Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 277 - 277 0229 Unless Youre Particularly Lucky_2

Chapter 277: Chapter 0229 Unless You’re Particularly Lucky_2 Chapter 277: Chapter 0229 Unless You’re Particularly Lucky_2 Seeing that everyone was unharmed, Qi Tian brought forth several storage bags he had confiscated. He had already kept the bags of the cultivators who had attacked them. He presented the bags of others saying, “We agreed that the spoils would be evenly distributed. Let’s divide it now.”

Zhang Guangyao and Jiang Pan refused, waving their hands. Their lives had been saved by Qi Tian, and it would be inappropriate not to offer him a token of gratitude. How could they face themselves if they were to divide the storage bags?

As for Pan Yulin, he didn’t dare to ask for anything. After all, he had signed a Servant Pact with Qi Tian and owed his life to him. So, he had even less right to ask for a storage bag.

Zhang Lei also declined, indicating she didn’t want any. She hadn’t done much and even without her antidote, Jiang Pan and Zhang Guangyao would have recovered; it would just have taken a bit longer.

As everyone didn’t want the spoils, Qi Tian didn’t hesitate to take everything back. “What happened today teaches us that every seemingly profitable opportunity hides a trap,” he said.

Zhang Lei added, “We won’t forget this lesson. But I’m confused. If we were ambushed by cultivators from Zhongshan Kingdom, why did they target us? What was their motivation? I am most afraid that they didn’t randomly target folk, but were specifically after us. If that’s the case, we would be in real danger.”

Everyone nodded in agreement. When they had left the Imperial Master Mansion, they were full of confidence. However, they barely survived their first battle, a threatening encounter that made them seriously ponder the hidden secrets behind their adventure.

“Let’s pay no mind to that for now and continue with our journey,” suggested Qi Tian.

Everyone noted Qi Tian’s act of saving Jiang Pan, Zhang Guangyao, and others, and gradually accepted his leadership. Without any objections, they decided to follow his proposal.

They returned to the site where they had encountered the Ink-eyed Tiger Ladybug the previous night and continued their journey along the northwest road.

Qi Tian, riding on Hu Niu, took out his spoils and started to sift through them. He paid particular attention to the storage bags left by the Zhongshan Kingdom in hopes of finding any clues.

However, much to Qi Tian’s disappointment, although he found some books and documents, the information they contained was written in the language of Zhongshan Kingdom. As he didn’t understand this language and had no means of learning it, Qi Tian felt helpless. Without a dictionary or a translator, he didn’t see any way to learn the language as he did during his time in the Lianying Realm.

Suddenly, a thought struck Qi Tian, and he asked, “I found some interesting things, but I don’t understand the language of Zhongshan Kingdom. Does anyone else understand?”

Everyone shook their heads, even Zhang Lei and Jiang Pan, who were the most knowledgeable among them.

With no other choice, Qi Tian carefully stored the items again. He hoped he would get an opportunity in the future to read these books and documents.

Having experienced an ambush, Qi Tian’s small team became extremely cautious. Jiang Pan, as the scout, strengthened his defense. Previously, he wouldn’t activate the runes on his armor in order to save energy, fearing he would run out of True Essence. Now, however, when he patrolled or scouted ahead, he always activated the symbols on his armor. He also kept a talisman at hand, ready to fight against any enemy.

Perhaps they had left their bad luck behind, or Qi Tian’s luck simply had a major turnaround. Their journey was surprisingly quiet and devoid of any unusual incidents.

Thus, Qi Tian and his team safely arrived at the Tongguan Left Guard Station. Situated close to the border of Great Zhao and Zhongshan Kingdom, the station is less than five miles from the border, making it significantly more precarious than the main Tongguan Guard Station, which is located over a hundred miles from the border.

The Tongguan Left Guard Station was always threatened by the Chi Di tribes, who passed through this territory during their annual southern invasions. Even though the Station was converted into a massive barracks during these times, it attracted many people to set up their homes here due to its constant activity.

Since the southern invasion of the Chi Di people was imminent, several cultivators from other regions rushed here, making the Tongguan Left Guard Station even more bustling.

When Qi Tian and his team entered the Tongguan Left Guard Station, they discovered that it was more than just a guard station. It was a small city covering more than ten square kilometers. The city was teeming with cultivators and many civilians, all of whom carried an air of combat-hardened determination.

The moment Qi Tian stepped into the city, he was engulfed by the bustling atmosphere. He didn’t waste any time and went to report at the office of the Tongguan Left Guard Station.

The officer-in-charge was a civilian who looked like a scholar. He was very courteous and after verifying Qi Tian’s conscription order, he did a simple registration and handed Qi Tian a badge, which served as his identification at the Tongguan Left Guard Station.

The most explicitly stated rule was that the station was designed to serve as lodgings. The officer told Qi Tian, “You were conscripted by the Imperial court, this station should provide you with lodging. If you wish, I can arrange a place for you, but conditions here are quite basic so don’t expect anything luxurious. Furthermore, we can only provide accommodation for one person. You’ll have to take care of others.”

Qi Tian asked, “If I don’t stay here and find my own lodging outside, will there be any issues?”

The officer shook his head and replied, “That won’t be a problem. However, if you plan on living outside the station, make sure to stay within the city. Whenever there’s a task, a whistle will be sounded. All conscripted cultivators must gather at the station within three minutes once the whistle stops. Being late three times or failing to show up without a reason will result in severe punishment.”

Qi Tian nodded in understanding. Seeing that there was an option to stay outside, he naturally didn’t want to stay in the guard station because it couldn’t meet his actual needs. So, he thanked the officer, took his badge, and left the guard station to join Zhang Lei and others, who were waiting outside. He explained the situation and everyone agreed to stay outside the guard station. Staying together would provide them with mutual support. Their reason for traveling together was to protect Qi Tian. If they weren’t close to Qi Tian, what would be the point?

Qi Tian looked for a house near the guard office, but unfortunately, they were too late, and all the nearby houses were occupied. With no other option, Qi Tian turned his sights towards the lodgings in the city. But again, the situation was the same; there were no available rooms. Every year, housing would be in great demand with many cultivators coming here for opportunities. They would come early and secure places to live. For someone like Qi Tian, who was looking for lodgings at the last moment, it was almost impossible to find a place unless they were extremely lucky.