A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 180 - 48: Mixing in Society Requires Connections_2

The latter looked up and laughed, soaring into the clouds. Old Master He went home to find that the thirty mud-crafted pills had turned into smooth and flawless Yellow Bud Grand Pills. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Just one of them is worth fifty taels of gold and is priceless despite being available on the market.

Just like that, relying on the thirty Yellow Bud Grand Pills, the He Family's main branch rose swiftly, becoming the leader of Yihai Prefecture's trade.

"Our family's Old Master made a lucky bet, gaining immense wealth. As for me, I'm not expecting Brother Bai to become immortal in the way of the Dao, being slightly less talented than his master Ninghai Zen, but breaking through the Fourth Qi Cultivation Barrier, becoming a great expert holding power—it would suffice."

The river breeze blew on He Jingfeng's face, yet there was no joy in his eyes:

"But before that happens, I hope Brother Bai survives first. The road from Black Water River to Nu Yun River is not easy to traverse."

...

...

Hoo! Ha!

Bai Qi was practicing his fist techniques in the courtyard, his feet in the Arhat Hand horse stance, his waist twisting like a giant python, executing the Dragon Palm.

Strands of Qi and Blood Power coiled around his arms and thighs, like layers of silk threads, not obvious, almost indiscernible.

Yet when he exerted his power, he could easily unleash a ferocious force capable of smashing iron and stone.

"Master, what do you think is the most important thing when roaming the Jianghu?"

He was multitasking and suddenly asked.

"Of course, it's background."

Ninghai Zen, lying on the thatched roof basking in the sun, replied lazily.

This instructor of Tongwen Hall, like Lao Dao who took care of the horses, had quirky habits.

The latter disliked eating at the table and preferred to squat, while the former loved being in high places, whether standing, sitting, or lying down.

"Why?"

Bai Qi was taken aback.

He had thought someone as talented as Ninghai Zen would answer martial arts or divine soldiers.

After all, ten years ago, Tongwen Hall's reputation was nonexistent, relying entirely on his master's fists to make a name.

"Were you a Four Cultivation Grandmaster from birth?

There's always an elder with a higher realm suppressing you, then bullying you with strength.

At this time, if you have a strong enough backing, it can eliminate most of the troubles."

Ninghai Zen seemed to speak from experience:

"Therefore, I've specifically devised several tactics. When encountering those shameless old undead, retreat first, then inquire about their family. If they have juniors, hmph... but if they are solitary, observe their living habits, what they like to eat, and where they frequent."

Bai Qi's eye twitched at the smooth delivery of these ambush assassination steps, Master, you are so well-practiced!

"Moreover, poisoning should be like brewing medicine, understanding the roles of sovereign, minister, assistant, and envoy. For those below the Fourth Cultivation level, whose internal organs are undeveloped, I recommend starting with a secret laxative, making them purge uncontrollably, weakening them by thirty to forty percent, parched with thirst.

Then add soluble arsenic to the well or water tank."

Ninghai Zen demonstrated his expertise in this field with ease:

"Even practitioners who have surpassed the bone barrier, transformed mercury blood, and cultivated Silver Marrow have resilient vitality and won't die from a few bites of arsenic.

By continuing to circulate their energy, they can gradually recover.

Veteran experts wouldn't choose to attack at this time, as their opponent still has enough strength for a desperate fight and is on guard.

You should cover your mouth and nose, light seven or eight uncolored poisonous incense. As they are healing, they will inevitably breathe, allowing toxic fumes to invade their mind, reducing their combat capacity to two or three out of ten, leaving no chance of survival."

Bai Qi felt a chill down his spine, finally understanding why the Thirteen Sects spoke of Ninghai Zen with such trepidation, considering him an unstoppable fiend.

This kind of despicably low tactics could not be imitated even by ordinary high-level experts with three or four cultivation levels.

Without seven or eight years of meticulous study, how could one become so proficient?

"Regarding poisoning Four Cultivation experts, it is quite challenging, mainly due to the rare materials needed, such as the gall of a millennia-old serpent, the wood of an eight-hundred-year-old black arrow tree, combined with the flesh and blood of various Demon Monarchs, to harm them.

Moreover, Grandmasters who have passed the Qi barrier are often beyond human, eating and drinking sparingly, making it hard to pinpoint the right moment to strike."

Ninghai Zen's face showed a touch of pride.

"Even with my master's level of skill, I've only succeeded a few times, each time requiring several months, or even a year and a half, of patient lurking."

Bai Qi closed his stance and exhaled a breath of stale air, then gave a thumbs up. This is a true veteran of the Jianghu.

"Master, you truly are of moral and intellectual excellence, both wise and resourceful! I wish I could stay by your side at all times, to constantly receive your guidance and broaden my knowledge."

Ninghai Zen was extremely pleased. Ah Cheng, that blockhead, could only manage to ask after a long speech:

"Master, aren't you thirsty?"

How could he compare to Ah Qi's thoughtfulness!

"By the way, when you roam the Jianghu in the future, if you encounter something inexplicable, consider who's behind it.

Look at the small Black River County, where the three major families have absolute control. When you unravel the threads, each is related to Yihai County City.

Broadening your perspective to the Thirteen Sects, sitting firmly in the leading seat seems impressive, yet they're merely being directed and used by the Prefecture City and the Daoist Officials to run errands.

The background is an invisible, intangible, yet very real mountain."

Ninghai Zen's eyes were indifferent, and he suddenly said:

"Do you know that besides the dominant Meridian Sword Sect in the Celestial Water Prefecture, a new Hidden Pavilion has emerged? It has opened its doors for business, accepting any order from all over the world. As long as sufficient money and courage are provided, even putting up the newly crowned emperor is not impossible.

It will use different levels of intelligence channels according to your bounty price, publishing the matter across the fourteen prefectures of the Red County Divine Land, quietly waiting for a top master from the three teachings and nine schools to accept the secret task. All processes can be completed anonymously."

Bai Qi slightly frowned. Under Dragon Court's rule, a mysterious force that doesn't respect the Court's authority is allowed to exist?

It's ridiculous.

Such an assassin platform should be the number one target for Daoist Officials to eradicate criminal activities.

He pondered briefly:

"Is the Hidden Pavilion able to establish itself and expand its business because someone is supporting it from behind?"

Ninghai Zen nodded:

"What kind of business is the most profitable? Naturally, it's those recorded in Dragon Court's laws.

Salt, iron, canal transport, military supplies, and weapons — touching any of them can lead to daily riches.

The true owner of the Hidden Pavilion is surnamed Zhao, and therefore, it stands firm and rises quickly."

Surname Zhao?

Bai Qi's throat moved slightly.

There are countless people with the surname Zhao in the Celestial Water Prefecture, but worthy of being singled out by the master can only be that Grand General Zhao Pijiang.

"Such strong backing?"

Bai Qi clicked his tongue.

"How else could it be successful? The Hidden Pavilion's first major business was the assassination of the current true heir of the Meridian Sword Sect.

Bounty for the secret task: ten thousand taels of gold, a treasure weapon, and... a genuine martial arts manual, which can be exchanged for a secret Daoist technique book."

Ninghai Zen smiled:

"On the sixty-seventh day, that true heir's headless corpse floated by the lakeside, and from then on, the strength of the Hidden Pavilion was recognized, business boomed.

In this world, too many people have one or even several names in mind they'd wish dead, but they are unable to act themselves."

Judging by this, the Celestial Water Prefecture seems imbalanced, with the Hidden Pavilion supported by Grand General Zhao, accepting orders to assassinate the true heir of the Meridian Sword Sect?

Bai Qi's eyes flickered, then he nodded in agreement.

The profession of an assassin is as ancient as prostitution.

Like the Thirteenth Cult, if asked to write a must-kill list.

Ninghai Zen would definitely be at the top!

"Wait, Master, the Hidden Pavilion is so formidable, the four families you destroyed can completely issue a bounty for my life..."

Bai Qi suddenly realized something was amiss.

"Indeed, your name has most likely already been posted on the Hidden Pavilion, successfully listed."

Ninghai Zen replied calmly.

"Master, I've decided to not leave your side for the next few days, serving diligently!"

Bai Qi felt a bit anxious, facing the wandering spirits of the four families, he can be fearless.

But regarding the mixed fish and dragons accepting the Hidden Pavilion's bounties, caution is necessary!

If a despicable assassin who's also skilled in ambushes and poisoning appears, it would mean finding joy in the nine springs!

"Why fear? Among the living, those with higher skill levels than your master, in terms of stealth, disguise, assassination, and calculating chances, absolutely inferior to me, and vice versa."

Ninghai Zen, full of confidence, waved his hand and said:

"Calm down, tomorrow morning, go out as much as possible, try to wander far.

Soon, your master will prepare a detailed route map for you."

...

...

That night.

The moon hung at its zenith.

Ninghai Zen silently and swiftly soared out.

With each step he took, his form began to change, broad shoulders narrowed, his tall figure shortened, and his complexion turned sallow.

By the time he left this secluded courtyard, even his aura began to transform, akin to being reborn anew.

Even Lao Dao, who knows Ninghai Zen best, would not recognize him face to face.

Half a stick of incense time later.

A yellow-faced man appeared in Black River County, dressed in coarse cloth and hemp clothing, symbolically masked with black cloth to conceal his looks.

After knocking on the door of a shop already closed, and exchanging secret codes, he said:

"Latest news on Bai Qi, from usual martial arts used, to the four major training levels, as well as habitual travel routes, selling for three hundred taels! Gold!"