Chapter 120: Chapter 96: Misty Rain

Early in the morning, two days later, just as Chen Qing finished practicing the Cyan Wood Eternal Spring Technique, a knock came from his courtyard gate.

He opened the gate to find a young man in the martial attire of the Li Fire Institute standing outside.

The man was in his early twenties, with a slender build and a handsome face. A smile played on his lips as he clasped his fist in greeting.

“Junior Brother Chen Qing? Your reputation precedes you! I am Huang Dong of the Li Fire Institute. I hope you’ll forgive me for this presumptuous visit.”

Chen Qing calmly sized him up. “Senior Brother Huang? How may I help you?”

He had no memory of this person.

Huang Dong’s smile widened, and he spoke with an air of easy familiarity. “I wouldn’t dare presume to instruct you. I heard you showed off your mighty prowess at Black Flood Dragon Beach, single-handedly taking down the Five River-Flipping Flood Dragons. It’s truly admirable! To have such combat strength with only a Transmutation Force Cultivation… Junior Brother, your future is boundless!”

Chen Qing’s brow furrowed slightly. ’The news spread so fast? And it’s already reached the ears of a Li Fire Institute disciple?’

“You’re certainly well-informed, Senior Brother Huang.” Chen Qing’s tone was flat, betraying no emotion.

“Haha, you flatter me, Junior Brother.”

Huang Dong took a step forward and lowered his voice slightly. “To be honest with you, Junior Brother, I’ve come today as a representative of ’Mist Rain Tower’.”

“Mist Rain Tower?” Chen Qing vaguely recalled hearing the name.

“Precisely.”

A glint flashed in Huang Dong’s eyes. “Mist Rain Tower isn’t a restaurant or a teahouse. It’s… well, you can think of it as an information-brokering organization. We deal in the buying, selling, and dissemination of information. From the Prefecture City to the whole of Yunlin Prefecture, there isn’t a piece of news, a Jianghu anecdote, or a character assessment that our Mist Rain Tower doesn’t know about or can’t spread.”

He paused, then continued, “Junior Brother Chen, you’ve just arrived in the Prefecture City and joined the Cyan Wood Institute. Though your strength is considerable, your reputation has yet to truly spread. Yesterday’s events are the perfect opportunity for you to make a name for yourself! A lone cultivator with a Transmutation Force Cultivation wiping out five Transmutation Force Water Bandits—with a little embellishment, a feat like that is enough to make you famous overnight!”

“Oh?”

Chen Qing’s expression remained indifferent. “And then?”

Huang Dong added enthusiastically, “You may not be fully aware of the benefits of fame, Junior Brother. Every year, the Prefecture City holds a selection for the ’Seven Talents and Five Heroes,’ specifically for talented youths. Once you’re on the list, not only will your reputation soar, but you’ll also attract the favor of the major Noble Families and merchant guilds. The price they’re willing to pay for a Tributor could multiply several times over! And even…”

He gave a knowing smile. “Even those young ladies from the Noble Families, the ones with impossibly high standards, will see a young hero like you in a new light. With fame, everything becomes easier to negotiate.”

“This is what we at Mist Rain Tower do! All you have to do is nod, provide a few details, and leave the rest to us. We guarantee your name will resound throughout Yunlin Prefecture in the shortest possible time! This will be of great benefit to you, whether for acquiring resources or finding better prospects in the future! As for the price, that’s negotiable. We’re more interested in establishing a long-term partnership.”

Huang Dong painted a grandiose picture, describing the glorious future that fame would bring.

However, Chen Qing was inwardly unmoved.

’Make a name for myself?’

’Become the center of attention? That runs completely counter to my principle of keeping a low profile and quietly increasing my strength!’

Fame was a double-edged sword. It would attract more attention, and with it, more probing and a lot of unnecessary trouble.

Besides, he possessed the Fate Plate [Heaven Rewards Diligence]. What he needed was a quiet environment and ample time for arduous cultivation, not to get embroiled in the distractions that came with empty fame.

“I appreciate the kind offer, Senior Brother Huang.”

Chen Qing’s voice was devoid of ripples as he directly refused. “I’m of a quiet disposition and don’t care for fanfare. Wiping out the bandits was simply my duty and not worth mentioning. As for making a name for myself, there’s no need.”

The smile on Huang Dong’s face didn’t falter. “To each their own. One can’t force these things.”

He took a step back and pulled a small, black token from his robes. The token was engraved with a few simple lines resembling flowing water, and at its center was a small character for “Rain.”

“This is the ’Fine Rain Order’ of my Mist Rain Tower.”

Huang Dong held the token out to Chen Qing, his smile sincere. “Even though you have no intention of seeking fame, Junior Brother, there will inevitably be times when you need to inquire about information while navigating this Prefecture City. Whether you’re looking for a person, an object, or trying to learn the details about certain people or events… just present this token at the ’Rain Tea House’ in the west of the city, and someone will attend to you.”

“No hard feelings if there’s no deal. It’s always good to have another friend and another path. If you change your mind in the future, Junior Brother, or simply want to learn some anecdotes from the Prefecture City, feel free to find me, Huang Dong, anytime.”

Huang Dong came across as enthusiastic and slick, but behind him, Mist Rain Tower was, in essence, a peddler of intelligence.

“I appreciate your kindness, Senior Brother Huang.”

In the end, Chen Qing accepted the token. “I’ll take the token.”

’It might actually be useful someday.’

“That’s the spirit!”

Huang Dong grinned. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he reached into his robes again. This time, he pulled out a neatly folded piece of paper, its edge stamped with the three small words “Mist Rain Tower.”

“Oh, right, Junior Brother Chen. This is the monthly *Jianghu Anecdotes* pamphlet published by our Mist Rain Tower. It records some of the recent major events in and around the Prefecture City. It’s not worth much, but the information is timely. Consider it something to pass the time and to help you understand the changing tides of Yunlin Prefecture.”

Huang Dong handed the pamphlet over as well, his tone light and casual.

Chen Qing’s gaze swept over the pamphlet as he took it. “Thank you, Senior Brother Huang.”

“Haha, well, I won’t disturb your quiet cultivation any longer. Farewell!”

Huang Dong clasped his fist once more, then turned and left.

Chen Qing closed the courtyard gate and returned to his room.

He first tossed the Fine Rain Order onto the table, his eyes then falling upon the copy of *Jianghu Anecdotes*.

The paper wasn’t large, but it was packed with content, the layout somewhat cramped.

“A pamphlet!?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep