Chapter 167: A Hidden Dragon Ascends
“You know?” Shi Hao looked at Xiang Gu in surprise.
He hadn’t expected anyone to know where to find this ingredient.
Even the Holy Jade Immortal had only been able to offer an alternative method, suggesting it had already become rare three hundred years ago.
Although refining a hundred jin of Vermilion Fruit was an option, obtaining that much Vermilion Fruit was also a daunting task.
Such a quantity wasn’t readily available; he would practically have to raid the Chongxian Sect’s main headquarters to get that much.
“Yes,” Xiang Gu rubbed her hands together, “I know where to find it. I can take you there.”
Du Yuejiao couldn’t help but ask, “Where?”
Xiang Gu said, “Mount Lifting Heaven.”
“Mount Lifting Heaven?” Shi Hao repeated.
Hou Bomin chuckled, “That’s the highest peak in the Qinling-Changbai mountain range. Although difficult to reach, people do go there occasionally. I’ve never heard of any immortal ingredients growing there.”
Xiang Gu looked at Shi Hao intently, her voice firm, “It’s there.”
Shi Hao nodded, “Then we’ll leave for the Changbai Mountains tomorrow.”
“Yes!” Xiang Gu nodded vigorously, her eyes shining with excitement.
“Are you sure?” Shi Hao couldn’t help but ask again.
Xiang Gu, flustered, shook her head vehemently, “Yes! Yes!”
Shi Hao and the others exchanged glances. We’re not entirely convinced.
Just then, someone called from outside, “Master Shi, someone from the Yuan Rong Merchant Guild is here to see you.”
Shi Hao went to the reception hall and saw Deng Liang, whom he hadn’t seen in a while.
“Brother Hao, it really is you!” Deng Liang rushed over, smiling, “Everyone’s talking about Shi Chongyun of the Ba Mountains. I thought it might be you, and I was right!”
Shi Hao smiled, “What brings you here?”
Deng Liang said, “The Hanyang Gang’s blockade of the Hanyang River severely impacted our business. Now that they’re gone, and the Danyang Society has reopened the trade routes, I came to see if there are any new opportunities with the Nine Villages.”
He continued, his voice filled with admiration, “I always knew you were capable, Brother Hao, but I didn’t expect you to be this capable. I heard you’ve reached the sixth rank? You were only eighth-rank when we last met in Jin Prefecture. That was just a few months ago!”
Shi Hao said modestly, “Just lucky, I guess.”
They sat down, and Shi Hao said, “You’ve come at the right time. Wu Village is planning to start producing silk and brocade. We’ll need your help with distribution.”
Deng Liang said, “Of course! Prices are fluctuating everywhere, and the court, to fund their wars, has been debasing the currency. And that ‘Zhizheng Treasure Note’ they introduced, supposedly equal to gold and silver, but not redeemable… it’s causing chaos in the markets.
“Many people don’t even have copper coins anymore, just those worthless notes. Bartering has become common in some areas. Silk is a valuable commodity. We’ll buy as much as they can produce.”
Shi Hao shook his head, “It’s just another way to exploit the people. The government uses those notes to buy goods, and the people have no choice but to accept them. And they can’t even use them to pay taxes; they still need silver and copper.”
Deng Liang sighed, “Tell me about it. Not just the common people, even us merchants are struggling. Everyone says this dynasty is doomed. And even the ‘royalty,’ except for those profiting from those worthless notes, are complaining.”
“Even their lives are becoming difficult. And that’s just in West Shu. Other regions are far worse.”
He leaned closer to Shi Hao and lowered his voice, “Are you planning to stay in the Ba Mountains, Brother Hao? I told my father that if you’re staying, our guild will support you fully, with money, supplies, even weapons. We don’t deal in weapons directly, but we have connections.”
Shi Hao smiled, “I appreciate your support, but I’m leaving tomorrow.”
Deng Liang’s face fell, “You helped them defend their homes, and now you’re leaving? Why?”
Shi Hao said, “Reputation.”
Deng Liang looked puzzled, “Reputation?”
Shi Hao said, “The Ba Mountains and the Hanyang River are interconnected, but now, with the Ba Mountains forming their own militia, and the Danyang Society controlling the river, neither side can truly prosper.”
Deng Liang thought about it and nodded, “That’s true. But Xiong Wanghu’s reputation is growing. Even in West Shu, many are joining him. My father and I suspected Shi Chongyun might be you, so we came here. You’re one of us. If you’re staying, we’ll support you.
“But if you’re leaving the Ba Mountains, we’ll have to approach Xiong Wanghu.”
Shi Hao lowered his voice, “You can contact him, but don’t invest too much. And keep this to yourselves for now. Xiong Wanghu, like Huang Facai, is connected to Hong Chui, the Thunderclap, and he’s likely a demonic cultivator.”
Deng Liang’s face paled, “Are you sure, Brother Hao?”
Shi Hao said, “We’re friends, aren’t we? Why would I lie to you? This is a common tactic of the demonic sects. Huang Facai’s brutality created many enemies. Then, Xiong Wanghu appeared, a righteous hero leading the opposition, overthrowing him and gaining the support of all those who opposed the Hanyang Gang. Huang Facai eliminated potential threats for him, paving the way for his rise.”
“As you can see, before this, the various factions along the Hanyang River were disorganized. Huang Facai’s brutal methods, although effective in seizing territory, created resentment. Now, Xiong Wanghu has both the territory and the people’s support. If not for the Nine Villages holding back the Hanyang Gang, he would control the entire region.”
Deng Liang was stunned. He had never encountered such a scheme before.
He smiled wryly, “If Xiong Wanghu is truly a demonic cultivator, we can’t trust him. It’s a good thing you defended the Ba Mountains. Otherwise, West Shu would be in danger. Are you sure you’re not reconsidering, Brother Hao? We only trust you.”
Shi Hao shook his head, “I’ve considered it, but the division between the Ba Mountains and the Hanyang River is a reality now. And this battle has shown me… my own weaknesses.”
“Frankly, I lack both the strength and the reputation. A sixth-rank cultivation is enough to lead a small gang, but for greater ambitions, it’s not enough.
“And reputation… Xiong Wanghu’s success is due to his carefully cultivated image of righteousness. By the way, I need your help with that. Spread the word about my… deeds.”
Deng Liang patted his chest, “Don’t worry, Brother Hao. I’ll make sure everyone knows about your heroism, your incredible strength, your unmatched skill…”
Shi Hao said, “No, no, no! Don’t exaggerate my martial arts skills. I don’t want to attract unwanted attention from powerful enemies. Focus on my… righteousness, how I couldn’t stand for the Hanyang Gang’s tyranny, how I helped the Nine Villages, and then, my task complete, I left, seeking neither fame nor fortune.”
Deng Liang said, “I understand, I understand. I’ll make sure everyone knows about your noble deeds, your selfless sacrifice.”
Shi Hao then brought Deng Liang to meet with Gong Muhong, Daoist Chuan, He Guangtao, Yan Zhuxia, and the others.
Knowing he was the young guild master of the Yuan Rong Merchant Guild, they treated him with respect.
And Deng Liang assured them of his continued support, not only in trade but also in providing resources for their militia.
“Rest assured,” Deng Liang said, “Brother Shi Chongyun is a true hero. His cause is our cause.”
Shi Hao thought, This kid is quite clever.
After Deng Liang left, Gong Muhong and the others tried to persuade Shi Hao to stay.
For them, without Shi Chongyun, there would be no Nine Villages alliance. They were deeply grateful and wanted him to stay and lead them.
And the more he insisted on leaving, the more they admired his selflessness and his refusal to seek power.
But Shi Hao wouldn’t be swayed.
So they held a banquet in his honor, toasting him and expressing their gratitude.
They saw him as a brilliant strategist who had helped them defeat the Hanyang Gang and save their homes, yet now, his task complete, he sought neither reward nor recognition, his actions truly selfless.
Even those who had been suspicious of his motives were now ashamed, offering him toasts and apologies.
Shi Hao stayed for the night.
Since leaving the Primordial Grotto Heaven, he had spent a few days at the Mirror Flower Water Moon Pavilion’s manor, then attended the Red Hill Gathering, and then come to the Ba Mountains, uniting the Nine Villages against the Hanyang Gang.
Over ten days had passed, and tonight was the first day of the eighth month. The next full moon was half a month away.
The first day of the eighth month was the Daoist Wind Festival and also the folk Medicine God Festival.
According to legend, it was on this day that the Yellow Emperor sought medical advice from Qi Bo and compiled the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon.
“Qi Huang,” referring to Qi Bo and the Yellow Emperor, was synonymous with traditional Chinese medicine.
That morning, a thick mist covered the Ba Mountains. At the foot of Mount Nangong, a large crowd had gathered.
Countless people from the Nine Villages, having heard of Shi Chongyun’s departure, had come to see him off.
Many had arrived in the middle of the night, afraid of missing him.
Faced with their pleas for him to stay, Shi Hao waved his hand and, with Du Yuejiao, Hou Bomin, and Xiang Gu, left Mount Nangong.
Gong Muhong, watching him leave, sighed, “A hidden dragon ascends. Whether he soars or falls, remains to be seen.”
And the name “Shi Chongyun, the Hidden Dragon,” began to spread throughout the jianghu.
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