Chapter 13: Du Yuejiao
Qiu Jiangping frowned as he looked at Shi Hao.
Beside him, Du Yuejiao said sharply, “One year? I heard every single attacker was ranked and worked together seamlessly, fighting fearlessly. To survive their attack, one would need at least eighth-rank strength.
“Reaching the eighth rank in just one year? Do you think we’re fools?”
Shi Hao sighed… Indeed, it did sound like he was trying to fool them.
Because in reality, it had taken even less time.
Of course, he hadn’t actually cultivated himself. It all started when the Holy Jade Immortal and the Enchanting Fire Witch inexplicably shattered his heart meridian…
He knew they wouldn’t believe him no matter what he said.
After all, he had been a scholar with no martial arts skills before this, and that was everyone’s understanding of him in Small Han Mountain City.
This meant that no matter how much they investigated, they wouldn’t believe him.
So, he clasped his hands behind his back and said proudly, “That is the truth!” He adopted an air of “believe it or not.”
Acting humbly now would only make them more suspicious.
Du Yuejiao sneered, “There must be a traitor on Red Mountain, and you might be that traitor. Your so-called repelling of the attackers was probably just a staged performance.”
Shi Hao said calmly, “You have a sharp tongue, young lady, but it’s a pity you weren’t there when it happened. There’s no need for your rhetoric now.”
Du Yuejiao’s eyebrows shot up. She suddenly stepped forward and, with a flick of her wrist, struck towards Shi Hao’s chest with lightning speed.
Their palms met with a crack. Shi Hao, intercepting Du Yuejiao’s palm strike just in time, felt her relentless force, not to be underestimated.
Du Yuejiao, however, felt a chilling aura emanating from his palm.
“Disciple, stand down,” Zhuo Mulan said softly.
Du Yuejiao snorted, withdrew her palm, and stepped back. Zhuo Mulan looked at Shi Hao, “You practice orthodox Daoist techniques?! The one who taught you martial arts was a Daoist?”
Shi Hao replied, “Indeed!” Although martial arts varied, Daoist internal elixir cultivation and demonic essence absorption were distinctly different from other martial arts practices. There was no point in hiding it.
Du Yuejiao said coldly, “The Chongxian Sect is the leader of all Daoist sects. All Daoist practitioners must receive a decree from the Chongxian Sect to be officially recognized. Otherwise, they are merely charlatans and frauds, deceiving people for food and drink.”
Shi Hao said impassively, “If you say so, young lady, then it must be true.”
Du Yuejiao, hearing the sarcasm in his voice, raised an eyebrow, her eyes filled with killing intent.
A young woman approached from the side, “Father, Master, Senior Sister…”
It was County Mistress Li Tong. She subtly positioned herself between Du Yuejiao and Shi Hao, giving her father a meaningful look.
Wusu Baoteng thought to himself, “Although there must be something suspicious about Shi Hao’s martial arts background, he saved my daughter. If I were to reward him with suspicion instead, who would be willing to serve me in the future?”
He laughed heartily and said to Shi Hao, “You have rendered a great service, and I will reward you handsomely. You may withdraw and rest now.”
Shi Hao bowed, “Thank you, Marquis!” and turned to leave.
After Shi Hao left, Chief Constable Qiu Jiangping said to the Marquis, “The attackers’ timing and location were too precise. There must be an inside man. We need to thoroughly investigate both the young master of Small Han Mountain City and the young guild master of the Yuan Rong Merchant Guild.”
Wusu Baoteng, a shrewd man, knew the Six Gates’ methods all too well. He said with displeasure, “There is definitely a traitor, but the traitor must be within my residence. Whether it’s Shi Hao or Deng Liang, they are just outsiders who were invited here. What can we find from investigating them?
“There must be a reason why those attackers suddenly targeted my daughter. Chief Constable Qiu, investigate thoroughly. Don’t go easy on my household staff and find innocent scapegoats just because this involves the Marquis’ residence.”
Qiu Jiangping hurriedly said, “Yes! Yes! Rest assured, Marquis. I will investigate this matter thoroughly.”
But he thought to himself, the Marquis’ residence is like a deep ocean. The deeper I investigate, the more complicated it will become. How am I supposed to handle this?
Zhuo Mulan turned to Qiu Jiangping, “Chief Constable, have you found anything regarding the female thief who stole the treasure the night before last?”
Qiu Jiangping shook his head helplessly, “Please give us more time, Recluse. The clues you provided are too few. Such a female thief has never appeared in Jin Prefecture before. We’ve sent a message to the capital, investigating similar theft cases across the country.
“The female thief who stole the treasure from Ming Kun Monastery is no ordinary person. She can’t have appeared out of thin air with no background whatsoever.”
Du Yuejiao said coldly, “Perhaps that Shi Hao is in league with the female thief. We can definitely find clues from him.”
Qiu Jiangping smiled faintly, “Rest assured, Miss Du. We at the Six Gates aren’t freeloaders. No matter which sect this young master of Small Han Mountain City belongs to, his skills couldn’t have been developed overnight. As long as we investigate thoroughly, we will find something.”
Du Yuejiao pursed her lips and snorted—
Back at his residence, Shi Hao saw Master Lu and the four hunters, who had accompanied him from Small Han Mountain City, looking at him strangely.
He understood. He had them close the door, led them to the hall, had them sit down, and then asked, “Did someone come and ask you when I started practicing martial arts and which sect I belong to?”
Master Lu and the four hunters exchanged glances.
After a while, Master Lu said, “Young Master, someone did come. First, it was a steward from the Marquis’ residence, and then a constable.”
Shi Hao asked, “Did they give you any trouble?”
Master Lu shook his head, “Not really. Their attitude was polite enough, but they clearly didn’t believe us. We told them you’ve never practiced martial arts, but they were obviously skeptical, especially the constable. He kept hinting, with a smile, that giving false testimony to the Six Gates could lead to imprisonment.”
Shi Hao said, “Alright, I won’t hide it from you anymore. I have indeed practiced martial arts. A year ago, I encountered an old Daoist in the mountains who taught me some secret techniques. I was practicing in secret, not wanting others to know.
“But today, during the banquet, when County Mistress Li Tong was attacked, I had to defend myself, inadvertently revealing my martial arts skills, which aroused suspicion.”
He paused and continued, “This matter could be big or small. Since I saved County Mistress Li Tong, the Marquis’ residence probably won’t make things difficult for me for the time being. However, you all know the ways of these nobles and the Six Gates. They can be ruthless.
“To avoid further complications, you should return to Small Han Mountain City. The city gates haven’t closed yet. Leave now.”
One of the hunters said, “Young Master, if we leave, who will take care of you?”
Shi Hao smiled, “Do I really need someone to take care of me? This residence has local servants who handle the daily chores. You don’t need to worry. Go back to Small Han Mountain City. I’ll return after some time, when things have calmed down.
“Don’t forget, I know martial arts. To be honest, I now possess an eighth-rank foundation.”
Master Lu and the others were stunned, staring at him in disbelief.
Although someone had come to inquire about his martial arts background, and he had just admitted to knowing martial arts, they hadn’t expected their seemingly frail young master to be an eighth-rank martial artist!
They all had some martial arts training, but including Master Lu, they were all “unranked.” In their eyes, an eighth-rank martial artist was a formidable figure.
After all, Small Han Mountain City wasn’t a martial arts sect. They were just ordinary people who had fled to West Shu to escape the barbarian massacres during the war.
They hadn’t expected their young master, “just a scholar,” to possess such strength.
Of course, if they knew that just a few days ago, when they left Small Han Mountain City, their young master truly was “just a scholar,” they would be even more shocked and incredulous.
Master Lu and the four hunters, following Shi Hao’s instructions, left the city in the afternoon before the gates closed.
Shi Hao stayed in the residence, practicing and resting. In the evening, the Marquis’ reward arrived, the usual gold, silver, silk, and brocade.
At night, he took out the Jade Clarity Stone, placed it on the roof under the moonlight for half an hour, and then retrieved it. He continued circulating the Immortal Ice Technique and the Mysterious Charm Technique within him as he slept.
The next day, after washing up and having breakfast at a street stall, he set out for the Chuan Jin Treasure Pavilion that Deng Liang had mentioned.
He asked for directions and arrived at the pavilion. The Chuan Jin Treasure Pavilion was a large business with branches in various districts, and this was their main store in Jin Prefecture.
The walls were crimson, with a two-tiered, upturned roof.
The entire building looked new and magnificent. He climbed the stone steps and entered. A staff member immediately greeted him, “What can I get for you, sir?”
Shi Hao said, “I’m looking for some rare medicinal ingredients. The young guild master of the Yuan Rong Merchant Guild said you might have them, so I came to inquire.”
The staff member said, “So you were referred by Young Master Deng. Please come in, please come in.”
Shi Hao was led to the inner room and offered a seat. Soon, a manager approached and asked, “May I ask for your name, sir?”
Shi Hao replied, “My surname is Shi.”
The manager asked, “What kind of medicinal ingredients are you looking for, Master Shi?”
Shi Hao said, “One is Great Cold Peony Immortal Bud, the other is Water Moon Exquisite Lotus…” He paused, not mentioning the third ingredient, and looked at the manager.
The manager said in surprise, “Such rare and spiritual ingredients? Master Shi, these ingredients are not only expensive, but they’re also not always in stock. For example, the Great Cold Peony Immortal Bud grows in cold water and blooms only three buds every three years. Each bud can only be preserved for seven or eight days after being picked. So, not only is it extremely expensive, but it also requires pre-ordering and a substantial deposit.”
Shi Hao asked, “So, does your pavilion have these items?” He was worried that, like Deng Liang, the manager wouldn’t know anything about them.
Since the manager seemed knowledgeable, it meant these ingredients could indeed be purchased.
The manager asked, “Are you a Daoist practitioner, sir? Do you have a Daoist registration?”
Shi Hao shook his head, “Does that matter?”
The manager smiled, “Not at all! Not at all! It’s just that both the Great Cold Peony Immortal Bud and the Water Moon Exquisite Lotus are extremely rare and precious. Please wait a moment, sir. I’ll send someone to check our main warehouse to see if we have them in stock.”
With an apologetic bow, the manager left. A waiter served Shi Hao tea.
Shi Hao waited for a long time but received no response. He frowned, a sense of unease creeping into his heart. He got up and left the inner room.
The manager hurried over, “Master Shi, please wait a little longer. The reply will be here soon. Please be patient.”
Shi Hao said, “I won’t wait any longer. I’ll come back tomorrow.” He walked out without hesitation.
The manager called after him, “Sir, why don’t you leave your name and address? We’ll send someone to inform you when we have a reply… Sir? Sir?”
Shi Hao left the pavilion and entered the bustling street, quickly turning a corner into a small alley.
After navigating the winding alleyways and reaching a deserted area, he suddenly stopped, his face expressionless.
A young woman in an embroidered Daoist robe emerged from around the corner.
Although it was a Daoist robe in style, its form-fitting design and bright crimson color made it appear more like elegant attire.
She had an oval face, an elaborate hairstyle with a Daoist hairpin, and a sword at her waist. It was Du Yuejiao of the Ming Kun Monastery.
Blocking his path, Du Yuejiao sneered, “It really is you!”
Shi Hao said calmly, “I didn’t expect that even buying medicinal ingredients would require your esteemed presence, young lady. What a coincidence.”
Du Yuejiao said disdainfully, “I thought you were quite capable, but it turns out you’re just ignorant. The Chongxian Sect is the orthodox leader of all Daoist sects. The Great Cold Peony Immortal Bud and the Water Moon Exquisite Lotus are both immortal ingredients used to refine the ‘Nine Ranks Immortal Formula’ for Daoist internal elixirs.
“For three hundred years, our Chongxian Sect has led the Daoist sects. By imperial decree, apart from the Chongxian Sect, no other Daoist sect is allowed to cultivate or trade these immortal ingredients. If they need them, they must apply to the Chongxian Sect. All apothecaries are required to report anyone attempting to purchase these ingredients without authorization.
“You didn’t even know about these regulations? Hmph, you truly are unorthodox.”
Shi Hao was slightly taken aback… He really hadn’t known.
After all, he had never interacted with the Daoist sects before, or even the martial world in general.
No wonder the Chongxian Sect, in just three hundred years, had transformed from a small sect that “couldn’t even rank among the eight major sects” (as the Holy Jade Immortal had put it) into the “orthodox leader of all Daoist sects.”
With the support of the barbarian court, they had clearly monopolized all the ingredients required for refining the Nine Ranks Immortal Formula. This forced all other Daoist sects to rely on the Chongxian Sect; otherwise, they would be labeled “unorthodox.”
He looked at Du Yuejiao and said coldly, “I am unorthodox. So what?”
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