Chapter 95
Chapter 95
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: Conspiracy and a Sudden Turn
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Fortune Gate Residence, Courtyard Two.
Yun Huizhen sat in the grandmaster's chair in the main hall, a smile gracing her lips as she held a report. She casually handed it to Yu Daniu, who was seated in the place of honor to her left.
“Daniu, now you can rest easy.”
The report's contents were simple, concerning matters in Yu Daniu's hometown.
His younger brother had become a prominent secular household in Bixia Town, and his younger sister had married a young master from a Qi Refining family in the same town and was much adored.
His parents were also still alive and well, enjoying their later years in town.
Although this information was over a decade old, giving it to Yu Daniu at this moment was the best way to put his mind at ease.
Because it showed that the Yu family's steady rise had nothing to do with him becoming a Yun Clan Deacon or breaking through to the eighth level of Qi Refining.
This was all due to Yun Huizhen's filial piety as a daughter-in-law.
“Huizhen, thank you.” Yu Daniu held the report, feeling an indescribable weight, and his gratitude for his wife deepened.
“What's the need for such words between an old married couple?”
Yun Huizhen said with a smile.
Now over fifty, when Yun Huizhen smiled, distinct crow's feet appeared at the corners of her eyes.
“Huizhen, they are mere mortals. They're over seventy now, approaching the end of their lives. I…”
“Daniu.”
Yun Huizhen knew what Yu Daniu wanted to say, and she supported him seeing his parents one last time.
However, having grown up in an immortal clan, she knew all too well that the next two years were a critical time for Yu Daniu's promotion to elder.
For a live-in son-in-law to become a clan elder, a member of the clan's highest decision-making body, was nearly impossible.
Moreover, her branch was not the sole power in the Yun Clan; there were three other branches, as well as the main lineage of the clan head.
Therefore, at this crucial juncture, Yu Daniu could not afford to give anyone any leverage against him.
Not even the slightest unfavorable situation could be allowed to arise for him.
“Rest assured, if anything happens to our parents, I will have Xiaoniu go in your place to fulfill your filial duties.”
Yun Huizhen pondered for a moment before offering this comfort to Yu Daniu.
Even sending Yun Xiaoniu carried a great risk.
“Alright.”
Yu Daniu took a deep breath and slowly closed his eyes.
Just then, Yun Xiaoniu strode in and said bluntly, “Father, Mother, Cousin Suxin guessed correctly. The cloaked and masked person who went to the Mirror Moon Treasure Pavilion to sell talismans must have been Uncle.”
He had gone to Water Area Six in Sector A and found only an empty boat, with no sign of Chen Jianghe.
Furthermore, the little green fish in the water area were in a free-range state.
Yu Daniu stood up and took out the farewell letter Chen Jianghe had given him from his storage pouch. The words were sincere, each one expressing his reluctance to part.
“Why didn't Big Brother say goodbye to me in person?” Yu Daniu sighed in disappointment.
Yun Huizhen took Yu Daniu's large, sturdy hand.
“Big Brother was afraid that if you two met, it would only add to the pain of parting.”
“Besides, this is only a temporary separation. Didn't Big Brother say in the letter that once he finds a place to settle, he will contact you? You can meet again in the future.”
Hearing Yun Huizhen's comfort, Yu Daniu nodded but still walked out of the house, gazing in the direction of Water Area Six in Sector A, silent for a long time.
“Mother, I feel like Uncle was afraid to see Father, and us. The last few times I went to find him, he had a 'seclusion' sign up on his boat.”
---
Starmist River.
This was a tributary of the seventy-thousand-li Skypiercing River and the largest river within the Mirror Moon Lake territory, stretching for a thousand li.
It connected to the Wandering Immortal River outside the Mirror Moon Lake borders and led directly to Qinghe Market City.
A three-story ship, thirty zhang long and eight zhang wide, cut through the wind on the Starmist River, a large banner with the character 'Yue' flying high above it.
This was the great ship bound for Qinghe Market City.
A total of seventy-four cultivators were on board: twelve early-stage Qi Refining cultivators, forty-nine mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators, and thirteen late-stage Qi Refining cultivators.
Their cultivation levels determined which deck they were on.
Early-stage Qi Refining cultivators were on the first deck, mid-stage on the second, and late-stage on the third.
However, late-stage Qi Refining cultivators could bring early-stage and mid-stage cultivators up to the third deck.
The boatmen were in the bottom hold.
There were thirty-six boatmen in total, all of them mortals, not a single cultivator among them.
They had no fear of encountering highwaymen, as the spirit stones had already been paid at Port One, and the Broker's Guild had also paid these boatmen a hefty sum.
For this trip, even if they ran into highwaymen, it wouldn't matter.
A boatman could earn nearly a lifetime's worth of silver from this one trip. If they made it back, it was pure profit.
As for the ship?
A new one could be built for three thousand taels of silver. If it was lost, it was lost.
Compared to the profits to be made, it was less than a drop in the bucket.
Therefore, the Yun Clan must be behind this Broker's Guild. Otherwise, such a wildly profitable business could never operate in Mirror Moon Lake.
Chen Jianghe sat by his room's window, watching the river scenery flash by and the faint signs of civilization gradually appearing.
“That must be Daniu's hometown, Bixia Town.”
When he boarded, the captain informed them that no meals would be provided on the ship; passengers had to fend for themselves.
The journey was two thousand three hundred li in total. If all went smoothly, they would reach Qinghe Market City in ten days.
If things didn't go smoothly...
The ship would be destroyed, the boatmen would die, and the cultivators would scatter and flee.
But this time, there probably wouldn't be any danger. There were thirteen late-stage Qi Refining cultivators on board, including two great cultivators at the ninth level of Qi Refining.
With such a lineup, ordinary highwaymen wouldn't dare approach.
Even a band of highwaymen would have to weigh their own strength and consider if they could handle such a big score.
After boarding, he overheard the other cultivators' discussions.
In the past, the great ships heading to Qinghe Market City usually had seven or eight late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, rarely more than ten.
A ship with seven or eight late-stage Qi Refining cultivators would be safe, so with thirteen, it should be even safer.
“Xiao Hei, how did you get back home so quickly?”
Chen Jianghe sent a message to Xiao Hei through his spiritual platform.
Even though Xiao Hei was inside the spirit beast space, they could still communicate through the spiritual platform, something Chen Jianghe had discovered a while ago.
It was clear that the spiritual platform's imprint was far more profound than any so-called spirit pet contract.
“Didn't you tell me to be quick?”
“I just told my old man not to believe rumors in the future. They're all just tricks to fool turtles, trying to get us on the dinner table.”
“Mediocrity is a blessing.”
Xiao Hei said in a serious tone.
Mediocrity is a blessing?
It seemed to be true.
In Mirror Moon Lake, the Green-Scaled Fish, with its second-grade, low-tier bloodline, had become a dish on cultivators' tables, and its blood a primary ingredient for making spirit ink.
And then there was the egret that worked hard delivering letters, unwilling to be mediocre. It finally advanced to become a spirit beast, only to end up as a roasted whole egret.
He had to admit, Xiao Hei had a point!
“Master, when are we going to find a new place to live?”
“What's the rush? We just left.”
“But I want to cultivate.”
“You don't have to hint at it. Don't worry, you won't miss out on any of your resources. I've kept track.”
Chen Jianghe rolled his eyes. This little guy's intelligence was getting higher and higher; he was starting to speak indirectly.
He was starting to beat around the bush.
A turtle was playing at worldly wisdom.
“Master, you must understand, I'm not fighting for resources for myself. I want to cultivate hard so I can become strong enough to protect you.”
“Honestly, it really doesn't matter to me whether I get resources or not.”
Xiao Hei's words were earnest, every one of them sincere.
“Alright, alright, I get it. Why don't you get some sleep now?” Chen Jianghe was speechless.
Four days later, the great ship finally left the Starmist River and entered the Wandering Immortal River.
Chen Jianghe had officially left the Mirror Moon Lake territory, but he was still within the Eastern Region, having entered the domain of another Foundation Establishment immortal clan.
At this time, Chen Jianghe was on high alert. It was his first time leaving the Mirror Moon Lake territory, and he didn't know what the outside world was like.
But according to the *Yun Clan Gazette*, the outside was far less safe than Mirror Moon Lake.
So, it was best to be cautious.
“The Mirror Moon Lake territory is mostly rivers, but this place is full of endless mountain ranges.” Chen Jianghe gazed at the great mountains outside his window.
Under the setting sun, the endless mountain ranges seemed to be inlaid on the horizon, appearing exceptionally magnificent.
“This mountain range must stretch for a thousand li. There are probably many demonic beasts within. The demon hunters in Qinghe Market City must venture deep into mountains like these.”
Chen Jianghe thought of the letter Zhou Miaoyun had written. Her father and uncles had become demon hunters.
Although this profession earned a lot of spirit stones, it was extremely dangerous. Most cultivators who worked as long-term demon hunters only lived to be fifty or sixty.
The casualty rate was too high.
Demonic beasts were like spirit beasts, but even more ferocious and brutal. It took three or more cultivators of the same realm to suppress and kill one.
Knock, knock~
A knock on the door was followed by a voice.
“Fellow Daoist, do you have a moment?”
Hearing this, Chen Jianghe put on his bamboo hat to cover his face and then stepped out of his room.
While traveling by ship to Qinghe Market City, no cultivator would choose to cultivate; they were all likely in a state of cautious alert.
He looked at the person who had knocked, sizing him up.
He was a middle-aged man with an honest face and a friendly smile, dressed in blue and white silk. He also wore a bamboo hat, but it didn't cover his face.
Judging by the fluctuations of spiritual power he emitted, he was also a seventh-level Qi Refining cultivator.
“What is it?”
Chen Jianghe's hoarse voice carried a tone that kept others at a distance.
On this great ship, he didn't want to interact with anyone. He just wanted to reach Qinghe Market City safely and peacefully.
Any place outside a market city was unsafe.
This was Chen Jianghe's understanding.
“Tomorrow, there will be a gathering for late-stage Qi Refining cultivators. I'd like to invite you to attend.”
“A gathering?” Chen Jianghe looked puzzled.
“That's right. We are all late-stage Qi Refining cultivators traveling to Qinghe Market City together. Some of us plan to settle there for the long term, while others are just going to purchase resources.”
“But by getting to know each other and discussing our strengths, we might find it useful in the future.”
The middle-aged man explained with a cheerful laugh.
“Thank you, but no.”
After speaking, Chen Jianghe turned, went back into his room, and closed the door.
It was a gathering for exchanging personal information and identifying who might be useful to whom. For Chen Jianghe, this was precisely the sort of thing he would go to great lengths to avoid.
How could he possibly attend?
“Something's not right.”
Chen Jianghe felt that something was off.
If they were going to have a gathering, it should have been at Port One or once they had settled somewhere. Why would they hold it on the ship?
Even though they were traveling together, they were out in the open. Everyone was on edge. Who would be in the mood for some gathering?
Even if such gatherings were a regular occurrence on the ships between Qinghe Market City and Mirror Moon Market City...
Chen Jianghe could no longer stay in his room.
For safety's sake, he had to find a place suitable for an escape.
They had already left the Mirror Moon Lake territory. If all went well, they would reach Qinghe Market City in another six days.
The thought arose and could no longer be suppressed.
He first checked to see if the middle-aged cultivator had left. After confirming he was gone, Chen Jianghe changed into a boatman's outfit he had prepared in advance. He took off his bamboo hat but kept his face covered and left his room.
He also hung a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door.
Then, he went straight to the bottom hold and, looking just like a real boatman, started to get busy.
He couldn't stay on the first or second decks.
As a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator without a breath-concealing technique, he would stand out like a crane among chickens, incredibly conspicuous.
Therefore, only the rowing deck below deck was suitable for hiding.
The main thing was that the boatmen weren't all together and didn't all know each other. One extra person wouldn't be noticed. Most importantly, these common mortals couldn't sense the fluctuations of spiritual power.
Two more days passed quickly.
Chen Jianghe, rowing with all his might in the rowing deck, was just like the other boatmen, bare-chested and shouting loudly.
Heave-ho~
Sweat condensed from spiritual power trickled down his body and dripped onto the floorboards.
“No movement?”
“Was I just being paranoid? Maybe the gathering is actually a normal thing?”
If the gathering was a perfectly normal event, then nothing would have happened these past two days.
But if it was premeditated, a way to probe the details of every late-stage Qi Refining cultivator...
Then a major incident would surely have occurred within these two days.
In other words.
Their ship had been targeted by highwaymen before it even set sail.
But since nothing had happened, it meant he had been making a mountain out of a molehill.
However, to be safe, Chen Jianghe didn't plan to leave the rowing deck.
He had already been a boatman for two days; a few more wouldn't hurt. He would wait until they reached Qinghe Market City.
In his heart, he naturally hoped for no trouble.
“Little brother, why are you still covering your face? Hehe, don't worry, we're all decent boatmen. We have wives at home.”
A burly uncle, all sinew and muscle, slapped Chen Jianghe's smooth arm and said with a grin.
“That's right~ We're all decent men here, ain't that right, everyone?”
“Of course. My old lady is a real beauty. I'm not interested in even the prettiest of men.”
“Haha~”
Chen Jianghe looked at his own arm. It was a bit fair, but not so delicately pale as a woman's.
His body was also quite sturdy, and he had muscles on his arms.
He was nothing like a delicate pretty boy.
He never would have thought that a manly man like himself would be teased by a group of old guys.
Boom!
With a tremendous crash, a bolt of lightning split the deck and struck the rowing deck directly, turning the uncle who had just slapped Chen Jianghe into a charred husk that smelled of burnt pork belly.
“Just as I suspected.”
Chen Jianghe dodged to the side, staring at the charred uncle. This wasn't a Lightning Induction Talisman he had used.
“Trouble! We've run into highwaymen! Brothers, jump in the water!”
A boatman shouted.
At that very moment, Chen Jianghe heard a clamor from above, along with the booming sounds of spells clashing.
“This ship really was targeted. No wonder there were so many late-stage Qi Refining cultivators. I just don't know if those two ninth-level great cultivators are highwaymen.”
If those two ninth-level great cultivators were also highwaymen, then at least half the cultivators on this ship were doomed.
“This is… the divine sense of a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator!”
Without the slightest hesitation, Chen Jianghe blasted open the floorboards with his spiritual power and used a Water Escape Art to flee.
The boatmen who hadn't managed to jump into the water yet were sent plunging in as the floorboards exploded.