Chapter 17: Ambushed

“Why is Madam so interested in a bundle?” Qin Yue asked.

Yesterday, those three had come for it; today, the deputy leader of Silver Eagle Gang, Chang Jun, was also watching from the shadows. Now even the illustrious Lady Xingyao had her eyes on it—who would have thought?

“Could it be, young sir, that you do not know what this bundle is made of?” Lady Xingyao asked with a gentle smile.

“It was given to me by my master when I set out. I’ve only just begun my travels—truthfully, I’m not very sure,” Qin Yue replied, putting on an honest, guileless smile.

“No wonder. Your bundle is anything but ordinary. It is crafted from the hide of the Icefield Mouse, a creature found across the thousand-mile frozen plains of the far north. The Icefield Mouse is timid and suspicious by nature, rarely showing itself, and the harsh environment of the icefields makes it extremely difficult to catch!”

Lady Xingyao sat opposite Qin Yue, her smile warm as she explained. From her sleeve she drew forth a slender, fair hand and lifted her teacup, revealing a wrist paler than snow itself.

Qin Yue was slightly taken aback.

But he quickly realized her skin was simply fair, not the sickly pallor of an Ice Abyss native.

She sipped her tea, then continued, “I have always been fair in business dealings, so I will not mislead you. To make a simple bundle from Icefield Mouse hide is truly a waste of such a treasure.”

Qin Yue looked sincerely curious. “I’d love to hear more.”

Lady Xingyao smiled. “If used as the main material for crafting magical robes, combined with certain movement techniques, it allows the wearer to blend perfectly into any environment—even to hide from those of far higher cultivation.”

His master had never mentioned this, perhaps because he didn’t know—or simply didn’t care. To Qin Yue, the effect was not so impressive; his Netherworld Escape technique could achieve much the same.

Besides, though his master didn’t have much Icefield Mouse hide, there were still dozens of pieces, all made into bags for carrying odds and ends…

Thinking this over, Qin Yue asked, “Madam, what price would you be willing to offer for it?”

“Name your price,” she replied.

“I’m new to the world, I really don’t know what’s appropriate.”

“How does one thousand taels sound?”

“That’s too little!”

He might not know much, but since she’d said it could be made into magical robes and even conceal one from experts, it was clearly a treasure! One thousand taels was hardly enough.

“I meant gold,” Lady Xingyao said coolly.

He drew a sharp breath.

That was a price far beyond his expectations—almost enough to frighten him. By the gold standard of his previous life, that was worth tens of millions! Even here, a thousand taels of gold was a fortune—enough to let him live in luxury for life.

Who could have guessed that a bundle his master had made from two scraps of Icefield Mouse hide would be so valuable?

“Well? It’s a fair price. A magical robe made from Icefield Mouse hide is worth more than two thousand taels of gold, but that includes a master’s fee and other materials. A thousand is no small sum.”

Lady Xingyao’s voice was gentle. “Besides, the hunters outside are a mixed lot, some with very sharp eyes. If I can recognize it, so can they. Carrying it around will only make you a target. Sell it to me, and besides the gold, you’ll have the friendship of Xingyao Manor.”

“With Madam’s generosity, it would be rude of me to haggle further. In that case, please have someone provide me with another backpack—this one is yours!”

“You’re very forthright, young sir. Do you want gold ingots or a gold note? My manor also has many fine things—elixirs, magical tools, weapons, talismans, even cultivation manuals. If you’re interested, I’ll sell them to you at the lowest price!”

Qin Yue felt a headache coming on. Lady Xingyao was truly a businesswoman—she hadn’t even handed over the money yet, and was already trying to earn it back from him!

Trying to set a trap for me? Not a chance!

As for cultivation techniques, he already had Netherworld Escape, Stealing the Heavens, his own “Rending Claw” martial art, as well as the Falling Leaf Sword Scripture, Northern Darkness Breathing Technique, and dual cultivation methods.

He did like elixirs and magical tools, but only if they were free—if he had to pay, he’d pass!

Especially since he still didn’t know much about such things. He couldn’t tailor his purchases to his needs, and might end up with a pile of useless junk and nowhere to cry about it.

He said a bit shyly, “Could you give me a gold note for nine hundred and fifty taels, and the rest in silver?”

No need to discuss further; first get the money in hand. The mouse-hide bundle was a priceless treasure to them, but to him, it was just a target—best to sell it off.

Lady Xingyao glanced at him through her veil and smiled, “Of course.”

…

On the way back, Hu Yan kept glancing at Qin Yue’s brand-new backpack with curiosity.

After registering for the mission, Qin Yue had received a hundred taels of silver and a long-distance sound-transmitting stone. He didn’t want to examine them in public, so he stowed everything in his new backpack.

People thought ancient folks lacked creativity, but Qin Yue’s new pack was practically the same as a modern backpack from his old world—well-made, stylish, and, according to Lady Xingyao, this year’s latest model, costing dozens of taels of silver.

In terms of practicality, it was even better than the Icefield Mouse hide pack—a small but genuine favor.

“What happened to your old bundle?” Hu Yan hesitated for a while but couldn’t resist asking.

“I sold it to Lady Xingyao. I’m flush with cash now—when we get back to town, dinner’s on me!” Qin Yue replied generously.

Hu Yan laughed and nodded, not pressing further. “Alright, you said it! I’m going to eat you out of house and home.”

Despite her words, when they returned to their inn, they only ordered a few simple home-style dishes. Supplies here were scarce, and aside from Xingyao Manor, the town had little in the way of fine ingredients.

Neither of them was picky, though, and they ate happily enough.

Hu Yan handed Qin Yue a nameless badge of the Jin State Anti-Bandit Division. Palm-sized, made of brass, solid and weighty, with the division’s name engraved on the back. She showed him the security markings and how to identify them.

“This is a temporary badge for non-staff personnel. It has equal authority. Once we return to the capital, I’ll have a formal one with your name made.”

…

The news that the Beast Valley and the Zhaoyang Sect had both placed bounties on Luo Tian’s Saintess, Feng Qianning, quickly spread.

The rewards were staggering—no exaggeration to call them a once-in-a-century opportunity. The key was that Feng Qianning still possessed two great treasures; even the mighty would be tempted.

As a result, the news traveled fast and far, attracting not only ordinary itinerant cultivators.

Top sects and factions from the Ten Sacred Grounds—including Zhaoyang Sect—sent people to the little town every day.

The inns were overflowing, and short-term rentals of ordinary homes were in high demand.

People of status even arrived by flying vessels, which opened Qin Yue’s eyes—though he regretted not being able to inspect them up close, and could not tell if their flight principles matched those of his former world.

What struck him as almost fantastical were the “reporters” who had also arrived—announcing their affiliations and interviewing the various big shots and martial artists.

He overheard names like the Daxia and Jin State Gazette, Zhaoyang Sect, and all the sacred grounds’ cultivation journals…

When he asked Hu Yan privately, she explained that in the major cities, there were even “commercial” and “domestic” playback devices, much like Li Ye’s image-recording stone, capable of showing all sorts of programs—even ads.

“All the main cities are prosperous and dazzling. There’s endless fun to be had, so if you ever go, don’t lose yourself in it!” Hu Yan teased him with a smile.

Qin Yue cultivated at night, and during the day, with nothing else to do, he frequented taverns, where he heard all sorts of gossip.

One particular story caught his attention.

A few months ago, at the same hour on the same day, Zhaoyang Sect and all Ten Sacred Grounds of Shenzhou witnessed a celestial phenomenon. Amidst rolling black clouds appeared the shadow of a colossal creature, shaped like a mouse but exuding the might of an ancient divine beast, striking the sky with its claw.

This spectacle caused a sensation at the time—many claimed it was an omen of some demon’s imminent emergence, a sign of calamity!

Months had passed, but people still relished the topic.

Judging by the time they described, Qin Yue reckoned it was when he first crossed into this world and activated the bronze wheel.

He recalled that moment when, following Xiao Bai through the underground river, he had glimpsed something similar—his heart could not help but tremble.

More than anything, he felt a profound unease. Whether due to his identity as a criminal from the Ice Abyss or the giant mouse omen, as the rumors said, none of it boded well.

If anyone ever discovered his connection to the event, his notoriety might soon eclipse even Feng Qianning, who now sat center stage.

Lately, he had practiced Rending Claw relentlessly—in the absence of real-world opportunities, he simulated battles in his mind.

He didn’t neglect any of his killer moves or cultivation arts. Ultimately, his safety would not be secured by keeping secrets or hiding away, but by finding every possible way to quickly increase his power.

…

Three days passed in a flash. Hu Yan came to find him—it was time to depart.

Some people had already left over the past days, entering the Beast Valley’s territory in search of Feng Qianning.

The two left their horses at the inn, paid enough silver for their keep, bought basic supplies in town, and set out quietly.

Not long after they left, Silver Eagle Gang’s deputy leader Chang Jun led a group out of town as well.

That handsome man from Zhaoyang Sect, after joining a few fellow disciples, also set off toward Beast Valley.

…

From the icy northern plains to here, Qin Yue had acquired impressive wilderness survival skills. In contrast, Hu Yan was like a curious child, as if experiencing the forest for the first time—everything was new and fascinating.

Yet this “senior sister” of his was also rather mysterious. She would occasionally slip away for a while, as if there were matters unsuitable for a man’s company.

Half a day into the mountains, Hu Yan left again for a short while. When she returned, her expression was grave as she whispered to Qin Yue, “We need to leave—right now!”

Qin Yue was puzzled. Hu Yan explained, “I’ve received word that a great battle may erupt during this mission. This is no longer trouble we can afford to get mixed up in!”

Before Qin Yue could ask for details, there was a rustling nearby. The next moment, Chang Jun, deputy leader of the Silver Eagle Gang, appeared with more than a dozen men.

They quickly spread out, forming an encirclement.

Hu Yan’s expression was icy as she stepped in front of Qin Yue. “I am a captain of the Jin State Anti-Bandit Division. What do you intend?”

A man sneered, “Out here, it doesn’t matter if you’re a captain—or even a princess of Jin!”

Qin Yue looked at Chang Jun. “We have no quarrel with you, Deputy Chief Chang. What is the meaning of this?”

Beside Chang Jun, a burly young man sneered, “The Lu brothers had just joined our Silver Eagle Gang, and they died at your hands. And you dare claim there’s no grudge?”

Chang Jun was a true veteran of the underworld—he wasted no words. His triangular eyes glinted with murderous intent as he waved his hand. “Kill them!”

Two archers raised their bows, loosing arrows—one shot at Qin Yue, the other straight for Hu Yan.