Chapter 55: Chapter 40: All Schemes Fail Before a Venomous Heart

They drank deeply and spoke freely. Only when the candle had burned itself out did the two men finally go to sleep.

He slept dreamlessly until noon.

Jiang Yi sat up and stretched, feeling utterly refreshed and invigorated. It felt as though every one of his 108,000 pores was releasing a delicate fragrance, a sensation completely unlike that of a Mortal Body.

’Unaffected by heat or cold, immune to all sickness, free from the burdens of a physical form… I truly don’t have a Mortal Body anymore.’

He slipped on his cloth shoes and pushed open the latticed window. A gust of cold air WHOOSHED inside.

Outside, the sky was clearing after a heavy snowfall. The world was drenched in a brilliant light that was almost blinding.

In the courtyard, several winter plum trees were in full bloom. Sunlight reflected off the snow weighing down their boughs, making them look like trees of jade and jeweled branches.

A faint breeze stirred, carrying their chilly fragrance to Jiang Yi’s face.

’This mansion is so comfortable. A big bed, a soft mattress, calming incense…’

His thoughts turned to the Big Mixed Courtyard halfway up the mountain, and to his own cramped shack, so small he could barely turn around in it. He shook his head.

’I got used to it before since I’d never lived the good life. But now, if I go back, I’m afraid everything will feel wrong.’

Jiang Yi chuckled. It was just as the ancients said: it’s easy to go from a simple life to one of luxury, but difficult to go from luxury back to simplicity. That was probably the truth of it.

He put on his outer robe and got dressed, at which point a Little Daoist Child came over with a basin of hot water to wait on him.

“Please tell Marshal Yang that I’m leaving now.”

In front of others, Jiang Yi still made a point of using official titles.

After washing up, he learned that Yang Xun was still asleep. Not wanting to disturb him, Jiang Yi departed on his own.

With the new year drawing ever closer, the Outer Sect Four Peaks were buzzing with activity as everyone rushed to finish their outstanding orders.

Back in the Big Mixed Courtyard, Jiang Yi drank some fresh water and ate some meat before beginning to circulate his True Qi and advance his Merit.

After completing dozens of rounds of the Circulation of the Meridians, his bones felt toasty and his organs were pleasantly warm. His whole body felt incredibly comfortable, as if he were soaking in a hot spring.

Deep inside him, Primordial Essence began to burgeon. It mingled with his True Qi’s Fire Attribute, coalescing into a heavy, condensed mass about the size of his thumb.

In Daoist Techniques, this process is called “Transforming and Refining Essence” and “Extracting True Lead.”

If Jiang Yi were to cultivate his Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer to Tenfold Perfection, these chunks of True Lead—as heavy as silver and as viscous as mercury—would coalesce into a single pellet!

From there, he could ascend to the next level and enter the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer!

’But I can’t rush it. Coordinating my organs and harmonizing my Primordial Essence is a delicate process that requires patience.’

Jiang Yi opened his eyes and summoned the golden paper.

[I beg the Celestial Book, show me the progress of my Cultivation!]

「A moment later.」

[Deduction results are as follows]

[Celestial Book’s Master: Jiang Yi]

[Realm: Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer (39%)]

[Cultivation Techniques: *True Meridian Qi Flowing Technique* (Ungraded), *Little Refining Yuan Fire Control Technique* (Ninth Grade)]

Jiang Yi nodded. Grandpa’s treasured jar of Nine Insect Wine was truly extraordinary; it had caused his Merit to surge by five percent overnight.

’To complete the remaining seventy percent of my Merit will take three to five months at the minimum, or as long as half a year, to reach Perfection.

’I swore I’d reach the Fifth Layer before spring, but it looks like I was being overconfident.’

Jiang Yi could only hope that the Eighth Grade Pool and Fire Swamp Rituals, which had cost him a full 400,000 talisman-coins, would be worth the investment.

He hoped it would allow him to successfully open his Primordial Inner Mansion and secure a spot in the Inner Peak.

This step was said to be exceedingly difficult. Even someone like Xiao Tongquan, despite his background and ample supply of resources, had been unable to take it for a long time.

’This is four hundred thousand talisman-coins we’re talking about… It has to work.’

An Outer Sect Mortal Servant couldn’t earn that much even if they worked for two full indenture contracts—a whole twenty-four years of labor.

’After reaching the Fifth Layer, you’re considered to have the aptitude for Cultivation. The Dharma Lineage will classify you as one of its “Resources,” and you’ll be entrusted with important roles.’

A glint appeared in Jiang Yi’s eyes, and the golden paper, which had grown dim, flared with light once more.

He posed a question.

[I beg the Celestial Book, what are the odds of encountering danger or meeting with an accident if, in my current state, I follow Yang Xun of the Red Flame Peak Quenching Room down the mountain?]

Jiang Yi had thought about this carefully. Asking something too general, like “Will something bad happen to me?” would cover too broad a range of possibilities, making it difficult to get a precise answer.

Furthermore, with so many variables involved, the deduction could take an extremely long time.

That was why Jiang Yi chose to ask about the *probability*, using that to judge whether going down the mountain would be dangerous.

[Deduction time: ten hours]

’All I can do is wait patiently.’

Jiang Yi smoothed out his stray thoughts. He was still inclined to go on the trip with Yang Xun. If nothing else, it would be a good chance to broaden his horizons and get a change of scenery.

’If it confirms the probability of something going wrong is low—if I’m at least seventy percent certain of my safety—then I can… try to find an Opportunity.’

’Confined to Red Flame Peak, or even the Outer Sect in general, you only ever run into Mortal Servants, Inspectors, and Marshals. How could an Opportunity just fall from the sky? But if I get a chance to go out and about, the results might be different.’

…

…

「Red Flame Peak, Ice and Fire Cave.」

A beaming Luo Tong walked inside, found Zhou Can from Sewing Peak, and took a seat after a cupped-fist salute.

“Greetings… Marshal Zhou.”

Luo Tong thought for a moment and decided to stick with the title, not wanting to seem too familiar by calling him “Brother-in-law” to build rapport.

’After all, there was still Senior Brother Jiang to consider.’

“We’re practically family, no need to be so formal. You don’t have to use my title when we’re not on duty.”

Zhou Can’s smile was pleasant, but his sinister-looking face made it hard for anyone to feel close to him.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, he asked,

“Did you get the Nourishing Essence Pills?”

Luo Tong nodded.

“Marshal Zhou Guang of the Forging Room is a respectable man who gets things done once he’s paid. I gave him the talisman-coins, and he delivered the Nourishing Essence Pills right away. One bottle, three pills, each the size of a longan. They’re the genuine article, all right.”

The corner of Zhou Can’s eye twitched, but he showed no obvious emotion as he said softly,

“A pity. I just met Senior Brother Xu Yan from the Inner Peak. He could have spared some Nourishing Essence Pills, and he probably would have charged less than Zhou Guang.”

’Senior Brother Xu?’

Luo Tong’s face twitched in astonishment. He’d never imagined that the plain-looking Zhou Can would actually know Xu Yan, whose standing in the Inner Peak was in the top ten.

“Senior Brother Xu will be stationed long-term in the Heart-Stealing Forest. The output of that Resource Land is the main source of materials for Sewing Peak, so he came to have a chat with me.”

Zhou Can’s tone was nonchalant, but it made Luo Tong’s expression shift. He hurriedly said in a fawning tone,

“Brother-in-law, now that you’re connected with Senior Brother Xu, you’re bound for a meteoric rise! Your little brother here will toast you first in congratulations!”

At that moment, Luo Tong stopped thinking about Senior Brother Jiang.

’If Senior Brother Xu really wants to win over the Marshals of Sewing Peak’s various departments, then Zhou Can, with his connections, is a much more suitable “brother-in-law”!’

“I heard Qian’er mention that you’ve always wanted to join the Inner Peak Association run by Wang Heng and Lu Yun, right?”

Zhou Can raised his cup and took a small sip.

“All their running around is really just for the Inner Peak’s Resources.”

“If you ask me, you don’t need to waste your energy trying to get in their good graces. I can ask Senior Brother Xu for a favor and get you a spot on the trip to the Heart-Stealing Forest.”

’Is my Luck finally turning around?’

Luo Tong felt like a prize had just fallen out of the sky and landed in his lap. Just last night he’d gotten 150,000 talisman-coins from his sister, and now he was hearing this amazing news.

It was like hitting the jackpot twice in a row!

Luo Tong made a token show of modesty, saying,

“Brother-in-law… I’m not sure about this. I’m just a humble Outer Sect Mortal Servant at the Qi Cultivation Third Layer. How could I enter a restricted area of the Dharma Lineage?”

Zhou Can waved his hand dismissively.

“Qi Cultivation Third Layer, Fourth Layer, what’s the difference? It all just depends on whether your resources are sufficient. If you take a few more bottles of Nourishing Essence Pills, advancing to the next level will happen in the blink of an eye.”

“Don’t worry. While it’s dangerous in the Resource Land, I’ll have Senior Brother Xu assign someone to look out for you.”

“Qian’er and I are in love and have promised to grow old together; we’re going to be one family. Now that you’ve joined the Qianji Sect, I’ll certainly do everything I can to help you get into the Inner Peak and fulfill your wish.”

Luo Tong’s heart surged. He recalled the humiliation from two days prior at Heshui Cave, being looked down upon by Xiao Tongquan and Li Ruohan, being driven out like a stray dog. His blood began to boil at the memory.

He had held back then because he knew he couldn’t win a fight against them.

But now, relying on Zhou Can to get in with a powerful patron like Senior Brother Xu, the situation was completely different.

’Xiao Tongquan, Li Ruohan, what’s so great about them! If I had the kind of resources they do, my accomplishments wouldn’t be limited to this!’

Luo Tong toasted him repeatedly, fawning over Zhou Can in every way possible, truly treating him as a brother-in-law.

The two traded toasts and drank to their hearts’ content, not breaking up until around midnight.

Luo Tong was completely drunk and staggered as he walked. He waved goodbye to Zhou Can, and a sudden thought flashed through his mind.

’Now that I have Senior Brother Xu for a backer, I don’t have to lower myself and shamelessly grovel before Xiao Tongquan and Li Ruohan anymore.

’And there’s even less reason to deal with Jiang Yi. I don’t even have enough Nourishing Essence Pills for myself, so why should I give one to him! What a waste!’

Meanwhile, Zhou Can stood silently on the mountain path. His gaunt figure was a lone shape between the thick snow and the gloomy, overcast sky.

’The son of a bitch is quick on his feet. He just got the talisman-coins and has already spent it all!

’I was going to send you to hell and get that one hundred fifty thousand back…’

Zhou Can’s gaze was icy. Given his miserly nature, how could he possibly tolerate an outsider dipping their hands into his purse?

Regardless of whether Luo Qian’er’s feelings were genuine or not, her brother, Luo Tong, was an eyesore.

The best solution was to plot his demise.

Besides, even putting that aside, there was no benefit for Zhou Can in helping Luo Tong get into the Inner Peak.

If Luo Qian’er had a close relative among the Inner Peak Disciples to support her, how could he control her in the future?

’Without Luo Tong, Luo Qian’er will have no choice but to rely on me.’

As Zhou Can thought these sinister thoughts, he slowly descended Red Flame Peak. When he reached the foot of the mountain, a name suddenly popped into his mind: Jiang Yi.

’Now that I have Senior Brother Xu’s backing, I don’t need to fear Yang Xun.

’If that kid doesn’t know any better and gets in my way, I’ll eliminate him without a second thought!’

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep