Chapter 99 - 95: Wenxi
Chapter 99: Chapter 95: Wenxi
After the constable from the Government Office, who had come knocking with ill intent, had left,
the Fang Family returned to peace.
Beset by both natural disasters and man-made calamities, the Fang Family seemed to be in a precarious position.
But Fang Yue had recovered.
His status as a Martial Scholar was enough to guarantee the Fang Family’s survival.
Even if the disasters continued, Fang Yue could take his family and leave Shanyang Prefecture, and they would still be able to live well.
However, the visit from the men from the Government Office—though on the pretext of pressing for grain, was really an attempt to extort the family.
But the villagers of Da Liushu Village didn’t know the truth. When they saw this, they assumed the Fang Family was still held in high regard by the Government Office.
They all became much more well-behaved, and the greedy light that had been growing in their eyes mostly dissipated.
In that sense, the visit had actually been a good thing.
At least it would ensure that for some time, no one would harbor any ill intentions toward the Fang Family.
’Sigh, I need to make a trip. Without the Secret Medicine, I can’t continue my cultivation.’
This day, Fang Yue was at home organizing his weapons, preparing to go to Wenxi County, a county adjacent to Xiahe County.
Fang Yue’s Martial Dao was now at Bone Forging Perfection, and he could begin cultivating for the fourth pass, the Marrow Transformation Pass, at any time.
He didn’t lack the cultivation technique for the Marrow Transformation Pass; he had obtained it from the White Tiger Boxing Hall long ago.
The problem now was his lack of Secret Medicine.
Without the corresponding Secret Medicine, cultivation was difficult. Forcing it would not only harm his body, but his progress would also be extremely slow.
The efficiency was just too low.
However, it was inconvenient for him to go to Xiahe County Town right now.
What his father, Fang Mu, had said made sense. In the current situation, he might really be conscripted.
Naturally, he couldn’t go, at least not before the war situation became clear.
So, his only option was to try his luck in the neighboring county town.
South of Xiahe County lay Wenxi County. Its county town was over a hundred miles from here.
At his speed, if he pushed it, he could make a round trip in three or four days.
’I should bring my saber and bow. It’ll be safer on the road.’
You needed weapons when you were on the road.
With a bow in hand, he could make full use of his archery skills.
This was a bow he had made himself—a Ten-Stone Bow.
If he had used this bow back in the county town, that Third Elder from the Mo Mountain Tribe might not have been able to block his shot.
Perhaps, everything that happened afterward could have been avoided.
The Five-Stone Bow used by that ordinary Government Office soldier was simply too weak.
After packing, he informed his family.
Amidst the worried words of Father Fang and Mrs. Chen, Fang Yue left Da Liushu Village under the cover of night.
Leaving at night also saved him from being seen by the villagers.
~~~~~~
Wenxi County bordered Xiahe. After crossing the border and traveling another dozen or so miles east, he was within Wenxi County’s territory.
Late the next day, Fang Yue arrived at Wenxi County Town.
He patiently queued up to enter the town and paid the entrance fee. After all, it wasn’t wise for him to openly use his status as a Martial Scholar right now.
After entering the town, Fang Yue naturally sought out the local Government Office.
He paid a premium to purchase thirty sets of Bone Marrow Transformation Stage Secret Medicine from the official in charge of the warehouse, spending a full three thousand five hundred taels of silver.
The expense made him wince. If he had used his status as a Martial Scholar, he would have received a discount, and it would have only cost him a little over two thousand taels of silver.
But since he couldn’t reveal his identity, he was mercilessly ripped off.
"Mr. Wang, who was that man just now?"
In the Wenxi County warehouse, just after Fang Yue left, a man who looked like a young official walked in and asked the middle-aged official in charge.
"Don’t know. Doesn’t seem to be from around here. Probably from out of town," the middle-aged official said after a moment of thought. "Must be buying it for an elder, since he hasn’t reached Marrow Transformation himself."
Whether it was his bearing or his accent, an old hand like him could easily tell that Fang Yue was not a local but an outsider.
Of course, having worked in the Government Office’s warehouse for so many years, he had a keen eye and could easily tell which Martial Artists had reached Marrow Transformation and which had not.
"From out of town? And hasn’t reached Marrow Transformation?"
Wang San mused for a moment, an unreadable glint flashing in his eyes.
"Wang San, what are you planning? I advise you not to get any funny ideas. Anyone who can afford Bone Marrow Transformation Secret Medicine is not to be trifled with. This isn’t an easy score."
The middle-aged official’s brow furrowed slightly. Old and shrewd, how could he not know what Wang San was thinking? He had set his sights on the man who just bought the medicine.
"Heh, of course not, Mr. Wang," Wang San said with an awkward laugh. "I was just asking. Well, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way." He then made an excuse and left the Government Office.
However, after he left, the smile on the middle-aged official’s face instantly turned into a cold sneer, all traces of friendliness gone.
’Hmph. What a piece of work. Ptooey. I’ll let you throw yourself against a stone this time. It would be for the best if an egg like you gets smashed to pieces.’
He knew exactly what kind of person Wang San was. This junior, valued by his family and backed by them, would probably replace him in his current position before long.
Therefore, he actually hated this Wang San immensely.
That’s why he had deliberately provoked Wang San this time. He didn’t believe Wang San would be able to contain his greed.
He just hoped that man was formidable enough to make Wang San suffer for his greed.
~~~~~~
After buying the Secret Medicine, Fang Yue didn’t linger in Wenxi County.
He left the town and headed directly toward Xiahe County.
When night fell, Fang Yue found a ruined temple, built a bonfire, and roasted a rabbit he had caught.
Soon, he had a satisfying meal.
Afterward, his gaze shifted to a certain direction outside the ruined temple.
’Those two still followed me. It looks like a fight is unavoidable tonight.’
After leaving Wenxi County Town, Fang Yue had discovered someone was tailing him.
He had flashed his wealth, so it was only natural that people would covet it.
Fang Yue naturally understood this.
After leaving the town, he had made several detours on the road, trying to shake his pursuers.
However, perhaps one of the two was an expert tracker.
They had still managed to catch up.
Just then, a tall and a short figure appeared in Fang Yue’s field of vision. One of them looked vaguely familiar, like an official he had seen when leaving the Government Office warehouse.
’So they really were after me.’
Seeing their unconcealed malice, Fang Yue relaxed slightly. These two were only at the Bone Forging stage.
’Neither of them has reached Marrow Transformation. Who gave them the nerve to try and rob me?’
Though Fang Yue relaxed inwardly, his expression remained wary as he shouted, "Who are you? What do you want, tailing me like this?"
"Heh, kid, let’s be blunt. We’re here for money. Hand over all your valuables, and we’ll let you leave in one piece!"
As he spoke, the tall Wang San let out a cold, sinister laugh. Holding a long saber, he and the shorter Martial Artist flanked Fang Yue, one on the left and one on the right.
Obviously, their words were just meant to put Fang Yue off his guard.
They had no intention of letting him go.
"Hmph!"
Fang Yue’s expression instantly grew grave. With a flick of his wrist, he had already nocked an arrow and drawn his Ten-Stone Longbow to a full moon before releasing it.
SWOOSH!
With an explosive TWANG, an arrow pierced through Wang San in the next instant. The immense force sent the Martial Artist—who was at the mid-stage of the Bone Forging Pass—flying a good ten feet.
"Second Brother... save me!"
Wang San’s body was pierced through, a large chunk of flesh and blood torn away. Blood streamed from his mouth, but he wasn’t dead yet. Instead, he struggled, trying to call for help.
As for the other, shorter Martial Artist, his cultivation was higher than Wang San’s. He was Wang San’s clansman, named Wang Er.
Seeing this, he instantly knew they had messed with the wrong person. ’This man’s strength is terrifying! There’s no way he’s just a Bone Forging Martial Artist. He must have already reached Marrow Transformation! That Wang San has really dragged me into deep trouble! He didn’t even get such crucial information straight. Now we’ve really bitten off more than we can chew.’
However, he also knew that with his opponent holding a bow, trying to run now would just make him a target.
"Senior, spare my life! Senior, spare my life!"
Wang Er dropped directly to his knees.
Even Fang Yue hadn’t expected this.
This Wang Er was such a coward. He hadn’t even put up a fight before dropping to his knees.
"Speak. Who are you, and how did you track me?" Fang Yue’s expression was icy.
He kept his bow drawn, aimed at Wang Er.
The shorter Wang Er hurriedly answered, "It was Wang Tong, the Steward at the Government Office warehouse! He added a dose of One-Day Incense to your Secret Medicine. The scent lasts for a full day, and a trained person can smell it from nearly a mile away..."
’So that’s how it was. No wonder. But that old bastard is clever. He didn’t come himself. Or perhaps... he just wanted to set these two up?’
Fang Yue nodded, lowering his bow as if letting down his guard.
But in the next instant, his figure moved like lightning, and he threw a punch at the shorter Martial Artist’s head.
SPLAT!
Wang Er immediately fell to the ground, his skull bursting and his brains splattering.
He was completely silenced. At that moment, the sound of a mechanism turning came from his sleeve, followed by a black Crossbow Arrow shooting out and embedding itself in a distant pillar.
’So he had a hidden, poisoned Crossbow Arrow. He was planning a sneak attack after all.’
Fang Yue collected it with interest.
He had never intended to show such people any mercy; he’d planned to silence them from the very beginning.
Then, he checked the Secret Medicine again and, sure enough, found an ingredient emitting a faint fragrance. It had to be the One-Day Incense.
After tossing the incense into the fire, Fang Yue briefly searched the bodies of the tall and short men.
Then he cleaned up the scene, carried their bodies away, and threw them into a nearby ravine before turning to leave.
This time, he made several more detours on the road.
After making sure no one else was following, he finally changed direction and headed back toward Da Liushu Village.
Two days later, after taking a detour of dozens of miles, Fang Yue finally returned home.
After drawing some water and washing up, he opened his satchel to inspect his gains from the trip.
First was the hidden crossbow.
It was made of refined steel, usable even by an ordinary person, and could be loaded with three Crossbow Arrows at a time.
Its power was considerable; even a Martial Artist at the Bone Forging Pass would be unable to dodge it if caught off guard.
’Not bad at all. This thing should be worth over a hundred taels of silver.’