Chapter 470: The Meridian-Condensing Great Pill

June 3.

Green rice stalks swayed, sending out fine ripples.

The pond water carried a coolness amid the morning heat, lotus flowers fully bloomed, shimmering light dancing on the opened pink petals.

Wu Long lay on the ground, tongue lolling out.

Liang Qu lay half-submerged in the pond, legs spread, sitting in the shade beneath the eaves, peeling a large yellow peach, eating half at a bite, wiping juice from his lips, turning the pages of the book in his hand.

Returning to Pingyang Prefecture yesterday, I spent half the afternoon and half this morning gathering numerous messages and events.

Among them, four matters were important, all with written documents, neatly stacked beside Liang Qu.

One was a golden paper invitation from the Tianbo Merchant Association.

June 18, same as last year, the date unchanged.

It was said the Tianbo Merchant Association's auction always occurred at this time, unless special circumstances arose, it would not be easily altered.

The official delivering the invitation revealed that, with Pingyang County elevated to Pingyang Prefecture, the Tianbo Merchant Association's Southern Zhili headquarters had specifically provided local support—this year's annual auction would be more prosperous than last year's.

I must attend to auction my few mermaid tears.

Perhaps I'll encounter something as good as Jin Mu.

The second document was the prayer text and ritual procedure for the River God sacrifice.

The book Liang Qu was flipping through was this year's prayer text.

Village Elder Chen Zhao, upon hearing the River Patrol had returned, came specially this morning to deliver it—the entire procedure was largely unchanged.

The difference was that, compared to previous years, this year's was more solemn.

The procedure notice added many new minor details previously absent: a larger altar, invited opera troupes, more renowned music and ritual ensembles, professional attire.

When granaries are full, people learn propriety.

Backed by Pingyang Prefecture, Yixing Town grew increasingly wealthy, its population swelling so rapidly the entire town kept expanding outward.

Walking the streets, one often saw familiar faces of the town cradling infants.

With more money, the sacrificial ceremony inevitably grew larger; mishandling it would invite gossip from the villagers.

According to the procedure, Chen Zhao gathered select young men to compact a dirt path from the northern and southern towns to Yixing Town, and on June 6, he arranged numerous free carts to facilitate other villagers' travel to the ceremony!

Afterwards, he organized a grand market fair—everything done to maximize festivity.

For this matter, Liang Qu could only say: well done!

Since we know the dragon-demon dares not approach the shore, and I have the backing of Da Shun's Martial Saint, my immediate priority is to hoard as much favor as possible!

The more people attending the sacrifice, the better.

The fat catfish must not be moved; the round-headed ones have returned from the depths of the Great Marsh, not a moment to rest—drive them all out to find suitable offerings.

This year, I don't just want one early-stage great spirit monster—I want three, all mid-stage or higher!

Multiple approaches simultaneously: scale and quality both improved—favor level 1.5 is certain!

Auction, River God sacrifice.

Two important matters to handle.

The third document was no longer a pending task, but the official notification of reward for slaying the giant serpent in Xiangyi County!

The River Patrol arrived on May 30.

At that time, everyone was immersed in the anomalous qi of the Jianghuai Great Marsh, unaware of the news; only upon returning yesterday did we learn officially.

Simple and straightforward: one Ningmai Great Pill, plus three major merits.

The Ningmai Great Pill needs no explanation—its name says it all: upon first ingestion, it drastically shortens the time needed to cultivate new meridians, aiding Wolf Smoke martial artists in forming their meridians.

Three major merits are an irreplaceable strategic resource; items on the imperial court's merit exchange list possess unparalleled exclusive advantages.

Many items exist nowhere else.

I've completed several missions in succession, but this is the first time I've received three major merits at once.

The immense advantage of resolving cross-border incidents!

If three Great Martial Artists had gone, they might not have earned even one major merit.

Plop.

Ta Ta leapt from the old clamshell into the pond, splashing dense ripples.

Liang Qu set down the book, picked up the final letter beside him.

This was the fourth major matter—less important, yet unusual.

A challenge letter.

From Guan Guan Congjian of the Jiyao Si.

Liang Qu had some knowledge of this person.

After all, we all possess innate martial bones.

The River Patrol is full of half-martial-bone individuals; nearly all the second-generation elites from the capital do too.

During years unsuitable for martial training, they filled spare time with diverse studies, ingested various Great Pills, and used medicinal baths to reshape their bodies.

But true innate martial bones cannot be artificially acquired—they are exceedingly rare, often fewer than a handful per prefecture; yet due to concentration effects, martial bone prodigies are highly likely to gather in one place.

Not every region develops as rapidly as Pingyang Prefecture; talented youths often leave their hometowns to seek advancement in major prefectural cities.

Someone bearing martial bones would never be confined to a small township.

Pingyang Prefecture became a small peak of this concentration effect.

Within the River Patrol, Jiyao Si, and the Three Judicial Offices, all housed martial bone prodigies; Liang Qu routinely heard news of the others.

Jiyao Si had two: Qi Zhao Hongyuan and Guan Guan Congjian.

Qi Zhao Hongyuan possessed innate Liuli bone, trained under Grand Martial Artist Fei Baosu; previously he held the rank of Sixth-Rank Deputy Prosecutor of Jiyao Si, rumored to have been promoted this year to Fifth-Rank Chief Prosecutor.

Guan Guan Congjian possessed innate Four Symbols Qiu-jin bone, trained under Grand Martial Artist Master Helian Nianci, serving as Sixth-Rank Jiyao Agent.

The Three Judicial Offices had Zong Zong Lichan.

A female martial artist.

Liang Qu had heard little of her; she was quiet, but closely associated with Guan Guan Congjian, suspected of having a romantic relationship.

The challenge letter stated Guan Guan Congjian of Jiyao Si wished to set a date to fight him.

Date and location to be chosen freely; spectators optional; stakes to be proposed by himself.

"A martial fanatic?"

Liang Qu rubbed the challenge letter; its handwriting was messy, wildly bold, revealing the writer's personality.

Martial fanatics were not uncommon; even River Patrol Commander Wei Lin was half one.

He loved seeking out opponents to spar, win or lose didn't matter—he simply loved combat, like Jiang Ta.

Liang Qu wasn't afraid, but he wasn't interested.

He had never cared for fighting.

Even accepting an invitation to dinner required checking his schedule.

Invitations to fight? Forget it.

"No."

He folded the challenge letter, placed it beneath all other documents, then recited the prayer text to ensure he wouldn't stumble, miss words, or mispronounce them the day after tomorrow.

The sunlight shifted gradually.

The water temperature rose.

Wu Long lay for a while, ears twitched, then darted off in a black blur to play with the foolbird.

Splash!

Water splashed.

Long Pingjiang and Long Pinghe parted the lotus leaves, emerging from the water.

Liang Qu set down the prayer text.

"All taken care of? What positions did you two receive?"

Long Pingjiang bowed: "Director Ran said the official appointment process is underway; badges and uniforms are still being prepared. I've been appointed Seventh-Rank Supervisor of Water, and Pinghe is one rank below—he will now serve under you!"

Liang Qu nodded; he himself was also seventh-rank, but would soon be promoted.

"What about the others?"

"All assigned."

Long Pingjiang spoke seriously.

The Dragon Clan dispatched four Wolf Smoke Dragon Warriors and eighteen Running Horse Dragon Warriors.

Long Pingjiang held the highest rank among them: Seventh-Rank Supervisor of Water, commanding a portion of the troops; Long Pinghe came second.

Their subordinates were mostly soldiers of the Second, Third, or Fourth Gate—real authority.

The River Patrol did not give them empty titles.

The River Patrol actually had many martial artists; most were low-level, numerous soldiers handling logistics and routine defense.

After detailing the Dragon Clan's appointments, Long Pingjiang added: "There is one more matter…"

"What?"

"The Elder did not send only us two as your advance agents; two Dragon Maidens also wish to serve as your attendants at your residence. They are currently waiting in the Great Marsh, hesitant to arrive unannounced."

Liang Qu was slightly surprised.

Long Zong Yin made this arrangement?

He pondered for a moment.

"Bring them over."