Chapter 233: 226 Long Street

In the night, Deputy Envoy Mai walked onto the street alone.

The South City was exceptionally quiet at night. Xun City was the administrative seat of Riyang Jun, a large city with a population of several hundred thousand. The local Prefect was quite capable and governed the city in an orderly fashion. Originally, there had been all sorts of pugilistic factions here, but when the Gaoyuan Marquis marched north, Xun City was among the first batch of cities to be governed; his elite troops swept through, clearing out those chaotic gangs and leaving only a few law-abiding righteous factions, which were also marginalized. He re-registered the households, established markets, and consolidated the authority of the government.

Thanks to years of governance, during this extraordinary period, the entire city was under martial law, and orders were strictly followed. In the North City, some descendants of prominent families openly defied the curfew and were taught a lesson by the Land Inspection Division, after which they only dared to play in secret at home, while the South City was pitch black.

Mai Shiyu walked along the street, pondering the day's events and trying to clear up her thoughts.

The first problem: that abrupt note looked authentic enough, but it had no beginning and no end—was it true or false?

But this was not the real problem. Now, the arrival date of the Empty-Type Demon Cave was imminent, and there was not much time left for her. Whether this news was true or false, she could only treat it as true. After all, she would not receive any other news; the two useless fellows from Qingtian Temple had completely given up, so whether it was true or false, this was the only shot she had.

So, there were only a few things to do now.

The first thing, of course, was to arrange for the evacuation of the commoners at the location where the Demon Cave would arrive, and it could not cause a commotion. On one hand, she could not arouse the suspicion of Qingtian Temple; on the other, she could not cause panic among the commoners. After all, only a portion of the people needed to evacuate; if she caused panic in the whole city and led to a great disaster, the number of deaths might not be less than those caused by the Yin Calamity. This matter had to be completed within two days, and it was hard to find a name or excuse for it. As for the Town Guardian's suggestion to find a reason to lock everyone in the jail, that was a last resort; was the jail a good place? One trip in and out meant at least half a life lost. Unless absolutely necessary, she would not consider it.

The next thing was to find the person who sent her the letter. Deputy Envoy Mai would rather believe that they were a kind-hearted person with a sense of justice, but she could not rule out that they were a rebel intending to create chaos. Regardless, she had to see them in person to maintain the initiative.

After meeting, the situation would branch: if it were confirmed that the person truly had good intentions, then she would have to deal with the two troublemakers from Qingtian Temple, preferably getting them to roll out of Xun City early so they wouldn't harm that righteous person. If that person had malicious intent, then she would have to be on guard; if they pointed her toward the South City, who was to say they weren't using a diversionary tactic to stir up trouble elsewhere?

Only then would it be time to clear the Demon Cave...

Three days, three days! The time was too short!

Moreover, the people from the Land Inspection Division could not be moved; only she could act, and her strength was thin. If possible, she still needed to scheme and scrape together a group of people.

Unknowingly, Deputy Envoy Mai walked in front of a large building. The structure of this building was different; it was not a residence, but a temple.

"Dongjun Temple—"

Deputy Envoy Mai's heart stirred, and she thought of something.

Suddenly, sensing something, she turned back and shouted: "Come out!"

The surroundings were silent. Deputy Envoy Mai sneered: "Hiding in the water well alley. Do you think I'm bluffing? Get out, or I'll trap you in a net from which there is no escape."

Someone in the alley sighed and said: "Mai Jie, I see you again."

A handsome youth emerged from the alley. Deputy Envoy Mai said in surprise: "Azhao... why are you here?"

Tang Zhao was also helpless—luck superposition? That was it?

He had superimposed as much as he could: first the Lucky Bag, then the Good Luck Spring from the One Hundred and Eight Springs, then the Auspicious Rosy Clouds of the Yanggu Sword. Every single one was for adding luck. He only went out to wander after maxing out his luck, and yet he ran straight into Mai Shiyu.

Well, running into Mai Shiyu didn't count as bad luck, right?

It was just too fast.

To avoid trouble, Tang Zhao and Jiang Shenyi planned to go out and sweep the streets at night. They split into two paths to try their luck in different directions. On Tang Zhao's path, he closed his eyes and walked randomly according to the guidance of luck. After turning two alleys, he was blocked by Mai Shiyu, as if she had come specifically to block him.

At this moment, Tang Zhao explained: "Isn't time running out? I planned to come and look for where the Demon Cave is too."

Mai Shiyu asked curiously: "You also know the Art of Heaven's Derivation? You know where the Demon Cave is?"

Tang Zhao laughed dryly: "I don't, I'm just looking randomly." Seeing the strange look in Mai Shiyu's eyes, he hurriedly changed the subject: "Mai Jie, you're on the street late at night, do you have any clues? If there's anything you need me for, just say the word. Otherwise, it wouldn't be worthy of the friendship we built fighting side by side back then."

Mai Shiyu looked at Tang Zhao again, noticing that he had grown taller than her. In the dark night, it was hard to detect any childishness; he was already a full-grown adult. She said: "I do have a clue, and it's a very difficult matter. If it succeeds, there's no credit, but if it fails, there will be a great disaster. Do you still want to get involved?"

Tang Zhao said: "Is it a good thing or a bad thing?"

Deputy Envoy Mai said: "Of course it's a good thing, a good thing done for the commoners."

Tang Zhao said: "Then what are you hesitating for? Just give the order, Mai Jie."

Mai Shiyu smiled with relief and said: "Good. If I'm not allowed to mobilize people, can't I find like-minded companions? Come with me."

The two walked to a remote alley, silent and deserted in the dark night. Mai Shiyu did not delay and poured out the events of the day.

Tang Zhao pondered and said: "Just now, when Mai Jie was pondering in front of the Dongjun Temple, did you have an idea?"

Mai Shiyu nodded and said: "I have an idea. Since the founding of the Imperial Court, Dongjun has been revered, and the Dongjun Temple here in Xun City has stood for a hundred years. The commoners still believe in it deeply, and there are dozens of Dongjun Temples of various sizes in the city, especially in the South City. If the nearby Dongjun Temples hold activities, it could get the commoners to move out of their homes and gather in the temples, escaping the disaster. With only two or three days left, don't think about saving property; escaping with one's life is good enough."

Tang Zhao said: "That's a good idea." Although it wasn't exactly seamless, it was a good idea to come up with in such a rush. Just as Mai Shiyu said, with the Yin Calamity looming, saving lives was the first priority. To be honest, with the efficiency of the Imperial Court, if they really evacuated according to the standard of avoiding disaster, just coordinating the various miscellaneous matters might not even be successful in two or three days. If they were forced too hard, unpleasant things might even happen; using deception was actually faster.

Mai Shiyu said: "But activities aren't held just because you want them to be. There's no preparation at all right now. There are only a few old Daoists in the Dongjun Temple. If we rush into activities, they will likely be extremely crude. How can we stick so many commoners there without arousing suspicion? We can't just hold grand plays for several days, right? There are those who don't like watching plays."

Tang Zhao thought for a moment and said: "It doesn't matter. Don't hold plays, just stick them there by force."

Mai Shiyu said "Ah?" and Tang Zhao said: "Does Mai Jie remember the 'Bu De' sword?"

Mai Shiyu's eyes lit up and she said: "That one from the Holy Moon Sect... that Sword Art is very useful; it can attract everyone's attention, and no one can leave. But... can you make an Art Tool?"

Tang Zhao nodded: "Of course. I can make it."

He had used the Bu De sword several times in Jianzhou, and it was very useful. Even a Talisman Sword Master or the Kun Sword could not ignore the Sword Art of Bu De. As long as the commoners entered the temple, how could they be distracted? Just staring at the Art Tool in a daze, gathering them for a day or two would be easy.

Mai Shiyu said happily: "That's perfect. We only need a few people to lead the commoners there; even chanting scriptures for a whole day would be fine. But we have to take care of the commoners' food and needs. Hmm, that's fine too; the Dongjun Temple is the wealthiest. They've eaten the commoners' offerings in the past and have plenty of reserves; it's time for them to repay the commoners."

Tang Zhao said: "Does Mai Jie have people you trust? Even with the help of an Art Tool, someone needs to watch the Dongjun Temple the whole time just in case."

Mai Shiyu pursed her lips and said: "I do..." But they were people from the Land Inspection Division. The Town Guardian did not allow her to use people from the Land Inspection Division.

Tang Zhao said: "If it really doesn't work, let me do it, or my senior brother could do it too."

Mai Shiyu said: "You two? That's a bit of a waste. Let me think again..." While she schemed, she said: "There are also the two guys from Qingtian Temple; they are also in the way."

Tang Zhao said: "How about exiling them?"

Mai Shiyu said: "Exile... ah, you?!"

Tang Zhao said: "I have a very good relationship with Officer Xing." That's why the Pi Gan Jian is also in my Sword Manual!

Mai Shiyu's mood turned from cloudy to sunny, as if she had shed shackles and felt light and happy. She said: "Ah, having a Talisman Sword Master friend is truly great! Now there's only one thing left: find that expert in Heaven's Derivation."

Tang Zhao was thinking about the Sword Art, and Mai Shiyu said: "You don't need to worry about this, I'll do it."

Having said that, she drew her sword.

In the dark night, a flowering tree bloomed. The tree was laden with flowers, half red and half white. Under the flowers, there were even fruits hanging: half were plums that were black-translucent-red, and the other half were peaches that were cute in red and white.

"Peach Plum... Peach Plum Fragrance, so that's it."

Mai Shiyu said: "Exactly. My Sword Image is the Peach Plum." After saying that, she pinched the Sword Seal: "Sword Art—Peach Plum Does Not Speak!"

The Peach Plum Tree swayed slightly, and countless petals swirled in the air. Gradually, a footprint appeared in front of the Peach Plum Tree.

The footprint flashed once and then extinguished itself. A moment later, another footprint appeared, as if a transparent person were stepping forward.

Mai Shiyu said: "Follow this footprint."

Tang Zhao was very amazed and asked, " 'The peach and plum trees do not speak, yet a path forms beneath them'—is this automatic pathfinding?" This Sword Art is also quite useful; bring it over, bring it over.

Mai Shiyu said, "Hmm, there must be a clue. That clue has already been destroyed, but fortunately, my sword still remembers his aura."

The two followed the footsteps to track forward, and after walking not far, still in the South City area, the footsteps turned into a small street and reached the end.

Tang Zhao entered a street, and before he even saw the footsteps reach the end, he had already locked his gaze on a house.

No need to Ask, it is that place!

Sure enough, the footsteps stopped at the door of this house.

Mai Shiyu stood in front of the house, examining the tiled building, and pondered, "Is this house a bit strange? It is different from all the others."

Tang Zhao said, "This house is not the common style in Yunzhou; it seems to be... it is the style of Youzhou."

Youzhou and Yunzhou are both in the north of Shenzhou and are not far apart, so the styles of the houses are not very different, and Mai Shiyu could not distinguish them for a moment. Tang Zhao was not originally an Expert in architecture, but when he saw this house, he suddenly thought of a person and immediately identified what was different about it.

Mai Shiyu signaled for Tang Zhao to hide to one side in case of any unforeseen events, then bent his finger to knock on the door and said, "Is anyone home? A fated person has come to visit."

Only the sound of the door was heard, and a middle-aged scholar with a disheveled appearance opened the door, his expression calm, and said, "It is indeed Deputy Envoy Mai visiting. Please come in; this humble student has been waiting for a long time."

As soon as Tang Zhao saw this person, the stone in his heart fell to the ground; it really was Zhang Rong!