Chapter 47

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The territory of Green Mountain Town.

Yunyang County has twenty-three towns, and although Green Mountain Town is one of them, it spans over a hundred miles, encompassing numerous villages, hills, gullies, and hamlets, totaling over a dozen.

Yuanling Mountain is a village built along the mountainside, and the Yuan family is the largest landowner in the village. Due to a county magistrate of the seventh rank who emerged from their lineage several generations ago, they are also considered a scholarly family.

The coachman, once he started talking, wouldn't stop, and Su Qinnian gained a good understanding of the local scenery and the prominent families in the town.

Upon reaching the boundary, Su Qinnian thanked the old steward again and left alone.

Nine Mile Hill.

This is a small hill within the territory of Green Mountain Town, with about a hundred households and over two thousand people.

As soon as Su Qinnian entered the territory of Green Mountain Town, he saw the constables patrolling on behalf of the town magistrate. The town magistrate is the highest official of a town, holding a rank of eighth grade junior.

Generally, this position is awarded after passing the provincial examination, and the candidates are evaluated by the Ministry of Personnel and then appointed by the court. Throughout the empire, every three years, out of the many scholars who pass the provincial examination in the 108 prefectures, only the most outstanding in martial arts and strategy are appointed to such positions.

As Su Qinnian walked, he couldn't help but nod in approval. The territory of Green Mountain Town appeared peaceful, and although the atmosphere was somewhat heavy as evening approached, it was evident that the town magistrate had been diligent in his governance. Su Qinnian extended his mental energy and detected very little residual demonic aura.

However, when he arrived at Nine Mile Hill, Su Qinnian raised an eyebrow. His mental energy, now at the second level of the "Mystical Soul Technique," was extremely sensitive, and even the slightest changes within a dozen yards were hard to escape his perception. Now, he felt that the atmosphere in the hill was off. Villagers looked worried, whispering to each other, and there was no trace of the usual lively chatter.

"The Ling family? They haven't been in Nine Mile Hill for a long time."

"The Ling family's land was transferred to their in-laws. A hundred years ago, the eldest son of the Ling family opened a trade route and became wealthy, so they all moved to Yunyang County."

Su Qinnian frowned, not expecting to get such news from an old man he stopped on the road.

Indeed, times had changed, and people had moved on. The nineteen acres of private land in Nine Mile Hill, which belonged to his Qingyang Peak, had a new owner.

"Who are the Ling family's in-laws?" Su Qinnian asked.

The old man sized him up, frowned, and said, "Young man, what do you want by asking so many questions? Don't beat around the bush. I advise you to go back. The two hundred taels of silver might be tempting, but it's not something a young novice like you can handle. In the past half month, many martial artists have come, all experienced in their counties, with cultivation at the sixth or seventh level of the 'Rushing Horse Technique,' yet they couldn't withstand it. Do you think you're stronger than them? The 'Classic of Filial Piety' says, 'The body, hair, and skin are received from one's parents.' Don't risk your life in vain. Who will take care of your parents in their old age?"

As he spoke, the old man's white beard quivered, and he pounded his cane repeatedly, looking disappointed: "Go back! Go back! Young man, your martial arts are not yet mature, and the outside world is too dangerous. In our Shiyan Prefecture, with the presence of Mount Wudang, there are few hidden demons, and many demonic beasts have been cleared by generations of Wudang disciples. For ten out of twelve months, it can be considered relatively peaceful, but the wilderness is still full of dangers. How can a young man like you not recognize his own limitations? Just because you have a sword, it doesn't mean you are invincible. The martial world is not so easy to navigate. Excessive arrogance and overambition can cost you your life!"

Su Qinnian's lips twitched, not expecting to encounter an old scholar. However, the old man was right. Having lived for so long and seen so much, he must have witnessed many young men lose their lives in their youthful arrogance.

After a full half-incense stick, the old man finally let Su Qinnian go, still muttering and shaking his head as he walked away.

Next, Su Qinnian noticed that there were indeed some martial artists in tight-fitting clothes, some wearing straw hats, some carrying swords, spears, or whips, of various heights and appearances, some dignified, some sharp-featured, and some simple but heroic. Some horses, covered in dust, were being led into the village, leaving behind steaming horse droppings.

Without deliberately asking, Su Qinnian followed the direction of these martial artists and soon passed by a solemn temple.

The Temple of the Three Madmen!

This temple, instead of worshipping deities, honored the Three Madmen of Wudang.

In the empire, the establishment of temples and the worship of deities are regulated. Ordinary people are not allowed to build temples or offer sacrifices without permission. Such activities must be reported to the state or county, and approved by the Ministry of Rites, before funds are allocated or raised locally, and construction can begin.

The Temple of the Three Madmen is the most common temple in Shiyan Prefecture. With each generation of the Three Madmen, the statues are replaced, and Wudang has always taken this very seriously. In addition to the temples of the Three Madmen, some peak masters and top figures of Wudang also have their own temples, which are often bustling with incense and frequently send disciples down the mountain to help believers, guide them in cultivation, or distribute Wudang's own medicines.

"The old lady of the Hu family is praying inside, she has been praying all day. For an elderly woman nearing eighty, it's quite a feat to spend a whole day in prayer."

"The Hu family, though wealthy, is well-read and has never pressured tenants for rent. They often help the poor in the village. How could they suffer such a misfortune?"

"I heard that the old lady's grandson is only three years old. This illness has made him like a wild beast, biting people with incredible strength and sharp claws. A few days ago, a martial artist with the sixth level of the 'Rushing Horse Technique' and medical skills was thrown out and suffered severe injuries, nearly being disemboweled."

Capturing these voices with his mental energy, Su Qinnian's eyes flashed with a sharp light. It seemed this was the family in question.

Two hundred taels of silver is a significant sum. For an average family of three, a month's expenses would be about one tael of silver. In such a village, only a wealthy family could afford such a reward.

Indeed, after rounding half the village, Su Qinnian saw a grand residence with green bricks and black tiles, even with brick carvings of blessings. The copper-studded gate was painted in bright red, and a gilded plaque read "Hu Family."

"Hmm? Truly a scholarly family. These two characters are quite elegant and powerful, not something that can be copied from a calligraphy book."

Su Qinnian nodded in approval. As the saying goes, "A person's character is reflected in their handwriting." Such elegant and powerful characters require a deep understanding of the world and a solid foundation in literature to write. The aura in the characters cannot be imitated.

At this moment, servants at the Hu Family's gate were worried, tending to several large horses. They were not optimistic about the few martial artists who had just entered. Two days ago, the village chief had personally gone to the town magistrate's office, and people were sent to Wudang Mountain, but unfortunately, they were killed by demonic beasts on the way. Today, at dawn, the constables were sent again, and even if everything went smoothly, it would take at least two more days for news to arrive.

"Little Master Sun is such a clever child, but in the past two days, he has bitten to death two horses and three chickens. He's not human anymore."

"The master suspected it might be canine distemper, but Little Master Sun has never left the estate, and there are no mastiffs in the estate. Canine distemper wouldn't cause such strength. Now, no one can get close, and doctors are afraid of being injured, so they can't even diagnose him. It's truly worrying."

"Hey, are you here to claim the reward?"

Seeing Su Qinnian, two young servants raised their eyebrows in surprise.

"Yes," Su Qinnian replied calmly, not minding their reaction.

"Young man, you're truly fearless. I advise you not to go in. Two hundred taels is not an easy reward to get. Don't risk your life in vain," one servant shook his head and said.

"No problem, I won't be hurt."

Su Qinnian shook his head and stepped into the estate, and the two servants didn't react in time.

"Hey, this young man is so quick, I didn't even have time to speak. He's rash. Wanting to become famous at a young age comes at a cost! Foolish!"

The other servant sighed. In the past two days, he had seen several severely injured martial artists carried out. Each was over twenty years old, with at least the fifth level of the 'Rushing Horse Technique.' Although they were not chosen by Wudang in their youth, they were still outstanding in the surrounding villages and towns.

Demonic aura!

This was Su Qinnian's only thought as he stepped into the Hu Family estate. (Updated at noon, please support with daily recommendations, and new readers, please add to your collection. Phew, the old slogan again)