Chapter 361: Loss, Loss, Loss! (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 361: Woe, Woe, Woe! (Please vote for the monthly ticket)

A sparring session must not be wasted.

Chen Yì set down his wine cup, regarding Shuǐ Hé with a smile that was not quite a smile: “Shu bro, your martial prowess is extraordinary. You must be a man of your word.”

Three matters…

Shuǐ Hé gave a slight, knowing shake of his head. This sparring match, he realized, had cost him dearly—both in reputation and in the loss of his army.

He had gained nothing in the martial arts, not an inch of progress. Instead, he had suffered a blow to his pride—any ordinary person would feel a twinge of disappointment facing such a towering mountain ahead.

And beyond that, he owed Chen Yì three things.

Woe, woe, woe.

Yet, despite this loss, Shuǐ Hé maintained his composure, nodding politely and smiling: “I had assumed my master was a genius, a sage who had reached the pinnacle of the mortal realm in both the Lower and Upper Realms. Today, I see there are those beyond the human realm, and those whose martial prowess rivals even the heavens. Liu… brother, your skill is truly admirable.”

The disciples of Foggy Peak Tower, descended from Master Bai Daosheng, had minds that naturally stretched far. Most martial artists, even if they entered their world at all, would not be deemed worthy of notice. Even if they met one, it would be mere polite words and a distant bow.

They tended to be haughty.

But today, Shuǐ Hé had been defeated in earnest, his words no longer empty boasts.

After all, Chen Yì and he shared a history, as did Chen Yì and Foggy Peak Tower. It was not merely about completing three tasks.

Should true peril arise, Chen Yì would not stand idly by.

“Liu brother, tell me what you need—anything at all.”

Chen Yì regarded him with a smile that was both genuine and enigmatic: “Anything?”

Shuǐ Hé, though slightly uneasy, nodded: “Whatever you ask, so long as it is within my capacity.”

“Very well.”

Chen Yì spoke plainly: “They say Foggy Peak Tower’s operations span the three prefectures of Dà Wèi. Is that true?”

Shuǐ Hé bowed modestly: “I have overstated our reach.”

“Yet now Foggy Peak Tower has spread across those three prefectures, leaving only the western, northern, and Mongolian prefectures untouched.”

“And our trade consists of small-scale ventures—alcohol, cotton, and coarse clothing. We do not deal in high-value goods.”

Chen Yì raised an eyebrow subtly, thinking, *They must be doing quite well.*

Beyond the western and northern prefectures, their trade extended to the southeastern coasts and the heartland of the Central Plains.

Indeed, with Master Bai Daosheng as their patron, even the great clans and sects of the world would show them deference.

Thinking this, Chen Yì no longer hesitated: “Brother Shuǐ, I too have a matter to attend to.”

Shuǐ Hé blinked in surprise: “You’re also engaged in trade? The Xiao family’s Life-Saving Pharmacy?”

He knew Chen Yì only as a teacher at the prestigious Yun Cloud Academy, a taciturn figure known as “Dragon-Tiger” Liu Five, whose true reputation lay in martial prowess. Beyond that, he knew little of Chen Yì’s other dealings.

Chen Yì smiled softly, speaking three words: “Bai Cǎo Hall.”

Shuǐ Hé paused, recalling the pharmacy in the city of Shu Zhou. Even earlier, when drinking at taverns, the servers had offered him cups of a peculiar tea, boasting it as a new luxury from the capital—something called Divine Bull Tea.

“So Liu brother has quietly established an enterprise of his own.”

Chen Yì bowed modestly: “We do not deal in high-value goods, unlike your Foggy Peak Tower.”

Shuǐ Hé laughed softly, realizing Chen Yì was teasing him for his earlier justifications. He shook his head: “Speak, what do you wish me to do?”

“Bai Cǎo Hall has now contracted with the Xiao family, and will soon spread across all counties and towns in Shu Zhou…”

Chen Yì outlined the history of Bai Cǎo Hall and his ambition to expand it across the three prefectures of the realm.

When he finished, Shuǐ Hé stared at him in astonishment: “A pharmacy?”

“This is no small venture.”

“Most renowned physicians have spent decades building their reputations—places like Xinglin Pavilion in Jingzhou, or the Purifying Dharma Hall and Tongji Workshop in the capital. Yet none have managed to spread across the three prefectures. They remain confined to a single province. You…”

Shuǐ Hé paused, his expression serious: “Do you have enough physicians?”

In his view, a pharmacy’s strength lay in its physicians. To open one, you needed at least one master physician to draw crowds, or it would become a laughingstock.

Chen Yì shook his head: “Bai Cǎo Hall does not operate a clinic.”

Before Shuǐ Hé could ask further, Chen Yì continued: “For now, there are no physicians treating patients here. We merely sell medicinal herbs and teas.”

“Shuǐ brother, let me explain…”

It was now deep autumn, late into the night, with the full moon and stars overhead.

In the tavern at the mountain’s base, few patrons remained. Only the owner and a young waiter—a grandfather and grandson—lingered.

The elder sat behind the counter, flipping through ledgers by the light of an oil lamp, eyeing Chen Yì and Shuǐ Hé from the corner.

The young man stood behind the counter, polishing a jar. The lid was old and tarnished, but the surface gleamed with frequent polishing.

After finishing, he tossed the cloth into a basin of water and glanced at the two men.

This tavern had been open for years, seeing countless faces, yet he had never before encountered two such strikingly handsome men—one bare-chested, the other resembling a scholar.

In the corner, the young waiter overheard their conversation:

“…spreading across the three prefectures… Oh, and the western regions—Dharma Master Tian Shan has already agreed to join…”

“Your reputation precedes you… This tea business will surely bring in plenty of silver.”

“Silver is secondary… Shuǐ brother, consider it.”

The young man could hear no more, his mouth twitching as he stared at the two fools.

What kind of tea could possibly span the three prefectures?

And earn so much silver?

This tavern’s tea was made from his grandfather’s aged mountain tea—only a copper coin per bowl, selling barely twenty a day.

How could he possibly expand it across the realm?

Seeing the young man’s disdain, the older patron lifted a counting board and struck it against his forehead:

“What are you staring at? Hurry and heat the stew in the kitchen—do you want to starve your grandfather and me?”

The young man let out a yelp, clutching his head in assent, then hurried over to him, whispering pointedly at Chen Yi and Shuihuo:

"Grandfather, those two guests seem to have had too much to drink, babbling nonsense."

The elder struck him a sharp slap, seized his hand, and murmured low: "Forgot I told you?"

"All visitors are guests, and guests’ words aren’t worth hearing—nor should they be spoken."

The boy winced, teeth gritted, and before the elder could finish, he snatched the water basin and bolted toward the inner chambers.

The elder watched him vanish, squinting at Chen Yi and Shuihuo with cloudy eyes.

Once certain the two hadn’t overheard their grandfather-grandson’s exchange, he resumed tapping his abacus.

Old age weighed heavy on him; he sought only peace, not strife.

Shuihuo’s gaze flicked toward the elder, a smile tugging at his lips as he spoke:

"Ears hear what’s false, eyes see what’s true. Wait till I return to the capital—then we’ll taste those teas and judge for ourselves."

"Though I promised you—I’ll do as you say. Even if those teas aren’t half as miraculous as Liu’s brothers claim, I’ll labor like the Storm Rain Tower itself."

Chen Yi bowed slightly, understanding Shuihuo’s indifference to Bai Caotang’s expansion across the three prefectures.

Still, he’d not expected the Storm Rain Tower to fully intervene—only to lend its name, to swiftly steer Bai Caotang beyond Shuzhou.

In his estimation, whether the duel between the Grand Master White and the Sword Immortal ended in victory or defeat, their renown would ripple through all of Dali.

Then the old masters would recount to the youngsters the tale of Grand Master White and the Storm Rain Tower.

By the time Grand Master White reclaimed his place among the martial world, Bai Caotang would rise on its coattails.

This would save Chen Yi precious time—and he’d already plotted it out.

Once Bai Caotang breached Shuzhou, he’d append beneath each tea’s name: *Even the Grand Master White declares these divine.*

He scoffed at the thought that wandering sages and sects could withstand the title of Grand Master White.

As for whether this would anger him…

Chen Yi chuckled inwardly—he’d long known Grand Master White had bested him, and now sought to right that imbalance.

Should the Grand Master White indeed take offense, he had recourse—let the "Sword Immortal" Ye Lengyan step in.

Such was the wheel of cause and effect.

Shuihuo, unaware of Chen Yi’s schemes, nodded readily, then asked:

"What of the other two matters?"

Chen Yi mused, then said: "Brother Shu, you’re due to inspect Bai Caotang’s teas—let me ask a favor of you."

"The guards there now train under Tian Shan’s disciples. Should you find any flaws, guide them in correcting their errors."

"Tian Shan’s disciples… me, instructing them?"

Shuihuo hesitated.

Though Tian Shan dwelt in the western provinces, lesser-known than the Storm Rain Tower, their fame was vast.

If he corrected their methods, word might spread that Tian Shan’s elders had failed to mentor their pupils.

Chen Yi soothed his doubts: "Liu’s brothers and the 'Knife-Crazy' Luo Rong have taken to training them. I fear Luo Rong’s temper."

"If you lend aid, their skills and techniques will surely soar."

Shuihuo raised an eyebrow: "The 'Knife-Crazy'? Luo Rong, disciple of the Blade Ghost?"

Then his expression shifted—"Ah, nearly forgot. Liu’s brothers and Luo Rong have fought side by side often enough."

He paused, then shrugged: "Well then."

"Since Liu’s brothers brought it up, I’ll give it a try. Though my time’s short—I can’t stay to guide them constantly."

Chen Yi agreed, yet schemed in his heart: to bind Shuihuo and the Storm Rain Tower to Bai Caotang, as Tian Shan’s disciples had been.

For Tian Shan, isolated in one corner, had few disciples—yet held Shuzhou’s towns and counties at bay.

Bai Caotang sought to span all three prefectures—it needed clerks, accountants, healers, and more guards.

The Storm Rain Tower, naturally, fit the role best.

After weighing it all, Chen Yi could only think of the phrase *By means of attraction*—banking on Shuihuo’s love of tea, as excessive as Zhong Tiao’s.

"As for the third matter…"

Before Chen Yi could finish, a flash of golden light erupted—

[Daily Intel: Secret Grade: At the hour of Hai, West Market Tailor Shop, agents of the Hidden Tiger, Female Tiger, Jade Phoenix, and Eagle Eagle collected intelligence. Yields minimal opportunity.]

Eagle Eagle?

Had Ye Lengyan returned to Shuzhou?

It seemed the Hour Star’s words held some truth—even the White Tiger Guard wished Shuzhou’s stability.

Chen Yi mused, then halted mid-sentence, lifting his gaze to the night beyond the window: "It’s past midnight."

Shuihuo glanced at him, smiling: "Liu’s brothers in a hurry?"

Chen Yi shook his head, then nodded: "Time presses—let the third matter wait for another day."

The distance to Shuzhou exceeded a thousand li, plus the detour—it’d be past the witching hour before they reached Shunhe Garden.

More crucially, Chen Yi hesitated about Shuihuo’s third task.

Seizing the moment, he pivoted the conversation.

Shuihuo, untroubled, said: "Liu’s brothers may speak freely whenever they wish."

"After their contest with the master and Ye Lengyan, I’ll depart Shuzhou—you may write to me then."

Chen Yi agreed, clinked his cup against Shuihuo’s, and thanked him sincerely.

They joked a moment, settled their bill, and departed.

The tavern’s elder watched them leave, then bent to clear bowls and cups.

The boy peered through the window, murmuring: "Grandfather, those two must be martial experts, yes?"

"Do you see their station?"

The elder said nothing, urging the boy to hasten closing up for the night.

The lad worked swiftly, eyes darting: "Seems there’s more even Grandfather doesn’t know."

The elder grunted: "Don’t get yourself killed, boy."

"Grandfather, I’ll say nothing if you don’t ask—nothing to worry about, my grandson… Hey now."

Before the boy could finish, the elder struck him again: "Not that, but those two—listen to what they said about the Storm Rain Tower. They’re clearly Storm Rain Tower folk."

"Storm Rain Tower? That immortal…?"

The boy’s eyes widened, but the elder silenced him with another slap: "They mentioned the Grand Master White. They’re Storm Rain Tower’s own."

In the Wind and Rain Tower, the eaves dripped rain, and lifting his gaze, he saw the martial world already devoid of foes. The White Immortal of the Wind and Rain Tower, he hadn't heard his name in some time.

“Yes, yes, yes, White Immortal, grandfather, tell me again about White Immortal’s deeds!”

“Go, go, go—once you’ve eaten, take a rest, stop troubling me.”

“Grandfather, just say it, about White Immortal…”

Young Mu Wu, unaware of his sorrow.

…

The early stages of the twelfth month had just passed.

Chen Yi returned to the Spring Lotus Courtyard, drenched from the rain.

He and Shu Huitong had come back to the prefectural city of Shu together; only when they reached the South Street did they part ways, saying they’d change clothes to join the festivities.

Chen Yi knew exactly what kind of festivities he meant.

Thanks to their sparring, the martial world within the city had stirred with the wind.

In taverns and inns that should have been closed for the night, martial practitioners could be heard shouting loudly.

Some spoke of the White Immortal and Snow Sword Master this and that.

Others debated how Liu Wu and Shu Huitong’s sparring and duel had unfolded.

And occasionally, someone mentioned the incident of Ma Xuezheng being killed by the sun, often met with scorn.

Chen Yi pretended not to hear, melting back into the shadows to return to the Spring Lotus Courtyard.

As he was about to pass through the purple bamboo grove back to the wooden tower, he spotted a figure practicing martial arts near the pond on the opposite side of the grove.

Peering closely, it was Yuan Liu’er.

At that moment, rain poured steadily, the wind cool and sharp, yet Yuan Liu’er wore only a thin jacket, methodically practicing the Collapsing Peak Fist, one movement after another.

Not long before she completed a full round of the Eight Forms of Collapsing Peak Fist.

After a brief rest, she began the second round.

Then the third…

Each time she practiced, her proficiency grew by a fraction, her skill advancing by a fraction.

Even her corrections to minor errors became more precise.

Her talent was no ordinary gift.

Chen Yi watched silently, a smile touching his lips.

“Such a talent—Ma Liang picked up a bargain…Hmph, the most unprofitable deal I’ve ever made.”

Unprofitable, unprofitable, unprofitable.

Before he could dwell on it, a cry echoed from the wooden tower.

“Sister, brother-in-law?”

“Don’t scare Xiao Duo, brother-in-law—you—you haven’t run off again, have you…?”

Chen Yi: “…”

(End of Chapter)