Capítulo 23: 23, I, Tan Someone, am just a money transporter.
"Not seen."
Due to the previous battle with that old man who was adept at serving as a lackey, Tan Shuchang had no choice but to suppress the idea of abducting and refining him.
The injury did not affect his movements, but it greatly affected his ability to act.
"However, this will inevitably cause General Huai to harbor displeasure towards the Lord of Qinghe City, and when the time comes, even his subordinates, the ghost messengers, will not heed the Lord's commands," the fierce ghost scholar couldn't help but remind.
In Lang Guard Ghost City, General Huai undeniably wielded sole dominance — without the title of City Lord, yet wielding the authority of one. It was only because of that nine-tenths rule of the ghost city that General Huai had not already become the Lord of Lang Guard Ghost City.
It was exactly because of this that the fierce ghost scholar, who had some old grievances with General Huai, immediately declared his allegiance to Tan Shuchang upon his arrival.
Therefore, this fierce ghost scholar was also the ghost least hoping for anything untoward to happen to Tan Shuchang right now.
"Disobey? Would they really disobey?" Upon hearing this, Tan Shuchang suddenly felt somewhat agitated inside — directly targeting the second-in-command of the ghost city was indeed a bit risky.
Nevertheless, if he were to approach the matter progressively and cautiously, it would undoubtedly be much safer.
The fierce ghost scholar also picked up on the change in Tan Shuchang's tone, which left this dog-headed military adviser quite puzzled internally.
Although Tan Shuchang's dog-headed military advisor was a powerful fierce ghost, he ultimately could not compare to a Yin God. Therefore, in terms of conscious thinking, he was somewhat inferior to a living person. Consequently, the fierce ghost scholar, who never managed to understand, simply recounted General Huai's background in detail.
"Lord of the City, General Huai is a fierce ghost with years of malice, and there are even rumors that he could have already become a Yin God, only failing to form a true name due to the inconsistency of his killing patterns, which prevents him from achieving promotion."
"As such, General Huai, who considers himself half a Yin God, has never sworn allegiance to any Yin God. However, even without the backing of a Yin God, General Huai's strength is enough to command respect among fierce ghosts, hence he has gathered a large number of fierce ghosts to serve him."
"With his power, General Huai could have directly taken the position of City Lord; it was only those regulations from above that rendered him still but a general," the fierce ghost scholar recounted.
Upon hearing this, Tan Shuchang was somewhat dismissive, as he still considered himself to be of scholarly lineage!
But now isn't he still reduced to being a demon cultivator?
Hence, Tan Shuchang simply responded with a "I know" and had the fierce ghost scholar send General Huai away.
Before long, Tan Shuchang felt a surge of malice and hatred erupt outside the Lord's mansion of Qinghe City, lingering and not dispersing, seemingly intent on assaulting the Lord's mansion.
"Is this anger?"
Tan Shuchang smiled slightly, thinking anger was good; his second fierce ghost offering was likely settled. Moreover, with a bit of luck, he might even manage two offerings in one go!
Immediately thereafter, Tan Shuchang left the bizarre inner world of the game.
This time, leaving meant that the next entry would have to wait for his entrance into the instance of the eerie game. The previous privilege to enter had been shut off by the eerie game after he repaid the ghost debt.
Tan Shuchang, having left the eerie game, returned to Black Heart Mountain, where dawn was just beginning to break.
After a moment's thought, he proceeded to descend the mountain.
By the time he reached Qinghe City, the sky was already bright. Seeing some shops still closed, Tan Shuchang patiently waited a while longer.
He had suffered a similar injury before, and this time the wound was even less severe, so Tan Shuchang was quite clear on how to take care of himself. It didn't take long for him to purchase all the herbs he needed.
In Qinghe City, he could only buy herbs; such Immortal Elixirs were impossible to find for sale here.
The currency used in this place is a special item called the Upper Xuan Great Seal, crafted by the Zi Xuan dynasty and recognized and backed by the same dynasty.
It can be directly exchanged for silver and gold, and also for some other things.
If one has enough Upper Xuan Great Seals, it's even possible to exchange them for Immortal Elixirs or clues to treasures imbued with spirit communication, such supreme treasures.
This is a currency exclusive to cultivators.
Because of its precise exchange value and the lack of any record of malign incidents, the Upper Xuan Great Seal circulates normally even in the states outside the Upper Xuan dynasty.
But the Upper Xuan Great Seal is not distributed to cultivators for free, it must be obtained through various methods.
Just like the work of ordinary people.
However, Tan Shuchang doesn't need to worry about it—if he runs out of money, he simply writes a letter and sends it to his father's former students and officials.
The Tan family's influence is vast, with countless students and officials. Consequently, even though the emperor of the Upper Xuan dynasty executed many members of the Tan family, he did not touch those students and officials; to do so would mean the court losing at least half of its people.
An official's background is seldom clean, and they're typically caught when their backing collapses.
Thus, when a letter from Tan Shuchang is sent out, for the former students and officials of Minister Tan, it's like a sword suddenly chopping down yet stopping midway through its descent.
Although Tan Shuchang does not know the particulars of these people's dealings, if he were to roughly detail their actions to the emperor of the Upper Xuan dynasty, the emperor would certainly wish to behead a few.
Tan Shuchang is well aware of this, and so are his father's former students and officials. So, no matter how much they curse internally, they must send money to this Demon Cultivator.
"Money's gone again. This time, write a couple more letters..."
The medicinal herbs needed for his recovery are rare and thus more expensive. Tan Shuchang initially had seventy Upper Xuan Great Seals, but after this expenditure, only two remain.
But no matter, he, Tan Someone, never lacks money.
The Cultivation trend is widespread in Jiawu Realm, with many nobles and dignitaries also being cultivators. Various cultivation sects feature the presence of influential families' offspring. Over time, to facilitate their travel and other activities, these cultivators personally took action, significantly boosting social productivity.
The common folk are still suffering, but, indeed, many aspects of life have become much more convenient.
Take, for instance, sending letters.
There's a special type of magic artifact, modeled after Sword Cultivators, that, while not nearly as fast as real Sword Cultivators and having only a modest carrying capacity of under a hundred pounds, is just perfect for delivering letters.
...
Westward in Luo State, in Qinghe City.
The largest family here is undoubtedly the Ning family. The Ning family rose to prominence early on by aligning with the Tan family. After the fall of the Tan family, the Ning family, thanks to their own son's handsome looks and eloquence, managed to connect with a daughter of Tianjian Mansion of Chu State's Dong family, thus not only avoiding decline due to the Tan family's affair but even gaining more power, firmly dominating Qinghe City!
"Scoundrel! Scoundrel! Scoundrel!" the Ning family patriarch cursed, clutching a letter, thrice in anger.
For he was truly infuriated.
"Father, who has angered you like this? Tell me, and I'll go kill him," a young man said, stepping into the room upon hearing the commotion.
"Jia Heng, you've returned from your cultivation journey?" The Ning family patriarch's expression softened upon seeing this young man, for this was his beloved youngest son, and also the one he valued most—Ning Jiaheng!
Capítulo 24: 24. Heavenly Sword Mansion, Young Master Sword
Ning Jiaheng had displayed an exceptionally high talent for cultivation from a young age; thus, at the age of five, he was taken in by a renowned elder of the previous generation as a closed-door disciple.
He began learning literature and recognizing characters at the age of three, and started his cultivation journey at four—that was the privilege only the direct descendants of major cultivation sects could enjoy.
For someone of Ning Jiaheng's background, it was common to start cultivating in their teenage years.
By beginning his cultivation at the age of five, Ning Jiaheng could be said to have surpassed more than ninety percent of those of the same background. As for loose cultivators, they did not even qualify to be compared with Ning Jiaheng.
Moreover, it was extremely rare for children of loose cultivators to begin cultivating at such a young age.
This was because loose cultivators feared that their young children would be plotted against by others, leading to the leakage of their cultivated techniques or other family secrets. Therefore, families of loose cultivators typically started their children or relatives' cultivation journey at the age of eleven or twelve.
Children of this age have begun to understand the ways of the world and, if educated well from an early age, also possess a strong discernment.
In short—they are not so easily deceived.
"We... we cannot kill this person."
The old Family Head of the Ning family also wished to slaughter the remaining Tan lineage, as each letter sent required at least fifty Upper Profound Great Seals. Although the Ning family dominated this city in Western Chu State, they did not possess many Upper Profound Great Seals, only managing to collect about ten thousand each year.
Don't let the number ten thousand fool you; sixty percent of that had to be sent to Ning Jiaheng's master!
Would Ning Jiaheng's cultivation have progressed so smoothly otherwise?
Out of the remaining forty percent, a great half was spent on various tributes and gifts—ice tribute, coal tribute, homesickness tribute, filial tribute... After going through this round of obligations, it would be good to have a thousand left.
And that thousand was also needed for the cultivation of the Ning Family's own descendents!
Splitting it here and there, even he, as the Family Head, could only retain two to three hundred Upper Profound Great Seals.
Then, each letter that arrived demanded at least fifty!
How could anyone bear this?
He had reserved these for his son's cultivation use.
"Father, why can't we kill him? My master is Master Wangyue, and as his disciple, there are few under heaven who I cannot kill!" Ning Jiaheng felt indignant upon hearing the old family head's words.
And he indeed had the confidence to say so, as Master Wangyue might not be from Mount Huijian or Heavenly Sword Mansion, but was regarded as the foremost among the top ten sword cultivators in Jiawu Realm over the past hundred years!
With inscrutable and profound cultivation skills, he was lauded as the cultivator with the most promise to break the limits of true cultivation and become an immortal-like figure since the phasing out of myths three hundred years ago.
Thus, as Master Wangyue's closed-door disciple, Ning Jiaheng had the confidence to make such a statement.
"His name is Tan Shuchang, the last son of the former Prime Minister Tan," the old Family Head Ning sighed deeply, as it was well known the Ning family had risen to power with the support of Prime Minister Tan.
That year, with his humble beginnings, he had entered officialdom, and because he had offended a noble's son, he struggled without advancement for nearly a decade. Then, by chance, Prime Minister Tan learned of his predicament and reassigned him, thereby paving the way for his rapid rise.
He could choose not to repay that kindness or pretend ignorance, but he had to perform the act for others to see!
Otherwise, would the Dong family still wish to support the Ning family?
Lessons from the past are the teachers of the future.
"The remaining offspring of the Tan family?" Ning Jiaheng, valued by the old family head, naturally understood the matters of his own family and, upon hearing this, realized the troublesome nature of the situation.
At this moment, the old Family Head Ning handed the letter in his hand to Ning Jiaheng.
Old Master Ning took this action to ensure that his son would remember Tan Shuchang's handwriting so that in the future, when faced with such demands again, he would reluctantly part with the seals.
However, much to his surprise, after Ning Jiaheng glanced over the letter, he broke into laughter.
"Jiaheng, why do you laugh? Do you have a clever plan?" Old Master Ning couldn't help but ask since this was already the third letter requesting the pressing of the grand seal.
The first time he had given fifty seals, the second time seventy, and this third time he truly did not wish to give any more.
Warding off the plague god did not even incur such a great loss!
Moreover, did this Tan fellow have some serious illness, always targeting their Ning family for requests? Weren't the other families suitable as well? If he wasn't aware, Ning could have mentioned it and offered to make introductions!
"My master wants me to make a trip to the Heavenly Sword Mansion of Chu State, as the Dong family's eldest young mistress has reached a marriageable age. It will be just right for me to show this letter to Sword Young Master—he is famously intolerant of evil!" Ning Jiaheng said with a smile.
"Is your master helping you to propose a marriage?" Old Master Ning said, suddenly overjoyed.
Although he had one son who had allied with the Dong family, the eldest daughter from that family was somewhat too old, being two cycles older than his son.
Thus, people would always chuckle a bit when mentioning the Ning family.
But now, if his younger son could enter into a marriage agreement with the Dong family's younger mistress, then the Ning family's dominance in Luo State was not far off. At that time, who would dare to laugh at the Ning family?
"My master didn't dare to guarantee success, only suggested that I give it a try. Besides, sweet-talking a young girl of tender years is not a difficult task, is it?" Ning Jiaheng boasted with immense confidence.
"Hahaha, my son speaks the truth! As the closed-door disciple of Elder Master Wangyue, you are truly a match for the Dong family's young mistress in status, you two are a match made in heaven!" Old Master Ning also had great confidence in his younger son and immediately arranged for someone to send Ning Jiaheng to Chu State.
Ning Jiaheng didn't refuse; given the vast distance between Luo State and Chu State, separated by two provinces, he had come home specifically to have his father arrange his travels.
In the Jiawu Realm, there exists an extraordinary Mountain-Sea Beast capable of tunneling through earth and stone. If encountering a body of water, it could instantly move from one location to another.
Utilizing the characteristics of such a Mountain-Sea Beast, someone had crafted a Magic Artifact called "Water Spirit," which, when placed in water, could transport a person hundreds of miles.
However, using the "Water Spirit" required considerable expense. Ning Jiaheng's journey from Luo State to Chu State cost him three hundred grand seals.
Upon arriving in Chu State, Ning Jiaheng immediately rode his flying sword toward the Heavenly Sword Mansion.
Half a day later, Ning Jiaheng reached his destination. First, he found his elder brother, who had married into the family, and with his brother's introduction, he quickly received the hospitality of the Dong family.
Owing to the fact that Ning Jiaheng was not only related by marriage but also a disciple of Elder Master Wangyue, the Dong family treated him with utmost respect.
Despite this, Ning Jiaheng did not get to meet the young mistress of the Dong family.
He met only the Sword Young Master!
The Sword Young Master, the brother-in-law of the current head of the Dong family and also one of the two individuals in the Dong family with the most talent for the Sword Dao.
The other was the Dong family's young mistress herself, who was this Sword Young Master's niece.
Yes, his niece.
Because the current head of the Dong family was the Sword Young Master's brother-in-law. Although he had married into the family, the Dong family afforded him ample respect, even supporting him in acceding to the position of Family Head.
The banquet to entertain Ning Jiaheng soon concluded, and immediately afterward, the Sword Young Master made his way to the back courtyard of the Dong mansion.
"Guess whom Ning Jiaheng I just met mentioned? Hehe, here, your little lover wrote this, but sadly, this letter isn't meant for you."
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