Martial Saint with Passives

After some thought, he decided Cheng Yuzhi was the right person.

Although he was only an Outer Disciple, the man was well-informed and had an extensive network of contacts.

Jiang Che had entrusted him with many tasks in the past, all of which were handled efficiently. He figured that this man might have a way to get him into the Cloud Mist Ridge trial.

Once he found him, Jiang Che explained what he needed.

As expected, Cheng Yuzhi was knowledgeable on the matter. He began to explain:

”The Cloud Mist Ridge trial is held once a year. Registration opens two months beforehand and is limited to disciples in the Force Integration and Bone Forging Realms. The spots are supposedly chosen from all applicants, and those selected can bring three companions. However, while the drawing appears to be random, in reality, every single spot is already reserved by the great Noble Families. Without the right status or background, it’s practically impossible to get picked.”

Jiang Che frowned. ”Then is there any other way to get in?”

Cheng Yuzhi replied, ”There are ways. Those Noble Families sometimes sell their companion slots, but they won’t accept anyone whose Realm is too low. You have to be at least in the Bone Forging Realm.”

Jiang Che sighed. It seemed it would be very difficult for him to enter Cloud Mist Ridge after all.

Cheng Yuzhi asked, ”Senior Brother Jiang, is there something specific you’re looking for? Even if you can’t get in, you can commission someone to gather it for you. The collection fee is just a bit steep.”

Ever since Jiang Che had become an Inner Courtyard Disciple, Cheng Yuzhi had to address him as Senior Brother, even though Jiang Che hadn’t been in the Inner Courtyard for long.

Jiang Che’s eyes lit up. ”That’s an option? How do I commission someone? Where do I find them?”

Cheng Yuzhi smiled. ”Senior Brother Jiang, you can leave it to me. Just tell me what you need, and I’ll inquire about the price.”

Jiang Che nodded. ”I need Withered Soul Grass. As much as you can get. At least ten stalks.”

Cheng Yuzhi nodded. ”Alright, Withered Soul Grass. I’ve got it. Senior Brother Jiang, just wait for my news.”

After that, Jiang Che returned home to practice his techniques and read while he waited for an update.

Three days later, Cheng Yuzhi came to his door.

He had a joyful look on his face. ”Senior Brother Jiang, I found someone who’s willing to gather them for you!”

Jiang Che’s eyes lit up. ”Excellent! What’s the price?”

Cheng Yuzhi replied, ”Fifty taels of gold per stalk.”

Jiang Che was taken aback. ”That expensive?”

Cheng Yuzhi sighed. ”It can’t be helped. The slots for Cloud Mist Ridge are costly, and the place is teeming with venomous insects and ferocious beasts. Not to mention, there are disciples from other Sects lying in ambush to rob people. Fifty taels of gold really isn’t that high.”

Jiang Che nodded. ”Alright, I’ll leave it to you, then. I want ten stalks.”

Cheng Yuzhi said, ”You got it! But they require a fifty percent deposit. What do you think, Senior Brother Jiang?”

Jiang Che hesitated. ”How about this... I’ll think it over and give you an answer in half a day.”

Cheng Yuzhi understood that paying half the deposit upfront was no small sum. ”That’s fine,” he said, ”but it’s best to decide quickly. That person gets a lot of commissions. If we wait too long, they might not take the job.”

Jiang Che said, ”Alright, I’ll be as quick as I can.”

Afterward, Jiang Che sought out his senior brother, Xiao Mingqian, and told him about his plan to commission someone for the task.

After all, Xiao Mingqian had been in the Inner Courtyard for many years. Even if he didn’t get involved in such things, he was bound to know something.

As it turned out, Xiao Mingqian said, ”What a coincidence. I also commissioned someone to bring a few things back for me.”

Jiang Che quickly asked, ”What were the prices?”

Xiao Mingqian replied, ”Different items have different prices. Something like the Blood Amber Flower is in high demand, so it goes for five hundred taels of gold per stalk. Other things aren’t as expensive, usually around a few dozen taels.”

Jiang Che was shocked. The Blood Amber Flower was that expensive! Still, if other herbs cost several dozen taels per stalk, it meant Cheng Yuzhi’s price really wasn’t unreasonable.

Initially, Jiang Che considered asking his senior brother to place a commission for him as well, just in case Cheng Yuzhi’s contact failed to get the herbs.

But then he had another thought. ’This Withered Soul Grass isn’t exactly a virtuous item. If my senior brother finds out, word might get back to our master. That wouldn’t be good.’ He dismissed the idea.

’And then there’s Cheng Yuzhi. He’s an Outer Courtyard Disciple, so he has no contact with my master. Besides, he’s more of a merchant than a Sect disciple. As long as there’s money to be made, he won’t cause any trouble.’

With that resolved, Jiang Che went to find Cheng Yuzhi again.

After cautioning him not to disclose any information about the item being purchased, Cheng Yuzhi puffed out his chest and guaranteed it. He explained that the reason he was able to navigate the Sect so successfully was precisely because he was trustworthy.

Besides, he was just a humble Outer Courtyard Disciple. Even if he wanted to cause harm, he didn’t have the Ability to do so. The Sect would never punish an Inner Courtyard Disciple based on the word of an Outer Courtyard Disciple.

Furthermore, simply purchasing a poisonous herb didn’t violate any of the Sect’s rules.

Jiang Che figured that made sense, so he handed over gold notes worth two hundred fifty taels as the deposit.

...

「One month later.」

Jiang Che was practicing in the courtyard when he suddenly saw Mu Jun and his three companions return.

All four carried large packs on their backs and were chatting and laughing.

Even Yun Weiwei, who usually wore a cold expression, had a smile on her face.

It seemed they had just returned from Cloud Mist Ridge.

When Mu Jun saw Jiang Che practicing in the courtyard, he simply nodded and smiled in greeting.

Shu Yaxin spared Jiang Che a single glance before turning back to her conversation with Mu Jun.

Yan Hanpeng, on the other hand, kept his head down, pretending not to see him as he quickly retreated to his room.

It was Yun Weiwei, however, who stopped and greeted him. ”Junior Brother Jiang.”

Jiang Che had no choice but to stop his practice. He cupped his fist and said, ”Senior Sister Yun.”

Their relationship was neutral at best, but since she had taken the initiative to greet him, he couldn’t be rude.

Yun Weiwei said, ”Do you have any idea what a great fortunate encounter we had on this trip?”

Jiang Che smiled. ”Then congratulations.”

Yun Weiwei frowned. ”Don’t you regret it? You should know, even Yan Hanpeng managed to grab two Blood Amber Flowers!”

Jiang Che replied, ”That just goes to show Senior Brother Yan’s skill.”

Yun Weiwei just shook her head, said nothing more, and went directly back to her room.

Jiang Che had no idea what that woman was trying to do, but it was just a minor incident, and he paid it no mind.

’Since they’re back...’

A thought struck Jiang Che.

’The herbs I commissioned should be ready!’

After changing his clothes, Jiang Che headed out to find Cheng Yuzhi.

Cheng Yuzhi was in the middle of receiving some aspirants who had come to the mountain to seek the Way. When he saw Jiang Che, he quickly trotted over, a smile on his face.

”Senior Brother Jiang, I got the herbs you commissioned!”

Jiang Che’s heart leaped with joy. ”Really?”

Cheng Yuzhi then led Jiang Che to his usual resting spot and pulled a package out from under the bed.

”Here you go! Exactly ten stalks!”

Jiang Che took the package and opened it. Inside was indeed the Withered Soul Grass, its stem like a withered bone and its leaves as fine as needles.

Jiang Che nodded and took out three one-hundred-tael gold notes. ”Here, this is the rest of the payment.”

After accepting the notes, Cheng Yuzhi said, ”I don’t have fifty taels in gold for change. Could Senior Brother Jiang wait a moment?”

Jiang Che shook his head. ”Keep the change. The remaining fifty taels are for you. Without your help, I never would have gotten this Withered Soul Grass. I may have similar tasks for you in the future, and I’ll be counting on you. Also, please do your best to keep this a secret!”

Cheng Yuzhi’s expression turned serious. ”Senior Brother Jiang, please rest assured. I will absolutely not reveal anything about your affairs to anyone!”

Jiang Che nodded. ’Cheng Yuzhi is a smart man. He won’t do anything foolish as long as he can make money off of me.’

With that, Jiang Che took the package and headed back.

Once back in his room, Jiang Che shut the door and windows, then took out a stalk of Withered Soul Grass from the package.

He gently plucked off one of its needle-thin leaves.

According to the Cangzhou Flora and Fauna Record and the Erosion Sun Scripture, consuming an entire stalk would shorten one’s lifespan by twenty years.

’A single leaf is less than one percent of the whole stalk, so it should only cost me two or three months of my life.’

’No, that’s still a bit much.’

Jiang Che broke off smaller pieces until he estimated the portion was equivalent to about one month of life.

’This should be about right,’ Jiang Che thought, looking at the tiny, needle-like sliver of leaf pinched between his fingers.

He then placed the sliver of leaf in his mouth, chewed it thoroughly, swallowed, and began to meditate.

An hour later, Jiang Che suddenly felt a searing pain twist in his gut!

He immediately focused on the sensation and discovered an extremely faint, yet persistent, abnormality within his Qi Blood.

’It seems I’ve been poisoned!’ Jiang Che realized with a jolt.

’Now, let’s see if the Black Abyss Form can neutralize this poison...’

Jiang Che closed his eyes and recited the words in his mind.

’Black Abyss Form!’