Chapter 102: Crossing Mountains and Valleys

Xiong Zhigang dared to suggest going to the Jade-faced Rakshasa’s outlaw stronghold for clues because he knew exactly where it was.

This matter traces back to the last time he was dismissed and returned home.

The process was simple: he had been ‘invited’ to the stronghold as a guest.

That was why the Jade-faced Rakshasa recognized him at a glance.

To this, Chu Danqing could only say these people were truly brazen.

Xiong Zhigang had once been a general commanding heavy troops, yet the court showed no reaction—clearly someone intended to humiliate him and suppress this incident.

After storming the stronghold, this ragtag band was swiftly wiped clean.

They soon found several hidden secret letters in the Jade-faced Rakshasa’s chamber.

“The handwriting reveals no identity, but the location serves two purposes.”

“One is to occupy a strategic region; the other is…” Xiong Zhigang looked at Yuan Shanhu: “to target Elder Yuan.”

“What? My father?” Yuan Shanhu found it hard to believe; she didn’t understand why.

“Elder Yuan’s reputation is considerable, but it circulates only among elite martial artists,” Xiong Zhigang explained. “He lacks the power of great sects like Canluo Sect, and he remains independent, refusing to serve the court.”

“Naturally, he became a thorn in some people’s sides.”

“The Qiutan Party looks down on rural folk, let alone entrusting important roles to women.”

“The Jishi Factory, however, employs people without prejudice.”

“This is almost certainly the work of the Jishi Factory.”

“Killing me was merely to frame the Qiutan Party,” Xiong Zhigang quickly deduced.

If he died at the hands of outlaws, the Jishi Factory had countless ways to pin the blame on the Qiutan Party.

All that remained was to make the incident explode.

Yuan Chong was probably just collateral damage.

“If you’re right, then the White Wolf and his wife from the Western Snow Mountains might also be the Jishi Factory’s doing,” Chu Danqing suddenly mused.

“The possibility is high,” Xiong Zhigang said gravely.

“Xiao Chu, person!” Da Bao interrupted, and before Chu Danqing could respond, he dashed out.

Soon, sounds of combat echoed from outside.

Then Da Bao dragged a man in and threw him before the group.

“Here, eavesdropping,” Da Bao briefly explained.

Xiong Zhigang was about to speak when the man rolled his eyes, black blood trickled from his lips, and he died on the spot.

The entire sequence happened too fast for Da Bao to stop it.

Zhao Mingqian examined him and said: “He swallowed poison—hidden under his tongue.”

They then searched his body and found another secret letter.

As someone reached to open it, Yuan Shanhu stopped them.

“Wait—the letter is poisoned,” Yuan Shanhu took the letter and began extracting the poison with her unique method: “My mother’s arts were derived from poison techniques.”

“So I understand some similar methods.”

As she spoke, Yuan Shanhu cleared the poison from the letter, checked it twice to confirm safety, then handed it to Xiong Zhigang.

Xiong Zhigang took it, frowned deeply.

“The Jade-faced Rakshasa is Li Wanwu’s adopted daughter,” Xiong Zhigang revealed her identity.

Li Wanwu was the Jishi Factory’s Provincial Military Commander, the sharpest blade in the Emperor’s hand.

“There are likely many other powerful adopted kin like the Jade-faced Rakshasa,” Zhao Mingqian understood what Xiong Zhigang was implying.

With the court’s resources and the Jishi Factory’s endless supply of children, given enough time, they could mass-produce countless experts.

In truth, the place with the most experts isn’t any sect or outlaw band—it’s the court.

The Jade-faced Rakshasa’s uniqueness lies in her youth; had she been twenty years older, no one would have found it strange.

“The letter orders the Jade-faced Rakshasa to kill Elder Yuan within a month, then destroy Yuan Family Village and frame me,” Xiong Zhigang continued.

“Xiong Grand Coordinator, why are you like a cracked egg—why does every fly come to buzz around you?” Chu Danqing said, exasperated.

“Naturally, because of military power,” Xiong Zhigang said calmly. “Troops don’t appear out of thin air.”

When he returned, he’d have to redistribute authority—everyone only wanted to embezzle money, so his actions stood out starkly.

“Does this mean the Taichang Emperor can’t fully control the Jishi Factory?” Zhao Mingqian suddenly asked.

Xiong Zhigang spoke firmly: “That’s why I must return—to purge the court of traitors and restore clarity to the realm.”

“Then you’ll have to kill the Taichang Emperor too—he’s the real mastermind,” Chu Danqing’s words stunned everyone present.

In a monarchy, Chu Danqing’s words were outright treason.

The three fell silent; finally, Xiong Zhigang spoke: “We can no longer take the original route to the capital—we’d be dragged down by them.”

“I know a shortcut—it’s remote and treacherous, but it’ll save us at least five days.”

“And changing our route will help us shake off their pursuit.”

The repeated attacks had begun to wear on Xiong Zhigang.

Though we’ve been fighting back, one misstep will be fatal.

Chu Danqing was reluctant—the new route was safer, but the rewards would drop sharply.

Still, he said nothing; time was time, and reaching the capital might yield greater gains.

After unanimous agreement, they set fire to the outlaw stronghold to prevent others from occupying it and continuing their chaos.

On the road, Chu Danqing found an opportunity to open the Jade-faced Rakshasa’s treasure chest.

【You opened: Treasure Chest (Excellent), obtained: Skill Book (Basic Sword Art), Paradise Points ×2900, Paradise Points ×2900】

【Skill Book: Basic Sword Art】

【Type: Basic Skill】

【Quality: None】

【Effect: Upon use, gain the skill Basic Sword Art, increasing sword damage and combat technique】

The reward pleased him—basic close-combat skills plus Basic Sword Art were far beyond what ordinary Apostles could afford.

Only the wealthy could buy them.

Yet he was considering something: what if he gave the basic skill to Guo Ming?

Guo Ming’s situation was unusual—his combat style was composite; besides close combat and sword art, he needed a ranged combat foundation.

‘If I can gather them all, I won’t sell them—I’ll give them to Guo Ming,’ Chu Danqing murmured.

The Ascension Trial’s difficulty was high; the stronger Guo Ming became, the more confident Chu Danqing would be in achieving the Five-Attribute breakthrough.

Even if he sold them, he’d still grow stronger—it was better to skip the process entirely.

The Blood Oath Contract was expensive, but it saved resources.

He didn’t need to bear the resource cost of his oath partner.

As for inability to learn? Just trade it back for resources.

“With all this mountain-crossing, can we really save five days?” Chu Danqing asked, using the Thorned Nine-Joint Staff to summon thorny vines to clear the path.

This equipment still had flaws—the summoned vines needed to root.

They couldn’t root into Chu Danqing himself—he couldn’t endure rooting every ten seconds.

So they rooted into the Thorned Nine-Joint Staff, and since they were living creatures with aggression and protective commands, Chu Danqing was spared much trouble.

Of course, if Chu Danqing had enough strength, he could throw the vines onto enemies to root and inflict secondary damage.

The Nine-Joint Staff resembled a cane, but with two meters of thorny vines attached, it now looked more like a whip.

The vines’ stats weren’t high, but thanks to Chu Danqing’s Summoning Base and Five Elements Spirit Beast Scripture, they were far from the level of the former Chiangui.

【Thorny Vines】

【Attributes】

【HP: 100%】

【Energy: None】

【Strength: 3】

【Agility: 1】

【Constitution: 3】

【Spirit: 1】

【Perception: 2】

【Talent】

【Protect Master】

【Skill】

【Whip Lash (Passive) LV.10】

Chu Danqing was satisfied—six permanent summons without consuming mana, even if they rotated; their intelligence in attack and defense far surpassed the Five Elements Orbs.

The Five Elements Orbs moved on fixed paths when uncontrolled, but the thorny vines remained alert twenty-four hours a day and could be freely guided while rooted to the Thorned Nine-Joint Staff.

“Yes, I’ve traveled this path several times before,” Xiong Zhigang said. “It will be arduous for you, Master Chu, to trek these mountains with us.”

Horses can’t climb it, let alone carriages.

As for the horses and carriage, Xiong Zhigang had his old servant handle them.

Thus, only the five of them set out.

“No problem, but I just want to ask—what’s that bird up there?” Chu Danqing pointed upward at a black dot in the sky.

It’s been following us since we crossed the mountains—could it be tracking us?

At these words, everyone looked up together, and sure enough, a dark dot circled above them.

“Master Chu, let the Horned Water Dragon knock it down,” Zhao Ming said without hesitation.

But Xiong Zhigang studied it carefully, feeling a sense of familiarity, yet he agreed with Zhao Ming’s assessment.

Chu Danqing estimated the distance and shook his head: “Too far. We can’t reach it.”

As if sensing their intent, the black dot circled a few more times before flying away.

Xiong Zhigang calculated the direction it flew off and said at once: “If it really was sent to track us, the person may be waiting for us down the mountain.”

“Can this even be leaked?” Chu Danqing said in disbelief.

“I think I might know who it is,” Xiong Zhigang said. “Someone who knows this shortcut, can train hawks, and understands me.”

“There’s exactly one such person who once served under me.”

Xiong Zhigang’s change of route was a last-minute decision; the Qiutan Faction and the Secret Investigation Office couldn’t possibly station agents everywhere—they simply didn’t have enough manpower.

“Tsk. With your situation, even if you reach the capital, you won’t last long,” Chu Danqing remarked. Even your old subordinates have turned against you—what advantage do you still have?

“Perhaps they’ve come to meet us,” Xiong Zhigang smiled. “Master Chu, my restoration wasn’t just the Emperor’s choice—it was aided by others.”

(End of Chapter)