Chapter 793: Petals Rain

Feng Daiku spent the entire day setting Ma Wu’s leg; although Ma Wu could not walk, he had not forgotten to cultivate.

Feng Daiku was deeply worried: “Wu Lang, don’t move around—let me handle it. The tendons have just been reconnected; you must be extremely careful.”

After cultivating for two hours, Ma Wu took a short break when his subordinates reported that Shen Rongqing had come to visit.

Feng Daiku smiled faintly: “Another beauty has come to dote on you.”

Ma Wu shook his head: “I don’t want to see her today.”

Feng Daiku pinched Ma Wu’s nose: “Don’t overthink it—I’m not the jealous type. You ought to see her; she might reveal something useful. Just be careful—not a single scratch on your leg.”

After Feng Daiku left, Ma Wu had someone bring Shen Rongqing in.

Seeing Ma Wu lying in bed, Shen Rongqing asked anxiously: “Junyang, what happened?”

Ma Wu smiled: “How did you hear I was in trouble?”

“I just heard about it.”

Shen Rongqing felt nothing amiss, but Ma Wu was uneasy—he had not contacted her since returning to Lüshui City. Why had she arrived so promptly?

It wasn’t Shen Rongqing’s fault—she was a key member of the Handfoot Alliance and a prominent figure in Pulu Province. When Ma Wu was carried off the train yesterday, such an important piece of news would have reached her through her channels.

Shen Rongqing came to visit Ma Wu with no ulterior motive, but Ma Wu now held deep hostility toward He Jiaqing.

“Junyang, how exactly did you injure your leg?”

Ma Wu smiled lightly: “Been busy these past two days—accidentally slipped and fell. Probably strained some tendons and bones. A few days’ rest will fix it.”

Shen Rongqing exhaled deeply: “I heard rumors your tendons were severed—I was terrified.”

Ma Wu said: “It troubles me that you’re so concerned.”

They chatted for a while, then fell silent. Shen Rongqing sensed something was off about Ma Wu.

Just then, the button on her chest vibrated. She rose to take her leave; Ma Wu merely said, “I’m unable to see you off,” without trying to keep her.

Outside Xiaoyao Wu , Shen Rongqing tightened the button. She assumed it was He Jiaqing contacting her—but it was a spy assigned to monitor Zhang Xiuling: “Miss Shen, the Hundred Flowers Garden is raining petals.”

Shen Rongqing looked up—the sky was perfectly clear. How could it be raining?

Besides, it was time for snow, not rain.

The spy explained: “This isn’t ordinary rain—it’s a petal rain. Zhang Xiuling is hosting a tea party in the garden. Seems like a major event. Would you like to come see?”

A petal rain in the Hundred Flowers Garden was indeed a major event.

Shen Rongqing hurried to the garden. Petals covered every inch of ground—each one vivid and plump. She picked one up, squeezed it—it cracked sharply, spraying fragrant nectar across her palms. She hesitated to step further into the garden, unwilling to crush such beauty.

Once, Zhang Xiuling had invited a Grass Cultivator to alter the blooming cycles, making all the flowers bloom on the same day.

Shen Rongqing had witnessed that spectacle—but even then, the Hundred Flowers Garden had never been as dazzling as today.

The tea party was lively; many prominent figures had come. But this festivity wasn’t for everyone to understand—it had nothing to do with status or cultivation level.

The Lu family sent many guests—Lu Chunying, Duan Shaoxia, and Lu Yuanxin all praised the garden’s petals, but only as something pretty.

Only Xiao Ye Ci understood the deeper meaning—but she could not speak of it.

You Tao stepped forward and pinched Xiao Ye Ci’s cheek: “Why do I sense you’re troubled?”

Xiao Ye Ci replied solemnly: “I’m not troubled at all. Aren’t these flowers beautiful?”

You Tao whispered: “Are you uncomfortable speaking here? Why don’t we go home first—you can tell me alone.”

As she spoke, You Tao wrapped her arm around Xiao Ye Ci’s waist.

“Go home with you first?” Xiao Ye Ci blushed. “No, better not. Miss Xiuling invited us—leaving early would be rude.”

Chu Huaiyuan had also been invited. She stared at the petals scattered everywhere, feeling she’d heard of some saying about them—but she couldn’t recall.

She spotted Master Lu sitting in a corner of the garden and approached him: “Master Lu, this petal rain must carry some meaning—I just can’t remember what.”

Master Lu seemed to think deeply for a moment: “I recall it’s connected to the Hundred Flowers Sect—but exactly how, I can’t remember.”

Chu Huaiyuan glared at Master Lu.

How could he forget? He was refusing to speak plainly!

Zhang Xiuling was busy greeting guests when a subordinate whispered: “Miss Shen has arrived.”

“Rongqing! You’ve finally come!” Zhang Xiuling rushed to the garden gate. “I’ve been waiting for you!”

“Waiting for me?” Shen Rongqing smiled. “Xiuling’er, you didn’t even send me an invitation.”

Zhang Xiuling was astonished: “I didn’t send invitations—I only sent people to invite guests personally. I dispatched someone to Yingye Company.”

Shen Rongqing nodded: “Then perhaps they couldn’t find me—I wasn’t at the company today.”

“Then it’s not my fault! Don’t pick on me over etiquette—come, sit down!”

Shen Rongqing sat in the garden for a while, drank a cup of tea, informed Zhang Xiuling she was leaving, and departed without further words.

She loved flowers—this scene today was one she might never see again in her life.

But she felt uneasy. Everyone here seemed to harbor some hostility toward her.

More importantly, she had urgent business. Back at Yingye Company, she immediately contacted He Jiaqing—and kept trying until late into the night.

Finally, she heard He Jiaqing’s voice:

“Rongqing, what is it?”

Shen Rongqing knew He Jiaqing was busy and spoke briefly: “The Hundred Flowers Garden is raining petals—that’s the Hundred Flowers Sect...”

He Jiaqing cut her off: “I don’t have time for this now!”

The connection ended.

Shen Rongqing tugged at her hair.

She pulled a pack of cigarettes from her drawer, lit one, and drew a deep, harsh drag.

She coughed for a long time—she rarely smoked. This pack had been given to her by Ma Wu.

Now Ma Wu had changed. So had Zhang Xiuling.

Because she worked for He Jiaqing, everyone seemed to shun her—and yet He Jiaqing wouldn’t even let her finish speaking.

“Fine, if you won’t listen, then I’ll save my breath!” She coughed twice, then suddenly laughed—

a laugh filled with bitterness.

He Jiaqing was indeed busy—the new land reclamation had reached a critical stage.

He had fully leveraged the resources and wealth of Neizhou, bringing all thirteen territories to eighty percent development.

Now, at the crucial phase of converting new land into official territory, no mistake could be tolerated. When Shen Rongqing told him about the petal rain, he assumed it was another talented woman’s frivolous fancy. At such a time, how could he care?

But Shu Wanjuan cared deeply. He specifically asked He Jiaqing: “I heard the Hundred Flowers Garden is raining petals. Aren’t you going to see it?”

He Jiaqing shook his head and smiled: “I have no interest in admiring flowers.”

Upon hearing “admiring flowers,” Shu Wanjuan understood—He Jiaqing knew nothing of the petal rain.

Shu Wanjuan said: “I intend to visit the Hundred Flowers Garden. This is a rare spectacle.”

He Jiaqing replied: “Master, be careful. If you encounter a Peddler in Lüshui City, no one can save you.”

Shu Wanjuan sneered: “I don’t need your advice.”

That afternoon, Shu Wanjuan left the new land—but he did not go to Lüshui City.

He went to Xueya Mountain and found Dan Chengjun: “The Hundred Flowers Garden is raining petals. Are you aware of this?”

Dan Chengjun, munching grapes, mumbled: “What petal rain? What’s it for?”

Shu Wanjuan suppressed his disgust and explained: “The Hundred Flowers Sect is a faction in Pulu Province, said to have been founded by the Hundred Flowers Goddess. If the garden rains petals, it means the Hundred Flowers Goddess is about to appear.”

Dan Chengjun looked bewildered: “What Hundred Flowers Goddess? I’ve never heard of her.”

Shu Wanjuan frowned: “You don’t care about anything in Pulu Province?”

Dan Chengjun’s expression turned serious: “Who says I don’t? Wherever the Peddler goes, I make sure to track him! Is this Hundred Flowers Goddess connected to the Peddler?”

Shu Wanjuan shook his head: “No connection at all.”

Dan Chengjun finished his grapes and spat out the seeds: “Then why tell me this? What’s my status? Why should I care about some sect’s affairs?”

Shu Wanjuan said: “You don’t need to care—but He Jiaqing must. He swallowed the Hundred Flowers Sect. Now the Hundred Flowers Goddess seeks revenge—he must prepare.”

This time Dan Chengjun understood: “You mean He Jiaqing can’t hold onto his territory?”

Shu Wanjuan nodded: “All thirteen new territories are eighty percent reclaimed. While he battles the Hundred Flowers Goddess, we can reclaim them.”

Dan Chengjun’s eyes lit up—he loved this idea: “Go on. What then, after we take the territories?”

Shu Wanjuan said: “The Great Merchant has suffered heavy losses. I’ve received word—the Bandit-Sweeping Camp was crushed, the Great Smelter destroyed, and even the altar in Hao City shattered.”

Dan Chengjun grew even more excited, grabbing another cluster of grapes and devouring several: “Keep going—I’m listening!”

Shu Wanjuan said: “If we seize these thirteen territories and present them to Lord Qiao, it will be like offering coal in snow. Your past allegiance to Tufang can be forgiven. Now is the perfect moment to petition for a princely title—it’s reasonable, and Lord Qiao certainly won’t—”

PAM!

Dan Chengjun hurled the grapes at Shu Wanjuan’s face.

“Damn it, look at your pitiful ambition—I’m embarrassed just talking to you!” Dan Chengjun spat in Shu Wanjuan’s face.

Shu Wanjuan wiped grape juice from his face and snarled: “What’s your plan? Give me one that doesn’t make you look like a fool!”

Xueyaguai swayed over to the table and poured wine for both men: “We’re all allies—we shouldn’t quarrel.”

Dan Chengjun pulled Xueyaguai into his lap and dipped his finger in wine, drawing a circle on her belly: “Watch closely—this is the thirteen new territories.”

First, we seize them. Then we find a local deity to claim the land.”

2

Shu Wanjuan asked: “Where do we find a local deity?”

Dan Chengjun slapped Xueyaguai’s belly: “My wife—native Pulu blood. Even the Peddler can’t object!”

Shu Wanjuan glanced at Xueyaguai: “Do you have Cloud Ascension cultivation?”

Xueyaguai rolled her eyes, kissed Dan Chengjun, and said nothing.

Dan Chengjun also glared at Shu Wanjuan: “So what if she doesn’t have Cloud Ascension? My wife swallows mountains of pills every day—this is just a matter of time.”

This isn’t bragging—the Blood Tooth Monster can brew elixirs, and Shu Wanjuan knows it too.

Shu Wanjuan asked next: “Once this land becomes legitimate territory, what are you planning to do?”

“What do you mean what to do? Thirteen territories, one domain—we don’t need to wait for Qiao Yi to be crowned king; we can crown ourselves!” Dan Chengjun grinned so wide his mouth wouldn’t close.

Shu Wanjuan looked around for a long time, but not a single stone cracked open.

“Old Dan, are you serious?”

Dan Chengjun swallowed a grape and nodded: “I’m just this straightforward! What kind of bond do we have? Do you think I’d lie to you?”

Shu Wanjuan stood up: “Crown yourself king in Puluozhou? Will Huolang allow that? Do you want to die?”

Slap!

Dan Chengjun slapped another grape onto Shu Wanjuan’s face.

Shu Wanjuan was curious—why could Dan Chengjun move so fast, so accurately, and always smash grapes into such fine pieces?

Dan Chengjun continued mapping out on the Blood Tooth Monster’s belly: “Watch closely—this territory is already ours; next, we plant the flag.”

He tore a scrap of grape skin into a tiny flag and stuck it to the left of the Blood Tooth Monster’s navel: “First flag—this is Puluozhou’s. After all, we’re on Puluozhou’s land; we owe Huolang some face.”

Shu Wanjuan stared, stunned: “You mean we’re going to rejoin Huolang? Will he even take us back?”

“You’ve spent your whole life bowing to others—that’s why I look down on you! Just listen to me finish!” Dan Chengjun tore another grape skin scrap and stuck it to the right of the Blood Tooth Monster’s navel: “Second flag—hang Shangguo’s.

After all, they gave us this land; we must respect their face too.”

Shu Wanjuan’s beard twitched at his lips for a moment: “You want to join Huolang, then Shangguo? How could you even think of this?”

“What’s so hard to think of?” Dan Chengjun tore another scrap and stuck it above the navel: “Third flag—Tufangguo’s. After all, I’m working for Tufangguo now; adding their name makes us look legitimate.”

Shu Wanjuan stared blankly at Dan Chengjun: “There isn’t a fourth flag, right?”

“There is!” Dan Chengjun stuck a fifth grape skin scrap below the navel, making the Blood Tooth Monster giggle with ticklish laughter.

Dan Chengjun pointed at the fifth scrap: “This is Wanshengzhou’s flag. I’ve made many friends in Wanshengzhou—all with great ambitions. If I want them to lend strength, I must give them a flag!”

Shu Wanjuan pressed his lips together; he simply couldn’t understand what Dan Chengjun was saying.

Back when they fought wars, Dan Chengjun had been shot through the cheek, speaking with wind whistling from both sides—even then, Shu Wanjuan hadn’t found him this hard to follow.

Shu Wanjuan felt he should leave, but he still had to hear Dan Chengjun out: “So these four flags are all? Nothing else?”

“There is!” Dan Chengjun stuck a sixth grape skin scrap dead center on the navel: “This flag is ours. All the others before are just decoys—the real power lies with us! From now on, this land is called Dan-Shu Kingdom. I’ll be the Great King; you’ll be the Second Great King!”

“Good!” Shu Wanjuan praised. “Great King, I’ll go prepare your coronation. Excuse me!”

Shu Wanjuan rose to leave, but Dan Chengjun frowned: “What? Are you already choosing to walk away?”

“Not walking away,” Shu Wanjuan shook his head. “I lack the talent—I’d only delay your great ambition.”

“Don’t talk nonsense!” Dan Chengjun dismissed the Blood Tooth Monster and turned to Shu Wanjuan: “Old Shu, you think after you killed He Jiaqing and handed the land to Qiao Yi, Qiao Yi will crown you king? You think because Qiao Yi’s in trouble and you’ve done him a great service, he’ll treat you as anything more than a tool?”

Shu Wanjuan clasped his hands behind his back and gazed into the distance: “Achievements aren’t the point—the real value is offering warmth in the snow.”

“Bullshit!” Dan Chengjun spat another grape at Shu Wanjuan. “Qiao Yi wants to be emperor—what do you talk to him about friendship?

When he’s freezing to death, you give him a lump of charcoal—he thinks it’s worth more than gold.

But once he’s warm, he’ll look back on that charcoal and think it’s worthless!”

Shu Wanjuan said nothing.

Dan Chengjun’s words struck him hard.

The two fell silent for a long while. Dan Chengjun tossed a bunch of grapes into Shu Wanjuan’s hand—not at his face, but into his palm: “Old Shu, listen to me. Thirteen land lords on these thirteen territories have already been killed by He Jiaqing. Don’t expect rewards from Qiao Yi. If you’re lucky, you’ll get even credit for your deeds.

And I’ll tell you this: Puluozhou’s affairs are manageable, but if you fight for Shangguo’s land, Huolang will never spare you—even if he has to chase you all the way to Chaoge City, he’ll kill you!

Then you’ll lose both your land and your life—and you’ll be rejected by both sides. Choose your path yourself.”

Shu Wanjuan sighed deeply: “Those who follow different paths cannot work together.”

He sat back down at the table and asked Dan Chengjun: “Are you planning to kill He Jiaqing outright?”

Dan Chengjun paused, then whispered to Shu Wanjuan: “I’ve read some books too. When you just said ‘those who follow different paths cannot work together’—you mean you won’t speak to me anymore?”

Shu Wanjuan ate a grape: “I meant I don’t work with Qiao Yi. Call the Blood Tooth Monster—I need to look at the map again.”

Dan Chengjun called the Blood Tooth Monster.

Shu Wanjuan stared at the map for a long while. He had a major concern: “Those thirteen territories were promised by Huolang to He Jiaqing. If we kill him and take the land, Huolang won’t let us go.”

Dan Chengjun smiled: “Even if we don’t kill He Jiaqing, Huolang never intended to spare us. But some things can be negotiated. These thirteen can’t be seized by force—we must take them cleverly, with brains!”

Shu Wanjuan leaned close to Dan Chengjun: “Are you thinking of using the Hundred Petals Rain to take them cleverly?”

Dan Chengjun nodded: “I don’t know what kind of strength the Hundred Petals Sect has. If they can kill He Jiaqing, this becomes much simpler.”

Shu Wanjuan stroked his beard: “The Hundred Petals Goddess has some ties with me—this isn’t impossible.”

“But this has nothing to do with the map!” The Blood Tooth Monster shivered. “Do we even need to look at this map anymore? I’m cold!”

He Jiaqing was calculating the day his new land would be fully cultivated when a group of laborers came to the boss demanding wages.

Cultivating new land was extremely costly; He Jiaqing’s own wealth couldn’t possibly sustain thirteen territories.

Most of the funding came from Shangguo.

But for the past few days, Shangguo’s money hadn’t arrived, and He Jiaqing’s funds were dwindling.

Some laborers, unable to receive their bonuses, began rioting on the land; others sensed trouble and no longer wanted to work.

He Jiaqing sought out Shu Wanjuan: “Senior, what’s going on with the imperial court? Why hasn’t this month’s wage been delivered?”

Shu Wanjuan said: “I didn’t want to tell you—afraid it’d distract you. The court sent a sum of money, but it was intercepted en route.”

He Jiaqing found Shu Wanjuan: “Senior, what’s going on with the imperial court? Why hasn’t this month’s salary been delivered?”

“One of the three major gangs in Puluozhou—the Hundred Petals Sect. You’ve heard of them, right?”

He Jiaqing smiled: “Senior, this is absurd. I already absorbed the Hundred Petals Sect. If they stole such a fortune, I’d have heard about it immediately.”

Shu Wanjuan nodded: “That’s why I didn’t tell you. At critical moments, you mustn’t let trivial matters drain your focus. I’ll find another way for the money—just hold on for now.”

He said not to worry He Jiaqing, but He Jiaqing, as cautious as he was, couldn’t relax.

Hundred Petals Sect. Hundred Petals Garden. Petal Rain.

He Jiaqing immediately contacted Shen Rongqing: “Rongqing, what did you mean by the petal rain?”

Shen Rongqing replied: “Didn’t you say you had no time for this?”

He Jiaqing immediately contacted Shen Rongqing: “Rongqing, what was that petal rain you mentioned?”

Shen Rongqing was annoyed but explained: “Some literary works in Puluozhou describe the Hundred Petals Sect’s history.

Its founder is called the Hundred Petals Goddess. After retiring, she’s said to secretly protect the sect. When petal rain falls over the Hundred Petals Garden, it’s a sign the Hundred Petals Goddess has returned to the mortal world.”

He Jiaqing’s heart tightened—he’d read few such literary works. He knew the name “Hundred Petals Goddess,” but nothing more.

The founder of the Hundred Flowers Gate is called the Hundred Flowers Divine One; after retiring, it is said he still secretly protects the Hundred Flowers Gate—when petal rain falls over the Hundred Flowers Garden, it is a sign that the Hundred Flowers Divine One has returned to the mortal world.

Shen Rongqing thought: “There are many theories. Some say she’s the ancestor of flower cultivators. Others say she’s the ancestor of grass cultivators.

Some say she’s not from Puluozhou—like the Dragon Princess, she came from Dragon King Mountain. Others say she’s not mortal at all—she’s a true deity.”

Hearing these Puluozhou legends, He Jiaqing felt a headache coming: “Rongqing, find out why the petal rain fell and track the Hundred Petals Goddess’s movements.”

Shen Rongqing agreed, but He Jiaqing still couldn’t relax.

Shen Rongqing and Zhang Xiuling were close—he didn’t trust Shen Rongqing on this.

He Jiaqing contacted Duan Shuqun and ordered him to assign people to closely monitor Zhang Xiuling’s movements.

Two days later, Duan Shuqun delivered news: Zhang Xiuling had gone to Xiaoyao Wai to meet Ma Wu.

Zhang Xiuling had gone to meet Ma Wu on her own?

As far as He Jiaqing knew, Zhang Xiuling greatly admired Li Qi but had always been wary of Ma Wu.

Was the Hundred Petals Goddess truly appearing?

Or was someone using her name to stir chaos?

He Jiaqing still doubted the Hundred Petals Goddess’s identity, but Zhang Xiuling believed it wholeheartedly.

She went to Ma Wu to reclaim the Hundred Petals Sect!

“Fifth Master, I owe you too much—I’m ashamed to ask again, but now the Hundred Petals Goddess has acted. The sect was lost under my watch; I must restore her honor!”

Ma Wu immediately agreed—he was already planning to strike He Jiaqing, and this suited him perfectly.

Two more days passed. He Jiaqing received another message from Duan Shuqun: at Heishipo, He Jiaqing’s paper mill had clashed with Ma Wu’s over business.

Normally, this was minor—both sides could have settled it with a talk.

But this time, Ma Wu didn’t talk—he sent men to smash He Jiaqing’s paper mill.

Da Tou heard and prepared to gather men: “I’ll take a group to Heishipo and smash his mill too. This grudge must be repaid.”

He Jiaqing stopped Da Tou: “Not yet. Keep focusing on cultivation.”

Walking across the land, He Jiaqing swallowed his rage. At this critical moment, no matter what happened, he had to suppress it.

At one territory, He Jiaqing looked around—no laborers in sight.

“Where is everyone? Not a single laborer?”

Da Tou explained: “I was just about to tell you—we’ve been withholding wages. Many laborers refuse to work for us. This morning, a few more came with higher pay and lured away all our laborers.”

He Jiaqing exploded: “You just let them steal our workers? Why didn’t you stop them?”

Da Tou lowered his head: “I only heard about it in the afternoon. I tried to chase them, but they paid well—we had no moral ground to object.”

He Jiaqing’s eyebrows rose.

First, they intercepted the money from Neizhou!

Then, while we were broke, they came to steal our workers!

Clearly, Ma Wu orchestrated all this—each step carefully planned. He truly used a lot of cunning.

Then, when they can’t pay here, come over and poach their people!

It seems all these things were done by Ma Wu—each step linked to the next, and he truly put a lot of cunning into his planning.

Let other matters slide.

Delaying land reclamation? This time, it’s unbearable!

Above the clouds, Qiuqiucheng.

Mu Yuejuan sat on Ai Yeqing’s lap and pouted, “Guess who’ll win?”

“It’s too early to talk about winning or losing—the key is Li Qi. If Li Qi doesn’t enter the arena, Ma Junyang can’t beat He Jiaqing.” Ai Yeqing twirled a copper coin in his fingers, spinning it twice; the two coins turned into a handful of petals.

Mu Yuejuan plucked the petals from Ai Yeqing’s hand and stuck them one by one onto his face: “Ma Wu was wronged—how could Li Qi possibly stay out? They’re closer than brothers!”

Ai Yeqing smiled: “Li Qi is ruthless. I lost everything at Santoucha. If Li Qi enters this time,

He Jiaqing will lose big—not just the Hundred Flowers Sect, but all thirteen territories too.”

Mu Yuejuan kissed Ai Yeqing’s cheek: “Can Li Qi even swallow all thirteen territories?”

Ai Yeqing shook his head: “He can’t. Those thirteen territories were given to He Jiaqing by the Peddler. If Li Qi just grabs them by force, the Peddler won’t tolerate it. When the Peddler enters, Pulu Province will truly come alive.”

Mu Yuejuan played with Ai Yeqing’s hair: “Agreed—half of those thirteen territories go to me.”

Ai Yeqing pinched Mu Yuejuan’s cheek: “Not just the thirteen territories—I’ll give you half of Pulu Province’s railway too.”

PS: Didn’t Ai Yeqing say he no longer meddled in worldly affairs?