Chapter 13: Huang Deyou

The next day, after school, Jiang Ding wandered aimlessly through the city.

“Baozi for sale…”

“Pancakes… wonton…”

Jiang Ding’s hand rested on his sword hilt; the morning air carried the scent of street snacks, but he had no desire to taste them—he wouldn’t eat food from another world.

Among the passersby were wealthy families in silk, solid households in plain cloth, laborers and apprentices in short tunics—all wore decent expressions; there were beggars, but few.

Many martial artists carried swords or knives; when accidentally bumped by pedestrians, they merely cursed, and no blood was spilled.

“From the perspective of an ancient feudal society, this should count as a golden age?” Jiang Ding thought silently: “This Marquis of Zhendong is a capable, virtuous minister—deeply beloved by the people. With such low productivity, yet still managing to suppress martial sects, local strongmen, and corrupt officials… it’s impressive.”

Jiang Ding sighed, pulled out a little over seventeen taels of silver from his pouch, and handed it to him: “Start collecting from now. I need it by tomorrow, and also fix up the shopfront and such.”

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The green-clad servant said softly: “The Four Seas Guild is a merchant association, always seeking harmony for profit. As long as no one kills members of the Long family, there’s usually no bloodshed—most retaliation comes through blocking trade routes or raising prices. So being suppressed in certain places is only natural.”

With nothing else to do, Jiang Ding followed the crowd.

The green-clad servant whispered: “This Mo family forge fits your needs perfectly—the storefront is over three zhang wide, with a small courtyard behind where fruits, vegetables, and herbs are grown. Previously, people paid fifteen or sixteen taels to rent it; now you can have it for just five taels.”

“One day is enough.”

Jiang Ding handed him a ten-tael silver ingot, then took another two or three taels.

Below the stage, an old man coughed, interrupting his grand speech.

“The rent is one tael per month. I’ve prepaid three months using your silver. If you’re unsatisfied, I’ll find someone else for you.”

“Greetings, esteemed guest (proprietor).” The two bowed to each other.

Huang Gui bowed deeply and left.

Following the crowd as he wandered, a neatly dressed green-clad servant approached and bowed: “Greetings, Young Master. I’m Huang Gui of the Four Seas Guild—call me Xiao Gui.”

“Feixue Immortal… is she from the Seven Mysteries Sect?”

“This is only the beginning. One day, I will shatter all my enemies with my staff, ascend Golden Iron Mountain, and rescue…”

“Naturally, though it’s a pity our Dongling Prefecture has produced only one Dragon-Feng List prodigy—who may one day reach the Primordial Realm.”

“Why else? One is the young master of Dragon-Tiger Martial Hall, the other the young master of Righteousness Gang. They’ve despised each other since childhood, both vying for the Dragon-Feng List’s ‘Feixue Immortal,’ evenly matched. Today, both broke through simultaneously and each sought to prove superiority—only to find the other had done the same.”

They’d just met, barely knew each other, yet he’d already entrusted him with such a large sum of silver.

“My Righteousness Gang’s young master, ‘Righteousness Blade’ Yang Dong, is no weakling either!”

Huang Gui forced a smile.

Huang Deyou touched the silver and was startled.

“Forgive me, esteemed guest!” The green-clad servant panicked: “I….”

Even if there was some ulterior motive, they’d been upfront about the price—and it was indeed much cheaper.

“I wish to rent a shop with a storefront for selling goods and living quarters behind. A remote location is fine. Rent around ten taels per year—do you have anything like that?”

“Why are these two fighting?” someone asked.

“How much should I pay for one such specimen?”

The short, stout man bowed: “I’m Huang Deyou, honored proprietor.”

Jiang Ding saw nothing unusual and nodded.

Jiang Ding’s gaze fell on two young martial artists, clad in black and white training attire, battling—both exuded the aura of early Foundation Establishment.

Jiang Ding asked again: “What’s the monthly wage for an experienced general store manager these days?”

“The River Monkey” Yuan Ye snorted, ignored his defeated opponent, and leapt off the stage.

He was far weaker than even his own Foundation Establishment classmates, let alone Gong Caiyu or the iron-spear warrior he’d encountered before.

“These two are both jewels of Dongling Prefecture. If honed for a few more years, they may well make the Dragon-Feng List!”

“Huang Brother, how is the Four Seas Guild handling the Tiger Mountain bandits?” Jiang Ding asked with a smile. The man looked about twenty-six or twenty-seven—calling him “Xiao Gui” wouldn’t do.

Jiang Ding shoved the silver into Huang Gui’s arms and stepped into the dusty shop.

He was merely a commoner, with no power or wealth—relying entirely on the Immortal Sect’s platform, no better than the other.

“Huang Guanxi used to handle medicinal herbs—this suits him well…”

The next day, he opened the shop door; dust scattered.

“Huang Brother…”

…

…

“Only one thing.”

“Not quite.”

Jiang Ding exclaimed: “One copper coin for two? Isn’t that too little?”

The storefront was about one zhang wide; the backyard held only two small rooms, barely enough for a few people.

“Fine, that’s settled. Whatever’s left is yours.”

Yuan Ye grew energized.

“Oh? Is Tiger Mountain such a powerful force?” Jiang Ding was surprised. From his inquiries, the Four Seas Guild was a major association even across Yue State—not something Long San had exaggerated. Jiang Ding said coolly: “Each specimen must be complete—no damage to roots, stems, or leaves. Understood?”

“Allow me to introduce,” Huang Gui hurriedly said. “This is my cousin, Huang Deyou. He previously managed herb procurement for the Four Seas Guild. After Master Long arrived, he replaced him with his own loyal men, so Huang Deyou was left idle.”

Outside the door stood two men, dew-soaked, having waited for who knew how long.

“Huang Brother, who is this?”

“Your guild’s foresight is admirable.”

The green-clad servant thought a moment: “Esteemed guest, this way, please.”

Huang Gui considered: “Five hundred copper coins or more. The more experienced and accomplished the manager, the higher the wage—also depends on shop size.”

“Do you know him?” Jiang Ding smiled.

Soon, the two arrived before a forge with its door sealed shut.

He handed over the specimen board he’d prepared the day before.

The surrounding martial artists murmured; young warriors gazed with envy.

He paused, thinking.

“Can this be done?”

“The work here may often be looked down upon,” Jiang Ding flattered. “Yet it can spread everywhere, never provoking local authorities, earning the name ‘Four Seas.’”

“Fine, that’s settled. Thank you, Huang Brother.”

“No, it’s fine.”

“Righteousness Blade” Yang Dong’s face darkened.

Huang Deyou took the specimen board, puzzled but asked nothing, studied it carefully: “Proprietor, yes—it’s possible. The Four Seas Guild’s herb gatherers can easily do this. Ordinary people can too, but they’ll need training.”

“It’s plenty, Proprietor,” Huang Deyou said seriously. “A sheng of rice costs only twenty-one or twenty-two copper coins. Working six or seven hours a day earns two sheng! We’re not gathering herbs from deep mountains—wild grasses grow everywhere by the roadside.”

Ding! As he spoke, “The River Monkey” Yuan Ye smashed his copper staff, knocking the long knife flying—the staff halted above his opponent’s head. He declared proudly: “Even ‘Righteousness Blade’ is nothing!”

The crowd lost interest and dispersed; Jiang Ding did the same.

Somewhere, a crowd gathered—mostly martial artists armed with weapons.

“Alright, that’s settled.”

Huang Deyou pondered long, then said: “Proprietor, if it’s someone like me—a skilled herb gatherer—we can harvest and prepare ten or more specimens in half an hour. The only delay is finding them. Since we don’t buy duplicates, one copper coin for two specimens is fine at first.”

The two turned corners, passed through clean stone-paved streets, then stepped onto muddy paths. The crowd’s clothing grew shabbier, patched, and puddles dotted the road.

Swords and staffs clashed—words fail to describe it.

Jiang Ding was somewhat satisfied. His movements were always unpredictable; it was best when others showed discretion. He turned to a short, stout man behind Huang Gui.

Jiang Ding waved: “Find another. Smaller is fine.”

“There’s a small gang nearby called Wild Wolf Gang. One of their minor leaders, Liu Qi, has repeatedly tried to buy this property cheaply, harassing the owner until his forge business collapsed. If you open a shop here, you’ll likely face him too.”

“There’s just a bit of loose ends…” “Huang Brother, go on,” Jiang Ding said coolly.

“Please look.”

“Good morning.”

“The owner wants nine taels. In my view, seven taels should do,” Huang Gui said apologetically.

Jiang Ding paused, then stated his request: “I wish to collect plant specimens—any kind. Each must be complete: roots, stems, leaves intact, roughly like this.”

“Cough!”

“No wonder he’s called ‘The River Monkey’ Yuan Ye—so young and already broke through to Foundation Establishment. He must have received the true teachings of Grandpa Yuan, the ‘Heaven-Turning Monkey.’”

“Primordial Realm? How easily said…”

“Make it one copper coin per specimen.”

!.

“The original owner has vanished. Just give me the contract. Handle the paperwork with the authorities. Also, how many days will it take to clean, arrange, and hire a manager for my general store?”

But he preferred not to cause trouble.

“You flatter me too much—call me Xiao Gui,” the green-clad servant hurriedly said.

“Report to the esteemed guest: our White Sustainer has already led a team up the mountain,” the green-clad servant said carefully. “White Sustainer is a fully accomplished Foundation Establishment expert—he will force Tiger Mountain to pay heavy compensation and guarantee they’ll no longer attack Four Seas Guild caravans after collecting tolls.”

Before even approaching, the sharp clashing of metal weapons echoed from a stage, surrounded by a circle of martial artists watching.

Jiang Ding wasn’t surprised the Four Seas Guild had found him. His features were distinctive; if they were as powerful as claimed, locating him was easy.

“Hmph!”

The two turned corners, passed through clean stone-paved streets, then stepped onto muddy paths. The crowd’s clothing grew shabbier, patched, and puddles dotted the road.

Huang Deyou’s expression turned serious: “Proprietor, rest assured—these eyes of mine have inspected medicinal herbs for years; not the slightest error will slip by!”

“Mm.”

Jiang Ding fell silent, his hand lightly caressing the sword hilt, lost in thought.

Huang Deyou bowed slightly and went to summon people to get to work.

(End of Chapter)