Chapter 105: The Ominous Name Suddenly Leaks

Sanyin Temple, quiet room.

A White Bone Magic Tool with a ferocious design lay amidst a pile of eerie white bones; several skulls arranged in a 'pin' shape were particularly striking. Under the dim light, the five skulls on the White Bone Magic Tool seemed to come alive, opening their jaws to begin gnawing on the surrounding bones.

Crack, crack.

A series of hair-raising gnawing sounds drifted through the quiet room, like a demon's lair; if anyone else were to see this, they would likely be frightened into a faint.

Chen Ci refined his own Dharma Artifact while closing his eyes and chanting incantations. Only after the White Bone Heart-Lock Hammer had devoured all the bones did he slowly finish his practice and exhale a breath of turbid air.

The gold-jade texture on the White Bone Heart-Lock Hammer had improved by another notch, clearly showing progress in his cultivation.

However, there was not much joy on Chen Ci's face.

White Bone Heart-Lock Hammer: 1st layer of Prohibition / 51 / 100

"What a sin, but this Bone Great Strength Restriction does indeed progress quite quickly when there are enough white bones. I fear that in another month or so, I will be able to advance another level."

Chen Ci sighed. Although his Five Yin Evil Qi Bag was not exactly a righteous path either, it was at least passable. He practiced it in his own courtyard using livestock, so he was not afraid of others seeing it.

But ever since he obtained this White Bone Heart-Lock Hammer, he had to sneak into the quiet room in the dead of night to refine it. The main issue was that the method for refining this thing was truly unsettling. Even though the white bones were bought from the Changping County Yizhuang, it was always right to keep things low-profile.

Even though Chen Ci had taken some measures, forcing the wealthy families of Changping County to donate grain, there were still no shortage of people frozen to death on the side of the road. The Cripple Old Daoist had filled the Yizhuang to the brim with unclaimed corpses that died suddenly this winter, not to mention that a large patch of graves had appeared in Baihua Lin, so there was no need to worry about a shortage of white bones in the short term.

"Sigh, as long as my heart is at peace. Although I benefit, I am passive."

Chen Ci shook his head and put the matter to the back of his mind, choosing not to think about it. Fortunately, it was already the end of February or the beginning of March, the season for spring planting. If the refugees could clear some wasteland and add to the household population, those wealthy families would be happy to invest more, so he would not need to worry about anything else.

"Driving people with force can only solve things for a moment; driving people with profit can make things last."

Chen Ci stood up and put away the White Bone Heart-Lock Hammer. He really had quite a few items on his person now; if his Daoist robe hadn't been cleverly designed, it would have been quite inconvenient. He wondered when he would be able to find a Mount Sumeru Mustard Seed Dharma Artifact.

"I'll take some time to prepare the Black Jade Rice seeds. With the experience from last year, it will be much more convenient this year. It's just that the yin land is too small, only two and a half fen. If I could have an acre, that would be truly delightful."

The yin land at Sanyin Temple was fine for growing some Black Jade Spirit Rice, but it was somewhat unsuitable for more temperate spirit rice like Yellow Sprout Rice. Although the price difference between the two was negligible, it was still a bit troublesome for Chen Ci to exchange them, and he would likely have to pay a depreciation fee to the shopkeeper.

Buying and selling are never the same; those unscrupulous merchants would never let a chance to make money slip by.

"True Person Chen, this is this month's Abyssal Sinking Sand."

The Head of the Family of the Huang Family, Huang Yongxing, offered a bag of Five Elements Divine Sand with both hands, his attitude respectful.

Chen Ci took the divine sand and pondered for a moment; this frost sugar supply business seemed to have been going on for nearly a year and a half.

Has time passed so quickly?

How did it feel like the Abyssal Sinking Sand worth over two hundred thousand taels of silver hadn't even warmed up yet? His own life was lived a bit too shabbily. Moreover, in another year or so, his frost sugar business would be bought out, and his largest and most stable monthly income would naturally be gone.

A slight sense of urgency rose in Chen Ci's heart. His steady improvement in cultivation was largely due to this monthly Abyssal Sinking Sand. If his pill cultivation could not keep up by then, his life would not be easy.

"Speak, what is it?"

Chen Ci set the Abyssal Sinking Sand aside, his eyes narrowed, thinking about something. He weighed the bag of Five Elements Divine Sand slightly and knew it was two catties heavier than usual. With over two thousand taels of silver in hand, it certainly wasn't a free tribute.

"I dare to disturb you today, True Person, but this matter might really require True Person Chen to step in."

Huang Yongxing wore a bitter smile: "Didn't the county receive a batch of refugees fleeing the disaster this year? Everyone squeezed out their family's food to help them survive the winter. Naturally, they are to be taken as tenant farmers in the spring to clear wasteland, or taken as servants in the house to do chores..."

"Get to the point."

Chen Ci frowned and gave a light, stern shout.

"Yes, yes."

Huang Yongxing hurriedly said: "Now that spring has arrived, someone from the neighboring county has come to demand the people, saying these refugees are all farmers on their land. If we delay their master's industry, we cannot afford the consequences. And that person said his master is also a True Person of the He Mountain Sect."

Chen Ci understood as soon as he heard it.

Things like population and household registration were very precious. Even if some He Mountain Sect Apprentices truly treated commoners like cattle and horses, it was troublesome if the cattle and horses ran away; worldly industries also required manpower to manage.

As for this matter, it mainly depended on whether Chen Ci was willing to stand up for the wealthy families in Changping County. After all, the other side was also an Outer Sect Disciple of the He Mountain Sect, and could be considered to be from the same sect as him.

"How many refugees did the county receive?"

Chen Ci thought for a moment and suddenly asked.

"Uh, about twenty thousand or so."

"Why so many?"

Chen Ci was also a bit surprised. If this were in Changping County, the population would have suddenly dropped by one-fifth; he would also go to reason with them: "Can the county's grain reserves support them?"

"No."

Huang Yongxing explained in a low voice: "To let you know, True Person, the Ma Family Village also didn't have enough population to take over Qingquan Village. They originally only wanted to plant the core Medicine Field, but they took the opportunity to take over ten thousand people, which basically got Qingquan Village up and running."

The Huang Family had acted as the bridge for this matter.

The Ma Family needed the Spirit Spring Medicine Field to grow spirit herbs to extend their Ancestor's life. The Spirit Spring water was limited and could not supply the needs of both Lin Banshan and the Ma Family Ancestor. However, the herbs needed by the Huang Family only required soaking the seeds, so some peripheral Medicine Fields were not impossible to negotiate.

"We wouldn't dare make things difficult for you, True Person. It's just that the person wants too many refugees, so we wanted to ask you to come forward and mediate."

Huang Yongxing gritted his teeth: "If you are willing to come forward, the Huang Family is willing to provide you with one catty of Abyssal Sinking Sand every month."

A strange look flashed in Chen Ci's eyes. What kind of medicine business was this old fellow's family doing in Qingquan Village to be so profitable?

However, this matter did have something to do with him. After all, the wealthy families in the county could be considered to be working for him, and there would be no lack of dealings in the future. If the people's hearts were scattered, Chen Ci would have to use more methods if anything else happened, which would also be troublesome.

As for that cheap fellow disciple, a minor character whose name he didn't even know, what use was there for him?

"Take my post back. If anyone comes to demand them, tell them to come to Sanyin Temple and find me personally."

Chen Ci gave the Head of the Huang Family a post from Sanyin Temple and sent him away. Being able to get an extra catty of Abyssal Sinking Sand every month was an unexpected joy.

"It seems that no matter where you are, industries related to medicine are quite profitable."

Chen Ci gave a light 'tsk', then smiled bitterly. Seeing others make a lot of money in business, why was it so hard when he did it himself?

Aside from having too much of a conscience to be an unscrupulous merchant, there was probably no other reason. Sigh.

Five days later.

Chen Ci was in the backyard refining his Five Yin Evil Qi Bag, using gold energy to refine the Black Sha, when a light sound came from outside the door.

"Reporting to Master, a True Person surnamed Xiao has arrived outside and wishes to see you."

A True Person surnamed Xiao?

Good fellow, you really did come.

You must know that in the circle of cultivators, not agreeing is a refusal; since we are fellow apprentices, why make things ugly and lose face?

Chen Ci touched the White Bone Heart-Lock Hammer at his waist, then chuckled silently; such a small matter, and between fellow apprentices, it shouldn't come to that.

"Go invite Daoist Xiao in; let us not lose decorum."

Chen Ci gave the order, and after finishing his circulation of Qi, he leisurely went to the front hall, prepared to meet this fellow apprentice—the distant kind.

In the hall was a middle-aged Daoist with a slightly plump figure, looking to be in his forties or fifties, his hair tied in a Daoist bun, with a dignified appearance, a jade-colored complexion, and a short beard under his jaw; looking at his skin alone, he was not bad.

Although he wore Daoist robes, he did not look like a proper Daoist, but rather like a wealthy man practicing cultivation at home.

Chen Ci had originally thought this person had come to hold him accountable and that his attitude would surely be poor, but he did not expect that upon seeing Chen Ci, the Daoist would take the initiative, raise his hands in a salute, and smile sheepishly: "Senior Apprentice Brother Chen, I wrote you a letter some days ago, but the tone was a bit poor and my voice was a bit loud; I hope Senior Apprentice Brother will not take offense. A small, meager gift, I hope Senior Apprentice Brother will not laugh at it."

After speaking, he presented a gift box; although he did not know what was inside, it did not look shabby on the outside.

Chen Ci: "."

No, are apprentices of the He Mountain Sect this polite when doing things?

Although they both belonged to the He Mountain Outer Transmission, his constant "Senior Apprentice Brother" this and "Senior Apprentice Brother" that had made Chen Ci feel old. Chen Ci sensed this person's cultivation slightly; he had about thirty-odd apertures, and although slightly worse than Chen Ci, there was no need to be this polite.

It actually left him a bit at a loss.

"Senior Apprentice Brother Xiao, please sit. I don't have many guests on ordinary days; please forgive the crude tea."

Chen Ci was momentarily unsure of this person's intentions, but one does not strike a smiling face, so he put aside his initial wariness. The two chatted for a few sentences, and it was quite harmonious, looking somewhat like fellow apprentices.

"That, Senior Apprentice Brother Chen."

Xiao Yucheng stroked his short beard, his tone slightly lower, and said politely: "My visit this time is an uninvited request. The population and household registration in my Xiang Shan Xian have decreased quite severely this past year. In the past, it wouldn't have been a big deal, but now it is a bit troublesome. Many of those refugees have come to your Changping County, Senior Apprentice Brother. Could you let me take five thousand people back? I hope Senior Apprentice Brother can make things convenient."

After a pause, Xiao Yucheng added: "I know this might affect your cultivation and training, Senior Apprentice Brother. I am willing to use silver to redeem them, is that possible?"

Chen Ci: "."

He felt something was wrong, but since things had reached this point, Chen Ci, with his temperament of eating soft but not hard, really couldn't refuse, and he couldn't flip the table either.

Sigh, he had lost himself in the constant "Senior Apprentice Brother" calls.

"Cough, forget the silver. Senior Apprentice Brother Xiao, you can take three thousand people back."

Chen Ci thought for a moment and set a number; when the time came, he would let the Huang Family give up some benefits to compensate the others, which wouldn't be a big deal.

"Three thousand people will do. I won't make things difficult for Senior Apprentice Brother Chen."

Xiao Yucheng thought for a moment and agreed. It seemed he hadn't expected Chen Ci to be so easy to talk to. While he felt relieved, he also felt closer to Chen Ci; even among fellow apprentices, there would be degrees of closeness, which was very normal.

The two chatted a bit more. Xiao Yucheng looked at the sky and said apologetically: "Senior Apprentice Brother Chen, there are many things to do in Xiang Shan County recently, so I won't disturb you further. In the future, when you have time, come to my Fuxiang Temple; I will definitely sweep the bed to welcome you. Immortal wine and beautiful concubines, I have nothing more to say."

"Easy to say, easy to say."

Chen Ci laughed it off and saw him to the door. This kind of cheap fellow apprentice's deliberate attempt to be friendly might not be useful, but getting a familiar face didn't hurt; who knew, he might be a potential customer for his own pills in the future.

Speaking of which, his own Longevity Pills might have great potential in the He Mountain Sect. It was just that the various counties were a bit far, but it wasn't impossible to develop a door-to-door delivery service.

Of course, that would cost extra.

Chen Ci was thinking about the feasibility of this matter when Xiao Yucheng, about to turn around, hesitated on his face, and finally said in a low voice: "Senior Apprentice Brother Chen, it might be abrupt for me to say this, but while brave and diligent progress is good, one still needs to be low-key when practicing methods that involve killing. After all, this is not He Mountain. Although the things on the Fuhu Altar's Golden Register are tempting, the Liang Kingdom still respects Longhu Mountain, and there is human order."

Chen Ci: "."

Practicing methods that involve killing, low-key?

Chen Ci's expression was a bit blank, but in Xiao Yucheng's eyes, it became expressionless. He immediately smiled sheepishly: "I just said it casually, Senior Apprentice Brother, please don't take it to heart."

"Senior Apprentice Brother Xiao, where does this 'practicing methods that involve killing' come from?"

Chen Ci pondered for a moment, feeling that his reputation had been poisoned. As the dignified He Mountain Light, practicing methods that involve killing—wasn't that a joke?

Refining some Essence Refining from death-row prisoners—did that even count as a thing in the He Mountain Sect?

"Ah, yes, yes, yes, none."

Xiao Yucheng stroked his short beard and thought for a moment: "However, the matter of you offering thousands or tens of thousands of drops of Essence Refining at once has already spread among the Outer Transmission fellow apprentices. Your fierce... cough, your prestige is like thunder to the ears. However, Senior Apprentice Brother, you should still be careful about such things; if there are any loose ends, you should handle them well. Although Senior Apprentice Brother Hutou has supreme cultivation, in reality... he is a bit ungrateful... I've said too much, I've said too much."

Chen Ci's expression changed many times, and in the end, a thousand words turned into a single curse.

Who the hell leaked this!

Fuhu Altar?

Or was there another intention?

"Ungrateful... that shouldn't be the case. That cheap Senior Apprentice Brother is currently in the investment stage with me and hasn't seen a return yet, so he definitely wouldn't act ungratefully. At least wait until we cross the river to tear down the bridge."

Chen Ci took a deep breath and suppressed the thoughts in his heart.

"Or is he trying to tie me to him? But I seek Longevity, and Senior Apprentice Brother Hutou already knows this. With the Five Ghosts Possession Great Method and the Five Yin Demon Arts in hand, there is no need to use such means."

Subconsciously touching the White Bone Heart-Lock Hammer, Chen Ci shook his head, threw the distracting thoughts to the back of his mind, and spat fiercely: "Damn it, if I find out who is ruining my reputation, I will definitely smash their dog head. Even a Primordial Spirit True Monarch won't be able to save them, I said it!"

(End of chapter)