Chapter 47: Treasures Flow to Jie County from All Directions

Haijun.

One of the eight commanderies of Qingzhou, situated along the coast, overseeing eleven counties.

Like the other commanderies in Qingzhou, most cultivators are concentrated in the commandery seat, with only a handful of scattered Qi Refining practitioners in the county towns; Foundation Establishment cultivators are rarely seen.

Mount Qingping spans across the territories of Dongjun, Haijun, and Changjun commanderies. Within Dongjun lies Qingshan County, while Haijun encompasses Jie County.

Originally, three cultivation families resided in Jie County, relying primarily on gathering mountain herbs and hunting for their livelihood.

Though called cultivation families, the highest cultivation level among them was only at the sixth level of Qi Refining.

But now, two of those families have been destroyed, leaving only the Wu family barely holding on.

Mount Qingping is rich with living creatures and medicinal herbs.

Though many fierce beasts roam the mountains, the powerful ones each have their own territory.

As long as one does not approach their domain, these beasts rarely cause harm.

For instance, in Jie County, there are two Foundation Establishment-level beasts residing in the mountains.

These two, however, are gentle in nature, making Jie County comparatively fortunate next to Qingshan County of Dongjun.

According to information Wu Fang obtained, Qingshan County once had several cultivation families.

But then a tiger demon appeared in the mountains; those families, commissioned by the then magistrate of Qingshan County to eradicate the demon, never returned from the mountain.

It’s said that Qingshan County invited cultivators several times afterward, but none returned alive. Eventually, the tiger demon completely took over that mountain range.

Only about two years ago was the tiger demon finally eliminated by an exceptionally powerful Daoist.

Compared to Qingshan County, the Foundation Establishment beasts of Jie County were far easier to coexist with.

Occasionally encountering them in the mountains, one could even trade some books or the like for medicinal herbs.

Unfortunately, this peaceful coexistence between humans and beasts vanished several months ago.

Those two gentle Foundation Establishment creatures disappeared, replaced by a late Foundation Establishment black fire serpent at their lair.

Wu Fang learned of this from the other two families. They ventured into the mountains, encountered the black fire serpent, and were nearly wiped out. The few who escaped returned insane, clearly terrified beyond reason.

Now, only the Wu family remains among the three cultivation families in Jie County.

The patriarch of the Wu family only possesses the fifth level of Qi Refining—a cultivation family that is little different from scattered practitioners.

With no foreseeable future and lacking cultivation resources, they can only seek a place to continue their bloodline.

Whenever Wu Fang thinks of that late Foundation Establishment black fire serpent, he is restless and sleepless.

Though he is a respected figure in Jie County, whose words carry weight among local gentry and wealthy merchants, he is after all just a common cultivator at Qi Refining level five.

He has been plagued with uncertainty lately. He does not wish to abandon the family estate, but the mountain beast’s violent temperament is entirely unlike the previous two.

Having married and raised children, even a grandchild now, the Wu family was on the verge of prosperity, but they cannot withstand the torment from a Foundation Establishment beast.

The black fire serpent, nearly thirty zhang in length, is comparable to a flood dragon. Such a terrifying creature descending from the mountains would inevitably bring disaster to all living beings!

*Sigh...*

Wu Fang sighed deeply as he hesitated, when suddenly someone rushed in.

“Master, the county magistrate has arrived.”

Hearing that the magistrate had come, Wu Fang rose to greet him.

After all, unlike disciples of great sects and noble families, scattered cultivators rely heavily on local county governments to settle down.

Moreover, no matter what, the dignity of the Great Qi imperial court still commands basic respect from these native Qi people.

“Brother Wu, I’ve come to bother you again,” Lin Zhiyong, the county magistrate of Jie County, entered with a troubled expression.

“Brother Lin, what’s the matter?” Wu Fang asked, puzzled by Lin’s worried look.

Lin glanced at Wu Fang: “Brother Wu, that beast in the mountains is too ferocious. The cultivators I invited, not a single one returned alive.”

Wu Fang was shocked: “Brother Lin, you actually invited cultivators to exterminate the demon?”

Lin nodded and recounted the details to Wu Fang.

The magistrate Lin was a man of resolve; with such a fierce beast in the mountains, the county seat was obviously under threat.

So Lin and the local gentry pooled resources to invite a group of cultivators.

These cultivators were known to be frequently hired by various counties in Haijun to clear beasts.

Lin had hoped they would bring good news, but after entering the mountain, they disappeared without a trace.

Five days had passed, and not a single one came back alive.

Lin was utterly helpless and came to ask Wu Fang for help.

“Brother Wu, you don’t want to abandon your family estate in Jie County lightly, right?”

“Your family has just begun to prosper. Leaving now, where else could you be welcomed?”

Hearing Lin’s words, Wu Fang’s heart was in turmoil; these were exactly his concerns.

After some thought, Wu Fang gritted his teeth and said: “That’s a late Foundation Establishment beast. Ordinary scattered cultivators are useless against it!”

“We must invite Foundation Establishment cultivators to deal with it!”

Lin’s face turned pale: “Foundation Establishment cultivators demand prices far beyond what gold or silver can pay!”

Wu Fang continued: “Brother Lin, why not personally invite Senior Chen Ping from neighboring Yu County?”

Chen Ping of Yu County is a renowned Foundation Establishment scattered cultivator in Haijun.

His cultivation level is mid-Foundation Establishment and his strength considerable.

Chen Ping has settled in Yu County, appointed as a county protector, enjoying vast fertile fields and forests. His family is far more prosperous than Wu Fang’s fledgling Qi Refining family.

After some thought, Lin nodded: “Inviting Senior Chen is a feasible plan.”

Wu Fang added: “Brother Lin, write another letter. I will take it to the commandery seat and submit it to the commandery governor.”

“If the governor agrees, perhaps we can even summon the Zhao family from the Purple Mansion.”

“Then this Jie County can be saved.”

Lin nodded.

A Foundation Establishment beast—what could a mere Jie County do?

Better let the governor in the commandery seat worry about it.

Soon Lin Zhiyong wrote the letter and handed it to Wu Fang. The two split up to act.

The Chen family in Yu County is undoubtedly a giant in that area.

Having a Foundation Establishment cultivator settled there is a boon for the entire Yu County.

Local gentry and wealthy merchants all compete to send their children to study under the Chen family. Wherever the Chens go in Yu County, they walk with heads held high.

One day, a guest arrived at the Chen residence.

It was Lin Zhiyong, the magistrate of Jie County.

Facing a county magistrate’s personal visit, Chen Ping, the veteran Foundation Establishment cultivator, showed full respect.

Having settled in Yu County over the years, Chen Ping was accustomed to social courtesies. He welcomed Lin with a smile and invited him inside, looking more like a wealthy gentleman than a cultivator.

“Magistrate Lin, what brings you here so unexpectedly?” Chen Ping asked with a smile.

Lin quickly explained his purpose, and as Chen listened, his smile gradually faded.

A late Foundation Establishment black fire serpent!

Heavens, how could Jie County suddenly have such a terrifying beast?

Chen Ping hadn’t had to take action for many years. His battles had been few and far between.

Those who once dared risk their lives seeking opportunities among beasts had long since vanished.

Now, Chen Ping was merely a kindly wealthy patriarch.

A late Foundation Establishment black fire serpent—if such a fiend descended, Jie County would be insufficient for its devastation, and Yu County would inevitably be affected.

Like Wu Fang, Chen Ping had settled down and did not wish to leave.

Here lay his foundation, the roots for the Chen family’s future.

After some contemplation, Chen said, “This matter concerns not only Jie County. I, Chen, will not remain indifferent.”

“Magistrate Lin, please return for now. Once I gather a few trusted friends, we will head to Jie County to eliminate the demon!”

Grateful for Chen’s promise, Lin left with deep thanks.

After Lin’s departure, Chen’s relatives tried to dissuade him.

They knew how long Chen had been out of practice; his skills were likely rusty. Facing a late Foundation Establishment beast now was tantamount to courting death.

Moreover, if anything happened to Chen Ping, the Chen family’s standing in Yu County would plummet, and their fortunes would be at risk.

Watching these kin immersed in wealth and ease, Chen Ping felt, for the first time, that the Chen family’s development had been misguided.

He scolded them harshly, frustrated at their ineptitude, then roared, “What do you know?”

“If that late Foundation Establishment beast truly rampages, can Jie County withstand it? And can Yu County withstand it?”

“I go to Jie County not for myself, but to protect the Chen family’s assets!”

“Besides, a sudden appearance of a late Foundation Establishment beast must mean some rare heavenly material or earthly treasure has emerged. Once obtained, that will be the Chen family’s opportunity to rise!”

Chen Ping’s mind was clear. He understood the difficulty of dealing with a late Foundation Establishment beast, but he knew such beasts do not appear suddenly.

Heavenly materials and treasures!

Having long been stuck unable to advance beyond late Foundation Establishment and forced to settle in Yu County, Chen’s dormant passion suddenly surged anew.

While Chen Ping gathered his friends, in the commandery seat of Haijun, Wu Fang delivered the letter to the commandery governor’s desk.

The governor, troubled by the presence of a reckless late Foundation Establishment beast in his territory, went straight to the Zhao family.

As the Purple Mansion family of Haijun, the Zhaos, enjoying the county’s patronage, were naturally expected to serve the commandery.

At that time, Zhao He, the Zhao family patriarch, was in seclusion. Zhao Hong, the grand elder, met with the governor and assured him the Zhao family would not sit idly by.

Relieved by the Zhao family’s response, the governor felt reassured.

Zhao Hong soon summoned the Zhao family’s elites: Zhao Rui and Zhao Jun, both mid-Foundation Establishment masters and direct descendants.

“The governor just said a late Foundation Establishment black fire serpent appeared suddenly in Jie County. I suspect there must be some treasure there,” Zhao Hong said.

“You two will accompany me to Jie County to eliminate the serpent. If we find any heavenly materials or treasures, they will also strengthen the Zhao family’s foundation.”

Hearing this, Zhao Rui and Zhao Jun nodded.

They naturally would not refuse a task beneficial to the Zhao family.

Moreover, a late Foundation Establishment black fire serpent is a treasure in itself.

Its meat can nourish a cultivator’s body and replenish energy; its blood, gallbladder, and heart can be used for refining medicine; its teeth, scales, and skin can be used to forge artifacts...

Soon, Zhao Rui and Zhao Jun prepared everything and followed Zhao Hong to Jie County.

At the same time, Chen Ping gathered several helpers and agreed to share the spoils equally before heading to Jie County.

Unconsciously, Jie County’s name began to frequently appear in Haijun’s cultivation circles.

Everyone murmured: Jie County has treasure!