A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 74: Foraging the Mountains, Treasured Herbs

The path was bumpy and the ox cart swayed as it moved slowly over dozens of miles. By the time Bai Qi and the others arrived at the Ginseng Collection Manor, the sun was already slanting toward the west.

In the late autumn season, it became dark quickly. The sound of insects chirping from the dense forest, the rustle of leaves in the cold wind, and the shadows cast by Longkang Mountain all gave people an unsettling feeling.

"No wonder the old folks say one should avoid walking the roads at night alone and climbing treacherous mountains by themselves. It truly is creepy."

Gazing into the distance at the pitch-black peaks, Bai Qi jumped down from the ox cart. The rural paths were rugged and rough, and his bones felt like they were falling apart. If he hadn't trained his muscles well, his rear would definitely have suffered.

"I'll come to fetch you young gentlemen again in a couple of days. If you need any hot soup or meal, feel free to look for me. It's cheaper than the tavern in the manor."

The driver was an old man, a native of the Ginseng Collection Manor.

With winter approaching and the weather freezing, both farmers and fishermen found it hard to secure jobs.

Staying home and consuming savings wasn't a long-term plan. They typically went to brokerages, car services, taverns, or to wealthy households, using their skills to earn a living as temporary workers, even willing to work just for a meal.

"Alright, grandpa."

Bai Qi didn't pay him directly as the costs were settled with the car service.

According to the old man, bringing his own oxen, donkeys, and mules to work allowed him to earn a few extra coins.

Renting animals from the car service earned very little, barely enough to get by.

Xiaotou's small eyes darted around, looking clueless and rustic:

"Ah Qi, this is the largest manor within a hundred miles. Look, there are swordsmen too."

As a descendant of fishermen, the furthest he had walked onto land was simply the few streets from Datian Bay to the outer city.

A place like the Ginseng Collection Manor, a gathering point for thousands of people with mountain folk, swordsmen, hawkers, and wandering performers, was bustling and lively.

Accordingly, the types of livelihoods were more varied, including the usual taverns, tea houses, pharmacies, blacksmiths, and courtesans inviting business at half-open doors.

"Someone at a similar level to me, just beginning muscle training, dares to wield a sword?"

Bai Qi glanced at the passerby whose hand was calloused, but judging by the rhythm of his breathing and walking, it didn't feel like he had trained bones.

Those who exchanged Mercury Blood and refined Silver Marrow were particularly easy to identify.

Often their whole body was robust with Qi Blood, like a blazing furnace, emitting heat.

According to the teaching process at Tongwen Hall, training usually combines nurturing and practice, mastering fists and feet, then progressing to sparring, honing courage, and diving deeper into Five Captures, finally becoming qualified to handle weapons.

After all, Xiaotou was apprenticed in the Songshan Sect, gaining some insights:

"Mountain folks know more tricks than fishermen, a lot of them are family-handed techniques. They save up for a sword and venture along the five hundred miles mountain paths to make a living, similar to us risking into Mihun Bay for treasure fish."

Bai Qi couldn't help but reflect:

"Making a living indeed is not easy."

First Training Great Success allows one to say they can fight wild beasts like tigers, leopards, and wolves. Treading Longkang Mountain just after Refined Power is like fishermen with poor swimming braving the river, with a higher likelihood of drowning.

Note that ferocious beasts in the ancient forests often move in packs, rarely hunting alone.

Walking into the Ginseng Collection Manor, Bai Qi and his group attracted many curious glances for being new faces.

Reaching the designated spot, Miss Zhu, now dressed in smart hunting attire, smiled brightly:

"Bai Qilang, you're too slow. Second Young Master Song won another round, and the Young Master lost badly."

Miss Zhu from the Divine Hand Sect, donned in a bright red sleeve garment, her waist tightly bound, with a tall stature and a pleasant appearance amidst the coarse linen outfits of the Ginseng Collection Manor, was like a water lotus flower, extremely eye-catching.

"What was the Young Master's bet?"

Bai Qi raised an eyebrow and skimmed over, his gaze like a dragonfly skimming the water, unlike Xiaotou beside him, who was stunned by Miss Zhu's charm, lowering his head in embarrassment.

"A bottle of Celestial Eagle Martial Arts Hall's Purple Ganoderma Heart Nourishing Pills, quite precious. The Young Master now can't bear Second Young Master Song's mockery and has retreated into the house sulking."

Miss Zhu approached gracefully, an alluring fragrance wafting, causing Xiaotou to quietly step aside.

Bai Qi, having interacted with many socialites from his previous life, was unaffected, and smiled softly:

"The Young Master has a broad mind, he shouldn't take it to heart."

Behind Miss Zhu were several strong servants. Judging by their attire, they were disciples of the Divine Hand Sect; some were leading horses and others carrying longbows and quivers, displaying an impressive look.

"Why don't you go invite the Young Master, Bai Qilang? Dinner's about to start, and Second Young Master Song specifically caught a few lambs to roast over the fire."

Bai Qi held his younger brother Bai Ming's hand and ventured deeper into the Ginseng Collection Manor:

"Then Miss Zhu should get Second Young Master Song to restrain his banter a little. Otherwise, the atmosphere could become too awkward for anyone to enjoy."

The rivalry between He Tai and Song Qiying was something he was used to and didn't pay much attention to.

It's akin to Brother Fu's inner circle where two leaders quietly compete for dominance, mostly resulting in small friction without escalating to a life-and-death feud.

"You can just call me Ling'Er, we've met several times already, no need to be so formal."

Perhaps leaving Black River County, Zhu Ling'Er had shed the dainty demeanor of a rich lady, appearing more relaxed.

"Alright, Miss Ling'Er."

Bai Qi proceeded directly to the arranged courtyard residence, with wide eaves and low houses, styled quite simple.

He had encountered such a situation in a past life, like suddenly a fierce eagle owl crashing into a reed marsh full of domestic chickens.

Self-proclaimed cloud geese, someone like Zhu Ling'Er, would undoubtedly be more fascinated by the latter. A wealthy girl favoring a poor boy often takes this approach, the charm lies in nurturing something new.

"If I hadn't entered Tongwen Hall, using all my wit to please the lady, relying on the Divine Hand Sect to become a phoenix man would also be a way.

But unless I received Master Ninghai Zen's favor, they might not even regard me."

Bai Qi smiled at the thought and dismissed it.

As the year-end approaches, making money is more important than romance.

Moreover, before completing the Second Training, it's best to maintain a child-like state.

According to the martial sect's viewpoint, it's beneficial for cultivating the Mercury Blood Silver Marrow for complete bone refinement.

As for how to confirm, Uncle Dao stated having the young master as the best example.

"Is it possible Master Ning has kept a Pure Yang Body into his thirties? Tsk tsk."

Bai Qi privately grumbled a couple of times, Ninghai Zen, though unkempt, had a sharp demeanor and exceptional presence.

The mature aura accumulated over time easily attracted a crowd of beautiful married women and youthful heroines.

There should be no chance he retained his vital essence... right?

After setting down his luggage and arranging the accommodation, Bai Qi turned to find He Tai, persuading him with a few words.

He wasn't intent on being a peacemaker but was interested in acquiring the Mountain-Rushing Secret Technique.

This kind of mysterious item might unexpectedly awaken a skill.

Up to now, the ink slip is unable to reflect only techniques.

Though Bai Qi has mastered the steps for bait-making, he cannot fully comprehend the secret texts to unveil the complete skill, which perplexes and frustrates him.

"Rushing the mountains... Lingzhi, ginseng, deer antler, Polygonatum--these are all valuable treasures, including rare plants that attract mountain folk.

Living off the mountain, relying on the river, I want both!"