"This dodecahedron is no simple thing," Yue Rushuang said as she played with it in her hand.
"Based on the comprehensive investigations we've conducted during this period, we have indeed uncovered a great deal of information about it."
"Legend has it that this item is a treasured heirloom passed down through generations of an ancient family."
"What is locked within is also the family's most core and significant secret."
This point... was not much different from what his father had said. Bai Zihe was even more curious about what was inside.
Yue Rushuang seemed to read his mind and continued, "As for what's inside, it's still unknown for now."
"But combining information from multiple sources, there's one thing I can be certain of."
"Open it, and you will gain supreme power!"
Bai Zihe suddenly understood. So that's why. Those men in black wanted to use the three great families to destroy the Lin family. They likely knew a lot about this dodecahedron, and upon learning that the Lin family possessed such a treasure, they went to such lengths. However, they ultimately failed.
"Then, how can it be opened?" Bai Zihe desperately wanted to know. He was eager for power now to deal with the蛊虫 in Bai Ruoyi's head.
"To open it..." Yue Rushuang's expression darkened, and she sighed, "It's very difficult. We have no leads yet."
"But little junior brother, you don't need to worry. With the intelligence capabilities of the Xuantian Pavilion, I believe we'll find the answer before long."
Bai Zihe fell silent. It wasn't that he didn't believe in the Xuantian Pavilion's strength. It was just that he couldn't wait. More precisely, Bai Ruoyi couldn't wait. The蛊虫 in her brain was like a time bomb, ready to detonate at any moment. Furthermore, if too much time passed, even if the蛊虫 was eventually dealt with, there would likely be severe aftereffects.
Yue Rushuang noticed his hidden worries and immediately said, "Little junior brother, you don't have to worry too much about the蛊虫 in Ruoyi's head."
"Although I cannot resolve it,"
"I know someone who might be able to help you control the蛊虫."
Bai Zihe's spirits soared, and he eagerly asked, "Fifth senior sister, who is this person?"
"The Gu King of the Southwestern Miao region!"
At this name, Bai Zihe's pupils constricted sharply.
"This person was born into a renowned Miao family; their ancestors were all masters of using蛊 for generations."
"And he himself is exceptionally talented, having gained fame early on. His skills in both planting and controlling蛊 are unparalleled, earning him the title 'Gu King'!"
"With his help, Ruoyi's life will be out of danger for a period of time."
Hearing this, Bai Zihe's furrowed brow slowly relaxed. As long as the蛊虫 in his little sister's head could be controlled, a way to resolve it would eventually be found.
"Little junior brother, are you going to the Miao region?" A voice came from outside. It was Ji Xueyun and Yan Zhiyun. Yue Rushuang had not informed Yan Zhiyun because of her injuries, but after learning about it through her own channels, she rushed over immediately. Ji Xueyun, being stationed at the camp, was further away and arrived later. They met on the way and came together.
Bai Zihe found everyone's gaze fixed on him, clearly waiting for his decision.
Suddenly, seeing Bai Ruoyi curled up in her sleep, Bai Zihe's heart clenched.
"We'll talk about going to the Miao region tomorrow. Let's head back first." They themselves were fine, but those students, especially his little sister, definitely needed proper rest.
The group returned.
The next day, following Yue Rushuang's suggestion, Bai Zihe, along with his little sister, Xue'er, his second and seventh senior sisters who had previously undertaken missions in the Miao region, and Liu Qianxun, who was very keen on visiting the Miao region, set off for the Miao region to seek the Gu King. Zhan Tianlong remained in Suzhou to protect the Bai family and the Bai Corporation. Yue Rushuang continued to unravel the mysteries of the dodecahedron.
Little did they know that shortly after their departure, an informant within the Xuantian Pavilion relayed the news of Bai Zihe's journey to the Southwestern Miao region to the War Department. Upon learning this, Qian Yuanshan pondered for a moment and immediately made two phone calls, one to the Japanese Consulate and another to Gai Tianya, the commanding officer of the Southern War Zone.
"Bai Zihe went to the Southwestern Miao region?"
"Excellent work."
"This time, he is absolutely going to die!"
The representative of the Japanese Consulate immediately issued orders to the ninja leader Suzuki Junichiro, who was lurking in the Miao region, to lead his ninja team to encircle and annihilate Bai Zihe.
In the Southern War Zone, Gai Tianya hung up Qian Yuanshan's call. He stood tall like a piercing sword, radiating a powerful killing intent.
"Bai Zihe, Bai Zihe..."
"You hide in Suzhou, with so many overt and covert eyes and ears, it would take some effort for me to kill you."
"But you, without knowing your own limits, came to the Southwestern Miao region. Isn't this like delivering yourself to my doorstep..."
"Truly, a thousand-mile journey to deliver a head, a gesture both light and heavy in meaning!"
Half a day later, in the Southwestern Miao region, amidst the Ten Thousand Mountains. Poisonous insects and ferocious beasts were common, and scorpions, snakes, and vipers were as numerous as the stars. This was the birthplace and the peak of the art of蛊. Anyone you pulled out here could perform a few tricks. In the deepest part of the Ten Thousand Mountains stood a magnificent pavilion with distinct Miao characteristics. Within this pavilion resided the master of the Miao蛊 arts, the Evil King! He was also the de facto ruler of the Southwestern Miao region!
"Report—"
"Lord Evil King, the commander of the Southern War Zone, Gai Tianya, has arrived!" A Miao guard reported.
"Please invite him in quickly!"
A moment later, a hearty laugh echoed.
"Brother Evil King, forgive my uninvited visit." The arrival was none other than Gai Tianya. When he learned that Bai Zihe was heading to the Miao region, he immediately thought of the Evil King. If the Evil King were willing to act, even ten Bai Zihes wouldn't be able to escape the Southwestern Miao region. In fact, he might not even know how he died! Such was the Evil King's prowess.
"It is an honor for our Miao region to receive the visit of Commander Gai." The Evil King replied courteously. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Gai Tianya got straight to the point.
"Brother Evil King,"
"I have come this time to ask for a favor."
The Evil King raised an eyebrow and asked, "May I know what Commander Gai requires of me that you would make such a personal trip?"
Gai Tianya's expression turned serious.
"Help me kill someone."
"His name is Bai Zihe. He should be entering the Miao region within the next two days."
Bai Zihe! Although the Evil King lived deep in the Ten Thousand Mountains and rarely ventured out, he was well-informed about major events in the outside world.
"You mean, Bai Zihe, the one who killed the Japanese physician Okamoto Masao?" Gai Tianya was slightly surprised. "You know him?"
The Evil King smiled inscrutably. Then, he said indifferently, "I'll take this job. The conditions are: one hundred fresh corpses, twenty living people, and ten billion in cash."
"Deal!" Gai Tianya immediately agreed. As the commander of the Southern War Zone, he had plenty of prisoners; this was no difficult matter. As for what the Evil King intended to do with the living people and corpses... what did that have to do with Gai Tianya!
"Good!"
"Please prepare everything, Commander Gai. Once I have taken Bai Zihe's head, I will come to exchange it with you."
Gai Tianya said joyfully, "Then I shall await your good news."
The two parties reached an agreement. Gai Tianya left the Miao region to make preparations. Less than a minute after he left, another guard reported.
"Lord Evil King, one man and five women, identified as Central Plains people, have appeared within our Miao territory!"
One man and five women. Based on the intelligence he possessed, this should be Bai Zihe and his group. The Evil King grinned, his smile chillingly cold.
"Let Su Ke Duo go out."
"Give our distinguished guests from afar a proper reception!"