Chapter 44: Chapter 44: A Price But No Market

"Young Master!"

Suddenly, a figure dressed as a Young Servant in gray robes appeared out of nowhere.

His steps were light and his movements exceptionally agile; he was clearly a Martial Artist skilled in Qinggong.

"Mountain Sparrow, didn’t I tell you to keep an eye on the Zhao Family? Why are you back so suddenly?"

Shao Jianbo’s expression returned to normal.

Mountain Sparrow was a secret agent specially trained by the Shao Family, and he was an expert in Qinggong.

His main duty was to monitor any forces that might pose a threat to the Shao Mansion. He would never leave his post lightly, unless he had important news.

Ever since Shao Jianbo broke through to the Iron Skin Realm, his father had entrusted him with full responsibility for the Shao Mansion’s security.

The mansion had also hired some Force Integration Experts to serve as Honored Guest Elders. But they weren’t family, after all, and there was no guarantee they couldn’t be bribed.

As the Young Master of the Shao Mansion and an expert at the Peak of the Iron Skin Realm, no one was more suitable to protect the Shao Family than him.

And he had accepted this responsibility without hesitation.

This was the real reason he had refused to go to the Cangyun Sect.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to go, but that the Shao Family couldn’t afford to be without him!

Especially in such turbulent times, he dared not leave for even a moment.

This was also the reason he didn’t dare attempt a breakthrough to Force Integration.

Although successfully achieving Force Integration would take his martial prowess to the next level.

But if he failed, even with a Vein-Protecting Pill, his Vitality would be severely damaged, and his strength would drop by at least two levels.

Even if he could cultivate his way back to the Iron Skin Realm, it would take several years.

He didn’t dare take that risk.

"Young Master, I discovered that people from the Zhao Family are in contact with the Horse Bandits of Black Wind Castle, but I don’t know what they’re plotting!" Mountain Sparrow said in a low voice.

He wasn’t old, appearing to be about seventeen or eighteen, and his face was covered in freckles.

"Is this true? How did you find out? Tell me everything, quickly!" Shao Jianbo was suddenly alarmed.

"I’ve been watching the Zhao Mansion’s back gate for the past few days. This morning, a carriage suddenly arrived, and a large, masked man got out. He’s at least an Iron Skin Realm expert who has broken through the Third Level of Qi Blood!" Mountain Sparrow replied.

"There are many experts in this city. How can you be sure that man was one of the Black Wind Castle Horse Bandits?" Shao Jianbo asked.

"Young Master, I wasn’t sure at first either, so I kept waiting. About two hours later, the man left the Zhao Mansion, and I immediately followed him.

"I saw him take a roundabout route through the city, switching carriages four times before leaving the city. I pursued him all the way and finally saw him go up Black Wind Mountain.

"I didn’t dare to follow any further, so I rushed back to report!"

"If that’s the case, I’m afraid it’s true! Has the Zhao Family gone mad? To actually collude with Horse Bandits?!"

Shao Jianbo’s expression shifted, a mixture of shock and fury.

The Zhao Family had been targeting the Shao Family at every turn recently, to the point where they had nearly thrown all pretenses aside.

Things like poaching the Shao Family’s competent Shopkeepers.

Or sending people to cause trouble in their shops every other day.

For instance, they’d have someone pretend to be a patient and raise a fuss at the Pharmacy, claiming they were sold fake medicine that only made their illness worse.

Or they’d hire them for an escort job, only to claim that goods went missing or were damaged during transport.

Once, they even sent someone to secretly set fire to the medicinal herb warehouse.

If it hadn’t been discovered in time, the entire warehouse of precious medicinal herbs would have been incinerated!

However, while these tactics were despicable, they were still just dirty tricks. With enough vigilance, they could be handled.

At worst, it would just cost them some money to resolve.

But colluding with Horse Bandits... that was crossing a line!

"Mountain Sparrow, how has the Shao Mansion treated you?!" Shao Jianbo asked suddenly.

"I was an orphan. If the Shao Mansion hadn’t taken me in, I would have starved to death on the streets long ago!

"The Shao Mansion gave me this life. Whatever you command, Young Master, just say the word! Even if I have to give up my worthless life, I will complete the task you entrust to me!" Mountain Sparrow said, his voice trembling with emotion.

"Good! I need you to pose as a Martial Artist seeking refuge with Black Wind Castle. Find a way to infiltrate the Horse Bandits and gather intelligence! As for the Zhao Family, I’ll have Night Owl take over for you," Shao Jianbo said in a grave voice.

"Yes, Young Master!"

Mountain Sparrow turned to leave, but found that Shao Jianbo had grabbed his arm.

"Act according to the situation, and make sure you come back alive!" Shao Jianbo said with a serious expression.

A warmth spread through Mountain Sparrow’s heart, and a smile couldn’t help but appear on his freckled face.

"Young Master... I will!"

Then, his figure flickered and, just like a little bird, he vanished in an instant.

Gazing in the direction where Mountain Sparrow had disappeared, Shao Jianbo let out a soft sigh.

...

After Second Senior Brother helped Master leave, Jiang Che continued to eat for quite a while.

However, he no longer had the heart to savor the delicacies, his mind preoccupied with what his Master and Second Senior Brother had said.

From what his Master had said, it seemed that after he reached Force Integration, he could be recommended to the Cangyun Sect for Cultivation.

He just didn’t know if any disciple who reached Force Integration was eligible, or if there was only one chance for a recommendation.

Jiang Che had originally thought this was a Martial Arts World, where reaching Force Integration made one a top-tier expert.

He never expected there to be Cultivators above them!

’Cultivation, huh...’

Jiang Che’s eyes flickered, a flicker of yearning rising unconsciously in his heart.

But he quickly shook his head.

’I haven’t even broken through to the Stone Skin Realm yet. It’s too early to be thinking about this...’

Jiang Che put down his chopsticks and patted his already bulging stomach.

He felt like he’d already gotten his money’s worth for the hundred silver spent on the Snow Ginseng from this meal alone.

Seeing that Shao Jianbo still hadn’t returned, and that other guests had already finished eating and were leaving, Jiang Che felt it would be rude to linger, so he went to bid farewell to Shao Shiliu and Master Shao.

Shao Shiliu invited him to stay for the evening banquet, but Jiang Che made an excuse about having something to do and didn’t stay.

Seeing that Jiang Che was insistent on leaving, Shao Shiliu didn’t press the issue and arranged for a servant to take him to collect his monthly stipend and the Middle-Grade Exotic Beast Meat.

’I wonder what this Middle-Grade Exotic Beast Meat is like...’

Jiang Che’s heart filled with anticipation.

He followed the servant to the storeroom.

There, a white-haired and bearded old man was checking the accounts.

Although the man looked very old, his breath was long and steady, and his Qi Blood was vigorous. He was clearly a Martial Artist.

After the servant went forward and explained their purpose, the old man looked at them with some disbelief.

He sized Jiang Che up from head to toe.

He was curious. The Shao Mansion’s Honored Guest Elders were either at the Peak of the Stone Skin Realm or the Iron Skin Realm.

How did a mere Bull Skin Realm brat show up now?

"It was the Fourth Miss’s decision."

The servant whispered after leaning in close. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

The old man nodded. Without asking any more questions, he went inside and retrieved an oil-paper package.

Then, he took out a gold leaf from a drawer.

"Name?"

"Jiang Che. The ’Jiang’ from ’river’ and the ’Che’ from ’clear’."

Jiang Che said quickly.

The old man took out a ledger, carefully recorded the entry, and then handed over the oil-paper package and the gold leaf.

Jiang Che accepted them carefully and took his leave.

As he was leaving, he faintly heard the old man sigh.

...

「Back at home.」

Jiang Che placed the small packet of Middle-Grade Exotic Beast Meat on the table, his heart thumping with excitement.

This wasn’t the kind of Low-Grade Exotic Beast Meat you could buy just anywhere.

It cost a hundred silver per pound, and it was nearly impossible to find on the market!

More importantly, its ability to replenish Qi Blood far surpassed that of Low-Grade Exotic Beast Meat.

This was exactly what he needed right now.

Jiang Che carefully untied the thin hemp string and opened the oil paper.

Inside were some dried, black insects, each about the length of a little finger.

Jiang Che picked one up and sniffed it. It had a pungent smell, like paint.

He hesitated for a moment, but still tossed one into his mouth and started to chew.

The dried insect was extremely tough; Jiang Che felt like he was chewing on Bull Skin.

Moreover, the taste was sour and bitter, with a harshness that stung his throat.

Feeling like his jaw was about to explode, Jiang Che finally managed to chew the dried insect to pieces and swallow it.

Before long, he felt a distinct warmth spreading from his lower abdomen.

This single small, dried insect actually had the same effect as nearly half a pound of the Low-Grade Exotic Beast Dried Meat he used to eat!

’This is insane...’