Suspicion of Hyperthyroidism, Secrets Whispered in the Prince’s Mansion; Approaching Yuzhang, a Youth Embraces a Plump Cat

After departing from the Jiangnan Prince’s estate, Jiakang suggested that the three of them should travel through the night to Jiang City to avoid interception by Zhu Shengzhiyin. "That Zhu Shengzhiyin is only at the Origin Realm, while you are a Grandmaster-level powerhouse; we have absolutely nothing to fear from him!" Master Jia remarked with a scoff. "Regardless, we should find an inn here in Yuhang to have a meal and rest for the night, then depart the city at the hour of the Rabbit tomorrow," Ji Shi replied. Seeing this, Jiakang said no more.

The three soon arrived at the Zhiying Inn. Looking at the plaque hanging above the entrance, Ji Shi wondered to himself, "Why are the names of these inns getting stranger and stranger? They feel oddly familiar."

The three ordered a few dishes, but after only a few bites, Ji Shi asked Master Jia, "Damn it, the food here is terrible! By the way, do you know how to make cream puffs? I’ve been craving them!" Master Jia’s silent reaction was, "??? That 'nauseating chicken' is basically a cream puff, why don't you go eat that?!" However, he kept it to himself. After a moment of thought, he replied, "Flour and Kun-eggs are no problem, but cream—I truly have no idea how to make that!"

"Sigh, I’m putting you in a difficult position, I know it’s unlikely, but I... oh, how I miss watching the replay of Lao Da’s games while eating cream puffs! Are you a fan of Lao Da?" Ji Shi looked at Master Jia with expectant eyes.

"You like Lao Da too? Let me tell you..." Suddenly, both men realized something was amiss and turned simultaneously toward Jiakang. "Don’t you find what we’re saying strange? You wouldn’t happen to be...?" they asked in unison.

Just as the tension spiked, Jiakang replied, "Oh, I was meditating, blocking out all distractions. What did you say?" Hearing this, Master Jia breathed a sigh of relief, but Ji Shi looked at Jiakang with suspicion, remaining silent.

After the meal, Jiakang said he would go retrieve their three horses and told the other two to go ahead and rest. Watching his retreating figure, Ji Shi fell into deep thought. "Could he be up to something? Forget it, he has no reason to plot against me; if he were to use his full strength, I wouldn't last a moment!" With that, he and Master Jia headed to their respective rooms.

"Your Highness, you were right. Like Young Master Chi, their souls hail from another world," inside the Jiangnan Prince’s estate, the Prince stood with his back to Jiakang, listening to the report. "I have combed through countless records. The natives of our Kun Realm seem unable to take that final step. After careful analysis, I discovered that every person in history who reached that realm was not originally from our Kun Realm—just like the Kun Sage Emperor two hundred and fifty years ago. These 'transmigrators' must harbor some secret! Let us see just how far this 'Son of Heaven’s Luck' can go. Ji Shi, Chicken Master... do not let me down."

"You may return first. That Ji Shi likely already suspects you," the Prince waved his hand, and Jiakang vanished into the shadows.

The next day, at the hour of the Rabbit, the three departed from the West Gate, galloping toward Yuzhang. For this journey, the Prince had also tasked them with delivering the "Jiangnan Pavilion Preface," written by Ji Shi, to the Jiangnan Pavilion.

Meanwhile, at the Zhu estate, "Is everything arranged?" Zhu Shengzhiyin asked his strategist, Ji Fanwei. "Reporting to my master, I suspect they will definitely stop in Yuzhang. I have already spent 100,000 taels of silver to hire Nizhan, the top assassin of the Yuzhang Blood Alliance. She has previously escaped from two early-stage Grandmasters. With her, this mission is guaranteed to succeed!"

"Try your best to capture them alive. If that’s not possible, at least bring back their corpses; I have my uses for them..." Zhu Shengzhiyin mused with a lecherous grin.

Yuzhang was indeed as beautiful as a painting. As the sun set, the sky was dyed a brilliant orange-red, and the golden rays danced upon the rippling surface of the river. At the docks, boats shuttled back and forth, and the bustling sailors moved cargo or organized rigging, the clamor filled with the earthy scent of daily life. Amidst the crowd, a young man walked quietly, holding a fluffy, bright-eyed blue fat cat in his arms. He gazed blankly at the vivid scene before him, as if detached from the world.

Not far away, a few passersby whispered, "Seeing him is bad luck. He killed his parents, ended up begging, and carries around that stray fat cat—I doubt he can even feed himself." "Let’s go, I don’t want that bad luck rubbing off on us!" Despite the mocking, the boy seemed oblivious, lost in his own world. Before long, he returned to his dwelling—a dilapidated temple outside the city.

By then, after seven days of hard riding, Ji Shi and his companions arrived at Yuzhang City. Once inside, Jiakang announced he had to deliver the preface to the Jiangnan Pavilion and attend to other orders from the Prince, telling the other two to handle their own dinner and lodging and to find him at the pavilion if needed.

"That obstacle is finally gone. Let’s keep talking about Lao Da!" Master Jia said as they walked. "It’s getting late, let’s go eat first."

The two arrived at Ziyutang, the largest brothel in Yuzhang. Ji Shi had originally wanted to avoid such places, but he couldn't refuse Master Jia, and he realized it would be a convenient place to gather information, so he agreed. Before they even entered, gaudily dressed women invited them in. Ji Shi remained unmoved and pulled Master Jia inside. They rented a private room but didn't order any "services," making the meal an agonizing experience for Master Jia.