Chapter Twenty-Six: Coveting Another’s Fortune Invites Calamity

"Damn it!"

"Damn it!"

"That Jiang Sheng definitely wanted to kill me just now!"

Young Master Kongxu streaked through the air, his expression terrifyingly grim. He knew Jiang Sheng was formidable, and his original intention had been to force Jiang Sheng out of his mountain retreat to save himself some energy and preserve his trump cards. He had not expected, however, that Green Screen Mountain was a place where a spiritual vein lay hidden! He finally understood why Jiang Sheng was unwilling to leave; if he possessed such a treasure, he wouldn't want to budge either.

His few flippant remarks had been met with a look from Jiang Sheng that felt as if he were being sent to the cycle of reincarnation, leaving him too terrified to linger. He feared that one more word might annoy that fellow enough to have him struck down by a single sword stroke. After all, Jiang Sheng was the ruthless man who had slain the Eight Wolves of East County!

As his thoughts raced, a sudden spark of inspiration struck him. "If I reveal this news to Wenren Jie and Qiao Xuan, will they be able to restrain themselves once they realize Green Screen Mountain is a treasure trove? And if the three of us are there together, Jiang Sheng will surely have more to worry about!"

"Yes, that’s it! Tell them, and perhaps even leak it privately to other factions. There will certainly be those among the sects and noble families who will covet Green Screen Mountain!"

As he pondered this, Young Master Kongxu’s heart began to burn with anticipation. If others truly took an interest in Green Screen Mountain, might he be able to seize the opportunity to get a share of the spoils? After all, the resources at his disposal were insufficient to support him reaching the Purple Mansion realm; even reaching the late stage of Foundation Establishment would be difficult. He only wondered what grade the spiritual vein in Green Screen Mountain might be...

Even after returning to Qingshan County, these thoughts occupied his mind until he reached the county magistrate's office, where he finally regained his composure. Suppressing his excitement, he put on a look of forced helplessness. "My apologies, everyone. I was unable to invite Daoist Jiang. He stated plainly that he would not descend the mountain until the appointed day."

Zhang Qingyun and Zhang Qing were visibly disappointed, and Xu Xiao sighed helplessly.

Wenren Jie sounded somewhat annoyed. "Daoist Jiang possesses profound skills and an extraordinary background. If he were to act, whether it be against evil cultivators or those forces lurking in the shadows, they would surely be intimidated. Unlike now, where we are all so constrained!"

Old Man Qiao Xuan puffed on his dry tobacco pipe, looking as if he had grown indifferent to the secular world. "People have their own aspirations; one cannot force them. It is already a blessing that Daoist Jiang is willing to help us slay demons; perhaps these matters simply do not catch his eye."

Young Master Kongxu added, as if casually and unintentionally, "Indeed. I wonder what is so special about Green Screen Mountain that Daoist Jiang remains in seclusion there. One might almost mistake it for a blessed land!"

Xu Xiao, who hadn't thought much of it before, frowned slightly at these words. She recalled that when she went to Green Screen Mountain to retrieve talismans, she had sensed that the energy there was somewhat peculiar. At the time, she hadn't dwelled on it, assuming Jiang Sheng had merely set up some defensive array to prevent other evil cultivators from spying on his dojo.

Thinking about it now, Jiang Sheng’s stubborn refusal to leave the mountain seemed to hide something. However, she quickly suppressed the thought. Whatever Jiang Sheng was hiding was his own business, unrelated to others. Moreover, the River God’s Grand Sacrifice was imminent, and they would certainly need a powerhouse like Jiang Sheng to slay the demon in the river.

Thus, Xu Xiao interrupted the train of thought. "Enough. Daoist Jiang’s seclusion is also for the purpose of slaying demons. He is the strongest among us; perhaps he is simply sharpening his blade."

Wenren Jie nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense. Before any great battle, one must adjust their state of mind. It is said that Daoist Jiang has superb swordsmanship; perhaps he is cultivating his sword intent in the mountains, waiting for the moment to unsheathe it."

Seeing that Xu Xiao and Wenren Jie both agreed, Young Master Kongxu did not press the matter further. He had already planted a seed in their minds; with the battle looming, they wouldn't think too much of it now, but what about after the battle? Once the seed took root and sprouted, would they still be as they were today? It was hard to guarantee they wouldn't go to Green Screen Mountain to investigate!

Therefore, Young Master Kongxu smiled. "Quite right. Let us discuss our next course of action."

Zhang Qing nodded and said, "Agreed. Now that we are all gathered, let me repeat the plan. The annual River God’s Grand Sacrifice in Qingshan County begins at the first quarter of the noon hour on New Year’s Eve. Our plan is to take action three days prior, on the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month. We will summon all cultivators to march to East River Town to assault the River God’s Water Mansion together. If the demon has not awakened, we will strike to kill it immediately. If it has awakened, we will use the Qi Refining cultivators as a screen and launch our ambush at night!"

"It is said that shortly before the River God’s Grand Sacrifice, the demon enters a brief period of weakness. Though the reason is unknown, this information is five parts credible. If we seize this opportunity, the demon will surely perish!"

The others nodded. If the demon truly had a period of weakness before the sacrifice, their chances of success would greatly increase. With the rank-and-file Qi Refining cultivators acting as cannon fodder, the plan seemed sound.

After agreeing on the plan, the group dispersed to search for traces of evil cultivators throughout the county while also securing the city to prevent the gentry, wealthy merchants, and commoners from causing further trouble. Zhang Qingyun, pushed to the brink by the gentry, took Zhang Qing’s advice and had the cultivators lock down various districts, dividing Qingshan County into separate zones. By preventing the commoners and gentry from uniting, he hoped to stabilize the situation. Once the river demon was slain, he believed the people would understand his good intentions.

With eight Foundation Establishment cultivators in the city, Xu Xiao held the magistrate's office, while Wenren Jie, Young Master Kongxu, and Qiao Xuan were stationed in the vital North and South districts. The East and West districts were left to the other four, with Qi Refining rogue cultivators assigned to their command to oversee smaller areas.

Young Master Kongxu, blessed with a handsome appearance and being a Foundation Establishment cultivator with a reputation throughout Qingzhou, projected an air of refined elegance that led people to mistake him for a brilliant young scholar. Consequently, the local gentry and wealthy merchants were eager to court his favor.

Young Master Kongxu spent much of his time as a guest of these families, where he was met with praise from scholars and flirtatious glances from young ladies, which he found quite enjoyable. Of course, he knew they flattered him only because he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but what of it?

After leaving the magistrate's office, he naturally headed to the home of a local gentleman. This man, surnamed Huang, was a prominent figure in Qingshan County with vast landholdings and shops. Master Huang had been the first to invite him, and having visited multiple times, Young Master Kongxu was always treated to the highest hospitality, with the master even offering the household’s maids and concubines for his choosing. Naturally, he accepted the latest invitation without hesitation.

Upon arrival, he was treated to song, dance, fine wine, and beautiful company, all of which left him satisfied. As the drinking reached its peak, Master Huang leaned in and whispered something to him. Young Master Kongxu’s eyes lit up, and he followed Master Huang away from the banquet to a study in the back courtyard.

"Master Huang, what treasure could you possibly have that required me to come here?" Young Master Kongxu appeared intoxicated, but his eyes remained sharp. He was no naive greenhorn; he would not easily lower his guard.

Master Huang solemnly brought out a box. "Young Master Kongxu, you may not know this, but my family’s success today is all thanks to the treasure inside this box!"

Young Master Kongxu squinted, sensing no hidden mechanisms, and smiled. "Then please, Master Huang, open it for me to see?"

Master Huang nodded and placed the box on the desk. Inside lay an object covered by a red silk cloth, appearing to be a sculpture. As Master Huang lifted the cloth, Young Master Kongxu immediately drew his sword, his expression turning grave: the sculpture was unmistakably the image of the Qingshan County River God!

"Master Huang, what is the meaning of this?" Young Master Kongxu’s voice was icy, his Green Water Dharma Sword pressed against Master Huang’s throat.

Master Huang carefully raised his hands in a gesture of peace. "Young Master Kongxu, the River God says he can help you reach the Purple Mansion realm."

Young Master Kongxu’s expression remained unchanged, though a cold sneer curled his lips. "You expect me to trust a demon?"

Master Huang continued, "The River God is sincere in his offer. He is willing to provide you with a Purple Cloud Barrier-Breaking Pill as a down payment!"

The Purple Cloud Barrier-Breaking Pill—the finest elixir for a Foundation Establishment cultivator attempting to break through to the Purple Mansion realm, capable of increasing the chances of success by thirty percent!

Young Master Kongxu was finally moved, yet his sword remained steady at Master Huang’s throat. "A Purple Cloud Barrier-Breaking Pill? Even in all of East County, few families possess such a treasure. What merit do I have to deserve such favor from the River God?"

Master Huang chuckled, carefully pushing the blade of the Green Water Dharma Sword aside with his finger. "You need only disclose a little information, Young Master. If you continue to cooperate with the River God, Purple Sun Jade and Purple Heart Jade Marrow are not out of the question..."