“`
It is no wonder that Chen Mu was greedy for more. The process of cultivating Soul Strength was just too protracted.
There were Secret Medicines that could accelerate the process, but they were all controlled by the royal families and noble houses of Da Liang. Ordinary people could only rely on consumption to speed up the process. But considering the size of a human stomach, even if one were to eat continuously, how many cows could be consumed in a day?
Chen Mu set his sights on the second factor for accumulating Soul Strength, the initial Wandering Soul.
The Wandering Soul is the foundation of the Shell Soul; it is the source. Chen Mu decided to dig a few more wells into himself.
Experience the adventure on m|vl_em|p_yr
Since he couldn’t use Secret Medicine to increase the source of Soul Strength, he would improve the conversion rate of qi and blood.
He looked up at the sky outside, where the moon shone faintly and stars were sparse, the vast Nanyang Prefecture City had fallen into slumber.
Chen Mu yawned and glanced at the books on the table.
“Hmm, one more read before sleep…”
…
“Hallmaster, Zhang’s people have made their move!” said an eager man with small eyes, approaching Zuo Sheng excitedly: “Hallmaster Lin from White Tiger Hall is leading the team personally!”
“Ah, isn’t it good to earn money peacefully?” Zuo Sheng said helplessly, “On one side are my own brothers, and on the other is my beloved senior brother. This is too difficult for me.”
The man with small eyes blinked. Was their hallmaster going to back out?
“What do you think I should do?” Zuo Sheng asked the man with small eyes, looking troubled.
“Perhaps… let the gang leader decide?” suggested the man with small eyes, also unsure of the seriousness.
“Foolish!” Zuo Sheng glared at him, “How can we bother master with such trifles!”
“It seems I must go and mediate,” Zuo Sheng sighed, “Hallmaster Lin will complain about me again.”
“The hallmaster is thinking for the greater good,” the man with small eyes flattered.
“Ah, who can understand my painstaking efforts.” Zuo Sheng said despondently.
“Hallmaster, should I go prepare now?” the man with small eyes asked tentatively.
“Yes, take more people with you.”
The man with small eyes responded with a crisp “Yes!”
…
In the night, dozens of fast boats entered the Luo River directly from Jinshui River.
Using the river mist for cover, they quickly moved towards the city.
At a hidden pier, dozens of men in black leapt off the boats and split into seven or eight groups.
Moving along hidden alleys, they silently surged into the city.
A quarter of an hour later, the groups reconvened in a small alley.
“Brother-in-law, that’s the courtyard,” said Helmsman Zhang excitedly.
“Our Pharmacist analyzed the Qingfeng Powder and identified a medicinal ingredient called ‘Yellow Jade Fungus.’ It’s not produced locally; most of it is purchased from Taizhou Prefecture in the north.”
“I had people watch all Taizhou cargo ships on Jinshui River.”
“One-third of the local Yellow Jade Fungus was delivered to that courtyard through a small pharmacy.”
“They also brought several other types of medicine for stopping bleeding and relieving pain.”
“That courtyard is nine out of ten chances the production site of Qingfeng Powder!”
“Well done!” Lin Que said with a smile.
The usually uneven and rough man couldn’t help but flush with pride: “It’s time for our White Tiger Hall to make a fortune.”
“Old Zhang, Old Zhao, follow me. As soon as we spot that white-haired expert, the three of us will take him down together and kill him first!”
“I’ve been thinking, that guy is old, has poor physical strength, but is quick. I specially requested a golden silkworm fishnet from the Startling Swan treasure ship. Once we engage, we’ll trap him first, then beat him mercilessly!”
“Alright!”
“Old Wang, you attack the courtyard with Zhang Yun. Move quickly, strike with the force of thunder to intimidate the people inside; try to capture them alive.”
“If someone really doesn’t know better and resists, kill them!” Lin Que said coldly.
“Yes!”
“Tell the brothers to show their real skills; quick battle and quick decision.”
“After this job, our White Tiger Hall won’t be short of money. I’ll treat everyone to three days of luxury on the Red Ship.”
“Thank you, Hallmaster!”
Lin Que laughed heartily: “Move out!”
The group surged toward a nearby residence like water bursting from a dam.
…
Pottery Lane
In the depth of a small alley, there was a woodshed topped with thatch.
Two new straw mats lay on the ground. Next to them was a plate of saltwater boiled broad beans and a black pottery wine jar.
Two lean men with short clothing and tattooed arms sat on the mats, slowly drinking wine by the moonlight.
“When will these days come to an end?” said one of the men with a mole on his nose, sighing.
“Heh, that depends on when the hall feels like dealing with that scholar,” the man with a pointy chin said lazily, tossing a broad bean into his mouth.
“Why?” the mole-nosed man was puzzled as he chewed on the bean, “Isn’t he just a pale-faced scholar? What profit is there to be had?”
The pointy-chinned man snickered and beckoned with a finger: “Remember how we found that scholar?”
“Following a medicine apprentice from Hesheng Hall who came to him,” said the mole-nosed man, still confused.
“Last month, our hall suffered a big loss. Hallmaster’s brother-in-law, Zhang Yun, got bumped. While he was drinking to drown his sorrows, he muttered a few words. I was just delivering wine to his room at the time. Heh heh…” The pointy-chinned man grinned.
“Spill it, spill it. What did he mutter? What’s it got to do with the scholar?” the mole-nosed man immediately leaned in closer.
“`
The man with the pointy chin let out a chortle and took a sip of the slightly sour, inferior wine, then said no more.
“Brother, come on, talk to me; the drinks are on me tomorrow!” Black Nose promised, waving his hand.
The pointy-chinned man picked a broad bean and popped it into his mouth, remaining silent.
“I’ll throw in two jin of soy sauce beef to make it worthwhile! Let’s have some meat!” Black Nose said through gritted teeth.
Pointy Chin couldn’t help but smile.
“Come on, tell me. Hurry up and tell me.” Seeing that he was pleased, Black Nose immediately smiled and urged.
“Yeah, tell us, I want to know why too.”
Suddenly, a voice rose abruptly from outside the straw hut.
“Who?!”
The two men, drunk and dazed, were startled.
In the dead of night, in a deserted alley, an extra person appeared out of nowhere, sobering up the two men with fright.
They quickly turned to look.
Under the moonlight, a tall figure stood silently with his back to the moon.
The soft moonlight hit the man’s profile, his eyes slightly narrowed, filled with indifference.
“A pale-faced scholar?!” The two men’s scalp tingled.
Being discovered while surveilling, and that too deep in the middle of the night in this atmosphere, sent a shiver down their spines as they turned to run.
But as they looked back, they found that someone had appeared behind them at some point.
Chen Mu had moved behind them in an instant, calmly watching the two men.
…
Ah!
Thud, thud, thud…
A series of short, sharp screams suddenly rang out in the night.
Boom!
A courtyard wall collapsed violently.
Lin Que, his face and head covered in a cloud of dust, didn’t look back as he ran toward Luo River Pier.
Dozens of his men scrambled out through the breach in the wall and scattered in all directions.
As he turned around a street corner, Lin Que glanced to the side while still running, his peripheral vision caught a glimpse of the street behind him.
Seven or eight figures dressed in black with red patterns, suited for night-time activity, leaped soundlessly from the courtyard and faded into the shadows.
His men, who were running headlong, had no idea that swords sprung out from the shadows at their feet. Caught off guard, they were swiftly cut down, and in just a few blinks, half of them lay dead on the spot.
Lin Que’s pupils contracted sharply.
Where did all these Zhu Yi Pavilion assassins come from?!
Wasn’t this a pharmaceutical den?
How did it turn into an assassin’s lair?!
At that moment, the hairs on his neck bristled. Lin Que quickly regained his senses. A glint of cold light stealthily approached him, causing his heart to skip a beat in terror!
Damn it, I was careless!
…
“Startling Swan Gang, White Tiger Hall, Gentle Breeze Powder…” Chen Mu’s face was grave.
It had been over three months since he arrived in Nanyang City. Eating and drinking without worries, he spent his days practicing martial arts joyfully, nearly forgetting this detestable world.
“I’m just making medicines properly, earning my hard-earned money.”
“I haven’t provoked or offended anyone; why must they always cross me?”
Chen Mu’s face grew even more unsightly, but after pondering for a while, he couldn’t help but sigh.
“Startling Swan Gang, ah…”
That was Nanyang’s biggest gang. In their eyes, he was less than an ant. A mere flick of their finger could crush him.
“I’ll have to find a way to run.” Chen Mu shook his head with a wry smile.
It had been tough to cross into another world just to hide and flee all the time: “So embarrassing.”
Luckily, he had been careful and cautious this time. Upholding the principle of ‘a crafty rabbit has three burrows,’ he had secretly rented all seven small courtyards around him.
Only then, in one of those courtyard’s walls, had he discovered those two tailing people.
Thinking about the potential consequences made Chen Mu shudder with fear.
“No, I can’t stay at home anymore.” Chen Mu immediately began packing his belongings.
“But where can I go in the middle of the night?” Chen Mu frowned.
“Those two said, White Tiger Hall has a pier stronghold on Luo River.” Chen Mu’s thoughts stirred: “From there, I could take a boat to the main vessel of White Tiger Hall.”
“The most dangerous place is the safest.” Chen Mu couldn’t help but nod.
“I’ll have to hide on the White Tiger Hall’s main ship.” Chen Mu thought helplessly.
Disturbing others late at night was truly inappropriate.
Then he’d bring some gifts.
“Sleeve Sword Technique, Mesmerizing Divine Smoke, hmm… and Iron Lotus Seeds!” With billowing black smoke, Chen Mu stuffed a large burlap sack from the corner into the Five Ghosts Bag.
Chen Mu, looking at the brimming Five Ghosts Bag, nodded to himself: “Nobody would object to extra gifts; they shouldn’t mind now.”
His feet revealed the power of Soul Strength, and in a flash, Chen Mu disappeared soundlessly into the thick night.