kvmb Chapter 36 Calling for Support
Chapter 36 Calling for Support
"Manager Wang, there's nothing wrong with the ledger. I'll be going out of town for a few days. Please keep a record of the accounts. I'll come back to the shop when I get back." Tao Jiang put away the silver in the money box, turned around and looked at the situation in the shop. "It's getting late. Let's close the shop after the lady leaves." After saying that, she turned around and left the shop.
Ning Xiaoxi pointed to the cabinets in front of her and said to the young shop assistant beside her, "Pack one bucket of each of these for me, and I'll go and drive the cart over."
"Okay, don't worry, I'll install it for you right away."
Ning Xiaoxi then walked out of the shop and saw Tao Jiang's back in the distance. She immediately quickened her pace and followed after her.
After leaving the grain store, Tao Jiang walked briskly along the street, his steps light and quick. After turning a few corners, he arrived at a slightly secluded area on the west side of the city. The houses here were all detached and had small courtyards, but they were hidden and quiet.
Ning Xiaoxi watched him enter a courtyard near the edge of the courtyard. She waited for a long time but he didn't come out. It seemed that he lived here. Thinking this, she condensed a wisp of spiritual energy and passed through the courtyard, searching for the trace of yin energy on Tao Jiang's body. Soon, she sensed that he was inside the back room.
Not daring to let her spiritual energy penetrate the door, Ning Xiaoxi manipulated her spiritual energy to form a bolt that blocked the door from the outside. If Tao Jiang left, the bolt would break the moment the door was opened, and she would be able to sense it.
Tao Jiang is just a demon soldier, and he has only recently been promoted from a demon servant. He needs to collect blood food for the Blood Soul, so he has to send it to his master from time to time. He just said he was going to leave for a few days. Is that because he is going to see the Blood Soul?
While pondering, Ning Xiaoxi felt that she probably couldn't deal with the blood spirit on her own. Or, there should be a Celestial Master Pavilion in Panhou Mountain City. If she reported this matter, would she be free to ignore it?
He took out the jade tablet given to him by Master Tianji, and the moment he infused it with spiritual power, a subtle sensation drifted towards the direction of the East City.
Ning Xiaoxi immediately followed the spiritual energy line along the street towards the east of the city.
As we walked through the streets of the mountain town, we found that there were hardly any pedestrians left, and we encountered two squads of guards who were beginning their night patrol.
After walking through a small grove of trees, an ancient building came into view; that was the Panhou Mountain City headquarters of the Celestial Master Pavilion.
It was a magnificent yet elegant classical courtyard-style building, which complemented the surrounding gardens, together forming a mysterious and tranquil place. The architectural style was simple and solemn, and the walls of the courtyard were made of huge bluestones, which were engraved with various mysterious runes and patterns. The runes shimmered faintly under the moonlight, as if they contained endless power.
The main gate faces due south, its vermilion doors heavy and solemn, adorned with a pair of bronze door knockers. Above the lintel hangs a black plaque with gold lettering, bearing the three large characters "Tianshi Pavilion," their powerful strokes seemingly proclaiming the extraordinary nature of this place. The gateposts on either side are also carved with exquisite runes.
The runes on the gate and courtyard were drawn with cinnabar, the strokes were strong and powerful, and there seemed to be a faint spiritual light flowing between the lines, indicating that multiple restrictions had been set up.
At the four corners of the outpost stood four towering watchtowers. Constructed of sturdy redwood, the watchtowers were octagonal, each level equipped with observation windows, providing a comprehensive view of the surrounding area. At the top of the eastern watchtower hung a massive bronze alarm bell. Engraved with runes and incantations, the bell would be rung by the guards upon detecting an approaching enemy, alerting those within the outpost to prepare for battle and also serving as a psychological deterrent to the enemy.
Looking at the outpost from afar, it seemed like a reliable place. Ning Xiaoxi's eyes lit up. At least it looked more reliable than that dumpling!
The gate to the camp was closed. Ning Xiaoxi looked down at her small frame and was a little worried that she wasn't heavy enough.
Taking a deep breath, Ning Xiaoxi took a firm step and stepped onto the steps in front of the gate.
"Crench!"
The gates of the compound burst open, and an officer dressed in black appeared before Ning Xiaoxi.
"Greetings, Miss Ning. I am Chang Qing, a commander under Lord Dark Star. My compass detected your jade token, which indicates your location. My strategist has ordered me to wait for you here." Chang Qing looked at the young woman who had recently caused quite a stir with a friendly expression.
"Greetings, young lady." Ning Xiaoxi bowed.
"Please," Chang Qing stepped aside and led the way.
This was Ning Xiaoxi's first time getting up close to an official from the Celestial Master Pavilion, and she couldn't help but scrutinize him.
He wore a black turban made of thick black silk. The turban had a simple design with a slightly raised top and two corners that extended backward.
She wore a long black robe that reached her ankles. The fabric was a crisp black brocade with subtle, dark patterns outlined in simple geometric shapes and lines, creating a sense of order. The collar, cuffs, and hem of the robe were embroidered with simple wave patterns in dark gray silk thread.
He wore a black leather belt with a square black jade stone inlaid in the middle, on which the character "暗" (dark) was engraved. Two ribbons hung naturally on both sides of the belt in front of him, with small silver spider lily patterns embroidered at the ends.
Wearing black cloth boots with smooth and clean surfaces and thick, durable soles, Ning Xiaoxi could not discern the function of the runes. The boot shafts were embroidered with small runes in black silk thread.
Upon entering the compound, the courtyard was found to be quite simple. The main building, consisting of five rooms, was built atop three steps. The dougong (bracket set) structure under the eaves was exquisite and intricate, with vibrant colors, supporting the outward-projecting eaves. The doors and windows were decorated with openwork carvings, featuring auspicious floral patterns and flowing lines. The main building was completely dark, as if no one was inside.
The east and west wing rooms stand facing each other, slightly smaller than the main house, but equally exquisite. The walls of the wing rooms are made of blue bricks with white mortar joints, giving them a rustic yet clean appearance. The wood carvings under the eaves are simple and elegant, mainly featuring patterns such as ruyi (auspicious symbols) and cloud designs. The doors and windows of the wing rooms are all wooden structures, with white paper pasted on the window sashes. Light shines from inside the east wing room.
Chang Qing led Ning Xiaoxi into the east wing, where the furnishings were simple yet elegant. An elderly man with a solemn expression and deep frown lines between his brows sat upright in a grand chair at the head of the room. He wore the same clothes as Chang Qing, except that a black pearl was inlaid in the center of the front of his turban. The pearl emitted a soft, dim light and was surrounded by a circle of fine silver patterns.
"My strategist, this is Miss Ning Xiaoxi." Chang Qing introduced Ning Xiaoxi but not the strategist, then turned and left.
"This humble girl greets the strategist." Ning Xiaoxi also bowed in greeting.
"Sit down," the old man said, pointing to the chair beside him.
"Thank you, sir." Ning Xiaoxi didn't stand on ceremony. She had been walking all day and hadn't rested since entering the city. Her legs were already exhausted, so it was best to sit down and talk. "Sir, I've come here because I discovered a demon soldier while shopping at Tao's Grain Store, and I've come to report it to you."
The old man leaned forward involuntarily, his brows furrowed, and his tone was somewhat unfriendly, "A demonic weapon? Are you sure?"