Sword from the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 85 How About the Celestial Master? (Thanks to the Alliance Leader Wuyou is Hope!)
Zhou Yi squinted: "Don't tell me that this Overlord Fire Qi is suitable for them."

Shan Xiongxin shook his head and took out the manual of the Gang Technique:
"It's not about what suits them, it's about what's tailor-made for them."

"What do you mean?"

Shan Xiongxin said, "Actually, this is not the Overlord Fire Qi, but the Taiping Fire Qi, right? Almost everyone in the temple firmly believes this."

"Everyone has practiced external martial arts for many years, so their feelings can't be wrong."

"No, this is truly the lineage of the Evil Extreme Sect, the inheritance of the Overlord Valley."

After Zhou Yi finished speaking, a mountain breeze blew across their faces.

Shan Xiongxin asked in a low voice, "Where is the Old Celestial Master?"

Zhou Yi shook his head even more: "After leaving Fuzi Mountain, I never saw my master again."

The two remained silent for a long time.

"I don't want to think about it too much. Anyway, this is a good thing."

Zhou Yi said "I don't want to," but his mind was filled with his master's voice and smile.

Shan Xiong said, "I must teach them the art of mounted combat, how to wield a horse spear, and how to hold a long lance."

"Oh?"

"This can further unleash their potential, and one day in the future, you may have more than twenty Zhao Tuo-level assistants."

Shan Xiongxin raised a thick eyebrow: "So, are you looking forward to it?"

Zhou Yi smiled and said, "I know a very skilled equestrian instructor."

"What kind of equestrian instructor is he?" Lao Dan asked casually, because he was very confident in his own equestrian skills.

Zhou Yi said, "He once rode his horse across the northern grasslands, perhaps reaching a state of oneness with the horse."

Old Dan was no longer at peace:

"I've heard that there's a horse-taming technique in the northern desert that allows one to channel their inner energy into a horse without harming it."

“He may not have that level of skill, but I’ve ridden in his carriage. If Li Mi were to chase after him with his superb oxcart skills, he definitely wouldn’t even get a dusty taste.”

Old Dan clapped his hands: "Our Taiping Dao needs talents like this. We can appoint him as the Taiping Horse Charioteer and give him a Daoist certificate."

Zhou Yi couldn't help but laugh, the three characters "弼马温" (Bima Wen, meaning stable boy) flashing through his mind.

Thinking about it would be impolite, I dismissed the thought.

"Brother!"

Xia Shu and Yan Qiu ran to the entrance of the Taoist temple. Besides reading scriptures, the two young Taoist boys did most of their time doing accounting.

In the past few days, the two have also completed the setup of the daily necessities trading center between Wuzhuang Temple and Baihe Village at the foot of the mountain.

The original daily random trading was changed to once every seven days.

This way, you can buy daily necessities in one go and avoid having to calculate expenses piecemeal every day.

The location was set at the foot of the mountain.

The village head of Baihe Village specially arranged a place for it.

Zhou Yi felt that as things developed further, the village might be transformed into a market town.

Because there are many villages around, and they are all neighbors, people who come to join in the fun will not be driven away.

Zhou Yi quite likes this kind of everyday life.

Just when everyone thought the two young Taoist boys were about to talk about their latest achievements, they were surprised to find that they were frowning.

"what happened?"

Shan Xiongxin moved aside a little, allowing the two young Taoist boys to squeeze between Zhou Yi on the left and right.

Yan Qiu looked worried: "The medicinal herbs are being consumed very quickly, and the temple's funds won't last much longer."

Xia Shu then offered a suggestion: "Senior brother, if this continues, we'll be in dire straits. Let's find another Emperor's tomb to dig up."

"What are you digging for?"

"Ouch!" the two boys cried out as their senior brother tapped them on the head.

They even dug up graves. In the future, the Taibao of the Taoist temple can be renamed "Guanshan Taibao" to standardize their operations.

Xia Shu said pitifully:

"Zhang Sange has mastered the external martial arts, which is inspiring others. Everyone is in high spirits. We can't reduce the external medicine at this time, or that would be like pouring cold water on them."

Shan Xiongxin suggested, "That's right, maybe we should pull off something big."

Zhou Yi was taken aback: "You didn't believe their nonsense, did you? We can't even touch that mortuary."

"no no."

When Shan Xiongxin talked about his old profession, he said, "I want to find some bandit strongholds and pull off a heist."

Zhou Yi smiled and said, "You have to admire Yang Dalong for this. He wiped out the bandit dens around Nanyang County long ago. There's a reason why the villagers speak well of him."

"Of course, there are still two groups of people now."

"The first is Champion City upstream on the Tuan River. There is a cannibal named Zhu Can there. If we kill him, we can take over Champion City and make a fortune."

"There's another group that's heading south across Xiangyang. There are four major bandits there. If we wipe them out, we can make a fortune too."

Shan Xiongxin remained silent.

Both groups have tens of thousands of troops; going to confront them now would be tantamount to suicide.

Zhou Yi stopped joking and said seriously:

"Don't panic, I'll think of something."

Fifteenth day since Luo Rongtai's brothel unexpectedly lost the Kun.

East of Nanyang City, next to Wanhe Martial Arts School, is Cao's Pharmacy.

The newly hired employees at the pharmacy were busy when a young man in black suddenly walked in through the door.

Upon seeing this, Cao Chengxian, who was working on the abacus, quickly put it aside and rushed over.

Several new employees in the shop looked around curiously.

However, they did not recognize which distinguished guest this was.

But when Cao Chengxian saw this person again, his feelings were different from before.

He had a vague idea of ​​what was going on in the county recently.

The news of the brothel had already spread like wildfire throughout the city.

The three major forces were slaughtered by a mysterious expert, and the Baling Gang's businesses in Nanyang, which had been stable for so long, were destroyed.

In a single day, it turned into flowing water.

For Cao Chengxian, this was more shocking than how many people he had killed.

Given the scale of these brothels and the extent of their profits, it must be an astronomical figure.

But his business collapsed so suddenly.

Nowadays, the once extravagant entertainment venue has been transformed into the "Moon-Gazing Pavilion."

These three forces are undoubtedly obstacles to the Cao family's business in Nanyang.

Cao Chengxian knew perfectly well who was clearing the obstacles.

And I can better understand what the old man said before.

At this point, step forward, cup your hands in greeting, and bow sincerely.

However, the young man in front of him just smiled, took his hand, and gestured for him to walk towards the inner hall.

Cao Chengxian led the way and closed the door behind him.

"I heard you've run into trouble?" Zhou Yi asked.

Cao Chengxian nodded: "Yes, there is a problem that is not insignificant."

He continued:
"Thanks to the Ren family for taking the lead, we contacted the mountain lords and medicine masters around Nanyang. The medicinal materials that come through them have the shortest turnover time and the highest profit, but most of them are controlled by the Tuanjiang Sect."

“The Tuanjiang faction has been suppressing prices recently, so we should have been able to easily obtain the medicinal herbs.”

“But those mountain lords are too powerful to offend, and even if we offer a high price, we can only buy a small amount of surplus goods.” Zhou Yi pondered, “Although the quantity is small, this business should be able to continue. There will always be people who will sell some of the medicinal herbs to us for a higher price.”

"exactly."

Cao Chengxian said, "But recently the Tuanjiang faction has shifted its operations from outside the city to inside, and they are doing so more openly."

“They bought at low prices, so they offered low prices. They then set a new price standard and forced other pharmacies in the city to follow their prices. As a result, apart from the Tuanjiang School, no one else could make money, so it was only a matter of time before they closed down.”

"Those closed shops were then bought by the Tuanjiang faction."

"It seems they intend to take over all the medicinal herb businesses in the city."

The Xiaojinlou (a type of entertainment venue) is finished. The Tuanjiang faction and the Baling gang had a partnership, so the loss was considerable.

This is an attempt to make amends.

"Are the government officials going to do anything about it?"

"I went to the government office to inquire, but they just told me to wait for news. It seems that the Nanyang Gang is turning a blind eye this time."

Cao Chengxian frowned and said, "If that's all there is to it, our Cao family has its own suppliers. Although we lose profits by transporting goods by water, it's not a problem to maintain our operations."

"But this time, the Tuanjiang faction..."

He changed the subject:
"Their young master, Luo Rongtai, has changed drastically since the incident at the Xiaojinlou. Even before his injuries have fully healed, he has been leading his men to cause trouble everywhere, and even takes pleasure in it."

“Pharmacies like ours, which are involved in gang interests, are the first to be affected.”

Zhou Yi pressed further: "Have you heard of any other actions by the Tuanjiang faction?"

"This is not."

"Wait for my news."

"Yes"

Zhou Yi left Cao's Pharmacy, stopped a carriage, and went straight to Meiwu Lane.

He hasn't been here for more than ten days.

Just as we approached the teahouse, more than a dozen thin, shrewd men dressed in shorts suddenly appeared.

Such a high profile is truly rare.

"Celestial Master, please!"

More than ten people bowed deeply in invitation, their attitude extremely respectful.

It's not hard to tell from their expressions,

This attitude is not insincere, but genuine respect.

even,

Some people, looking at the young figure from behind, couldn't hide their fear and apprehension; it was evident in their eyes.

Especially when you look at the ordinary longsword hanging at his waist...
This emotion becomes even more pronounced.

Old Chen put down the strange lock and immediately came out to greet him.

"These past ten days or so, I haven't been sleeping well, constantly hoping for the arrival of the Celestial Master."

"Hehe, Mr. Chen, you're being so polite. I'm not used to it."

Zhou Yi laughed and scolded, "Is it okay for you to be so high-profile?"

"The principle of 'one rises as the other falls' applies here. When the Baling Gang retreats, our people advance. This is exactly the point."

“If the Hai Sha Gang is wiped out, I’ll have to move out of this slum.”

Old Chen then said:

"Furthermore, I must introduce you to these people active in Nanyang, so that our Giant Kun Gang can have nowhere to hide under the Celestial Master's watchful eye."

"What good will it do you to expose yourself to me like this?"

Old Chen sighed, "There's no benefit to it, but if it can lower your guard a little, then it's worth it."

"Our gang mainly deals in selling information, but we suddenly discovered that what we know is so different from the truth."

"To be honest, I haven't been sleeping well these past few days and I often have nightmares."

"I dreamt that one day the Celestial Master would kill all of us who knew the secret."

"With the Celestial Master's methods, the moment he makes his move, our gang will likely be doomed."

Zhou Yi smiled as she accepted the tea he offered and placed it on the table.

"Why isn't the Celestial Master drinking?"

"I'm worried you've poisoned it."

Old Chen brought over the teacup, blew on it a few times, and drank it all, even eating the tea leaves.

It's as if it's saying, "This isn't poisonous."

Zhou Yi didn't argue with him: "Let's talk about what's been happening in Nanyang City these past few days."

Old Chen spent half an hour explaining in detail all aspects of the city.

"Get a pen and paper."

After Zhou Yi finished speaking, Chen Laomou did as he was told.

A moment later, Zhou Yi handed him the note she had written.

"Mr. Chen, let's proceed as follows."

After reading it, Chen Laomou was immediately shocked.

"Can it be done?"

"can."

"Then I'll take my leave."

"Won't the Celestial Master stay a little longer?"

Zhou Yi narrowed his eyes slightly: "Since you have other guests, I won't keep you."

Chen Laomou was slightly taken aback, but Zhou Yi had already stepped out the door.

Soon, footsteps could be heard coming from inside the teahouse.

He was a burly man in a brocade robe, with a two-inch-long scar on his left cheek, giving him a ferocious appearance. However, his eyes were bright and piercing, indicating that he was a master with superb internal strength.

Old Chen asked, "When were you discovered?"

The big man said, "When he first came in, he didn't drink the tea you offered. After that, he just listened to you talk without saying a word. Then he wrote down what he needed to do for you."

Old Chen asked, "Chief Bu, what do you think of the Celestial Master?"

This burly man was none other than himself.

He is Bu Tianzhi, the vice leader of the Giant Kun Gang, the chief steward of all the messes in the gang, and the number one naval warrior in the Giant Kun Gang.

Bu Tianzhi said, "At first I thought what you said was exaggerated, but now I think you are too limited."

Old Chen asked, "What about my previous suggestion?"

“Of course I have no objection. If you want people, give them people; if you want things, give them things.”

Bu Tianzhi said, "I will keep a close eye on the Hai Sha Gang for you."

"By the way, could I see that note?"

Bu Tianzhi was very curious: "I want to know what this Celestial Master is going to do this time."

Old Chen gave him the note:

"The Tuanjiang faction has gone mad. Why would they provoke them when they can just do a perfectly good business?"

……

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(End of this chapter)