CHAPTER 58: CHAPTER 58 INTELLIGENCE

Chen Ku listened as the person beside him listed the ten top experts of Baojiao County. Among these ten, the Imperial Court surprisingly accounted for three: the unmatched County Magistrate Shangguan, followed by Counselor Sui You and Sharp Blade. That Sharp Blade—the ’sharp’ in his name signified not only the speed of his blade but also his position as chief of constables.

But what Chen Ku hadn’t expected was that among the ten top experts, Medicine King Hall actually had two. One was the senior from North Yang, Yang Luochen. The other was Chai Bao, the instructor from the Dragon Tiger Leopard. Chen Ku had met Chai Bao before. Although Chen Ku hadn’t encountered Senior Yang Luochen in the hall, he guessed his Skyward Strike most likely originated from this second-ranked expert in the county.

"Miss Sui has arrived! The banquet can begin now," Chai Tiangui announced excitedly, ushering everyone to their seats.

Soon, on the second floor of the Fragrance Pavilion, behind a huge screen carved with exquisite openwork patterns, a large round table was fully occupied by eighteen people. At the head of the table sat none other than the Counselor’s daughter, Sui Qingfang. Around eighteen or nineteen years old, she was the center of attention. To her left was the host, Chai Tiangui, and to her right was the son of County Assistant Qi. Ranged on either side were the Registrar’s daughter, Scholar Zhang, Jiang Shaoyou from Tongwen House, Third Young Master Zhou from Langui Fang, and others. This constituted the upper half of the table. The lower half was for people like Chen Ku, who had been invited through recommendation. At this single table, status, hierarchy, and social circles were clearly demarcated by seating arrangement.

"It’s a fortunate fate that has brought us all together today," Chai Tiangui stood up and said. "I propose we first toast Miss Sui, because just two days ago, she officially reached the Inner Qi Realm!"

He continued, "Let us congratulate Miss Sui together for reaching Inner Qi! At eighteen years of age, the title of Military Scholar in next spring’s martial arts examination will be well within her grasp."

As Chai Tiangui spoke, everyone else, including Chen Ku, naturally stood up, raising their glasses to the young woman in the orchid-patterned long gown, whose appearance was pure and graceful. Sui Qingfang maintained the demeanor of a well-bred young lady. Though she showed no outward signs of martial training, her achievement surprised all those who had been recommended. Eighteen years old, Inner Qi. While her father’s influence was a factor, among the hundred thousand households of Baojiao County, someone with such natural talent and diligence could truly be considered one in ten thousand.

"The martial arts examination itself isn’t much," Sui Qingfang spoke with gentle composure, a radiant presence at the banquet. "Those present, like Brother Jiang Shaoyou, Brother Qi, and Third Young Master Zhou, will also reach this level by next year or the year after at the latest. The difficult part is winning the favor of a sitting master at the time. I heard that next spring’s martial arts examination will have a major figure from the Prefecture Yamen overseeing it. There’s a rumor it might be Grandmaster Jin Chui, ’Whose Steeds Trample Three Prefectures and Eight Counties, Whose Hammer Shakes Both Banks of the Dragon River’."

"Grandmaster Jin Chui?" Qi Renwang seemed to have heard of him, turned to Jiang Shaoyou, and whispered, "Is that the legendary figure born with Divine Power, who killed the rebel leader Wang Keyong with one hammer blow, defeated the Master of Qinggang Sect with two, and smashed the gates of Supreme Fortress with three—the Patriarch of the Qin Family, Qin Yuxian?"

He added, "It is said that this Patriarch of the Qin Family is also the president of the Qiu Dragon Martial Meeting, which shelters thirty-six forces, large and small. It’s even rumored that one of the owners behind Medicine King Hall is among those thirty-six forces."

Jiang Shaoyou remained noncommittal, simply arching an eyebrow and asking, "Such a significant figure deigning to come to a place like Baojiao County? What connection does the martial arts examination have to him?"

"Indeed, it has nothing to do with him directly," Sui Qingfang said slowly. "However, you should have heard that Grandmaster Jin Chui has a good relationship with a young reformist official from You State and is influenced by that young official’s ideas. Recently, news has also spread that the grandees in the Imperial Court’s cabinet are discussing a ’tax reform’ initiative. This initiative advocates that officials and gentry be treated as one, performing official duties and paying grain taxes..."

Qi Renwang’s eyebrows twitched. "How can that be possible! That could shake the foundations of the empire! It’s simply unfeasible."

"Therefore, it’s said that the young official from Qiu Dragon Mansion will be chosen to pilot the initiative in one county, acting as an imperial envoy," Sui Qingfang explained.

"Could it be Baojiao County they’ve chosen?!" The second-generation scions present all grew tense.

"It’s just a rumor, not yet confirmed. But if it’s true, Grandmaster Jin Chui’s arrival must be to act as a protector for this young official," Sui Qingfang said. "This matter is too significant for us to ponder. If it truly comes to pass, a small place like Baojiao County won’t be able to resist."

The son of County Assistant Qi pondered and said, "A single family or household certainly cannot resist. But if everyone, from top to bottom, unites, resistance might not be futile."

Sui Qingfang said, "Let’s not dwell on this. Rumors shouldn’t be taken as truth. However, if it were true, it would indeed be detrimental to our family interests. Yet, for me, it might not be a bad thing. If I could have Senior Qin as my sitting master, I could venture into a much wider world."

All the young people present were intelligent. If things truly transpired that way, it would be like putting their eggs in two baskets. Unfortunately, among them, only Jiang Shaoyou had a chance to meet the criteria—under twenty and at the Inner Qi Realm or above—by next spring to participate in the Military Scholar examination.

Chen Ku, seated at the far end of the lower table, listened to these secrets. The Military Scholar examination next spring? Could I possibly cultivate to the Inner Qi Realm by then?

If I could...

Afterward, the topics of conversation at the table shifted continuously, each one something the lower strata of Baojiao County would never encounter in their lifetimes. While the young masters and misses chatted excitedly, Chen Ku and the others at the lower table listened quietly to the affairs of the upper echelons, all while savoring the fine food.

During this time, he overheard many fresh local anecdotes and pieces of intelligence. For instance, symptoms resembling typhoid had recently been spreading on a small scale in the remote towns and villages of Baojiao County. A herb called ’stiff silkworm’ was said to cure this illness. Those with foresight could stock up on it in advance and resell it for a substantial profit. Secondly, during this typhoid outbreak, some people claiming to be from the Peace Path had been treating the sick for free with talisman water, significantly encroaching on Medicine King Hall’s business. The young masters and misses suspected this typhoid outbreak was orchestrated by that group from the Peace Path.

The final piece of news concerned a creature known as a ’bait mouse.’ It was said to have an Immune to All Poisons physique; no matter what poison it ingested, it could slowly neutralize it within a day. Eating the flesh of this creature reportedly had the same effect, capable of curing general illnesses and poisons. It was said that many Pharmacists from Medicine King Hall also used this creature in their medicinal preparations and Alchemy to test for potion toxicity.

"I always feel there’s a powerful backer and a conspiracy behind that Peace Path group. It would be best if everyone tried to acquire a bait mouse. Then, if that Peace Path group concocts some new disease, we won’t have to worry too much."

"This bait mouse grows near Two Realms Mountain, but it’s not easy to obtain. After all, a single misstep could mean crossing the border, and even Hunter’s Forest doesn’t accept such border-related commissions..."

"Sigh, indeed. A bait mouse from Medicine King Hall costs two or three hundred taels. They only have two or three, never lend them out, and have been raising them for several years. They’re treasured immensely."

Chen Ku sipped his tea and savored the food, his mind stirring as he listened to their conversation. Bait mouse, Two Realms Mountain, ordinary people can’t cross the border... But Skinny Dog and the tiger are certainly not ordinary. This gathering wasn’t a waste of time after all; I’ve obtained a good deal of useful information and intelligence.

Finally, the banquet concluded.

Chen Ku and the others were the first to leave the Fragrance Pavilion. He saw County Assistant Qi’s son, Qi Renwang, and Sui Qingfang saying something to Chai Tiangui. He perked up his Skinny Dog-like ears and faintly overheard a sentence:

"From now on, let’s only hold small gatherings. There were too many miscellaneous people this time. When we talk, they can’t join in. Leaving them out like that makes them feel awkward, which isn’t good for anyone..."

Chai Tiangui, Jiang Shaoyou, and a few others offered apologetic smiles and laughed it off.

Chen Ku shook his head with a smile and departed. Although Jiang Shaoyou had put it nicely, we were still looked down upon. Not just me, but everyone else seated in the lower section today. One can’t really blame them. After all, we couldn’t join their conversations and could only listen silently... I fared better; at least I obtained some information and have the ability to capitalize on it. The others were merely there as background.