A Strange Encounter in Ziling Town

To his surprise, the three men were still waiting exactly where he had left them. As Lin Tian approached, they quickly rose to their feet, eager to greet him.

“Erm… Senior Brother, are you truly the only one who descended the mountain?” the coachman inquired, a bewildered expression on his face.

“Everyone else perished.”

“This…”

Lin Tian paid no mind to their astonished faces. His gaze instead fell upon the two carriages. The one that had carried passengers lay utterly ruined, having been demolished by Wu Yuan. Of the remaining, one held an iron cage, and the other, various goods.

“What are these?” Lin Tian asked, gesturing towards the heap of weeds piled high on the carriage.

“These are a consignment of medicinal herbs the mountain bandits had transported,” the coachman explained, pulling back the covering of weeds. Hidden beneath were more than ten stalks of herbs.

The Luo family operated a pharmacy, and Lin Tian recognized many kinds of medicinal herbs. Yet, of these ten or so stalks, he could identify only half, and those were exceptionally rare varieties.

“Medicinal herbs?” Lin Tian picked up a stalk and brought it to his face, sniffing it deeply. He murmured to himself,

‘Could this batch of herbs be the very goods that the immortal cultivator sought?’

“Senior Brother… Is something amiss?”

“Nothing. Let us descend the mountain. We still have about two hours of night travel ahead before we reach Ziling Town.”

The sun had already dipped halfway below the horizon, painting the mountain slopes with a crimson glow. Lin Tian dismantled the iron cage meant for slaves, allowing the two young women to ride in comfort. He himself settled onto the pile of herbs, practicing his Qi Gathering Art.

By the time the carriage reached the foot of the mountain, darkness had fully enveloped them. The trees lining the road seemed to harbor hidden dangers.

“Miss, surely there won’t be any wild beasts tonight? I’d rather be captured by bandits than eaten by an animal…” the maid whispered, shrinking into herself.

“Don’t speak such nonsense. Be careful, or I’ll sell you to the mountain bandits myself.”

****

The journey proceeded without major incident, bringing them to the nearest settlement, Ziling Town. Lin Tian had remained in meditation the entire way, uttering not a single word.

“That… Senior Brother, we’ve arrived at the town…” Seeing Lin Tian still meditating, the coachman called out in a hushed voice.

“You may go,” Lin Tian replied. “Selling the carriages will provide you with some travel expenses.” He condensed a wisp of spiritual energy, stored the medicinal herbs in his storage pouch, then leaped from the carriage and departed alone.

The streets were largely deserted, with rows of lanterns illuminating the houses on either side. He made his way to the inn where they had previously left their horses. Inside, a considerable number of patrons still sat, drinking and boasting loudly.

Upon seeing Lin Tian, clad in white robes, enter the establishment, the middle-aged man behind the counter hurried forward with a smile.

“Esteemed Heroine, I recall there were many of you earlier, no?” The innkeeper glanced outside the door, confirming that only the young man before him remained.

“They all died. Get me something to eat and prepare a room,” Lin Tian stated, his expression devoid of emotion.

“They… all died… What about the mountain bandits?”

“They’re all dead too. Keep one of these horses for me; the rest are yours.”

At these words, the innkeeper’s face lit up. Twenty-three fine horses were easily worth half a month’s income for his establishment.

“With the mountain bandits gone, transporting goods will be much safer, Senior Brother. What price would you like for the horses?”

“Consider them a gift.”

“This…” The innkeeper froze, and many of the drinking patrons overheard. Such generosity suggested considerable wealth.

Some began to harbor ill intentions, but a glance at the badge hanging from Lin Tian’s waist instantly dispelled their thoughts. An inner disciple of Mufu Mountain was not someone to provoke.

“For such magnanimity, Senior Brother, anything you require is on the house,” the innkeeper said, rubbing his hands together with a smile. He then instructed the kitchen,

“Prepare a lavish meal and send it to the young man’s room…”

Upon reaching the room, the innkeeper had chosen the most luxurious suite for him. After dismissing the bellhop, Lin Tian plopped onto the bed.

‘I never imagined my first mission would involve immortal cultivators. With everyone else wiped out, I’m sure to face an inquiry upon my return. To be safe, it’s best to conceal this storage pouch and the Qi Gathering Art.’

Knock, knock, knock! A knock sounded from outside the room.

“Young man, your meal.”

“Come in.”

The one who entered, carrying the dishes, was a handsome young man. He placed the food on the table but did not leave, instead taking a seat beside it.

“Hmm?” Lin Tian’s brow furrowed. “I did not request any other service.”

“Such a large meal, Senior Brother cannot possibly finish it alone, can he? What harm is there in a brief conversation?”

With that, he poured himself a cup of wine and looked at Lin Tian. “Care for a drink?”

“I don’t drink,” Lin Tian said, sitting at the table to eat.

“Having eliminated the mountain bandits and returned alone, Senior Brother must possess considerable skill. To remain in Mufu Mountain would be a waste of such talent. How would you like to enter the imperial court with me?”

Lin Tian scrutinized him. This man was clearly an official. “I have no desire to involve myself in matters of the imperial court.”

The man smiled faintly, taking a sip of wine. “Senior Brother is an immortal cultivator, aren’t you? I recognize that pouch on your waist.”

Lin Tian’s brow furrowed, but he remained silent.

“Don’t misunderstand. Our imperial court has dealt with many immortal cultivators. Let us be friends; perhaps there will be opportunities for cooperation in the future.”

“No interest,” Lin Tian replied, continuing his meal.

“No interest… You should know that our imperial court possesses vast power and resources. We can procure any information or items you might need.”

After a moment’s consideration, Lin Tian produced a blueprint. “Do you have this item described here? This liquid is called uranium and needs to be excavated from a specific type of terrain.”

The man took the blueprint and studied it for a few moments. “Hmm… I haven’t heard of this, but it’s described in such detail. I’ll dispatch people to help you search for it.”

“Please do not publicize this matter. Once the item is found, I will pay the appropriate sum.”

‘This is the primary material for manufacturing nuclear bombs. If he truly can find it, giving him all my ingots would be no issue.’

“Haha, does Senior Brother truly believe I lack wealth?”

“Oh? Then what do you desire?”

‘In my previous life, money could buy anything, but it seems less effective here. Yet, I feel I have nothing else besides money.’

“Senior Brother appears so young. Do you not lack a husband?”

“A husband?” Lin Tian suddenly remembered his female body. In this life, he could not seek a partner again; the one he loved had died in his previous life.

“If that is the case, then sir, please take your leave,” Lin Tian said, dismissing him.

“Hey, hey, hey, I was merely jesting. As for payment, consider it waived. Let’s simply be friends.” The man placed a token on the table.

“In half a year, Senior Brother can come to the capital to retrieve it. There will also be a generous gift awaiting you.”

“You are a strange man. You refuse money, yet insist on giving gifts. I doubt these gifts are easily accepted, are they?”

The man chuckled. “I will give you all the uranium you desire. At that time, I may ask for a favor from Senior Brother, and I will provide you with some medicinal herbs beneficial for immortal cultivation.”

“We’ll discuss it then. If there’s nothing else, please leave. I am weary.”

“Such aloofness. I had hoped to chat with Senior Brother a while longer. My name is Qin Jiu. I still don’t know what to call Senior Brother.”

“Luo Yingkong.”

The man collected the blueprint and exited the room. Lin Tian hastily finished his meal and then settled onto the bed to meditate.

****

Through continuous breathing exercises, the spiritual energy within his body accumulated steadily. Perhaps due to the many medicinal herbs he had consumed previously, his cultivation progressed significantly faster than what was described in the texts.

By early morning, Lin Tian felt a tingling sensation in his tailbone, so he continued his cultivation.

The innkeeper did not disturb him. After all, he had given him twenty-three horses; staying for a month would not be an issue.

At noon, a surge of energy shot upwards from his tailbone, directly to his Baihui acupoint! Lin Tian’s delicate body trembled, and he slowly opened his eyes.

His Du Meridian had been breached, and his Lesser Heavenly Cycle was complete! The acupoints throughout his body pulsed, and he could distinctly feel a current of Qi circulating within him. His body registered the subtle movements of the air around him, and his movements felt several shades lighter.

Sunlight streamed in through the window, and the clamor of the street reached his ears. Unbeknownst to him, he had cultivated until midday. Lin Tian ate a little, then mounted a horse and departed.