Chapter 18: The Token and the Almanac

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[You have obtained the Thousand-Mile Messenger Token!]
[Thousand-Mile Messenger Token (Special Edition)]
[Quality: Third Rank, Superior Grade]
[Effect: Upon activation of vital energy, it automatically sends a distress signal to a designated location and marks the position for the recipient.]
..........
[You have obtained the Auspicious Calendar of Misfortune Avoidance!]
[Auspicious Calendar of Misfortune Avoidance (Special Edition)]
[Quality: Third Rank, Superior Grade]
[Effect: Provides warnings based on the user’s fortune level; the higher the level, the stronger the effect, with a maximum applicable level of ‘Yansan’.]
..........
Having received the treasures, Chen Shijie gave a few reminders, and everyone thanked him before taking their leave.

Zhao Xing held the two treasures, feeling somewhat surprised.

Unexpectedly, the appearance of the Xuantian Sect allowed him to acquire these two items ahead of time, and both were special editions.

“The Thousand-Mile Messenger Token, compared to the Thousand-Mile Sound Transmission Talisman, has an added automatic tracking and positioning function. Sometimes, in urgent situations, there’s no time to speak, so the token is far better than a one-time-use talisman,” Zhao Xing examined it and noticed red, blue, and green beads embedded in it.

These corresponded to different levels of emergency: red signifying extreme danger, usually an invasion by enemy states; upon receiving such a message, at least a small military force would be dispatched to investigate.

Recalling what Wang Long mentioned earlier about the Donghu Army, Zhao Xing felt this token was likely specially produced for the military.

Judging by its grade, a third-rank superior-grade treasure, it was difficult for ordinary people to possess one.

The calendar was more common and found in many households, though most were ungraded.

Those with a grade typically had miraculous effects.

For example, this Auspicious Calendar of Misfortune Avoidance.

“It’s not the full version, but still a special edition that removes the luck-enhancing effect and strengthens the misfortune-avoiding effect.”

“The higher the fortune level, the more pronounced the effect.”

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The full version of the calendar was exceedingly difficult to obtain because it was kept within the imperial palace’s inner court, classified as a superlative treasure.

All calendars in the world were derived from this superlative treasure.

Its status was comparable to the later ‘Yunmeng Academy,’ though still somewhat inferior to the ‘Great Dream Academy,’ which was a national treasure.

Nonetheless, possessing the Auspicious Calendar of Misfortune Avoidance was quite advantageous.

Calendars with a ‘luck-enhancing’ effect were exceedingly rare and usually at fourth rank or above, while those with truly powerful effects needed to be seventh rank quality or higher.

The Fortune Dynasty typically regulated this to prevent the misuse of such items for nefarious purposes and to avoid unearned gains.

Moreover, if everyone could enhance their luck, it would be as if no one had any advantage at all.

“Those in poverty cannot obtain the ‘luck-enhancing’ version, and those who possess it are either wealthy or noble, so it’s rarely used for profit.”

“Hmm, my fortune level is Yan’er; the misfortune avoidance effect should be quite good... huh?” Zhao Xing had just left the Ministry of Agriculture and intended to check his fields in the eastern suburbs when the calendar began to flutter without wind.

Rustling sounds followed as the calendar turned pages and stopped on one.

[Year 15 of Jingxin Calendar, July 22nd, Yuzhong, Si Hour, Third Quarter.]
[Warning of Misfortune Avoidance: Moderate misfortune; traveling due east, hidden danger.]

This was what the calendar displayed.

Simultaneously, a notification popped up on his interface.

[You have used a third-grade treasure ‘Auspicious Calendar of Misfortune Avoidance.’ Based on your fortune level and known information, you receive the following alert:]
[You departed at Si Hour heading to the eastern suburbs and encountered a hidden Xuantian Sect believer at a teahouse, inadvertently attracting their watchful gaze; the outcome is uncertain. Please avoid this area!]

“Damn, hidden danger? Could it be that those fanatics from the Xuantian Sect have really come near Gucheng?” Zhao Xing glanced at the calendar and compared it to the interface alert, feeling somewhat speechless.

Ominous signs were divided into four levels: minor, moderate, major, and extreme.

Ordinarily, the latter three were rare.

He never expected that just as he obtained the calendar, it would immediately issue a moderate-level warning.

Since Zhao Xing already knew about the existence of the Xuantian Sect and much related information, the interface presented more detailed data.

His fortune was so useful? He received such a warning immediately upon use?

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“Do not travel at Si Hour, hidden danger—better to avoid it.” Zhao Xing decisively chose to avoid the east; he would not go to the eastern suburbs today.

As for reporting it? Impossible. The information was too scant, and there were too many teahouses in the east—who could tell which one harbored demons? Even if he had detailed info, he couldn’t act now; how would he explain it? The Auspicious Calendar did not provide such specifics.

The Great Zhou had no sects; the old sects had long been expelled beyond the nineteen provinces. ‘Expelling sects to the margins’ was the achievement of a certain emperor.

Thus, once the unified Fortune Dynasty system was established, there was virtually no soil for evil gods, heretical worship, or sect demons to survive, at most some minor clandestine activities.

“Yet under these conditions, the Xuantian Sect has managed to stir trouble intermittently across several dynasties, asserting its presence. Its power remains formidable; it is one of the few ancient sects with active disciples even in the dynasty era.”

“The main sect is mostly closed off and dormant, but the remaining believers still form a significant force, at least from my current perspective,” Zhao Xing thought quietly.

“I wonder if others have noticed, but if there really are Xuantian Sect believers lurking near the public fields now...”

Turning around, Zhao Xing returned to the Ministry of Agriculture, finding Chen Ziyu and Qian Dong.

“Ziyu, Qian Dong, how shall we proceed?”

“Ziyu and I plan to go to the eastern suburbs, then head home for lunch before returning there,” Qian Dong said lazily. “I don’t care for the Ministry’s food.”

“It’s already the height of summer; replanting Yuan rice requires constant nurturing spells to survive. It’s really laborious, sigh...” Chen Ziyu frowned.

“By the way, big brother, what did Chen Shijie call you for?” Qian Dong asked.

“He said demons have been causing trouble, specifically abducting officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Workshop. Chen Shijie warned us to be careful and gave us some self-defense items.” This was nothing secret; after all, the news had spread.

The security in Nanyang Commandery remained good, at least in their impression, so Chen Ziyu and Qian Dong paid it little mind. Instead, upon hearing Zhao Xing had obtained two treasures, they clamored to see them.

Zhao Xing was eager for them to abandon their plans to go east, so the three ate in the city. In the afternoon, he took out the calendar and walked eastward, finding no further warnings, which greatly relieved him.

“No warning means they must have left? Probably just scouting? I heard Li Chengfeng and other minor officials didn’t take it seriously and even went to the eastern suburbs in groups, hoping to earn merit. I wonder if anyone disappeared.” Zhao Xing secretly hoped the Xuantian Sect would cause some trouble and snatch some strong competitors from the minor official ranks, increasing his chances of becoming a regular official.

But such hopes were in vain. Through early August, no one disappeared, and Gucheng remained peaceful. Even the Donghu Army withdrew some troops.

On August 2nd, after a ten-day medical leave, the senior agricultural official Xue Wenzhong returned to Huailiu Courtyard; everything seemed unchanged.

The Ministry’s staff soon forgot the matter as the Start of Autumn assessments began.