Chapter 41

41. In the Green Forest, we don’t ask each other to do troublesome things.

Lian Ji could not understand what the chief of the Green Forest was saying.

Why would he ask for help from someone who would not move a muscle once back at Wufeng Mountain?

“I don’t think I can be of much help.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

As he spoke, Shiwuhai, the leader of the Green Forest, extended a silver token.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a token that proves your identity as the Chief Inspector. I originally intended to give it to one of the Twelve Leaders, but it seems you should have it.”

“Chief Inspector?”

“It’s not a big deal. It means that if the patrols cause any problems, you’re supposed to sort them out.”

“But I’ll be at Wufeng Mountain, right?”

“Not forever, right? Life can take you down the mountain at times. Just live comfortably, and if you see the patrols doing something wrong, you can deal with it then. If you don’t run into them, that’s fine too.”

Shiwuhai spoke as if it were no big deal, so Lian Ji took the silver token.

“So, you’re saying I don’t have to go around and can just live comfortably?”

“Exactly. In the Green Forest, we don’t ask each other to do troublesome things. Only officials run around looking for things. Thieves are too busy taking care of themselves to go looking for anyone.”

“Is the Chief Inspector higher than the Chief?”

“Much higher. Think of it as a position that represents me, the Chief.”

“Wow, that’s great.”

Lian Ji tucked the silver token into his chest, completely taken in by the idea that he could live comfortably without having to go around.

***

Luoyang.

Baise Shangfang.

Before the official start of the trade mission, four people gathered in the office of the chamberlain, Li Shichang. They were the chief of the Qinglong Team, Lian Wudao, and the chief of the Baihu Team, Bai Daojin.

Li Shichang smiled and offered words of encouragement to the two chiefs.

“Lian Daxia, Bai Daxia, from now on, I will only trust the two of you. I’ve heard that Lian Dazhu and Bai Dazhu are the top experts of the Walong Hall. The rumors in Luoyang are quite famous. The experts of the Walong Hall are said to be on par with the disciples of the Seven Pai Sect. I entrust the Baise Shangfang to you both.”

Lian Wudao responded with a somewhat reluctant expression.

“I will do my best. We won’t be offering tributes to bandits like before.”

In fact, Lian Wudao’s pride was quite hurt over the monthly salary issue.

‘To praise me as being on par with the Seven Pai Sect disciples and then offer a monthly salary of 500 wen... it’s not even a joke...’

Seeing Lian Wudao’s unhappy expression, Li Shichang added a word.

“The monthly salary is a bit low, and I apologize for that. However, after a few successful trade missions, the salary will be paid normally. This time, we have signed a contract to trade with Taiping Shangfang in Wuxian. If this trade maintains well, a monthly salary of 1000 wen is possible. Please do your best.”

At the mention of a possible monthly salary of 1000 wen, Lian Wudao’s expression relaxed.

Then, the chief manager, Li Yanfu, explained the precautions for the trade mission to Wuxian.

“...And at first, it’s better to go through Pingzheng Mountain to Tapha rather than the Nanyang area.”

Lian Wudao nodded.

“I know. The San’ao Mountain Gang in Hata Town is notorious, right?”

Hata Town is about halfway between Luoyang and Nanyang. The chief of the San’ao Mountain Gang is greedy and ruthless, so merchants avoid passing through.

“It’s difficult to negotiate with the San’ao Mountain Gang, so large-scale trade missions are generally safer.”

“I’ve heard that the Red Wind Gang on the way to Tapha is also tough.”

While the Wufeng Mountain Gang is known for a silver tael, the Red Wind Gang is more challenging.

“The chief of the Red Wind Gang is just nasty, but not particularly greedy or cruel. If we can prove our strength, the rest shouldn’t be a big problem.”

“Are you saying we have to fight at first?”

“The chief of the Red Wind Gang sends out a few people to test the waters. Depending on how we handle it, the toll will be set. We can just pass, pay fifty silver taels, or, in the worst case, be prepared to pay up to a hundred silver taels.”

“How much did you pay before?”

“Because the warriors from Changhai Wu Guan were underestimated, we paid up to 150 silver taels.”

“Wow!”

“Because of that, the Walong Hall got the opportunity, so please handle it well. I have high hopes for the two of you. Even fifty silver taels would be good.”

Lian Wudao chuckled.

“Fifty silver taels is a lot. I’ll try to pass without paying if possible.”

“That would be fortunate... After passing Pingzheng Mountain, you’ll reach Wufeng Mountain. You’ve probably heard the rumors about the Wufeng Mountain Gang. One silver tael per merchant. Since it’s not a heavy burden, it’s better to just pay and go.”

“Didn’t two or three trade companies fail to suppress them?”

“Although the Manshui Shangfang kept it quiet, even the Tianjin Shangren of the Wudang Sect was defeated... It’s better to just appease them.”

“If they only charge merchants, can the laborers, porters, and warriors avoid paying?”

“Yes.”

“Then can the merchants disguise themselves as laborers to save money?”

Chamberlain Li Shichang, who had been watching the conversation, interjected.

“They can smell money like ghosts. It’s better not to take unnecessary risks.”

“I’ll talk to the merchants and handle it appropriately.”

Lian Wudao had no intention of following the chamberlain and chief manager’s advice. He wanted to show the best results possible to quickly raise his salary.

The chief manager, Li Yanfu, shrugged and continued.

“It will be easier after Tapha. There’s only one road to Wuxian. If we’re lucky, we might meet other trade companies at Tapha, and we can travel together to Wuxian. Two or three trade companies together will make the journey smoother. No mountain gang can handle that.”

“Understood. I won’t disappoint you.”

“The round trip will take about two and a half months. It’s possible to do it in two months if we hurry, but don’t overexert yourself with the heavy load. Lian Dazhu’s Qinglong Team will depart tomorrow, and Bai Dazhu’s Baihu Team will follow a month later. Of course, the departure of the Baihu Team can be moved a few days earlier or later depending on the situation.”

Bai Daojin nodded with a calm expression.

“Understood.”

After the rather long meeting with the chamberlain, Lian Wudao and Bai Daojin left the office.

As they walked to their lodgings, Lian Wudao glanced at Bai Daojin.

He was from the Bai family and a confidant of Bai Meizhu, making him difficult to deal with. If it weren’t for Bai Meizhu’s recommendation, he would have replaced him long ago.

“Bai Dazhu, would you like to have a drink with me today?”

“Ha ha! No, I can’t. I shouldn’t be drinking the night before a trade mission. My wife is expecting a lot, isn’t she? I don’t want to start off on the wrong foot.”

“Whatever you say.”

Lian Wudao turned his gaze away with a bitter expression.

As expected, his wife comes first. The position of the head of the Walong Hall is still vacant. Everyone thinks Lian Wubai will inherit it, but what does that mean?

Currently, Bai Meizhu is in charge of the practical operations of the Walong Hall. Just the contract with Baise Shangfang shows this. Lian Wubai only diligently teaches the disciples of the Tian, Di, and Ren sections. Even if the Walong Hall grows, his role doesn’t seem to change.

“Oh, by the way, I heard that Bai Furen plans to accept fifty more disciples?”

“We left the Walong Hall, so we need to fill the vacancies.”

“Hmm. That would make the disciples number over a hundred... Is that okay?”

“Don’t worry. She said she would proceed once we establish ourselves in the trade company.”

“Oh, that’s good.”

It’s a bit sad that Bai Daojin knows more than himself, a senior of the Yan family. But what can he do? This is the reality of the Walong Hall.

***

Nanzhili Province.

Hefei.

The Wufeng Ten Heroes were returning from the Green Forest Conference, and their expressions were bright. They felt it was time to enjoy the journey back.

As they walked through the bustling streets, Han Chaiyan exclaimed in amazement.

“Wow! There are so many people.”

“Yes, it seems more crowded than the last time we passed through. Is there a special event today?”

Xiaosu Bai looked around with wide eyes, intrigued.

Among the crowd, there was a particular spot where people were gathering.

The Wufeng Ten Heroes were pushed in one direction by the crowd. Since they had plenty of time, they decided to see what was happening.

Outside the city gate, two men stood facing each other.

The two men, both in their late twenties, were glaring at each other as if ready to draw their swords at any moment.

The man with a Hunan accent spoke in a low, menacing tone.

“Huang Yandong, I’m telling you, I don’t know anything about the disappearance at Guangbulu Temple. Don’t forget that all trouble starts from the mouth.”

The man with a sharp face sneered in response.

“Hmph! Is the disappearance of a monk from the temple such a big deal that you’re talking about conspiracies? They say that making a big deal out of nothing can turn it into something significant. If you want to gain fame, why don’t you suppress a mountain gang?”

“You, you, how dare you... Do you think I’m saying this just to gain fame? How many monks and Taoists have disappeared without us knowing?”

“Alright, let me ask you. How many have disappeared?”

“I don’t know the exact number, but it’s clear that many people have disappeared.”

“Tsk tsk! You don’t even know how many have disappeared, and you’re saying many have? Just go suppress a nearby mountain gang.”

At Huang Yandong’s words, the onlookers laughed.

The man with a Hunan accent, Deng Chao, gritted his teeth and shouted.

“Huang Yandong! You’ve insulted me, and I won’t forgive you. Draw your sword.”

“Deng Chao, if I draw my sword, there’s no turning back. Do you really want that?”

“Stop talking and draw your sword!”

As he spoke, Deng Chao drew his long sword.

Only then did Huang Yandong slowly draw the saber from his waist.

As the fight seemed about to begin, the onlookers took a few steps back.

Someone in the crowd spoke up.

“Gaoxuejian has been gaining some fame recently, but he’s still no match for Paishan Dao.”

“I bet on Paishan Dao to win within fifty moves.”

“Fifty moves is too long. He might last thirty moves?”

Listening to the conversation, Li Tieshan interjected.

“Sir, what’s this disappearance at Guangbulu Temple?”

“Oh, about a month ago, a monk disappeared from Guangbulu Temple. Gaoxuejian and Paishan Dao had a verbal argument at a tavern over this, which led to a fight. Gaoxuejian claims that a monk disappears from Guangbulu Temple every few years, but there’s no way to confirm if they moved to another region or met with an accident.”

Li Tieshan nodded at the man’s explanation.

In fact, countless wandering beggars die, so the disappearance of a monk was not unusual.

Another man nearby added an explanation.

“Gaoxuejian’s brother is a monk at Guangbulu Temple, so he’s taking it personally.”

This time, Han Chaiyan asked.

“Alright, I get it about Gaoxuejian. But why is Paishan Dao so eager to pick a fight? Whether the monk left or disappeared, it’s not a big deal, right?”

“Gaoxuejian’s name has been on people’s lips, so Paishan Dao might be a bit envious. As they say, a thief’s feet itch. The fact that he keeps telling Gaoxuejian to suppress a mountain gang to gain fame is a clear sign.”

Someone else chimed in.

“They also have a bit of a competitive relationship.”

“What kind of competition? Strictly speaking, Gaoxuejian is a junior.”

“I mean, the junior is rising, so the senior is feeling the pressure.”

“Oh, that makes sense.”

Amid the murmurs of the crowd, the fight between Gaoxuejian and Paishan Dao was reaching its climax.

Lian Ji, who had been watching the fight, asked a familiar man.

“Sir, do they really kill each other over such things?”

“They are both righteous knights of the orthodox school, so it won’t go that far. But if they’re unlucky, they might get seriously injured and die.”

“No, I don’t think so...”

Lian Ji tilted her head.

No matter how she looked at it, Paishan Dao’s sword was filled with killing intent. It was clear that he was determined to kill his opponent, yet the man said it wouldn’t go that far?