Wandering Gods of Day and Night

As Zhou Xuan finished speaking, Mo Tingsheng's face turned ashen. He asked, "You still haven't killed Mr. Feng?"

"If Mr. Feng were dead, how would I use the Causality Tattoo Map to find you?"

"I… I don't want to see Mr. Feng."

Mo Tingsheng lowered his head.

"You think you can choose not to see him? Right now, you're fish on the chopping block, and I'm holding the knife."

Zhou Xuan grabbed Mo Tingsheng with one hand and started walking downstairs. After only a step or two, Miss Qiang's consciousness slipped back into his Secret Realm.

"Ah Xuan, I've returned. The Painter already knows Mo Tingsheng's plan. He intends to use Space Law to patrol Mingjiang Prefecture."

"Miss Qiang, I have some news. Unsure if it's suitable to share or not."

"What news?"

"Uh…" Zhou Xuan momentarily couldn't find the words to speak.

"Ah Xuan, if you want to say something, just come right out with it, will you?"

"Last time, I speculated that the Blood Flesh Divine Dynasty was invaded by Buddha Country. Today, I confirmed the specifics from this old dog Mo Tingsheng's mouth."

Lowering his voice, Zhou Xuan spoke grimly and sorrowfully: "The Blood Flesh Divine Dynasty has been annihilated by Buddha Country."

"..."

Miss Qiang, who had been standing, slumped onto the Black Water upon hearing Zhou Xuan's words. Her head hung low, silent and still, while small ripples spread across the surface of the Black Water.

Eight human brains also ceased their movements. They formed a circle with Miss Qiang at the center, floating atop the Black Water, unmoving as if silently accompanying her.

Miss Qiang stretched out a hand and gently stroked one of the human brains, letting out a long sigh.

"Ah Xuan, I still want to find a way home. Even if the Blood Flesh Divine Dynasty has perished, I'd like to return and take a look."

"Alright."

Zhou Xuan responded.

"But before I go home, I want to slaughter those Buddha Country bastards."

Miss Qiang rarely cursed, but this time, she couldn't hold back.

In the past, she still harbored the hope of a homeland, but now, with her home gone, her final hope had been swept away like dust by Buddha Country's wind.

"Those Buddha Country bastards—they must die," Zhou Xuan echoed.

This time, Miss Qiang didn't respond. Turning her grief into strength, she immersed herself entirely in analyzing the Buddha Mantra and Netherworld Stone.

She knew that the faster her analysis, the better she could aid Zhou Xuan in confronting those people from Buddha Country.

Hatred surged. The Black Water within the Divine Revelation Secret Realm became infused with the Blood Flesh Divine Dynasty's text, written during her calculations.

Zhou Xuan did not disturb Miss Qiang further. Carrying Mo Tingsheng, he descended the stairs.

He tossed Mo Tingsheng behind the counter and instructed Zhao Wuya to keep a close watch on him.

"Ya Zi, you've got five incense sticks' worth of reputation—make sure you don't let him escape."

"If he manages to flee, Zhao Wuya might as well stop chasing dragons altogether."

Zhou Xuan nodded, then turned to Lady Hong Guan, sitting in the shop, and asked, "Has Old Hua gone off to patrol?"

"Yes."

"Why didn't you go?" Zhou Xuan asked.

"Old Hua instructed me to guard Mo Tingsheng and the Time Evil God here."

"He should have taken you along," Zhou Xuan said. "Guan Niang, your abilities shine in water; the fiercer the water, the stronger you are. In Mo Tingsheng's plan to destroy Mingjiang Prefecture, those eleven reservoirs are pivotal. To stop the floods, we'll likely need Guan Niang's assistance."

"Should I go now? What about Mo Tingsheng and the Evil God?"

"Mo Tingsheng and the Time Evil God's help is limited. They only have the Hundred-Eyed High Priest and one Dharma Body of the Three-headed Stone Buddha. Forget that the two are likely in the Capital Mansion right now—even if they actually came to my shop, I wouldn't fear them."

Zhou Xuan had the Zhou Family Ancestor Tree's link.

The Zhou Family Ancestor Tree's specialty was the "Tree Gate," capable of teleporting other skilled incense masters directly to Zhou Xuan.

Sitting by the Zhou Family Ancestor Tree were his elder sister Zhou Lingyi and his mentor Yuan Buyu. With the two of them present, even a Hundred-Eyed High Priest wasn't a threat.

But for extra caution, Zhou Xuan placed a call to the Zhou Family's Troupe and explained the situation to his sister.

"Brother, rest assured. Today, Lord Jiu happens to be visiting the Zhou Family's Troupe. With the three of us here, what's there to fear from the Hundred Eyes or Wansese Realm?"

With the arrangements made by his sister, Zhou Xuan urged the Red Coffin Lady to set off: "Guan Niang, get on Mingjiang's waterways. I'll guide you with a Divine Soul Day Trip."

Within hours, if Mo Tingsheng failed to use the Netherworld Stone to contact the Hundred-Eyed High Priest, the plan to destroy Mingjiang Prefecture could be implemented at any moment.

As Miss Qiang had yet to decipher the functioning of the Netherworld Stone, Zhou Xuan acted preemptively, urging Guan Niang to station herself on the water routes in advance.

"Young Master, you really fret over Mingjiang Prefecture, don't you?"

As Guan Niang walked along the road, she lifted her gaze to speak to Zhou Xuan's Divine Soul.

"Mingjiang Prefecture itself doesn't concern me. But the lives of the people there—those matter greatly to me."

...

Not long after Zhou Xuan embarked on his Divine Soul Day Trip, Sister Cui hurried into Zhou Family's Jingyi Shop, asking, "Ya Zi, Lao Yun, is Little Fuzi at home?"

"No," Yun Ziliang answered. "Wasn't he playing with Hua Zi?"

"Haven't seen them. Hua Zi is missing. Little Fuzi is missing, too. I've searched the streets several times but couldn't find either of them."

"At the area near the park construction site—Fuzi and Hua Zi love playing there. Didn't you see them?"

Yun Ziliang asked again.

"No."

"That's odd."

Yun Ziliang rolled up his sleeves, pointing to the painting on the wall. "Sister Cui, take the painting along. I'll follow its guidance to track them. Ya Zi, stay in the shop and keep watch on that scum Mo Tingsheng. I'll be back soon."

Sister Cui took the painting, and Yun Ziliang followed closely behind. The two set off to search for Little Fuzi and Mu Hua.

Meanwhile, everyone in the shop tended to their respective tasks.

...

Triumph Road, Mazi Street No. 19—a small courtyard.