Chapter 422 - Tracking Down The Truth
Chapter 422 Tracking Down The Truth
Once Multi-armed King Kong stopped, several people got off the platform on its back.
In actual fact, they knew when they saw their path being blocked that the enormous creature likely could not go further anymore. If not, the people from Feiya City could do their best to stop it.
Nobody could ignore a humongous creature like it. Needless to say, the person-in-charge at the city was not a fool as well, hence the spirit beast would not be allowed near the walls no matter what.
Nonetheless, Zuoqiu Hongyuan was embarrassed when he noticed Wu Hanning, whose face was covered by a scarf, and Bai Shixue.
He only blabbed just now because he was overly excited to see Ou Yangming. Honestly, everyone was still in disbelief even after witnessing the scene. Someone could actually control such a ferocious beast, which would even carry many people on its back.
The people from the city had never imagined anything like this.
Zuoqiu Hongyuan bit the bullet and cupped his hands at the young ladies. “Your Highness, Young Pavilion Master, did you have a good journey?”
Wu Hanning looked at him as though she never heard him, whereas Bai Shixue grinned and asked, “Brother Zuoqiu, I think I heard you mention my name earlier. Why was that?”
“I made an indiscreet remark just now. Please forgive me, Young Pavilion Master.” Zuoqiu Hongyuan felt a tingling sensation on his scalp, and he forced a smile. He signaled Ou Yangming with his eyes to ask the young fellow to help him out. Ou Yangming sneered. He approached Ni Yinghong and openly held her hand, then he whispered to her, “Let’s get ready to enter the city.”
Ni Yinghong nodded. Ever since she left the Ni residence, she rarely expressed her opinion. The young lady finally smiled gladly after Ou Yangming did such a warm gesture.
Even at this point, Ou Yangming firmly expressed his standpoint.
Zuoqiu Hongyuan widened his eyes so much that his eyeballs almost popped out. He was shocked to see Ou Yangming woo another young lady in front of Her Highness and Bai Shixue. What shocked him more was that the princess and the young pavilion master were not at all bothered, as though they were already used to it.
His face twitched, and he secretly gave Ou Yangming a thumbs-up. He had a martial art battle with Ou Yangming in the past, and they turned out to be well-matched in strength. Nevertheless, he respected the young fellow in other aspects. Even so, Zuoqiu Hongyuan had no idea that Ou Yangming was deeply troubled by this matter but did not show it.
After some introductions, the elder that came with Zuoqiu Hongyuan saluted Wu Hanning with respect.
He was a Supreme Great Ancestor from Feiya City and was known to be capable and powerful. As such, he was one of the best powerhouses in the city.
Despite that, after being told Wu Hanning’s identity and having seen a massive creature like Multi-armed King Kong, the elder became extremely modest. He was also friendly toward Ou Yangming, who could control the spirit beast.
They did not stay outside the city for a long time; they went inside after a brief moment. It was worth noting that every county had a formidable local force, and Feiya County’s greatest clan was none other than the renowned Yu family. Their status in Feiya County was akin to the Ni family’s status in Changlong County.
Having said that, their governor and the senior officer of their military were hand-picked by the imperial family, thus they treated the princess with much respect.
Ou Yangming was not bothered about the unnecessary and overelaborate formalities. He pulled Zuoqiu Hongyuan to the side and went to a quiet place away from the crowd.
“Brother Zuoqiu, why did you come to Feiya County?” Ou Yangming asked softly. “Don’t tell me that you’re worried about the citizens here, so you came to assist them regardless of the crisis in Huangsha County.”
“I would’ve said that, but I figured you won’t believe me.” Zuoqiu Hongyuan smiled bitterly.
“Tell me the truth.” Ou Yangming raised his eyebrows.
Zuoqiu Hongyuan hesitated for a while before he responded, “Brother Ou, frankly speaking, the Zuoqiu family has set up a defense since a century ago, so we noticed in advance when Huangsha County’s spirit beast descended. Besides, we noticed something incredibly strange.”
“What is it?” Ou Yangming had a grave expression on his face. He had a hunch that it was closely related to him.
“For generations, Huangsha and Yongxiang were bothered and invaded by the Insects, so We developed a good understanding of them,” Zuoqiu Hongyuan explained seriously, “The Insects that descended this time are unusually powerful, but they don’t seem to have a strong desire to attack the Humans. Instead, they sent a clone to Feiya County.”
“Illusion clones,” Ou Yangming said softly. “That’s right. It was that thing that was struck by your spirit beast.” Zuoqiu Hongyuan nodded but soon shook his head with a bitter smile. “I was under my clan’s secret order to search for that thing, but I didn’t expect it to sneak into a fire rock and was found by you in the end.”
Ou Yangming frowned. “Why did it sneak into a fire rock?’
Zuoqiu Hongyuan spread out his hands. “I’m not the insect spirit beast’s illusion clone, so how would I know? Perhaps it’s trying to hide.”
Before his voice died away, he shook his head and laughed because he had a feeling that it was not as simple as it seemed. “What are the fire rocks usually used for?” Ou Yangming asked after some thought.
“Feiya City usually uses them to attack large great-ancestor-level birds. With help from Rune Secret Techniques, the fire rocks are not only fast but also have certain tracking abilities, so they’re unimaginably useful when they’re launched,” Zuoqiu Hongyuan answered in a deep voice.
Ou Yangming’s eyes lit up. “Do you think the insect’s illusion clone is trying to go against a mighty bird?”
Zuoqiu Hongyuan was stunned. “In Feiya County, there’s only one bird worth the insect spirit beast’s time.”
The two of them were thrilled because they somehow felt like they found the key.
That said, they could not understand why the Insects’ spirit beast would go through a lot of trouble for this.
“Brother Ou, I have a favor to ask.” Zuoqiu Hongyuan suddenly bowed at Ou Yangming.
“Go ahead.” Ou Yangming immediately helped him up. They had not known each other for long, but they appreciated each other. Therefore, the young fellow was not going to reject Zuoqiu Hongyuan’s request as long as it was not something beyond his capability. Zuoqiu Hongyuan asked sternly, “Brother Ou, may I know what you obtained from the rock?” Ou Yangming could not help but laugh. He took out the spirit stone without any hesitation.
“A spirit stone?” Zuoqiu Hongyuan’s eyes gleamed, and he exclaimed.
“You have a great eye. If you like it, I’ll give it to you.” Ou Yangming beamed and tossed the spirit stone to Zuoqiu Hongyuan.
Perhaps the stone was priceless to many people, but Ou Yangming did not attach much importance to it because he knew it was not a rare item in the other realm.
The young fellow believed that he could one day go beyond Heaven. If that was the case, the spirit stone would not be considered valuable to him, so he might as well do someone else a favor now. Zuoqiu Hongyuan was deeply moved. “Thanks, Brother Ou.”
Ou Yangming waved his hand and raised another question, “Brother Zuoqiu, why are you tracking down the Insects’ illusion clone? Could it be more important than the Insects’ attack at Huangsha County?”
“Brother Ou, I’m sure you know a family from each of the eight counties is from the upper realm, right?” Zuoqiu Hongyuan answered after a moment of hesitation.
Ou Yangming nodded and suddenly looked up. “Is this… Their idea?”
Zuoqiu Hongyuan cleared his throat and said, “The interspatial disorder affects an exceptionally wide range this time, and I heard an Almighty Being is involved too. Ah, all in all, it’s very complicated, and I can’t tell you more.”
Ou Yangming nodded because he understood. Honestly, he was perfectly content that Zuoqiu Hongyuan was willing to tell him so much.
‘An Almighty Being got involved because of this interspatial disorder and is being watched by the Insects…’
The young fellow was suddenly struck with a thought. He recalled how Multi-armed King Kong kept stammering and was not willing to tell him about the mysterious figure behind him. On top of that, the spirit beast was also the one who suggested he come to Feiya County to subdue the bird spirit beast. The young fellow could not help but think that the Almighty Being was possibly the hidden figure that had been helping him all these while.
“Shriek…”
A loud bird’s cry was heard in the air out of the blue, and it sounded exceedingly fierce. The elders in front of Wu Hanning were taken aback. They were the most authoritative figures in the city.
Yu Hongli and Yu Weimao were two great ancestors from the Yu family. One of them was even a distinguished figure at the peak of Extreme Grade and was an insistent person.
Jiao Feijian was Feiya City’s governor but was only assigned by the imperial family to be a nominal governor. On the other hand, Gan Xinrui was the military’s commander and was the most competent Supreme Great Ancestor sent to the county. Apart from the four of them, there were also over 10 powerhouses in Extreme Grade.
The men were battle-seasoned and were the backbones of Feiya City.
However, their faces changed after they heard the loud cry.
Jiao Feijian instantly said, “Your Highness, those damn birds are here again. You’re a precious figure, so please come with me to somewhere safe for a while.”
The other Supreme Great Ancestors nodded and urged her to leave too.
After all, the birds were not easy opponents. If anything were to happen to Her Highness, while the Yu family might not be in serious trouble, Jiao Feijian and Gan Xinrui would have to kill themselves to apologize to the imperial family.
“Please don’t worry about me,” Wu Hanning expressed helplessly. She understood their concerns, but she asked, “How about you arrange a spot for me on the wall for me to observe the situation?”
The other people exchanged glances. Although Qu Hanning refused to hide somewhere safe, they were relieved because she agreed to follow their arrangement but with a condition.
After a brief moment, Wu Hanning, Ou Yangming, and the others arrived below a strictly guarded battlement. They looked into the distance as they waited for the war to break out.