454: Chapter 454 The Treasure Reappears

Han Jingyang certainly remembered.

That was two months ago. At that time, he was just a rookie fresh out of the gate, with no reputation. Only a handful of people knew how capable he was, including Xu Xin and Zhang Zhiyang, and it was his first collaboration with Zhang Zhiyang.

He had been quite pleased back then, but the only regret was that he hadn't found the sect's secret treasure, the bronze tripod, which had been stolen by Sun Hailu.

Later, Zhang Zhiyang and many other people in the martial arts world had been searching for it, and news had spread during that time.

It was just that he had been so busy that he couldn't spare any time, so he hadn't paid attention to it.

He had assumed that the matter was over and done with.

He hadn't expected Shi Xiaoya to bring it up again.

Could it be that there were further developments?

Shi Xiaoya nodded slightly. "There are rumors that the bronze tripod lost by Xu Xin's sect has appeared in Dao City, and the Japanese invaders are planning to transport it back to Japan by sea."

"Dao City?"

"Yes."

"It took them this long to get to Dao City? It's been two months; they could have crawled there by now."

Shi Xiaoya laughed. "You don't think you and the people around you are the only ones in the martial arts world, do you? Out of the country's 1.4 billion people, there are at least 14 million people in the martial arts world. I wouldn't say everyone is united against the Japanese invaders, but more than 95 percent of them don't want to see the Japanese invaders stealing things from our country. Besides, what the Japanese invaders stole is a supreme treasure passed down by Yang Luchan. Even if it's not for the sake of national righteousness, plenty of people want to stop the Japanese invaders and claim the supreme treasure for themselves."

Han Jingyang nodded; that was true.

Everyone wants good things.

Moreover, rumors in the martial arts world said that Yang Luchan's true teachings were hidden within the bronze tripod.

Yang Luchan was known as someone who had fought across the capital without a rival; those true teachings were enough to tempt the vast majority of people in the martial arts world.

Thinking about it this way, it made sense that it took the Japanese invaders two months to get from Quancheng to Dao City.

Likewise, the fact that the Japanese invaders could make it to Dao City with the bronze tripod while being chased and intercepted by so many people in the martial arts world showed that the Japanese invaders' methods and strength were not bad; otherwise, they would have been killed before they could even leave Quancheng.

Shi Xiaoya continued, "Many people from the martial arts world have gathered in Dao City now, including quite a few famous experts, all aiming for the Japanese invaders and that bronze tripod. However, they have searched the entire Dao City and haven't found the tripod, leading some to suspect that they might have fallen for the Japanese invaders' trick of luring the tiger away from the mountain."

Han Jingyang raised an eyebrow. "And what do you think?"

"I think we need to make a trip. That is something passed down by Yang Luchan. If there really are any true teachings, we would hit the jackpot."

"With me around, what true teachings don't I have? Why must we fight for something so uncertain?"

"But that was originally your item."

Han Jingyang was instantly speechless.

Indeed, that bronze tripod was his. To obtain it legitimately, he had spent money and effort, yet it was stolen by the Japanese invaders.

He had been quite furious at the time; if it hadn't been for the fact that killing the Japanese invaders had earned him several decent dharma instruments, he would have chased after them immediately.

But to him now, the attraction of the bronze tripod wasn't that strong, as he was completely different from who he was two months ago.

Two months ago, he had only just emerged, possessing only a few dharma instruments and not even a trump card. His combat power could only be described as average, which was why that legendary secret treasure had such a strong appeal to him.

But what about now?

He had so many high-level items, and his trump cards came in sets. The dharma instruments he had once thought were rare had now been relegated to consumables. His strength had increased by an unknown number of times compared to before, and the strength of those around him had also increased exponentially. The emergence of Yang Jinyuan as a super-first-class expert had raised the combat power of his small group to a truly terrifying level.

At this point, making a special trip to Dao City for a bronze tripod he hadn't even seen felt somewhat unworthy.

But Shi Xiaoya was right; it was his item, and he couldn't let others in the martial arts world snatch it, let alone let the Japanese invaders take it back to Japan.

Well then...

Han Jingyang looked at the newly promoted Yang Jinyuan. "You make the trip?"

Yang Jinyuan was both surprised and happy. "Me?"

"Yes."

"Boss, are you sure?"

"Then let Xiaoya accompany you."

"Ah?"

Yang Jinyuan was stunned again and slapped herself lightly. "I really have a big mouth."

Then she said solemnly, "With the Madam's help, I will definitely complete the mission."

Han Jingyang chuckled inwardly. This long-legged girl from Taiwan might be strong, but she was still very wary of Shi Xiaoya, the Madam. It seemed Shi Xiaoya had left quite a psychological shadow on the long-legged girl from Taiwan.

Shi Xiaoya hadn't expected Han Jingyang to arrange the mission this way. She was somewhat reluctant, but she still nodded. "Then we will set off now. Do you have any instructions?"

"I trust you when you do things, but remember one thing: both of you must return in one piece. No matter how precious a treasure is, in my eyes, it doesn't compare to the two of you. If a treasure is lost, it can be found again, but if a person is gone, they are truly gone."

"Don't worry, my good days have only just begun; I'm not willing to die so early."

Han Jingyang was certainly not worried.

The combination of Shi Xiaoya and Yang Jinyuan could indeed walk sideways in the country; as long as they didn't run into a large-scale encirclement, they had nothing to fear.

Moreover, Shi Xiaoya was sharp and resourceful, and Yang Jinyuan was experienced; they were not people to be trifled with.

With these two together, one should thank the heavens if they didn't bully others.

Being bullied by others?

Unless that person had double the strength of Tian Chunming.

Otherwise, the two of them, plus their sets of items, would definitely not be at a disadvantage.

Because of this, he didn't say anything more and directly had the two of them pack up simply and set off overnight for Dao City.

Such things are better done early than late; arriving one night late might mean missing out on the treasure.

After Shi Xiaoya and Yang Jinyuan left, Han Jingyang stretched comfortably and waved at Liu Jing. "How long has it been since we had some time just for the two of us?"

Liu Jing's face turned bright red. "Who, who wants time just for the two of us with you?"

"Hehe, know how to be shy now?" Han Jingyang blinked. "This is a rare opportunity, so you'd better seize it. Otherwise, when they get back, you'll be stuck with a straight face and playing mute again."

"Who is playing mute?"

"What do you think?" Seeing that Liu Jing was still shy, Han Jingyang moved directly to her side, grabbed her fingers, which were as tender and white as scallions, kissed them lightly, and pulled her into his arms.

This little woman, still so reserved.

If she keeps being this reserved, who knows how long she'll be waiting in line.

She has no sense of competition at all.

How can this work?

It's only because they knew each other early on; otherwise, she would have been pushed a hundred and eight thousand li away.

While complaining inwardly, Han Jingyang held Liu Jing in his arms. Feeling the delicate body of the little woman who was half-resisting and half-welcoming, he kissed her forehead, which was as smooth as a peeled egg, and changed the subject to casual conversation. "Is everything okay at home lately?"

Liu Jing relaxed instantly, snuggling into Han Jingyang's arms, and let out an "Mm." "Very good. My grandmother was able to go out a few days ago, leaning on her cane and running outside the courtyard to chat and bask in the sun with the old men and women."

"Weren't you harassed?"

"There were some sneaky people before, but for the past few days, there haven't been any. You scared them off."

"That's exactly the effect I wanted; otherwise, it would be annoying as hell." Han Jingyang chatted while his hands began to wander, stroking here and there intentionally or unintentionally.

Liu Jing seemed oblivious, instead chatting about the past, about the glory days when Jiguang Zhai first opened, and about the embarrassment of Han Jingyang not having a single customer for months. Later, she suddenly said, "I bumped into Sun Xiaoqian a few days ago and chatted for a bit. Do you want to know what she said?"