Chapter 96

The Divine Beast's Selection (96)

While Chao Ailiang and Yanshen were lost in reminiscence about the past, the people working by the river began to make a commotion.

Upon closer inspection, they were seen arguing with some unfamiliar men.

Yanshen frowned.

"Why are they here?"

"Do you know them?"

In response to Chao Ailiang's question, Yanshen nodded with a displeased expression.

"Qingcheng First Hall. They are the lay martial officials from the Qingcheng Sect I mentioned earlier."

"Qingcheng First Hall?"

Chao Ailiang chuckled.

The name could be interpreted in various ways.

"Let's go take a look."

"There's no need to go to such lengths..."

Seeing the concern in his friend's eyes, Chao Ailiang smiled reassuringly.

"Don't worry, nothing like what you're thinking will happen. Besides, those young whelps probably don't even recognize me."

Relieved, Yanshen descended the hill with Chao Ailiang.

As they got closer, they could hear the conversation.

"Please, this is a special request."

Among the three men from the Qingcheng lay martial officials, the one with a sturdy build pleaded.

"Why won't you accept our order?"

Guchil, representing the villagers, stepped forward.

"We are too busy to take on additional orders."

"Then at least ten sets! We only need ten sets of robes."

Guchil sighed.

"We have a minimum order quantity, so that's even more difficult."

Through the conversation, Chao Ailiang and Yanshen understood the situation.

"Please, it's for our Qingcheng Sect's new leader."

The other men from the Qingcheng martial officials added their pleas.

"The only place that can produce a blue color close to the sky is here."

"Wouldn't it be an honor for our leader to wear a robe made here?"

Standing a distance away, Yanshen chuckled.

"I heard the Qingcheng Sect's new leader was recently appointed. They must really want to impress him."

While he understood their desire to present a gift to the new leader, the situation was inappropriate.

The villagers were already struggling to keep up with the backlog of orders.

"Well, I'm afraid it's not possible."

Finally, Guchil raised his voice sternly. The men from the martial officials changed their attitude.

"Are you refusing even after such earnest requests?"

"You're being unreasonable. Don't you know who we are?"

"Isn't this just about making money? Why won't you accept the order? We're willing to pay the price."

Intimidated by the tall, muscular men, Guchil flinched but did not back down.

"It's not about money. I've already explained the issue of credit with our existing clients."

Unable to stand it any longer, Yanshen stepped in.

"That's enough."

The men from the martial officials hesitated upon recognizing Yanshen.

Despite his profession in salt, Yanshen's influence in the region was well-known.

He was a respected figure, known for his connections with the government.

"Li Qian, a martial official of Qingcheng First Hall, greets Yan Daren, known for his integrity like a pine and a cypress."

The man who introduced himself as Li Qian bowed respectfully.

"It's a great honor to meet such a renowned figure."

Yanshen, who found Li Qian's sudden change in attitude distasteful, said,

"Leave."

Surprised by the unexpected dismissal, Li Qian and his companions were taken aback.

Yanshen continued,

"The person you were threatening manages and supervises the workers here. If he says no, it means no."

"Threatening? That's a misunderstanding."

"Is it?"

Yanshen glared coldly at Li Qian.

"Does my eye look like a knot hole?"

"Th-That..."

Before Li Qian could respond, another man spoke up.

"If we don't get the desired result, our master will be very disappointed."

"Your master? The head of Qingcheng First Hall?"

The man nodded in response to Yanshen's question.

"Yes. Qingcheng Dragon, Fan Yuehai, the only Qingcheng lay disciple to have learned the Lingfeng Sword Technique and Dala Sword Technique directly from the leader. He is our master."

Yanshen found it amusing how they tried to pressure him through their master's reputation.

Standing next to him was Chao Ailiang, one of the Five Great Experts, the strongest in the martial world.

Their inability to recognize such a figure right in front of them was no different from having knot holes for eyes.

"Does it matter to me if your master is disappointed?"

Frustrated, Li Qian sighed.

"What good will come from making enemies with us?"

Yanshen scoffed.

"I know there's no benefit in getting close to swordsmen."

Blushing, Li Qian tried again.

"Recently, we heard that the White Sand Society is targeting this place."

"So what?"

"They'll stop at nothing to get what they want. If they know our sect is protecting this place, they won't dare to act."

"So you want us to be under Qingcheng's protection?"

Li Qian nodded with a smile.

"Use this opportunity to grow the village together..."

"No."

Yanshen firmly rejected the offer and dismissed them again.

"I won't see you off. Go in peace."

The men from the martial officials huffed, their faces showing clear displeasure. However, they eventually had to turn back due to Yanshen's determined gaze.

As they left, Chao Ailiang chuckled.

"You've gotten yourself into a troublesome situation."

"Hmph! They can't do much right now. As long as they claim to be a righteous sect, they won't openly antagonize the government."

"Besides Qingcheng Sect."

"..."

"White Sand Society."

"..."

"Salt is a significant part of the government's tax revenue. Even the Black Dot, who doesn't shy away from any profit, avoids the salt trade. It's like asking the government to kill them."

"The White Sand Society is a group of salt smugglers."

"Hmph! Those salt bandits."

"They're not to be underestimated. They live on the edge, ready to die for immediate gains."

Even the notorious Sichuan Tang Family, known for their poisons, admitted to being outmatched by the White Sand Society's ruthlessness and tenacity.

Their poison salt, in particular, is as deadly as the Tang Family's Corpse Rot Poison, a banned poison in the martial world.

"Why is the White Sand Society interested in this village?"

Yanshen pointed to a direction, and Chao Ailiang turned to see carts loaded with salt.

"I see."

Chao Ailiang nodded, understanding the situation.

The smugglers were after the carts used to transport salt secretly.

Specifically, they needed the village's credibility to pass inspections smoothly.

Chao Ailiang looked in the direction where Li Qian had disappeared.

"They don't seem ready to give up easily."

Yanshen sighed.

"Our salt has been famous for quite some time. We can't keep up with the orders now. Many people have approached us to grow the village together. Recently, even well-known large merchant groups have tried to invest."

"Isn't more money a good thing?"

Yanshen shook his head.

"For whose benefit?"

"..."

"More people will just try to take a cut. Some of them will be armed."

Yanshen watched the busy villagers.

"I don't want them to be in danger. I can only protect them to this extent."

"Always taking the hard way. You live a tiring life."

"Am I the only one?"

Chao Ailiang chuckled at the rebuke.

Yanshen said to him,

"Don't do anything. Don't even worry. Just rest and enjoy your stay."

"I plan to."

Chao Ailiang nodded with a smile.

Yanshen, however, missed the sinister presence lurking behind that calm smile.

'Qingcheng...'

Hiding the rising killing intent in his heart, Chao Ailiang made a silent vow.

'This cursed connection never ends.'

* * *

"The Qingcheng Sect is targeting Yanchu Village?"

Late at night, in a dilapidated shrine on the outskirts of a village near the River Daojiang, an irritable voice erupted.

"Yes. The lay martial officials from the Qingcheng Sect approached Yan Dae and offered their protection."

Guo Yan, the leader of the Dark Dragon Hall, a branch of the White Sand Society, furrowed his already fierce brows.

"Damn it. Why are they suddenly causing trouble?"

The second-in-command, a one-eyed man, cautiously spoke up.

"It's probably related to the change in leadership."

Seeing the leader's frown, the one-eyed man quickly added,

"The inauguration ceremony for the new leader of the Qingcheng Sect is coming up soon."

"So?"

"Other sects will send congratulatory envoys with gifts."

"What does that have to do with Yanchu Village?"

"Recently, the salt produced in the village has become incredibly popular. It's hard to get even if you have money. The Taoists are quite particular about their robes. It's the perfect gift for them to show off later."

"..."

"Think about it. Among the Nine Great Sects, except for Shaolin, Emei, and Diancang, the rest are Taoist sects. Huashan, Wudang, Zhongnan, Kunlun, and Gongsun..."

Guo Yan waved his hand to cut off his subordinate.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.

"Damn it. After all the effort we put in, someone else is about to take the credit."

Even they, who were bold, found the name