Chapter 323: Chapter 217: None Hang Plaques, Hatred as Deep as the Sea (Part 2)

The stone archway of the main house, with five ancient Dragon Scale Pines worth a hundred gold planted on both the front and back courtyard walls, lush and vibrant, strong and upright. This is the "Five Pine Dragon Scale", said to expel negative energies and clear away snakes and rodents.

"This self-proclaimed ’noble’ wealthy lot indeed have foundation. Compared to them, Black River County’s Fish Market and Wood Market are instant boorish nouveau riche, far inferior."

Bai Qi clicked his tongue. Just this one Nine Palaces Platform Villa might have cost tens of thousands of taels of snowflake silver. His fishery earnings look insignificant in front of the wealthy and powerful Thirteen Sects.

"Okay, Ah Di."

Bai Ming nodded. He was always obedient, never making Bai Qi worry excessively.

"Don’t stay cooped up inside. This courtyard has good feng shui, the scenery is nice too. It’s rare for us to stay a few days and enjoy the refined life of the county city’s nobility."

Bai Qi joked.

He stepped out of the backyard, the middle-aged housekeeper in a blue robe was waiting outside. Seeing Bai Qi, he respectfully said:

"Master Bai, any orders?"

Bai Qi waved his hand, indicating to skip it. Although he had long shed his past as a member of the Fisherman, he never got used to ordering people.

After lunch, having bathed and changed, he planned to visit Chen Xing and inquire about the details of Yuanyang Temple.

Paying respects to the Master, attending the banquet, meeting the Daoist Official.

The main tasks of entering the city this time were roughly these.

"I want to buy some fitting gifts for visiting, please have someone accompany me as a guide."

Bai Qi said politely.

Silently marveling at how He Jingfeng’s lifestyle truly emphasized lavishness.

Throughout this journey, the maidens serving him closely, vigorous servants guarding the house—no less than thirty people.

Along with the housekeeper, cook, and groom, there were an estimated over seventy or eighty dedicated to serving the master.

"No wonder everyone in Black River County wants to be a lord. This kind of life with food provided at the wave of a hand, truly, just two words: comfortable."

Bai Qi couldn’t help but wonder, then glanced at the middle-aged housekeeper in the blue robe, focusing his spiritual sense, observing the flow of qi and blood, the nurturing of tendons and bones, instantly reflected in his mind.

Second Training Great Success, two blood exchanges, but hasn’t achieved any full success in the four key points.

"According to Master Bai’s words, regarding abundant goods and collecting treasures, Fenghui Trading Company in Yihai Prefecture should be second to none.

I happen to be free and am willing to guide Master Bai."

The middle-aged housekeeper, swept by Bai Qi’s gaze, inexplicably felt a trace of chill, as if his entire body was exposed, his muscles unconsciously tensed, and his breathing was carefully held with the flow of qi and blood.

He considered himself a seasoned veteran of Jianghu, yet in front of this young man not yet crowned, nearly showed anxious fear.

Indeed strange!

"Thank you for your trouble."

Bai Qi nodded.

"Master Bai may call me Ah Gui."

The middle-aged housekeeper slightly bowed. He had been instructed by the Seventh Young Master himself not to neglect these two esteemed guests.

Even if they caused great trouble, as long as the He Family could withstand, all could be taken care of.

"Housekeeper Gui, let’s go."

Bai Qi always understood etiquette and never arrogantly imposed.

Housekeeper Gui didn’t insist, turning to have the servants prepare the carriage.

"It’s still early, if not far, we can walk over."

Bai Qi suggested. As for the sights of Yihai Prefecture, he only heard about them in books or from others.

"Since Master Bai has this enthusiasm, why not?"

Housekeeper Gui bowed in reply, pondering:

"It’s said this young man is a disciple of Ninghai Zen, appearing gentle and kind, unlike his fierce master."

...

...

The two went out, strolling along the long streets, wandering for a whole hour.

This city, that devours the surrounding thousands of miles, encompassing various towns and counties, is truly bustling and prosperous.

Simply put, it has more luxurious restaurants, more extravagant shops, more varied foods, and more beautiful brothel girls.

During Bai Qi’s leisurely stroll, he didn’t forget to note a few items like "Golden Milk Cake", "Longevity Porridge", "Duck Blood Vermicelli Soup", to tease Ah Di later, seeing his craving expression.

"This trading company, do they even have cultivation technique manuals?"

Casually browsing, Bai Qi finally arrived at Fenghui Trading Company to choose gifts. He didn’t specifically select expensive items but found a few exquisite little things. His peripheral vision swept over a nearby shelf, suddenly seeing numerous fighting technique manuals openly displayed.

"In earlier years, Yihai Prefecture was thriving with martial customs. Martial Arts Halls flourished everywhere. Fenghui Trading Company opened its doors for business; as long as Dragon Court’s laws permit, there’s nothing they won’t sell.

The ’Hundred Gold Assembly’ held every month, the ’Thousand Gold Assembly’ held every three months, and the ’Ten Thousand Gold Assembly’ held every two years will all bring out rare treasures to attract guests from all directions.

At the last Ten Thousand Gold Assembly, they auctioned off an incomplete True Skill Root Diagram, even attracting the Female Wealth Deity of Celestial Water Prefecture."

Housekeeper Gui patiently explained.

"Truly far-reaching connections. Which family runs this trading company?"

Bai Qi raised his eyebrow and asked.

"It’s the business of the Antique Shop Lu Family. They have a close relationship with the Upper Sect of Celestial Water Prefecture, and their trade routes are extensive. Even the most ferocious water bandits and highwaymen wouldn’t dare rob the cargo escorted by Fenghui Trading Company. In twenty years, they have only failed once."

Housekeeper Gui lowered his head and said.

"So it’s backed by the Meridian Sword Sect. Which band of Green Forest Heroes had the audacity to provoke the mighty Sword Sect of Celestial Water Prefecture?"

Bai Qi asked with interest.

"The Red Eyebrow Leader, with the Heaven-defying Saber."

Housekeeper Gui mentioned the name.

"Then there’s nothing to worry about..."

Bai Qi seemed choked, his mouth twitching:

"Uncle Dao truly has courage."

Even daring to offend the Meridian Sword Sect, which houses a Divine Power Giant, is really worthy of being the leader of the Green Forest Dao, famous throughout Yihai Prefecture.

Spending about four to five hundred taels of silver, Bai Qi bought a pot of Money Bamboo that attracts wealth, and then two Phoenix-headed Parrots that could speak auspicious words before leaving Fenghui Trading Company.

Master Chen Xing, a Fourth-Practice Expert, firmly holds the top chair in the martial arts community, with high standards and a wealthy background. Common Treasure Plant Medicine might not catch his eye, and valuable Celestial Materials might not be affordable, so it’s better to find something with a good omen.

Just like in the past when he gave gifts to high officials and noble persons, sometimes an enlightened Protective Talisman or a house-guarding ornament worked more effectively than just a box of money.

"I’ve heard that North City Street is also called ’Hundred Rings Square’, this street is lined with Martial Arts Halls. In its heyday, there were as many as four hundred and eight Inheritance Halls, showcasing all kinds of martial arts from both north and south.

In the past, there were daily martial arts competitions, and it was once known for setting up a hundred arenas in a single day, hence the name."

As Bai Qi stepped onto the long street, despite it being the beginning of spring with everything growing and bustling, it still appeared quite bleak and deserted.

He looked back at Housekeeper Gui, who appeared hesitant as if unsure how to respond. After a moment’s contemplation, he said:

"Master Bai, you have passed by seven Martial Arts Halls, have you noticed their similarity?"

Bai Qi frowned slightly, his gaze once again sweeping over the tightly closed Martial Arts Halls, his voice sinking:

"Why are there no plaques hung on any of them?"

According to the martial arts rules, hanging a plaque means accepting disciples, and establishing a reputation needs a signboard.

If a Martial Arts Hall is open but without a plaque, it indicates the resident master is not competent enough.

Housekeeper Gui smiled wryly and said:

"Your master, ten years ago, had a quarrel with the martial arts community, fighting ninety-nine matches on Hundred Rings Square by himself.

The wager was if he lost, he would cripple himself; if the Martial Arts Hall lost, they would remove their plaques and names.

Since then, only Master Chen’s Inheritance Hall has retained a plaque on this street..."

Has the root of the Yihai Prefecture’s martial arts been eradicated?

Bai Qi clenched his palm, though Master Ninghai Zen once said, the rules and pathways of the martial arts community are only followed by those without skill and desired by cowards.

But these plaque-removed Martial Arts Halls, even after ten years, have indeed managed to hold on, fulfilling the agreement.

Without a plaque for a day, they won’t accept disciples for a day.

No wonder Hundred Rings Square has declined to such an extent.

"Considering this, apart from thirteen prominent families and the four that were annihilated, these martial artists indeed have a profound enmity with Master.

A martial art’s significance lies in its legacy, but without fresh blood and relying solely on the old, how can they speak of survival, let alone development."

Bai Qi’s brows suddenly twitched, as if his Qi Blood surged up to his forehead, making his whole body taut in skin, flesh, and bones.

With his mind attuned to open the spiritual senses of the eyes and ears, he could vividly sense a stream of cold, fierce killing intent.

Since the fishing operation at Nu Yun River Mouth, after sweeping away the Hidden Pavilion Assassins.

This was the first time he experienced such undisguised, naked chilling killing intent.

Like streams of blood converging into a vast ocean, pressing down!

Step! Step! Step——

The footsteps resonated like thunder!

This deathly still street suddenly surged with activity.

From each Martial Arts Hall without a plaque, the front doors flew open, and practitioners in sturdy garments streamed out one by one.

In unison, they all gazed towards Bai Qi, who had stepped into this Hundred Rings Square.