nycdaug Chapter 161 Another Year Ends
Chapter 161 Another Year Ends
On the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month, in a small courtyard in the city.
Ding Yi sat at the stone table, looking through the letters that Yao Jun had left in the bamboo tube in the courtyard.
Because he had recently taken up a position at Wanxiangmen under the identity of Li Baozheng, Ding Yi specifically asked Liu Xun to write in code.
The so-called code words are symbols instead of words, and the symbols are compiled based on the page numbers, line numbers and column numbers of a relatively common book called "A Brief History of the Great Liang".
To Ding Yi's surprise, there were two letters inside the bamboo tube this time.
One letter was from Liu Xun, and the other was from Sun Qiao'er, whom she hadn't heard from in a long time.
Ding Yi first opened the letter sent by Liu Xun. After all, the day to send the statue of the god was just a few days away, and Ding Yi did not want to hear any unexpected news at this critical juncture.
Fortunately, in his letter, Liu Xun only mentioned some recent events that had occurred in the city under his jurisdiction, while also expressing his concern for Ding Yi and asking if he should send one or two maids to take care of Ding Yi's daily life.
Finally, Liu Xun assured Ding Yi that the meeting a few days later would be no problem, as he had made all the preparations and asked him to rest assured.
After reading the letter, Ding Yi nodded to himself, thinking to himself that Liu Xun was indeed loyal and reliable.
Immediately afterwards, Ding Yi picked up the second letter and opened it to read.
"Marriage?"
Ding Yigang watched for a while, then raised an eyebrow and muttered something to himself.
Unexpectedly, the Yin-Yang Palace also employs the strategy of alliances and counter-alliances, attempting to win over other divine palaces through marriage.
But upon further reflection, Ding Yi could understand it somewhat.
After all, Qingzhou is surrounded by other states on three sides and only has one side bordered by water. If it were attacked by the other three states at the same time, it might not be able to withstand the attack.
However, why was Sun Qiao'er chosen for this marriage alliance?
Ding Yi was speechless. It wasn't that he was reluctant to part with his puppet, but Sun Qiao'er was a pawn he had painstakingly placed in the Yin Yang Palace. If she were just sent to some Taiping Palace, who knew what changes might occur? Wouldn't his plans be in chaos?
Thinking of this, Ding Yi stood up and paced around the courtyard, pondering.
Although he had already completed the blood transfusion and condensed his domain, trying to stop the marriage in front of such a huge divine palace was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.
This means that a careful plan is needed to resolve this ridiculous marriage without leaving a trace.
At the same time, Ding Yi deduced that Sun Qiao'er's life in the Yin-Yang Palace was not going smoothly, and he needed to find a way to improve her status in order to pave the way for his own future.
Thinking of this, Ding Yi casually smashed the two letters and then hurriedly left the courtyard.
After leaving the courtyard, Ding Yi headed north along the street. Before long, he passed through two neighborhoods and arrived at a dilapidated courtyard in the 13th neighborhood.
Ding Yi stepped forward and knocked on the door.
"Dong dong dong."
The regular knocking soon brought footsteps behind the door, and as the wooden door opened, an old face appeared.
"Xiao Qi, you're here?"
Bai Wangyun looked at Ding Yi at the door and a smile immediately appeared on his face.
"Where's senior brother?"
Ding Yi walked into the courtyard and casually asked.
"He went out to find work."
Bai Wangyun sighed.
"Master, haven't you found out what happened with the Wuji Sect last time?"
Ding Yi sat down and asked.
"No, Xiao Qi, do you think I'm a cursed star, always getting into trouble wherever I go?"
Bai Wangyun shook his head, then suddenly asked.
"Don't worry, Master, this has nothing to do with you."
Ding Yi said with certainty.
"Oh, never mind. By the way, what brings Xiao Qi here today?"
Bai Wangyun suddenly asked again.
"Master, I just want to ask, how many people from your God-Worshipping Cult are still here?"
Ding Yi pondered for a moment, then asked.
"Why are you asking this? Don't be fooled by my ability to handle things independently in Qingfeng County; here, I'm just an ordinary elder."
"Many people don't know this, but I've heard before that there's a council in White River City that makes decisions on important religious matters within the city."
"parliament?"
Ding Yi was taken aback.
"Yes, I heard it's all made up of branch leaders, but I don't know how many there are."
As Bai Wangyun spoke, he gave a self-deprecating laugh.
"The leaders are all experts at the Yuanqiao Realm. I guess I'll never become one in this lifetime."
Upon hearing this, Ding Yi immediately recalled the girl with the bell he had encountered at the Wuji Sect that night.
"Master, is there a way to contact the council?"
Ding Yi asked again.
"What can we do? These council members are all elusive, you never know who they might be, maybe it's that beggar on the street."
Bai Wangyun shrugged helplessly.
"Alright, Master, here's some silver. Tell my senior brother not to go out and perform for money anymore; it's too miserable."
Ding Yi took out a hundred-tael silver note from his pocket and placed it on the stone table.
“This, Xiao Qi.”
Bai Wangyun looked at Ding Yi and was immediately moved.
Ding Yi waved his hand and then walked out of the courtyard.
Originally, I was hoping to use Bai Wangyun to connect with the higher-ups of the God Worshiping Cult to discuss cooperation, but now it seems that Bai Wangyun is not helpful.
This is getting a bit troublesome.
Ding Yi shook his head as he walked down the street, thinking to himself that Sun Qiao'er was truly unlucky and had a tragic fate. However, he had no better options at the moment and could only take it one step at a time.
After leaving Bai Wangyun's courtyard, Ding Yi found a small alley, changed into a human skin mask, and arrived at the Wanxiangmen's outpost.
Sun Qiao'er's situation made Ding Yi feel even more urgent about improving his own strength.
This time it was Sun Qiao'er. If the Yin Yang Palace forces him to become a male concubine for someone from the Yang Yang Palace next time, how will he resist?
Strength, it's all about fucking strength!!
The last investigation into the external evil spirits caused Ding Yi's strength to improve by leaps and bounds. I wonder if there will be any such good things recently.
Outside the Wanxiangmen compound, servants were already setting up ladders to decorate the gate. Seeing this, Ding Yi realized that the New Year was just around the corner.
Even in Baihe City, only large gangs like Wanxiangmen have the spare money to decorate their gates. For ordinary people, simply pasting a couplet and hanging a red lantern outside their door during the New Year is enough to celebrate.
Every household does this; even in these chaotic times, the poorest families will scrape together enough money for a red lantern.
After entering the outpost, Ding Yi headed towards Zhou Ruoxu's courtyard.
Upon entering the courtyard, Ding Yi saw Zhou Ruoxu writing Spring Festival couplets on a table in the courtyard, with servants waiting beside him for the couplets to be finished.
"It's Li Baozheng! Hahaha, come, come, let me see how well I write this?"
Zhou Ruoxu looked up when he heard the sound and saw Ding Yi walking in. He immediately laughed and put down his pen to invite Ding Yi in.
Ding Yi walked to Zhou Ruoxu's side, glanced at the words and lost interest, then said:
"Sect Master, I've been itching to get my hands dirty lately. Any news on the Outer Fiends?"
"what?"
Zhou Ruoxu was taken aback by Ding Yi's question.
During the Lunar New Year, who would want to cause trouble?
Zhou Ruoxu couldn't help but admire the bearded man before him even more, but he smiled and said:
"The festival is coming soon, even the evil spirits need a rest."
"I've never heard of the Outer Fiends celebrating a festival. Sect Master, are you secretly planning to go on your own?"
Ding Yi looked at Zhou Ruoxu and asked casually.
"No, I really have no news. Don't worry, this job is yours. Even if the King of Heaven himself came, he couldn't take it away from you!"
Zhou Ruoxu immediately stood still and swore an oath.
Seeing his confident expression, Ding Yi smiled and nodded before leaving.
Zhou Ruoxu looked at Ding Yi's retreating figure, feeling somewhat helpless.
The Myriad Manifestations Sect naturally made a great contribution to the last incident at the Blood and Flesh Temple, but it seems that as a result, the surrounding external evil spirits suddenly disappeared, and no one knows why.
In addition, the faces of those worshipping gods in the Censorate have been serious lately, and the experienced Zhou Ruoxu has a feeling that something big is about to happen.
"I wonder how many more good years I can have."
Zhou Ruoxu looked at the Spring Festival couplets on the table in front of him and shook his head.