Huh? Isn't this an adventure kingdom building game?!-Chapter 929 - 817: Another Bounty (Part 2)

"Chirp, chirp, chirp!" The little golden monkey jumped onto his head, chattering away. Hou Ze stroked its soft fur with a smile and said, "Yutang stays at Mr. Jiang's small courtyard because he is a very skilled Artifact Refiner, don't forget that he received the authentic inheritance of the Celestial Craft Sect, surely he'll be useful;

What is our greatest advantage? Naturally, it's doing business and making money!

If we diligently do what we're supposed to, Mr. Jiang will never treat us poorly. Who wouldn't want to live in such a wonderful courtyard? And with so much delicious food, I've been craving it even in my dreams. The more it is like this, the more we must stay calm, it will be ours! Surely, it will all be ours!"

Hearing his words, the little golden monkey grinned happily, facing the wind and dreaming of a bright future.

As Hou Ze used Sword Flight to pass by the bounty board, it skillfully tore off a bounty notice, and the duo flew toward the direction of the Immortal Boat Workshop.

"Someone took a bounty! Master of the workshop, someone took a bounty!" As soon as movement began on this end, the news reached Wang Yingzhuo, the master of Trapped Snake Island workshop.

He was teasing the caged birds with Spirit Fruits when he heard someone took a bounty, threw the remaining Spirit Fruit into the cage, and turned around, "Oh? Is it the hotly discussed bounty from the Immortal Boat Workshop these past few days?"

"Your Honor is wise, indeed it's that bounty list! And Hou Ze is the one who took the bounty again!"

The report from his subordinate left Wang Yingzhuo secretly amazed.

In the last incident with the Xinhuo Trading Company, it was thanks to this Demon Cultivator named Hou Ze taking the bounty and delivering the message that he could seize the initiative and turn the tables, transforming a bad situation into a commendation.

Later, after making some discreet inquiries, he found out that the Xinhuo Trading Company matter was somehow related to the upper echelons of the Demon Realm Alliance. Not long after, the original trading company came under Hou Ze's control, which was quite intriguing.

Wang Yingzhuo was best at seizing opportunities to benefit himself. Knowing that Hou Ze became the Head Shopkeeper of the new trading company, he knew it was an invisible channel to communicate with the upper echelons of the Demon Realm Alliance, so naturally, he paid attention.

Upon hearing that Hou Ze took another bounty, he pondered whether the flying vessel that drew attention a few days ago over Trapped Snake Island was the "Immortal Ship" of some bigwig from the Demon Realm Alliance?

Knowing these things may seem useless now, but who knows when they'll come in handy.

He thought for a moment and motioned for a trusted aide to come over, whispered a few instructions, and the trusted aide immediately went to the Immortal Boat Workshop to gather information.

On the other side, when Fu Qingzhou heard that someone finally took the bounty, he was overjoyed!

Heavens know how lonely, desolate, and cold it was for three days and three nights, with him and Wu Chen sitting in the swirling snow and howling north wind! Unable to gather a single piece of information about that outrageously fast flying vessel, his Daoxin was almost about to collapse.

Fame and fortune, all of a sudden, turned into fleeting clouds. Fu Qingzhou just wanted to know who created that flying vessel, how was it made, and why did they make it in that strange design!

"Was it you who took the bounty? Quick, tell me who exactly is the Artifact Refining Master who created that flying vessel…" Fu Qingzhou rushed towards Hou Ze like the wind, grabbed his hand.

He desperately wanted all his questions answered, wishing that the person in front of him was the owner of the flying vessel so they could have a deep conversation!

Wu Chen, with his small stature, ran quickly, pulled Fu Qingzhou away, and, with a broad smile, said, "So sorry, he has been waiting for information for a long time and got a little anxious. Esteemed Daoist friend, shall we discuss inside?"

The two sharp businessmen exchanged glances and instantly understood each other. Today, they must have a verbal battle to reach a cooperation. After all, as a successful and decent businessman, the transaction must have enough benefits for oneself!

"Hey, hey, hey, I haven't finished asking…" Fu Qingzhou watched as the two, like matched opponents, went into the back hall, closing the door behind them.

He raised his hand, his expression pained and unable to endure, thinking if Wu Chen dared to mess up this deal, he'd tie him to the Immortal Ship and launch him as fireworks!

..................

Fragrant tea lingering, Bai Yunqi sat upright at the table in the Cloud Grocery Store's tea house, his mind replaying his unique experience of dying and being reborn.

Even up till now, he felt a strong sense of unreality, and wondered why the Venerable Family brought him here to wait for someone.

Outside the window, it was bustling, sounding like a teahouse or tavern. A Demon Cultivator, inspired by the autumn rain, recited a poem, drawing boisterous laughter from many Demon Cultivators.

"Creak—"

He was in a daze when he heard the door being pushed open, soon hearing hearty laughter without seeing the person, "Sorry, sorry, I'm late! Just as I was about to head out, I ran into a troublesome little ghost, took some time to get rid of it, I hope Mr. Jiang can forgive me!"

Bai Yunqi, upon hearing the voice, felt a chill in his heart, realizing that the visitor was very familiar with the Venerable Family, and seemed to be from the Netherworld…

"Daoist Qu is busy with official duties, it's my request that was too urgent," Jiang Yuan stood up, introducing, "This is my good friend Bai Yunqi. Xiao Bai, this gentleman is Daoist Qu Luming, holding the position of Leopard Tail in Fengdu of the Netherworld."

A demon and a ghost greeted each other and sat down.

Qu Luming's eyes briefly flashed with the light of a Half-step Divine Artifact, thinking to himself that he's just an ordinary White Snake Demon, yet he has the good fortune of being considered a friend by Mr. Jiang.

"The reason for inviting Daoist Qu to meet today is to discuss a few important matters." In Jiang Yuan's mind, he was contemplating how to make the most out of the three bundles of Nine Heavens Mysterious Herb while completing the task.

Chopping off tails, he narrated the contents that the contracted pet heard inside the Seven-Layered Exquisite Pagoda.

"Tut-tut! There is actually a ruined version of the 'Book of Life and Death'?" Qu Luming, without doubting its authenticity, took a sip of tea and marveled, "They've even set their sights on the old fellow Du Li, isn't this a chance to give him a good knock?"

Jiang Yuan: ???

Hey, hey, hey, come to your senses, that's your own body!

Seeing the shock in his eyes, a sly grin appeared on Qu Luming's overly pale face, "Last time with City Lord Yuan's incident, Du Li did quite a number on me. Even among brothers, accounts must be clear. Now that I've gotten wind of maneuvers against him…"

Pausing here, he pursed his lips and sighed, "Actually, those Demon Cultivators could target anyone, anyone but Du Li, who hasn't left home for many years.

However formidable the Demon Cultivators sent by the Demon King may be, even with the support of Divine and Holy Artifacts, how would they not engage in a sneak attack? Unable to attack the Demon Realm Alliance head-on, they simply can't capture that fellow.

However, Mr. Jiang's news is very important! Wait for me, I will get you some benefits from Du Li for this information!"

"Hold on." Jiang Yuan hastily stopped him from getting up, pressing him further, "Isn't the 'Book of Life and Death' in Fengdu City under the Judge's custody? Why is there a partial version of the 'Book of Life and Death'?"

"This story is quite lengthy. To be brief: the Netherworld's situation is quite complicated, with vast systems in Underworld, Fengdu, Youdu, and Netherworld, but ambiguities remain in certain respects.

During the period the spirits were closer to the gods without the jurisdiction of a True God, who knows what happened. Anyway, the 'Book of Life and Death' in Fengdu City is not the original version! It's said the original was taken away; another version recording the Immortals' names is in the Celestial Realm.

Imagine, the one in the Judge's hand is but a replica of a Divine Artifact, possibly with one or two other copies in the underworld among other places. And without knowing exactly how it developed to this point, it's rather normal for lost incomplete 'Books of Life and Death' to reappear.

The unusual aspect is that the Demon King managed to gather it! And Demon Cultivators can manipulate it… err, maybe not fully."

Qu Luming's eyes lit up, "Didn't they say it requires a large consumption of Immortal Jade? That's it! The 'Book of Life and Death' can only be utilized with ghostly qi, but Immortal Jade, being above spiritual, demonic, and ghostly energies, if one is willing to pay the price, Demon Cultivators can also temporarily harness it."

Hearing this, Jiang Yuan couldn't help but recall what the ghost said in the mine leading to the World Tree, claiming to be "in the Eighteen Layers of Hell," could it really be true? If one continues upward, what would it lead to?

"There's something else." He cast aside the sudden curiosity, taking out a bundle of Nine Heavens Mysterious Herb from the Storage Bag.

His counterpart immediately ogled at it—it smelled amazing! Never in life had he seen incense of such high quality! Mr. Jiang indeed is a massive treasure trove!

Their spirit was stirred as if being drawn by their eyes, with only one voice echoing in his mind: whatever he asks, one must agree! This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity must not be missed!

"I bought a piece of land in the Netherworld and hired one or two little ghosts to guard and clean."

Jiang Yuan straightforwardly said, "The disturbances caused by vicious spirits escaping the Eighteen Layers of Hell and evading capture are truly unbearable.

Therefore, I wish to trouble Daoist Qu further to find an array to protect my land, in exchange for this bundle of top-quality Nine Heavens Mysterious Herb, what do you say?"