Chapter 83: Scheming
In a hidden restaurant private room, Lu Ling concealed his face with his robe and pushed the door open.
In the room, one person was already seated. He wore dark gray cloud-patterned strong suit, a curved saber at his waist, and a beast-patterned gold-thread belt. He sat with a cup of tea, it was Yin Ruguang from the Seven Blades Martial Arts School.
Seeing Lu Ling enter so cautiously, he chuckled, “A proud third disciple of the Golden Ape Martial Arts School acting like a thief. If this were to spread, it would surely shock many.”
Lu Ling sat opposite him and snorted, “Yin Ruguang, if you’re so capable, why don’t you show your face and walk around? Let’s see if Hall Master Long chops off your head.”
The Seven Blades Martial Arts School and the Golden Ape Martial Arts School had deep-seated grudges, with many private conflicts between the two schools, often resulting in fatalities.
Just recently, regarding the matter of Dark Flowers, although Gu Changfeng took the lead, the Seven Blades Martial Arts School also exerted considerable effort behind the scenes, deploying many resources.
Both sides made moves on the roads leading to and from the Desolate Mountains, with ambushes and counterattacks. Each had their methods, and many lives were lost.
In such circumstances, it would be truly unexpected for people to see two True Disciples sitting together so amicably.
“I heard your new junior brother is quite close to Bai Yun?”
Yin Ruguang was no easy person. As soon as they sat down, he began to sow discord.
However, for a petty person like Lu Ling, what need was there for instigation?
“Hmph, your news is quite well-informed. Long Qiandao also took in a new disciple, didn’t he? Six of one, half a dozen of the other.”
He retorted, then looked at Yin Ruguang, “The order for opening mountains has been set by several families. First, we’ll open Miasma Valley to gather herbs. At that time, you’ll handle my troubles.”
The troubles he spoke of, naturally, referred to Su Yan.
Yin Ruguang did not refuse, but said, “This kid can certainly stir up trouble.”
Lu Ling heard this and asked, “What do you mean?”
“Gu Changfeng, that old fellow, also put out a price for your junior brother’s life, and he bid much earlier than you.”
Yin Ruguang’s eyes revealed a dangerous glint, “When he was still in the Muscle and Bone Realm, he dared to confront Li Jinshan and plot against Gu Hong. Heh heh, that’s Gu Changfeng’s only son.”
Although that night Li Jinshan and his three companions went out alone to carry out their revenge against Yin Ruguang and his group, theoretically, others wouldn’t know the specific individuals involved.
However, after so much time had passed, the events of that night had long been discovered by those with intentions.
Su Yan discovered the ambushers and led the counterattack.
Coupled with Su Yan’s relationship with Song Qi, Gu Changfeng had already marked him as his primary target for revenge.
“Does that old geezer have time to deal with this matter?”
The Little Mountain Association wanted to seize a mountain peak from Hundred Herbs Hall. First, they used the Blood Saber bandits as an excuse to attack a small stronghold on Wall Medicine Mountain.
Their plan was to gradually encroach, but then the truth was exposed, and Hundred Herbs Hall discovered the problem, escalating it directly into a fierce battle.
Both sides had been fighting for half a month, their forces stretched thin. Where would they find the time to deal with Su Yan?
“The Little Mountain Association can’t take Wall Medicine Mountain in one fell swoop, and this war will certainly halt during the hunt. Push that old dog to make a move first. Your junior brother is gaining so much attention; if I were to act, you would dare… Hmph.”
Yin Ruguang snorted. They were already enemies, so a fight wasn’t an issue. But if Bai Changlin were to intervene, he would be the one at a disadvantage.
Although they had private dealings and had helped each other with unsavory matters.
However, he wasn’t a fool, so why would he undertake such a risky endeavor?
“What do you intend to do?”
“Gu Hong, due to his injuries, cannot enter the Desolate Mountains and is sulking in Yun Cang Town. Let’s use him as bait to create a conflict with Su Yan, and then he dies from Monkey Fist. How does that sound?”
Lu Ling’s eyes flickered, and he nodded, “Alright, await my news.”
—
Xu Zhongdao was not at home, and even Song Qi had not stayed.
The gate servant informed Su Yan that Hundred Herbs Hall and the Little Mountain Association were in conflict, and both Xu Zhongdao and Song Qi had gone to the Desolate Mountains.
Su Yan emerged from Cang Liu Alley, his expression quite worried. He hadn’t expected that after a month in the mountains, the outside world’s conflicts had reached such a point.
‘Yun Cang Town has limited resources; if one family gains more, the other has less. However, the Little Mountain Association wouldn’t dare to provoke the Lin Family.’
The Lin Family was the most prominent family in Yun Cang Town, with a member who had joined the Beast King Sect, maintaining close ties. To deal with the Lin Family would likely not be a simple matter of force.
Conversely, a force like Hundred Herbs Hall, while having guards and apprentices, was still somewhat lacking compared to a family.
He had originally intended to visit Xu Zhongdao and consult him, inquiring if Hundred Herbs Hall had any hidden stock that could quickly accumulate Qi and Blood and transform essence blood for his current Blood Moving Realm condition.
It seemed now that he would have to rely on himself.
At Hundred Herbs Hall, upon the steward’s recommendation, Su Yan bought two bottles of Fetal Bone Marrow Quenching Pills to continue refining his bone structure. He had already depleted his supply of pills in his efforts to enter the Blood Moving Realm and strengthen his muscles and bones.
The two bottles of Fetal Bone Marrow Quenching Pills cost two hundred taels of silver. In addition to these two bottles, the steward, knowing Su Yan was a Blood Moving Realm martial artist who needed to refine essence blood, recommended a First-order High-grade pill: the Blood Sun Pill.
It was refined using Feral Beast Essence Blood and bone marrow, combined with the First-order Spirit Herb Nine Yang Mushroom, and dozens of other medicinal herbs.
Its medicinal effect was intensely fiery, and even those in the Muscle and Bone Realm might not be able to withstand it; it was a potent medicine.
However, it was precisely such a pill, costing forty taels of silver each, that was an excellent medicinal material for Blood Moving Realm martial artists to refine essence blood.
Su Yan had money on hand and felt that with the upcoming hunt and the Beast King Sect’s impending disciple recruitment, a sense of an approaching storm was in the air, so he didn’t hesitate.
He directly bought three bottles, ten pills per bottle, costing him a total of twelve hundred taels of silver.
‘Damn it, refining pills is no different from robbing a bank. Too bad I’m missing the pill prescription, or I’d definitely pull off a heist.’
He said this, but besides common pills, even if Su Yan’s alchemy skills were accomplished, he wouldn’t frequently sell rare pills.
For two reasons: one, it would attract too much attention, and two, the materials themselves were scarce.
After buying the pills, Su Yan took some time to return to Yun Qian Village and brought many things for Uncle Xie’s family. He also secretly gave them a bottle of Blood-Strengthening Pill for physical replenishment.
He wanted to plan for more things for their family but worried that they wouldn’t be able to protect such wealth, and it might instead bring disaster.
Ultimately, a pillar of support was still needed.
He carefully instructed Uncle Xie to give Xie Dabao the Blood-Strengthening Pill in divided doses to nourish his bone structure. When he grew up and practiced martial arts, even if he only reached the Skin Refining Realm his whole life,
he would still be able to stably ensure his family lived as a moderately wealthy household.
Although Uncle Xie had not seen much of the world, he understood human nature. Without Su Yan’s reminder, he also knew the implications.
In the end, Uncle Xie instead cautioned Su Yan to be careful and not take any foolish risks, emphasizing that life was most important.
A month ago, many martial artists died in the Inner Mountain, all said to be in pursuit of the poisonous bandit Pang Tianfeng, but after many clashes,
many martial artists had died, making many hunters afraid to enter the mountains.
It was rumored that Head Constable Xu Guan had recovered and was preparing to capture him, which had caused the poisonous bandit to flee.
Leaving Yun Qian Village, Su Yan’s gaze turned sharper.
‘Since Pang Tianfeng is not dead, he will definitely make a comeback. I just don’t know which family will be targeted this time.’
A sense of vigilance grew in his heart. This Pang Tianfeng would certainly not give up the Poison Dragon Golden Body Technique; he would only prowl around Yun Cang Town like a venomous snake until he found Su Yan.
At the Golden Ape Martial Arts School, Su Yan swallowed a Blood Sun Pill and then began practicing the Golden Ape True Skill.
As the pill entered his stomach, it felt like a fireball of heat, and his body turned red in a short period.
He was already in the Blood Moving Realm, and furthermore, he possessed three body-tempering cultivation manuals: Tiger Body Bone Forging Technique, Golden Ape Jade Body Skill, and Poison Dragon Golden Body Technique.
His physical strength was terrifying, far surpassing that of ordinary Blood Moving Realm martial artists.
Yet, even after taking the Blood Sun Pill, he could still feel its scorching heat. If it were an ordinary Blood Moving Realm cultivator, they would likely be in agony.
‘Such potent medicinal properties, but with my physique, I can take another one.’
Su Yan was also a determined individual. Despite the intense heat, he felt he could withstand more medicinal power, so he took another pill.
This was like pouring hot oil into cold water; the spiciness immediately caused his Qi and Blood to surge.
Su Yan’s face turned red, veins bulging. At this moment, he absorbed three strands of Insect Yuan and integrated them into his body, channeling the fiery heat into a long river of medicinal power, circulating his entire Qi and Blood.
White Ape Embracing Bone, Poison Dragon Guarding Marrow.
The Qi and Blood within revolved, forming what seemed like two feral beasts within his body. Centered on his spine, they continuously scoured and refined his entire blood, tempering his essence blood.
‘The Fierce Insect Cauldron guards the divine palace. Since the cultivation manual can form such Qi and Blood phantoms, my three Insect Tamers should be the same.’
As this thought arose, his three fierce insects immediately manifested their own power, merging with the Qi and Blood to form three ferocious insect shadows.
With the appearance of the three insect shadows, his spine seemed to receive divine assistance, and the speed of tempering essence blood doubled.
Su Yan’s consciousness sank, visualizing the True Intent of the Green-scaled Poisonous Flood Dragon and the White Ape. He painstakingly honed his spirit and tempered his body, his progress visibly evident.
An hour passed, and the medicinal effects gradually dissipated and settled within his body.
Within his body, his blood was continuously tempered. As the refined essence blood circulated throughout his body, it continuously strengthened all his organs, and his strength also improved.
【Body Tempering Realm: Blood Moving 32/100 （Beginner ）】
‘Although the consumption was considerable, this progress is quite good.’
After training, Su Yan took Blood-Strengthening Pills and Poison Dragon Pills to feed his insect tamers. The Red Armored Mad Scorpion could not be fed for now, as it was in hibernation.
However, the White Bone Poison Centipede and the Jade Beetle could be. He also fed the Wolf Cub he brought with him half a Blood-Strengthening Pill at a time.
Su Yan could command fierce insects. Even if contracting a beast was required to join the Beast King Sect, this Gray Thorn Wolf Cub was not his only option.
Feeding it now was merely a cover.
On the third day of his return, Bai Yun sent a message, inviting Su Yan to a gathering in the VIP Room Two of the Pan Family Restaurant.
“Senior Sister, is this banquet regarding the Blood Qi Arrow?”
Su Yan thought the exchange of martial skills had not yet been finalized and needed further discussion.
Bai Yun, however, shook her head and handed him a martial skill manual, “The Blood Qi Arrow has been exchanged. However, she heard you became my True Disciple and proposed organizing a small gathering.”
Different circles lead to different activities.
Undeniably, Lin Yue’s invitation meant she considered Su Yan to be in the same circle.
However, whether it was the upper-class circle of Yun Cang Town or the genius circle, it was not yet certain; he would have to meet them to know.
Bai Yun thought Su Yan might not want to go, and after a brief pause, said, “Actually, you can make time for some of these small gatherings.”
Su Yan raised his eyebrows slightly, “Are there any opportunities?”
“Ordinary gatherings are just for amusement, which I don’t like either. However, during this period, there should be some news from the upper sects.”
In the Beast King Sect, families like the Lin Family had members who had previously joined. Although they might not hold high positions now, they could still gather useful information.
Sometimes, even a bit of information like this could lead to different outcomes.
“Then let’s attend the gathering.”
The two of them went to the Pan Family Restaurant together and entered the private room. As soon as they pushed the door open, a young woman stood up.
She wore a jade-embellished green dress, a jade hairpin tied up her jet-black hair, a thin belt around her waist. She was a slender and pretty girl.
Lin Yue quickly sized him up and said with a smile, “Sister Bai Yun, is this your genius junior brother Su Yan? He’s truly young and handsome.”
“My junior brother is not good with words, so don’t tease him.”
Bai Yun greeted Lin Yue and introduced her, “This is Miss Lin Yue, the third daughter of the Lin Family.”
“Greetings, Miss Lin Yue.”
“You’re welcome. Sister Bai Yun, you sit next to me, and Junior Brother Su, you sit here.”
Lin Yue was clearly the organizer of this gathering. There were four or five other people seated, all young people in their early twenties.
Among them were Hu Jin, a disciple of Tian Feng Weapon Shop; Fan Cong, the eldest disciple of Tianhe Gang; Miss Zhou Yunqian of the Zhou Family.
The number was not large, but they were all elite disciples from the major forces in the city, and they were all Spirit Nurturing Realm martial artists.
Only Su Yan was a Blood Moving Realm martial artist, but no one dared to underestimate him.
A Blood Moving Realm cultivator at sixteen or seventeen years old, even if it took him a year or two to enter the Spirit Nurturing Realm, would still be extremely young, let alone the fact that he had only been practicing martial arts for half a year.
Amidst the clinking of glasses, Lin Yue and Bai Yun’s personalities were indeed like two extremes. She was a vivacious and astute individual, and with a few words, the atmosphere livened up.
Su Yan focused on eating and didn’t say much, but he did overhear a lot.
Hundred Herbs Hall and the Little Mountain Association were in a fierce conflict; otherwise, there would have been one or two more people at today’s gathering.
However, the dispute would not last long, as the Lin Family and the Prefect had already begun mediation.
Near Bai Lu Lake, there was a nearly Second-order Tiger Fetus Fish that had eaten several skilled fighters from Tianhe Gang. Fortunately, the Gang Leader intervened and killed the valuable fish.
With all sorts of news and situations in the city, Su Yan learned a great deal from this gathering.
After several rounds of drinks, Lin Yue unexpectedly initiated a discussion about cultivation, which surprised Su Yan. This banquet was not entirely unproductive.
After some more time passed, when it seemed like the right moment, Lin Yue finally said, “For some reason, the Beast King Sect is recruiting more disciples, and they are likely to arrive around the time of the hunt.”
“Miss Lin, is what you’re saying true?”
Hu Jin asked with doubt. According to usual practice, after the hunt, when all the families were prepared, they would come to recruit disciples and collect tribute and trade goods together.
Lin Yue nodded, “The envoy accompanying them this time includes an elder from my Lin Family, so the news is almost certain.”
“What reason could cause the Beast King Sect to recruit disciples so widely?”
Fan Cong of Tianhe Gang’s eyes flickered, and he pondered.
Miss Zhou Yunqian of the Zhou Family changed the subject, “How would we know the affairs of the upper sects? Perhaps it’s to suppress the feral beasts in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.”
She slightly raised her eyes and asked indirectly, “Yue’er, since an elder is coming along, are there any rumors about the assessment?”
Lin Yue, being very clever, did not directly address the question but said, “The elders are merely accompanying us; they wouldn’t have the ability to disclose the content. It’s just a rumor that to speed up the assessment process, everyone might have to compete together. The higher the ranking, the better the evaluation. If this rumor is true, I hope all my brothers and sisters will take care of me during the assessment.”
The true purpose of this gathering, “the dagger is revealed at the end of the scroll,” was seemingly for exchange but in reality for forming alliances and inviting teams.
The purpose of this small gathering, “the diagram revealing the dagger,” was seemingly for exchange, but in reality, it was to form factions and invite teammates.
