Book 3: Chapter 2: Information Broker |
Yin Hu sighed as they made their way down the hillside and the protective shade of the forest around them. People started noticing them more openly now that they showed themselves more openly when before it was only the more aware mortals and cultivators. People whispered, pointed, some stared and others dragged their kids away from the scene. All of which was expected when normal people saw a band of potential cultivators walking through.
He was just thankful there weren’t any mentally unstable soldiers guarding the perimeter like the Silver Mountain Gang.
There was no Hu Jun clone to save them and use her knowledge of the area to get them out of potential trouble this time around. Then again, there wasn’t a Dong ZhenKang clone either.
Or maybe not.
There would have been an issue of wading through the mud, or fighting through crowds to get to the old man, but that had been resolved quickly by the blistering pace Zhong Da set. His intensity helped clear the way and prevented anyone from accosting them along the path.
Not even the beggars had enough audacity to approach them.
Yin Hu kept his eye on the old man the entire time, noticing the smug smirk on his face as they got closer. A small frown grew wider when the old man began to beg another passerby who was hurrying out of Zhong Da’s eventual path.
Somehow already knowing they were heading toward the red and white haired old man.
That was a person he categorized as an Immortal Hustler Supreme. The very pinnacle of the dastardly trade and at a level that put him above the likes of the Gang Boss, Zhong Da, and even Jin Bao. It hadn’t even taken a few seconds before their interaction turned into perfect grounds for him to foment the seeds of curiosity and the need to know. Of which he would likely take advantage of until Zhong Da could not give anymore.
Not that he blamed him.
Learning that the single source of his surname, one of the pillars of his home Clan, and a figure of righteousness had died was not something easy to accept.
They all stopped before the old man, Zhong Da ahead of them by a few steps.
“How much?” Zhong Da demanded, eyes burning stronger than anytime Yin Hu had ever witnessed.
The old man smiled placidly. As though there wasn’t an imminent threat before him and if Zhong Da’s assessment was right, that was likely the case. “How much are you willing to give to the poor, kind sir. The Beggar’s Clan accepts all donations, though some are worth more than others.”
Zhong Da reached into his robes and pulled out a pouchful of coins and flicked it toward the old man. Who in turn caught it and made it vanish in one swift motion that Yin Hu had almost missed had he not been focused. This was not the first or the last time that the beggar had extorted people out of their money. Considering his age and power, he doubted Zhong Da was in the first ten thousand.
Growing old in a cultivation world meant he was positively ancient.
“Thirty seven silver coins…?” the old man’s smile grew so wide, his eyes disappeared into crescents. “You’d think information this important would be valued more.”
Zhong Da grumbled under his breath. “How much then? You clearly have a number you're thinking of.”
“I would never be so immodest and arrogant as to sell information! Nay! This is a one time donation that you are making due to the love and mercy within your gracious heart. I just so happen to know some information that I may or may not withhold depending on how much I like you.”
“And you’ll like me more if I happen to give you more money?”
The old man nodded. “There you go! No selling or buying here. Just charity in its most pristine form!”
Zhong Da grumbled to himself again. This time he pulled out a single Qi Stone that shone bright.
Yin Hu recognized it as one of the weakest he had in his rice bag. The utter dredge and trash amongst the thousands of types of Qi Stones, of which all of them made mountains in quantity. He had more of those than everything else in there combined. He was sure he could feed and support a hundred super sects and clans for a hundred thousand years without feeling the change.
I really need to stop procrastinating their advancement. The stronger Zhong Da and his wife are, the stronger the Hu Clan is.
Whether it be body purification, Spiritual Root upgrades, bloodline unlocking, meridian purifying, body strengthening, and a dozen other things. All of them needed to start from the very beginning or wherever the healing elixir had pushed them to.
It was just a matter of getting started and not cost to Yin Hu, but he knew what it meant for them.
Living for decades while knowing they would never reach the strength necessary to ascend to greater heights.
If they even knew about the possibility of ascending to a higher realm.
The old man’s eyes lit up as he quickly grabbed the pathetic Qi Stone out of Zhong Da’s hand before he could reconsider. “Thank you very much, kind sir! I am sure you will be blessed for the rest of your life for such a bountiful donation to our little Beggar’s Clan. As for me…” the old man made the Qi Stone disappear into what Yin Hu suspected was a spacial pouch hidden under the ripped rags he wore. “...I am a dear friend and dear friends don’t hold back with being helpful, do they?”
“Hurry it up. You’ve swindled me from one of the most prized items I’ve ever held–”
He was with us during the palace debacle…? Oh! Wait… He’s hustling the hustler?! Without the Ultimate Hustler Supreme knowing he’s being hustled!
Yin Hu doubled down on making sure to reward Zhong Da as soon as they found some privacy.
Having people gawk and stare dead at them made him uncomfortable.
“–and now you delay the bounty of my earned friendship? Don’t be so blatant with your dishonesty.”
The old man frowned, but said nothing to argue back. All he did was shrug and the place immediately cleared around them. Every single beggar that was within ear shot vanished into alleyways, buildings, and side streets. There was a pregnant pause before all of the normal people felt the change too and followed in the beggar’s footsteps to leave the old man alone with them.
“Zhong Ping has taken over the reigns of the Zhong Clan after the amiable Zhong An’s Heart Stone was reported dull and shattered.”
“You lie!” Zhong Da shouted.
The old man shook his head once more. “Heart Stones don’t lie, son–”
Zhong Da stumbled backward. Wu Xui caught him, a worried expression on her face.
“–but that isn’t even the worst of it. The rumors have grown more pressing the longer the situation remains as it is. The Zhong Clan are retreating out of their ancestral mountain fortress and moving toward their ancient guardian grounds.”
“This isn’t possible,” Zhong Da whispered as he propped himself up on Wu Xui. “He can’t die. He’s one of, if not the strongest person on the planet! He grew stronger!”
“Yet, it was not enough. I said rumors have grown more pressing and I meant it. Peng Du has been missing. Peng Du’s home in the furthest reaches of the north was found empty of all people by visitors and allies.–”
Zhong Da’s eyes widened.
“Zi Zhen has not been seen in nearly a year. Dark Gate Palace is headless and losing control and power every day. Pushed back by the fat merchants and greedy paupers calling themselves Emperors. As for Zhong An,” the old man shrugged. “His Heart Stone has been shattered. It has been confirmed by our Beggar Clan Patriarch himself. Rumor is they were foolish enough to have gone and fought the Calamity. Just the three of them.
Arrogant in the new power they had acquired in the past seventy years. Except none of them have been seen ever since. A shame they were so senseless as to have done something so ridiculous.”
Zhong Da’s face changed from four different expressions, finally deciding on confusion as he looked back at Yin Hu. “This is too hard to believe, but…”
He began to nod to himself, clearly coming to some type of understanding. He gave his wife a look. Then they both backed away from the old man, whispering to each other in very low voices.
Yin Hu could have eavesdropped, but decided against it.
It felt wrong to intrude upon their privacy.
So, he turned his head toward the old man who watched them go with a massive smile on his face.
“I’m sure you’ll answer a few more questions,” Yin Hu said.
The old man looked up at Yin Hu and extended his hand. “Under certain circumstances, I may or may not do so. You aren’t my friend yet… if you understand what I–” His eyes met Yin Hu’s eyes proper and he froze. Eyes widening and a slight tremble in his extended hand, both of which were so slight Yin Hu missed them. He took on a serious expression as he hid his arms in his ripped robes and let his messy long hair of red and white cover his face.
I’m not gonna let this old man hustle me! Zhong Da gave him more than enough coins already.
“The amount of coin Zhong Da has given you was more than–”
“You’re right,” the old man said, shocking Yin Hu. “More than enough. I was a fool to ask for more. Ask any question, Senior, and forgive this foolish junior.”
Yin Hu blinked at him.
This isn’t just my Ancient Being Persona… Something else entirely? What made him change his reaction so fast?
A thought crossed his mind.
A possibility he had never considered ever since he was on the isolated island so long ago.