After the Immortal Disappeared

Chapter 409: Chapter 408: Fushan Yue’s Experiment

This time, he had finally succeeded.

However, Hee Lingchuan’s arrival had introduced even more complications.

...

「Two days later.」

In this season, the banks of the Gale Tundra’s rivers were carpeted in flowers. Fluffy foxtail grass and dandelions, along with brilliant alpine azaleas, mountain plums, and irises, created a dazzling display that stretched to the horizon.

A small camp was set up by the river, where several people were feeding a fire under a pot, occasionally gazing at the distant Wind Demon Rock.

The peak of the majestic, snowy mountain was lost among the clouds, wreathed in mist—a magnificent sight.

These men were Fushan Yue’s subordinates.

As the sky darkened, Fuu Jiu remained restless. The Young Master had insisted on going alone for such a crucial mission, and everyone was worried for his safety.

A few of his men had asked him several times, ”Will he succeed this time?”

Just then, someone threw down a branch and shouted, ”The Young Master is back!”

Fuu Jiu whipped his head around in surprise and, sure enough, saw a lone rider galloping toward them from a distance.

The tundra was flat and open, offering an excellent view. The rider saw them too. In the blink of an eye, the chestnut horse was upon them, rearing up with a sharp whinny as it stopped, splattering clumps of mud and flower petals.

”You had us worried to death!” Fuu Jiu beamed as he went to hold the horse. ”Young Master, how did it go?”

Fushan Yue held up a Wooden Bottle, shaking it twice for all to see. ”Got it!”

The subordinates were overjoyed. ”The Young Master is incredible! Plucking it from the heart of an army as if taking something from your own pocket!”

Someone quickly ladled a cup of hot water and handed it to him.

Fushan Yue took it and gulped it down, GLUG GLUG, before letting out a breath. ”Ahhh, refreshing!”

One of the men laughed. ”This bottle holding the treasure doesn’t look like much.”

”Yeah, the King of Shanyu is way too cheap. A Golden Goblet and Jade Bottle would be the minimum to hold the Celestial and Earthly Treasures inside!”

Fuu Jiu retorted irritably, ”Do you think the King of Shanyu has the same vision and taste as you dregs?”

He asked Fushan Yue, ”Young Master, how do you plan to use it?”

Fushan Yue uncorked the bottle and held it out to him. ”Take a sniff.”

Not understanding, Fuu Jiu hesitated before leaning in to smell it. ”It smells wonderful.”

”Everyone else, take a sniff too.”

Several subordinates wore expressions of rapture. ”It’s so fragrant and sweet, just like honey.”

”It’s not just honey, is it?”

”Don’t be ridiculous! Would the King of Shanyu secretly gift a bottle of honey to the Chiyan Kingdom?” Fuu Jiu asked worriedly, ”Young Master, is there a problem?”

”It wasn’t easy to get, but I need to run a test.” Fushan Yue ordered two of his men to capture some live animals. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

A quarter of an hour later, the two men returned with a white-spotted deer, two field mice, and a wild rabbit.

Fushan Yue had his men hold the two mice and the rabbit while he personally dripped a drop of the liquid from the Wooden Bottle into their mouths. ”Alright, keep an eye on them. We’ll observe the effects.”

So, he was testing it on the mice and rabbit. Fuu Jiu watched, thinking to himself, ’The Young Master is just as I thought—rough on the outside but meticulous on the inside. Anyone who actually thinks he’s reckless would have had their ashes scattered long ago.’

Another man pointed at the sturdy white-spotted deer and asked, ”What about the deer?”

A deer was too large to carry around.

Fushan Yue glanced at it. ”Roast it.”

That night, the group camped by the river as usual.

The next morning, Fushan Yue strolled over to the cage and saw that the mice and rabbit were still alive and well. They seemed to be in good spirits, even nibbling on dewy alfalfa through the bars of the cage.

It seemed the liquid was non-toxic. But then he recalled the expression on the face of that boy on the goat, as if he were saying, ’Why don’t you take a sip and find out?’

’Was he deliberately trying to bluff me?’

Fushan Yue was lost in thought.

The sound of Fuu Jiu’s footsteps came from behind him. ”Young Master?”

”Break camp. Prepare to move out.”

”Where are we going?”

”Remember the informant in Fufeng City who got us surrounded by the Government Office?” Fushan Yue said grimly. ”It’s time to settle the score!”

For the next two days, the Stone Gate Merchant Team traveled with the Guard Team, providing them with considerable convenience.

Several other merchant teams caught up from behind. Seeing that the Stone Gate Merchant Team and the Guard Team were as thick as thieves, they couldn’t help but stamp their feet and lament that they had arrived a step too late to build a connection.

The Guard Team’s wounded had been treated, their spirits were rested, and even their horses had been replenished at the market. Thus, they still looked down on these other merchant teams.

’You didn’t lend a hand when we were in peril, so who are you to us now that we’re safe?’

But the Stone Gate Merchant Team was different. Hee Lingchuan even had ties to the Grand Tutor’s Mansion. As long as Xiang Yunhuan wasn’t completely stripped of his post upon his return, this was a favor he would have to repay.

Of course, he had no idea that Hee Lingchuan had also made a huge contribution to the Wind Demon’s successful escape from the root cage.

As a result, the interactions between the two sides became even closer.

Being able to connect with more influential figures and Military Generals from the Treasure Tree Kingdom, Shi the Second was grinning from ear to ear. He felt that he and his brother’s decision to align with Hee Lingchuan had been incredibly farsighted. In all their years as merchants, they had never met so many important people or been involved in so many favors.

The Wind Demon’s attack had wiped out more than ten merchant teams, its victims snatched up and dropped from high in the sky. Yet the Stone Gate Merchant Team, thanks to their distance and the protection of the Wind Lion Lord, had only suffered the loss of a dozen or so carriages and their cargo—a mere scratch—while gaining the friendship of the Treasure Tree Kingdom.

’What a great deal this turned out to be.’

For the past few days, Hee Lingchuan had been staying up all night, regulating his breathing and practicing his Cultivation.

Everyone knew that the month following the descent of the Emperor’s Liquid was the perfect time for Cultivation.

Even without using the Hundred Virtues Pill, he could feel his Inner Breath circulating faster. The time it took to complete a Grand Circulation was a quarter less than before.

He also tried compressing his Spiritual Power to free up more space in his Dantian.

He succeeded on the very first try, though it was only a single, insignificant droplet.

This was a remarkable improvement.

Moreover, it wasn’t just during the designated Cultivation hours of noon and midnight that he felt the effects. Even while walking or eating, he found the air to be gentle, sweet, and fresh. Just a few deep breaths would clear his lungs, sharpen his mind, and fill his entire body with what felt like limitless energy.

The benefits to his Cultivation, needless to say, were immense.

Keep in mind, this was a high plateau where the air was relatively thin and not particularly comfortable for the human body.

He had asked around, and many people felt the same way, which meant this was a universal blessing from heaven and earth, not something he alone enjoyed. Even the flora and fauna in the countryside were flourishing more than in previous years.

The purple alfalfa, which usually only grew ankle-high, could now reach a person’s waist. Even the common cabbage white butterflies had specimens half the size of a palm.

Change always begins in the most inconspicuous corners.

In other words, the Spiritual Qi had indeed grown richer, subtly and silently nourishing the world.

Hee Lingchuan had heard about this phenomenon during a public lecture at Wenxian Hall in Panlong City. An outbreak of Emperor’s Liquid always increased the concentration of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi. After all, when the Spirit Rain descended upon the Mortal World, the creatures on the ground could only collect a tiny fraction, no matter how hard they tried. Most of the Emperor’s Liquid sank into the earth, merging with the mountains and rivers.

So, for a considerable time to come, it would slowly continue to bless all living things.

And don’t forget, the Emperor’s Liquid had erupted twice in less than a year.

The first time was at the end of last year. Although the amount was small, it was better than nothing.

Before that, its last visit to the Mortal World had been decades ago.

Now, after just a few months, it had returned, and on a much larger scale.

In Ancient Times, all things grew in dense Spiritual Qi, allowing powerful demons and immortals to emerge.

That raised a question: why did the concentration of Spiritual Qi gradually decrease afterward?

Some believed the damage from a cataclysm three thousand years ago had not yet healed, causing the Spiritual Qi of this realm to dissipate.

Others thought that although the Spiritual Qi of heaven and earth was slowly recovering, it was being consumed faster than it could replenish, thus leading to its depletion. As for how it was being consumed, that was unknown.

The world was vast. Spiritual Qi existed in many forms, and the reasons for its consumption were just as varied and strange. Which one was the main cause?

No one could say for sure, because no one could prove it.

In any case, all Hee Lingchuan needed to do was seize the opportunity presented by this feast of Spiritual Qi.

Aligning with the times and riding the momentum was more important than one’s own efforts.

After leaving the Gale Tundra, the Guard Team’s journey was Smooth Sailing, with no further incidents.

The Guard Team needed to continue north, while the Stone Gate Merchant Team had to stop to unload goods and place new orders, so the two parties parted ways in Tongcheng.

The city of Tongcheng lived up to its name, ”Tung Tree City,” as it was a major producer of high-quality tung oil. This substance was used for wood maintenance, providing an excellent anti-corrosive and preservative coating when brushed onto wooden surfaces, giving it a wide range of uses. Since houses were built of wood, tung oil was naturally a staple commodity purchased year-round by all major merchant teams.

Local artisans also crafted various carved toys and lacquerware.

In addition, the mountain forests near Tongcheng produced various medicinal herbs. Deer antler and ginseng were common, and this season also saw the growth of many wild mountain mushrooms. Dried, they had a unique flavor, and who could leave without taking some?

Not to mention the precious maca that could be found here. The Stone Gate Merchant Team had reliable, long-term suppliers in Tongcheng. They could place an order now, pick it up on their return journey, and sell it in the Fu Kingdom for three times the price.

Hee Lingchuan ate mushroom hotpot for several days in a row, adding local quail or ham. He had to admit the broths were rich and delicious. Different mushrooms and different soup bases created completely different flavors.

Shi the Second was rather unlucky. He ate with Hee Lingchuan, and while the latter was fine, Shi suffered mild poisoning. The world spun, and he even saw little people running all over the ground.

Fortunately, the local doctor was experienced, prescribed the correct antidote, and he recovered.

This day was the new moon. With the moon hidden and the wind high, it was impossible to see more than ten feet beyond the courtyard without a lantern. All that could be heard was the grand chorus of crickets from the cracks in the brickwork.

A gust of wind blew, making the large tree beside the inn sway.

At the moment the sound was loudest, a dark figure suddenly dropped from the roof and forced open the wooden window of Hee Lingchuan’s room!

It looked as if a strong gust of wind had blown the window open, something an ordinary guest would just get up to close.

But there was no one in the room, and the wooden window was left to creak freely.

The dark figure waited a few breaths before leaping into the room through the window with considerable agility.

However, after walking a lap around the room, and especially after a quick check by the bed, the black-clad person confirmed the room was empty. The bedding on the bed had merely been arranged to look like a sleeping person in the dim light.

Realizing something was wrong, he dashed toward the windowsill, intending to exit the way he came.

But suddenly, he couldn’t move.

A Talisman had been placed on the floor in front of the bed—an Earth-Sinking Technique. Anyone who walked over it nonchalantly would find their first two steps normal, but their next two would sink into a mire, impossible to lift.

To make matters worse, Hee Lingchuan only stayed in large rooms. The intruder was too far from the bed and table to reach anything with his weapon.

Just as he was about to throw a Hooked Rope to the ceiling beam, there was a sudden, short scream.