Chapter 197: Chapter 146: Eyewitness
"Quick! Protect the Divine Force Crossbow! We must not let the Demon People of Peace Path get their hands on it!"
Amidst the earth-shattering explosions of spell light and flames, the agonized howls of the City Defense Forces and Government Officials filled the air. Only Colonel Ouyang Lie, bathed in fire, bellowed:
"Retreat! Everyone, retreat! We’ve fallen for the Demon People’s treacherous conspiracy!!"
It was at this moment that Li Yuancheng and several arrest officers arrived. The county government office arrest officers and Deputy Constables, who had intended to suppress the Peace Path rebels and achieve merit, were horrified by the sight before them: flames shot towards the sky, and the limbs of their City Defense Forces and brother Government Officials were scattered everywhere.
Then, Ouyang Lie’s voice resonated down the long street:
"All retreat, fall back to the county city! Retreat! Everyone, retreat!"
Chen Ku lurked in the shadows, watching. Over two hundred soldiers, armed with powerful weapons like the Divine Force Crossbow and prepared to enter the mountains to subdue demons, were now disheveled. Clutching their severed limbs and broken arms, they fled desperately towards the county city.
In Snake Fish Town, everyone stayed indoors, covering their ears, none daring to step outside.
And during the retreat of Ouyang Lie and the official army, Chen Ku noticed something. Atop the small hill, Yao Wensu and the other Peace Path Demon People did not seem to lead troops down to pursue them, allowing Ouyang Lie and those who had entered the mountains to deal with the demons to leave.
It was as if they merely wanted to use this battle to send Shangguan Yun a signal. The signal was clear: Peace Path was not something that he, the Baojiao County Magistrate, could suppress alone.
Although they had sacrificed the lives of nearly five to six hundred Peace Path followers in this battle, to Yao Wensu and Peace Path, this was insignificant. They were merely common followers, many of whom had not even reached the Strength Training Phase, and few knew how to perform Drawing Talismans.
Not a single high-ranking member of the cult was lost.
Yet, they had caused the famed City Defense Forces, armed with the ’Divine Force Crossbow,’ to suffer heavy losses.
In the end, Chen Ku watched from the rooftop as Yao Wensu and the others turned and left the hillside, leaving behind a battlefield strewn with bloody corpses and severed limbs.
His heart was shaken. He found himself in a daze.
Unconsciously, his thoughts drifted back to the New Year’s Eve when his elder brother, Chen Xin, had returned home and told him:
"Baojiao County is not a place to stay for long. If possible, leave early. Head to Qiu Dragon Mansion, or even farther away."
At this moment, especially after witnessing such a brutal war today and the covert signal revealed by Peace Path, he fully sensed that... After today, great trouble awaits Baojiao County! Furthermore, the current situation is set to become even more terrifying.
I thought that as long as I could establish a firm footing in Medicine King Hall, I would be able to secure a place in Baojiao County, but I didn’t expect...
Chen Ku transformed into a Flower Fox Mink and flew in the sky. Looking down upon his brother-in-law Li Yuancheng and the defeated City Defense Forces retreating to the county city, he felt great anxiety:
Once again, I’m feeling a strong sense of insecurity and crisis.
This sense of crisis didn’t come from any personal targeting. Instead, it stemmed from the terrifying external environment, stripping away his sense of security.
Having witnessed today’s battle, Chen Ku instinctively realized that Baojiao County was about to be engulfed in a great maelstrom, one that could potentially lead to upheaval. This made him feel that even staying in Medicine King Hall or within the Inner City was not safe.
Especially after seeing the madness of Peace Path today, he became more aware. Peace Path... was not like the refugees of the past.
Refugees harassed the countryside. To avoid further troubles with them, he had chosen to move his family to the safer cities. This was because refugees lacked the capability to attack and conquer county cities.
But what he saw from Peace Path today... They indeed had that capability.
...
As Chen Ku began to feel uneasy about his living environment once again, news spread rapidly through every household in Baojiao County. The City Defense Forces and official constables had entered the mountains to suppress demons but instead suffered heavy casualties due to a cunning plan by Yao Wensu, the Peace Path Incense Master. This news, along with the ignominious return of the disheveled remnants of the official army, quickly circulated.
Within the county government office, Shangguan Yun, rarely seen in his official robe, stood in the office with a grave expression. He simply stated:
"Send a letter to the Qiu Dragon Prefecture Yamen, requesting immediate reinforcements to suppress the rebels!"
"Suppress the rebels!" These four characters almost directly designated Peace Path, no longer as merely a cult, but as a "rebel organization."
"As you command, Lord County Magistrate!"
In the hall, County Magistrate Qi Wanshan, County Magistrate Ma Tianlin, and Chief Constable Wang Yixian all stood up, realizing the severity of the situation.
Then they watched as the Lord County Magistrate flicked his sleeve and left the hall.
「At the back hall」
No sooner had Shangguan Yun arrived in the garden than Counselor Sui You calmly approached along the corridor and said softly, "What does Your Lordship plan to do? If the Prefecture Yamen really sends Heavenly Soldiers to suppress them, even a low-ranking Martial Commander will possess the Merit of a Martial Arts Scholar background. He would be equal in rank to you, my lord, a seventh-rank official. With a thousand soldiers at his command, everyone in Baojiao County, high and low, would have to listen to him. How then can we proceed with our grand plan?"
"Don’t worry, I have my own confidence and methods," Shangguan Yun spoke somberly. "And it would be best to involve Grandmaster Jin Chui sooner rather than later. I think one Martial Commander isn’t enough."
...
SIGH. After returning home, Chen Ku gazed at the Storage Bag in his hand.
Baojiao County isn’t a place to stay for long... But where to go? Qiu Dragon Mansion? Venturing into unfamiliar territory there, coupled with losing the backing of Medicine King Hall, would mean starting from scratch.
After much contemplation, Chen Ku cobbled together two paths.
One was to stay at Medicine King Hall and rise another notch from his current status. Perhaps he could catch the eye of the Owners behind the scenes in the Prefecture City, who might promote him to the big shops there, allowing him to avoid the upheaval in Baojiao County.
The other was to wait a little longer, participate in the martial arts examination, and possibly catch the eye of Grandmaster Jin Chui. Even if that failed, successfully obtaining the ’Merit’ of a ’Military Scholar’ would ensure he was well-received in any prefecture or county under the Daji Dynasty.
The martial arts examination is in March, just over two months away. The first path seems easier to navigate. After all, as a Young Shopkeeper, I should have already caught the attention of the Owners in the Prefecture City. Next... I reckon that as long as I perform well at the guild negotiation conference, I will have an even better chance of being promoted to the Prefecture City.
Having been in Medicine King Hall for over half a year, he was well aware that its success was inseparable from the support of several Owners in the Prefecture City. It was said that these Owners were members of the Three Emperors Ancestral Masters Association, one of the thirty-six Martial Associations in the Prefecture City. They also controlled the inheritance of the entire Apricot Grove branch within Qiu Dragon Mansion.
Thus, Chen Ku first settled on a basic plan in his heart and then began today’s fist stance training. Before going to bed, he released the Flower Fox Mink.
Then, something came to mind, and he said to the Flower Fox Mink, "Right, today at Snake Fish Town, when I took action against those from the Ancient Elephant Sect, it seemed like they were studying an antler made of white jade, very similar to that of a Nine-Colored Deer. I memorized the scent. When you go out, apart from visiting Yuan Country to refine your Flame Qi, also pay attention to this scent and see if you can find that Nine-Colored Deer."
The Nine-Colored Deer was worth Five Hundred Thousand Taels.
Not to mention its monetary value, the skin that could change color and pattern was something Chen Ku desperately needed. Every time he shape-shifted, he had to take off his clothes and put them back on, which was quite troublesome. If he had a piece of clothing that could change its color and form with his body, it would be much more convenient.
Additionally, the Nine-Colored Deer’s antlers could grant the ability to understand Beast Language, which he also coveted greatly.
The Flower Fox Mink nodded at Chen Ku and leaped out beneath the moonlight.
At that moment, Chen Ku assessed himself. His Second Realm Flame Qi had been fully digested after two days. He now had just enough on hand to create a Second Realm Fire Beak Pot.
"Fire Beak Pot Transformation!"
"Fire Beak Pot Transformation! Shape-Shifted!"
"Fire Beak Pot Transformation! Transform!"
[Realm: Second Realm Magical Treasure]
[Abilities: Spout (Exhales Fire)...]
The abilities remained the same. However, his Fire Control level had improved by one tier. After throwing a piece of Second-Tier Fire Essence and some Third Realm Health Restoring Liquid Pill materials into the pot, Chen Ku practiced his Nameless Stance again before retiring to his room.
「The next morning.」
TOOT TOOT TOOT~
The Fire Beak Pot was ready.
After getting out of bed, Chen Ku briefly washed his face. He then poured two Health Restoring Liquid Pills from the Second Realm Fire Beak Pot. This was exactly the Pill Prescription his master had given him for treating his stomach and intestinal issues.
Hmm... With ten portions of materials, the Pill Formation rate is only twenty percent, and the quality is only medium, he sighed softly. However, to successfully refine Third Realm pills using a Second Realm furnace is already quite an accomplishment.
GULP.
It went down in one swallow.
However, Chen Ku suddenly grunted as a pain shot through his stomach. HISSS!
Immediately performing Spiritual Introspection, he was startled to find that after taking the Health Restoring Liquid Pill, the minor issues in his stomach had transformed. A liquid now coated those areas, like a plaster on a wound.
This medicine is actually a bit irritating.
Chen Ku took a deep breath but didn’t think his master, Yang Luochen, would deceive him. Indeed, shortly after the initial stinging pain, a warm sensation spread through his stomach, as if it was absorbing the medicine’s potency.
Master said that to nourish the stomach, I must take this continuously for at least six months. Ah, I’ll just have to nurture it slowly.
「Before leaving the house.」
He added some more Health Restoring Liquid Pill materials into the Fire Beak Pot.
「Today.」
It was the day he had agreed to meet his senior brother, Kou Ming, and attend the small gathering.
"Junior Brother Chen, so punctual."
Arriving at the entrance of Butcher Court, he saw Kou Ming standing there. Dressed in a green shirt, Kou Ming exuded the gentle temperament of a scholar. Huo Xiaoxia was right beside him:
"Junior Brother Chen."
"Senior Brother Kou, Senior Sister Huo, good to see you," Chen Ku greeted with a fist and palm salute.
"Now that everyone is here, let’s go," Kou Ming said with a smile.
「Leaving Medicine King Hall.」
Chen Ku walked along North Street with his two senior martial siblings and couldn’t help asking, "Senior Brother Kou, now that we’re out, can you tell me where today’s gathering is? Who else will be there? What do I need to do? What should I watch out for?"
Huo Xiaoxia also looked curiously at the scholar in green ahead.
Kou Ming, walking in front, used Sound Transmission into Secret, his lips barely moving as he spoke to his two junior martial siblings:
"Of course. The location for today’s meeting is by the Dragon River riverside. Including the three of us, a total of sixteen people will be attending. They come from the Fish and Dragon Association, Firewood Iron Shop, Tongwen House, Heyuan Escort Agency, Hongyan Tower, Hunter’s Forest, the Row Gang, and the Manure Gang. Each group will bring two or three representatives."
Chen Ku listened to the list of these eight powers; some he had heard of, others he had not.
"As for what you need to do? When we get there, you and Junior Sister Huo don’t need to speak. I will do the talking. Just do as I say."
Saying this, Kou Ming turned his head, smiling.
"But indeed, there is one person you need to be wary of."
"Who?" Chen Ku arched an eyebrow.
"This person is named Ma Mingfeng. He holds the same status as I do within the Fish and Dragon Association; he is the young leader of their current generation. He passed the Military Scholar exam two years ago. He’s only twenty this year but has already reached Mystic Barrier Peak."
After finishing, Kou Ming looked at Chen Ku’s expressionless face and continued, "I’m aware of your abilities, Junior Brother. If it were just an ordinary cultivator at Mystic Barrier Peak, I wouldn’t ask you to be cautious. The key is... this man received a spiritual gift within the ’Mystic Gate,’ the Third Layer of Mystic Barrier Peak, and has mastered the ’Skill of Witnessing.’ With this, he is not only almost unbeatable within the Mystic Barrier Realm, but even a Jade Skin Realm expert could be caught off guard if careless. You must never meet his gaze."