…
Two days later.
At the inn district under the Ninth Tongtian Tower, in Old Hao’s room.
Mo Wuzhou’s face stiffly surveyed the table full of delicious dishes, involuntarily casting a glance at Chen Mu.
“You want to know if the threat from Zhongshan Path is still there, right?”
As he said “you,” he looked pointedly at Chen Mu.
He was familiar with this routine by now.
He was certain that this meal was mostly orchestrated by Chen Mu.
“Not knowing for sure, always being anxious, is no way to live,” Old Hao sighed.
“If everything’s clear, we can reopen our business soon,” Shang Huan said, winking at Mo Wuzhou.
After all, Mo Wuzhou had a stake in the business of insect repellent incense.
“You can rest assured and reopen now,” Mo Wuzhou said.
“The eminent person from Zhongshan Path was mainly looking for the snow demon Qing Liu.”
“Director Song has already concluded negotiations with the other party.”
“That Silver Ringed Magic Monkey, Yang Huan, has already headed to Peng Yue Mountain.”
The three of them let out sighs of relief. Constantly having a threat hanging over their heads, afraid to make a move, was truly uncomfortable.
“Just stay here honestly. The Oversight Courtyard will still provide food and accommodation,” Mo Wuzhou said, glancing at the three.
So generous?
Chen Mu raised an eyebrow.
The so-called negotiation, was it that they sold Peng Yue Mountain’s location to Yang Huan?
It’s possible!
“Don’t wander off lately. Make sure to be findable when someone wants to locate you,” Mo Wuzhou suddenly added.
Chen Mu’s eyes narrowed.
Be findable at any moment?
Does that mean they’re leaving the Water Mansion?
“Has there been news from Sect Master Dong Li?” Shang Huan asked, beaming with joy.
“No,” Mo Wuzhou shook his head.
“But the Water Mansion is ultimately not a place to stay for long.”
“Indeed, the cost of living here is too high,” Old Hao concurred with a grimace.
Chen Mu couldn’t help but think of the information revealed to him by the stern-faced burly man when they first met.
Could the Heavenly River Water Mansion really be in trouble?
Shang Huan wanted to ask more, but Mo Wuzhou no longer disclosed any information, only saying it was good news and to wait patiently.
…
Half a month later.
On the sixty-fourth floor of Number Nine in the Geng District Tongtian Tower.
Chen Mu sat cross-legged in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.
The grey wall in front of him displayed the proficiency of various skills.
The Five Qi Primordial Technique had successfully entered the First Rank.
“Based on the experience with the Qi Absorbing Technique, First Rank is sufficient. I can start working on the construction of the Golden Bead Talisman,” Chen Mu took out a jade slip and read it closely.
“It’s related to the Golden Pearl Clam?” Chen Mu was surprised.
According to the jade slip, Golden Pearl Clams are prolific producers of golden pearls.
Golden pearls contain Earth Spirit Vital Energy and can replace White Jade Coins. They can be used in medicine, as well as alleviate hunger, acting as natural Fasting Pills.
The Golden Bead Talisman was conceived by alchemist sages in ancient times from the essence within the golden pearls.
It allows the Essence of the Five Grains to congeal into pills similar to the structure of a golden pearl, making the essence compact, durable for storage, and easy to absorb.
Chen Mu infused the jade slip with mana; the slip responded with an Exotic Force. A temporary talisman formed inside the Jade Seed and then dissipated.
Chen Mu repeated the process.
After more than ten attempts, the temporary talisman finally left behind a segment with a silvery thread interspersed with stars.
The Golden Bead Talisman was officially initiated, and a new entry appeared on the grey wall.
Golden Bead Talisman: 1/10000;
“Similar to the Five Grains Talisman, the talisman is an interpretation of the golden pearl structure, like a template,” Chen Mu thought.
“Rather than being an ability, it’s more like knowledge, knowledge imbued with power.”
…
Chen Mu stood up and stretched, looking down at the Water Mansion through the large floor-to-ceiling window.
Compared to a month ago, the flow of people in the Water Mansion had noticeably decreased.
“Raising prices, are they really driving people away?”
“If the Jinzhu Dojo really has a problem, pushing people out and saving resources will only treat the symptoms, not the root cause.”
“If Earth Spirit Vital Energy runs out, all twelve Dragon Gates will collapse.”
“By then, the Water Mansion will have no choice but to close its doors!”
After pondering for a while, Chen Mu shook his head and let it go.
This wasn’t something a small fry like him should concern himself with.
What he wanted to know more was when Song Wujie would take them away.
Within the range of the Truthful Listening Technique, there were still three interference zones on the sixty-second floor.
Song Wujie, Liang Yi, and the Cold Moon Toad hadn’t moved at all.
“No use thinking about it, better keep grinding experience,” Chen Mu thought to himself.
“If I can’t learn the Fasting Pill, if I don’t save enough Daoist Jade Money, even the Condense Aperture Secret Method in front of me is out of reach for exchange.”
…
One day, more than a month later.
Chen Mu was huddled in his room, fiddling with the Primordial Five-Element Alchemy Furnace.
The Truth Listening Technique that had constantly been attached to his ears emptied, and the three barrier zones of the sixty-second floor suddenly disappeared.
It was like originally looking at the landscape through a gauze window, and suddenly the gauze window was removed, making the view become crystal clear.
The sound from the entire sixty-second floor, he could now hear them all clearly.
“Song Wujie has left?!” Chen Mu immediately looked up towards the window.
Three streaks of light in different colors shot up from below. In the blink of an eye, they disappeared from sight.
“Is it finally time to leave?” Chen Mu couldn’t help but feel elated in his heart.
Although the Heavenly River Water Mansion was bustling and the songs from Red Sleeve Square were especially enchanting, they were ultimately useless in obtaining the Condense Aperture Secret Method.
“Now the Golden Bead Talisman is at perfection.”
“Just wait until I fully grasp and become skilled with the alchemy furnace, then I can start making Fasting Pills.”
“Once I go to the new place, I can start working immediately.”
Enjoy new stories from empire
…
As evening approached.
In the inn area near the number nine Tongtian Tower in Geng District.
Chen Mu’s rented room had never been returned; he showed up every now and then, making people think he still lived there.
Now he sat at a square table in the corner, his usual spot.
He was cracking pine nuts and drinking tea with Old Hao and Shang Huan.
“Here, this month’s share of the profits.” Shang Huan passed a grey cloth bag to Chen Mu.
“More than last month?” Chen Mu weighed the cloth bag in surprise.
“Business has been good this month.” Shang Huan said proudly.
“The price of the Ling Boat tickets has gone up, and many people bought extra to avoid making one more trip, so business has improved, hasn’t it?”
Chen Mu suddenly understood.
“The Water Mansion has raised prices; haven’t you?” Old Hao curiously inquired.
“Those who buy drunken bait and Insect Repellent Incense are mostly penniless wild cultivators; if we increase prices, no one will buy.” Shang Huan’s face showed shrewdness, and then he laughed softly, “Besides, even without raising prices, I can still make more money.”
Chen Mu looked at Shang Huan speechlessly.
“Just like how you mixed in tobacco night grass flavoring in barbeque seasoning before, is this time Insect Repellent Incense flavored barbeque seasoning?”
“Nothing of the sort, nothing of the sort.” Shang Huan chuckled, “I just added a third of the pearl rice powder.”
Chen Mu: “…”
You’re truly a ruthless and cunning merchant!
…
Chen Mu glanced at Shang Huan, then nonchalantly said, “Business is good, but who knows until when it can be done.”
“Brother Mo mentioned last time that he might have to leave; after over a month, the time may come soon.”
Shang Huan’s brows immediately furrowed.
“I’ve just ordered a batch of raw materials.”
Chen Mu’s heart rejoiced, and he continued to subtly stir Shang Huan’s emotions, “If we leave soon, won’t those materials be stuck in your hands!”
“Can the materials be returned?” Old Hao immediately asked with concern.
“Too late.” Shang Huan’s brow furrowed even more.
“How about rushing to finish production and then selling at a discount?” Chen Mu gave Shang Huan an idea that he would definitely not accept.
“That would be a huge loss.” Shang Huan, as expected, was not pleased.
Success!
Chen Mu squinted his eyes, as if inadvertently saying, “It would be good to know when we are leaving.”
That way, you should go see Mo Wuzhou to inquire about news, right?
“So you want us to see Brother Mo for news, right?” Shang Huan suddenly gazed at Chen Mu with a smile.
Chen Mu: “…”
Was it that obvious?
“I’ve figured it out; the last two times we went to see Brother Mo, it was your doing!” Shang Huan glared at Chen Mu.
Caught out, huh.
“So are you going or not!” Chen Mu stopped pretending.
“Go! How could we not go! Otherwise, what to do with that batch of goods stuck on our hands.” Shang Huan wore a bitter smile.
…
The next evening, in Old Hao’s room.
Chen Mu displayed Fifth Rank culinary skills, preparing a table full of fish dishes.
The savory dishes that made Shang Huan’s throat roll were ready, but Mo Wuzhou did not appear.
“Little Mo had matters to attend to and couldn’t come.” Old Hao’s face looked serious.
“What happened?” Chen Mu’s heart skipped a beat.
“Just last night, Director Song joined forces with a high-ranking individual from Jilong Road’s Upper Court to launch a surprise attack on Zhongshan Path’s stronghold.”
This…
No wonder Liang Yi and the Cold Moon Toad left together.
Chen Mu suddenly realized.
“Is Sect Master Dong Li back safely?”
Otherwise, how could Song Wujie and the others dare to counterattack Zhongshan Path.
“Not yet.”
“But a message has been received.”
“What’s certain, though, is that the real person of White Tower will never return.”
Chen Mu let out a sigh of relief.
Sect Master Dong Li was safe.
Then the situation in Jilong Road would stabilize.
And they, the disciples of the Lower Courtyard, would no longer be like driftwood at the mercy of the tides!