Journey to the End of the Night Chapter 1494: 933: Chaos Tide Arrives

The name ‘Qingzhi,’ so delicate, left Baili An puzzled as to how it came to be associated with his esteemed companion.

A smile touched Baili An’s lips as he regarded the young man. “I’ve heard that you achieved a breakthrough last year, reaching the Sea Expansion Peak Realm. You stand merely a step away from the Chengling Realm, congratulations are in order.”

Qingzhi offered a faint smile, tilting his head upward, the morning’s light sculpting his features with clarity.

“If my master commands it, I possess the capability to contend within the Chengling Realm and emerge victorious,” he declared, his voice imbued with unwavering confidence and a palpable fighting spirit.

It was then that Baili An’s gaze settled upon Qingzhi’s eyes, a scowl creasing his brow. “Your eyes…”

With a dismissive gesture, Qingzhi shook his head and brought a hand to his eye’s corner. “It is but the consequence of a hurried breakthrough; my master need not trouble himself.”

Baili An’s frown deepened. “You push yourself too far. Jun He has procured the cultivation technique you desired. Simply cultivate at a natural pace, and within thirty years, you may reach the Chengling Realm. A hundred years could grant you hope for tribulation transcendence. Why resort to such perilous methods?”

“Thirty years?” Qingzhi let out a soft laugh. “But I do not have such an abundance of time. Not everyone in this world can accept my past without reservation, unlike my master. My mother hailed from the Demon Sect; during my birth, she infused my body with Demon Essence, a force I find increasingly difficult to contain in recent years. Should I fail to hasten my Realm Cultivation, I will inevitably be exposed under this vast sky. My master is aware of my profound loathing for the Langya Demon Sect; you cannot expect me to seek sanctuary in the North. That option is entirely out of the question.”

Baili An stated with gravity, “As long as you are affiliated with One Drop of Blood, I shall offer my protection. You need not live in fear.”

Qingzhi’s gaze remained serene. “Within One Drop of Blood, I am Qingzhi; upon departing the Demon Alliance, I become that individual’s death warrior. My fate rests beyond my command. Whether as Qingzhi or a death warrior, neither role has ever required another’s protection.”

He chuckled softly twice before continuing, “My master need not fret; the potential backlash from accelerated cultivation merely causes my vision to blur indistinctly, not complete blindness.”

Observing Qingzhi’s resolute demeanor, Baili An ceased his admonishments.

“I summoned you today with the hope that you would assist me in eliminating a target.”

Qingzhi inclined his head. “Does my master seek to dispatch the malevolent cultivator operating behind Yundu Villa?”

“Precisely,” Baili An confirmed.

Qingzhi responded with a light chuckle, “This task should prove quite manageable.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Baili An’s face.

Qingzhi elaborated, “Last night, at Anle Workshop, a disciple from the Taixuan Sect appeared to be present, engaging in a confrontation with Bai Yuanduo of the Bai Family. My prior investigations revealed that the woman accompanying Bai Yuanduo possesses the body of a fox demon. The convergence of these factors strongly indicates that Bai Yuanduo is, without a doubt, the perpetrator we seek.”

Baili An’s brow knitted in thought, and he remained silent.

Qingzhi looked up at him. “As an operative, my duty compels me to possess thorough knowledge of Anle Workshop, irrespective of… circumstances…” He paused, then continued, “I tread a perilous path; you need not concern yourself on my behalf. If your intention is to eliminate, why limit the scope to Bai Yuanduo alone? You have refrained from ordering me to strike down the demon fox, I suspect, because a Golden Immortal stands behind her. You likely perceive that eliminating her would mean incurring the wrath of a Golden Immortal.”

At this juncture, Qingzhi shifted from addressing Baili An as ‘master’ to using the more familiar ‘you,’ signaling a transition to a more personal address between friends.

Baili An replied, “You need not overthink the situation.”

Qingzhi laughed. “I believe you are the one overthinking. Since joining ‘One Drop of Blood’ to serve you, I have relinquished my name, fully prepared to face life and death with equanimity. You occupy a position of great influence; I am your sharpened blade. Once drawn, a blade cannot retract; having embarked on a path with the sword, how can one fear its potential breakage?”

Baili An sighed, a hint of resignation in his voice. “I simply feel that a mere century-old demon fox does not warrant risking your life. Once my health is restored, eliminating her will be as simple as turning my hand. Why expose yourself to unnecessary peril?”

Qingzhi no longer pressed the matter. He offered a slight smile and performed another ceremonial bow. “I shall not falter in my mission.”

Baili An nodded. “Upon the successful completion of this assignment, return home for a visit. I’ve heard tales of a young maiden who sells tofu pudding, diligently awaiting your return day and night. Do you not miss her after such a prolonged absence?”

Qingzhi offered no direct response, instead awkwardly steering the conversation in a new direction. “What is my master’s intended next destination?” He naturally reverted to his formal address.

Baili An, finding himself at a loss due to Qingzhi’s unwavering resolve, disclosed, “I intend to journey to Shifang City for the auction scheduled in three months.”

A subtle gleam appeared in Qingzhi’s eyes. “My master’s visit to Shifang City must surely be for a purpose of great significance. While the triennial auction held there does feature exceptional treasures…”

If there's no pressing matter, I wouldn't advise the master to enter Shifang City and face potential peril.

Baili An's sharp intellect detected an underlying issue in his subordinate's words, causing him to knit his brows.

"Have there been any recent incidents within Shifang City?"

Qingzhi responded, "Since the master just departed from Yundu Villa, you should already be aware of the puppet-related troubles plaguing Shifang City."

"Indeed, I witnessed it firsthand at Yundu Villa," Baili An confirmed.

Qingzhi elaborated, "While Shifang City appears affluent on the surface, it has had to contend with a series of significant internal crises over the past few years."

Baili An's frown deepened.

Qingzhi observed him for a moment before continuing, "Shifang City is celebrated throughout the Six Realms for its immense prosperity, a wealth built upon its masterful Mecha craftsmanship and intricate talismanic arts.

These two pillars alone have allowed Shifang City to dominate the markets of all Hundred Immortal Sects and control the supply of Spirit Stones.

Naturally, such a prosperous hub, boasting advanced technological prowess, inevitably draws the secret attention and greedy desires of many individuals."