Buying koi fish

Strictly speaking, this so-called divine envoy of the demon clan was no stronger than the Tiger King from before; if anything, he was just a bit more cunning—at least compared to Yun Chaoxian.

Even if Chu Liang hadn’t come, Yun Chaoxian could probably have won after a longer struggle.

With a sweep of his great halberd, he shattered the treant’s body. The branches and foliage swelling across the sky withered and collapsed in moments, leaving behind only a scene of devastation.

Chu Liang glanced around, extending his spiritual senses to search for any lingering items of spiritual value.

The demon clan was never skilled in refining pills or artifacts; they rarely left behind anything truly worthwhile. After a careful search, he found only two things that might be useful.

The first was the bronze mask worn by the envoy. When Chu Liang brushed it with his spiritual sense, he detected a faint spiritual aura, suggesting it might possess some special function. He picked it up.

The second was a palm-sized green leaf. Though the ground was littered with fallen leaves, this one stood out—its spiritual energy billowed visibly, its surface gleaming with luster.

“This divine envoy was a treant; this must be his refined life-leaf,” Chu Liang muttered, turning it over in his hands. “I can’t use it directly now, but it’s excellent material for forging an artifact. Back at the mountain, I can ask someone to refine it into a spiritual treasure.”

The Sword Transmission Hall offered artifact-crafting services for disciples of Mount Shu. So long as one provided the materials and enough sword tokens, the smiths would forge a magical implement.

“Heh, Chu brother, once again I owe you for your help,” Yun Chaoxian called out, bare-chested and dragging his great halberd. They had agreed beforehand that whatever was found would go to Chu Liang, so he had no objection as Chu Liang scooped up the fallen items.

He had just avenged a long-standing grudge, and his satisfaction was visible.

“Even without me, he couldn’t have bested you,” Chu Liang replied.

“That’s true. But if you’d unleashed your full strength, one sword would have finished him. You even held back, leaving the final blow for me…”

Here, Yun Chaoxian was clearly moved.

In his eyes, if Chu Liang had used the myriad sword technique from that day, even the envoy’s all-out defense might not have withstood it. Yet he only cast a lesser hundred-sword technique.

Was it because he lacked the ability?

Of course not!

It must be that Chu brother, knowing I’d hunted this villain for days, didn’t want to steal my thunder and deliberately left the final kill for me.

Chu brother is truly…

Most touching.

“Heh.” Chu Liang could only respond with a smile.

Deliberately letting someone else take the kill?

Wouldn’t that be rather foolish?

With the area cleared, he returned to the second-floor balcony to rummage through the belongings of the fallen cultists.

These cultists carried a great many trinkets, though all tainted by dark arts. There was a set of throwing knives that had to be primed by slicing one’s own flesh… a blood-drinking skull that nearly bit Chu Liang’s hand as he picked it up… little grass dolls inscribed with birthdates… nails dipped in some bizarre, unknown blood…

Most of these were already bound to their former owners, requiring the cultist’s own blood to maintain their power. With the death of their keepers, their spiritual energy faded. A few still retained traces of power, but all were unpredictable and sinister.

It seemed best to turn them in at the sect upon his return.

The most valuable find was a brocade box discovered on the old man’s body. Inside was a rare and wondrous herb.

A Nethersea Golden Lotus?

The treasure the Death Envoy had been so desperate for had actually fallen into his hands. This was indeed a prize.

Barring surprises, the Nethersea Golden Lotus would be the greatest gain from this adventure.

Chu Liang circled the area again, reluctant to leave, ensuring nothing had been missed. Only then did he rise with a long sigh and declare, “Time to report to the authorities.”

According to the unwritten rules, after the fight and dividing the spoils, it was time to call in the constables to clean up the aftermath.

…

The banners of the Mount Shu Sect and the Tiangang School still hung proudly. When Chu Liang and Yun Chaoxian arrived at the Kaoshan City magistrate’s office, they were warmly received.

The pair explained that the demon envoy was responsible for the recent string of tragedies. Their statements matched the evidence, and with the villain dead at their hands, the case was considered closed.

The authorities had been under immense pressure during the lockdown and manhunt, so the resolution brought universal relief.

Not only were both men publicly honored and their deeds widely proclaimed, but each also received a reward of five hundred silver taels.

Such a sum would barely cover a meal for a money-devouring Gu worm. Practitioners cared little for such rewards; it was the influence and reputation that mattered.

Yun Chaoxian even tried to give his share of the reward to Chu Liang, but Chu Liang refused, telling him to keep it and buy himself a few more shirts.

With their business in Kaoshan City concluded, the two prepared to go their separate ways.

Yun Chaoxian lingered, reluctant to part. “Chu brother, the martial world is vast. Who knows when we’ll meet again after today?”

“No need to worry, Yun brother. If fate allows, we will meet again,” Chu Liang replied, saluting with cupped hands.

“Yes! At the very latest, next year—when the great Immortal Gates Tournament is held in the capital. You’ll surely represent Mount Shu, and we’ll see each other then,” Yun Chaoxian said with a grin.

“Indeed,” Chu Liang nodded, though he thought to himself, You’d better make sure you see me, then.

Every twelve years, the capital of Yu Dynasty hosted the Immortal Gates Tournament, a grand event where the finest young disciples of each sect competed, and the rankings carried immense weight for every sect.

But to represent Mount Shu, one first had to distinguish oneself at the upcoming Mount Shu Summit this year.

That was not yet certain.

Bidding farewell to this well-meaning fool, Chu Liang set off on the road back to Mount Shu.

As his flying sword neared the sacred mountain, he guided it down, landing just outside a small town.

Yunhua Town.

The first settlement at the foot of Mount Shu, it was the usual marketplace for disciples seeking supplies. Though not large, the town bustled with activity.

He wandered to a corner of town where the flower, bird, and fish market was held, making a round of the stalls.

Stopping at a bird vendor’s stand, he inquired, “Uncle, I’d like to buy a feng shui koi. Where would be the best place to find one?”

Indeed, he’d been toying with the idea of buying a lucky koi ever since the recent reward. Now that he had the money, he was ready to act on it.

After browsing the market, he hadn’t found any koi of particularly fine quality.

The bird seller, eager to help, pointed him toward a shop at the corner: “Go check out Shopkeeper Chen’s fish store—he always gets his carp from the Jinhua River. They’re the best you’ll find.”

“Thank you,” Chu Liang replied.

He made his way to the corner and found a modest, unassuming storefront. Inside, the shop was empty, with no one in sight.

“Shopkeeper, are you here?” Chu Liang called.

A faint voice came from the back: “Ah… Is that a customer? Please, come in.”

“Hm?” Chu Liang was puzzled but stepped into the back room.

There he found a middle-aged man in a sweat-soaked shirt, half-reclined on a couch, one side of his face swollen and red, a lump on his leg, clearly in pain.

“Forgive me, I’m not well these days,” Shopkeeper Chen greeted him. “We’re all neighbors here—if you see something you like, scoop it out yourself and bring it to me. I’ll tell you the price.”

“Shopkeeper, I’m looking for a feng shui koi, but I didn’t see any outside…” Chu Liang said.

“Ah…” At the mention, Shopkeeper Chen let out another sigh, as if poking a sore spot. “I dare not sell koi anymore.”

“But… everyone says your koi are the finest in town,” Chu Liang pressed.

“That was before. I used to gather my koi from the Jinhua River, which is why they were always of excellent quality,” Shopkeeper Chen lamented. “But a few days ago, a swarm of venomous bees appeared by the riverbank. Look at me—this is all from their stings. It’s been five or six days now. I’ve seen the doctor and tried every remedy, but nothing helps. The pain is killing me.”

“With those bees around, who would dare go fishing anymore?”