Chapter 96: Ox Bezoar And Dog Gallstone, Yanwu Forbidden Grounds
The roe deer-headed man quickly scrambled to his feet, grinning obsequiously as he said,
“Master Chen, being able to work for your Water Station is our honor. Also, Master Chen, I’m a lone bachelor with no wife or daughter, so no need for you to worry.”
Who would dare leave their wife and daughter in the care of you Water Carrier?
That would be like a lamb walking into a tiger’s mouth!
Making you Water Carrier out to be some great hero of the Martial World, all upright and honorable!
Chen Shun’an couldn’t help but chuckle.
Well, this guy has some character.
‘Chirp chirp chirp chirp~’
Suddenly, from around Chen Shun’an’s waist came a listless, unhurried cricket sound.
Chen Shun’an raised an eyebrow: “You have Treasure on you?”
The roe deer-headed man’s pupils contracted sharply, he fell silent for a moment, then with a look like he’d lost his parents, he pulled out a pair of bezoar dog treasures from his bosom, his face mournful,
“Master Chen, I offer this pair of bezoar dog treasures…”
“Do you think I’m Chen Shun’an, some shameless person? Would I seize the Opportunity of a junior like you? Take it back, I’ve seen it all. I just wanted to test my grasshopper’s treasure-hunting ability.”
Chen Shun’an waved his hand dismissively, his eyes showing disdain.
The roe deer-headed man perked up at once, joyfully putting away the bezoar dog treasures, then lavishing Chen Shun’an with flattery—calling him the Great Emperor descending to earth, using every sycophantic word imaginable.
Moments later, seeing the mood was right, the roe deer-headed man asked,
“Master Chen, so about the Travel Fee…”
When hiring someone, especially for this kind of gofer work stirring up trouble, covering the Travel Fee is only proper.
It’s the Rules.
But upon hearing this, the smile on Chen Shun’an’s face faded like snow under blazing sun, bit by bit, until his face was expressionless.
All his money had been donated to the Orphanage; he was penniless now.
The roe deer-headed man was stunned, thinking Master Chen, being a Noble Person, had forgotten the Rules, and gave an awkward smile,
“Please, Master Chen, give a little silver as a tip, so I don’t have to beg for leprosy bowls on the road or sleep on corpse beds.”
Chen Shun’an was silent for a moment, then lowered his head, seeing the blue cloth jacket on his body, made of top-quality Clear Water Silk.
A rustling sound arose.
Moments later, the roe deer-headed man held the blue cloth jacket in both hands, bowing repeatedly in astonishment and gratitude, then hurriedly turned and left.
“Wait!”
Chen Shun’an, bare-chested, felt the chill breeze in the woods, his voice turning icy.
The roe deer-headed man swallowed hard, his face paling.
“Master, I was wrong, I shouldn’t have…”
“Heading south, go through Yang Family Village, detour around River Each Village, then take a boat downstream. Don’t pass Yanziwu. It’s very dangerous there.”
Chen Shun’an suddenly cautioned.
The roe deer-headed man didn’t understand but didn’t dare ask, clutching the blue cloth jacket, said “Yes,” then dashed off toward Yang Family Village.
Yanziwu was originally a somewhat famous insect-fighting venue in the Capital City, but now it had gradually become a ‘forbidden place.’
Anyone with martial arts attainment or sharp intel avoided it if possible.
No other reason—Red Fifth Master, that ferocious figure, had the audacious guts of a bear’s heart and leopard’s gall, blocking Tian Xuan Saint at the mountaintop behind Yanziwu!
Amid wind and rain, unmoving, guarding the mountain base like a stone statue, he’d deadlocked Tian Xuan Saint for two full months!
During this time, a first-rate expert from Wanlong Pounding House came to aid the Saint.
But was Red Fifth Master without backing? He too had helpers from all sides.
Clashes erupted several times between the two sides, with wins and losses.
After paying a price, Red Fifth Master furiously slew the first-rate expert, chilling everyone’s courage, finally forcing others to retreat, with no one daring to interfere again.
Now, Yanziwu had become a silent gladiatorial arena between Red Fifth Master and Tian Xuan Saint.
Yet in Wuqing County, many were baffled and uncomprehending.
Why was Red Fifth Master doing this?
Guarding for months, fighting to the death without retreat—it was as if it were a blood feud of patricide.
Was the Guo Lu Society really that chivalrous and righteous?
The matter of Azure Gang Yang Huo was known to few after all.
But Chen Shun’an knew full well and vaguely sensed that Red Fifth Master’s actions seemed to be delaying Tian Xuan Saint, buying time for him.
Thinking of this, Chen Shun’an felt a bit disheveled.
No need for this!
Red Fifth Master, why bother!
The Azure Gang Yang Huo had long been completely consumed by him, transformed into divinity as the foundation stone of his Divine Palace.
By Chen Shun’an’s guess, unless there was a supreme being capable of cleaving heaven and earth, remaking the Universe, with Status far exceeding his Water Origin Great Emperor, it was utterly undetectable.
Even if Tian Xuan Saint were face-to-face, she wouldn’t know Chen Shun’an’s true background.
However…
Chen Shun’an didn’t dare use his limited information to speculate or measure this mysterious, decaying Sacred Dynasty.
Who knew what unfathomable means these Immortals possessed.
What if?
After all, from Red Fifth Master and Tian Xuan Saint’s emphasis on Azure Gang Yang Huo, it seemed Azure Gang Yang Huo was no ordinary Immortal Fate.
It had some profound, massive influence.
At this moment,
Tian Xuan Saint was like a Sharp Sword hanging over Chen Shun’an’s head, ready to fall at any time.
So Chen Shun’an resolved: cause less trouble, practice Martial Arts more, shrink back in Wuqing County, at most circle around Banye Ferry Crossing, never go to unfamiliar places!
Especially Yanziwu!
Not only could he not go, but friends he knew or associated people should avoid it too if possible.
“Red Fifth Master is an expert at Slay Four Thieves, Tian Xuan Saint can only defeat him but not kill him—her Strength must be somewhat higher than Slay Four Thieves, but not by much… Slay Four Thieves? Soon, soon.”
Chen Shun’an pondered silently, then drifted away.
……
Wan Niang was very proactive.
Chen Shun’an liked her proactivity.
After Wan Niang begged for five Sophora Wood Talismans and got silent permission from his five sisters, she moved into the Chen household.
From Chen Shun’an’s daily clothing, food, housing, and travel, to repairing the small Courtyard, planting Pine Trees, maintaining neighbor relations, and giving Chen Shun’an Massage, Acupuncture, and Guiding Qi.
She did it all very well.
Especially like now.
In the Bedroom, smoke swirled, Chen Shun’an lay prone on the bed, his back stuck full of fine needles; Wan Niang focused intently, sweating profusely, twirling the fine needles to regulate his Qi and Blood, balance Yin and Yang.
For Martial Arts practitioners, nurturing, practicing, eating, and sleeping are all essential.
And Acupuncture, pharmacology, and Massage are part of ‘nurturing.’
Though Wan Niang’s needling skills were far from matching a famous doctor like Golden Needle Li.
But they were reliable and private.
Chen Shun’an didn’t even worry about exposing his Qi and Blood and Physique far surpassing a second-rate Warrior.
Letting Wan Niang fuss over him.
“Brother, lately in the county, major Pharmacies like those selling Warm Gall Soup, Cinnabar Calming Pills—these heart-nourishing, mind-calming, shock-settling, sleep-aiding drugs—are selling extremely well.
I want to clear out that Storage Room to make a small Pharmacy, set up a clinic inside, sell some Plaster calming formulas, treat minor ailments like colds and headaches. What do you think?”
Wan Niang asked tentatively.
After all, their relationship now was different from before; Wan Niang shouldn’t show her face working at the Second Meat Shop.
It was tiring and earned little money.
It would also tarnish Chen Shun’an’s face.
So Wan Niang figured, even if not promoting her ancestral medical arts to glory, at least not let them gather dust—earning some living expenses would be good.
Shock-settling and sleep-aiding?
Chen Shun’an’s heart stirred at this.
Without Azure Gang Yang Huo, smuggling Fragrant Heart Clearing Paste was restricted, hard to evade customs Inspection; at best human-carrying over land routes, unable to gather sparks into a blazing momentum.
Yet Fragrant Heart Clearing Paste recently showed signs of revival, even spreading to the Capital Region and other counties.
This was the trend of the times, unstoppable by any one person or group’s will.
Zheng Shicheng’s body was still warm, Guo Lu Society’s residual might lingered; in Wuqing County, who knew how many ill-intentioned people were scared witless, so openly no one dared
to touch this business.
Ju Xing Zhai and other Opium Dens had long shut down.
But some who didn’t dare, others did.
Like the Four Great Huo.
These Huo were full of ruthless desperados with bold hearts, living for today with wine today drunk, regardless of Guo Lu Society or radish society.
Make money and enjoy first!
So these Huo somehow connected with the Nanhai Twelve Guilds, got hold of Heart Clearing Paste.
They were smart too; though unafraid of death, better to die later.
Not selling openly, breaking into small batches, hit-and-run style.
Wandering Streets and Alleys, loitering in brothels, Teahouses, Bao Ju, spotting a favored Client, lift clothes and wink, asking if you want ‘fun’.
If Fragrant Heart Clearing Paste is a fast-acting tiger-wolf drug that even first-rate experts can’t escape,
Then Fragrant Heart Clearing Paste is the silent bone-attaching maggot.
Though ‘effect’ weaker, excels in stealth and persistence; man or woman, young or old, one burn and you’re cloud-spitting, fog-blowing, ascending to heaven.
Burn it and spirit multiplies, energy surges, can’t sleep.
Don’t burn and craving hits, snot and drool flow, splitting headache, sleepless night.
Thus, not to mention else, county Pharmacies’ calming sleep aids sold like hotcakes.
Just mediocre effect, few cures.
Sacred Dynasty’s millennia-old unshakable ‘tradition’ first met stubborn overseas foe.
Caught off-guard, with backstabbers dragging legs, insiders betraying.
Sacred Dynasty defeated badly.
Thinking this, Chen Shun’an said: “This matter slow down, let me think. Right, don’t forget today’s Sweet Water.”
Fat water doesn’t flow outsider fields; Chicken Head Sweet Water, Chen Shun’an naturally prioritizes Wan Niang etc.
Even pure drops, no dilution needed.
“Mm.”
Wan Niang heard, said no more, silently removed needles.
Not that Chen Shun’an forbade Wan Niang doctoring, but combining her background, Chicken Head Pearl, recent events.
Chen Shun’an already had a vague plan.
A very bold, hugely profitable plan!
Needs step-by-step, gradual operation.
Now, Chen Shun’an felt body relaxed, turned over.
He just lightly patted Wan Niang’s head; she lightly coiled her cloud hair, pursed lips smiling, truly alluring.
Then strode with full firm white legs, straddled up, head slowly lowering.
“Mm…”
Chen Shun’an narrowed eyes.
The taste therein, no need to say.
“Let me.”
Chen Shun’an flipped atop.
Long after.
【Wish+6】
Wan Niang slept deeply, face weary, pulled quilt corner over body.
While Chen Shun’an’s Spiritual Platform clear, mind serene, expelled stray thoughts.
This too is Cultivation.
……
Napped two hours.
Sky pitch black, Chen Shun’an opened eyes, didn’t wake bedside person, silently left room.
Heat dissipated, chill rising, already eighth month, Courtyard’s Pine Tree lush green, pleasing.
Under Pine Tree, a half-person-high straight Tile Basin, surface pocked marks, inner green moss, water nearly full, fish swimming within.
Chicken Head Pearl hung waterside, beside piled powdered Polygonatum, licorice, Poria etc.
