Chapter 43: Too Late, Clear Stream Market's Taxes Have Been Collected Over a Decade in Advance! |
Since Householder Redbrow, Zhong Tianshuo—no, Wang Yushuo—had changed his tune, the Patriarch naturally wouldn't keep him locked up any longer.
However, letting the old man off the hook so easily was out of the question.
Wang Xianmao waved his hand, and the Black Vine Spirit Seed he had nurtured for many years shot toward Hongmei.
Hongmei tried to dodge, but with Wang Xianmao's mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation base, suppressing him was effortless.
The black vine drilled into Hongmei's back, burrowing along his spinal column and hungrily absorbing his blood to fuel its frantic growth.
"Ah—! Ah! Ugh... Mmph..."
In his agony, Hongmei let out despairing wails that sent chills down Yulou's spine.
The Patriarch frowned slightly, and a vine shot out to gag Hongmei's mouth.
Watching Hongmei's desperate struggles and muffled wails, Yulou spoke up in concern.
"Don't worry. This is the Black Vine Soul-Locking Art, a secret technique I developed from my unique divine ability. His spine will be slowly eroded by the black vine."
Saying this, Wang Xianmao looked down at Hongmei—who had just been implanted with the Black Vine Soul-Locking Art—and asked with a smile,
"If you still want to reach Foundation Establishment, I must be the one to personally remove the black vine.
"Yushuo, do you want to reach Foundation Establishment?"
Lying on the ground, Hongmei gasped heavily. Beads of cold sweat the size of soybeans streamed down the crevices of his flesh. He was no longer wailing; he was simply exhausted.
Looking at this deformed mountain of flesh, Yulou felt a chill of disgust.
Cultivating immortality... Hongmei had cultivated until he was neither human nor ghost, and accomplished Foundation Establishment cultivators like the Patriarch were even more...
Was it worth it?
"Patriarch, Yushuo wants to reach Foundation Establishment."
Hongmei replied weakly.
Did he regret it?
No. It was already too late for regrets.
Life was not always a smooth road. Hongmei had paid the price for his choices, but now, he at least had a faint, illusory chance.
He didn't regret it. He wanted to reach Foundation Establishment!
Patriarch, Wang Xianmao, you Wang bastards... I still want to reach Foundation Establishment!
"Good, you have ambition. This secret technique is driven by my divine ability, Hongmei. Unless you can find a Purple Palace cultivator deeply versed in the wood path to unravel it for you, otherwise..."
Hongmei understood. Hongmei knew exactly what he meant.
"Patriarch, Yushuo understands. Yushuo will definitely impart all his knowledge to his younger brothers Yulou and Yu'an without holding anything back!"
However, Hongmei's humble and subservient behavior actually made the Patriarch vigilant.
To be able to endure to such a degree...
Hongmei, where exactly did your lineage originate from?
But the Patriarch didn't ask. In an instant, he devised an appropriate plan.
He would wait until Yulou and Yu'an finished their studies, and then meticulously torture and interrogate him!
"Let's return to Clear Stream Market, Hongmei. I believe you."
Wang Xianmao had this confidence. He had nurtured the Black Vine Spirit Seed for many years, and the Black Vine Soul-Locking Art was executed through his unique divine ability.
Aside from powerful Purple Palace Grand Cultivators like Mang Xiang, or even legendary Golden Core True Persons, no one could unravel it!
If Hongmei didn't want to die, he had to obey!
Foundation Establishment? He could forget about Foundation Establishment in this lifetime!
——
Escorted by the Patriarch, the group took only half a day to return to Clear Stream Market.
That night, lying in bed, Yu'an felt as though everything had changed beyond recognition.
"Brother, I feel like I'm dreaming. Why did master want to kill us back then?"
Yu'an couldn't figure it out.
Both he and Yulou were his formally acknowledged disciples. Hongmei was simply too vicious to actually want to kill even them.
"Hard to say. Greed drove him to pillage Golden Light Pavilion, and afterward, fear made him want to eliminate any future troubles.
"Perhaps our master never truly considered us his disciples to begin with.
"After all, our apprenticeship to learn the artificing path was merely a transaction."
Yulou also felt as though he were looking at flowers through a thick fog. Was the temptation of Foundation Establishment really that great?
For Foundation Establishment, Hongmei was willing to slaughter everyone in Golden Light Pavilion, risking the wrath of Senior Mengbai, an Immortal Alliance Foundation Establishment cultivator.
For Foundation Establishment, Hongmei had even planned to kill his own disciples to sweep away all potential threats.
For Foundation Establishment, Hongmei had changed his first and last names under coercion, instantly transforming from Zhong Tianshuo to Wang Yushuo.
This kind of intense thirst made Yulou shudder.
He didn't know yet that Hongmei had even entertained the thought of massacring an entire mortal market town.
Yu'an remained silent for a long time before murmuring softly.
"I still like senior martial sister Ningyao, Brother."
The two were blood brothers, so Yu'an didn't feel the need to hide anything. His heart was filled with frustration right now, and he yearned for his older brother's comfort and support.
"Senior martial sister is the type of person with a resolute Dao heart, and now that this kind of thing has happened... Yu'an, I'm afraid it will be very difficult for things to work out between you two.
"Besides, there are plenty of beautiful female cultivators out there. You're still young, and you'll meet better ones in the future. Don't take it too much to heart."
Yulou understood a young man's repressed desires, but he wanted Yu'an to realize that after what had happened, there was absolutely no chance between him and Zhong Ningyao.
"Last year, when senior martial sister taught me swordplay, she held my hand and said I was a sword genius.
"Brother, do you think if this hadn't happened, if I could become a very powerful cultivator in the future, would senior martial sister like me?"
Yu'an knew very well that many things had fundamentally changed, but he still couldn't reconcile himself to it.
He yearned for some kind of validation. He craved it deeply.
"There's a flaw in your words, though I don't know if you've realized it yourself, Yu'an.
"The difficulties of reality have planted certain fears and worries in your heart. Therefore, you are trying to find a sense of security through conjectures and imagined possibilities.
"Stop thinking about these things. Our main priority right now is still to properly study the artificing path so we can succeed and return home as soon as possible.
"Valley Spirit Sect and Wondrous Peak Mountain have started fighting, and Patriarch Mangxiang is preparing to attain Golden Core. I'm worried the future will be very chaotic."
Yulou saw things clearly. The Ten Sects of the Wunan Cultivation World were like ten stable cultivator nations.
The power of a Purple Palace cultivator was already as terrifying as two suns hanging in the sky. If Mang Xiang successfully attained the Golden Core realm, it would definitely disrupt the balance of power between Red Lantern Illumination Sect and the other factions.
From the limited information he had, Yulou noted that the Sky Serpent Sect had added a True Person-level demon race elder, Fanshan Jiao, a few years ago.
If one linked Fanshan Jiao joining the Sky Serpent Sect with Mang Xiang attempting to attain Golden Core, the conflict between Valley Spirit Sect and Wondrous Peak Mountain suddenly seemed quite terrifying.
Yulou saw this possibility—certain things had already been set into motion and were only now floating to the surface.
Meanwhile, his current cultivation base was not high, meaning there was far, far too little he could do amidst such upheaval.
Yu'an's romantic fantasies about Zhong Ningyao were simply a young boy's typical reveries. Yulou almost envied his innocence.
I hope I'm just overthinking things—
Clear Stream Market, Prefecture Cultivator's Manor.
Wang Xianmao was currently drinking tea and having a Dao discussion with Mu Changze.
Both men were seasoned Foundation Establishment cultivators deeply versed in wood-element arts. They chatted happily about everything from the selection of wood-attribute spiritual artifacts and the cultivation of spirit seeds to the new spells they had recently been researching.
"Brother Changze, you've been skimming far too much in Clear Stream Market. You should still be careful; the sect's requirements for submitting resources are very strict right now," Wang Xianmao reminded him.
Mu Changze's expression didn't change in the slightest. Pointing in the direction of Red Lantern Illumination Sect, he cursed,
"Isn't it all because of that dog Jiang Baobian? He collected all the various revenues meant for the Town Guardian Cultivator for over a decade in advance!
"What else could I do? You know my master. Naturally, I support Patriarch Mangxiang's efforts to attain Golden Core, but I also have to support my own master.
"I understand that you guys are dissatisfied, but as a disciple showing devotion to his master, Brother Xianmao, you should understand too."
It was too late. The taxes for Clear Stream Market had already been collected for over a decade in advance.
As a vassal of Red Lantern Illumination Sect, the Wang Clan of Anbei Kingdom was backed by Patriarch Mangxiang's lineage.
Meanwhile, as a Purple Mansion disciple and a Core Disciple of Red Lantern Illumination Sect, Mu Changze also had a Purple Palace cultivator backing him.
"I know you're in a difficult position, and we're all struggling. Let's just come to a mutual understanding.
"As long as you don't dock the supply of spiritual energy and spirit spring water for Fortune Source Residence, Flavorful Bistro, and Forge Peak Residence, we'll be fine. How does that sound?"
"That's a minor issue. No problem. But did you really come here tonight just for this?"
Mu Changze agreed readily, though he hadn't expected Wang Xianmao to make a special trip here just for such a trivial matter.
It was just a difference of a few hundred spirit stones, give or take. Was it really necessary?
Xianmao, as the years go by, you're really regressing...
In his heart, Wang Xianmao was also ruthlessly cursing this beastly Mu Changze, but he still asked seriously,
"No, there is one more thing. I received news that Valley Spirit Sect pillaged Hidden Dragon Market. Are they about to go to war with Wondrous Peak Mountain?"
Mu Changze's pupils contracted, and he let out a laugh.
"The affairs between Wondrous Peak Mountain and Valley Spirit Sect... I'm just a lowly Foundation Establishment cultivator. How would I be qualified to just freely know about that?"
For that question, you'll have to pay extra!
The two were blood brothers, so Yu'an didn't feel any need to hide things. He was deeply frustrated right now, craving his brother's comfort and support.
"Senior Martial Sister is the kind of person with a firm Dao heart, and now that this has happened... Yu'an, I'm afraid it will be very hard for the two of you to be together.
"Besides, there are plenty of beautiful female cultivators out there. You're still young and will meet better ones in the future. Don't take it to heart too much."
Yulou understood the suppressed feelings of a young man, but he needed Yu'an to realize that after this incident, there was absolutely no possibility between him and Zhong Ningyao.
"Last year, when Senior Martial Sister taught me swordplay, she held my hand and said I was a swordplay genius.
"Brother, tell me: if this hadn't happened, and if I became a very powerful cultivator in the future, would Senior Martial Sister like me?"
Yu'an understood that many things had fundamentally changed, but he was still unwilling to accept it.
He longed for some kind of validation. He longed for it deeply.
"There's a flaw in your words. I don't know if you realize it yourself, Yu'an.
"The difficulties of reality have caused certain fears and worries to take root in your heart. Therefore, you are trying to find a sense of security from an imagined possibility.
"Stop thinking about this. Our main task right now is still to properly study the artificing path and return home successful as soon as possible.
"Valley Spirit Sect and Wondrous Peak Mountain are fighting, and Patriarch Mangxiang is attempting to attain Golden Core. I worry things will become very chaotic in the future."
Yulou saw clearly that the Ten Sects of the Wunan Cultivation World were essentially ten stable cultivator nations.
The power of the Purple Palace realm was already terrifying enough to be like two suns hanging in the sky. If Mang Xiang successfully attained the Dao and formed a Golden Core, it would definitely affect the balance of power between Red Lantern Illumination Sect and other forces.
From the limited information he had, Yulou noticed that Sky Serpent Sect had gained a True Person-level demon race elder, the Mountain-Overturning Flood Dragon, a few years ago.
If the Mountain-Overturning Flood Dragon joining the Sky Serpent Sect was linked to Mang Xiang's attempt to attain Golden Core, the dispute between Valley Spirit Sect and Wondrous Peak Mountain suddenly seemed much more alarming.
Yulou sensed a grim possibility: certain things had already been set in motion and were now surfacing from the depths.
And right now, his cultivation base wasn't high. In times of turmoil, there was far too little he could do.
Yu'an's romantic fantasies about Zhong Ningyao were the typical reveries of youth, and Yulou even felt a touch of envy for his innocence.
'I hope I'm just overthinking things...'
Clear Stream Market, Prefecture Cultivator's Manor.
Wang Xianmao was drinking tea and discussing the Dao with Mu Changze.
Both were seasoned Foundation Establishment cultivators deeply versed in wood-element methods. From selecting wood-attribute spiritual artifacts and nurturing spirit seeds to recently developed spells, they chatted very happily.
"Brother Changze, you've been skimming far too heavily in Clear Stream Market. You still need to be careful. The sect is currently very strict about the submission of resources," Wang Xianmao cautioned.
Mu Changze's expression didn't change at all. He pointed in the direction of Red Lantern Illumination Sect and cursed.
"Isn't it all because of that dog Jiang Baobian, who already collected all the various revenues the Town Guardian Cultivator should receive for the next dozen years or so?
"What can I do? You know my master. I naturally support Patriarch Mangxiang's endeavor to attain Golden Core, but I also have to support my master.
"I understand you're dissatisfied, but as a disciple showing dedication to my master, Brother Xianmao, you should understand too."
It was too late. Clear Stream Market's taxes had already been collected for over a decade in advance.
As a vassal of Red Lantern Illumination Sect, the Wang Clan of Anbei Kingdom was backed by Patriarch Mangxiang's lineage.
As a Purple Mansion disciple and a Core Disciple of Red Lantern Illumination Sect, Mu Changze also had a Purple Palace Grand Cultivator backing him.
"I know it's hard for you, and it's hard for everyone. Let's just understand each other.
"Just don't skim off the spiritual energy and spirit spring supplies for Fortune Source Residence, Taste-Knowing Bistro, and Forge Peak Residence. Will that do?"
"Such a small matter is no problem at all. But did you come here tonight just for this?"
Mu Changze agreed readily, but he hadn't expected Wang Xianmao to make a special trip just for this trivial matter.
It was only a difference of a few hundred spirit stones up or down. Was it really necessary?
'Xianmao, you've really regressed over the years.'
In his heart, Wang Xianmao cursed the beast-like Mu Changze thoroughly, but he still asked seriously.
"No, there's one more thing. I received news that Valley Spirit Sect pillaged Hidden Dragon Market. Are they going to war with Wondrous Peak Mountain?"
Mu Changze's pupils contracted, and he began to laugh.
"Regarding the matters between Wondrous Peak Mountain and Valley Spirit Sect, I'm just a lowly Foundation Establishment cultivator. What qualifications do I have to know about it for free?
"For that question, you have to pay extra!"
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