Chapter 00169: Far Reaching Implications
# Far-Reaching Implications
Chapter 169
Novel: AFK Game: Portal to Another World
Chapter 169: Far-Reaching Implications
Salt is a necessity.
Without other spices, food would just be less tasty, but going without salt is not an option.
No matter the kingdom, the control over salt is extremely strict.
Smuggling private salt is a capital offense punishable by beheading.
Yang Yiyi had already mentioned that the official government notice stated the Daoist priests of this temple cultivated on the surface, but were actually using the temple to store and transport private salt.
But Yang Yiyi also said this Daoist temple was not a place that was always deserted.
Because it was once considered quite effective, worshippers often came to its doors.
Under such circumstances, it served as an excellent cover, but transporting the private salt would have been difficult.
It would have been easy to be seen by someone.
So, if they wanted to continue their private salt trade, they had to think of another way.
For example, digging a tunnel.
There were hidden doors on the walls near the four pillars of the Daoist temple's main hall.
Furthermore, these hidden doors were located in darkness.
Unless one brought a lamp close for a careful look, it was impossible to see where they were.
Following Li Chengxi's instructions, Yang Yiyi opened the hidden doors.
Below, the group even discovered a huge basement.
Sacks of private salt, stacked nearly as tall as a person, had already caked together and were still left inside.
It was possible that even the government soldiers who arrested the Daoist priests back then never found this place.
The rustling sound Zheng Yinping had heard earlier was actually Qin Yan moving through the large pile of private salt sacks, trying to circle around to the hidden door on the other side to go out, pretend to be a ghost, and set up iron wires.
Although this Wuxia Script did indeed have demons and ghosts, this time at least, that was not the case.
Once exposed, it was like demystifying a myth.
After figuring all this out, Yang Yiyi and the others, especially Zheng Yinping, immediately felt relieved.
But for the group from the Xingyuan Escort Agency, it was not yet time to be relieved.
It was not unusual for an escort mission to run into bandits.
No matter how much face or how wide a network an escort agency had, they would always encounter some blind fools.
However, not only did they know the person who tried to rob them, but she had also mentioned that others besides them were targeting the escorted goods.
This caused the escort agency group to frown with worry.
This was how secret escort missions were.
It was hard to say if the item they were transporting was merely some antiques or calligraphy, or if it was something with far-reaching implications.
It was clear that Escort Leader Wang was also conflicted.
In the escort business, one did not want to stir up extra trouble, but if they lost the escorted goods, they would not be able to stay in this line of work anymore.
They would also have to compensate the client with a large sum of money.
Feeling that they had indeed been dragged into a troublesome matter, Li Chengxi warned Yang Yiyi in a very low voice not to go over and get involved.
If they were worried, then let them worry.
Yang Yiyi's current skill was a bit better than a small fry, but she was definitely not at the level of a master.
Never mind anyone else, Yang Yiyi could not even defeat Escort Leader Wang Zhen in his worried state.
Since even he was this troubled, if Yang Yiyi were to insist on wading into these muddy waters regardless, would that not just be looking for trouble where there was none?
Compared to this, Li Chengxi was more concerned about why Qin Yan had tried to snatch the Sky-Upholding Stone when she saw it.
At first glance, this Sky-Upholding Stone was just a piece of relatively translucent jade.
It was quite valuable, but to someone who did not know its true worth, that was all it was.
Qin Yan trying to snatch it could not possibly be because she saw it was valuable and thought she would make some extra money on the side while on the job, right?
That would contradict what the person from the Sixteen Fortresses said about Escort Leader Wang's cargo being very important.
To prioritize making extra money during such an important matter, it just did not seem right no matter how you looked at it.
Besides, how could the Sky-Upholding Stone have been placed inside the statue of the Three Pure Ones?
Of course, it could not have just fallen in.
Someone must have intentionally placed it inside.
This action was very intriguing.
As mentioned just now, for someone who did not know its secrets, the Sky-Upholding Stone was only valuable for its monetary worth.
To get it out after placing it so carefully inside the statue, one would have to smash the statue.
The Daoist temple used to have frequent worshippers, which meant the Sky-Upholding Stone could not have been taken out often.
Moreover, the person who put it inside must have been someone from the temple.
If they were merely keeping it as a high-value item to exchange for money later, they would never have put it in such a troublesome place.
In other words, it was very likely that someone knew its true value, but unlike Li Chengxi, they could not use the Sky-Upholding Stone to perform Marrow Cleansing on others, so they stored it in a safe place first.
The fact that Qin Yan tried to snatch the Sky-Upholding Stone upon seeing it meant she also knew what it was used for.
And before the statue was smashed, she did not know there was a Sky-Upholding Stone inside.
Otherwise, she definitely would not have led Yang Yiyi towards the statue.
It would have been much more logical to wait for everyone else to leave and come back to take it secretly herself.
Unfortunately, the Daoist temple had been abandoned for seventy or eighty years.
Even if someone had escaped the pursuit of the government soldiers back then, they would likely be long dead and buried by now.
There was nowhere to even ask.
But speaking of which, this made the cargo that Escort Leader Wang and his men were transporting even more suspicious.
Combining the above deductions, Li Chengxi suddenly had a bold idea.
Could it be that the box also contained Sky-Upholding Stones?
–‐‐——–‐‐——
Early the next morning, the sky was just beginning to whiten.
However, the torrential rain that had lasted all night had vanished without a trace.
It looked like it would be a fine day.
Because of the heavy rain and strong winds last night, even though they knew the people from the Sixteen Fortresses might return, the group from the Xingyuan Escort Agency did not dare to travel with the chest.
Being targeted in the middle of a rainy night was even more dangerous, so they had no choice but to spend a vigilant night in the Daoist temple.
By now, the sun was slowly rising.
It was time to depart.
The group loaded the chest onto the horse cart, not wanting to stay a moment longer.
“Last night, my thanks to the three young ladies for stepping forward. Otherwise, I'm afraid only one of us, me or the escorted goods, would have been left.”
The people from the escort agency wanted to leave, but of course, they would not just up and go.
Based on the idea that another friend means another path, they still had to make some pleasantries.
“No need for thanks. Since we came across it, we naturally could not just ignore it.”
“Haha, Miss Yang, you certainly have a heart of chivalry.”
Seeing that his escort guards were ready, Escort Leader Wang cupped his fist and said:
“I have urgent business today. When we meet again, I will properly thank the three of you. Farewell.”
“Take care.”
The three of them also cupped their hands in return, watching as the people from the escort agency led the horse cart out of the Daoist temple and moved further and further away.
“Brother Li, can we really not follow them and take a look?”
Seeing the horse cart disappear behind the outer wall, Yang Yiyi could not help but ask.
“I think it's very likely they'll run into the people from the Sixteen Fortresses on the road.”
“Do you really think you're some great hero?”
Li Chengxi spoke through the Jade Tablet, his voice sounding a little exasperated.
“She already told you yesterday, there's more than one group coming to rob the escort. The item Escort Leader Wang and his men are transporting is no small matter. This is not something you can get involved in right now.”
“Oh, but…”
“You should just listen to Brother Li.”
Li Yingluo also advised from the side:
“Escort Leader Wang's journey is fraught with danger. The three of us have nothing to do with this matter, so we can't force our way in. Don't forget, we are not completely safe ourselves yet. The Liu Family might send people to look for us.”
We have not even sorted out our own affairs, so do not even talk about helping others.
If we are not careful, we will just end up making things worse.
Actually, Li Chengxi wanted to follow Escort Leader Wang and his men.
If their chest really did contain Sky-Upholding Stones, judging by its size, there would definitely be more than one or two pieces.
If all of them were used, Yang Yiyi's basic attributes would skyrocket, turning her into a complete Hexagon Warrior.
But after thinking it over and over yesterday, Li Chengxi still gave up on this plan.
The risk was simply too great.
Whether it was following Escort Leader Wang's group and waiting for an opportunity, or launching a sneak attack himself, it would be difficult from any angle.
Besides, there was no proof that the chest contained Sky-Upholding Stones, and it was also unlikely that Yang Yiyi would agree with Li Chengxi's idea.
Lacking the strength, he could only let it go for now.
It was better to continue their journey.
After all, they had already obtained one Sky-Upholding Stone yesterday.
Quitting while they were ahead was the wise choice.
(End of this chapter)