World's First Traitor System (408)

Chapter 408 - Qiuniu

Xiongzhou, outside the main city.

The eight mechanical beasts were too large to be housed within the city walls, thus they had been stationed outside by Shi Jingtang.

The thirty-miles radius around the city was their designated area.

Inside the city, Shi Jingtang sat within his makeshift palace, meditating and circulating his energy.

Countless white threads, visible to the naked eye, flowed towards him from all directions, connecting to his body.

If Fan Li were present, he would instantly understand: Shi Jingtang was merging the destiny of Xiongzhou with his own.

The scene was reminiscent of an Emperor using Pangu’s Giant Body. The fusion was proceeding smoothly, yet Shi Jingtang’s face was grim.

“The destiny of a single province is too insignificant. To remain in one place will achieve nothing. I need more territory.”

Shi Jingtang slowly opened his eyes. He had already formulated his next plan. Once he fully controlled the destiny of Xiongzhou, he would begin his conquest.

Conquer a province, absorb its destiny. Repeat, until he unified all under heaven.

"Li Yu, oh Li Yu, I hope you are the one who stands before me in the end."

…

Fan Li, Wu Gang, Fan Chun, Su Qingfang, Chen Shishi, Qin Hongyu—five people and a dragon—stealthily infiltrated Xiongzhou.

The mechanical dragon sons were massive; they quickly located Qiuniu.

“Our first target is it!”

Fan Li pointed at Qiuniu and handed the three women a music score.

The ink was still wet; he had clearly just finished copying it. The title, "Three Variations on Plum Blossoms," was written with forceful strokes.

“Qiuniu is gentle and loves music. Play this piece and lure it away from the others.”

Fan Li paused.

“This will be difficult for the three of you. If you succeed, I will reward you handsomely.”

As he spoke, he noticed Fan Chun, the three women, and even Wu Gang, looking at him strangely.

“What?” Fan Li asked, confused. “Did I say something wrong?”

To reward and punish fairly was a basic quality of a leader. He was certain the reward he would give the women would satisfy them. Did they doubt his credibility, perhaps worry that he would go back on his word?

He was about to offer them reassurance when Fan Chun interrupted.

“Second Brother! I’m married to these three ladies now. We are family!”

Fan Li was momentarily stunned, then it dawned on him.
That's right!

They were family now; what was he doing, offering rewards?

“My apologies, my apologies.”

Fan Li quickly corrected himself.

“I’ve been busy lately, and my mind isn’t clear. Please, my sisters-in-law, don’t take offense. Just pretend I didn’t say anything.”

His face burned with embarrassment.

“That won’t do!”

Su Qingfang, while browsing the music score, refused.

“A man’s word is his bond, moreover, Second Brother is the Duke of Jin, his words carry weight, how can he simply take them back?”

He hadn't expected such a reaction.

Fan Li was speechless. Fan Chun, too, was stunned, he didn’t understand why his wife wouldn’t let this go.

Pfft!

Su Qingfang suddenly giggled.

“I simply wanted to ask for a reward from Second Brother. Could we have this music score of 'Three Variations on Plum Blossoms' as our reward?”

Su Qingfang, a master musician, had instantly recognized the piece as a rare masterpiece, its profound and transcendent melodies captivated her.

With her skill, she could memorize the entire piece after a single glance.

But the notes on the score were also a treasure, she suspected they were written by Fan Li himself and wanted to keep the score.

“Ah? Of course, no problem.”

Having understood it was a joke, Fan Li readily agreed.

He had copied “Three Variations on Plum Blossoms” with the system’s help.

It was an ancient melody, likely unheard of in this world, something that would surely astound any music cultivator.

“Wu Gang, after Qiuniu is lured here…”

“Leave the rest to me.”

Wu Gang’s eyes were firm, eager to begin.

…

“Moo~~~~~~~~~~~!”

Qiuniu leisurely strolled across the plains. Though a mechanical construct, it seemed content, moving slowly, as if in harmony with nature.

A few birds boldly landed on its back.

Sensing their presence, Qiuniu slowed its pace even further, each step so gentle that it barely caused any tremors, so the birds didn't fly away.

Zheng!

Zheng, Zheng!

The sound of a zither was like the wind rustling through trees in the depths of winter. Amidst the wind and snow, plum blossoms bloomed, defying the cold.

Qiuniu stopped and looked in the direction of the music, its gaze filled with curiosity and anticipation.

The music continued. The wind and snow intensified, as if trying to crush the branches and tear the petals. But the plum blossoms remained unyielding!

"Moo~~~~~~!"

Hearing the climax of the melody, Qiuniu responded.

Its low, drawn-out bellow, like the combined sound of an ox and a dragon, resonated with the zither.

Finally, Qiuniu turned and walked towards the source of the music. Its pace quickened; it didn't even notice the birds scattering from its back.

Fan Li watched the giant figure approaching, a melancholic thought crossed his mind.

Even a mechanical beast appreciated music, so why were there still so many shameless people in the world?

"Wu Gang, be careful."

"Mm!"

Wu Gang nodded then started flying towards Qiuniu. Her cultivation was higher than Qiuniu’s.

“Moo?”

Qiuniu felt threatened and instinctively took a step back, tensing its body and getting ready for battle. But it immediately realized the figure before it was a dragon, radiating a maternal aura.

Qiuniu's mechanical body trembled. Its core felt a strong urge to break free!

"Hmm?"

Inside Xiongzhou, Shi Jingtang sensed something was amiss.

Was Qiuniu about to break free from his control?

How could that be?

He was certain all eight dragon sons were within Xiongzhou. If an incredibly powerful being were to clash with Qiuniu, he would surely sense it.

Could it be that Qiuniu wanted to escape on its own?

Shi Jingtang sneered. Even a living dragon son wasn't his match, let alone a mere remnant soul. He would suppress it.

Shi Jingtang used his secret art, he clenched his fist as if grabbing Qiuniu's vital point.

"Moo!!!"

A scream echoed.

Qiuniu, in the distance, trembled violently until it collapsed to its knees. Its massive body shook the earth, scattering the birds and beasts for miles around.

“What’s wrong?!” Wu Gang exclaimed.

She had been trying to connect with Qiuniu's soul, but unskilled in the mechanical arts, she hadn’t found a way. Seeing Qiuniu collapse in pain, she no longer hesitated.

She shielded Qiuniu with her spiritual energy, then, seeing it wasn’t enough, bit her tongue and spat out a mouthful of dragon blood!

“Moo!!!!!!!!”

It was as if Qiuniu was injected with vitality. The pain in its eyes faded a little, and it managed to stand up again after shaking its body.

Shi Jingtang’s punishment hadn't ended, but Qiuniu felt some relief. It looked back at Xiongzhou, confused as to why that man was torturing it.

Then it looked at the stranger before it, the one who had just sacrificed so much for it.

"You..." Wu Gang smiled gently. "Do you want to be my child?"