Admonishment

Long San drank a medicinal soup to replenish his qi and blood, then lay tiredly on the bed.

He wanted to sleep, but the throbbing pain in his left arm was like a needle prick, preventing him from closing his eyes.

"Ding Feng, Ding Feng! Just a nobody from the martial world, if it weren't for..." he gritted his teeth, a cold glint flickering in his eyes.

Knock, knock!

"Who is it!"

Long San's expression changed, and he gripped the hilt of his saber by the bedside.

He had already notified his subordinates to handle matters, and if anything major arose, they were to consult the elder Long Tianwu who was stationed here. They definitely wouldn't disturb him while he was recovering!

"Shopkeeper Long, long time no see. I've come to visit."

A clear, cold voice rang out.

"Young Master Jiang?"

Long San was startled. To be able to bypass all the Four Seas Merchant Guild's defenses and arrive here so silently, this Qinggong was truly astonishing.

Long San said in a deep voice, "Please come in, Young Master."

Creak~

The door opened and then closed. A young man in a blue shirt walked in slowly. Unlike other intruders who would wear masks, he was completely open.

"Previously, Ding Feng of the Brocade Dragon Merchant Guild brought 'Earth-Treading Tiger' Lu Hou, one of the Seven Tigers of Fierce Tiger Stronghold, to our place," Jiang Ding said.

"It was him after all."

Long San sneered, "The Brocade Dragon Merchant Guild has always had unclear ties with bandits like Fierce Tiger Stronghold. Calling them a merchant guild is more like calling them a bandit den. If they hadn't bribed their way through the East Spirit Prefecture's channels, they would have been wiped out long ago."

"They call themselves merchants?"

Jiang Ding remained noncommittal about the business philosophies of both guilds. He said, "I've come today to ask Shopkeeper Long about some matters concerning Fierce Tiger Stronghold. I will surely repay this favor in the future."

"No problem, it's a small matter."

Long San unconsciously touched his long-gone left arm.

"Fierce Tiger Stronghold rose to prominence ten years ago. The stronghold master, 'East Mountain Flying Tiger' Lu Jingtian, has achieved Inner Qi Perfection. His Flowing Moon Saber technique is incredibly skillful, and he managed to establish a base in the crucial trade route between East Spirit Prefecture and Chizhou. All passing merchant guilds have to pay them a toll."

"Occasionally, they don't play by the rules and take both the goods and the people."

"The merchant caravans traveling to and from East Spirit Prefecture have suffered greatly."

Jiang Ding asked, "Why doesn't the Prefect, the Marquis of Zhen Dong, the Tang Family, do anything?"

Disruptions to trade routes harmed the Tang Family's interests, and far more than just a simple toll.

"They tried. The army launched a siege, but the people of Fierce Tiger Stronghold would scatter at the slightest sign of trouble. Moreover, East Spirit Mountain is tall and densely forested, so Fierce Tiger Stronghold could hide anywhere, and no one would know."

Long San mocked, "Their only method was to send out their Inner Qi elites and find an opportune moment to raid the stronghold. If the Seven Tigers were killed, how would those bandits dare to continue resisting?"

"But the Marquis of Zhen Dong's estate has been wealthy for over three hundred years. The Marquis himself has only achieved Inner Qi Perfection, and the Inner Qi experts under him are mostly relatives and old acquaintances. How could they be willing to lead a small group deep into the mountains to suppress bandits?"

"And Lu Jingtian is also obedient, sending offerings from time to time. The matter has been left at that."

"The Blue Fluorescent Butterfly is at Fierce Tiger Stronghold?"

"It must be there."

"Do you have the approximate location of Fierce Tiger Stronghold?"

Long San was startled. He carefully examined the young man in blue for a long time before saying, "After all these years, the approximate location of Fierce Tiger Stronghold is no secret. I can give it to you."

"I have one piece of advice: Young Master, you have a bright future and a deep background. Do not easily venture into dangerous territory."

That was all he could say.

Just as Jiang Ding indifferently viewed the casualties of the Four Seas Merchant Guild, he also hoped that Jiang Ding could cause some trouble for Fierce Tiger Stronghold, without caring about the consequences.

"Is the Four Seas Merchant Guild willing to accept this?" Jiang Ding asked.

Long San fell silent.

After a long while.

"We are already willing to accept it."

His voice was dry and filled with sorrow as he shook his head. "Uncle Wu suffered internal injuries, more than half of the team he brought died, and the rest are all injured. I am practically crippled."

"In the short term, our Four Seas Merchant Guild has no choice but to concede."

"The Long family made its fortune through commerce. We don't need to exhaust ourselves like ordinary martial arts factions to maintain our prestige, lest outsiders misunderstand that we have declined."

Jiang Ding pondered for a moment.

"I need some people, about twenty or so. Their strength isn't important, as long as they can transport some goods back. Is that possible?"

"You don't need the guild's elites, so of course, it's possible."

Long San's body trembled, and he sat up straight.

After arranging a time with Long San, Jiang Ding slowly strolled home. There were many pedestrians along the way, but they all subconsciously ignored his presence.

Afterward, recalling it, he only remembered a figure passing by, but didn't know what they looked like.

"The Minor Breath Concealment Art feels much easier."

Jiang Ding circulated the complex routes of his martial skill's internal force, and insights surfaced in his mind bit by bit.

Indeed, one's realm was the foundation for all spells and techniques. Once the realm improved, learning and practicing anything became much faster.

He estimated that it wouldn't be long before the Minor Breath Concealment Art went from proficient to Minor Accomplishment.

If it reached Minor Accomplishment, it would meet the basic requirements for Reconnaissance Infantry, and when combined with reconnaissance camouflage, it could initially shield against the Spiritual Sense of cultivators.

Not far from the small shop, Jiang Ding frowned.

A familiar, elegant figure stood gracefully. She was about 1.5 meters tall, with a snow-white sword at her waist, occasionally gazing into the distance. Han Lin and Huang Deyou were excitedly attending to her nearby.

"Greetings, Young Master Jiang?"

Gong Caiyu's eyes lit up as she spotted the figure not far away.

This was also one of the drawbacks of the Minor Breath Concealment Art. It could only make oneself inconspicuous, like dead wood or stone, but it couldn't achieve optical invisibility. If someone was specifically searching, it was still difficult to avoid them.

"Hello, Miss Gong. It's been a while."

Jiang Ding nodded and led her into the backyard.

He still had a good impression of this woman. She had offered a reward after being saved, but she was clearly in trouble herself, which could bring him inconvenience, so he wasn't entirely pleased.

"Thank you for saving me, Young Master. I also know you've arrived in East Spirit. Since I know you prefer quiet, I didn't want to disturb you further," Gong Caiyu explained. Then, her delicate face turned serious. "Do you know that danger is approaching?"

"Is it the Blue Fluorescent Butterfly?" Jiang Ding was not surprised.

"That's right."

Gong Caiyu whispered, "My uncle told me that great profit stirs the heart. Several famous figures in East Spirit Prefecture have gotten involved in this turmoil. If it's not necessary, Young Master, it's best to move to the inner city. The army is stationed there, and even experts of Inner Qi wouldn't dare act rashly."

"If you have the means, it's best to distance yourself from this vortex as soon as possible. My father once told me that those famous figures might look kind and venerable, but in reality, they'll devour you without hesitation if they get the chance."

Her expression was very serious.

"Mm, thank you for informing me, Miss Gong." Jiang Dinnodded.

If it weren't for the Blue Gold Potion, he would have fled long ago after sensing the hostility.

Gong Caiyu gave a few more instructions and then hastily took her leave. It was clear she was very busy, having to teach new disciples of the Seven Profound Sect while also maintaining her own continuous cultivation.

"Master, trouble might be coming."

Huang Deyou knocked and entered after she left. "Young Sect Master Gong is the fiancée of the Young Marquis. Her visiting an unrelated man rashly could lead to great disaster if not handled carefully. Master, you must not underestimate this."

"Take a gift to the Marquis's steward and subtly mention this matter."

Jiang Ding also acknowledged the risk. "Gong Caiyu is the Young Sect Master of the Seven Profound Sect, a martial artist. She interacts with many men daily; we can't possibly have an incident with every one of them."

"Can you meet the Marquis's steward?"

"Yes, Master. Since we started cooperating with the Four Seas Merchant Guild, many influential people now hold me in higher regard," Huang Deyou said with cupped fists.