Chapter 98: Thirty Percent Mountain Guarding Rights
Ten thousand silver is no small amount. Don’t think Su Yan spends thousands casually in the past; that’s because he earns too much.
Mountain hunting and herb gathering, tracking and hunting. Many skills allow him to hunt more feral beasts in the mountains, and more safely.
But for ordinary martial artists, wanting to hunt same-realm feral beasts alone would risk their lives.
Even if they win, healing medicine, tools, and so on consume a lot, and their income can’t compare to Su Yan’s.
If this ten thousand silver is converted to resources, for a martial artist with decent talent, it could almost push him into Blood Moving Realm, or even with three to five years of effort, help him enter Spirit Nurturing Realm.
Apart from Tian Feng Weapon Shop, few Spirit Nurturing Realm disciples from each family truly perish in the forest.
Now that they have received compensation and upheld the rules, naturally no one will say more.
Hundred Herbs Hall is unwilling, but having clashed with Little Mountain Association to this extent, they naturally can’t get compensation from this aspect.
They can only make it up elsewhere, so they can only agree indignantly.
Zhao Pan orders people to tally the final gains. In fact, without him saying, everyone sees the final winner.
Plus the things Su Yan brought out last, Golden Ape Martial Arts School’s gains are undoubtedly the most.
14 second-order treasure plants, 20 first-order high-grade, 13 medium-grade, 9 low-grade, plus 21 feral beast materials, three first-order perfection feral beasts.
Such a quantity, converted to silver, already amounts to forty to fifty thousand, at least ten thousand silver more than Lin Family’s gains.
The gains are just an introduction; if these treasure plants and spirit herbs are used to refine pills, the price will be much higher.
“Everyone as witness, Miasma Valley mountain splitting hunt, Golden Ape Martial Arts School gained the most, mountain guarding rights for the next five years belong to Golden Ape Martial Arts School.”
Zhao Pan publicly announces this year’s winner is Golden Ape Martial Arts School; everyone’s expressions vary.
Hundred Herbs Hall’s Tang Yuxuan frowns slightly, already pondering in his heart whether to exchange this mountain guarding right with benefits.
Mountain guarding rights can be traded, at least obtained through flexible methods.
Hundred Herbs Hall relies on spirit herbs for medicine refining as its industry; losing even one medicinal herb cultivation base will cause great impact.
Now that Miasma Valley’s mountain guarding right is taken, the next five years will cut off many medicinal herb sources.
Plus Little Mountain Association is pressing aggressively now, Eight Directions Trading Company always eyeing the pill business, wanting a share.
Hundred Herbs Hall’s situation will only get worse.
Perhaps try to indirectly obtain mountain guarding rights from Golden Ape Martial Arts School, cooperate with them, but such huge benefits.
Tang Yuxuan’s expression isn’t great, knowing the difficulty, and not just him has this idea; other forces surely have similar thoughts.
Although Golden Ape Martial Arts School has its own shops and channels, compared to Hundred Herbs Hall, Eight Directions Trading Company and such specialized forces, it’s slightly lacking.
This is also the root of why they think Golden Ape Martial Arts School may not manage mountain guarding rights well.
Mountain guarding and herb cultivation, developing resources—you always need skilled herb farmers, and these won’t appear out of thin air.
Regardless of everyone’s reactions, after settling mountain guarding rights, each family’s forces gradually withdraw.
Hundred Herbs Hall’s Tang Yuxuan doesn’t leave for now, because in this camp, many matters still need handover.
At the same time, with Little Mountain Association and Hundred Herbs Hall in this situation, leaving may not be safe.
Several forces leave one after another, preparing to cope with Yun Cang Town’s upcoming changes.
Bai Changlin lets the disciples rest first, each handle their injuries well; the spirit herbs and materials are processed clean, whoever brought them out owns them.
Tang Yuxuan waits a long time in the camp, finally finds Bai Changlin’s free moment, and visits.
“Shopkeeper Tang, future matters here will need your guidance.”
Bai Changlin sees Tang Yuxuan and starts with pleasantries.
But the content makes Tang Yuxuan’s expression change slightly.
More guidance, proper handover—does Bai Changlin want him to manage mountain guarding rights himself?
Tang Yuxuan hopes so, disregards both families’ face, probes: “Brother Bai wants to manage Miasma Valley’s medicine fields and beast pens himself?”
Bai Changlin doesn’t hide, nods: “Have this idea. Desolate Mountains’ several mountainous areas have gathered some people, manpower is sufficient, so let disciples manage this place, also temper their skills.”
Manpower may not be as professional as Hundred Herbs Hall’s people, but it’s definitely not a problem.
“Congratulations Brother Bai. If there’s any exchange in the future, Hundred Herbs Hall’s herb farmers will share all they know; even lending them isn’t impossible.”
Bai Changlin laughs: “Naturally. Golden Ape Martial Arts School and Hundred Herbs Hall have always been on good terms. Even if we grow things, we’ll mostly need Hundred Herbs Hall’s care; you can’t just wash your hands of it.”
Tang Yuxuan’s gaze flickers slightly, finally nods: “Naturally, naturally, relations between our families should be like this.”
The two exchange pleasantries, Tang Yuxuan apologizes and leaves first.
“Jin Shan, Yun’er, A Yan, come out.”
Inside the room, the three come out one after another. Before Tang Yuxuan arrived, they were already here, having entered the inner room to avoid people not long ago.
“Shopkeeper Tang came for mountain guarding rights.”
Li Jinshan points it out; Bai Changlin nods: “I know, but they’ve clashed with Little Mountain Association to this extent; we shouldn’t associate too deeply, easy to get fully trapped.”
Seven Blades Martial Arts School is bound too deeply with Little Mountain Association; now actions are unified, but also extremely easy to drag themselves into the abyss.
Seven Blades Martial Arts School’s disciples’ total annihilation this time is one sign.
Li Jinshan worries: “Rejecting like this may breed resentment in Hundred Herbs Hall.”
Bai Yun says flatly: “Junior Brother won mountain guarding rights by skill; they want a share with a few words, and resent if successful—better no such relations.”
Li Jinshan smiles wryly; Bai Changlin seems to know his daughter’s personality, smiles, looks to Su Yan.
“You? What do you think?”
Su Yan raises his brow slightly: “They wouldn’t dare.”
Bai Changlin finds Su Yan’s words interesting, gestures him to continue.
“Hundred Herbs Hall is suppressed so hard by Little Mountain Association, already suffered big losses; now losing a medicinal herb planting base is adding insult to injury.”
Su Yan says slowly: “Master agreeing to supply some medicinal herbs to them is like giving them a lifeline. If they turn hostile, this portion of herbs flowing to Yun Cang Town’s families would truly surround Hundred Herbs Hall.”
“Right.”
Bai Changlin nods: “Our relations with Hundred Herbs Hall are good, but we’re not vassals; we should have our own stance. A Yan explained this clearly. Miasma Valley matter, manage by Jin Shan henceforth. You three share thirty percent of profits, remaining disciples entering the valley share ten percent.”
No one objects to this division method.
Bai Changlin says: “Handle the gained spirit herbs yourselves. Jin Shan, polish your true essence and artistic conception well, step into True Intent soon. Yun’er and A Yan, first raise your wolf cub well, polish artistic conception, prepare for Beast King Sect disciple recruitment.”
Li Jinshan guards the foundation, Bai Yun and Su Yan joining Beast King Sect as backing—thus Golden Ape Martial Arts School worry-free for a century.
“Understood.”
Li Jinshan hears Master’s arrangement, looks to his junior brother and junior sister, envy flashing in his eyes.
Though he holds greater power, on the martial arts path, Bai Yun and Su Yan’s arrangements are more far-reaching.
‘Only with junior sister and junior brother’s talent can they go further.’
He has confidence to polish his true essence and artistic conception well, will step into True Intent Realm in future.
But higher up, it’s unlikely.
The three exit; Su Yan parts from the two, heads straight to the camp, Hundred Herbs Hall’s quarters.
“Golden Ape Martial Arts School’s Su Yan visits.”
After notifying Hundred Herbs Hall people, someone soon leads him in.
As requested, directly to Song Qi’s residence.
Knock knock knock on the wooden door; the gatekeeper opens, revealing Song Qi’s pale, weak face.
Seeing Su Yan, he’s surprised, then pleased: “How did you come?”
He waves the servant away, staggers slightly, steps aside to let Su Yan in.
Su Yan supports him: “Old sir, don’t push yourself. Your injuries aren’t lighter than before; luckily no more meridians broken.”
Wooden door closes; only two inside.
Song Qi says toughly: “That old dog Gu Changfeng just wanted to hack me more, torment me to submit, but didn’t expect the old dog to be unlucky, heh, dragged to death by you kid.”
He shows some sigh: “When I first met you, you weren’t even a martial artist. How long ago? Three months? Four? Less than half a year and already Spirit Nurturing Realm martial artist. With your talent, staying in Yun Cang Town is a waste.”
He’s from poor background, gradually practiced martial arts in youth, polished decades to step by step become Spirit Nurturing Realm.
Fell from realm, back to Spirit Nurturing, ups and downs—how not know practicing martial arts’ hardships?
Talented people born with wasp waist tiger back or spine like dragon.
Even without cultivation, their strength and build far surpass others.
If cultivating, one day equals others’ days or months of practice.
He and Su Yan are two extremes; how not sigh?
“Thanks to your guidance, old sir.”
Su Yan helps him to bed edge to sit, takes out a second-order low-grade meridian grass.
“Old sir, in a bit take the meridian grass, refine its medicinal potency, resolve and intervene in your body’s hidden injuries, condition true essence and qi and blood, then take this Blood-Strengthening Pill, nurture qi and blood, then use external healing medicine on wounds—your injuries will mostly heal.”
Su Yan places the verdant meridian grass by bed; Song Qi doesn’t refuse this time, dazed, nods: “You’ve thought of me.”
He looks deeply at Su Yan, then says: “Rest and build strength. Don’t get involved in Hundred Herbs Hall and Little Mountain Association matters. You and School Master Bai’s girl joining Beast King Sect is top priority; staying here is shallow waters trapping flood dragon, not worth it and too dangerous.”
Su Yan’s eyes shift; before asking, Song Qi says: “Hundred Herbs Hall and Little Mountain Association’s death fight has benefit disputes, but behind it, Lin Family and other Yun Cang Town families and official pushes.”
Whether Yun Cang Town families or Dali court, all deeply rooted powers on Yun Cang Town land.
While Hundred Herbs Hall, weapon shops, Eight Directions Trading Company, martial arts schools etc. are new forces grown on this land.
Even with one or two centuries inheritance, roots differ.
Stirring these forces to fight each other, officials and Yun Cang Town families vie for control and dominance behind— that’s the deadliest part.
Su Yan’s talent trapped here is waste.
Song Qi’s words are from the heart.
Su Yan hears it; old sir means well for him.
He nods heavily: “I understand. Master’s arrangements for me are the same.”
Song Qi nods: “Good then.”
Su Yan doesn’t stay long with Song Qi; after leaving medicinal herbs and pills, he leaves Song Qi’s place.
Hundred Herbs Hall lost people but still has those who can process herbs; no need for Su Yan to compound medicine or handle meridian grass.
As for other matters, no need for him to worry; staying long invites gossip.
Remaining three days, Hundred Herbs Hall people come one after another, withdrawing personnel from Miasma Valley peripheral camp one by one.
Tang Yuxuan and Song Qi leave first to return to Yun Cang Town for treatment.
Remaining servants, apprentices, herb farmers etc., though most withdrawn, still leave many herb farmers for Golden Ape Martial Arts School’s disposal, to fulfill both sides’ sentiments.
Under School Master’s orders, Golden Ape Martial Arts School people transfer one or two hundred from Golden Ape Village, Wolf Village etc., plus recruiting mountain villagers from outside Desolate Mountains, also gather hundreds of herb farmers.
All brought to Miasma Valley camp, preparing to take over Miasma Valley peripheral medicine fields, beast pens, and other industries.
Li Jinshan is endlessly busy; even Gao Zheng daily leads many disciples and guards into Miasma Valley for follow-up cleanup of feral beasts and spirit herbs.
Desolate Mountain hunt, seven days competition, remaining one month hunting period.
After deadline, five-year sealing.
Properly, team leader even if not Li Jinshan, should be Su Yan and Bai Yun.
Both Spirit Nurturing Realm strength, suitable to enter Miasma Valley.
But one has cold personality, preparing Beast King Sect matters, naturally no time.
The other has other plans; after informing Li Jinshan, already entered Desolate Mountains, straight to Grindstone Mountain.
“Pity the remaining hunting days; too many disciples entering, hard to use methods, else could sweep clean.”
Su Yan changes outfit to black-robed iron-masked appearance, rides blood locust straight to Grindstone Mountain.
Under mask, expression quite regretful.
Although each family entered, swept many second-order treasure plants and spirit herbs.
But Miasma Valley so big, surely oversights; continuous scavenging would yield gains.
But for Su Yan them, somewhat bland but regrettable to discard.
Numbers entering Miasma Valley increase, some methods hard to use, exploration takes more time—waste for him.
“Gained many second-order spirit herbs; if find suitable pill prescription, perhaps refine some first-order high-grade pills.”
Things Su Yan handed over openly are just one-third of his gains.
With Insect Realm Space, he can hide too many materials.
All exposed wouldn’t be good; now just right.
He hurries and finally arrives at Grindstone Mountain’s village.
Just approaching, sentry mountain bandits spot him, report level by level.
By landing, Ding Meng, Yang Kun, Cai Peng etc. already waiting in stronghold square.
Each face cloudy uncertain, but outwardly respectful, hearts suspended.
Su Yan scans everyone, shows a smile: “Few days no see, died a few more? Died of illness?”
Yang Kun face unchanged: “Mister forgive; subordinates disobedient, ate drugs randomly awakening insect eggs, lost lives.”
“What a pity.”
Su Yan speaks thus; they dare not respond, gazes more complex.
Cai Peng deep breath: “Mister, as you required collecting metal recently, gathered three thousand pounds. Besides metal, also collected spirit herbs, mountain treasures, feral beast flesh and blood. Additionally one item needs your appraisal; we really can’t discern its value.”
“What item?”
“Three prescriptions.”
