Chapter 740

Zhang Liuzhen looked at her helplessly; after Pan Yun left, he smiled and shook his head, closing the book.

Light footsteps sounded, and a figure descended the stairs, standing silently behind him.

Zhang Liuzhen didn't turn his head but handed the book backward: "Take this book to the imperial palace and present it on my behalf to Laozu."

Lin Jingle took it and said gravely: "Laozu hasn't cared about Zhang family affairs for a long time—he only guards the palace, and these past years even more so. What can he do for us?"

Zhang Liuzhen: "He doesn't need to help us at all—only to stay silent and not stand against us."

Lin Jingle finally tucked the book away and, after a moment of silence, said: "Pan Yun is an excellent blade—you shouldn't have refused her allegiance."

"Allegiance?" Zhang Liuzhen sneered. "Do you think she's allying herself with me?"

He shook his head: "She isn't a blade—she intends to cooperate with me. The future of Mount Sanqing rests on her shoulders."

"Then that's even better," Lin Jingle said. "We have more leverage."

Zhang Liuzhen sighed, lowering his gaze to his open palm: "The succession of the Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion differs from the imperial house—and even from the Northern Kong clan."

"They only need strategy; merely staying alive gives them a chance to compete. But for my Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion, without cultivation, no matter how clever or deeply enlightened I am, I cannot command respect—I can't even secure succession, let alone reform the sect's doctrine." Zhang Liuzhen murmured: "If I can't do what I wish to do, why fight for this position and waste so many lives?"

Lin Jingle clenched his lips tightly, fists clenched: "Young Master, are you going to retreat again?"

Zhang Liuzhen chuckled softly: "No—I'm merely expressing how urgently I wish to restore my cultivation."

Lin Jingle stared at him, silent.

Zhang Liuzhen waved him off: "Go quickly. As Head of the Punishment Hall, you shouldn't linger here."

Lin Jingle suppressed the surge of thought and turned to leave.

Zhang Liuzhen sighed, gesturing toward the second floor; the books piled by the window there flew toward him in a rustling cascade.

He tapped the stone table, and the books landed neatly upon it.

Zhang Liuzhen picked up one book at random and lay back on his reclining chair, continuing to read as he swayed gently.

He stared at the book for a long time without turning a page—he didn't tell Lin Jingle that he still occasionally hesitated, but he had never again considered giving up, because too many people stood behind him.

He had nowhere left to retreat.

He could only move forward; if he took one step back, he himself might be unharmed—but those behind him would plunge into a bottomless abyss.

This is also one reason he didn't want Pan Yun to join him.

His father wanted more people to push him forward, to serve as his shields—but he had no desire to drag more people to stand behind him.

Yet, it seemed he had no right to choose.

Whether Pan Yun or Xue Shao, neither had been chosen by him—they stood behind him regardless.

Zhang Liuzhen's heart tightened.

He closed his eyes, feeling the fine, piercing pain in his chest, and endured it without expression.

Pan Yun returned to Fengqi Courtyard in full stride; Pan Xiaohei had already emerged from the water and was vigorously shaking his fur in the sunlight, water droplets flying everywhere.

Pan Yun stood far away and asked only when he stopped: "Tomorrow, when we leave, do you want to ride a horse or take a carriage?"

Pan Xiaohei: "You're so rich now you can afford a horse for each of us?"

Pan Yun: "We can rent them."

Shangqing Town, with the Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion present, was bustling—there were three rental points for carriages and horses.

Moreover, the Jiangnan economy was prosperous; even though Quanzhou had declined from its former glory, major merchant guilds still maintained horse-rental stations.

Especially now.

Merchants' minds are sharp and their actions swift—they've already rushed to seize Quanzhou's commercial opportunities.

For carriage or horse, Pan Xiaohei naturally chose the horse—faster, with wind in his face, far more comfortable than being jostled inside a carriage.

Pan Yun went down the mountain to rent horses.

Seeing Miao Zhen and the others had just met with all the Courtyard Heads, received massive assignments from them, and returned to pack their belongings.

They were going to continue their trials.

The Imperial Academy taught according to individual aptitude; knowing Pan Yun was with them, they had little left to teach Miao Zhen and the others—especially since their self-study abilities were strong—so they assigned coursework but didn't require them to attend classes.

Especially now, since the Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion, the imperial court, and the Wu Lin Alliance were cooperating on the Japanese silver mines, and Pan Yun, as a direct beneficiary, needed to be on the front lines.

Early the next morning, Pan Yun led Seeing Miao Zhen and the others out of the academy in full view.

Just past the Dismounting Pavilion, they saw Xue Shao and Xi Jin leaning against a wall, backpacks on their backs.

Xue Shao smiled at her: "Together?"

Pan Yun nodded and took them straight to collect the horses.

Pan Yun handed each of them and their servant a reins.

Xue Shao: "This…"

"I rented them for you yesterday—don't be polite. Return them together when we reach Quanzhou."

Xue Shao smiled at her: "So you've decided to accompany me to meet Cao Jixiang?"

"I should thank you for arranging the introduction—Cao Jixiang oversees Quanzhou's Maritime Trade Office; we'll inevitably need to cooperate with him in the future."

The group rode hard toward Quanzhou.

Before reaching Quanzhou, they sensed the difference.

On the formerly quiet Quanzhou road, people, horses, and carriages now appeared intermittently.

Once inside Quanzhou city, the difference became even more obvious.

The streets were at least thirty percent busier than before—but there were too many armed men with swords and blades, all speaking loudly, unmistakably men of the Jianghu.

The group didn't go to Ping'an Inn; instead, they sat at the nearest food stall and ordered something to eat.

Because of the crowd, they had to share tables.

Though their six-person group carried no weapons and were young, each had a horse, and four of them wore Daoist robes—clearly Jianghu folk—so the father and son at the table lowered their heads, huddled together, pulled their bowls close, and gave most of the space to them.

Pan Yun and Seeing Miao Zhen exchanged a glance and sat down naturally on either side of the father and son, radiating calmness. Perhaps sensing no malice—and since both she and Seeing Miao Zhen were women—the father and son finally stopped hiding their faces in their bowls and lifted their heads slightly.

Xi Jin cleverly poured tea for them; after sipping her tea, Pan Yun asked the father and son: "Are you from Quanzhou?"

Hearing her accent carried a trace of Quanzhou dialect, the father and son looked up quickly and nodded: "Yes, we're from Quanzhou."

Pan Yun pushed two clean bowls of tea toward them and asked curiously: "Why are there so many martial artists from Quanzhou?"

"You don't know?" the old man asked. "Aren't you here for the Japanese silver mountain?"

Pan Yun: "I heard rumors abroad and rushed back, thinking it was just gossip."

"It's not gossip," the old man said. "People from Jingcheng have come—even someone close to the Emperor."

Pan Yun: "So all these people are here because of the Japanese silver mine? Why doesn't the government office crack down on them?"

The old man shook his head slightly. "How can you crack down on so many? Besides, there's a band of rebels outside too—they've heard about Quanzhou Port and want to seize it. At a time like this, the imperial court must prioritize stability."

Pan Yun nodded slightly. "I see. In your opinion, is the Japanese silver mountain a good thing or a bad thing?"

The young man muttered: "It's definitely bad. Japan lies across the sea—we can't even reach the silver mountain, let alone claim it. And now rebels are coming to attack the city, plus all these martial artists flooding in—it's chaos. I even have to walk hugging the walls…"

Before he could list more downsides of the silver mountain, his father slapped him on the head.

The old man scolded him in frustration: "The Japanese pirates can come to Great Ming—why can't our soldiers and civilians go over? You don't grow taller, and your spirit doesn't grow either—you're just wasting your youth."

The old man said: "If I were ten years younger, I'd sail out and take my chance!"

The young man: "You only talk big—who was it this morning, before even entering the city, telling me to keep my head down, eyes lowered, and avoid conflict?"

"Fool! If you die fighting for the Japanese silver mine, that's honor. If you die brawling on the street, that's a foolish death—pathetic. Do you know how prosperous Quanzhou used to be? These martial artists may be noisy, but they've brought life back to the city."

He told Pan Yun and the others: "You're all young—you've never seen it. Quanzhou used to be lively. My grandfather saw an even more prosperous Quanzhou—they say the harbor was filled with ships as far as the eye could see, lined up waiting to enter, and merchants never stopped flowing through the streets. Walk down the road, and if you blinked, your toe would step on someone's heel. I don't dream of seeing such prosperity again—but if I could just see it return to the bustle of my youth, I'd be content."

Xue Shao affirmed: "Old man, you will see it."

Pan Yun added: "The prosperity of Quanzhou in the previous dynasty isn't beyond recovery."

The old man sighed: "It all depends on whether the imperial court will pardon the Pu family."

Pan Yun frowned.

The young man beside him protested, his voice rising: "The Pu family is disloyal and unrighteous—they betrayed the imperial house twice! The founding Emperor's iron decree stands: anyone who pardons them is disloyal and unfilial!"

The old man smacked his head again: "Idiot! What matters is living well. The Pu family may be morally flawed, but they know how to make money—and they drive Quanzhou's economy."

The young man stuck out his neck: "Still, it's unacceptable! That's disloyal and unfilial! Father, I've only studied for three years in elementary school, but I know this isn't what a subject should do!"

He grumbled: "So what if we're poor? We won't starve to death!"

The old man exploded: "You won't starve to death—but others will! How many died in Quanzhou from this flood and storm? How many froze or starved to death from lack of clothes and food?"

He wiped tears from his eyes: "People froze to death in June and July—isn't that caused by poverty?"

The old man said: "You're stubborn. Remember: a sharp blade is a pig-killing knife in the butcher's hand, a kitchen knife in ours, and a weapon in the hands of a villain—it all depends on who wields it."

Pan Yun and the others didn't intervene in the father-son quarrel; they ate while listening intently.

When they finished eating, the father and son were still sulking. Pan Yun casually paid their bill and smiled: "Old man, don't be angry with your son. His concern for loyalty and righteousness proves he has a good heart—he's a good boy. We can't control this matter anyway—just enjoy the talk."

The old man's anger faded; he nodded: "You're right. We can't control this matter."

Pan Yun and the others went to meet the one who could make decisions.

Of course, before meeting Cao Jixiang, Pan Yun first wandered the city and found Song Dalin's group, who had arrived two days earlier.

They were many, ate a lot, and spent heavily—so they refused to pay for lodging. Six hundred of them camped directly in the city's Chenghuangmiao.

The government office sent two patrols to investigate, confirmed they were truly a merchant group, inspected their goods, and even asked for Pan Yun and Wang Cong's names before relaxing slightly.

What else could they do? Six hundred people—just hearing that was terrifying. Those who didn't know might think rebels had disguised themselves and sneaked around to Quanzhou's other side.

Oh, right—Pan Yun's group entered through the northern gate, while Quanzhou Port lay outside the eastern gate, so Song Dalin's group camped outside the eastern gate.

Pan Yun went to see them, confirmed their people and goods were safe, then nodded: "I'll get you on board in two days. Prepare yourselves. Buy anything you need quickly—after two days, you won't be allowed to go out shopping again."

She added: "There are many martial artists in the city now. When you go in, keep your heads down, don't provoke trouble. But if someone provokes you, don't hold back—we've got six hundred brothers here."

The brothers shouted their agreement, all cheerful.

Heaven knows how terrified they'd been these past two days—arriving in a strange place, Pan Yun never showed up, and the sea ship still hadn't appeared.

If Wang Xiaojing hadn't calmed them and Song Dalin hadn't held them down, they'd have erupted long ago.

They felt this was the thing they hated most in life: waiting.

When mining, the officials made them wait.

When rebelling, they had to wait.

Now that they'd turned legitimate and were doing business, they still had to wait.

Sigh—they'd spent their whole lives doing nothing but waiting.

Zhang Guanshi, Song Dalin, and Wang Xiaojing walked Pan Yun out of the Chenghuangmiao.

Pan Yun handed Zhang Guanshi a list: "This is the food and water list you need to prepare for boarding. Buy everything on it. Later, I'll send someone to teach you how to survive on a sea vessel—and the rules of the sea."

Zhang Guanshi hesitated: "Little Master, am I going on the ship too?"

"No," Pan Yun said. "You stay here. Buy a shop in Quanzhou and run it. Wait for Cong'er to find you."

Zhang Guanshi breathed a sigh of relief—he was older and had no sea experience; he was quite afraid of sailing.

Everyone present, except Pan Yun and her group, had no sea experience.

But they were young—and hardworking!

After arranging the personnel, Pan Yun picked up Pan Xiaohei and headed happily toward the city gate. Just as she reached the gate, someone blocked her.

The man bowed deeply to both Pan Yun and Xue Shao, smiling subtly: "Little Master Pan, Young Master Xue—our Lord Cao requests your presence."

Hearing his soft voice, Pan Yun studied him and asked: "I've never seen you. Are you newly assigned to Cao Jixiang's side?"

The eunuch was startled she dared speak Cao Jixiang's name outright; he hurriedly said: "I've served Lord Cao since childhood, but before, other brothers attended him—I never appeared before others."

(End of Chapter)