Chapter 495: The Initial Formation of the Plan
The sun shines brightly outside the window, and the autumn wind rustles through the garden, causing the deep green leaves to "swish".
Fujiwan is located in the city center, yet it's a tranquil oasis, free from the clamor of human voices and the noise of speeding traffic, a place of serenity and peace.
Zhang Yuanqing sat at his desk, a sheet of paper spread out before him. He twirled a ballpoint pen in his hand, leaning back lazily in his chair, staring blankly at the swaying branches outside the window.
After a long while, he snapped out of his daze and wrote on the paper:
1: Confirm if the Female Marshal is in Songhai.
2: The Dog Elder and the Marshal must not be present during the rescue of the Devil Eye.
3: The rescue process must not be interfered with by official experts.
4: Assistance is needed.
These four brief points raised many questions.
"Confirming whether the Female Marshal is in Songhai is simple, just ask Fu Qingyang. If the Female Marshal is in Songhai, I need to find a way to lure her away. With her watching the zoo, there's no way I can rescue the Devil Eye."
Even if he could invite a demigod-level expert, Songhai still had six Rulers, and the zoo itself was a rule-based item.
Once the commotion got too big, the experts from the Songhai branch would gather, and he would have no chance.
"King of Terror said at the time that he could provide appropriate assistance when rescuing the Devil Eye..." Zhang Yuanqing brainstormed, thinking of a solution.
He could have the King of Terror cause trouble in the Yangtze River Delta region to attract the Female Marshal's attention, achieving the effect of luring her away.
With this thought in mind, Zhang Yuanqing grabbed his phone and dialed Fu Qingyang's number.
After the other party answered, he reported: "Boss, I went to Huadu this morning..."
He told Fu Qingyang about the antique auction incident.
"As long as you didn't kill anyone, it's fine," Fu Qingyang said casually.
...Zhang Yuanqing thought, Boss, are you traumatized by me? I only killed two colleagues.
"Will the materials you purchased attract the attention of the headquarters?"
"No," Fu Qingyang replied concisely, without further explanation. His speaking style was always like this.
Zhang Yuanqing said "Oh" and continued the topic:
"I'm level six now, and my deeds are being spread all over the forum and outside. My bounty has been raised from the Earth Ranking to the Heaven Ranking. Do you think that King of Terror will come to Songhai to make trouble again? Last time he didn't get the Takamagahara key, he must be unwilling. This time I killed the Greedy God General."
Fu Qingyang said, "The Marshal is still in Songhai."
The Marshal is indeed in Songhai...Zhang Yuanqing sighed silently, but pretended to be happy, "That's good, with the Marshal here, we don't have to be afraid of Terror."
The reason he called Fu Qingyang was because he didn't want the other party to see his frustrated and disappointed expression.
The best way to restrain a Sentinel's insight is to not meet in person.
Ending the call, Zhang Yuanqing opened the chat software, clicked on the King of Terror's avatar, and sent a message:
"I'm planning to make a move soon, Great King of Freedom, do you have time?"
Perhaps the words "King of Freedom" had an effect, the King of Terror replied quickly:
"What's your plan?"
Zhang Yuanqing typed: "The plan is still in the works, I may need you to make a move, to lure someone away."
He didn't say it too explicitly, with the King of Terror's wisdom, he would naturally understand.
King of Terror: "Understood."
There was no further response.
Zhang Yuanqing breathed a sigh of relief, deleted the chat history, and refocused his energy on formulating the plan.
The problem of the Marshal was solved, now it was time to figure out how to deal with the Dog Elder.
"We can continue to use the tactic of luring someone away, the difficulty is how to lure the Dog Elder away. The Female Marshal is easy, because Songhai only has one demigod, so she has to go."
"To lure the Dog away from the zoo, there must be a targeted method..."
Have the Palace Master show up and cause a ruckus in Songhai to attract the Dog Elder?
No, there's no guarantee that the one who makes a move will be the Dog Elder, it could also be Fu Qingyang or another Elder.
Moreover, if the Dog Elder moves out with the zoo, wouldn't I be caught off guard?
Unable to come up with a solution for a while, Zhang Yuanqing threw down the ballpoint pen in frustration, collapsing weakly into the ergonomic chair.
"Wanting to become a great Star Official is too much of a test of intelligence. At least the Fire Master can't do it. If only I had the logical reasoning ability of a Sentinel..."
Zhang Yuanqing's heart stirred, and inspiration struck.
Although he didn't have the logical reasoning ability of a Sentinel, he had the Military Soul Mask.
The cunning and treacherous White Face was the best at schemes, wasn't that better than the logical ability of a Sentinel?
Immediately, he raised his finger and tapped his brow.
A milky white halo lit up, spreading along his face, enveloping his entire face, and then, black and red paint sketched and wandered at the corners of his mouth and eyes, forming a cunning and treacherous face.
Zhang Yuanqing raised his slanting eyebrows, curled the corners of his mouth, chuckled, and leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes to rest.
He occasionally chuckled, raising the corners of his mouth; occasionally raising his eyebrows, with a cold smile on his face, acting strangely.
Half an hour later, Zhang Yuanqing opened his eyes, a complex and detailed plan had formed in his mind.
First step: Have the King of Terror stir up trouble in the Yangtze River Delta to lure away the Female Marshal.
Second step: Disguise himself as his father, Zhang Zizhen, and call the Dog Elder to trick him out of Songhai.
Based on the situation of the Ruler-level melee at Songhai High School, even in Songhai itself, the Dog Elder rarely used the zoo.
Just going to see "Zhang Zizhen", not an important operation like hunting the Devil Eye, the Dog Elder was unlikely to bring the zoo.
In addition, he could use Zhang Zizhen to test the Dog Elder and see what their relationship was.
But at this point, with the Female Marshal and the Dog Elder leaving Songhai at the same time, Qian Gongzi, as a Sentinel, would definitely see something was wrong.
So the next step was the third step:
Use the Dark Night Rose to lure Qian Gongzi out of Songhai as well.
If the Dark Night Rose's ambush on Elder Hongying and others took place near the Yangtze River Delta, then Fu Qingyang, as an Elder of the patrol team, would definitely take action due to his duties.
With these three leaving Songhai, rescuing the Devil Eye would become much easier.
The other four Elders had their own territories, and they rarely took action unless there was turmoil in Songhai.
"My only enemy is the zoo, this rule-based item."
The fourth step was to find a helper, and he already had someone in mind.
—The crazy older sister.
This Palace Master, who almost became his child bride, was one of the few people he could trust wholeheartedly.
Moreover, she was also a Ruler, with the ability to participate in this matter.
After finalizing the plan, Zhang Yuanqing suppressed the excitement in his heart and began to consider the specific details.
"Except for the first step, which doesn't require Stargazing to verify, the other steps need to be carefully planned and carefully verified...This is the first game I've played since learning Stargazing."
"If it succeeds, it means I have the talent to be a player and can consider majoring in Stars. If it doesn't succeed, I'll major in Sun or Taiyin."
........
4 PM.
Jinshan City, No Trace Hotel.
Kou Beiyue stood by the front desk, taking out all the income he and Little Fatty had earned in two months.
He counted the banknotes while wetting his fingers with saliva.
"This is the fifth time, do you think the money will increase if you count it a few more times?" Xiao Yuan, who was standing next to him, interrupted the silly son's behavior.
Kou Beiyue scratched his head, his face full of worry:
"Today is August 22nd, and in another week, it will be the day when Master No Trace gathers his companions to preach the Dharma. According to the customs of each year, we have to distribute the team funds at this time so that they can have a good year."
He stared at the 40,000 yuan in paper money in front of him and sighed, "But we only have this much money, plus the income from the hotel, it's no more than 200,000, right?"
Actually, Primordial Celestial Venerable had given them a lot, some of that money was used to maintain the struggling hotel, some was used to help the companions in the team in emergencies, and some was used by Xiao Yuan to purchase materials when she was advancing from Level 5 to Level 6.
Little Fatty interjected from the side:
"If it really doesn't work, sell a few extraordinary quality items."
His suggestion was immediately rejected by the boss: "Items are too precious, we have to keep them for future companions to ensure their survival rate. Even if we tighten our belts, we can't sell items."
But the funds must be given, this is a rule set by Master No Trace.
The original intention of Master No Trace in setting this rule was to curb the team members' desire for money.
When people are desperately poor, they can do anything, and morality and conscience are worthless in the face of poverty.
So the funds must be distributed so that the team members have money to maintain their lives, instead of letting them earn money on their own.
When there is a certain amount of savings, the team members can restrain their urge to make money, just like wandering Taoists, who only earn a small amount of money to maintain their lives, not giving themselves the opportunity to come into contact with large sums of money.
Once a certain amount of funds is gone, the team members will actively make money, and evil professions are more likely to lose control when faced with temptation.
Xiao Yuan said lightly:
"Stop counting, I'll find a way. Put the money in the safe in my room and lock it up."
Kou Beiyue said "Oh", put away the cash, and led his younger brother into the depths of the hotel.
In the elevator, Little Fatty asked in confusion:
"Why don't you look for Primordial Celestial Venerable if you're short of money? He just made a great contribution, and he has the most money. The official means of getting money are much stronger than ours, a free organization."
"What are you talking about!" The fierce-looking wolfdog said unhappily: "Primordial Celestial Venerable is just our outer member, not a core member. There's no reason for the outer members to support the core members."
Little Fatty summarized the meaning of the boss's words: he wanted face and couldn't open his mouth.
Little Fatty didn't care and said, "Anyway, with the relationship between Primordial Celestial Venerable and Xiao Yuan, it's okay to take a few hundred thousand from him, just take it as a betrothal gift."
"What relationship does he have with Xiao Yuan? There's no relationship at all." Kou Beiyue spat saliva on his younger brother's face.
"Boss, you may not like to hear these words, but haven't you noticed that Xiao Yuan has been putting on makeup recently?" Little Fatty lowered his voice.
"Ah?" Kou Beiyue was stunned, and suddenly realized, "No wonder I think Xiao Yuan has become more beautiful."
The boss's temper is not only like a Fire Master, but his unromantic appearance is even more like a Fire Master...Little Fatty glanced at him:
"Then think about it again, why did she put on makeup? Why didn't she put on makeup before? Something must have happened between Xiao Yuan and Primordial Celestial Venerable in the instance."
When Kou Beiyue heard this, the anxiety of "Mother is going to marry" became even more intense.
........
Zhang Yuanqing drove the Queen's car and arrived at the No Trace Hotel.
He parked the car, turned off the engine, took out a half-person-tall suitcase from the trunk, and walked into the hotel lobby with the automatic sensor door saying "Welcome".
Xiao Yuan wore a front desk uniform, standing straight behind the marble counter, with delicate makeup, cold and dignified.
When Zhang Yuanqing entered the hotel, her bright eyes lit up slightly, scrutinizing him carefully.
"Your mental state is very good, and the sense of oppression from the boss has also disappeared." Xiao Yuan pondered for a moment and understood, "Did the Spirit Realm purify your pollution and power?"
Zhang Yuanqing got angry when he mentioned this, "The Spirit Realm just can't afford to lose, I used the bug by my own ability, why should they take it back and return me to my original form."
Xiao Yuan smiled and shook her head:
"You are already level six, and you have cultivated the Golden Crow Body. It's already a great fortune to have such gains in one instance. Getting Ruler-level power may not be a good thing for you."
Zhang Yuanqing said, yes, yes, Xiao Yuan is right.
Xiao Yuan glared at him, "Don't talk sarcastically."
Zhang Yuanqing was stunned for a moment, and then smiled: "Okay!"
He felt that Xiao Yuan's attitude towards him had changed. Since she knew he had a girlfriend, this Magic Auntie's attitude had become particularly cold.
She ignored him, keeping her distance.
Occasionally responding to you, giving you a good face, but most of the time she was aloof, cold and indifferent.
Zhang Yuanqing almost thought she was keeping a backup.
Seeing her today, he found that Xiao Yuan's cold attitude had subsided a lot, and she was more likely to be emotional in front of him.
According to Ling Jun's statement, she has slowly adapted to my state of having a girlfriend, passed the entangled period of "breaking up", and still has a good impression...
While Zhang Yuanqing's thoughts flickered, he was both happy and worried.
Celestial Venerable has a girlfriend, but Xiao Yuan is still obsessed with him, unwavering.
How can this be?
While thinking, he picked up the large suitcase and placed it on the front desk.
Xiao Yuan looked at the suitcase, then looked at him, her eyes curious.
Zhang Yuanqing smiled: "Open it and take a look!"
Xiao Yuan opened the box curiously, with a little expectation, and as the lock clicked open, she was stunned.
The half-person-tall box...was filled with money.
Stacks of red banknotes came into her eyes, piled up like a small mountain.
"There are ten million here, it's the follow-up compensation for your level drop. I also prepared three vials of Life Source Liquid for you, not the diluted kind, but a concentrated type that can refresh your mind with one injection, keep you from getting tired with two injections, and give you eternal life with three injections." Zhang Yuanqing smiled and placed the three injections on the front desk.
Xiao Yuan was in a daze for a long time, looked at the suitcase, then looked at the Life Source Liquid, then looked at Primordial Celestial Venerable, staring at him for a moment, and gently put away the two gifts with a tender gaze.
"I happen to be short of money. Everyone will be here at the end of the month to listen to Master No Trace preach the scriptures. Don't be absent then." She recovered her cold and glamorous posture, hiding the tenderness she had just shown.
I manipulate the Ghost Mirror from time to time now, and I'm no longer unruly and rebellious. It's the same whether I listen to the scriptures or not...Zhang Yuanqing felt that his mental state had long since recovered.
But he still said "Um", without rejecting Xiao Yuan.
Then, he talked about the second thing:
"In a while, I plan to open a gang instance. After the extraordinary members in the gang complete the extraordinary instance, I will take you to clear the Saint instance, which can recover a little bit of experience value. Plus the Spirit Realm instance, your speed of recovering to your peak will greatly increase."
The Level 2 gang order can open Level 4 instances.
If he was lucky, and encountered an S-level instance, he might be able to let Xiao Yuan return to Level 5.
Xiao Yuan's face showed a slight hint of joy, and she nodded.
Zhang Yuanqing then asked about the last thing, "How is the cooperation between the Void Sect and the Taiyi Gate?"
Xiao Yuan replied without thinking:
"A while ago, the Void Sect and the Taiyi Gate had a cooperation and almost caught the Pure Yang Sect Master, but he escaped. In the following days, the Void Sect and the Taiyi Gate lost several Dream Weavers and Star Officials in succession, becoming the Pure Yang Sect Master's nourishment."
Because the Pure Yang Sect Master and Primordial Celestial Venerable had a deep grudge, Xiao Yuan paid special attention to this matter, and usually took the initiative to ask Little Fatty about it.
After being besieged, he became even more flamboyant. Has the Dark Night Rose already started planning? Are they going to do something big? Zhang Yuanqing nodded:
"I know, I have something to do in Songhai, I'll go back first."
He turned and left.
Xiao Yuan frowned, a little unhappy, but her pride prevented her from opening her mouth to persuade him to stay.
Zhang Yuanqing walked to the door, then turned back, suddenly raised his hand and pinched Xiao Yuan's soft cheeks: "Don't miss me too much..."
Xiao Yuan's eyes widened instantly, her face full of disbelief.
She was teased again.
........
Kou Beiyue put away the banknotes, secretly smoked a cigarette with Little Fatty, brushed away the smell of smoke, and returned to the lobby.
The door of the hotel was locked, and he saw Xiao Yuan standing behind the front desk at a glance, with a large suitcase in front of her, counting stacks of banknotes.
Her eyebrows were raised, and her eyes were joyful.
Kou Beiyue stared straight at the banknotes, heard his own "thumping" and frantic heartbeat, and stuttered:
"Wh, where did all this money come from..."
He had never seen so much money in his life.
Even more unable to understand that Xiao Yuan had conjured so many banknotes after he went upstairs for a while.
She is a Psychic, not a Magic Mama.
Xiao Yuan raised her eyes and looked at Kou Beiyue and Little Fatty, who were dumbfounded, "Primordial Celestial Venerable came just now, he gave it."
Boom!
A thunderbolt struck his mind, Kou Beiyue was struck by lightning, and said angrily:
"He really came to give the betrothal gift!?"
........
8 PM.
Zhang Yuanqing, who had finished Stargazing, returned to the bedroom, turned on the computer, and logged into the online conference room.
"Second step, use the Dark Night Rose to lure away Qian Gongzi..."
He thought over the rhetoric over and over again in his mind, practicing it over and over again, until 8:30, when the ids participating in the meeting came online.
Fu Qingyang, Challenger Peak, Hongying, Yin Ji.
.......
ps: Fix typos after updating first.