Maiden Of The Splitting Moon - Chapter 727: The Reticent Fortress

She felt somewhat foolish at this moment, ultimately losing her composure against Tang Bi Gan.

The old man looked at her curiously, seeing all the little changes in her expression before sighing.

“Haah, I can’t say that I don’t understand your situation”, he said to her, “You’re pressed for time. Like it or not, you can’t be leisurely wandering around but moving from one destination to the next.”

“I know”, she replied.

Putting the Dragon Eye Berries away, Ming Yue watched as the Shaqi Ravensguard retreated before looking at the Splendid Goose.

He put one hand on his waist, looking at the ring on his other hand.

“I still have some business to deal with. You know, the rest of the exchanges. On top of that, the Tang Trading Group will probably fade away after the death of their young master. I still have their inheritance key, I did say that I was going to give it away but… seeing him so obsessed over it made me change my mind. Maybe there’s something interesting in there.”

The Splendid Goose studied his ring, looking at it with interest before looking up.

“Well then, since this little distraction has been dealt with. I suppose that it’s time to part ways.”

“Yes, now that I have what I need, I must leave immediately”, she spoke while putting the Black Blade away.

“Oh, where are you headed now?” he asked.

“The Beast Continent.”

Hearing this, the Splendid Goose raised a brow before chuckling out loud.

“Interesting, how interesting! So you are going there next, strangely enough, I will be going there soon”, he revealed, “As one of the most renowned treasure hunters, I’ve been asked to go help them with that. You know, exploring ruins, searching for all sorts of valuables.”

“Then, perhaps, we’ll cross paths again.”

While saying this, she turned to go, leaving with Xiao Yin and Hei Yue following behind her.

Everyone else glanced over at her before turning their attention toward the Splendid Goose.

Since the ring had been retrieved, they had to collect on their dues.

The death of Tang Bi Gan was a drop in the bucket, causing some ripples over the surface.

The Tang Trading Group and the Muhou Troupe were at odds with one another, fighting until their strength dwindled. Safe to say that business suffered during that period of time. But even this was nothing major when it came to the three continents.

With Human, Demon, and Beast all connected once more, larger things were in motion.

Specifically, the Beast Continent had become much more chaotic. With more and more travelers coming in, the capital city of the beast folk, the Den, was not big enough to house all of it.

That only spurred on the redevelopment of their society.

In the few months that Ming Yue was gone, things had become drastically different.

The Savage Lands that once overtook their former homes and pushed them to the brink of extinction were now faced with that very fate. Having killed two Beast Gods and obtained their strength, hope was on their side.

But that power came with a price.

The tribes stopped looking at the land within the Den and started looking outward, towards the land freed of the Savage Beasts. The unity that once brought about the creation of the three divisions, Preservation, Expedition, and Reclamation was at its last strings. The many tribes that made up the Den, grew more powerful and more ambitious.

And with the rise in arrogance, these tribes took advantage of their newfound connection with the Demons and Humans. Unlike the other two continents, theirs was rich with treasure and life, things they would kindly use to lure the two in.

What was once the revered title of “Seeker” now meant soldier.

No longer was their goal to survive, now it was to conquer.

And Ming Yue would become a part of this fight herself.

“Hm, things are… quite different”, she thought to herself.

Standing on top of the Continental Teleportation Array, the young woman took a quick look around her. At the same time, both Xiao Yin and Hei Yue left her side, moving to scout around.

With a veiled hat covering her face, no one could recognize her. Though there were a few curious looks in her direction.

She then walked forward, stepping out into the middle of a large fortress. One that was bustling with humans, many of which were from the Dark Water Kingdom. After all, one of the arrays was within their domain. While they couldn’t fully monopolize it, they did have control over a majority of what goes on.

Two masked figures greeted her before leading the young cultivator toward the fortress castle.

“Mm, it was right to ask the Grand Researcher for help on this. I was able to enter quietly.”

The last time she had gone through this, she was hidden on a ship, peeking out to see hundreds of little figures stationed right outside the array. In fact, she studied the stone platform even more closely.

“Looks like they repaired everything.”

Unlike the cracked and faded appearance, the stone had been replaced and recarved. But that was the least of the changes that have been made. As the masked individuals lead her into the depths of the fortress castle, they entered the main hall where someone was awaiting her.

It was an older woman, one wearing a black veil over her face as opposed to the white veiled hat that Ming Yue wore. She was dressed in black and blue robes, resting on a throne with a long sword resting at the side.

“We welcome you, Miss Yue, to the Reticent Fortress.”

Her voice echoed within Ming Yue’s mind, making her somewhat surprised.

“Ah, didn’t think I’d be able to speak directly to you, did you? It certainly isn’t something everyone can do but aside from the Grand Researcher, I can also do it. Anyways, allow me to introduce myself, I am the Fortress Master but you can call me, General Huiyan”, she said to her.

The young cultivator removed her hat and greeted the Fortress Master, cupping her fists and bowing.

“I greet General Huiyan..”

The Fortress Master chuckled before continuing.

“As per the Grand Researcher’s words, a room has been prepared for you. You are welcome to come and go to the Reticent Fortress as you please. If there is any information that you want or any supplies that you need, please let us know.”

Her words were short and blunt, and she spoke with a firm tone.

Ming Yue nodded before looking down.

“Thank you for the hospitality.”

“Mm, those two will lead you to your room. There are also a few visitors waiting for you as well.”

The young woman looked up and raised a brow, somewhat confused and curious.

“I see, then I shall take my leave.”

As she turned to go, General Huiyan sent her off with a solemn voice.

“I wish you good luck.”

Ming Yue paused for a moment before leaving. The two masked fortress soldiers bowed before her before taking her to their next destination.

As for the general herself, she stayed seated on that throne, before raising her head up, sensing something.

“Strange… what is this uneasy feeling, I’m getting”, she thought to herself, “Something is… stirring.”

The halls suddenly hummed with power as General Huiyan moved to investigate. Ming Yue stopped in her tracks the moment she felt it, looking back in the direction of the general.

“This power!”, she muttered.

“Ah, General Huiyan must be peering into something”, one of the masked men explained, “Aside from General, she is also known as the Overseer. While she is a great warrior, she focuses more on her eyes. If need be, she watches the surroundings of the fortress and can even peer into the future. She is a master of the Divination Dao.”