Chapter 170: Exchange |
Just as everyone was discussing in low voices with various thoughts, the side door of the banquet hall opened, and steady footsteps could be heard.
The hall immediately quieted down, and all eyes turned toward the entrance.
Yunlin Prefecture Lord Bian Zhengze strode in.
He appeared to be around fifty years old, with a scholarly face, dressed in brocade robes. A warm smile graced his face as his gaze swept over everyone present, and he nodded slightly.
However, everyone's attention was quickly drawn to the person beside him.
That person wore black martial attire, a regulation saber at his waist, and stood tall and straight as a pine tree. His bearing was completely different from the martial world atmosphere of the various sect disciples present.
"Pacification Guard Commander, Zhao Lin!"
Chen Qing's gaze sharpened, immediately recognizing this person.
During the four-sect alliance, he had seen Zhao Lin from afar once and had a deep impression of him.
Had there been precedents of high-ranking Pacification Guard officials directly participating in the Prefecture Lord's banquets before?
Nie Shanshan understood his meaning and immediately transmitted her voice secretly, "In the previous gatherings, this Commander Zhao... has never attended."
Chen Qing's heart stirred. He vaguely felt that this banquet was probably not as simple as merely maintaining relationships.
The relationship between the Pacification Guard and local sects had always been subtle. Zhao Lin's appearance here must have deep significance.
"We greet the Prefecture Lord! We greet Commander Zhao!"
No matter what those in the hall thought, they all stood and cupped their hands in unison.
"Distinguished talents, no need for such formality. Please sit, please sit."
Bian Zhengze's smile was gentle as he pressed his palms down in a placating gesture and took his seat at the head position together with Zhao Lin.
Bian Zhengze gestured, and the maids waiting to the side filed in, placing exquisitely prepared delicacies on each table.
The dishes gave off enticing aromas. Quite a few were surprisingly flavored with rare medicinal treasures or featured exotic beast meat as the main ingredient, clearly of considerable value.
The cost of this banquet made Chen Qing secretly click his tongue. The Prefecture Lord's generosity was truly extraordinary.
Bian Zhengze raised his cup in a gesture, and after everyone drank a cup of spirit wine together, he smiled and spoke in a relaxed tone, "I see several new faces this year, all future pillars of our Yunlin Prefecture. Seeing all of you brings this lord comfort. Everyone, don't be constrained, relax, haha."
Though he said this, everyone knew that when the Prefecture Lord hosted a banquet, it could never be merely to "discuss only wind and moon."
Sure enough, after brief pleasantries, Bian Zhengze's tone shifted slightly as he looked toward Zhao Lin beside him and smiled, "Commander Zhao has been working tirelessly for Yunlin's security recently, eliminating quite a few petty criminals. His achievements are remarkable. Today he happens to be at the mansion discussing important matters with this lord, so he came along to meet you young elites. Commander Zhao, why don't you say a few words to our future of Yunlin?"
Zhao Lin stood up, bowing slightly to Bian Zhengze before turning to everyone.
"The Prefecture Lord is too kind. Zhao is a crude man who dislikes beating around the bush. I came today because there is indeed a matter I wish to discuss with all the young talents present."
The hall immediately became so quiet a pin drop could be heard, and everyone held their breath.
"Recently, the Demon Sect has become increasingly rampant, their movements ever more secretive. I'm sure all of you have heard about this, and some may have even experienced it personally."
Zhao Lin said in a deep voice, "Eliminating the Demon Sect and maintaining local peace is the Pacification Guard's duty. However, the demon forces are vast, and relying solely on the Pacification Guard's strength alone inevitably falls short."
He paused before continuing, "Therefore, the Pacification Guard has decided to widely invite young talents. Specter may hold nominal positions within the Guard. The Guard will establish a task board, posting various missions such as demon elimination, criminal apprehension, and investigation."
"All of you may freely choose to accept tasks according to your own wishes and abilities. Upon completing each task, you will receive corresponding 'military merit' based on its difficulty."
Nominal positions? Military merit?
As soon as these two terms were spoken, the eyes of many present immediately lit up, their minds racing.
This seemed to be a new avenue for obtaining resources?
Feng Shuhao of Qixia Manor was the first to stand, cupping his hands and asking, "Commander Zhao, may I ask if this task board means we can accept or decline as we wish, with no mandatory constraints whatsoever?"
This was also everyone's greatest concern.
Sect disciples were most wary of being bound by the court system.
Zhao Lin nodded affirmatively, "Young Hero Feng has asked the key question. The nominal position is merely in name, to facilitate recording military merit and exchanging resources. Tasks are entirely voluntary with absolutely no compulsion. All of you remain pillars of your respective sects, and the Pacification Guard will absolutely not interfere with any of your affairs within your sects."
Having received this assurance, quite a few people breathed sighs of relief, their interest growing stronger.
At this moment, Xiao Bieli of Hanyu Valley spoke coldly, asking another core question, "What can military merit be exchanged for? I've heard the court treasury holds rare treasures from across the realm. I wonder... are there 'Condensing True Aura Pills'?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone looked toward Zhao Lin.
Condensing True Aura Pills, for them, the allure was fatal!
A smile appeared on Zhao Lin's face as he declared loudly, "As long as you have sufficient military merit, Condensing True Aura Pills are naturally available! Not only Condensing True Aura Pills, but various rare treasures, superior precious weapons, secret cultivation methods, vast cultivation resources... many of which cannot be bought even with silver, scarce items exclusive to the court's internal supply. The Pacification Guard is directly under the imperial family, representing the court. How could our foundations be ordinary? I won't say more, lest someone accuse me of boasting!"
An uproar!
Although they had anticipated it, having Zhao Lin personally confirm it made the atmosphere instantly heated.
Even those with steady temperaments like Xiao Bieli and Nie Shanshan had a gleam flash through their eyes.
Of course, there were also those who remained calm.
"Exchanging military merit sounds easy, but how much military merit does one Condensing True Aura Pill require? What level of task difficulty must be completed to accumulate enough? The intricacies here probably aren't that simple."
Chen Qing thought to himself, "Moreover, holding a nominal position in the Pacification Guard seems free, but is actually a tether. Once one begins completing tasks for resources, one inevitably establishes increasingly deep connections with the Pacification Guard. Over time, through subtle influence, one's position might quietly change."
"Why not recruit wandering cultivators or mercenaries for nominal positions? Clearly, these young sect members have more potential and drive."
"The court is using an open scheme, enticing with benefits, gradually infiltrating and winning over the future core strength of sects... Brilliant, truly brilliant."
What made open schemes formidable was that even knowing the complications involved, one would still willingly step in.
Zhao Lin seemed to see through some people's thoughts, but didn't point it out. He merely clapped his hands.
Immediately, maids carrying jade trays came forward, distributing a wooden token to each of the Five Heroes and Seven Talents present.
The tokens were exquisitely crafted. The front was carved with the two characters "Pacification Guard," while the back was surrounded by cloud patterns with a small groove in the center, seemingly holding some mystery.
"This is the military merit token."
Zhao Lin explained, "With this token, you can accept tasks, record and check military merit. Specific details and the list of exchangeable items, especially those rare treasures hard to find in the outside world that money can't buy, are all listed within."
Chen Qing accepted the token. It was definitely not ordinary wood.
His eyes narrowed slightly as his mind raced, having already analyzed about seventy to eighty percent of the Pacification Guard's deeper intentions.
The court was using the righteous cause of demon elimination to openly extend its reach toward the most outstanding younger generation of the sects.
Zhao Lin said nothing more. He cupped his hands toward Bian Zhengze and everyone before sitting down.
The atmosphere of the subsequent banquet became noticeably more active. Many people had lost interest in the food and instead conversed in small groups in low voices, their discussions all revolving around the words "military merit" and "exchange," especially those rare resources that wealth found difficult to reach.
The banquet continued for another half hour before ending in an atmosphere that seemed harmonious and lively.
Everyone bid farewell to Bian Zhengze and Zhao Lin, departing with different thoughts.
After all the young talents had left, the smile on Bian Zhengze's face slightly faded. He looked toward Zhao Lin beside him and asked slowly, "What do you think of this batch of prospects? Among them, which few do you favor most?"
Zhao Lin pondered for a moment and said, "Six people!"
Bian Zhengze asked with interest, "Oh? Which six?"
Zhao Lin replied, "Chen Qing and Nie Shanshan of the Five Terraces Sect. Xiao Bieli and Han Dang of Hanyu Valley, Feng Shuhao of Qixia Manor, and... that disciple of 'Wind-Splitting Whip' Qi Lingxiao, Jiang Bai."
Bian Zhengze nodded and said nothing more.
Chen Qing, Nie Shanshan, and Yan Yaoyang had just walked not far from the Prefecture Lord's mansion when they saw Shi Ziyi and Fang Rui of Xuanjia Gate approaching from the side, clearly having been waiting for them.
The group then went to a teahouse.
Fang Rui spoke first, "Senior Brother Chen, Senior Sister Nie, Senior Brother Yan, what do you think of what Commander Zhao said earlier? I think this matter is quite promising!"
His gaze was bright as he continued, "Holding a nominal position and freely accepting tasks as we wish, we can exchange resources with military merit, even rare items like 'Condensing True Aura Pills'! Not to mention those scarce resources that money can't buy. The court treasury has deep foundations, far beyond what ordinary sects can compare."
"In my view, this is a rare shortcut with controllable risks but potentially enormous benefits. For us, eliminating the Demon Sect is our duty anyway. Now we can also earn extra resources doing it. Why not?"
Yan Yaoyang pondered for a long while before nodding, "Entirely voluntary with no mandatory constraints, free to advance or retreat. We can temper ourselves while exchanging for urgently needed cultivation resources, especially those Condensing True Aura Pills and many treasures not seen on the market... Such an opportunity is indeed a good one."
He was clearly very optimistic about the military merit exchange.
After all, Condensing True Aura Pills and some special resources were too rare, far beyond what gold and silver could measure.
Shi Ziyi didn't immediately take a stance but instead directed her gaze toward Nie Shanshan and Chen Qing.
Nie Shanshan pondered slightly before saying softly, "The court's move has far-reaching intentions. The two words 'military merit' carry considerable weight. Though they say it's voluntary with no constraints, once one begins accumulating military merit, one establishes real connections with the Pacification Guard. Those resources that money can't buy are indeed tempting, but..."
"The stakes involved and the potential future position issues need careful consideration. I need to think carefully before making a decision."
Her attitude was clear, she leaned toward delaying and needed to weigh the overall situation.
Seeing Nie Shanshan finish, Shi Ziyi's gaze naturally turned to Chen Qing.
Chen Qing's expression remained calm. Meeting everyone's gaze, he slowly said, "My view is similar to Senior Sister Nie's. This matter truly requires careful thought."
He first established his baseline, then his tone shifted slightly, "The Pacification Guard represents the court. The resource channels they control, especially those scarce items far beyond what gold and silver can measure, are undoubtedly extremely tempting. Ultimately, how to decide still depends on one's individual needs and wishes."
These words both expressed his agreement with Nie Shanshan's cautious attitude and didn't completely deny the positive views of Fang Rui and Yan Yaoyang, while also pointing out the core attraction of the military merit system's ability to provide special resources.
After exchanging opinions, everyone had their own calculations.
Fang Rui had clearly made up his mind, his face showing eagerness to try.
Yan Yaoyang's eyes also flickered. The scales in his heart had clearly tipped as he began calculating how to quickly obtain military merit to exchange for those coveted items.
Shi Ziyi observed everyone's reactions and nodded slightly without saying more, seemingly having made her preliminary judgment.
Nie Shanshan maintained her cool, contemplative appearance.
Chen Qing's expression remained unchanged.
"In that case, let's take our leave. This matter requires further consideration." Fang Rui cupped his hands.
"Farewell."
Shi Ziyi also cupped her hands.
Yan Yaoyang said, "I still have some matters to handle. Junior Brother Chen, Senior Sister Nie, see you later."
Chen Qing and Nie Shanshan returned the courtesy together.
The group thus parted ways outside the prefecture city, each carrying different thoughts.
After parting with Nie Shanshan and the others, Chen Qing returned to his small courtyard and gathered all the savings he had accumulated during this time.
Then he circulated the Golden Cicada Molting Form Technique. The joints throughout his body emitted a series of subtle crisp sounds, and his face became blurred and indistinct as his aura flowed.
In just a moment, he had transformed into a man with a cold, stern face.
He then took a wide cloak and draped it over himself, pulling the hood low, before quietly leaving the mountain gate and heading toward the Myriad Treasures Tower at the edge of the Ten Thousand Poisons Marsh.
The Myriad Treasures Tower at the edge of the Ten Thousand Poisons Marsh remained as before. The massive docks stood tall, with people coming and going, a mixed crowd of all types.
The air was filled with a faint bloody smell mixed with the unique odor of rotting mud.
Chen Qing walked with practiced ease into that seemingly ordinary hall.
The light inside the hall was somewhat dim. Various treasure hunters and martial world people conversed in low voices, their eyes warily sizing up everyone who entered.
Most of them, like Chen Qing, concealed their appearances with cloaks, hoods, or masks, so his attire didn't attract attention.
A young woman dressed in Myriad Treasures Tower attire with a pretty face immediately came forward, smiling, "This customer, are you here to store boats or trade goods?"
Chen Qing lowered his voice, making it sound hoarse, "Selling some goods. The quantity is a bit large."
The woman's smile brightened, "Very well, customer, please follow me to a side room to rest. I'll have an appraiser come over."
Chen Qing was led to a small side room. After the woman served a cup of tea, she withdrew.
Before long, footsteps sounded. The person who entered wasn't the expected old master but a middle-aged woman, "This customer, I heard you have good goods to sell? I wonder if it's medicinal treasures, materials, or..."
Chen Qing didn't speak but directly placed an unremarkable hemp cloth bundle on the table with a dull thud.
He then took out several jade boxes and porcelain bottles of various sizes from his chest, along with several weapons and inner armor pieces.
As he began taking things out, the middle-aged woman's smile gradually turned to surprise.
First were the precious materials from the Red-Eyed Poison Python, it’s scales, poison sacs, fangs, all properly processed. Then came weapons and inner armor. Though somewhat damaged, the materials were all extraordinary.
The middle-aged woman's surprise had already turned to shock.
She had originally thought this was just an ordinary embracing elixir realm wandering cultivator selling goods. She never expected this mysterious black-cloaked customer to produce items as if he had just robbed a small family's treasure vault!
The items here were diverse, and their origins were probably... But she immediately suppressed her curiosity. The rule of Myriad Treasures Tower was not to ask about sources.
"Your goods... are of staggering value, exceeding this humble one's authority."
The middle-aged woman's tone became extremely respectful, "Please wait a moment. I'll immediately go request the chief manager!"
Chen Qing nodded slightly, remaining taciturn as before.
Soon, an elderly man in brocade robes hurried in.
He first swept his gaze over the pile of goods on the table like a small mountain. A gleam flashed in his eyes, then he cupped his hands and smiled at Chen Qing, "This old one is surnamed Qian, the manager of this Myriad Treasures Tower. I apologize for the neglect, esteemed guest."
Chen Qing stood and returned the courtesy, his voice somewhat hoarse, "Manager Qian, thank you for your trouble."
"As it should be."
Manager Qian's smile was affable as he personally came forward to carefully examine each item.
His techniques were practiced and his eye sharp. Picking up each item and merely giving it a glance, occasionally weighing it, he could accurately state its material, quality, and approximate market price.
"Complete Red-Eyed Poison Python poison sac, superior quality... Black Iron Heavy Saber, unfortunately the blade edge is damaged, value reduced by thirty percent... Three bottles of Condensing True Aura Pills, good pill quality..."
As he examined items, he quietly called out prices, while an assistant naturally recorded everything quickly.
It took nearly half an hour before Manager Qian finished inventorying all the items.
He calculated quickly in his mind and finally called out a figure, "For all your goods, with such varied types, this old one offers a total price of... two hundred eighty-seven thousand taels of silver. What do you think?"
This price was considerably lower than Chen Qing's own estimate, but it was also normal. Processing goods of unknown origin here would naturally be much cheaper than legitimate channels like the Liu Family Trading Company.
Chen Qing didn't hesitate and nodded, "Exchange it all for bank notes that can be cashed immediately."
"Straightforward!"
Manager Qian's smile broadened further as he immediately instructed his assistant to handle it.
Soon, a stack of large-denomination bank notes bearing the Myriad Treasures Tower's unique seal were delivered to Chen Qing's hands.
Chen Qing carefully counted them to confirm everything was correct before tucking the bank notes close to his body.
This enormous sum, added to his original savings, was already a considerable amount.
After finishing all this, he didn't immediately leave but instead asked, "Manager Qian, your establishment has well-informed sources and broad channels. I wonder... do you have any heaven and earth rare treasures with five-element attributes for sale? For example, things like the Earth Heart Marrow Pearl?"
Upon hearing this, Manager Qian shook his head:
"Five-element attribute treasures, how rare are they? Each one is a priceless gem that can only be encountered by chance."
He paused before continuing to explain, "Such rare treasures mostly come from certain forbidden zones or places guarded by powerful exotic beasts. They're extremely difficult to obtain. Once they appear in the world, they often attract the attention of experts and rarely flow directly into the market for gold and silver transactions."
Chen Qing had expected this, but hearing the definite answer, he still felt slightly disappointed.
It seemed many truly precious treasures couldn't be bought with silver.
No wonder Yan Yaoyang and others were so concerned about items exchangeable with military merit.
Manager Qian added, "However, if the customer truly seeks such items, it's not entirely without avenues. If someone truly sells such important treasures, they typically choose only two methods: one is barter, exchanging for another rare treasure or cultivation method of equivalent value that they urgently need; the second is through high-level auction houses."
"Auction houses?"
Chen Qing's gaze shifted slightly.
"Correct."
Manager Qian nodded, "Some large trading companies with deep backgrounds, or organizations like our Myriad Treasures Tower, occasionally hold high-level auction houses. Those invited are either wealthy or noble, or individuals of exceptional strength."
"Only in such venues might five-element rare treasures appear. If the customer is interested, you may pay more attention to related news in the future."
Hearing this, Chen Qing nodded.
"Thank you for informing me, Manager Qian. I will keep watch."
He cupped his hands, "I'll stop here for today. Farewell."
"Customer, take care! If you have any needs, you're welcome at Myriad Treasures Tower anytime!"
Manager Qian personally escorted Chen Qing out of the side room, his attitude very enthusiastic.
Chen Qing emerged from the Myriad Treasures Tower and glanced at the misty Ten Thousand Poisons Marsh in the distance, recalling the mysterious golden light he had glimpsed last time.
The depths surely held covetable treasures.
"Better wait until I have sufficient strength."
Chen Qing muttered in a low voice.
With his current strength and trump cards, if careful and cautious, he might not be unable to gain something within but this thought only flashed through his mind before he forcibly suppressed it.
Right now, carrying the Earth Heart Marrow Pearl and having just obtained a huge sum, this was the time he needed to settle and digest, to improve his cultivation.
Venturing deep into dangerous territory at this moment held too many variables.
Chen Qing turned around and executed the Startling Swan Escaping Shadow Formula, leaving the outer perimeter of the Ten Thousand Poisons Marsh.
