Chapter 259: Fifth Rank Intermediate Stage (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 259: Mid-Tier Fifth Rank (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Footsteps were light, circling around the courtyard to approach the residence.

They walked, paused, then moved again.

Like someone fearing discovery, yet tracking a trail.

If Chen Yi hadn’t left the quiet chamber, he might already have been found by him by now.

Listening intently.

By the time he realized the figure had slipped into the front courtyard, Chen Yi signaled Pei Minglu and Zhang Daobao to stay put.

To his surprise, before he’d even exited the main hall, Pei Minglu called out, “Xiaohua hua?”

“Sister… my lord, Xiaohua hua says it was my older brother who came.”

Chen Yi halted mid-step. “Xiaohua hua? My older brother?”

Pei Minglu nodded vigorously, patting her chest. “Xiaohua hua is my life insect; she sensed my older brother’s scent.”

She hurried onward then: “I’ll go fetch my older brother to stay away.”

Chen Yi saw no need to stop her.

Pei Qian—Pei Minglu’s older brother, the grandson of the Mountain Witch.

A fellow mountain-dweller, his martial arts and techniques were no less formidable, already reaching the mid-third rank.

Plus, his mastery of the mountain clan’s inherited shamanic insect magic surpassed even Pei Minglu’s.

“He must’ve followed the insect’s trail, tracking the fox’s tail,” Chen Yi mused, watching Pei Minglu’s back.

Luckily, A Su Tai and Lü Jiu Nan were still inside the quiet chamber, likely untouched by Pei Qian.

Unluckily… he needed to figure out how to trick Pei Qian.

Before he could ponder further, Pei Qian called from the courtyard, “Younger sister, why this attire?”

“I told you so in the letter.”

“A certain nobleman saved my life. Me, I’m repaying him now.”

“The gunslinger named ‘Liu Wu’?”

“Yes, that one.”

“My older brother, he’s alive.”

“Not only did he save me, but he also taught me martial arts. Before, he guided me past the eighth rank.”

“Bring me to him.”

“Maybe, maybe not. He’s… he’s not convenient. Ah, older brother? Wait for me.”

Soon enough.

Pei Qian strode into the courtyard and spotted Chen Yi standing at the doorway.

But Chen Yi remained cloaked in his dark overcoat, his face hidden behind an iron mask, only his eyes visible.

Pei Qian paused, eyeing him carefully, then bowed deeply:

“Mountain clan Pei Qian, I’ve seen ‘Liu Wu’ senior.”

At that moment, Pei Minglu rushed up, tugging his sleeve: “Older brother, the lord has matters to attend to. Please, go—go—”

Chen Yi waved it off casually: “Never mind, Pei Xiao Hua. Since you’ve come, let’s go inside and chat.”

“My lord?”

Seeing Chen Yi’s gesture, Pei Minglu loosened her grip.

She glared at Pei Qian: “Younger brother, when I return to the clan, I’ll tell Grandmother you’ve been bullying me.”

Pei Qian’s face softened with a bitter smile: “Sister, I’m your real older brother.”

“Regardless, you never listened to me…”

They bickered as they followed Chen Yi inside.

Before entering, he’d already ordered Zhang Daobao to stay hidden.

His disguise was thorough, his face altered, not yet unmasked by Pei Qian.

But Zhang Daobao remained unaware.

Until Pei Qian’s intentions were certain, Chen Yi couldn’t trust him.

The three settled in.

Pei Qian glanced at Pei Minglu’s face, now revealed beneath her mask.

“Younger sister, why this appearance?”

“Why should I care?”

Pei Minglu scowled, turning away.

Chen Yi smiled, easing the tension: “I’m sure the Pei brothers have heard of my deeds in Shu Zhou.”

“To avoid implicating Lady Ling, I had her disguise herself, avoiding prying eyes.”

Pei Qian nodded: “Of course.”

“The one who killed two bandits for the Pudding Witch—Lan Du Wang’s younger brother—has been spotted in Shu Zhou. The local authorities and many martial artists are searching. You must be cautious.”

Pei Minglu snorted: “If you knew, why come here so rashly?”

Pei Qian scratched his head: “You’ve been silent these days. Shao family and others worry. I came to find you.”

“I thought you were at the Xiao family. But after I left, little Black didn’t detect your scent, so I came.”

Pei Minglu’s eyes flickered: “You’re blaming little Black, are you?”

Pei Qian’s coarse, dark face changed instantly, waving his hands: “I never blamed little Black.”

“Heh, little Black, bite him!”

“Stop, stop—”

Chen Yi watched their quarrel with interest, realizing their ‘little Black’ was a spiritual insect.

Insects too possessed such wit.

His eyes gleamed as he cast a mind-reading technique, seeing the strange insects within Pei Qian and Pei Minglu.

—Heads like bees, compound eyes, six spider-like legs, and scorpion tails.

Like hybrids of several creatures.

Though the insects’ forms were bizarre, their auras were no weaker than their masters’, merely a shade dimmer.

A commotion of noise and clamor ensued.

Pei Qian glanced at Chen Yi, unbothered by the disguise he wore, and smiled, bowing his hands in a respectful gesture.

“The junior and my dear sister have grown up together, accustomed to each other’s antics, allowing the senior to laugh at us.”

Chen Yi waved dismissively.

“Menglu, though she acts impulsively and reckless, her heart is pure. She has done me many a favor in Shu Zhou.”

Pei Menglu instantly brightened, her eyes crinkling with a smile.

“Sister… ah, pardon me, your praise is too generous. I am not half as capable as you say.”

Pei Qian’s gaze lingered on the two with a hint of peculiarity.

Family knows family’s affairs best.

Though it was true that Menglu acted without regard for propriety, to say her heart was pure was perhaps a bit of an overstatement.

Fortunately, Pei Qian understood his sister’s nature all too well, and could only think of ways to manage her, daring not to voice his thoughts aloud.

After some light conversation, Pei Qian continued.

“My dear sister must have informed you of our purpose in coming to Shu Zhou.”

“The clan received her letter earlier, learning that the Five Poison Sect had resurfaced in Shu Zhou, and that they were enraged after their attempt on her life.”

“My mother instructed me to come with a group, to ensure the Five Poison Sect pays the price.”

Chen Yi glanced at Pei Menglu and nodded.

“Understood.”

“The Five Poison Sect’s arrival in Shu Zhou was no small matter. The old crone had arranged this, and it is not without merit.”

“Do you know their intentions in coming to Shu Zhou?”

“For now, we have not uncovered their specific objectives, but we can confirm they came to Shu Zhou to align with Liu Xiao, the third daughter of the Liu family in Jing Zhou.”

“Is this Liu family the same one headed by the current Liu Fei, the Empress?”

Chen Yi nodded.

“After I and my ally Liu Lang slew their Grand Master Ye FuSha, Liu Xiao returned to Jing Zhou.

But five days ago, she came back to Shu Zhou.

And several members of the Five Poison Sect accompanied her, said to be their Grand Master accompanied by a few Patriarchs.”

Upon hearing this, Pei Qian furrowed his brow.

“It must be him.”

Before Chen Yi could ask further, Pei Qian pressed on.

“In years past, when my mother led the clan to destroy the Five Poison Sect, their Grand Master Yan Xueyin was struck first by my mother’s life-saving poison.”

“We thought he had died from such grievous wounds, yet he survived.”

“Now it seems the Five Poison Sect’s resurgence is due to Yan’s scheming.”

Chen Yi silently noted the name “Yan Xueyin” and inquired.

“How formidable is Yan’s cultivation?” He would soon face Liu Hong, naturally encountering Liu Xiao and the Five Poison Sect.

To be cautious, he asked a few more questions.

Pei Qian hesitated.

“Over decades past, Yan had already reached the upper third rank of cultivation.”

“In these years since, his power must have grown even more fearsome.”

“Fortunately, our mountain clan has methods to counter their deadly poisons. With care, we should be able to overcome him.”

“That is reassuring…”

While the two spoke at length, Pei Menglu sat quietly to the side.

Yet every time her brother addressed the senior as “senior senior,” she couldn’t help but smile.

“If only my brother knew the truth about my identity, he might just crawl through a crack in the earth to reach me.”

Menglu understood her brother’s thoughts about Xiao Jinghong.

She had come to Shu Zhou under the pretense of settling matters with Xiao Jinghong’s husband.

Without that ruse, she would never have met Chen Yi.

Thinking this, she leaned back, covering her mouth with a giggle, her necklace jingling softly with each movement.

Chen Yi, sensing her thoughts, coughed lightly.

“Today I must take my leave, so I shall not linger.”

“Should the mountain clan ever need assistance, please let Menglu know at once.”

Though Pei Qian harbored doubts about Menglu’s reaction, upon hearing Chen Yi’s thanks, he had no intention of lingering.

“Indeed, the junior must return to inform the elders of my sister’s news, so I must leave promptly.”

Turning to Pei Menglu, he added,

“My dear sister is to accompany me back…”

Before he could finish, Menglu restrained her smile, feigning seriousness.

“I shall not return.”

Pei Qian wore a bitter smile.

“Then, brother, you must take care of me in your absence.”

“Of course.”

As Chen Yi bowed and departed, Pei Qian, having just left the courtyard, recalled something and spoke again.

“Before coming to Shu Zhou, my mother had another matter to convey to you.”

“No trouble at all.”

“My mother said, Master Bai has recently left the Wind and Rain Tower.”

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow.

“Master Bai? Bai Gong?”

Pei Qian nodded.

“My mother said, after leaving the Wind and Rain Tower, Master Bai hurried toward Shu Zhou.”

“My mother specifically instructed, should you encounter him, please keep your distance.”

Chen Yi laughed hollowly.

“I and Master Bai have no recent quarrels or grudges, so there is no need to avoid him.”

Still, upon hearing this news, Chen Yi could not help but feel puzzled.

How could Master Bai, who had remained secluded in the Wind and Rain Tower for decades, emerge so soon and head straight for Shu Zhou?

Pei Qian, unaware of his thoughts, urged.

“You may not know.”

“Master Bai is not one for bloodlust or cruelty, but his tongue is sharp and unforgiving.”

“Should you meet him and be reprimanded, it might mean…”

Chen Yi had heard of such incidents before, yet still felt he would not be so easily defeated.

Unless Master Bai came to Shu Zhou for Xiao’s family, he hardly feared it.

What if one cannot fight, and thus cannot flee?

Not long after, Pei Qian departed.

Chen Yi watched him go, then returned to the main hall, where he instructed Zhang Da Bao to remove his disguise.

Pei Menglu approached, laughing playfully.

“Brother, did I not succeed in hiding my identity just now?”

“You’re clever enough.”

"It is all thanks to my brother-in-law's fine teachings. You only just praised my pure and kind heart... Brother-in-law, now that this place has been discovered by my elder brother, should we relocate?"

Chen Yi shook his head. "No need."

The people of the Mountain Clan maintained close ties with the Xiao family, and due to their history with the Five Poisons Sect, they did not get along with the Liu family of Jingzhou.

He was not at all worried that Pei Qian would leak the news.

Moreover, with Pei Guanli still here, this fact alone ensured that Pei Qian would never allow this place to fall into danger.

Soon after, Chen Yi shed the disguise from his face and inquired, "Has word arrived from Yan Hai's side yet?"

Zhang Dabao answered while carefully peeling the mask from his face:

"Yesterday at dusk, Shopkeeper Yan sent word back, saying he has already completed his investigation into the circumstances of Guangyuan County."

"Oh? What did he say?"

"The letter did not disclose much, only that the situation over there is rather complicated."

"Though medical halls are numerous, they are all backed by great noble families. In particular, Commander Zhu of the Regional Military Commission commands a medical hall in Guangyuan County that practically holds an absolute monopoly."

Chen Yi nodded without betraying any emotion. "What else?"

Zhu Hao was an exceedingly insatiable man, and he likely shared some form of cooperation with Liu Hong.

They were bound to clash in the future anyway, so adding the matter of the medical hall changed very little.

Zhang Dabao continued his report: "The circumstances of the other medical halls are still fair. Shopkeeper Yan attempted to contact one of them."

"It is said the other party is not at all averse to cooperating with the Baicao Hall."

"Which one?"

"Let me think, it seems to be the Fu family's medical hall. Yes, it belongs to the Fu family."

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow slightly.

As far as he knew, there was only one Fu family in Guangyuan County—the very family belonging to the maternal grandfather of Xiao Wan'er and Xiao Jinghong.

What a coincidence indeed, given that he had only just learned the news that Fu Wanqing was not dead...

Lost in thought, Chen Yi then commanded, "Guanli shall remain here to keep watch."

"Dabao, you should also avoid coming here as much as possible for the time being. Stay at the residence behind the tailor shop. If any matters arise later, I will notify you in advance."

Zhang Dabao bowed low in acknowledgement, and Pei Guanli naturally raised no objections.

Guarding this place over the past few days, she had not found it tedious or dull in the slightest.

Her food and daily necessities were all delivered by Zhang Dabao, and each day she did nothing but cultivate, proving herself to be quite diligent.

Chen Yi looked around to ensure nothing had been overlooked, then quietly departed from Chuanxi Street, heading straight for the Xiao family residence.

Now that everything was prepared, he only had to wait for the grain from Lou Yuxue's side to be transported here before he could set his plan into motion.

...

Soon, night descended.

The sky grew exceedingly dark, heavy clouds having gathered for a day or two, and a torrential downpour fell just before nightfall.

Within the Chunhe Garden, the rushing sound of rain could be heard everywhere.

Inside the wooden building, Xiao Die and Xiao Wuge had gone to sleep early.

Only Chen Yi sat cross-legged upon his bed, cultivating the Four Phenomena Technique.

In truth.

Ever since he returned to the manor from Chuanxi Street and briefly updated Xiao Wan'er on the progress of Baicao Hall, he had been cultivating in his side room.

Now, his cultivation progress was advancing rapidly.

In the next moment.

Chen Yi opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath: "Finally, the mid-stage of the fifth rank."

It had taken a total of ten days for his cultivation to break through to the mid-stage.

It seemed brief, but compared to his previous speed of advancement, ten days to break through a minor realm was already considered slow.

Fortunately, the elevation of a minor realm at the fifth rank brought