Everyone travelled in complete disguise throughout the journey. Yu Ren Shu and Long Xiang covered their hair, Ruan Qian Xiu dressed as a man. Jiang Chao Ge wanted to grow out his beard. Zhi Xuan refused saying that kissing was uncomfortable. He thought that he himself actually didn’t look very different from ordinary Tian Ling people and could only be forced to give up.
They purposefully chose remote mountains to travel through and finally entered the western border after several days.
Right now the weather was already much warmer. The west was somewhat more prosperous than the north and also didn’t have miles of desolate snowy scenery like the north. It made one’s mood much happier.
They entered the first city of the west —— Qian Lai City. It was located at the centre of the western border. Business and trade frequently came and went. It was very prosperous. As they walked in the city, they noticed that from their clothing to their appearance, the people here were somewhat different from people elsewhere. The items they had for sale was also new.
Yu Ren Shu said: “This is also my first time in the west. I heard there are a lot of strange people with dubious intentions. Some people will demonically poison and curse people. You all be careful.”
Long Xiang looked from left to right: “There are a lot of hidden weapons among the spirit weapons here.”
“Of course. The protector of the west, Fan Clan, are experts at making hidden weapons. This is uncommon in other places.” There was a hint of disdain in Yu Ren Shu’s voice. An orthodox spirit weapon user like him might not be able to look up to hidden weapons.
Ruan Qian Xiu said: “If a hidden weapon is used well, you could kill people invisibly. There are many hidden weapon experts in Blood Temple. Even if they aren’t a spirit weapon user, you can’t underestimate them.
“They’re an assassination organisation and are inherently despicable. However you are right. A hidden weapon expert is different from a spirit weapon user with a good spirit weapon. The former has to rely more on their personal strength and abilities. The help spirit beasts offer them is as weak as a spirit weapon user using a normal weapon. The latter’s reliance on spirit beast far outweighs their own strength. There are strengths and weaknesses to both.”
Jiang Chao Ge said: “By those words, even if a spirit weapon user doesn’t know how to use a weapon and only has spiritual power, good luck and a good weapon, they can still kill everything?”
“Essentially yes. Some spirit weapons have weak physical strength and can use their immense spiritual power to summon spirit beasts to use.” Yu Ren Shu smiled: “My father is an important general, a level six spirit weapon user. If he was fighting alone, he might not even be able to win against a common soldier. But with immense spiritual power, he can summon hundreds of rare beasts onto the battlefield at once and become pretty much invincible. So no matter if it’s a spirit weapon master or a spirit priest, as long as they have immense spiritual power, they can all control powerful spirit beasts. But as soon as they are separated from spirit weapons, maybe they won’t even be able to defend themselves. Furthermore, those that use spiritual power and the spirit weapon together are able to display their true strength on the battlefield. This is something a spirit weapon user that doesn’t know how to wield a spirit weapon can’t do. That’s why in order to become a powerful spirit weapon user, you must train both internal and external.”
Jiang Chao Ge scratched his head: “Help me practice swordsmanship tonight.”
Child form Zhi Xuan pulled his collar: “You should spend your time on cultivating spiritual power. It’s more than enough if you can summon my true form.”
Jiang Chao Ge smiled: “I’ll cultivate both, cultivate both.”
Their appearance was obviously that of central plains people and thus drew a few gazes. They found a nearby inn and hurriedly entered.
After eating, they gathered in Yu Ren Shu’s room to discuss their next course of action.
“The first city of the west is Ying City which is also were Fan clan troops are stationed. It’s only a few hundred Li from Qian Lai City. You can only reach Kun Lun Fairylands after heading a few thousand Li west of Ying City. We have to first go to Ying City and find that founding member of Chu Yun. If our luck is good, we can add a powerful spirit priest to the party.
Zui You stroked his chin: “But that elder must already be seventy eighty years old. Can seventy year old humans cope with the hardship of travel?”
Yu Ren Shu said: “Seventy year old spirit priests are still considered young and fit. Spirit priests can often live past a hundred and fifty.”
Zhi Xuan looked at Jiang Chao Ge: “Why don’t you go cultivate as a spirit priest instead?”
Jiang Chao Ge turned his head away: “Too late.”
“How is it too late? You’re so trash now.”
Jiang Chao Ge said hurriedly: “I’ve almost reached the strength of a level 2 spirit weapon user, at most a month more.” He was deathly afraid that Zhi Xuan might make him cultivate as a spirit priest in this moment of interest. He had such a such an exceptional, god like sword. How could he not use it to the fullest?
Yu Ren Shu said surprised: “So fast?” It had been no more that a few months from when Meng Sheng poured his spiritual energy into Jiang Chao Ge, allowing him to break through two and half meridians and reach the strength of a level one spirit weapon user. Ordinary people, even the fast ones had to spend around three to five years to get from level one to level two. Jiang Chao Ge’s speed was unheard of.
Long Xiang was also astonished. He had almost reached the strength of a level four spirit weapon user at the age of fifteen and was already considered as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. Jiang Chao Ge’s speed was even more outrageous than him.
Ruan Qian Xiu looked at Jiang Chao Ge silently, a complex expression in her eyes.
Jiang Chao Ge was a transmigrator and didn’t really understand the normal speed of cultivation for Tian Ling citizens. But even he could tell that his own speed was abnormal so he acted dumb: “Perhaps all transmigrators are abnormally gifted. Otherwise why would they take us here?”
Yu Ren Shu nodded: “Sounds logical. I heard that transmigrators do cultivate faster than us but I just don’t know how you appeared here. The State Preceptor wouldn’t reveal that point even to my Father. That’s right, how did you come to Tian Ling?”
Jiang Chao Ge thought back to his experiences before transmigrating and felt his stomach twist from the memories. If only he wasn’t so blinded by greed and provoked that strange old man, he wouldn’t have had to go through this period of outrageous experiences. But now it was too late to say anything. He fought so hard for years. As soon as he transmigrated it was like returning to before he was liberated. He had taken a thousand steps backwards instead. It could be described in one word ‘painful’. He scowled: “I don’t want to remember.”
Yu Ren Shu couldn’t help laughing: “Thinking back to your dumbfounded expression back then, it couldn’t have been a smooth journey.”
“When was I dumbfounded? I was pretty calm then.”
Yu Ren Shu raised an eyebrow: “Calm?”
“After I seized you, I still safely escaped from the imperial capital.”
Yu Ren Shu laughed at out loud: “That’s because I let you get away with it. Otherwise how could you even come near me? I just wanted to see what a transmigrator like you wanted to do.”
“You obviously wanted to monopolise the spirit weapon.”
“I can’t say I didn’t have that plan.” Yu Ren Shu shook his head with a smile: “You’re certainly quite bold. No one has ever tried to seize me before.”
Jiang Chao Ge thought back to those times and couldn’t help smiling too: “It seems we were really brought together by fate.”
Tian Rong lifted his eyebrows, revealing a slightly sarcastic smile.
Zhi Xuan listened to the whole conversation, little paws hitting Jiang Chao Ge’s face with a pa, pulling his face to face him: “You knew each other since then? How come you didn’t tell me?”
“I didn’t tell you? After I came to Tian Ling, the first person I interacted with was Shu.”
Zhi Xuan said coldly: “No.”
“However, strictly speaking, the first thing I set my eyes on when I came to this world was you.” He remembered looking up helplessly at that rust covered sword. How would he have know that he had such a connection with that sword.
Zhi Xuan’s eyes lit up: “Really? It was me?”
“It was your horn made into a sword.”
“That’s me.”
“Mn.”
“So the first thing you interacted with when you came into this world was me not Yu Ren Shu. Remember from now on, you aren’t allowed to forget.”
Jiang Chao Ge smiled: “Alright.”
Ruan Qian Xiu glanced at them and mocked: “Is this the so called love at first sight?”
Just as Zhi Xuan was about to open his mouth and ask, Jiang Chao Ge moved his finger and warned: “Don’t carelessly teach Zhi Xuan idioms.”
Long Xiang stood with arms crossed over his chest: “Let’s talk serious matters. Since the route has been decided, as soon as we replenish our supplies in Qian Lai City, let’s set out at once.” He thought for a moment, “Actually, I think we shouldn’t rest in the city.”
Everyone suddenly remembered the tragedy of Da Liang City and the mood became heavy.
Yu Ren Shu whispered: “You’re right. From now on unless it’s to replenish supplies, let’s try not to enter cities.”
Jiang Chao Ge looked at the sky, “Then I’ll go out and buy things now. We’ll set out tomorrow.”
Long Xiang said: “I’ll go with you. We shouldn’t act alone.”
Zui You smiled: “I’m also going.”
The four disguised themselves and left the inn. Jiang Chao Ge had a heap of food and water to buy. He was essentially supporting everyone and felt sad thinking about it.
There was quite a large difference in the items being sold in Qian Lai Ciy compared to other places. There were many different kinds of strange weapons in the spirit weapon shops. A duck that could look after children, exotic cats purely for beauty, two headed sheep etc. More than half the spirit weapons being sold were hidden weapons. Jiang Chao Ge couldn’t even see how some hidden weapons were even meant to be used. Those spirit pills that looked sinister at a glance made him even more curious.
Turning past a street, a spirit weapon store called ‘Fan Clan spirit weapons’ appeared in front of them. A sign at the front had the large words ‘Half spirit weapons’ on it. Jiang Chao Ge’s eyes lit up. Because the process of creating half spirit weapons was complex, he had never seen a shop dare advertise they had half spirit weapons in such a way before. Because this suggested that there wasn’t just one or two weapons.
Long Xiang saw his shocked expression and explained: “With regards to making spirit weapons, Que Clan of the east and Fan Clan of the west both share the limelight, only their specialties are different. Although half spirit weapons were invented by Que Clan, Fan Clan were the ones that developed it even further. Therefore maintaining Fan Clan’s strange atmosphere. These Fan Clan weapons can be found in all the cities of the west. It’s not strange for them to have half spirit weapons.”
“Then I really have to go take a look. Perhaps we can buy a Na Wu Pouch. This one is too small.
Zhi Xuan nodded his head fiercely: “I want a Na Wu Pouch to hold alcohol. Only my alcohol.”
Jiang Chao Ge smiled: “No problem.”
They walked into the weapons shop. The shopkeeper saw that their clothes were out of the ordinary and immediately went to greet them, “Sirs, come take a look?”
Jiang Chao Ge got straight to the point: “Do you have the half spirit Na Wu Pouch here?”
“Aiya, a Na Wu Pouch was sold a few days ago. There are none now. Could sir wait for a bit?”
“Wait for how long?”
“it’s hard to say. The making of half spirit weapons rely on luck. First you have to have good beast materials. Second you have to get the good beast materials in the hands of a skilled spirit weapon master. Third you also have to ensure this spirit weapon master won’t make a mistake. Half spirit weapons can easily fail. Our small shop doesn’t specifically order half spirit weapons. I can only receive what Ying City sends here. However there’s always one or two Na Wu Pouch in a year. If sir is interested, I can ask around for you.”
Jiang Chao Ge shook his head in disappointment: “Never mind. We have to leave tomorrow.” Doesn’t that mean he would be better off buying it in Ying City?
The boss smiled: “Then would you like to look at other things?” He placed a spirit took about the size of the copper coin in front of them as if presenting a treasure and whispered: “Sir, this is tiger penis. Place it in a drink after summoning it and when you drink it…” He winked at Jiang Chao Ge, “You’ll become extraordinarily brave.”
Jiang Chao Ge raised his eyebrow: “Its that convenient?”
“Of course of course.”
Zui You’s ears twitched, flashing across. He lifted the cloth covering his face and glanced at the shopkeeper: “Boss how much?”
The shopkeeper glanced at Zui You. His eyeballs almost fell out of their sockets and he almost drooled. Zui You had already turned his hair and pupils black, only the charm that emitted from his very bones couldn’t be contained.
“Five, five gold coins.”
Long Xiang dragged Zui You back and glared at him: “What do you want that for?”
Zui You blinked: “It sounds like something good.”
Jiang Chao Ge humphed: “Its a good thing but I wouldn’t spend five gold coins on it.”
Zui You curled his lip: “Stingy.”
Jiang Chao Ge smiled ambiguously: “Its not like I need it.”
Zui You narrowed his eyes slightly, placing a long slender finger on his shoulder, whispering in his face: “You really don’t need it?”
Long Xiang dragged him back once again and said slightly angry: “Enough. Don’t…. Just behave!”
Zhi Xuan said baffled: “What are you guys saying?”
Jiang Chao Ge pinched his cheek: “Nothing much. This item isn’t useful. Since there isn’t a Na Wu Pouch, let’s go.”
They are not left the spirit weapon shop behind very far when suddenly a shadow dashed from ahead. Long Xiang’s hand immediately went to the Zui You Halberd on his back, staring at the approaching figure cautiously.
The person in front of them was small and thin, had ragged clothing and wasn’t very tall. The brim of their hand was pulled down very low, almost covering their eyes, a dirty scarf covering the their nose. Their features couldn’t be seen at all. Only from their frame and flat chest could they make out that it was a youth. They looked like a beggar from head to toe.
Long Xiang said coldly: “Who are you?”
Ever since Jiang Chao Ge gave Long Xiang a large commission, Long Xiang had willingly taken on the role of bodyguard and was utterly loyal to this duty.
The youth lifted his face slightly, eyes deep yet mysterious. Only that gaze made one feel that there was some gloominess behind them. He spoke something quietly, but no one could hear clearly.
Jiang Chao Ge said: “What did you say?”
The youth said: “Na Wu Pouch.”
“Na Wu Pouch?”
The youth nodded
“What about Na Wu Pouch?”
“Sell to you.”
Jiang Chao Ge stepped forward impatiently, wanting to hear a bit clearer. That youth seemed startled and abruptly took a step back, looking at Jiang Chao Ge cautiously.
Jiang Chao Ge frowned: “Ignore him let’s go.”
The four didn’t take the beggar seriously and walked around him, continuing on their way to the inn.
But after crossing a street, Long Xiang glanced back: “He’s still following us.”
Jiang Chao Ge pulled a few copper coins from his clothes and gave it to Long Xiang: “Send him off. If he still follows us, he could be a scout from Blood Temple.”
Long Xiang received the money, turned around and walked towards the youth.
That youth’s footsteps paused, staring gloomily at Long Xiang approaching, throwing a few copper coins in front of him.
Long Xiang glared at him fiercely: “Follow us any further and we’ll kill you.”
“Na Wu Pouch, sell to you.” His voice was as quiet as the buzzing of a mosquito.
Zhi Xuan propped his head on Jiang Chao Ge’s shoulder, staring at that youth: “Jiang Chao Ge, he says he’ll sell us Na Wu Pouch.”
“This beggar might be mentally abnormal.” Jiang Chao Ge said, “If he really had a Na Wu Pouch, would he look so poor?”
“What if it’s real?” Zhi Xuan grabbed his collar: “I don’t care, you go ask. I want to store alcohol, store alcohol, store alcohol.”
Jiang Chao Ge said helplessly: “Alright.” He walked over while carrying Zhi Xuan, seeing that the beggar was currently collecting the copper coins on the ground and asked: “You really have a Na Wu Pouch?”
The youth nodded.
“How big? How much?”
“Able to hold a house. A hundred gold coins.”
Jiang Chao Ge almost coughed up blood and forcefully restrained his anger: “I don’t feel like arguing with a lunatic.” And turned around to go.
“Long Xiang, Zui You Halberd, transmigrator, Third Prince, Tian Rong Jian.” The youth spoke as if reciting scriptures without the slightest change in tone yet it made their eyes almost fall out of their sockets.
Long Xiang strode forward, lifting the youth that was a bit taller than him as if he was a chick into the alley, forcefully pushing him against the wall and said sharply: “Who are you? How do you know who we are?”
The youth looked at Long Xiang. Although his hat and scarf covered most of his face, they still felt that he was smiling: “Guessed.”
Jiang Chao Ge narrowed his eyes dangerously, pulling out a dagger from his waist and throwing it without hesitation. The youth didn’t even blink, staring directly at the dagger that hit the mud wall not even two inches from their eyes. Jiang Chao Ge said coldly: “Wrong answer. Next time you’ll see blood.”
The youth said calmly: “Na Wu Pouch. Do you want?”
“How do you know who we are? Who are you?”
The youth pointed at them: “These two are Heave grade spirit beasts. Your identities are very easy to guess. I am… a spirit weapon master.”
“Then what do you want to do?”
“Sell Na Wu Pouch.” The youth fished out a small embroidered pouch, its outward appearance about the same as Jiang Chao Ge’s variegated carp carry bag. However it’s colour was lighter, and it’s texture was more sleek. It felt completely different from the fish bag.
“Whats it made of?”
“Go….. to a more spacious place. I’ll show you.”
Jiang Chao Ge and Long Xiang’s eyes met, both suspicious but thought they could take the opportunity to scout out this person’s motives. Thus they dragged him away from the market to a remote place.
The youth glanced at them, whole body wavering as if he’d lost his soul and said heavily: “Keep further back.”
They moved back several steps. Zhi Xuan said with a frown: “There’s a fishy smell. It seems like it’s also a fish. The most hated fish. So stinky.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the small embroidered pouch in the youth’s hands flashed with a white light. A giant form went from murky to clear, finally appearing in front of everyone.
That thing was cylindrical in shape, at least seven or eight metres long and more than a metre in diameter. The skin was a pale flesh colour with wrinkle lines across the top. It was unlike the translucent carp stomach. There was no way of seeing into this thing but one could see that it was very big, very able to hold a lot.
They were all stupefied. Until this thing appeared, they still thought that this youth was either retarded or an assassin. They didn’t expect that he would actually summon such a huge Na Wu Pouch!
Long Xiang muttered: “I have never seen such a big Na Wu Pouch. What….. what on earth is it?”
The youth continued to use that mosquito like voice to say gloomily: “A whale’s genital.”
Jiang Chao Ge made a 囧 face.
Zui You laughed loudly: “A, a whale’s, hahaha!”
Jiang Chao Ge walked inside to take a look. It was indeed extremely spacious inside, only the fishy smell was also very strong. And when he thought about what this thing was, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy. But if they had this Na Wu Pouch, he wouldn’t have to worry about it not being able to hold beast materials because it was full of clothes and food. He was still hurting from not being able to take those long snake bodies back then on the Gemini Peaks.
Jiang Chao Ge organised his words and was just about to bargain when the youth stretched his hand out: “A hundred gold coins. Not one less.”
Jiang Chao Ge crossed his arms: “Aren’t you afraid of us robbing you in broad daylight?”
“You can, he wouldn’t be able to.” The youth glanced at Long Xiang, extremely confident.
Long Xiang frowned: “That doesn’t mean you can rip us off.”
“A hundred gold coins.”
Jiang Chao Ge narrowed his eyes: “Seventy.”
“A hundred.”
“Seventy.”
The youth put away the Na Wu Pouch decisively and turned away to leave without a word.
Jiang Chao Ge glanced at Zui You meaningfully. Zui You walked forward quickly, blocking the youth’s path. His gaze was amorous as he blinked slowly and flirtatiously.
The youth stared at him motionlessly, giving not the slightest reaction.
Zui You tried his bewitchment for a while and found that it was useless. He could only shrug and say disappointedly: “Nothing for it.” He grabbed the youth’s collar. The seductiveness in his eyes just moments ago changed in an instant , becoming ruthless and sharp. His long fingers rested on the youth’s forehead, sharp thorns extending from his fingertips. He said leisurely yet coldly: “Come on give me the thing. Or else I’ll eat you.”
Long Xiang said: “Zui You!”
Zui You turned a deaf ear, smile deepening. The tips of his fingernails also drawing blood from the youth’s temple: “I can stab through your little head in an instant.”
The youth took a deep breath and looked towards Long Xiang and Jiang Chao Ge.
Long Xiang walked over and pull Zui You’s hand away: “Don’t mess around. We aren’t thieves.”
Jiang Chao Ge whistled and said helplessly: “Foolish kid.”
The youth shook his shoulders and stared fixedly at Jiang Chao Ge.
Jiang Chao Ge walked over and snatched the embroidered pouch, then counted seventh gold coins from his money bag and gave it to him, “Only this much. It doesn’t matter if you want to sell or not because you will sell it. You provoked us first.”
The youth received the money wordlessly.
Jiang Chao Ge said with a fake smile: “Since you guessed who we are, then you must know we want you to be silent your whole life. It’s best if you forget everything that happened today then we will also forget you.”
The youth nodded expressionlessly.
Long Xiang couldn’t help but say: “If His highness knew what you did….”
Jiang Chao Ge patted his head and smiled: “We won’t tell him.” He stuffed the Na Wu Pouch into his clothes and turned around to go.
The youth took the money bag. He stood at the same place, watching Jiang Chao Ge’s back without movement for a long time, until they disappeared from sight.
Returning to the inn, Jiang Chao Ge was so happy he couldn’t contain himself.
Yu Ren Shu said: “What’s up? So happy, did you buy everything?”
“Bought everything and a treasure.”
“What kind of treasure?”
Jiang Chao Ge excitedly told them about his whale Na Wu Pouch.
Tian Rong couldn’t help smiling: “It’s really that big?”
“You’ll see when I show you later.”
Zhi Xuan humphed: “That’s big? Mine’s bigger.”
Jiang Chao Ge thought of Zhi Xuan’s true form and reckoned it really was about the same. He joked, “How do you walk dragging that thing around?”
“It’s usually hidden in my stomach.” Zhi Xuan stroked his own small belly, then remembered he was currently in human form and patted it unsatisfied.
Yu Ren Shu’s expression was somewhat uneasy: “Its indeed useful, but it’s such a vulgar thing. This kind of strange spirit tool can truly only be found in the west. Are we really going to hold food in that thing?”
“What’s up with that? Not like it’s dirty.”
Yu Ren Shu was from an honourable background after all. Thinking that he had to get food from inside a whale’s thing, he was momentarily depressed: “However, you actually only spent seventy gold coins to buy such a big Na Wu Pouch. It’s such a rare happy occasion.”
Jiang Chao Ge smiled: “That beggar must’ve been a thief, at most with some spiritual power and came to us to dispose of stolen goods. Otherwise if he was really a spirit weapon master, why wouldn’t he sell the item to a spirit weapon shop or an auction and sell it to a few passerby. Giving him seventy gold coins is already generous.”
Long Xiang was surprised: “That’s right, he could very well be a thief. Then wouldn’t the thing we bought be….”
“Its mine if it’s in my hands. I, Jiang Chao Ge, never spits out anything that has entered my mouth.” Jiang Chao Ge winked at Zhi Xuan: “When we arrive at Ying City, we’ll cram the whale Na Wu Pouch with alcohol.”
Zhi Xuan was all smiles, hugging Jiang Chao Ge’s neck and biting on his ear a few times in joy.
With such a big Na Wu Pouch, Jiang Chao Ge stored several months worth of food at once. Only money was flowing out like water. Seeing that slowly shrinking money bag, Jiang Chao Ge’s heart was extremely uncomfortable. So he thought of gathering up some of Yu Ren Shu’s treasures, wanting to sell off a few pieces when they got to Ying City in exchange for living expenses.
Ying City was very close to Qian Lai City. They arrived after the next day. After they entered the city, they quite easily found information about that ‘Chu Yun’ member, because that person was simultaneously a distinguished guest of Fan clan’s and a level three spirit priest. He would be treated with courtesy wherever he went.
“Cheng Xiang Yu lives at Fan clan’s mansion throughout the year. It’s not hard to find him, you just have to pretend you’re a diner and go to Fan mansion.” Ruan Qian Xiu repeated the information she’d heard.
“Who would it be better to send?” Jiang Chao Ge looked at Yu Ren Shu, then looked at Long Xiang. They were both unsuitable. He himself could go but Zhi Xuan would also follow and it wouldn’t be convenient.
“Ruan Qian Xiu said: “Ill go then, I’ll bring Cheng Xiang Yu out to meet you.”
“It’s best that way.” Jiang Chao Ge gave Zhao Zun’s letter to Ruan Qian Xiu: “Be extremely careful.”
Ruan Qian Xiu adjusted her hat. Her stature was tall and lean and she had quite a heroic spirit about her. It really wouldn’t be easy recognise her disguised as a man. She received the letter: “Rest assured.”
Ruan Qian Xiu brought Zheng Cheng crescent blades and strutted towards Fan mansion. Nobles had always liked being diners. They didn’t miss any meals after all. As long as one had spiritual power, they wouldn’t be kept out. Thus Ruan Qian Xiu very easily blended in.
Jiang Chao Ge took advantage of this time to go to various big and small alcohol shops in Yin City. He bought more than sixty barrels of alcohol, really stuffing the variegated carp Na Wu Pouch full of alcohol.
Zhi Xuan rolled around joyfully inside it, probably thinking of drinking himself to death in there and wouldn’t come out no matter what. The Na Wu Pouch couldn’t be put away because he wouldn’t come out. Jiang Chao Ge tried every possible way persuade him and ended up carrying him out, using a jug of alcohol to stuff his mouth.
When Jiang Chao Ge mentioned he was short of money and wanted to sell some of Yu Ren Shu’s treasure, Yu Ren Shu narrowed his eyes at him: “Which ones do you want to sell?”
“How about that gold inlaid, jade ship? Based on the weight I’d say it’s worth at least two hundred gold coins.”
Yu Ren Shu glared at him: “That ship was gifted to me by my maternal grandfather.”
“Then what about this golden leaf fan? This ones not very valuable. You can probably get two to three gold coins from it.”
“That’s the reward Father gave me when I was twelve, during an arrow shooting competition.”
Jiang Chao Ge made a tsk sound: “Go go go. Go look for yourself which ones can be sold.”
Yu Ren Shu glanced at him and said sarcastically: “You only pick the valuable ones. I’m telling you each and every one of these is important. None of them can be sold.”
“Brother, you aren’t being very proper. Do you know who’s money you’re spending right now?”
“Didn’t you take if from my private quarters.”
Jiang Chao Ge humphed lightly: “I didn’t take much from your private quarters. You are now spending my money. Everything you ate and drank on this journey is all on me. When I have a lot of gold, I wouldn’t bring this up. But right now we can almost see the bottom of the money bag. If we don’t think of other ways to get money, are we just going to eat wind?”
“Didn’t Qian Xiu bring a lot of gold? The ones Qi Ran Jun prepared for her?”
Jiang Chao Ge thought, wait till I clear out some of yours then I’ll go mine some of Ruan Qian Xiu’s gold.
Long Xiang added: “Ruan Qian Xiu left all her gold at the inn she was attacked by the Blood Temple assassin.”
Jiang Chao Ge’s eyeballs almost fell out and roared: “What?!”
Long Xiang was surprised: “You didn’t know? She used a Qi clan method to leave Qi Ran Jun a coded message, because she knew that Qi Ran Jun would definitely go to the inn to look for clues.”
Jiang Chao Ge grabbed Long Xiang’s collar and shook it forcefully, his whole face twisted. He stuttered: “W-w-w-why?!”
Long Xiang said: “She said she didn’t want to take gold with the ‘Qi’ word imprinted on it. Furthermore it’s a burden to bring.”
Jiang Chao Ge almost spat out blood in anger, his face turning green then white. He had already internally delegated Ruan Qian Xiu’s gold into his own cash reserve. At the thought of several hundred gold coins gone to waste at Ruan Qian Xiu’s wasteful hands, he almost wanted to throttle her. The thing he hated the most in this life was losing a duck that had entered his mouth. It was more painful than getting slapped in front of a crowd.
Yu Ren Shu looked at Jiang Chao Ge’s soulless, dazed appearance and laughed till his shoulders trembled: “Its her money. Why are you so anxious?”
Jiang Chao Ge looked at him gloomily: “Your highness, I don’t have any money. From now on we’ll have to eat leftovers and cold food, and sleep in damaged shacks on the mountains.”
Yu Ren Shu’s expression shifted: “How can there be no money? Didn’t you take a lot of gold coins?”
Jiang Chao Ge chuckled: “None left. I can eat exotic delicacies but also wild herbs and steamed buns. You should be able to too right?”
Yu Ren Shu frowned and looked at him indecisively.
Jiang Chao Ge took several deep breaths but still felt pained. Thinking that such a large amount of gold had flown away, it felt as if a knife was being twisted in his heart.
“Ruan Qian Xiu has returned.” Tian Rong looked outside the window: “She’s very fast,,,, wait! How could she summon Zheng Cheng in the city?!”
Zui You jumped out of the window nimbly and looked towards the distant sky: “Only Zheng Cheng returned. Something happened to her.”
Jiang Chao Ge’s heart seized up. If something happened to Ruan Qian Xiu, their tracks would inevitably be exposed!
Everyone travelled in complete disguise throughout the journey. Yu Ren Shu and Long Xiang covered their hair, Ruan Qian Xiu dressed as a man. Jiang Chao Ge wanted to grow out his beard. Zhi Xuan refused saying that kissing was uncomfortable. He thought that he himself actually didn’t look very different from ordinary Tian Ling people and could only be forced to give up.
They purposefully chose remote mountains to travel through and finally entered the western border after several days.
Right now the weather was already much warmer. The west was somewhat more prosperous than the north and also didn’t have miles of desolate snowy scenery like the north. It made one’s mood much happier.
They entered the first city of the west —— Qian Lai City. It was located at the centre of the western border. Business and trade frequently came and went. It was very prosperous. As they walked in the city, they noticed that from their clothing to their appearance, the people here were somewhat different from people elsewhere. The items they had for sale was also new.
Yu Ren Shu said: “This is also my first time in the west. I heard there are a lot of strange people with dubious intentions. Some people will demonically poison and curse people. You all be careful.”
Long Xiang looked from left to right: “There are a lot of hidden weapons among the spirit weapons here.”
“Of course. The protector of the west, Fan Clan, are experts at making hidden weapons. This is uncommon in other places.” There was a hint of disdain in Yu Ren Shu’s voice. An orthodox spirit weapon user like him might not be able to look up to hidden weapons.
Ruan Qian Xiu said: “If a hidden weapon is used well, you could kill people invisibly. There are many hidden weapon experts in Blood Temple. Even if they aren’t a spirit weapon user, you can’t underestimate them.
“They’re an assassination organisation and are inherently despicable. However you are right. A hidden weapon expert is different from a spirit weapon user with a good spirit weapon. The former has to rely more on their personal strength and abilities. The help spirit beasts offer them is as weak as a spirit weapon user using a normal weapon. The latter’s reliance on spirit beast far outweighs their own strength. There are strengths and weaknesses to both.”
Jiang Chao Ge said: “By those words, even if a spirit weapon user doesn’t know how to use a weapon and only has spiritual power, good luck and a good weapon, they can still kill everything?”
“Essentially yes. Some spirit weapons have weak physical strength and can use their immense spiritual power to summon spirit beasts to use.” Yu Ren Shu smiled: “My father is an important general, a level six spirit weapon user. If he was fighting alone, he might not even be able to win against a common soldier. But with immense spiritual power, he can summon hundreds of rare beasts onto the battlefield at once and become pretty much invincible. So no matter if it’s a spirit weapon master or a spirit priest, as long as they have immense spiritual power, they can all control powerful spirit beasts. But as soon as they are separated from spirit weapons, maybe they won’t even be able to defend themselves. Furthermore, those that use spiritual power and the spirit weapon together are able to display their true strength on the battlefield. This is something a spirit weapon user that doesn’t know how to wield a spirit weapon can’t do. That’s why in order to become a powerful spirit weapon user, you must train both internal and external.”
Jiang Chao Ge scratched his head: “Help me practice swordsmanship tonight.”
Child form Zhi Xuan pulled his collar: “You should spend your time on cultivating spiritual power. It’s more than enough if you can summon my true form.”
Jiang Chao Ge smiled: “I’ll cultivate both, cultivate both.”
Their appearance was obviously that of central plains people and thus drew a few gazes. They found a nearby inn and hurriedly entered.
After eating, they gathered in Yu Ren Shu’s room to discuss their next course of action.
“The first city of the west is Ying City which is also were Fan clan troops are stationed. It’s only a few hundred Li from Qian Lai City. You can only reach Kun Lun Fairylands after heading a few thousand Li west of Ying City. We have to first go to Ying City and find that founding member of Chu Yun. If our luck is good, we can add a powerful spirit priest to the party.
Zui You stroked his chin: “But that elder must already be seventy eighty years old. Can seventy year old humans cope with the hardship of travel?”
Yu Ren Shu said: “Seventy year old spirit priests are still considered young and fit. Spirit priests can often live past a hundred and fifty.”
Zhi Xuan looked at Jiang Chao Ge: “Why don’t you go cultivate as a spirit priest instead?”
Jiang Chao Ge turned his head away: “Too late.”
“How is it too late? You’re so trash now.”
Jiang Chao Ge said hurriedly: “I’ve almost reached the strength of a level 2 spirit weapon user, at most a month more.” He was deathly afraid that Zhi Xuan might make him cultivate as a spirit priest in this moment of interest. He had such a such an exceptional, god like sword. How could he not use it to the fullest?
Yu Ren Shu said surprised: “So fast?” It had been no more that a few months from when Meng Sheng poured his spiritual energy into Jiang Chao Ge, allowing him to break through two and half meridians and reach the strength of a level one spirit weapon user. Ordinary people, even the fast ones had to spend around three to five years to get from level one to level two. Jiang Chao Ge’s speed was unheard of.
Long Xiang was also astonished. He had almost reached the strength of a level four spirit weapon user at the age of fifteen and was already considered as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. Jiang Chao Ge’s speed was even more outrageous than him.
Ruan Qian Xiu looked at Jiang Chao Ge silently, a complex expression in her eyes.
Jiang Chao Ge was a transmigrator and didn’t really understand the normal speed of cultivation for Tian Ling citizens. But even he could tell that his own speed was abnormal so he acted dumb: “Perhaps all transmigrators are abnormally gifted. Otherwise why would they take us here?”
Yu Ren Shu nodded: “Sounds logical. I heard that transmigrators do cultivate faster than us but I just don’t know how you appeared here. The State Preceptor wouldn’t reveal that point even to my Father. That’s right, how did you come to Tian Ling?”
Jiang Chao Ge thought back to his experiences before transmigrating and felt his stomach twist from the memories. If only he wasn’t so blinded by greed and provoked that strange old man, he wouldn’t have had to go through this period of outrageous experiences. But now it was too late to say anything. He fought so hard for years. As soon as he transmigrated it was like returning to before he was liberated. He had taken a thousand steps backwards instead. It could be described in one word ‘painful’. He scowled: “I don’t want to remember.”
Yu Ren Shu couldn’t help laughing: “Thinking back to your dumbfounded expression back then, it couldn’t have been a smooth journey.”
“When was I dumbfounded? I was pretty calm then.”
Yu Ren Shu raised an eyebrow: “Calm?”
“After I seized you, I still safely escaped from the imperial capital.”
Yu Ren Shu laughed at out loud: “That’s because I let you get away with it. Otherwise how could you even come near me? I just wanted to see what a transmigrator like you wanted to do.”
“You obviously wanted to monopolise the spirit weapon.”
“I can’t say I didn’t have that plan.” Yu Ren Shu shook his head with a smile: “You’re certainly quite bold. No one has ever tried to seize me before.”
Jiang Chao Ge thought back to those times and couldn’t help smiling too: “It seems we were really brought together by fate.”
Tian Rong lifted his eyebrows, revealing a slightly sarcastic smile.
Zhi Xuan listened to the whole conversation, little paws hitting Jiang Chao Ge’s face with a pa, pulling his face to face him: “You knew each other since then? How come you didn’t tell me?”
“I didn’t tell you? After I came to Tian Ling, the first person I interacted with was Shu.”
Zhi Xuan said coldly: “No.”
“However, strictly speaking, the first thing I set my eyes on when I came to this world was you.” He remembered looking up helplessly at that rust covered sword. How would he have know that he had such a connection with that sword.
Zhi Xuan’s eyes lit up: “Really? It was me?”
“It was your horn made into a sword.”
“That’s me.”
“Mn.”
“So the first thing you interacted with when you came into this world was me not Yu Ren Shu. Remember from now on, you aren’t allowed to forget.”
Jiang Chao Ge smiled: “Alright.”
Ruan Qian Xiu glanced at them and mocked: “Is this the so called love at first sight?”
Just as Zhi Xuan was about to open his mouth and ask, Jiang Chao Ge moved his finger and warned: “Don’t carelessly teach Zhi Xuan idioms.”
Long Xiang stood with arms crossed over his chest: “Let’s talk serious matters. Since the route has been decided, as soon as we replenish our supplies in Qian Lai City, let’s set out at once.” He thought for a moment, “Actually, I think we shouldn’t rest in the city.”
Everyone suddenly remembered the tragedy of Da Liang City and the mood became heavy.
Yu Ren Shu whispered: “You’re right. From now on unless it’s to replenish supplies, let’s try not to enter cities.”
Jiang Chao Ge looked at the sky, “Then I’ll go out and buy things now. We’ll set out tomorrow.”
Long Xiang said: “I’ll go with you. We shouldn’t act alone.”
Zui You smiled: “I’m also going.”
The four disguised themselves and left the inn. Jiang Chao Ge had a heap of food and water to buy. He was essentially supporting everyone and felt sad thinking about it.
There was quite a large difference in the items being sold in Qian Lai Ciy compared to other places. There were many different kinds of strange weapons in the spirit weapon shops. A duck that could look after children, exotic cats purely for beauty, two headed sheep etc. More than half the spirit weapons being sold were hidden weapons. Jiang Chao Ge couldn’t even see how some hidden weapons were even meant to be used. Those spirit pills that looked sinister at a glance made him even more curious.
Turning past a street, a spirit weapon store called ‘Fan Clan spirit weapons’ appeared in front of them. A sign at the front had the large words ‘Half spirit weapons’ on it. Jiang Chao Ge’s eyes lit up. Because the process of creating half spirit weapons was complex, he had never seen a shop dare advertise they had half spirit weapons in such a way before. Because this suggested that there wasn’t just one or two weapons.
Long Xiang saw his shocked expression and explained: “With regards to making spirit weapons, Que Clan of the east and Fan Clan of the west both share the limelight, only their specialties are different. Although half spirit weapons were invented by Que Clan, Fan Clan were the ones that developed it even further. Therefore maintaining Fan Clan’s strange atmosphere. These Fan Clan weapons can be found in all the cities of the west. It’s not strange for them to have half spirit weapons.”
“Then I really have to go take a look. Perhaps we can buy a Na Wu Pouch. This one is too small.
Zhi Xuan nodded his head fiercely: “I want a Na Wu Pouch to hold alcohol. Only my alcohol.”
Jiang Chao Ge smiled: “No problem.”
They walked into the weapons shop. The shopkeeper saw that their clothes were out of the ordinary and immediately went to greet them, “Sirs, come take a look?”
Jiang Chao Ge got straight to the point: “Do you have the half spirit Na Wu Pouch here?”
“Aiya, a Na Wu Pouch was sold a few days ago. There are none now. Could sir wait for a bit?”
“Wait for how long?”
“it’s hard to say. The making of half spirit weapons rely on luck. First you have to have good beast materials. Second you have to get the good beast materials in the hands of a skilled spirit weapon master. Third you also have to ensure this spirit weapon master won’t make a mistake. Half spirit weapons can easily fail. Our small shop doesn’t specifically order half spirit weapons. I can only receive what Ying City sends here. However there’s always one or two Na Wu Pouch in a year. If sir is interested, I can ask around for you.”
Jiang Chao Ge shook his head in disappointment: “Never mind. We have to leave tomorrow.” Doesn’t that mean he would be better off buying it in Ying City?
The boss smiled: “Then would you like to look at other things?” He placed a spirit took about the size of the copper coin in front of them as if presenting a treasure and whispered: “Sir, this is tiger penis. Place it in a drink after summoning it and when you drink it…” He winked at Jiang Chao Ge, “You’ll become extraordinarily brave.”
Jiang Chao Ge raised his eyebrow: “Its that convenient?”
“Of course of course.”
Zui You’s ears twitched, flashing across. He lifted the cloth covering his face and glanced at the shopkeeper: “Boss how much?”
The shopkeeper glanced at Zui You. His eyeballs almost fell out of their sockets and he almost drooled. Zui You had already turned his hair and pupils black, only the charm that emitted from his very bones couldn’t be contained.
“Five, five gold coins.”
Long Xiang dragged Zui You back and glared at him: “What do you want that for?”
Zui You blinked: “It sounds like something good.”
Jiang Chao Ge humphed: “Its a good thing but I wouldn’t spend five gold coins on it.”
Zui You curled his lip: “Stingy.”
Jiang Chao Ge smiled ambiguously: “Its not like I need it.”
Zui You narrowed his eyes slightly, placing a long slender finger on his shoulder, whispering in his face: “You really don’t need it?”
Long Xiang dragged him back once again and said slightly angry: “Enough. Don’t…. Just behave!”
Zhi Xuan said baffled: “What are you guys saying?”
Jiang Chao Ge pinched his cheek: “Nothing much. This item isn’t useful. Since there isn’t a Na Wu Pouch, let’s go.”
They are not left the spirit weapon shop behind very far when suddenly a shadow dashed from ahead. Long Xiang’s hand immediately went to the Zui You Halberd on his back, staring at the approaching figure cautiously.
The person in front of them was small and thin, had ragged clothing and wasn’t very tall. The brim of their hand was pulled down very low, almost covering their eyes, a dirty scarf covering the their nose. Their features couldn’t be seen at all. Only from their frame and flat chest could they make out that it was a youth. They looked like a beggar from head to toe.
Long Xiang said coldly: “Who are you?”
Ever since Jiang Chao Ge gave Long Xiang a large commission, Long Xiang had willingly taken on the role of bodyguard and was utterly loyal to this duty.
The youth lifted his face slightly, eyes deep yet mysterious. Only that gaze made one feel that there was some gloominess behind them. He spoke something quietly, but no one could hear clearly.
Jiang Chao Ge said: “What did you say?”
The youth said: “Na Wu Pouch.”
“Na Wu Pouch?”
The youth nodded
“What about Na Wu Pouch?”
“Sell to you.”
Jiang Chao Ge stepped forward impatiently, wanting to hear a bit clearer. That youth seemed startled and abruptly took a step back, looking at Jiang Chao Ge cautiously.
Jiang Chao Ge frowned: “Ignore him let’s go.”
The four didn’t take the beggar seriously and walked around him, continuing on their way to the inn.
But after crossing a street, Long Xiang glanced back: “He’s still following us.”
Jiang Chao Ge pulled a few copper coins from his clothes and gave it to Long Xiang: “Send him off. If he still follows us, he could be a scout from Blood Temple.”
Long Xiang received the money, turned around and walked towards the youth.
That youth’s footsteps paused, staring gloomily at Long Xiang approaching, throwing a few copper coins in front of him.
Long Xiang glared at him fiercely: “Follow us any further and we’ll kill you.”
“Na Wu Pouch, sell to you.” His voice was as quiet as the buzzing of a mosquito.
Zhi Xuan propped his head on Jiang Chao Ge’s shoulder, staring at that youth: “Jiang Chao Ge, he says he’ll sell us Na Wu Pouch.”
“This beggar might be mentally abnormal.” Jiang Chao Ge said, “If he really had a Na Wu Pouch, would he look so poor?”
“What if it’s real?” Zhi Xuan grabbed his collar: “I don’t care, you go ask. I want to store alcohol, store alcohol, store alcohol.”
Jiang Chao Ge said helplessly: “Alright.” He walked over while carrying Zhi Xuan, seeing that the beggar was currently collecting the copper coins on the ground and asked: “You really have a Na Wu Pouch?”
The youth nodded.
“How big? How much?”
“Able to hold a house. A hundred gold coins.”
Jiang Chao Ge almost coughed up blood and forcefully restrained his anger: “I don’t feel like arguing with a lunatic.” And turned around to go.
“Long Xiang, Zui You Halberd, transmigrator, Third Prince, Tian Rong Jian.” The youth spoke as if reciting scriptures without the slightest change in tone yet it made their eyes almost fall out of their sockets.
Long Xiang strode forward, lifting the youth that was a bit taller than him as if he was a chick into the alley, forcefully pushing him against the wall and said sharply: “Who are you? How do you know who we are?”
The youth looked at Long Xiang. Although his hat and scarf covered most of his face, they still felt that he was smiling: “Guessed.”
Jiang Chao Ge narrowed his eyes dangerously, pulling out a dagger from his waist and throwing it without hesitation. The youth didn’t even blink, staring directly at the dagger that hit the mud wall not even two inches from their eyes. Jiang Chao Ge said coldly: “Wrong answer. Next time you’ll see blood.”
The youth said calmly: “Na Wu Pouch. Do you want?”
“How do you know who we are? Who are you?”
The youth pointed at them: “These two are Heave grade spirit beasts. Your identities are very easy to guess. I am… a spirit weapon master.”
“Then what do you want to do?”
“Sell Na Wu Pouch.” The youth fished out a small embroidered pouch, its outward appearance about the same as Jiang Chao Ge’s variegated carp carry bag. However it’s colour was lighter, and it’s texture was more sleek. It felt completely different from the fish bag.
“Whats it made of?”
“Go….. to a more spacious place. I’ll show you.”
Jiang Chao Ge and Long Xiang’s eyes met, both suspicious but thought they could take the opportunity to scout out this person’s motives. Thus they dragged him away from the market to a remote place.
The youth glanced at them, whole body wavering as if he’d lost his soul and said heavily: “Keep further back.”
They moved back several steps. Zhi Xuan said with a frown: “There’s a fishy smell. It seems like it’s also a fish. The most hated fish. So stinky.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the small embroidered pouch in the youth’s hands flashed with a white light. A giant form went from murky to clear, finally appearing in front of everyone.
That thing was cylindrical in shape, at least seven or eight metres long and more than a metre in diameter. The skin was a pale flesh colour with wrinkle lines across the top. It was unlike the translucent carp stomach. There was no way of seeing into this thing but one could see that it was very big, very able to hold a lot.
They were all stupefied. Until this thing appeared, they still thought that this youth was either retarded or an assassin. They didn’t expect that he would actually summon such a huge Na Wu Pouch!
Long Xiang muttered: “I have never seen such a big Na Wu Pouch. What….. what on earth is it?”
The youth continued to use that mosquito like voice to say gloomily: “A whale’s genital.”
Jiang Chao Ge made a 囧 face.
Zui You laughed loudly: “A, a whale’s, hahaha!”
Jiang Chao Ge walked inside to take a look. It was indeed extremely spacious inside, only the fishy smell was also very strong. And when he thought about what this thing was, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy. But if they had this Na Wu Pouch, he wouldn’t have to worry about it not being able to hold beast materials because it was full of clothes and food. He was still hurting from not being able to take those long snake bodies back then on the Gemini Peaks.
Jiang Chao Ge organised his words and was just about to bargain when the youth stretched his hand out: “A hundred gold coins. Not one less.”
Jiang Chao Ge crossed his arms: “Aren’t you afraid of us robbing you in broad daylight?”
“You can, he wouldn’t be able to.” The youth glanced at Long Xiang, extremely confident.
Long Xiang frowned: “That doesn’t mean you can rip us off.”
“A hundred gold coins.”
Jiang Chao Ge narrowed his eyes: “Seventy.”
“A hundred.”
“Seventy.”
The youth put away the Na Wu Pouch decisively and turned away to leave without a word.
Jiang Chao Ge glanced at Zui You meaningfully. Zui You walked forward quickly, blocking the youth’s path. His gaze was amorous as he blinked slowly and flirtatiously.
The youth stared at him motionlessly, giving not the slightest reaction.
Zui You tried his bewitchment for a while and found that it was useless. He could only shrug and say disappointedly: “Nothing for it.” He grabbed the youth’s collar. The seductiveness in his eyes just moments ago changed in an instant , becoming ruthless and sharp. His long fingers rested on the youth’s forehead, sharp thorns extending from his fingertips. He said leisurely yet coldly: “Come on give me the thing. Or else I’ll eat you.”
Long Xiang said: “Zui You!”
Zui You turned a deaf ear, smile deepening. The tips of his fingernails also drawing blood from the youth’s temple: “I can stab through your little head in an instant.”
The youth took a deep breath and looked towards Long Xiang and Jiang Chao Ge.
Long Xiang walked over and pull Zui You’s hand away: “Don’t mess around. We aren’t thieves.”
Jiang Chao Ge whistled and said helplessly: “Foolish kid.”
The youth shook his shoulders and stared fixedly at Jiang Chao Ge.
Jiang Chao Ge walked over and snatched the embroidered pouch, then counted seventh gold coins from his money bag and gave it to him, “Only this much. It doesn’t matter if you want to sell or not because you will sell it. You provoked us first.”
The youth received the money wordlessly.
Jiang Chao Ge said with a fake smile: “Since you guessed who we are, then you must know we want you to be silent your whole life. It’s best if you forget everything that happened today then we will also forget you.”
The youth nodded expressionlessly.
Long Xiang couldn’t help but say: “If His highness knew what you did….”
Jiang Chao Ge patted his head and smiled: “We won’t tell him.” He stuffed the Na Wu Pouch into his clothes and turned around to go.
The youth took the money bag. He stood at the same place, watching Jiang Chao Ge’s back without movement for a long time, until they disappeared from sight.
Returning to the inn, Jiang Chao Ge was so happy he couldn’t contain himself.
Yu Ren Shu said: “What’s up? So happy, did you buy everything?”
“Bought everything and a treasure.”
“What kind of treasure?”
Jiang Chao Ge excitedly told them about his whale Na Wu Pouch.
Tian Rong couldn’t help smiling: “It’s really that big?”
“You’ll see when I show you later.”
Zhi Xuan humphed: “That’s big? Mine’s bigger.”
Jiang Chao Ge thought of Zhi Xuan’s true form and reckoned it really was about the same. He joked, “How do you walk dragging that thing around?”
“It’s usually hidden in my stomach.” Zhi Xuan stroked his own small belly, then remembered he was currently in human form and patted it unsatisfied.
Yu Ren Shu’s expression was somewhat uneasy: “Its indeed useful, but it’s such a vulgar thing. This kind of strange spirit tool can truly only be found in the west. Are we really going to hold food in that thing?”
“What’s up with that? Not like it’s dirty.”
Yu Ren Shu was from an honourable background after all. Thinking that he had to get food from inside a whale’s thing, he was momentarily depressed: “However, you actually only spent seventy gold coins to buy such a big Na Wu Pouch. It’s such a rare happy occasion.”
Jiang Chao Ge smiled: “That beggar must’ve been a thief, at most with some spiritual power and came to us to dispose of stolen goods. Otherwise if he was really a spirit weapon master, why wouldn’t he sell the item to a spirit weapon shop or an auction and sell it to a few passerby. Giving him seventy gold coins is already generous.”
Long Xiang was surprised: “That’s right, he could very well be a thief. Then wouldn’t the thing we bought be….”
“Its mine if it’s in my hands. I, Jiang Chao Ge, never spits out anything that has entered my mouth.” Jiang Chao Ge winked at Zhi Xuan: “When we arrive at Ying City, we’ll cram the whale Na Wu Pouch with alcohol.”
Zhi Xuan was all smiles, hugging Jiang Chao Ge’s neck and biting on his ear a few times in joy.
With such a big Na Wu Pouch, Jiang Chao Ge stored several months worth of food at once. Only money was flowing out like water. Seeing that slowly shrinking money bag, Jiang Chao Ge’s heart was extremely uncomfortable. So he thought of gathering up some of Yu Ren Shu’s treasures, wanting to sell off a few pieces when they got to Ying City in exchange for living expenses.
Ying City was very close to Qian Lai City. They arrived after the next day. After they entered the city, they quite easily found information about that ‘Chu Yun’ member, because that person was simultaneously a distinguished guest of Fan clan’s and a level three spirit priest. He would be treated with courtesy wherever he went.
“Cheng Xiang Yu lives at Fan clan’s mansion throughout the year. It’s not hard to find him, you just have to pretend you’re a diner and go to Fan mansion.” Ruan Qian Xiu repeated the information she’d heard.
“Who would it be better to send?” Jiang Chao Ge looked at Yu Ren Shu, then looked at Long Xiang. They were both unsuitable. He himself could go but Zhi Xuan would also follow and it wouldn’t be convenient.
“Ruan Qian Xiu said: “Ill go then, I’ll bring Cheng Xiang Yu out to meet you.”
“It’s best that way.” Jiang Chao Ge gave Zhao Zun’s letter to Ruan Qian Xiu: “Be extremely careful.”
Ruan Qian Xiu adjusted her hat. Her stature was tall and lean and she had quite a heroic spirit about her. It really wouldn’t be easy recognise her disguised as a man. She received the letter: “Rest assured.”
Ruan Qian Xiu brought Zheng Cheng crescent blades and strutted towards Fan mansion. Nobles had always liked being diners. They didn’t miss any meals after all. As long as one had spiritual power, they wouldn’t be kept out. Thus Ruan Qian Xiu very easily blended in.
Jiang Chao Ge took advantage of this time to go to various big and small alcohol shops in Yin City. He bought more than sixty barrels of alcohol, really stuffing the variegated carp Na Wu Pouch full of alcohol.
Zhi Xuan rolled around joyfully inside it, probably thinking of drinking himself to death in there and wouldn’t come out no matter what. The Na Wu Pouch couldn’t be put away because he wouldn’t come out. Jiang Chao Ge tried every possible way persuade him and ended up carrying him out, using a jug of alcohol to stuff his mouth.
When Jiang Chao Ge mentioned he was short of money and wanted to sell some of Yu Ren Shu’s treasure, Yu Ren Shu narrowed his eyes at him: “Which ones do you want to sell?”
“How about that gold inlaid, jade ship? Based on the weight I’d say it’s worth at least two hundred gold coins.”
Yu Ren Shu glared at him: “That ship was gifted to me by my maternal grandfather.”
“Then what about this golden leaf fan? This ones not very valuable. You can probably get two to three gold coins from it.”
“That’s the reward Father gave me when I was twelve, during an arrow shooting competition.”
Jiang Chao Ge made a tsk sound: “Go go go. Go look for yourself which ones can be sold.”
Yu Ren Shu glanced at him and said sarcastically: “You only pick the valuable ones. I’m telling you each and every one of these is important. None of them can be sold.”
“Brother, you aren’t being very proper. Do you know who’s money you’re spending right now?”
“Didn’t you take if from my private quarters.”
Jiang Chao Ge humphed lightly: “I didn’t take much from your private quarters. You are now spending my money. Everything you ate and drank on this journey is all on me. When I have a lot of gold, I wouldn’t bring this up. But right now we can almost see the bottom of the money bag. If we don’t think of other ways to get money, are we just going to eat wind?”
“Didn’t Qian Xiu bring a lot of gold? The ones Qi Ran Jun prepared for her?”
Jiang Chao Ge thought, wait till I clear out some of yours then I’ll go mine some of Ruan Qian Xiu’s gold.
Long Xiang added: “Ruan Qian Xiu left all her gold at the inn she was attacked by the Blood Temple assassin.”
Jiang Chao Ge’s eyeballs almost fell out and roared: “What?!”
Long Xiang was surprised: “You didn’t know? She used a Qi clan method to leave Qi Ran Jun a coded message, because she knew that Qi Ran Jun would definitely go to the inn to look for clues.”
Jiang Chao Ge grabbed Long Xiang’s collar and shook it forcefully, his whole face twisted. He stuttered: “W-w-w-why?!”
Long Xiang said: “She said she didn’t want to take gold with the ‘Qi’ word imprinted on it. Furthermore it’s a burden to bring.”
Jiang Chao Ge almost spat out blood in anger, his face turning green then white. He had already internally delegated Ruan Qian Xiu’s gold into his own cash reserve. At the thought of several hundred gold coins gone to waste at Ruan Qian Xiu’s wasteful hands, he almost wanted to throttle her. The thing he hated the most in this life was losing a duck that had entered his mouth. It was more painful than getting slapped in front of a crowd.
Yu Ren Shu looked at Jiang Chao Ge’s soulless, dazed appearance and laughed till his shoulders trembled: “Its her money. Why are you so anxious?”
Jiang Chao Ge looked at him gloomily: “Your highness, I don’t have any money. From now on we’ll have to eat leftovers and cold food, and sleep in damaged shacks on the mountains.”
Yu Ren Shu’s expression shifted: “How can there be no money? Didn’t you take a lot of gold coins?”
Jiang Chao Ge chuckled: “None left. I can eat exotic delicacies but also wild herbs and steamed buns. You should be able to too right?”
Yu Ren Shu frowned and looked at him indecisively.
Jiang Chao Ge took several deep breaths but still felt pained. Thinking that such a large amount of gold had flown away, it felt as if a knife was being twisted in his heart.
“Ruan Qian Xiu has returned.” Tian Rong looked outside the window: “She’s very fast,,,, wait! How could she summon Zheng Cheng in the city?!”
Zui You jumped out of the window nimbly and looked towards the distant sky: “Only Zheng Cheng returned. Something happened to her.”
Jiang Chao Ge’s heart seized up. If something happened to Ruan Qian Xiu, their tracks would inevitably be exposed!
