Chapter 372: Uniquely Blessed by Heaven (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 372: A Stroke of Luck (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Would the world stir? Chen Yi had no idea. What he did know was that the land of Shu was about to erupt.

From the day Luo Yu Slept departed until now, seven days had passed.

The situation in Shuzhou could be described in four characters: turbulent undercurrents.

On the surface, Shuzhou’s capital city remained calm and peaceful, with the common folk going about their daily routines—rising with the sun, retiring at dusk, laboring, leisureing, buying and selling as usual.

Yet beneath this veneer of tranquility, in places unseen by ordinary eyes, many figures were stirring behind the scenes.

Chen Yi alone knew of such things as the Investigation Bureau and the White Tiger Guard probing the case involving Ma Shuhan and Xu Ji.

All clues pointed toward the mountain clans.

Even the magistrate Liu Si, after consulting with the Imperial Governor’s Office and the acting governor Yang Ye, took the unusual step of sending a special letter to the mountain matriarch, demanding that members of her clan come forward to apprehend the culprit.

Though Chen Yi suspected the true mastermind behind the scenes was someone else, he still couldn’t fathom how the mountain clan’s exclusive poison arts had ended up in the hands of outsiders.

Thus, after much thought, he had Pei Nan and Lu write another letter to the mountain matriarch.

Not only did they detail the full chronology of Ma Shuhan’s case and offer their theories, but they also explicitly mentioned the death of Hua Fu Yang, the “Path Lord” of Mount Wu, who perished while smiling faintly, on the verge of enlightenment.

The mountain clans, though native to Shuzhou, were fundamentally different from the common folk.

Though they tilled fields and hunted like others, a portion of their people also practiced alchemy and sorcery, using these arts to sustain themselves—whether as couriers, guards, or other roles.

This was, in fact, a respectable livelihood in the martial world.

Hence, most saw the mountain clans as a sect rather than mere villagers, while court officials regarded them as simple mountain dwellers.

Chen Yi had thought of every contingency.

He feared the mountain matriarch might not take the matter seriously, dispatching only a few men to handle it.

The magistrate’s office and the Investigation Bureau were one thing, but the more critical concern was the presence of individuals from Mount Wu.

Fortunately, there had been no reports of such people arriving in the capital recently.

There was still time.

Beyond the Ma Shuhan case, the most frequent visitors to the city were martial experts pouring in from the three prefectures of Jiuzhou.

There were wandering adventurers, heirs of great clans, and even some reclusive disciples of prestigious sects.

Among them were talents whose reputations rivaled those of Shu and Tong, and Hua Fu Yang—true heroes of the martial world.

Each arrival sent ripples of excitement through the city.

In taverns and inns, these martial experts chattered and reminisced, their words reaching the ears of the common folk, who took note of the commotion.

Such circumstances inevitably tightened the screws on every government office in the city—especially the city guards and clerks.

It was clear that the number of officials patrolling the streets and alleys had increased noticeably.

The Imperial Governor’s Office even went so far as to post a notice, citing the laws of Dali and strictly prohibiting any private conflicts or disturbances.

Yet these martial experts were well aware of their own purpose for coming—and all the more so, they knew exactly how many heroes and villains had gathered within Shuzhou’s walls.

Even without the official notice, they felt wary, lest they provoked someone they couldn’t afford to offend—figures like “Fist Master of the Mountains” Shu and Tong, or the “Old Beggar.”

After all, martial masters of the third rank or higher were considered top-tier in the entire martial world.

If their techniques delved into deeper mysteries, their strength would surpass even these elites—something ordinary martial experts could never match.

With their lowly methods? Perhaps the mountain clan’s sorcery might stand a chance.

Chen Yi understood that these martial experts had traveled countless miles to Shuzhou seeking a chance to spar with the “Snow Sword Master” and the “White Immortal.”

But only a select few were even permitted to witness such a confrontation.

Most martial experts couldn’t even hope to approach the upper reaches of the Red River.

Still, some reckless ones had already planned to band together for a try—attempting foolish schemes like hiding underwater or floating in the sky.

Given their cultivation, they could barely make out a figure from such a distance—mostly futile endeavors.

Chen Yi knew this, yet he had no time to spare for such wanderers.

All signs pointed to Shuzhou once again teetering on the brink of chaos—how could he not keep a vigilant watch?

Still, these days had brought Chen Yi a rare measure of peace.

By day, he sat outside the Hou Courtyard, sipping tea, fishing, and playing Go, keeping watch over the surroundings.

Since catching that golden carp last time, the fish had taken the bait eagerly for several days in a row—truly a source of pride and joy.

Though he still fell short of Xiao Wu Ge, compared to his past as an aerial warrior, he’d made remarkable progress.

By night, he practiced the Four Symbols Technique as usual.

When time allowed, he’d slip away from the Hou Courtyard—either to search for Song Jin Ji, or to instruct Yuan Liu’er.

The former bore no fruit.

Not knowing whether Song Jin Ji had sensed someone uncovering his identity—or perhaps for other reasons—he hadn’t been seen in Shuzhou’s capital since Hua Fu Yang’s death.

Not even Zhou Lingtuan’s group knew his whereabouts.

Chen Yi could do nothing but stay ever vigilant, lest sudden upheavals disrupt his life.

As for Yuan Liu’er…

This young disciple of his truly had exceptional talent.

The nine-level cultivation’s physical endurance posed no challenge to her—she progressed with astonishing speed.

In a single day, she reached the middle stage; in five days, the advanced stage; in ten days, the peak stage.

In less than a month, she had already attained the status of a nine-level martial master.

In such a pace, not only did Pei Manli stare wide-eyed in surprise, but even Chen Yi, who usually broke through barriers as easily as drinking water, found himself scratching his head.

It was, after all, a blessing bestowed by Heaven upon certain individuals.

They were, indeed, the favored ones.

Yet for Chen Yi, this development was nothing but a boon, saving him a considerable amount of time.

Beyond that, everything else was merely trivial matters.

The Bai Caotang branch in Guangyuan had already gained some traction. Representatives from the Xiao and Fu families, who had stayed in this region for several days, visited the shop daily, each time bringing substantial gifts. Wang Ji could not help but feel grateful, though he struggled to find words to express his indebtedness.

As for the Fu family, their circumstances had been dire in recent years. It was only thanks to the old master and Xiao Jinghong taking charge, leveraging the Bai Caotang to support them, that they had begun to recover.

The second matter concerning the Bai Caotang involved the mountain tribes’ medicinal herbs.

It could not be said that Pei Manli’s intervention was unnecessary; his efforts had spared the business a great deal of trouble.

The ethnic group dwelling in the areas of Wumen Mountain was known as the mountain people, comprising thirteen tribes under their unified banner.

Pei Manli belonged to one of these tribes. Through the influence of the matriarch, Shān Māmā, his clan held a central position among them. Shān Māmā was revered by the tribes as their “elder patriarch.”

Previously, major merchants in Shu Province had connections with the tribes in Wumen Mountain. Some purchased herbs from Pei Manli’s tribe, others from different clans. However, after Pei Manli sent a single letter, the Bai Caotang naturally secured the rights to procure the tribes’ medicinal supplies.

Of course, not all of them were included.

According to the agreement between Wang Ji, representatives of the mountain tribes, and various major merchants in the prefecture city:

—Seven-tenths of the mountain tribes’ annual herb production was allocated to the Bai Caotang, while the remaining three-tenths went to other merchants.

Then there was the matter of the Medical Academy.

After months of preparation, the construction in Tonglin Town had finally broken ground. It would likely be completed sooner than the one in Wushan Prefecture.

First, Tonglin Town was closer to the Shu Prefecture capital, making it easier to source timber and stone.

Second, the local villagers, upon hearing of the project, had many able-bodied individuals volunteering their labor.

Progress, unsurprisingly, moved swiftly.

Xiao Wan’er and Cui Qingwu discussed their plans, deciding to visit Tonglin Town after the old master finished hosting his banquet for guests from all directions.

Before that, the two of them had been busy selecting a candidate for the head of the Medical Academy.

Chen Yi paid little attention to these affairs.

For he knew that in the nine prefectures, no single physician possessed the qualifications to lead the Medical Academy.

It was not that their medical skills were lacking, but rather their wisdom, integrity, compassion, and ability to impart knowledge were insufficient.

The duties included compiling medical texts, regulating the academy’s statutes, instructing students, and managing herbs and patients.

There was no precedent to draw from for any of these tasks.

Take the medical texts, for instance.

The climate varied drastically between northern and southern regions across the four seasons, and the five elements and yin-yang principles had to be adapted accordingly.

Thus, the texts needed to specify such details.

The same applied to herbs.

Physicians in southern Wei were adept at using insect-based remedies—snakes, worms, rodents, and the like.

Those in the north, however, favored herbs from the mountains and forests, such as ginseng.

The properties and effects of medicinal substances had to be meticulously categorized.

To ensure graduates of the Medical Academy could serve across the land, the texts had to be comprehensive.

Chen Yi understood these requirements, yet remained silent.

He would address them once his current tasks were resolved.

Still, he presumed the head of the academy would likely be Xiao Wan’er—or perhaps… Ma Liang, perhaps.

The final matter was the old master’s banquet for guests from all directions.

Given the large number of attendees, Xiao Wan’er had been assisting in hosting them, particularly the female guests.

Occasionally, overwhelmed by her duties, she would ask Chen Yi to step in.

Chen Yi was well-versed in such matters.

Having once served at the old master’s grand birthday celebration, he was no longer shy in mingling with the guests, engaging them in gentle conversation.

When encountering familiar faces, he could speak at length about topics like the imperial examinations, poetry and literature, or classical texts.

However, during the old master’s birthday, Chen Yi had remained a peripheral figure, rarely sought after.

But now, his circumstances had changed. His status and reputation had risen significantly, altering the guests’ attitudes toward him.

One moment, a gentleman from Qingzhou would compliment him; the next, another from Qingzhou would do the same.

Chen Yi sighed, acknowledging that human relationships were as they were. He treated them with the same calm as before.

For him, these individuals were closely tied to the Xiao family, and would become their allies in the future.

The old master, rarely one to indulge in grand schemes, would not wish to squander his energy.

In the afternoon, the sun was warm.

After the female guests from Qixing Garden finished their midday meal, they retreated to their chambers to rest.

Xiao Wan’er gently rubbed her temples, looking somewhat fatigued.

“Cui’er, bring me a dish of hot soup.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Cui’er hurried toward the kitchen.

Shen Huatang stepped forward. “Your Highness, you should rest as well.”

“If guests arrive in the afternoon, I’ll have someone direct them to other courtyards.”

Xiao Wan’er shook her head. “It’s all right.”

Though she said so, her complexion had grown paler than before.

The long-felt chill had also spread across her entire body, making her instinctively smooth her large robe. Shen Hua Ting noticed it all, glanced at Xiao Ping Yun, and was about to continue persuading him when Xiao Wan Er rose from her seat.

"Hua Ting, you and Ping Yun, please wait in the front courtyard. I’ll just fetch some herbal medicine from the Spring Lotus Garden and return shortly to find you both."

"And—let Yuè Er bring a pot of hot broth to the Spring Lotus Garden as well."

"Miss…"

Seeing that Xiao Wan Er’s steps were unsteady yet deliberate, Xiao Ping Yun unconsciously brushed his hair from his forehead:

"My lady, you’re treating your uncle like a life-saving elixir, aren’t you?"

"Uncle *Second*."

Shen Hua Ting’s expression darkened slightly, but after a brief reminder, she didn’t press further and followed Xiao Wan Er’s orders to find Yuè Er.

Xiao Ping Yun, seeing her reluctance to speak more, merely bowed and hurried toward the front courtyard.

The Spring Lotus Garden.

Chen Yi met Xiao Wan Er’s pallid arrival alone and immediately sensed her purpose. He led her to the study, retrieving a silver acupuncture box while smiling:

"Why struggle alone, my lady? The mansion has so many noblewomen to share the burden."

Xiao Wan Er sat obediently, whispering softly:

"I wish to help Grandfather ease his burdens."

Chen Yi understood her intent perfectly—the earlier words had been mere courtesy.

After Xiao Wan Er loosened her robe, Chen Yi examined her body with the pulse-reading technique.

Her twelve regular meridians, three major qi seas, and the vital point at her lower back remained as dark as ink.

Though his earlier prescriptions had barely opened a narrow path for her qi to circulate, the fire within her remained weak. It was merely a temporary fix, not a true cure.

Any minor ailment, even fatigue from labor, could trigger her extreme yin deficiency, causing her to expel cold energy.

Chen Yi scrutinized her carefully, causing Xiao Wan Er to awkwardly lower her gaze.

"Is this acceptable?"

"Do not move while seated."

"Alright…"

Xiao Wan Er’s voice trembled faintly.

Though she trusted Chen Yi wasn’t a man who’d slight her, a touch of shyness still lingered.

Chen Yi paid her no heed, confirming the acupoints before flicking three silver needles from his hand.

A faint thread of spiritual energy coursed through his body, setting the needles spinning.

To their surprise, a thin layer of frost began forming on the needles.

It clearly showed the depth of Xiao Wan Er’s internal cold.

While inserting the needles, Chen Yi asked:

"Has Grandfather left the mansion today?"

Earlier that morning, Xiao Nuo had mentioned that Grandfather had departed early with a group, though he didn’t know their destination.

Xiao Wan Er bit her lip softly, enduring the numbness and tingling:

"Today, Governor Fang Yuanzhou of Shu Province arrived to assume office. Grandfather received an invitation from Duke Yang to greet him."

Gong Yuanzhou?

Chen Yi’s heart stirred slightly:

"Did Elder Siblings say he came from Ji Zhou?"

Xiao Wan Er paused, then shook her head:

"Grandfather mentioned that Lord Fang was originally a deputy director in the Ministry of Rites, capable but…"

"Grandfather seems to dislike him."

A deputy director from the Ministry of Rites…

So the other Shu Province pacification commissioner must also be from Ji Zhou.

Chen Yi mused on this, then smiled:

"Few can gain Elder’s favor these days."

"When I first entered the Xiao family, he…"

Before he could finish, Xiao Wan Er understood his meaning. She turned sharply to glare at him:

"If you hadn’t fled marriage, Grandfather wouldn’t have looked at you… differently."

Chen Yi could only chide, "That phrase doesn’t fit here."

"But at that time, he truly didn’t know your worth."

Xiao Wan Er explained briefly, saying no more, then added:

"Time-wise, Younger Sister should already be returning."

"Later… how about you accompany me to the front courtyard to meet guests?"

Chen Yi was about to agree when he heard footsteps in the garden. He quickly collected the needles:

"The guests are already in the front courtyard. I’ll stay out of it."

As he spoke, he began humming softly.

Xiao Wan Er nodded, rising to retrieve her robe and adjust it. Soon, Xiao Nuo ran in, holding a letter:

"Miss, your uncle has received Younger Sister’s letter."

Xiao Wan Er and Chen Yi exchanged glances and smiled.

"Just as we were discussing Younger Sister, her letter arrived."

Chen Yi nodded, taking the letter and glancing at it, then chuckled softly.

Xiao Wan Er noticed his unusual expression. "Has Younger Sister’s route changed?"

Chen Yi sealed the letter without revealing its contents.

"The Army of the Mysterious Armies encountered tribal scouts beyond the passes. Your visit to console them will delay your return."

Xiao Wan Er frowned slightly:

"Younger Sister mustn’t act rashly this time."

"When she first arrived at Ding Yuan Army, she rode out with troops to inspect the area, only to collide with thousands of tribal warriors and nearly perished."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yi smiled warmly:

"This time, she shouldn’t encounter trouble."

Setting aside Xiao Jing Hong’s martial arts prowess, this mission was to assess the new army. Xiao Jing Hong wouldn’t dare charge recklessly again.

Thinking this, Chen Yi’s mind drifted to the son of the Black Bear Tribe, Asui Tai.

He wondered if news of Liu Hong’s death had reached the tribe.

He really wanted to see how Asui Tai would react…

(Chapter End)