Chapter 399: Didn't Sleep Well

Zhu Zhanlei could not forget "that matter"!

He also felt he likely lacked the ability to take revenge and could only rely on you, my lord Dafu.

Xu Yuan watched from behind, seeing Dafu nod while eating, and felt something ominous...

Could this stupid goose really agree to help Zhu Zhanlei peck people?

This meal prepared by the villagers was originally meant for the six of them.

As a result, Dafu ate it all.

His belly was stuffed round and rolling, and when he walked, he swayed even more violently.

Those two legs seemed unable to support his heavy body.

The others could naturally only eat dry rations.

Two tents. Gao Wanli hesitated greatly: Should I go into the village to stay for the night?

I am also a Sixth-Grade Artisan; what is there to fear from a mere village?

But remembering what Xu Yuan had said... her mood became complicated.

This official has had bad luck recently and has not met with my male consorts for a long time.

Since coming to Zhan City, one bad thing has followed another; she even didn't have time to bring over her most favored male consorts.

I have been parched and thirsty for so long.

But she worried the villagers might be too wild...

With such inner conflict, Gao Wanli still entered the tent.

As a result, a wave of foot stench hit her face—

Those three oafs from the Shanhe Office used these small tricks specifically to disgust Gao Wanli.

If they were to truly confront Gao Wanli directly, they did not have the courage for that.

But disgusting her a little, teasing her a little, would surely make my lord Xu secretly satisfied.

Afterward, regarding any benefits in the mountains, my lord Xu would not forget us.

Gao Wanli withdrew without hesitation and chased after Zhang Sanba: "Old sir, walk slowly. This official will seek lodging in the village tonight."

Zhang Sanba puffed on his dry tobacco pipe and said with a strange expression: "Since you are seeking lodging in the village, no matter how high an official you are, you must follow our village's rules."

"Of course."

The night passed quickly.

Gao Wanli was very confused; she had slept very soundly.

No one came to "harass" her at night.

"How could this be?!" Gao Wanli felt empty inside.

She slept well last night, yet also did not sleep well.

My lord Xu only spoke of his own experience spending the night in the village for the first time.

He did not explain in detail to them that if you follow the village's rules and pay the lodging silver in full, nothing else will happen.

Gao Wanli told Zhang Sanba she would abide by the village's rules.

Naturally, nothing else would happen.

Moreover, she is the Deputy Master of Laws after all; even if Wang Xiang Village is arrogant, they would not dare to truly do anything to her.

Bai Laoyan was already prepared, carrying a firewood knife, bearing a bow and arrow, with a pouch of special "dry rations" for mountain runners on his person.

"Let's go," Bai Laoyan said, "I know Gao Guanzi's several resting places in the mountains; we will find them one by one."

On the road, Xu Yuan very rarely took the initiative to speak to Gao Wanli: "My lord Gao, were you also present when the Princess Consort was killed?"

Gao Wanli said in a deep voice: "I was."

"Could you tell us what exactly happened? We... would also have some preparation."

Gao Wanli did not want to speak, nor even wanted to recall that experience.

She often had nightmares, dreaming she had returned to that moment!

Then she would be woken up in a cold sweat.

But Zhu Zhanlei and the others were looking at her seriously.

As bait, everyone was very concerned about exactly how the Princess Consort died.

What terrifying methods did that villain who secretly practiced the Dragon Transformation Art possess?

Gao Wanli could only speak slowly.

Everyone's faces were somewhat pale.

Especially Zhu Zhanlei.

"That evil spirit that killed the Princess Consort and Seventeenth Uncle... is likely not merely Fourth-Grade!"

Zhu Zhanlei was even more afraid inside—this was the effect my lord Xu wanted.

On the road afterward, Zhu Zhanlei was distracted the whole time.

He no longer had the boldness from yesterday, relying on the "Dragon Sickness" to slaughter everywhere.

At noon, Bai Laoyan led everyone to one of Gao Guanzi's shacks.

After inspecting, he shook his head helplessly: "Old Gao hasn't come here for a long time."

So after a simple lunch, everyone continued following Bai Laoyan to the next location.

In between, they went around a large lake.

From a distant hillside, they saw that lake water was a blood-red color!

Above the lake surface and around the lake, no living creature was seen.

That entire area had fallen into a complete dead silence.

Xu Yuan estimated that the evil spirits in this lake were likely no less powerful than the Ancient Corpse Empress.

Although they were far away, everyone instinctively held their breath, not daring to take a single gasp.

After passing by, Xu Yuan said, "I'm going to relieve myself."

Zhu Zhanlei hurriedly followed: "I'll go too."

Relieving oneself in Ghost Wushan was also something that required extreme caution.

The two arrived behind a large tree; Xu Yuan used "Gaze at Fate" to carefully scan the area once, confirming there were no evil spirits, before he began to urinate.

Zhu Zhanlei stood beside him, glanced down, and immediately praised, "Brother Xu, you are so magnificent..."

Xu Yuan glanced sideways: "That flattery is indeed a bit stiff! If you need something from me, just say it straight."

Zhu Zhanlei let out a dry chuckle: "Indeed, I couldn't fool the wise Brother Xu!"

"Still stiff."

Zhu Zhanlei scratched his head and whispered, "Help!"

Xu Yuan wore a look of confusion: "What do you mean?"

"Me!" Zhu Zhanlei pointed at his own face: "I am now Fu Yu Huan; I am the primary target of that villain.

According to Gao Wanli, that villain has colluded with a great evil spirit in the mountains; the two fourth-rank Fu family members probably can't protect me!

Moreover, you know the Fu family's nature better than I do.

If Fu Songyu and Fu Bai Zhou see that the evil spirit is too terrifying and they cannot defeat it, they will unhesitatingly abandon us and turn to run!

Only I cannot run away!"

He patted his own chest, hinting that he carried the "Dragon Scab" on his person.

Xu Yuan frowned: "Then what can be done?"

Zhu Zhanlei made a mournful face: "Brother Xu! My good Brother Xu, help me think of a solution quickly; I don't want to die."

Xu Yuan snorted and said, "Actually, it's simple. If that villain really appears, you just take off the Dragon Scab and throw it directly to him, isn't that enough?"

Zhu Zhanlei: "I can't take it off. This craft artifact belongs to Xu Miao; she only told me the method to use it, not the method to remove it."

Xu Yuan frowned.

This really is quite troublesome.

Even if he tried to persuade the Ancient Corpse Empress to cooperate with him in staging a play, capturing Zhu Zhanlei and finding a way to remove the Dragon Scab from him—what about Zhu Zhanlei?

He couldn't really kill him, could he?

Xu Yuan's thoughts turned: Wasn't there a craft cultivator right in front of him? Let her think of a solution.

Xu Yuan whispered and discussed the matter with Zhu Zhanlei.

Zhu Zhanlei nodded repeatedly: "Whatever you say, I'll do; I'll listen to you completely."

The two returned from behind the tree.

Zhu Zhanlei then said to Gao Wanli: "My Lord, do you want to live?"

Gao Wanli glanced at him coldly: "What do you mean?"

Zhu Zhanlei tore his collar open a slit, revealing the black muscle of the Dragon Scab beneath.

"I cannot remove this craft artifact. If that villain comes, I will be the first target. If I cannot run away, I will immediately grab onto you tightly!"

Gao Wanli exploded on the spot: "What do you mean? It wasn't me who caused you to end up in this situation!"

"But only you can help me," Zhu Zhanlei said. "You help me remove this thing; when that villain comes, I will throw the Dragon Scab directly at him. Everyone scatters and runs; the chance of survival increases greatly. It benefits you too."

Gao Wanli sneered: "Dream on!"

Zhu Zhanlei said, "With this thing on me, I am sixth-rank, and my body's strength is comparable to a Wu Xiu. You are just a craft cultivator; if I grab you and we die together, you won't be able to escape!"

As Zhu Zhanlei spoke, he suddenly acted, firmly grabbing Gao Wanli's neck in one move.

Then he let go and said, "I'll let you run first; try it again."

Gao Wanli was stunned: "You, you, you—shameless!"

"I just want to live."

(End of this chapter)