on ceremony either, vaulting onto the camel.

This sort of operation was the norm — the world runs this way; the weak yield to the strong. Being overly polite would instead disgrace Great Shun's face.

Amid wind and sand, the small party moved on.

"Has Marquis Xingyi ever ridden a camel before? How does it feel?"

"No, today is my first time riding one — not bad."

Liang Qu sat atop the camel's hump; the camel was groomed very clean, and even in winter had none of the distinctive gamey stench of livestock.

"My Loulan's camels may not run as fast as Great Shun's dragon-blood horses, but when it comes to drought endurance, they're far stronger." An Shiche spoke eloquently, introducing Loulan's customs and conditions.

Liang Qu glanced around — the surrounding guards were well-trained, five men, every one with Wolf Smoke strength. Looking at An Shiche again — anyone who could serve as an envoy, his strength and status in Loulan wouldn't be low; he was no simple sentry scout.

"Are these the Loulan royal capital's guards?"

"They are, but can't compare to the Tianyu Guards who protect Great Shun's Your Majesty — the imperial house's awe, every man a Hunt Tiger. My Loulan managing to select some Wolf Smoke to form an army is already extremely difficult."

"The royal capital isn't far from here?"

"It is not — three hundred-odd li. Marquis Xingyi's divine might is like a mountain peak; our king ordered me to lead the guards to investigate the cause — never imagined I'd encounter Marquis Xingyi. Truly luck to the extreme."

"I had no intention of disturbing anyone; flew too fast, the yellow sand all looked the same — who'd have guessed I'd left the border."

"I had no intention of disturbing you; I flew too fast, and the yellow sand all looked the same — who could have guessed I would leave the border."

Shiche waved his hands repeatedly. "Marquis Xingyi's great name resounds far and wide; to have you visit our Loulan, our king can only be delighted. Coincidence, yes, but also fate."

Shiche waved his hands repeatedly. "Marquis Xingyi's great name resounds far and wide; to have you visit our Loulan, my king can only be delighted — it is both coincidence and fate."

As a talent capable of being sent as envoy to another state, An Shiche's knowledge was broad; all sorts of anecdotes came readily to hand, providing full emotional value — not boring at all.

As a talent capable of being sent abroad as an envoy, An Shiche has broad knowledge, various interesting anecdotes at his fingertips, providing ample emotional value, and is not boring.

Soon, the soft yellow sand beneath the camel's feet turned into dry, hard earth, and then from earth into withered yellow grassland.

Winter, all things withered; weeds were hard to spot. Herdsmen warmed themselves in earthen huts, cattle and sheep huddled in corners. Mountains for scenery, the towering royal capital rose from the ground, overall tone earth-yellow, snow atop.

"Here—

Liang Qu's golden eyes had not faded; he held the reins, gazing contentedly at sky and earth from the camel's back.

Between heaven and earth, Qi was dense, extremely similar to what he had seen on Blue Lake!

"What does Marquis Xingyi think of our royal capital?" An Zhiche thought Liang Qu was awed by the capital's momentum, couldn't help feeling a bit proud.

"Good!"

Liang Qu praised loudly, simultaneously narrowing his eyes.

"Such dense Qi, even denser than Chang Qi of heaven and earth!"

The sixth layer of Yinglong's Favor made his third divine ability increasingly powerful; not only could he see Qi, he also had strong discrimination ability toward Qi,

even guiding ability.

Between heaven and earth, at all times Qi abounds, but most has no color; only in special circumstances — such as anomalies, Chang Qi, even — Wei Guo!

Han Wei Guo's are pale red and bright yellow.

The dense Qi before him likewise had a thread of bright yellow.

Could it be Ying Guo?

He made a special trip to the great desert, feeling out patterns, coming to search for traces of Ying Guo.

Obtaining one Guo, knowing Wei Guo's importance for future cultivation, just like Chang Qi for advancing to Entering Zhen Xiang, Liang Qu's interest in Wei Guo had greatly increased.

One more Wei Guo, one more understanding, one more world choice.

Han can advance to Qing Nu.

What can Ying Guo universally elevate?

Following the principle of reversal at extremes, it should be from water turning to drought; could it return to Guo?

That system between Wei Guo would be a bit strange; if Shu also changes, it would be drought governing Shu; Liang Qu couldn't imagine what kind of scene that would be.

He suddenly realized the importance of Tian Guan Di Zhou.

Before he always thought Yinglong's Favor's greatest benefit was movement technique, roaming the Six Xu, many advantages in combat; but the further he cultivated the more he found it wrong; now it seems, fundamentally not movement technique, but the ability to directly observe heaven and earth's Qi!

Chang Qi, Wei Guo, Tian Guan Di Zhou—

"Regardless, this trip to Loulan was not a mistake—"

Liang Qu betrayed nothing, suppressed his emotions, and under An Zhiche's lead, stepped into Lou

Lan Royal City.

Guards led away the camel.

Loulan Royal City lacked the imperial palace's four-seasons-like-spring feeling; outside cold, inside equally cold, but entering the corridor, every ten steps a brazier,

baking out warmth.

At every corridor corner, without exception two maids stood facing, bodies scented with spices, a faint secluded fragrance.

Loulan beauties!

Loulan Kingdom produces beauties in abundance, extremely distinctive; even within Great Shun, high officials and nobles pursue them; Loulan envoys sent to Great Shun often bring beauty troupes.

"Hahaha, long heard of Marquis Xingyi's great name! Seeing today, truly a youthful hero; in my view, compared to Beiting's Halu Khan, stronger by who knows how much! Once competed on same stage; now, heard he only advanced to Entering Zhen Xiang four years ago, just half a year later than Marquis Xingyi; now! Marquis Xingyi nearly Wu Sheng, never heard he wants Grandmaster!"

Person not arrived, voice arrives first, like a great bell.

Ground trembled lightly.

A "human ball" who spoke of Halu Khan and in stature likewise matched Halu Khan walked barefoot, quite "rugged"; his Jianghuai official speech half-baked.

Liang Qu's brow twitched.

This is the Loulan King?

Height at least two meters three, level with Long Yanrui; width no less than one meter eight!

"Hahaha." Revealing true face, the King laughed again, "Is Marquis Xingyi very surprised?"

Liang Qu raised hands in salute: "Met Loulan King; wouldn't say surprised — dragon chant tiger roar, phoenix luan soar, the bearing of a true man."

Xuda Duo laughed even more boldly: "I have Numan bloodline! Hence such stature!"

So it is; Liang Qu suddenly understood.

Beiting Numan tribe, like a human subspecies; base height matches Dragon People; occasionally produces a freak like Halu Khan, ten feet tall.

Dragon People at least accepted Dragon Lord essence blood to become so; have origin; Numan tribe's history unverifiable, fundamentally don't know why; and heredity strongly aggressive; many generations of interbreeding, characteristics don't greatly fade.

"Quick, I've arranged a banquet; Marquis Xingyi come taste my Loulan mutton, and Great Shun's mutton, what difference!"

"To decline would be impolite."

"Come, serve wine for our Great Shun guests!" Loulan King's laughter high and hearty.

Liang Qu surrounded by crowd, treading brick and stone, shifting orientation, arrived in a grand hall of glittering gold and jade.

Bonfires surged skyward.

"Why so lively inside?"

Outside the royal city, clamor suddenly receded, became quiet.

Horse merchant Ha exhaled hot mist, shrank his neck, watching bonfires surge skyward inside the royal city — clearly treatment for entertaining honored guests; one inside, one outside,

like two worlds.

"Who knows; instead of caring

about this, better care about how to sell goods tomorrow; what Loulan Kingdom good for selling porcelain, picking up money by the sack, all lies."

Companion didn't care about royal city liveliness; he took out a dry flatbread warmed by body heat, swallowed with water; ate a while, found still hard to bite, cold and hard, no flavor; he propped a basin, poured water, tore bread in, wanting to soak bread soft,

waited a while found wouldn't soften; instead got ice slag.

"Hey, got any firewood? Lend me some to boil water."

"Firewood doesn't cost money. Haven't sold a thing all day, and it's freezing out. Make do, will you? I've got pickled vegetables — want some?"

"Never mind, not that hungry."

The horse merchant lay on the haystack, picked off two lice, and fell asleep in his clothes, smelling the head-oil stench of his companion who hadn't bathed in two months.

A faint, secluded fragrance slipped into his nostrils. Young Loulan girls swarmed onto the carpet from all sides, presenting delicacies. As they turned, their fiery horse-face skirts flared open, revealing bare feet and silver bells.

Steaming hot, lamb legs dripping with golden fat were brought on trays. The serving girls cut them into small pieces with knives and offered them to his mouth. Taking advantage of the chance,

they kept crowding against Liang Qu. Their two silkworm-woven sleeves were semi-transparent; by candlelight one could see their rounded shoulders.

I knew it!

Liang Qu grabbed his knees.

The Loulan state's treacherous heart never dies. Using such a lowdown method to seduce a healthy, hot-blooded youth like him.

These girls each had their own charms. Especially the two beside him — their looks were no worse than Long Yao and Long Li. One even had wheat-colored skin, a kind of healthy, wild beauty. And she could even speak the official tongue!

Just that their hands and feet weren't honest.

Groping all over!

Is that a place you're allowed to touch?

Let the Eastern Sea's Ren Zongwu find out and you're done for!

Liang Qu batted away the little hands, pushed aside the little knife, grabbed a lamb leg and swallowed it in big mouthfuls.

After the Tongtian Juedi, the fusion of corpse, blood fiend, and begging soul is even better. As long as the soul becomes human form, when the three merge into one, one can even possess the five senses.

If not for the Fan woman's husband, this duke would truly have fallen for the Loulan King's scheme.

But Loulan's mutton is indeed good — a cut above what Xiang Fang Su brings out every time.

Fragrant!

The banquet was at its height. Liang Qu gnawed through five lamb legs. The girls beside him changed five waves. He took the chance to speak with the Loulan King, wanting a glimpse of the Loulan classics.

Status and strength are meant to be used. Once cultivation reaches the person, one's needs can be stated openly. Others dare not probe too deeply. As for what to exchange, Liang Qu being able to put forward this request directly is already a favorable condition.

The Loulan King was surprised: "Great Shun is honored as the Celestial State. It lacks nothing. Why would you still need to read my Loulan classics?"

"I'm very interested in Loulan's history and culture."

One listen and it's obviously an excuse.

But the Loulan King saw Alshak wink at him and agreed on the spot.

Look.

Must look.

The longer Marquis Xingyi stays, the more chances!

Marquis Xingyi is known to all for valuing sentiment and righteousness. This duke has come to see. The Duchess is extremely likely to become a Heavenly Dragon Wu Sheng. Using classics to forge good ties with a Heavenly Dragon Wu Sheng — benefit without cost. What's there to hesitate about?

Done!

The reason for borrowing the Loulan collection is simple — Liang Qu wants to search for clues about the Position Fruit.

Records of the Position Fruit in the world cannot just appear out of thin air. Like the Charm Fruit — why did the Great Snow Mountain know it would emerge? Why did Great Shun know the promotion path? Apart from direct divination, there must be other ways to know.

There might be records of Position Fruit information within Loulan.

Following the chart to find the steed is still better than aimless searching.

The Loulan King immediately took off the jade pendant from his waist to serve as a token, indicating that from now on, the Loulan treasury — even the great clans' collections within the country — Liang Qu may enter and borrow freely by this token, without obstruction. What authority, truly magnanimous.

Liang Qu thanked him solemnly.

Deep night.

Declining the Loulan King's invitation to stay the night, Liang Qu conveniently packed up a hundred lamb legs, a hundred racks of lamb. Finally he gifted the Loulan King twenty portions each of his self-made 【Slaying the Flood Dragon】 and 【Golden Body】 minor talismans as a return gift. Reciprocity. Hurriedly he rode the dragon away.

Not that his willpower was lacking — he just couldn't withstand Loulan beauties.

Awei sent a message.

The Heposuo fleet has reached Nanhai Commandery!

Midnight.

Circling most of Great Shun, entering the Eastern Sea, heading south all the way.

The qi turned from cold to hot. The fleet docked. Waves stretched on endlessly.

Liang Qu quietly pressed against the window frame, poked his head in to look around. Sensing no movement, he discovered no one in the cultivation room. He guessed Long Eying had emerged from seclusion and darted straight to the bedroom.

"Beep beep! ——"

"The Heavenly King covers the Earth Tiger!"

The person inside reacted extremely fast — actually seized the initiative.

Hiss. This woman — one pit deeper, one wisdom longer. She actually learned to counter-question!

"The Pagoda suppresses the River Demon!"

"Wrong!"

"Little chicken stewed with mushrooms!"

"Wrong!"

"Mushrooms with chili peppers!"

"Still wrong."

Liang Qu pondered briefly: "Ashui loves Aying!"

Snap!

The window frame opened.

Long Eying, clad in a pure silk white robe, bathed in moonlight, her pretty face glowing.

A mere little dragon girl, laughable to the extreme, and you still can't handle her?

Liang Qu grinned, about to jump into the cabin, when in midair a pale hand suddenly pressed against his chest, the palm exerting force upward, lifting him and lightly pushing him out.

Long Eying narrowed her eyes: "What smell is on you?

"

"Heh, what else could it be? You think it's spices? Perfume? It's definitely the body fragrance of Loulan beauties."

"?"

Liang Qu tilted his head back: "Hey, don't blame me, Marquis Xingyi's fame spreads far, handsome and dashing, wherever he goes he attracts bad women, but Lady rest assured, although my oil was taken, the most important chastity I guarded, and I even packed you a late-night snack, A Fei!"

Clatter!

A Fei emerged from the vortex palace, opening its huge mouth.

Liang Qu took out the lamb legs and lamb chops, swept a glance, and immediately discovered the count was wrong.

"Didn't I pack two hundred portions? How come there are only one hundred and eighty?"

The fat catfish's twin whiskers poked against each other.

Accidentally swallowed them.

"Accidentally accidentally! How come it's accidentally this time." Liang Qu grabbed the long whiskers, hammering the fat catfish's brain cavity, "Why don't you accidentally swallow my corpse too?"

To accompany a ruler is like accompanying a tiger, the fat catfish shook its whiskers repeatedly, hurriedly saying it didn't dare.

Long Eying rolled her eyes: "Bringing one hundred eighty-plus portions, you treat me like A Fei?"

"Call Long Binglin and my Brother Wu, colleagues and them, everyone's share together, although you occupied my portion, but what's packed in my little toes is Brother Wu's fellow disciples!"

Long Eying held her forehead, but soon realized something was wrong, nearly letting the monkey lead her around.

"What's the deal with Loulan beauties?"

"Later later, first take advantage of three, call everyone up to eat the late-night snack!"