Daily Intelligence System: Don't Kill Me, Honey! Chapter 1587 - 365: Duozhi Fox and Mountain Descending Tiger

Bright Peak!

Situated between West Kunlun and the Kunlun Sect, it remains a vast distance away despite being separated by only a single mountain range.

Standing ten thousand fathoms tall, Bright Peak features jagged, overlapping ridges draped in thick snow, reminiscent of the peaks found in the Western Regions.

The central summit, Holy Fire Peak, is adorned with an array of magnificent palaces that look breathtaking. Chen Jie maneuvered his carriage to the base of this majestic height.

From a distance, one can observe three distinct checkpoints perched atop the peaks, each accompanied by a signal tower ready to ignite a beacon for assistance should peril strike.

At this moment, Chen Jie addressed his sleepy companion: "Miss Liu, we have arrived at Bright Peak."

Liu Caidie stirred from her slumber, reached out to push aside the carriage curtain, cast a glance at the surroundings, and let out a yawn.

Ah~

She immediately urged: "Do not halt, keep moving forward, my elderly servant."

Chen Jie remained silent but flicked the reins to encourage the horse: "Miss Liu, may we discuss a matter?"

Liu Caidie replied, "Oh? You wish to consult me? That is quite unusual. Proceed, what is it?"

Looking at her, Chen Jie suggested: "After we ascend, I beg you not to disclose my true identity. Allow me to maintain the guise of your old servant for now, if you please."

Liu Caidie chuckled in response: "Hehe, Chen Jiusi, are you fearful of exposure because your list of enemies has grown too long?"

Chen Jie laughed heartily: "Indeed, Miss Liu is truly insightful. I have cultivated many foes, especially here on Bright Peak."

Hearing this, Liu Caidie conceded, "Very well. Since you have made your request, I shall agree. Remain as my servant; as I rarely visit Bright Peak, there is no one here who would recognize your face regardless."

As she spoke, she caught Chen Jie locking eyes with her briefly before she turned her gaze ahead.

"My gratitude."

Liu Caidie: "No thanks are required, just bear in mind our bargain."

Chen Jie gave a soft chuckle without further comment. Soon, the carriage reached the mountain's foot, where a commanding voice shouted: "Halt!"

A group of men in crimson attire rushed forward. Observing them, Liu Caidie remarked: "These are members of the Flame Banner Group."

Chen Jie hesitated; he possessed a clear grasp of the Zoroastrian Sect’s organizational hierarchy.

Beneath the sect leader Han Shantong, the most formidable figures were the Two Venerables: the Yushan Monk, Liu Futong, and the Laughing Buddha, Peng Yingyu.

Ranking below them were the Four Great Dharma Kings, currently composed of Sea Dragon King Fang Guozhen, Descending Mountain Tiger Du Zundao, Mr. Duozhi Huguan, and the Undying Bird Han Miaozhen.

Supporting the Four Great Dharma Kings were two specialized branches: the Twelve Elders and the Five Elements Banner.

The Twelve Elders functioned much like administrative officials, overseeing the Zoroastrian Sect’s regional branches as supervisors.

The Five Elements Banner, conversely, acted as the sect’s dedicated enforcement arm, similar to the imperial court's elite forces—the Treasure Elephant, Grey Wolf, and White Deer Armies.

Originally, the Five Elements Banner answered directly to the sect leader. After Han Shantong perished on the battlefield, jurisdiction over them transferred to Liu Futong.

However, as Liu Futong took little interest in worldly affairs, he delegated their command to Descending Mountain Tiger Du Zundao and Mr. Duozhi Huguan.

As it stands, the Five Elements are primarily controlled by these two Dharma Kings.

Specifically, the Sharp Gold, Giant Wood, and Flood banners fall under Du Zundao, while the Fiery Fire and Thick Earth banners are led by Mr. Duozhi Huguan.

The men blocking Chen Jie were warriors of the Fiery Fire Flag.

These disciples wear vibrant red garments and carry large gourds—the signature weapons of the Fiery Fire Flag.

According to Liu Caidie, their standard-bearer is Xing Ran, a master of the Flaming Fire Palm and the Fire Breathing Technique. This technique is mandatory for every member of the banner, each of whom carries a custom gourd filled with highly volatile kerosene.

Indeed, it is kerosene—and remarkably, that is the term used even in this era.

As a side note, one should not assume 'kerosene' is a modern invention, as it was documented by the Northern Song scientist and official Shen Kuo.

While his name might not be immediately familiar, his seminal work, the *Dream Pool Essays*, is widely renowned.

In it, he documented that in 1080, during the third year of the Yuanfeng period, he discovered a black liquid in the Yan state. Upon examination, he noted it flowed from the earth like oil, was distinct from water, and possessed such fearsome combustibility that it was nearly impossible to extinguish. He dubbed it kerosene because it originated from stone.

The Fiery Fire Flag excels at utilizing this oil; they blend it with sulfur to create a secret incendiary concoction within their gourds.

During combat, a warrior simply opens the lid and sprays the mixture using the Fire Breathing Technique to unleash a massive blaze. Because of kerosene's adhesive properties, it clings to the target and burns with relentless intensity; unless the victim removes the affected skin, the flames are almost impossible to douse.

More importantly, the Fiery Fire Flag does not deploy in small numbers, but as a unit of over three thousand men. One must not underestimate this battalion; when they act in unison, even experts of the Celestial Realm are forced to exercise caution.

In summary, if standard soldiers are mere infantry and the Treasure Elephant, Grey Wolf, and White Deer Armies represent elite units, then the Fiery Fire Flag is akin to a specialized strike force.