Chapter 16: The Traitor Within (Please Recommend)
Chapter 16: The Traitor Within (Please Recommend)
Again, it was the fifteenth.
The moonlight poured down like mercury.
Fang Xi, treading a leaf-like Wupeng boat, arrived at the Black Market within the river island.
Inside the wooden house.
Han Pang Zi was still as fat as a mountain. Hearing Fang Xi's request, he was immediately startled: "What? You want more? !"
He scrutinized Fang Xi from head to toe: "The ten catties of meat from last time were enough for an ordinary martial artist for half a year. Did you finish it all, or do you have another elder?"
"What? Do you also manage the whereabouts of things sold in your Black Market?"
Fang Xi smiled faintly and took out a gold leaf.
"Of course not. . ."
Han Pang Zi's mountain-like body shifted slightly. Seemingly with great effort, he turned sideways, tearing out a large chunk of Taisui meat from the pit beneath him: "How much do you want this time?"
"Another ten catties!"
Fang Xi's expression remained unchanged.
"Well, well. . . I see your strength and courage are both extraordinary. Would you be interested in taking on a private job? " Han Pang Zi tossed over ten catties of meat, and asked again.
"Oh? What kind of work? " Fang Xi asked casually.
"Outside the city, hunt demons! " Han Pang Zi revealed a ferocious smile: "Only martial apprentices at least Blood-Qi Transformation third change can participate. True Force martial artists would be even better. At that time, shares will be allocated according to contribution!"
"Hunting demon beasts?"
Regarding the demon race of this world, Fang Xi was indeed very interested, but after some thought, he decided to give it up.
His current strength was merely early Qi Refinement. Once he encountered danger, the loss would be too great.
"How come. . . this shop's demon meat isn't enough anymore? " Fang Xi retorted.
"No, no, it's just a rogue demon beast that has been repeatedly harassing merchant routes. . . In a few days, your martial arts hall might also receive an assistance mission. " Han Pang Zi shook his head repeatedly: "As for demon meat, our shop will absolutely never run out. . . Do you want to know why?"
As he spoke, a strange smile appeared on his face.
Combined with that mountain of flesh, it looked quite spine-chilling.
Anyone with too strong an imagination might start to vomit. . .
"I naturally know, because Taisui meat is different from other demon beast meat. As long as Taisui is buried deep underground and provided with nutrients, it will grow very quickly. . ."
Fang Xi nodded slightly.
This was also why this shop always had demon meat for sale.
Other shops, once their demon meat was sold out, would have to organize people to hunt demons, which was not only extremely dangerous but also resulted in an unstable supply.
"Tsk. . . Who told you that?"
The mischievous smile on Han Pang Zi's face disappeared. The mountain of flesh slumped back.
'Doesn't fungi grow quickly? Isn't that common knowledge? '
'You underestimate the methods of us cultivators too much. . . In my eyes, you're not much different from a mushroom farmer. '
Fang Xi grumbled inwardly, without answering, maintaining an unfathomable image as he walked out of the wooden house.
After browsing around the Black Market, he arrived at another shed.
Compared to the previous few places, this wooden house appeared much simpler. A white-haired old man sat behind the counter, seemingly reading a book.
He wore a faded blue robe, stiff from repeated washing, exuding a scholarly aura. However, combined with his age, he gave the impression of a failed scholar or an impoverished intellectual.
Seeing Fang Xi enter, a smile immediately appeared on his face: "Does the guest wish to buy information?"
Everything was sold in the Black Market, and this wooden house was renowned for selling intelligence.
"Indeed."
Fang Xi was currently wearing a bamboo hat and had changed his attire: "May I ask how information is sold here?"
The old man leisurely put down his book: "In our shop, every piece of information has a price, divided into four grades: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow. The price for each grade varies. If you purchase 'Heaven' grade intelligence, then naturally every single detail will be included. As for the silver, hehe. . ."
The next moment, he closed his mouth.
Because Fang Xi pulled out a stack of gold leaves: "Give me information on martial arts factions within a hundred li of this vicinity, as well as famous martial artists, and even profound martial arts. . . All of it must be 'Heaven' grade!"
"Of course."
The old man quickly stood up, his face full of wrinkles, almost splitting into a chrysanthemum-like smile: "Honored guest, please be seated. Would you care for some tea? Our shop recently acquired a few catties of excellent 'Sparrow's Tongue Tip' tea, which is quite famous even in Ding Province. . ."
As for the old man's change in attitude, Fang Xi found it quite reasonable.
Business is business!
No shame in that!
However, when the old man dragged out a heavy box from behind the house, filled to the brim with various books, Fang Xi's expression beneath his veil finally began to change dramatically.
'Fuck, I miscalculated. . . '
'I never expected the intelligence to be this detailed. . . '
...
Fang Manor.
He called for a few maidservants to massage his shoulders and legs. Only then did Fang Xi turn on the earthen air conditioner and leisurely flipped through the intelligence reports, one by one.
"Yuan He Mountain. . . founded over three hundred years ago by 'Yuan He Shang Ren'. It has one Sect Master, six Elders, and eight Guest Elders. . . The sect's ultimate technique is the 'Yuan He Five Thunder Hand'. . ."
"Yuan He Mountain's Black Stone City Branch, its overseer is 'Linghu Yang'. He once defeated the Boulder Martial Arts Hall Master within a few moves, and easily fended off the siege of several martial arts hall masters. . . ""Chunyu. . . once defeated Red Snake Martial Arts Hall Master Lu She. . ."
"Jiao Wu Chang, his achievements are not prominent, he is sinister and cruel, fond of ambushes and encirclements. . ."
...
"The lone martial artist Zheng Tian Bao is skilled in the 'Flying Cloud Skill'. His record. . ."
"Golden Badge Constable Shangguan Yun has repeatedly apprehended notorious bandits; his strength is estimated to be above that of ordinary martial arts hall masters. . ."
...
Each piece of intelligence was quickly deciphered by Fang Xi, and he thus gained a general impression of the martial arts forces in the vicinity.
"From the looks of it, the strength of the martial arts hall world is indeed. . . quite weak."
After a long while, Fang Xi put down the book, feeling somewhat helpless.
However, this was also normal. True masters rarely opened martial arts halls.
But to be this weak was truly somewhat unexpected.
Counting it up, perhaps a single Yuan He Mountain Black Stone City Branch could probably annihilate all combined martial arts halls!
Those seemingly powerful martial arts hall masters, for sect martial artists, or even lone martial artists, were merely background scenery, or a part of their combat achievements to be brushed aside. . .
'Linghu Yang. . . perhaps he has already surpassed the realm of martial arts hall masters and entered a completely new level. He won't be easy to kill, so I'll temporarily abandon the plan targeting Yuan He Mountain. . . '
'Perhaps going to other martial arts halls to learn from their strengths and cover my weaknesses is also a path for Body Cultivation? '
'Before that, should I deal with the Red Snake Martial Arts Hall? Whether it's She Lei or Lu She, they must hold a grudge against me. . . '
Fang Xi finished his thoughts, put down an intelligence dossier, and was just about to instruct Bai He in some leg techniques.
A fragrant breeze passed by as Yue Gui gracefully approached. She bowed respectfully: "Young Master. . . Butler A Fu requests an audience!"
"A Fu? Let him in!"
Fang Xi nodded.
A moment later, the elderly butler A Fu, with his long beard, white hair, and rather immortal-like appearance, walked in. He bowed respectfully: "Master!"
"Rise. " Fang Xi waved his hand.
In the cultivation world, outward appearance was absolutely not a standard for measuring strength or weakness. There were plenty of cultivators who possessed such immortal-like appearances but were rotten on the inside.
This was even more true in Da Liang.
"Reporting, Master," A Fu bowed and said, "this old servant has been in the city recently and heard a piece of news that might be useful to you. . ."
"Useful to me? Speak! If it truly is, there will be great rewards. " Towards his subordinates, Fang Xi was still quite benevolent.
At the very least, he wouldn't be like the aristocratic families in the city who would occasionally send people to be buried in the mass grave.
Moreover, once a merit was established, the reward would certainly be substantial!
This led to high morale among the servants of Fang Manor.
"It's like this. . . there's an upcoming gathering in the city where all the invited guests are wealthy elites. It's said that during the banquet, some rare items for entertainment will be put up for sale. . . Aside from antiques, precious medicinal ingredients, and fine horses, there will also be martial arts secret manuals, and even demon materials! " A Fu said.
"Oh? " Fang Xi's eyes lit up: "When and where?"
"Five days from now, at the Myriad Treasure Pavilion! " A Fu replied: "If Master needs it, this old servant can acquire an invitation card."
"Excellent, excellent, a hefty reward!"
Fang Xi burst into laughter.
...
Night.
A profound silence settled over Fang Manor.
Fang Xi sat upright before his desk, looking at the various arrangements he had made within the room, his expression slightly uncertain.
Although he enjoyed luxury, he retained the cautious habits of a rogue cultivator. His most crucial bedroom was always accessible only to himself.
Even when frolicking with the maidservants, it was always in other rooms.
At this moment, he sighed: "There are traces of moved hairs in a few places. Someone secretly broke into my bedroom?"
In truth, Fang Xi was well aware that his servants, being purchased and not hereditary household members for generations, lacked loyalty and indoctrination.
Normally, a bit of embezzlement he could tolerate to a certain extent.
But this matter had already crossed the line!
"Who is it? Who bribed someone in my manor? Is this to uncover the secret of my disappearance for a few days, and the hiding place of my gold and silver?"
Fang Xi's expression turned completely cold.
As long as he knew about such a thing, and meticulously investigated servants who frequently left the manor and interacted with others, he would always find clues!
What's more, with a cultivator's methods, even if a traitor wanted to hide, they wouldn't be able to!
"I hope it's not those few people. . ."
Fang Xi murmured, and suddenly sighed.
In this world, there were always many troubles. That was why some cultivators became ruthless and emotionless, abandoning all love and affection in their lives, seeking only the Grand Dao.
He was slightly better, but he was also a. . . cold and unfeeling person!
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