Early the next morning, just as the sky began to pale.

Chen Qing, clad in crisp, dark Martial Attire and carrying his pack, arrived punctually at Jiang Bohong’s courtyard in the Old Blade Master Inn.

He pushed the gate open and entered. Jiang Bohong was not the only one in the courtyard.

In addition to Yue Shan and his wife, Liu San Niang—the Liu Family Tributors he had met before—there was also a stranger.

The man was about forty years old. While not tall, he was exceptionally lean and solid, as if every muscle contained explosive Power.

He had a dark complexion, and his face bore several faint scars.

"Chen Xiaoyou, you’re here! You’ve met these two already, so I won’t reintroduce them."

Jiang Bohong smiled and gestured to the man. "This is Younger Brother Zhao, Zhao Tieying, an Assassin from Fengle Prefecture also known as ’Iron Kite’! His skill with the Wind-Splitting Saber has made him quite famous in the Assassin circles of both the Fengle and Yunlin prefectures!"

Zhao Tieying cupped his fist in salute and smiled. "Chief Chen, I’ve heard much about you!"

"You’re too kind, Brother Zhao."

Chen Qing returned the salute, his gaze sweeping over the other man’s calloused hands and the wide-backed, thick-bladed short saber at his waist. "A pleasure to meet you."

He then turned to Yue Shan and Liu San Niang, nodding in acknowledgment. "Brother Yue, Madam Liu."

Yue Shan nodded back. "Chief Chen. We meet again."

Liu San Niang also offered a gentle smile by way of greeting.

During the pleasantries, Chen Qing also learned the reason for the Yue Shan couple’s journey.

Apparently, refining the Bone Transformation Pill last time had cost them nearly all their savings, accumulated over many years.

Although they now served the Liu Family as Tributors and earned an abundance of silver coins, they knew their own aptitude was limited. With only a slim hope of breaking through to the Astral Force realm, they had poured all their efforts into raising their heir.

This invitation from Jiang Bohong, though high-risk, promised potentially enormous rewards, making it an excellent opportunity to gather Cultivation Resources for their son.

Zhao Tieying’s motivations, as an experienced Assassin, were much simpler. When he wasn’t accepting apprehension missions from the Government Office, he spent most of his time around the swamp’s edge, gathering resources by hunting Exotic Beasts and collecting rare Treasure Medicines.

Jiang Bohong’s expression turned serious as he surveyed the group. "Though our goals may differ, we are all heading for the outskirts of the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp. By traveling together and looking out for one another, we’ll have a better chance of handling both the dangers of the swamp itself and fending off other groups with ill intentions. What do you all say?"

The Yue Shan couple had evidently already agreed. They nodded and said, "We’ll follow your arrangements, Brother Jiang."

Chen Qing, of course, had no objections. "I’ll defer to your arrangements, Senior."

"Good!"

Jiang Bohong nodded in satisfaction. "Our priority on this journey is safety. We must support one another. Do not come into conflict over petty gains!"

Without another word, he waved his arm and was the first to board his Lower-class Treasure Ship, which was docked at the bank.

Although the vessel wasn’t as magnificent as the Treasure Ships belonging to major powers like the Wutai Sect and the Liu Family, it was sturdy and practical.

A faint medicinal fragrance wafted from the ship, a refreshing scent that put the mind at ease.

Under Jiang Bohong’s control, the Treasure Ship then traveled up a relatively swift-flowing tributary of Qianchuan Marsh, moving against the current at a considerable speed.

The Ten Thousand Poison Swamp was situated at the junction of four prefectures: Yunlin, Fengle, Pingyang, and Lin’an. With its vast and complex terrain, it was a gathering place for countless Treasure Hunters, Desperadoes, and Sect disciples on training missions.

This core waterway, Qianchuan Marsh, was like a winding artery that cut deep into the swamp, providing a convenient path for venturing inside.

About half a day later, the Treasure Ship began to slow down.

Chen Qing noticed the river ahead had become exceptionally wide. The current grew sluggish and stagnant, opening into a vast mudflat.

Moored upon this mudflat were dozens of vessels of all shapes and sizes!

Chen Qing even spotted the banner of the Xuanjia Sect.

In addition, there were ships of various designs flying different family crests or personal banners, and even a few dilapidated little boats that looked to be hastily cobbled together.

Jiang Bohong skillfully steered the Treasure Ship to the edge of the mudflat and moored it securely.

"We’ve arrived. This is Hundred Boats Beach, the most common entry point to the outskirts of the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp."

Zhao Tieying explained in a low voice, pointing to a large, sheltered dock a short distance behind the beach. "See that structure? That’s the territory of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion."

"The Hundred Treasures Pavilion?" Chen Qing looked in that direction.

He recalled hearing some Stewards or Internal Affairs Hall disciples at the Wutai Sect, who often traveled to the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp, mention the name before.

"It’s a power from over in Pingyang Prefecture. Their background is deep, and their influence is immense."

Zhao Tieying’s voice dropped even lower, tinged with a hint of apprehension. "They’re mainly in three lines of business. First, they watch over the ships docked here for a daily fee. With their protection, nobody dares to touch them. Second, they sell various Elixirs, Antitoxic Pills, maps, and even weapons and armor at high prices—all hot commodities desperately needed in the swamp. And third..."

He paused, a meaningful glint in his eyes. "As long as it’s valuable, they’ll buy it. Treasure Medicine, Exotic Beast Materials, Ore... even... Inner Armor, Weapons, and Martial Arts Secret Manuals of questionable origin. As long as the goods are high-quality, they don’t ask where they came from. That’s why this is the number one place for people to fence ’gains’ that can’t see the light of day."

Chen Qing thought to himself, ’This Hundred Treasures Pavilion is no simple organization!’

’To dare run a business like this at the entrance to the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp—a chaotic place where good and evil mix, right at the junction of four prefectures—and to operate with absolutely no scruples... their backing and power must be profound.’

The group disembarked, stepping onto the soft, damp mudflat.

The stench of decay in the air grew stronger. Nearby, there were murky, blackened pools of stagnant water.

Farther out, an endless, ink-green jungle stretched to the horizon.