Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 159: Chapter 110: The New Emperor Faints at the Palace Gate! The Evil Guest Returns! _2

Walking out of Gu’s Manor, Gu Sheng did not head to Cang Mountain to hunt as others expected, but instead turned towards the county town.

His facial features and body shape changed rapidly as he rushed forward.

Gu Sheng did not choose to disguise himself as the butcher’s likeness this time. The butcher had drawn too much attention with his slaying of the Three Gale Fiends, and with the sudden turbulence surrounding the Blade Bearer recently, Gu Sheng temporarily decided against aligning himself with that image.

This trip to town.

Was for the Blood Strengthening Pill.

Soon, Gu Sheng met the familiar robust gentleman, Ding An—the representative of Pill Master Ge Qing.

Having purchased Strengthening Blood Powder here several times before, the two were somewhat acquainted. However, what Ding An didn’t know was that Gu Sheng had bought Strengthening Blood Powder far more times than he was aware of, as Gu Sheng had come under several different disguises to purchase in batches.

”Manager Ding, has my Blood Strengthening Pill made it to the top of the list this time?”

Gu Sheng asked with a smile, showing no sign of impatience.

Ding An laughed heartily, cupped his hands, and replied:

”Hero Zhang, I dared not fail in my mission. I finally managed to secure one for you, and I’ve been waiting for you to come and collect it!”

As he spoke, he carefully produced a small wooden box, lifting the lid slightly. Without seeing the pill directly, merely by smelling the unique fragrance, Gu Sheng knew it was the Blood Strengthening Pill.

He had used one before, and he had consumed a lot of Strengthening Blood Powder. This scent was all too familiar to him.

”Here are 800 silver notes for you, Manager Ding. Please count them.”

Most of Gu Sheng’s cash was in this payment, but he wasn’t worried. The remaining items he possessed, if sold, could fetch significant sums of silver coins.

These were not difficult to exchange.

The black market had been crushed, but similar trades were carried out by many families, such as the Lu family, the Zhao family, and other major county clans. Gu Sheng had even sold silver fox furs at Mingyu Hall in the past, only later learning it was a Zhao family operation. Even Ge Qing’s influence was involved in such trades, although prices fluctuated.

Ding An’s face was all smiles.

”Why would you say such a thing? How could I not trust you?”

Nonetheless, his hands diligently began verifying the notes. Once confirmed, his smile grew even brighter. Selling one Blood Strengthening Pill was equivalent to the profit from thirty units of Strengthening Blood Powder—this boost to his performance brought him substantial benefits.

After pocketing the Blood Strengthening Pill, Gu Sheng sipped some tea and casually asked:

”Manager Ding, do you know if Pill Master Ge Qing has recently been crafting Bone Protecting Pills?”

Ding An’s smile froze momentarily, his eyes flashed with sharpness, and he carefully scrutinized Gu Sheng before replying:

”Could it be Hero Zhang who intends to use them?”

Gu Sheng chuckled and shook his head.

”Not at all. I’m still far from that realm. I merely heard that to temper the bone structure, one must consume Bone Protecting Pills and was curious to inquire.”

Of course, he wasn’t asking casually.

The Bone Protecting Pill was an essential item for advancing to the Bone Refining Realm. Now that he was approaching perfection in the Blood Refining Realm, it was only natural for him to prepare in advance.

Unlike the commonly available Blood Nourishing Powder or Strengthening Blood Powder, Bone Protecting Pills were, as far as Gu Sheng had discovered, practically exclusive to Pill Master Ge Qing’s offerings. Others might source them from Red Cloud Prefecture, but beyond these channels, there seemed to be no alternatives. Gu Sheng realized he needed to plan ahead.

Ding An didn’t care whether Gu Sheng was truthful, and after pondering for a while, he answered:

”Hero Zhang, to be frank, Pill Master Ge Qing has indeed mentioned Bone Protecting Pills before. However, unlike ordinary pills, he specifically requests face-to-face discussions with anyone intending to purchase them.”

Gu Sheng felt a chill in his heart.

Judging by this, Bone Protecting Pills were indeed challenging to acquire.

But he merely smiled and nodded.

”Cultivation is as difficult as ascending to the heavens. Even the Blood Refining Realm requires a lifetime of effort, let alone the Bone Refining Realm.”

Ding An didn’t pay it much mind. In fact, Gu Sheng wasn’t the first to come asking about the pills.

If Bone Protecting Pills were indeed needed down the line, he would eventually have to seek them out officially—there was no rush.

After bidding farewell, Gu Sheng’s expression darkened as he left.

”It seems that Bone Protecting Pills hold strategic importance in Canghe County. After all, the highest combat power in the county is at the Bone Refining Realm. For Pill Master Ge Qing to insist on face-to-face discussions, it’s clear acquiring these pills won’t be simple...”

”I’ll continue to search for alternative sources. If all else fails, I’ll have to try this route...”

Gu Sheng shook his head inwardly.

”Besides Ge Qing, it seems likely that only Liu Yuanhu and Zhao Honglie’s forces could secure supply channels. Perhaps they even partially rely on Ge Qing’s sources, which would explain his elevated status.”

”As for major families like the Lu family or the Zhao family, they might have some stock on hand, but the quantities should be limited...”

Gu Sheng left swiftly, wandering the town for a while, before heading to the blacksmith’s home.

...

”Bang! Bang!”

Gu Sheng gently knocked on the door’s lock, but after a while, no one answered.

”Not here?”

He frowned slightly, leapt onto a nearby rooftop, and looked down from above. He saw the blacksmith’s courtyard entirely empty, and his expression shifted. Jumping down into the yard, he examined it closely.

”The blacksmith left?”

Gu Sheng’s face turned sour. He had been considering how to persuade the blacksmith to forge him some cold iron heavy armor, but now he couldn’t even see the man’s shadow.

He took a deep breath and calmed himself.

Life is full of unexpected setbacks; occasional obstacles are to be expected.

Looking at the deserted courtyard, Gu Sheng quickly adjusted his mood and stepped out of the gate.

”Someday, I must learn the craft of weapon forging and alchemy, to avoid being dependent on others...”

Gu Sheng thought to himself.

...

At the same time.

Within Canghe County, inside an underground cave.

A bustling scene unfolded.