Chapter 599: Dividing the Army into Ten Routes |
"Alright then, you need to be careful too."
Xu Qingqiu reminded him again, clearly very worried about Ning Qi's safety.
"By the way, I need to infiltrate deep into enemy territory."
"I'm going to head to the Realm Sea Battlefield early, and when the time comes, I'll go in the guise of a Demonic Race member."
"Once I'm at the Realm Sea Battlefield, I'll contact you."
"At that time, I'll give you sufficient intelligence to ensure your safety."
"Don't mention this matter to anyone, understand?"
Ning Qi suddenly thought of something and thus gave this reminder.
"Ah? You're going to go through the Demonic Race people?"
"I've already made arrangements, you can rest assured."
Ning Qi's mind was made up; he didn't heed her advice. "Just wait for the intelligence I'll give you, and make sure to follow my arrangements."
"This communication is our last one here. The next time will be when we're at the Realm Sea Battlefield."
"Alright then, but you must be careful, absolutely must not be discovered by them."
"If the situation turns bad, you must come back as soon as possible!"
Xu Qingqiu knew he wouldn't change his decision, so she could only remind him one more time.
"Don't worry, I know my limits!"
After agreeing, Ning Qi added another reminder. "You must have your people here increase their vigilance. There is a Demonic Race branch outpost here."
"It's just a shame I don't know where it is."
"Alright, I'll tell my master, you can rest assured."
Xu Qingqiu agreed.
"Good. It's not convenient on my end, so you must tell them."
After reminding her once more, Ning Qi directly cut off their Voice Transmission.
"Master, did you perhaps say a bit too much?"
The Pill Spirit asked worriedly.
"Not too much. I haven't even told them about tonight's operation yet!"
Ning Qi shook his head and said solemnly, "When two sides engage in battle, there will inevitably be casualties. This time, they cannot predict the enemy's movements."
"That's their mistake. We just need to achieve our own objective, that's enough."
"Understood."
The Pill Spirit did not argue further, simply agreeing outright.
"Alright, let's go back!"
After finishing his instructions, Ning Qi stood up and walked out.
They quickly returned to the main street.
By now, the sky had darkened, and the number of people on the streets had increased.
This was precisely the liveliest time. Many people, having been busy all day, were just waiting for this moment to relax and enjoy themselves.
"Master, are we going back now?"
The Pill Spirit looked at the bustling crowd on the street and couldn't help but ask.
"Let's stroll around first. Going back so early would actually make them suspicious."
Ning Qi shook his head and then walked forward. "Perhaps we might even have an unexpected gain."
"Ah, you're not thinking of going to the auction house, are you?"
The Pill Spirit seemed to think of something and hurriedly asked.
"No, we don't need resources right now."
"As for weapons and armor, we don't lack those either."
Ning Qi shook his head and continued, "Let's just treat it as a normal stroll."
"Alright!"
The Pill Spirit happily agreed. He had been feeling stifled these past few days.
"Let's go."
Ning Qi looked at the people ahead and then beckoned the Pill Spirit to follow him.
"Alright!"
The Pill Spirit quickly returned to his shoulder and then followed Ning Qi as they walked toward the more crowded streets.
They passed through streets teeming with pedestrians and arrived at an antique street.
Shops lined the street everywhere, and one could see many shops containing some Natural Treasures.
"Master, should we go in and take a look?"
The Pill Spirit was already itching to try.
"Mmm, since we're here, of course we should browse a bit."
Ning Qi nodded, looked forward, then found a shop and walked straight in.
"Young Master, what would you like?"
A Shop Assistant came over and asked with a smile.
"Do you have any decent weapons here?"
After walking in, Ning Qi began to look around their shop.
This was merely to pass the time.
"Master, we definitely did the right thing. I see Demonic Race people following us."
At this moment, the Pill Spirit suddenly whispered secretly to Ning Qi.
"Mmm, I noticed them long ago too. That's precisely why I came here."
After agreeing, Ning Qi continued, "Let's put on a show for them to see. After all, these people have just made contact with us; they don't fully trust us yet."
"Right, Master!"
After agreeing, the Pill Spirit returned to his dantian. "It's safer for me here. If they were to discover me, that would be troublesome."
"If the Demonic Race masses saw a spiritual entity as highly sentient as me, they would absolutely not let it go."
"Mmm, that's fine too."
Ning Qi agreed and then continued browsing in the shop.
"Young Master, how about this one?"
Seeing Ning Qi was interested, the Shop Assistant led him to an area with some weapons.
Casually picking up a sword, he waved it in front of Ning Qi's eyes. "This is something our Shopkeeper just acquired. It came down from the Immortal Realm."
"Oh?"
Ning Qi took it and examined it carefully. "Not good. Do you have any that possess Evil Energy?"
"Oh? Evil Energy? Is the Young Master heading to the Realm Sea Battlefield?"
Upon hearing his words, the Shop Assistant immediately caught on and asked hurriedly.
"Yes, planning to go."
Ning Qi nodded.
Although he didn't know how they made that connection, since they asked this way, he just answered accordingly.
"Alright, we have those."
"But I must remind you, use them carefully, otherwise you might suffer backlash."
The Shop Assistant took Ning Qi to another counter and then pulled out several swords from it.
Each of these swords was covered with various formations and restrictions.
Clearly, they were used to control the sword.
"Not bad, really not bad."
Ning Qi looked at these swords and then asked further, "How many spirit stones for these?"
"Young Master, since you like them, I won't say much else."
"There are three in total. You can have them for ten million spirit marrow."
Seeing Ning Qi liked them, the Shop Assistant stretched out his fingers and stated.
"So expensive."
Hearing this, Ning Qi couldn't help but shake his head. "Five million, I'll take them all."
"Young Master, you don't know how hard they were to obtain. They required sacrificing many of our disciples to get here."
"Eight million for you. Otherwise, you can go look elsewhere."
The Shop Assistant shook his head and gestured with his fingers again.
"Alright then, eight hundred it is!"
Seeing this, Ning Qi didn't bargain any further.
"Good! Young Master is a decisive person!"
"I'll pack them up for you right away."
The Shop Assistant happily agreed and went to find a storage bag for Ning Qi.
After he finished packing and handed it to Ning Qi, he finally said, "Young Master, I must remind you, you must pay close attention to the restrictions on these."
"If you intend to use them, you must be very careful. Otherwise, there's a high chance of suffering backlash."
"Thank you. I know my limits!"
Ning Qi took the storage bag and then asked, "Do you also have armor like this?"
While asking, he had already observed that there were two Demonic Race people outside observing his situation here.
After he purchased the swords tainted by Evil Energy, the expressions on the two people's faces relaxed.
This was clearly also deliberately arranged by someone.
"Yes, they're all over here."
Upon hearing his words, the Shop Assistant immediately became interested and quickly led Ning Qi further inside.
They soon reached the back.
And the few people outside could no longer see Ning Qi.
"Should be no problem."
"Let's go, no need to follow anymore."
"Right, let's go back and report the situation."
.......
The few people watching him outside began to discuss among themselves.
After their discussion, they left together.
Not long after they left, Ning Qi walked out from the backyard.
Clearly, he had already bought everything he needed.
"Young Master, take care."
The Shop Assistant saw him to the door and then called out to Ning Qi.
"Alright!"
Ning Qi nodded and walked out.
"Master, the few people outside have all left."
From within his Dantian, the Pill Spirit was the first to sense that the people had left.
"Mmm, I saw."
Ning Qi nodded and continued walking forward.
"Then where are we going next?"
The Pill Spirit looked at the road ahead and inquired.
"Let's go, make a loop, then go back."
Ning Qi also looked at the road ahead and said with a smile.
"Master, should we go take a look at the separate courtyard where the Sacred Maiden is staying?"
The Pill Spirit suddenly thought of something and hurriedly asked.
"No need. If we go like this, it will definitely arouse suspicion."
Ning Qi shook his head and then looked ahead. "Let's just make a loop and go back."
"Don't worry about other matters. They have surely already arranged everything."
"That's true too. These people, really, one face in front, another behind."
The Pill Spirit nodded and complained.
"That's understandable. If I were in their position, I wouldn't be at ease either."
"After all, they have been planning this matter for a very long time."
As Ning Qi walked, he observed the people here.
Afterward, they idly strolled around here for a while longer before heading back to the inn.
By the time they returned to the inn, it was already very late.
Ning Qi went directly to the backyard. There were already quite a few people in the courtyard.
Among them, Zhao Shilin was discussing something with them.
"Master, aren't these two the ones who were following us just now?"
The Pill Spirit spotted the people who had been following them earlier and quickly said to Ning Qi.
"Mmm, I see them too."
Ning Qi acknowledged and then continued forward, soon arriving at Zhao Shilin's side.
"Master Ning, you're back. How was your outing?"
Seeing him return, Zhao Shilin stepped forward and asked politely.
"Not bad. Bought a few weapons for the brothers to use."
Ning Qi nodded with a smile, then took out the weapons and armor he had bought earlier.
"Oh, Master Ning, this is too much."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Shilin naturally looked down.
Seeing the weapons and armor Ning Qi had brought back, he immediately showed a hint of guilt.
Earlier, he had suspected Ning Qi might have some issues, but now it seemed he had been overly suspicious.
He had also heard from the people who returned that Ning Qi went to buy some weapons and armor imbued with Evil Energy.
He originally thought Ning Qi was preparing them for his own use at the Realm Sea Battlefield, but he hadn't expected him to bring them back for his own men to use.
These considerations were things even he himself hadn't thought of.
Not just him, even several of his subordinates nearby were staring somewhat dazedly.
Especially the few who had just been following Ning Qi felt even more ashamed.
"What's wrong with that? Just take them!"
Ning Qi waved his hand and then gave them to him. "This is my greeting gift for the brothers. However, I checked several shops and there weren't many, only this much."
"Couldn't buy one for everyone. Brothers, please don't take offense."
"Master Ning, how could we possibly mind? It's already more than enough that you got some for us."
Zhao Shilin hurriedly said, "Come on, you few, distribute them. One piece each. Those who don't get one, that's just how it is."
"Thank you, Master Ning!"
"Thank you."
With his arrangement, everyone also began to step forward one by one to express their thanks.
Each face wore a solemn expression.
They never expected that Ning Qi would be thinking of them.
Especially the few who had just been following him.
"Commander Zhao, are all our people ready?"
Ning Qi looked at Zhao Shilin and continued asking, "I was just thinking of going to check the situation, but then I thought it might alert the enemy, so I didn't go look."
"We have already arranged everything. Master Ning, you need not worry."
Zhao Shilin nodded, revealing an expression of being fully confident and in control. "This time, we can ensure nothing goes wrong."
"That's good. Let the brothers rest well for a while. We can set off at the hour of Zi!"
Ning Qi felt relieved and followed up, "Next, it depends on our luck. Hopefully, there won't be any surprises."
"There's still half a shichen left. We'll prepare to set off shortly."
Zhao Shilin nodded and then looked at the sky.
"Alright, everyone, get ready."
Ning Qi also clapped his hands and reminded them.
"Yes!"
Everyone responded in unison.
After the incident just now, everyone already viewed Ning Qi in a new light.
Unconsciously, they had begun to regard him as one of their own.
"Everyone get ready. We'll set off shortly."
Zhao Shilin also followed up with a reminder, then called out, "Master Ning, you should also go rest for a bit. Let's conserve our energy and build up our strength. We'll act shortly."
"Alright!"
Ning Qi didn't stand on ceremony either and directly returned to the study here.
Zhao Shilin, meanwhile, began making arrangements outside.
After half a shichen passed, the number of people in the courtyard gradually increased.
"Master Ning, we're preparing to set off."
At this moment, a subordinate came over to remind him.
"Oh, alright."
Ning Qi acknowledged and then followed him out the door.
"Everyone, you will split into ten groups to act."
"Once you reach crowded areas, find opportunities to hide."
"Don't let anyone discover you."
Zhao Shilin finally instructed everyone.
"Yes!"
.....
Upon hearing his words, everyone responded in unison.
"Good, let's set off!"
He clapped his hands, and then he and the others began to move.
People began heading out in twos and threes.
Ning Qi walked over and asked in a low voice, "Then how do we act?"
"Master Ning, just follow me!"
Zhao Shilin smiled and then walked outward.
"Master, I wonder if they've changed the plan."
Inside his dantian, the Pill Spirit began to feel puzzled.