Chen Sansheng's men emerged at the base of the cliff. Under Chen Sansheng's arrangement, one of them guided Qin Hanchu towards the location of the Jade Marrow Ganoderma. The cliff face was nearly vertical, and they could only rely on protruding rocks for leverage. As Chen Sansheng had said, those below the eighth rank should not attempt the climb, unless equipped with safety gear. Climbing five hundred meters took over half an hour, mainly to wait for Chen Sansheng's men.
"It's in that crevice," Chen Sansheng's man pointed to a fissure on the left. Soon, Qin Hanchu reached the crevice. A Ganoderma was growing tenaciously within. It was as long as an arm, smooth and translucent all over, like a work of art carved from red jade. Lying beside the crevice, one could even smell the unique medicinal aroma of the Jade Marrow Ganoderma.
Qin Hanchu took out his tools and began to excavate carefully. Laymen only knew that Jade Marrow Ganoderma was precious, but they did not realize that its root was the most valuable part. The roots of the Jade Marrow Ganoderma were like whiskers and were extremely fragile. Once broken, they would quickly dissolve into the soil. The roots had stronger medicinal properties, and successfully extracting them would allow Qin Hanchu to improve his strength faster.
"Is it that troublesome?" Chen Sansheng's subordinate asked, seeing Qin Hanchu's cautious demeanor.
"You can go down first. I might need about an hour," Qin Hanchu replied. Hearing this, the man secured a rope to a rock and slid down. Once the man left, Qin Hanchu began to use his internal energy to assist. Controlling his energy, Qin Hanchu shattered the rocks and carefully extracted the root tendrils one by one. An hour later, the Jade Marrow Ganoderma was perfectly excavated. Its roots were like an old man's whiskers, very dense. Qin Hanchu placed the Jade Marrow Ganoderma into a wooden box and then returned.
"Mr. Qin, is collecting this medicine so troublesome?" Chen Sansheng asked curiously.
"I have obsessive-compulsive disorder. I don't want to damage the integrity of the Jade Marrow Ganoderma."
"If there are any more such rare medicinal materials in the future, contact me immediately." Chen Sansheng was indeed capable to find such a hidden Jade Marrow Ganoderma. Qin Hanchu needed these rare medicinal materials, which was why he said this.
"Mr. Qin is generous, so we are naturally willing to cooperate with you."
"The medicinal materials are in hand. What about the remaining payment?" Qin Hanchu winked at Suan Mei, who took out her phone and made a call. Soon, the remaining payment arrived in Chen Sansheng's account.
Having received the money, Chen Sansheng said, "The transaction is complete. We'll be leaving now." With that, Chen Sansheng and his men turned and left. Not long after, they vanished.
"Leaving in such a hurry?" Suan Mei frowned.
"The people who were going to snatch the Jade Marrow Ganoderma have arrived. If they don't leave now, they'll be silenced." As Qin Hanchu spoke, Suan Mei heard the sound of dense footsteps rapidly approaching.
"At least fifty people!" Suan Mei exclaimed.
"It doesn't matter. They're here to die anyway," Qin Hanchu said with a smile. Soon, warriors rushed out of the forest. In an instant, Qin Hanchu was surrounded at the base of the cliff by four factions. Yang Sanmei, Third Master, and the other two leaders emerged from their respective groups.
"Hand over the Jade Marrow Ganoderma, or die!" Third Master exuded a killing aura. The Dragon Alliance was a martial arts sect, and their history was filled with wicked deeds; seizing property was their old trade.
"Little handsome, if you promise to introduce the Champion Marquis to me, I'll help you escape," Yang Sanmei said with a smile.
"Why all the pointless talk? Whoever can snatch it, gets it," a man from another faction said coldly.
Qin Hanchu casually sat on a rock and said, "You four groups fight it out. Whoever wins, I'll give it to them."
"Still trying to instigate chaos? Do you think we'll fall for that?" Yang Sanmei sneered.
Qin Hanchu looked at the crowd with a troubled expression and said, "We are all compatriots of Great Yan. I don't wish to unleash a slaughter."
"Haha... Have you misunderstood the situation? You can't even protect your own life, yet you're worried about whether to unleash a slaughter?" Third Master roared with laughter. Yang Sanmei, however, frowned in confusion. Qin Hanchu's expression showed no sign of panic, and he even had an air of control. What made Qin Hanchu so composed?
"You're the one jumping around the most. I'll beat you up first to vent my frustration." As he spoke, Qin Hanchu suddenly charged towards Third Master. Third Master was a mid-stage ninth-rank martial artist, and upon seeing Qin Hanchu charge, he disdainfully shouted, "You're courting death!" The members of the Dragon Alliance believed Qin Hanchu was no match for Third Master, so they did not intervene. The moment Qin Hanchu made his move, Yang Sanmei's eyes widened. Qin Hanchu was definitely not a reckless person. If he dared to attack Third Master, he must have had some confidence. Such strength at this age... Could it be...?
While Yang Sanmei was shocked, Qin Hanchu and Third Master had already collided. Boom! Third Master was sent flying like a kite, crashing heavily into an ancient tree.
"Champion Marquis!" Yang Sanmei blurted out. Defeating a ninth-rank martial artist in one move was undoubtedly the work of a Grandmaster! A Grandmaster at this age could only be the Champion Marquis. Yang Sanmei's exclamation shocked everyone. No one had expected the person before them to be the Champion Marquis! A Grandmaster at twenty-one years old!
"Champion Marquis, spare me... I was blind... cough cough..." Third Master spat blood, struggling to suppress himself, and then knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly. Provoking the Champion Marquis was seeking death! Even the entire Dragon Alliance was not qualified to oppose the Champion Marquis.
Third Master's plea for mercy jolted everyone. Instantly, all fifty-plus people knelt down. Yang Sanmei knelt on the ground, a mix of fear and excitement. She had never expected that the Champion Marquis she longed for was right before her. Not only was he powerful, but he was also quite handsome!
"I don't want others to know I am in North Sea City. If this news spreads, I will settle the score with you four families first." Qin Hanchu's gaze swept over everyone, and he said coldly.
"My Lord, we will definitely keep it a secret," Yang Sanmei was the first to pledge.
"Yes, we will definitely keep it a secret," the other factions quickly agreed.
"Not even to your respective forces," Qin Hanchu added.
"Certainly," Yang Sanmei answered first. Qin Hanchu did not want to waste any more time here. He started walking forward. Seeing Qin Hanchu about to leave, Yang Sanmei hurriedly stood up and said, "My Lord, do you still stand by your words?"
Qin Hanchu frowned, "What did I say?"
"You said you would let me give myself to you," Yang Sanmei said, her face flushed.
"It was just a joke, don't take it seriously." Qin Hanchu then left without further delay.
Sigh... Yang Sanmei was extremely anxious and quickly chased after him. She had finally met Qin Hanchu and did not want to give up like this. If she let Qin Hanchu leave today, it would be difficult to see him again.