Eternal Life Starts as a Hunter

Chapter 598 - 187: Unusual Coffin, Envoy from Hanzhou, A Kill Unavoidable, One More Gamble

The over three hundred cavalry immediately turned their horses’ heads in unison and disappeared into the nearby woods.

The black canopy boat sliced through the river, swiftly heading south.

The low hull seemed almost invisible amidst the river waves.

Two men in brocade robes sat inside the boat, both silent, with closed eyes, resting their spirits.

They came from Mingyue Prefecture on the Hanzhou Path.

And Mingyue Prefecture was the place where the Hanzhou Marshal had staked his claim as king.

Speaking of it, there are Nine Paths under the heavens.

The path where the Jade Capital is located is called the Hidden Dragon Path.

And the three paths surrounding the Hidden Dragon Path are the "Hanzhou Path," "Yongzhou Path," and "Desolate South Path."

Among them, the "Hanzhou Path" is between the "Mianzhou Path" and the Jade Capital.

This path is a realm of storms and tempests, a gathering place of the Five Elements Forces.

Along this single path are three sites of Five Elements Forces: "Holy Fire Palace," "Profound Gold Temple," and "Mirror Flower Water Moon Palace," in addition to the "Secret Treasure Temple" and "Suo Jie Temple" of the Buddhist Sect.

To establish oneself and play a preventive role in such a land full of powerhouses, the strength of the Hanzhou Marshal is imaginable.

However, during times of great chaos, such a Marshal remained complacent in his own area.

He, who was supposed to play the role of "Gatekeeper," instead left the "Gate of the Jade Capital" there, allowing anyone to enter or exit.

Normally, the Emperor would have long since resented such a Marshal.

But today’s Emperor, albeit not suited in appearance to be a ruler, has considerable tolerance. To ensure his own victory, he secretly sent people to the Hanzhou Path to attempt an alliance through marriage.

And the Emperor promised that the woman whom the Hanzhou Marshal sends would become the Empress.

Yet this bargaining chip failed to sway the Hanzhou Marshal.

So, the Emperor invited the Hanzhou Marshal to send emissaries to the Southern Land for a visit.

This was the reason these two men in brocade appeared here.

One of them was an aide of the Marshal—Shu Shiyuan, with a power only at Sixth Grade;

The other was a Fifth Grade expert under the Marshal’s command, named Liu Tie.

Inside the cabin, it was silent, with only the sound of surging river water outside.

After an unknown amount of time, there was a "splash" as the boat docked.

Shu Shiyuan and Liu Tie emerged from the cabin, and outside on the muddy ground, there were already two palace carriages waiting.

The one welcoming them was a eunuch of a delicate appearance.

The eunuch stood aside by the palace carriage, saluted, waved, and said with a sharp smile, "I am Zhao, from the National Preceptor’s sect, two emissaries... please."

"Thank you, Eunuch," Shu Shiyuan returned the courtesy but then suddenly bent his body and sat in the rear palace carriage.

Liu Tie headed forward.

Eunuch Zhao, seeing this, did not stop or query, but waited until the curtain before the palace carriage fell, then raised his hand and said, "Set the carriage."

...

...

The next day...

In the woods of Xiao Mo Mountain, a man dressed as a woodcutter was walking through trees of varying heights.

The man’s forehead was wrinkled like bark, and his eyes were blank, seemingly filled with the hardships of life.

He carried a bundle of firewood on his back and held an axe in his hand.

Anyone seeing such a man would think he had a heavy family burden to bear and that his life must be full of difficulties and hardships.

However, in truth...

This man was actually Li Yuan transformed through "Human World Transformation."

Li Yuan spent nearly every day pondering "Human World Transformation," controlling the changes in flesh and blood, and carefully analyzing the differences among people to ensure the person he turned into was that person.

Though there was still a touch of discord, as he lacked similar life experiences and couldn’t entirely handle certain matters with the "other’s mindset," his transformation and imitation were already beginner level.

At least this woodcutter, no one could see through him.

It was now late July.

The woods on Xiao Mo Mountain were lush and verdant.

Li Yuan looked up at some flying birds, selecting suitable birds to serve as his new eyes.

A day later, he chose fifteen.

Then, these fifteen eyes "flapped" and flew out.

Li Yuan sat by a mountain spring, took a steamed bun from his bosom, and ate it with the spring water.

This time, he learned a lesson, letting the fifteen eyes look down after flying near Shanbao County and began listening with their "ears."

The flying birds were merely his "medium."

In essence, there was little difference from him personally listening and observing from that location.

Li Yuan quietly listened to the movements from all directions...

Countless sounds surged together and entered his ears.

The situations with the Emperor and the Lotus Sect were quite peculiar, and now... the Emperor and Lotus Sect were clashing with the Five Elements Forces. He, hiding in the shadows, was in a prime position to observe.

...

...

Two days later...

In the deep mountains, Li Yuan suddenly frowned.

He heard a familiar voice.

"Whew... succeeded."

It was a voice of joy, full of pride and excitement.

And this voice belonged to Master Zhu.

Then came a wave of exclamations.

Then hurried footsteps followed.

Master Zhu’s voice sounded: "Greetings to the Vice Sect Leader."

A strange man’s voice responded: "No need for courtesy, Master Zhu, you have received the inheritance of the Great Zhou Treasure Vault, and now you have truly succeeded...

From now on, your status and role will only be above mine.

I fear even I will have to salute you when I see you."

Master Zhu said in a deep voice: "The Lotus Sect promised me, don’t forget, I want Qing Hancheng dead."

"Naturally..." The strange man’s voice carried a bit of laughter.

Then, there was a sound of weapons being wielded.

And then came a rustling sound as if many people entered the place.

At this point, Li Yuan could not contain his curiosity any longer. He sent a nearby bird flying high, then toward the source of the sound to start observing.