Chapter 140
Chapter 140
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 140
Chapter Title: Arrangements and a Robber's Demise
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“Brother Chen.”
Ruan Tieniu saw Chen Jianghe walking out of Green Duckweed Alley and immediately greeted him, his voice filled with excitement.
A smile on his face, Chen Jianghe entered Qing Street and went to meet him.
As the main street of Qinghe Market City, it was already bustling with carriages, horses, and a surging crowd. The shops on both sides were open, and even the vendors near the city gate had begun hawking their wares.
Ruan Tieniu's unconcealed excitement on Qing Street clearly indicated that something wonderful had happened to him.
“Brother Ruan, seeing your beaming smile, did you strike it rich in the Wandering Immortal Mountains?”
Chen Jianghe asked with a laugh.
“Haha~ A small fortune.”
Ruan Tieniu paused briefly, then said, "Later, I'll treat Brother Chen to tea at Qingping Teahouse."
“Alright.”
Seeing that Ruan Tieniu seemed eager to get home, Chen Jianghe didn't press the matter and simply agreed.
He wasn't curious about how Ruan Tieniu had made his fortune.
But since Ruan Tieniu had invited him for tea, he would surely mention it then. He would naturally find out what had made him so happy.
Watching Ruan Tieniu's back as he entered Green Duckweed Alley, Chen Jianghe didn't linger and quickened his pace toward Fortune and Longevity Alley.
Although Yu Daniu had only briefly mentioned Yun Huizhen's condition in his letter, based on his understanding of Yu Daniu...
...Yun Huizhen's state was certainly not good.
Perhaps even worse than what Yu Daniu had described.
Mirror Moon Market City had no second-tier alchemists or apothecaries, but Qinghe Market City did. Perhaps they could help Yun Huizhen replenish her vital energy and blood and nurse her failing body back to health.
Arriving at Fortune and Longevity Alley.
When he reached Ji Wujin's door, he caught a glimpse of the gate out of the corner of his eye and saw the 'Out' sign.
“Has he gone to pick up his goods and not returned yet?”
Chen Jianghe wouldn't go fishing himself, but he hoped Ji Wujin's fishing trip would be successful. Then he wouldn't have to worry about buying Spirit Nourishing Pills and Spirit Nurturing Liquid.
He arrived at Fortune Residence number one-three-six.
*Knock~ knock knock!*
He rapped the door knocker, and soon the courtyard gate opened.
When Zhuang Xinyan saw it was Chen Jianghe, the tension on her face dissipated.
“Senior Chen.”
She invited Chen Jianghe into the courtyard and led him to the guest hall.
“Senior, you'll have to wait a little while. Grandfather and Junior Sister just went into the alchemy room,” Zhuang Xinyan said softly.
“Do you know who is refining the pills?”
Chen Jianghe asked.
If Alchemist Zhuang was refining, it would be quick. But if it was Jiang Ruxu, it would take much longer.
“It's Grandfather. He's refining high-grade Spirit Recovery Pills.”
Zhuang Xinyan brewed a pot of spirit tea and spoke softly, without a single wasted word.
After speaking, she stood obediently to the side, like a girl next door who never grew up.
Chen Jianghe looked at Zhuang Xinyan and sighed inwardly.
If his calculations were correct, Zhuang Xinyan should be nearly forty years old this year, yet her demeanor and speech were still as simple and shy as a young girl's.
He feared that in all of Qinghe Market City, besides him, an 'outsider', she had not interacted with anyone else.
Alchemist Zhuang had protected her too well.
But this had also restricted Zhuang Xinyan's thinking, preventing her from even having a normal growing process.
However, one couldn't blame Alchemist Zhuang.
After his entire clan was annihilated, only this single bloodline remained. Anyone in his position would do the same, terrified that this last descendant would encounter danger.
Fortunately, Alchemist Zhuang had taken Jiang Ruxu as a disciple.
In stark contrast to Zhuang Xinyan's personality, Jiang Ruxu was never hesitant in her actions, wasn't afraid of dealing with people, and had her own opinions. In the future, she could take care of Zhuang Xinyan.
“Xinyan, go and cultivate. I'll just wait here,” Chen Jianghe said, looking at Zhuang Xinyan, who was fiddling with the corner of her clothes with her head down.
“Ah~ Okay, Senior.”
Hearing Chen Jianghe's words, Zhuang Xinyan immediately scurried back to her room with mincing steps.
Chen Jianghe picked up the teapot, poured a cup, and took a slow sip.
The spirit tea at Alchemist Zhuang's home was indeed better than Qingping Teahouse's. Even the two-spirit-stone-a-pot tea couldn't compare.
Perhaps Qingping Teahouse had better spirit tea.
But he had never tried it, feeling it was an unnecessary expense of spirit stones.
When he really craved it, he would come to Alchemist Zhuang's place to scrounge a cup and deepen their friendship.
About two hours passed.
Alchemist Zhuang and Jiang Ruxu finally emerged from the alchemy room.
“Fellow Daoist Chen, you're here.”
Seeing Chen Jianghe sitting in the guest hall sipping tea.
Neither Alchemist Zhuang nor Jiang Ruxu felt anything was amiss; they truly treated Chen Jianghe as one of their own.
“Hehe, I came to Alchemist Zhuang's place to beg for a cup of spirit tea,” Chen Jianghe said with a chuckle as he stood up.
“Then you must come more often, Fellow Daoist. Otherwise, this old man's fine spirit tea will have no one to appreciate it.”
“Exactly. Master doesn't like tea, but he has to keep some on hand.”
“Senior Chen, you must come more often, lest this spirit tea be drunk by those who proclaim themselves alchemy grandmasters.”
Jiang Ruxu had opened the floodgates, not holding back in front of Chen Jianghe as she began to complain and express her dissatisfaction with the second-tier alchemists in Qinghe Market City.
“What's this all about?” Chen Jianghe asked, puzzled.
“After the news that Master refined a Foundation Establishment Pill got out, not only did ninth-level Qi Refining cultivators come seeking pills, but those second-tier alchemists also came under the guise of 'exchanging knowledge' to warn Master not to refine second-tier pills for outside cultivators before the Second-Tier Alchemist Conference.”
“There's such a rule?”
Chen Jianghe was slightly stunned. He hadn't expected the second-tier alchemists in Qinghe Market City to engage in a joint monopoly.
No wonder Qinghe Market City had quite a few second-tier alchemists, with five or six alchemy grandmasters.
Yet second-tier spirit pills rarely appeared on the market in Qinghe Market City, and they were seldom seen even at auctions.
So it was a private monopoly.
“Haha... alright, stop complaining. It's the same in any market city. If second-tier alchemists want to reap greater profits, they can only create a monopoly to drive up prices and increase their refining fees.”
Alchemist Zhuang looked at Chen Jianghe with a smile and said, "However, one can privately help friends refine spirit pills."
“Then I must thank Alchemist Zhuang in advance,” Chen Jianghe said, cupping his hands.
“There's no need for thanks between us.”
Alchemist Zhuang waved his hand, not minding the matter of alchemy, and asked, "Fellow Daoist, you've always lived a reclusive life. Is there a reason for your sudden visit?"
“Indeed, there is something I'd like to ask Alchemist Zhuang about.”
“Oh? What is it?”
“The wife of a friend of mine, due to frequent childbirth in her early years and managing family affairs for many years, is mentally and physically exhausted. She's only seventy now, but signs of death have already appeared. Is there any miraculous pill that can replenish her vital energy and blood and repair her physical body?”
Chen Jianghe's expression turned solemn as he added, "Preferably one that can extend her lifespan."
Alchemist Zhuang gave Jiang Ruxu a look, signaling for her to return to her room to cultivate.
Then, he looked at Chen Jianghe and said calmly, "If this old man is not mistaken, your friend is Yu Daniu, isn't he?"
The mention of someone from the Yun Clan stirred a sense of resistance in Alchemist Zhuang's heart.
If not for the Yun Clan's feud with Lan Tianxiang, that demonic cultivator wouldn't have involved the innocent and annihilated his entire Zhuang Clan.
“Daniu is my brother. I had no choice but to come and seek Alchemist Zhuang's help,” Chen Jianghe said with a cupped fist salute.
He was, of course, aware of the Zhuang Clan's annihilation back then.
Therefore, he also understood Alchemist Zhuang's aversion to the Yun Clan. But for Yu Daniu's sake, he had to make this trip.
Whether Alchemist Zhuang was willing to help or not, he had at least tried his best.
“I heard about the friendship between Yu Daniu and you back in Mirror Moon Lake. I just never expected him to become an elder of the Yun Clan.”
“Haha... haven't I also become Alchemist Zhuang's friend?”
“The ways of the world are unpredictable. Indeed, it is so.”
Alchemist Zhuang looked at Chen Jianghe, his expression softened, his furrowed brow relaxed, and a smile returned to his face.
“I also know about Yu Daniu and Yun Huizhen. Five children in seven years—Yu Daniu is quite fortunate, but it has damaged Yun Huizhen's foundation.”
“Mental and physical exhaustion, depletion of bodily functions, coupled with immense spiritual consumption, have led to the weakening of her soul essence. The appearance of deathly energy is inevitable.”
Alchemist Zhuang paused for a moment, hesitation in his eyes. But when his gaze fell upon Chen Jianghe, the hesitation vanished.
“It's simple. Taking a Life Extension Pill will do.”
“However, in her condition, the effects of the Life Extension Pill will be greatly diminished. The exact extent of the reduction can only be known after she takes it.”
Hearing Alchemist Zhuang's words, Chen Jianghe nodded.
He had also thought of the Life Extension Pill at first.
The purpose of a Life Extension Pill is to extend one's lifespan and supplement the various functions of the physical body and soul essence.
Naturally, it can also replenish lost vital energy and blood.
“Thank you for telling me, Fellow Daoist.”
Chen Jianghe stood up, cupped his hands in thanks, and prepared to leave.
“Fellow Daoist, wait a moment.”
Alchemist Zhuang stopped Chen Jianghe.
His expression was somewhat moved. Chen Jianghe no longer addressed him with the honorific 'Alchemist Zhuang' but called him 'Fellow Daoist'.
This made him understand that their friendship had truly begun at this moment.
He marveled inwardly at the place Yu Daniu held in Chen Jianghe's heart.
“Are you planning to bid for a Life Extension Pill at the auction, Fellow Daoist?” Alchemist Zhuang asked.
Chen Jianghe nodded, not hiding his intentions.
Mirror Moon Market City's foundation was too shallow; Life Extension Pills and Youth Retaining Pills were almost never auctioned there.
Even if they did appear, it would be difficult for the Yun Clan to bid on such a valuable spirit pill for Yun Huizhen.
After all, Yun Huizhen was not the Yun Clan's ancestor. If she were to die early, it would be a joyous occasion for the main branch.
As for Yu Daniu, he would definitely buy a Life Extension Pill for Yun Huizhen.
But first, he needed a channel to buy it, and then the spirit stones.
These few years were a critical period for Yun Xiaoniu to attempt Foundation Establishment. Yun Huizhen would absolutely not allow spirit stones to be spent on herself.
Therefore, Chen Jianghe needed to find a way to get a Life Extension Pill for Yun Huizhen.
For Yu Daniu's sake, he was willing to spend not just eight hundred spirit stones, but even eighteen hundred.
Back at the Mirror Moon Market City auction, the Myriad Waters True Scripture was bought by the White Clan for twenty-seven hundred spirit stones.
It was later given to Chen Jianghe by Yu Daniu.
But the value of the Myriad Waters True Scripture was not just twenty-seven hundred spirit stones.
If it had been rogue cultivators bidding, they wouldn't have been able to get it even for five thousand spirit stones.
This was because the Foundation Establishment immortal clans had a united front regarding superior cultivation techniques that increased magic power by thirty percent.
They would never allow such a technique to fall into the hands of a rogue cultivator.
Thus, for a superior technique that boosted power by thirty percent, it wasn't a matter of price.
It was priceless but had no market.
Furthermore, with the thirty percent magic power boost from the Myriad Waters True Scripture, Chen Jianghe had probably earned an extra eight hundred spirit stones from drawing talismans.
To improve Yu Daniu's situation within the Yun Clan, he would not let Yun Huizhen pass away just like that.
No matter what, she had to hold on until Xiaoniu reached Foundation Establishment.
“Fellow Daoist, do you know where the Youth Retaining Pills and Life Extension Pills at the auctions come from?” Alchemist Zhuang asked calmly.
“The Tiannan Sect.”
“Only cultivators from the Tiannan Sect are allowed to put Life Extension Pills and Youth Retaining Pills up for auction.”
“Rogue cultivators cannot consign Youth Retaining Pills and Life Extension Pills at the Treasure Pavilion. Otherwise, not only would they be unable to sell them, but they would also expose the pills in their possession, bringing disaster upon themselves.”
Chen Jianghe remained silent, listening to Alchemist Zhuang's words. He was secretly glad that he had consigned his Youth Retaining Pill during Gao Peiyao's tenure.
Otherwise, not only would he have been unable to auction the Youth Retaining Pill, but he would have also exposed that he possessed one.
If he hadn't traded it away in time...
...he would have become a target for many female cultivators.
The danger from robber cultivators would be less than half of what he'd face from female cultivators then.
For a Youth Retaining Pill, female cultivators would go mad.
“Fellow Daoist, do you know why most second-tier alchemists have taken a Life Extension Pill?” Alchemist Zhuang added.
Chen Jianghe shook his head.
He truly didn't know. How would he know whether second-tier alchemists had taken Life Extension Pills?
The only second-tier alchemist he knew was Alchemist Zhuang.
“The Life Extension Pill is a second-tier spirit pill. While its recipe isn't as widely known as the Youth Retaining Pill's, it's not a secret either.”
“Moreover, the materials required to refine a Life Extension Pill and a Youth Retaining Pill are not very different. Basically, the only difference is a stalk of Youth Retaining Grass.”
Hearing this from Alchemist Zhuang, how could Chen Jianghe not understand the implication?
He was instantly overjoyed. "Fellow Daoist, you can refine Life Extension Pills?"
Of the materials needed to refine a Youth Retaining Pill, four were quite rare. One of them, Youth Retaining Grass, was directly monopolized by the Tiannan Sect.
But the other supplementary and rare materials could all be purchased.
“Didn't you already know that I've refined Life Extension Pills before, Fellow Daoist?” Alchemist Zhuang chuckled lightly.
“Haha~” Chen Jianghe laughed awkwardly.
“In two months, you can come and pick up the Life Extension Pill. But this time, you'll have to pay in spirit stones. Eight... sigh, five hundred spirit stones, let's say!”
“Haha, alright.”
Chen Jianghe expressed his thanks.
But in his heart, he understood why Alchemist Zhuang was charging five hundred spirit stones.
The cost to refine a Youth Retaining Pill was four hundred spirit stones. Without the major expense of Youth Retaining Grass, the cost of a Life Extension Pill probably wouldn't even reach two hundred.
If Chen Jianghe were buying it for himself, Alchemist Zhuang would surely sell it at cost.
But this was being bought for the Yun Clan.
If it were anyone else, Alchemist Zhuang wouldn't sell it even for a thousand spirit stones per pill.
Even with Chen Jianghe buying it on their behalf, Alchemist Zhuang initially wanted to sell it at the auction price.
But out of consideration for Chen Jianghe's face...
...he ultimately charged the market price.
Alchemist Zhuang saw Chen Jianghe out the door, watched him leave Fortune and Longevity Alley, and then returned to the guest hall.
“It seems that Youth Retaining Pill at the auction was indeed consigned with Gao Peiyao's help.”
“But why would he want to sell another Youth Retaining Pill? Could it be that he has already taken one?”
“If that's the case, his relationship with Gao Peiyao is truly unimaginable.”
Alchemist Zhuang pondered for a moment, then shook his head. All he needed to do was maintain a good relationship with Chen Jianghe.
“Loyal and righteous. As long as he can successfully reach Foundation Establishment, he can ensure the safety of Yan'er and Ruxu.”
---
Chen Jianghe returned home.
He immediately wrote a letter to Yu Daniu.
With Alchemist Zhuang's promise, he could give Yu Daniu a definite answer.
He asked Yu Daniu and Yun Huizhen to come to Qinghe Market City together on New Year's Eve. As for the reason, he only said he had a way to alleviate Yun Huizhen's current condition.
He didn't mention the Life Extension Pill.
He was worried the letter might be intercepted.
Although there had been no reported cases of Flying Post couriers being intercepted and killed en route, it was better to be cautious to prevent any leaks.
The purpose of having Yun Huizhen come as well was also clear.
It was so that she could take the Life Extension Pill in Qinghe Market City, which would be safer.
After arranging this matter.
Chen Jianghe took the beast parts processed by Xiao Hei and Maoqiu to the Beast Market to sell.
After four trips, he sold them for a total of one hundred twenty-three spirit stones and forty spirit sand.
He now had one thousand nine hundred twenty-three spirit stones and ninety spirit sand.
He would soon be back over the two-thousand-spirit-stone mark.
However, he needed to spend five hundred spirit stones on the Life Extension Pill at the end of the year.
But that was fine.
Over fourteen hundred spirit stones was enough to buy high-grade first-tier Spirit Nurturing Liquid.
By the middle of the eleventh month.
Yu Daniu sent a letter, saying he would come to Qinghe Market City before New Year's Eve.
The content was just that simple and clear.
He didn't say or ask anything else.
This was trust.
Entering the last month of the year.
Chen Jianghe took down the 'In Seclusion' sign from his courtyard gate.
Yu Daniu said he would come before New Year's Eve but didn't give a specific time, so it was best to take the sign down in advance.
This would prevent Yu Daniu from arriving early, seeing he was in seclusion, and going to stay at an inn alone.
After the 'In Seclusion' sign was taken down.
Chen Jianghe's days of being harassed began anew.
Basically, every day, cultivators would knock on his door—at least three, sometimes more than a dozen. The reason was always the same.
They were after the flawed Foundation Establishment Pill in his possession.
By the middle of the last month.
Chen Jianghe put Xiao Hei and Maoqiu into the spirit beast space, stopped drawing talismans, and focused solely on cultivation each day.
However, on this day.
Ruan Tieniu came to visit.
Two months ago, he had run into Ruan Tieniu and thought he would come looking for him within a few days.
He didn't expect two months to pass before he showed up.
Chen Jianghe opened the gate and looked at the standing Ruan Tieniu, who carried an air of grim killing intent and was stained with blood.
Clearly, he had just returned from the Wandering Immortal Mountains.
Whether he had been hunting beasts or cultivators was unknown.
He was no longer the naive newcomer to Qinghe Market City; he knew that the so-called beast hunter profession had very diverse job descriptions.
“Brother Ruan.”
“Brother Chen, let's go! Qingping Teahouse, two-spirit-stone tea, my treat.”
Ruan Tieniu's voice was bold and unrestrained.
He made a two-spirit-stone pot of tea sound as grand as a twenty-spirit-stone spirit meal at Qinghe Restaurant.
However, Chen Jianghe liked this personality.
Frugality is good!
The two went to Qingping Teahouse, ordered a two-spirit-stone pot of spirit tea, and two plates of pastries made from beast meat.
“Brother Ruan, you're spending too much. For just the two of us, a pot of tea is enough. Why be such a spendthrift?”
Chen Jianghe pointed at the two plates of pastries.
He now frequently dealt with beast parts and could tell what kind of beast this was at a glance.
The internal organs of a late-stage first-tier Blazing Fox.
A complete set of organs would sell for two spirit stones at most in the Beast Market.
This was only about a fifth of a complete set, yet it cost them three spirit stones.
Although Chen Jianghe wasn't paying, he still felt a pang of heartache.
But after taking a bite, he had to admit, it was delicious after being cooked by a spirit chef.
After entering his stomach, a faint spiritual energy nourished his body.
“It's precisely because it's just us brothers that we should eat a little better.”
Ruan Tieniu laughed heartily.
But his chopsticks moved quickly.
In twenty breaths, the plates were empty.
Chen Jianghe and Ruan Tieniu exchanged a smile, then poured the spirit tea and began to savor it.
“Brother Ruan, have you struck it rich?”
Chen Jianghe looked at Ruan Tieniu with a meaningful gaze, the implication in his words obvious.
He certainly wasn't asking if he'd gotten rich from hunting beasts.
After all, hunting beasts only earned so many spirit stones. Even with good luck, one could make a hundred-odd spirit stones a year at most.
Not much at all.
“Made a small fortune, and it's related to you, Brother Chen. It's great news,” Ruan Tieniu said with a mysterious smile, looking at Chen Jianghe.
“Related to me?”
Chen Jianghe couldn't help but laugh.
“I don't leave Qinghe Market City. How could your fortune have anything to do with me, Brother Ruan?”
This puzzled him greatly. He couldn't imagine how Ruan Tieniu's good fortune could also be great news for him.
Suddenly!
Chen Jianghe froze, suddenly remembering something. He quickly asked via voice transmission, "Brother Ruan, did you retrieve the Purple Cloud Vermilion Fruit?"
The Purple Cloud Vermilion Fruit was the most difficult main ingredient to obtain for refining the Foundation Establishment Pill.
If Ruan Tieniu had retrieved it, they could basically refine another Foundation Establishment Pill.
According to Alchemist Zhuang, with the Profound Ice Jade Marrow, he was highly confident he could refine two authentic Foundation Establishment Pills.
Although he would likely still receive a flawed one.
But Xiaoniu could get an authentic one, which was something to be happy about for him.
He couldn't rush his own attempt at Foundation Establishment.
But Xiaoniu couldn't afford to slow down; it would be best for him to attempt Foundation Establishment within five or six years.
“Uh...?!”
Ruan Tieniu was stunned, then smiled wryly. "Brother Chen, you're thinking of the Purple Cloud Vermilion Fruit too simply!"
“It's not the Purple Cloud Vermilion Fruit? Then what's the great news?” Chen Jianghe looked puzzled.
“Haha, I won't beat around the bush with you, Brother Chen.”
“Boss Wang and I helped you vent your anger, Brother Chen. We got that scoundrel Duan Ming,” Ruan Tieniu laughed loudly.
“Duan Ming? That robber cultivator leader.”
“Yes, that's him.”
“Brother Ruan, you robbed him?”
“Not exactly. We just... sent him on his way.” Ruan Tieniu chuckled, but a murderous glint flashed in his eyes.
One could imagine what 'sent him on his way' meant.
“You and Boss Wang killed Duan Ming.”
Chen Jianghe was taken aback, then asked, "Aren't you worried about the Foundation Establishment robber cultivator from Qingfeng Stronghold?"
“Hehe~”
Hearing this, Ruan Tieniu just smiled without saying a word.