bookrandom Chapter 105 The Treasure Hunting Mission: Three Swordsmen, Dangerous Targets
Chapter 105 The Treasure Hunting Mission: Three Swordsmen, Dangerous Targets
Qiu Chengde was always very efficient, and when his apprentice needed someone, he would naturally choose the best.
With the entire city's resources mobilized, a suitable candidate was found in just two days: Master Chen, a multi-talented individual who had studied medicine, formations, and ancient esoteric texts.
The city lord's mansion immediately issued a conscription order to Master Chen, ordering him to drop everything and immediately go to the Zhou residence to await orders, regardless of who he was or what he was doing.
Soon all the necessary personnel gathered at the Zhou residence.
The old cripple, leaning on his cane, looked at Zhou Qingfeng with a helpless expression: "Kid, why are you making things so difficult for an old cripple like me? Can't you just let me stay in the archives and retire peacefully?"
Zhou Qingfeng smiled and clasped his hands in a salute: "I know I have offended Mr. Liao, but after thinking it over, I think only Mr. Liao is related to me and is trustworthy. So please come with me."
The old cripple shook his head, smiled bitterly, pointed at Zhou Qingfeng, and limped away with his cane: "Kid, I'll be there on the day we set off."
Zhou Qingfeng clasped his hands in farewell and said, "Thank you, Mr. Liao. Take care, Mr. Liao."
After watching the old cripple leave, Zhou Qingfeng turned his gaze to Ye Tingxiu.
A year later, Ye Tingxiu carried six knives at his waist, and his aura became more restrained and dark. He stood there as if he didn't exist, and was easily overlooked if you didn't look for him intentionally.
Zhou Qingfeng greeted him, "You're here."
Ye Tingxiu looked at Zhou Qingfeng and smiled for the first time in a year: "You called me, so you came."
Xiao Hongyun chuckled and said, "Old Zhou, we immediately ended our cultivation and rushed back as soon as we received the mobilization order. Luckily, we made it in time. You don't know how worried I was that you wouldn't be able to wait for us on the way back."
"No, we've been waiting for you." Zhou Qingfeng could tell that they had all entered the Food Disaster Realm: "We're staying at the manor tonight, and it's been a long time since we've had a drink and a meal together."
After speaking, Zhou Qingfeng looked at the last person. This person was wearing a black vest with gold trim, a black round hat, and had a mustache and goatee. He looked somewhat sleazy, but Zhou Qingfeng never judged people by their appearance.
Zhou Qingfeng clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Master Chen."
Master Chen was flattered and returned the greeting repeatedly: "You're too kind, Fourth Young Master. I've been ordered to come and assist you in excavating the treasures of Xiyi City. Please feel free to give me any instructions."
Zhou Qingfeng took Chen Fuzi's arm and said with a smile, "No need for formalities. From today onwards, Chen Fuzi will live in my Zhou residence. All your food, drink and daily necessities will be provided by the Zhou residence. However, there is one condition: I hope that Chen Fuzi will decipher the coded text as soon as possible."
Master Chen said, "Don't worry, Fourth Young Master, I will do my best."
The Moon Worship Map was handed over to Master Chen for deciphering. His expertise was perfect, and he made progress in just seven days, deciphering the location of the treasure hidden in the map. As a result, Zhou Qingfeng ordered everyone to assemble at the training ground in three days.
Three days later, everyone gathered at the training ground.
Among these people were representatives from the Ma, Mao, Zhu, Song, and Tang families, as well as representatives from the three collateral branches of the first family, each occupying the positions of left and right deputy envoys and councilors.
Zhou Qingfeng stood on the command platform once again, but this time it was to excavate the treasures of Xiyi City.
Jin Wei stood below and said loudly, "Listen up, everyone. Standing before you is Zhou Qingfeng, the deputy governor of Sword Tower City, the fourth young master of the First Family, a member of the Council Hall, and a special envoy of the Treasure Hunting Team."
"I don't care what you did before, what your status is, or what your background is. Once you join the treasure hunting team, you have to follow the rules. What rules? My young master's words are the rules. Do you understand?!"
This is a warning. Who is it a warning to? Of course, it's a warning to the representatives of these various forces to obey.
Whether the warning is effective or not is irrelevant.
This is just a statement. If you don't listen to me, I'll kill you. Don't say I didn't warn you beforehand.
Zhou Qingfeng casually summoned his horse, mounted it, and shouted, "All troops, listen to my command! Let's go!"
The Sword Tower Treasure Hunting Team marched out of the city in a grand procession.
It was winter, and snow was falling heavily. The treasure-hunting team's convoy slowly made its way westward. Heavy armored dragon riders led the way, with heavy armored dragon riders patrolling and protecting them on both sides, and heavy armored dragon riders bringing up the rear.
Moving at full speed makes you vulnerable to surprise attacks from demons and monsters.
For safety reasons, we can only move forward at a constant speed to ensure that no accidents occur.
They made good progress for three consecutive days, and each night they camped out at a nearby village to rest.
Just when they were only half a day's journey away from leaving the Sword Tower, they suddenly stopped and halted their advance.
Zhou Qingfeng knew very well that if he led the treasure-hunting team out of the country in such a ostentatious manner, danger would inevitably follow.
Many people nowadays know that they have treasure maps and keys.
Are they really willing to give up the treasures of the ancient city of Xiyi?
I'm afraid not.
Those people didn't make a move, not because they were afraid, but because they were waiting—waiting for me to leave the border of the Sword Tower.
The moment you step out of the border, people will rush to seize the key and treasure map from you. At that point, no matter how powerful the Sword Tower is, they will be powerless to stop it.
Moreover, one would become a sitting duck, passively subjected to attacks and schemes.
Countless ambushes await him.
This is not what I want. No matter when or where, I must take the initiative. Even if I am in a passive situation from the beginning, I must turn the situation around and take the initiative.
"How should we do it?" Zhou Qingfeng held the teacup, swirling it back and forth, his gaze deep and unfathomable, like a still spring.
The enemy is lurking in the shadows, and everything is unknown. How can you draw away all the firepower while ensuring your own safety, so that you can safely reach the treasure location?
After the treasure hunting team set up camp, they remained stationary for a day.
Two days passed and nothing happened.
It remained still for three days.
The left and right deputy envoys and many councilors were bewildered. They wanted to question Zhou Qingfeng about why he had stopped, but given his status as a special envoy of the treasure-hunting team, they could only suppress their dissatisfaction for the time being.
Zhou Qingfeng, Lao Quezi, Xiao Hongyun, and Ye Tingxiu were enjoying hot pot and fine wine while admiring the snow scene through the window inside the house. The old man and the three children were having a great time, eating, drinking, and playing, looking very happy and carefree.
"Mr. Liao, it's not a bad deal for you to go on a business trip with me, is it?"
"It's a good deal! We have meat and wine to eat and drink every day, and we get paid even without working. This is a comfortable life!"
"Come, have another drink."
"Old Zhou, pour a glass for me and Old Ye, fill it up! Who do you think you are!"
The left and right vice envoys and many councilors were so angry at this scene that their hearts, livers, spleens, and lungs ached. "Damn it, instead of doing our job, we're just eating and drinking all day long. Treasure, brother, have you forgotten that we came out to dig for treasure?"
"No, I can't take it anymore, you guys have to talk me out of it."
"What's there to advise? This is intolerable, and I can't take it anymore either."
"Even if Zhou Silang is a special envoy, he can't do whatever he wants."
"Let's go find him. The treasure hunt team absolutely cannot stand still any longer."
"Yes, even if we have to carry him, we still have to set off today."
So, a group of people burst into Zhou Qingfeng's room.
Unable to stop them, Jin Wei could only clasp his hands and say, "Young Master, they insist on seeing you."
"It's alright, let them in." Zhou Qingfeng waved his hand, looking at the group of privileged young men with a smile in his eyes. After waiting for several days, these people finally couldn't wait any longer and came to find him.
He put down his chopsticks and got up to walk towards them. Xiao Hongyun and Ye Tingxiu immediately put down their chopsticks and followed him. Only the old cripple continued to eat and drink as usual, not taking anything to heart.
As they approached, Zhou Qingfeng patted Jin Wei on the shoulder. Jin Wei understood and stepped aside. Then Zhou Qingfeng looked at the group of privileged young men and asked knowingly, "What do you all want to see me for?"