Initiation into the Hundred Hunts

This world was vast.

So immense, in fact, that the Nine Provinces, with their Two Capitals and Thirty-Three Districts, primarily inhabited by human cultivators, would take a Nascent Soul cultivator decades of continuous flight through the void to traverse completely.

This estimation didn’t even account for the Inner and Outer Eight Seas to the east, the Five Mountains to the west, or the Great Barrens to the north.

For cultivators, exploring the entire world was an impossibility, let alone for mortals.

While the Inner Four Seas fell within the human cultivators’ understanding, the Outer Four Seas remained largely unknown.

Even the top-ranked cultivator on the Heavenly Ranking stage had not journeyed across the entirety of this world.

It was rumored that the current number one on the Heavenly Ranking once ventured deep into the Great Barrens, only returning after reaching its furthest limits.

This same paramount cultivator had also set foot in the Outer Four Seas, yet their exploration ultimately came to naught, as if something lay beyond those distant waters.

As for the Five Mountains, the hordes of demons residing there were not listed on the Heavenly Ranking, yet the number of Tribulation Transcending Mahayana great demons was beyond count; even the foremost among human cultivators, that peerless expert standing above millions, had never fully explored the Five Mountains.

Some called this world the Profound Yellow Realm  while others referred to it as the Three Thousand Realms .

Both names carried their own legends and origins.

However, whether it was the vast Profound Yellow Realm or the Three Thousand Realms, such expansive and unbridled pursuits were matters for the heavenly talents and the mighty.

As for mortals, they might spend their entire lives confined to their commanderies and counties.

Just like Gu Bei, also known as Gu Buqi, who at this very moment was pondering how to ‘stir things up’ .

The world’s immensity held no relevance for him; his sole focus was on surviving and ensuring tomorrow would be slightly more prosperous than today.

Ning Wanzhuang had given him a jade token, instructing him to cause trouble, while Yu Qiuqiao had provided a bottle of medicinal powder, telling him to sow chaos and bloodshed for either Ning Wanzhuang or Sanchuan.

Indeed, he quickly devised numerous schemes.

He could, for instance, flaunt Ning Wanzhuang’s token, swindling and intimidating others, wielding power unscrupulously.

Alternatively, he could use Yu Qiuqiao’s medicinal powder to drug several heavenly talents from the Hundred Hunt Gate or the Immortal Alliance ; their gender mattered not, for once they were drugged, the rest would be simple.

If he intended to perish immediately after, he might indeed proceed with such plans.

However, the celestial maidens of reputable orthodox sects  cherished their reputations; if he were to drag Ning Wanzhuang’s name through the mud, he would truly incur her wrath.

While the demonic women of the Hundred Hunt Gate cared little for reputation, such an act would essentially hand them a significant weakness to exploit.

And giving someone such leverage was exceedingly perilous.

This point was well illustrated in the domestic and Japanese urban dramas Gu Bei had watched in his previous life: either one seized their superior’s secrets or their superior’s ‘assets’.

Neither outcome was ever favorable.

‘Imperial Astronomical Bureau…’ Gu Bei mused, chewing on the three words, his fingers gently rubbing the body of the teacup he held.

To ordinary people, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau  was shrouded in profound mystery; while its existence wasn’t unknown, those who had genuinely met an official from within were exceedingly rare.

Let alone the Director , even a Sichen (TL Note: Sichen, a specific official rank within the Qintianjian) rarely appeared before common folk.

For an ordinary person like Gu Bei, who possessed only a minor network of acquaintances (TL Note: Xianghuo Renmai, literally ‘incense and fire connections,’ referring to a network of social connections or influence), the most they could hope to interact with were the ‘Blade-Wielders’ affiliated with the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.

Within the Blade-Wielder division, Gu Bei lacked any direct connections whatsoever, rendering Ning Wanzhuang’s demand for the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to personally intervene a task with unknown requirements.

To truly understand the nature of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, he would first need to find someone to connect him to a Blade-Wielder, and only then could he approach the Bureau itself.

At this thought, Gu Bei couldn’t help but curse under his breath.

It was akin to a game’s quest panel that only offered a brief description, with the mission requirements, level limits, and completion conditions all marked with question marks, yet it was a main quest .

In a game, one could simply choose not to play in such a situation, but in real life, he could only grit his teeth and puzzle over how to clear the obstacle.

If he failed to contact the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, then determining the appropriate ‘degree’ of his actions would become another problem.

Ning Wanzhuang had asked him to cause trouble, and Yu Qiuqiao had told him to stir things up, both within specific limits: he couldn’t put Ning Wanzhuang in a difficult position, nor could he allow Yu Qiuqiao to gain leverage over him.

Yet, he also needed to maneuver the Imperial Astronomical Bureau into a position where they had no choice but to intervene.

After much deliberation, Gu Bei decided to first acquire a new identity.

In this situation, Ning Wanzhuang’s jade token proved exceedingly useful.

He already knew people, and with the added ‘tiger skin’ (TL Note: A metaphor for borrowing power or authority) of Ning Wanzhuang, the issue of a new identity was swiftly resolved.

****

“Gu Langzhou, a native of Nan County in Sanchuan Commandery, orphaned since childhood, who grew up scrambling through streets and alleys, surviving by petty theft and cunning…” The cultivator from the Hundred Hunt Gate frowned as they perused Gu Bei’s ‘resume’. “In his early years, he stumbled upon a common Qi Condensation cultivation method and fortuitously reached the third stage of Qi Condensation. It seems your talent and luck are both rather good. Since you come recommended by an acquaintance, we shall allow you to enter the sect.”

“Many thanks, many thanks! This junior is new to the sect and unfamiliar with many rules. Might this senior be free tonight…?” Gu Bei asked with a fawning, ingratiating smile. “This junior possesses no great skills, but I do have a modest amount of wealth.”

“Oh?” The interviewing cultivator smiled with a hint of amusement. “Actually, there’s no need to call me senior; I am merely at the Foundation Establishment  stage… However, since you have such an idea, I shall oblige.”

“Excellent, excellent!” Gu Bei’s face lit up with visible delight. “Then, as the sun sets, this junior will await you at the ‘Misty Rain Pavilion’ .”

Upon hearing the words ‘Misty Rain Pavilion,’ the interviewing cultivator from the Hundred Hunt Gate smiled even more broadly. “The Misty Rain Pavilion? It seems your ‘modest’ wealth is not so modest after all.”

“Haha, money is meant to be spent, after all. It’s simply a matter of how to spend it meaningfully, how to spend it to make oneself happy,” Gu Bei replied with a knowing grin.

“Hmm, you certainly have an open mind. Not bad, this temperament is indeed suitable for cultivating our sect’s techniques.” The Hundred Hunt Gate cultivator, subtly flattered by Gu Bei, was quite pleased, even beginning to adopt the airs of a senior.

In truth, mortal currency circulated just as readily among cultivators, for the Nine Provinces were governed by a unified empire, and its official currency naturally flowed throughout its territories.

Gold, silver, and treasures held purchasing power for cultivators as well.

While the Minor Sword Sect wasn’t considered particularly wealthy, that was when compared to other Ninth-Rank sects; if the entire sect’s wealth were concentrated on a single individual, they would appear quite affluent.

And as a direct disciple, Gu Bei, the senior brother of the Minor Sword Sect, though most of his assets were held within the sect, had nonetheless frequently traveled outside on business, making him relatively well-off.

Treating someone to ‘flower wine’  was well within his means.

Having formally become an outer disciple of the Hundred Hunt Gate, Gu Bei did not immediately enter the sect, but instead spent some time wandering outside.

Although he had visited the capital of Sanchuan many times, he was now on a mission, so it was prudent to explore the streets and alleys for any signs or clues of potential trouble.

Regrettably, he found no entry points or indications.

It wasn’t until the sun began to dip towards the horizon that he made his way towards the Misty Rain Pavilion.

Upon reaching the entrance, he flashed his Misty Rain Pavilion VIP card before a sharp-eyed waiter.

The waiter, noticing the small inscription beneath the VIP card, exclaimed, “Ah, it’s you, esteemed guest! Your reserved premium room is waiting. Would you like to go up now or…?”

“Go ahead and prepare it,” Gu Bei waved his hand.

“Right away!” The waiter bowed and smiled.

Gu Bei looked up at the signboard, adorned with golden threads, which exuded an air of grandeur mixed with a hint of delicate charm.

At this hour, guests of various attire continuously streamed through the Misty Rain Pavilion’s entrance.

This was the largest pleasure quarter in all of Sanchuan, not merely in scale but, more importantly, in quality.

It was one of the rare entertainment venues where cultivators would perform their arts.

Far more elegant than those common brothels (TL Note: Goulan, traditional Chinese entertainment houses, often with courtesans) that immediately inquired, ‘Do you have a favored lady?’, it was thus favored by those of status and wealth.

Although within the Immortal Alliance’s sphere, even if a fairy were to perform here, she would not be forced into selling her body, for those lacking sufficient status and wealth, the Misty Rain Pavilion was one of the few places where they could witness true celestial maidens perform dances.

Gu Bei possessed a VIP card simply because he had frequented the establishment so often.

In Sanchuan, any cultivator at the Golden Core (TL Note: Jindan, a stage of cultivation where a golden core forms within the dantian) stage or below would be delighted to be invited to the Misty Rain Pavilion for flower wine; after numerous invitations and considerable spending, one naturally became a VIP.

Gu Bei waited by the entrance for a while before the Hundred Hunt Gate cultivator from earlier in the day finally arrived, fashionably late.

“Senior,” Gu Bei greeted him warmly, stepping forward.

“Mm,” the Hundred Hunt Gate cultivator nodded with a touch of reserved dignity.

“Shall I lead you to the room?”

“Very well.”

Once they reached the reserved premium room, and as soon as they had settled, the waiter entered with a smiling face. “Esteemed guests, shall your wine and dishes be served now or…?”

Gu Bei looked towards the cultivator.

Only after the cultivator subtly nodded did Gu Bei speak. “Serve them now, and please send two ladies to accompany us for drinks.”

“Right away, please wait a moment.”

The waiter smiled and withdrew from the room.

The Hundred Hunt Gate cultivator looked quite surprised. “It seems you’ve been here many times, young man.”

“Indeed, I’ve had several social engagements here in the past,” Gu Bei replied with a smile, rising to pour wine for the cultivator.

After filling the cup, he sat back down.

“Hahahaha, is that truly so?”

“Truly?” Gu Bei blinked, his smile knowing.

“Langzhou is a delightful fellow; there’s no need to keep calling me senior. I’m not much older than you. Let’s just address each other as brothers!”

“Ah, but this junior heard that for cultivators such as yourselves, different cultivation realms dictate addressing each other as elders?”

“There is such a saying, but that applies to the Immortal Alliance; we of the Hundred Hunt Gate don’t bother with such things.”

“Then… Langzhou shall respectfully accept your offer?”

“Exactly! My surname is Lin, and my given name is Yi. You may simply call me Elder Brother Lin, my good brother.”

Gu Bei’s face showed joyful agreement. “Elder Brother Lin!”

“Brother Gu!”

“Elder Brother Lin!”

“Brother Gu!”

Then, both burst into boisterous laughter.

While outwardly cooperating, Gu Bei’s mind was churning.

‘Such a strong ‘jianghu’ (TL Note: Jianghu, refers to the martial arts world or the underworld, often implying less formal or more rough-and-tumble customs) flavor to their address. I don’t recall dealing with sect stewards or protectors from the Hundred Hunt Gate this way before.’

‘It seems the Hundred Hunt Gate is, as I initially suspected, merely a front temporarily established by a heavenly talent from the Demonic Path side to draw attention…’

He mused internally, his face still wreathed in smiles, continuously toasting.

Soon, several brightly dressed women entered.

Gu Bei smiled as he introduced them. “This is my elder brother from the sect, a Foundation Establishment heavenly talent! You must serve him well.”

That phrase, ‘Foundation Establishment heavenly talent,’ greatly pleased Lin Yi, whose slightly tipsy smile grew even brighter.

The women, like chirping orioles and swallows, were equally cooperative, immediately expressing surprise and delight as they pressed close.

Lin Yi was instantly enveloped by the scent of rouge, while Gu Bei, too, smiled as he embraced a woman on each side.