Dividing the Spoils

"Little brother, so you were this formidable!" Old Black cried, his voice filled with astonishment.

Zhao Ping'an turned blankly to look at Old Black, then looked back at Kong Nian's corpse, then turned to Old Black again. His mind was completely empty.

"I... I don't know." His answer was somewhat beside the point.

Old Black gave a wicked chuckle. "Little brother, first time killing someone? This reaction isn't strange. You'll be fine after a while. You'll get used to it in the future."

As he spoke, he walked over to Kong Nian's corpse and tore at the Monk Robe with his teeth. At the same time, he called out, "That little Bald Donkey should have quite a fortune on him. Little brother, come loot the corpse with me. We split the treasures fifty-fifty!"

Zhao Ping'an finally recovered some of his thoughts. Seeing how skillfully Old Black looted the corpse, he immediately felt that this old black dog was no loyal, good dog.

As he walked over, he said, "The old Bald Donkey's valuables should all be stored in the Alms Bowl."

He had seen Kong Nian take out and put away the Golden Dragon Binding Cord through the Alms Bowl.

Old Black immediately clamped the rim of the Alms Bowl in his mouth, turned its opening downward, and began shaking it repeatedly.

Items continuously poured from the Alms Bowl. First came the Golden Dragon Binding Cord, followed by more than a dozen bottles of Spirit Pills, then a huge pile of gold, silver, and Essence Stones...

In the blink of an eye, the items poured from the Alms Bowl had formed a small mountain as tall as a person.

"Clang—" Old Black tossed aside the emptied Alms Bowl, turned excitedly toward Zhao Ping'an, and cried, "So many treasures! Fifty-fifty!"

Zhao Ping'an said somewhat warily, "Senior Old Black, you saved me. How could I dare take half the benefits?"

"That's a separate matter. You can't go back on your promise of a basketful of Golden Buns!" Old Black said. "You killed the man, so it's only right that you take half."

Hearing that he had killed the man, Zhao Ping'an thought of how Kong Nian had come from Pudu Mountain, and pressure immediately weighed on his heart.

Pudu Mountain was one of the two great sacred lands of cultivation within the Great Qian Kingdom. Moreover, the Southern Border lay within Pudu Mountain's sphere of influence, where it had countless followers.

Suppressing his stray thoughts, he shook his head and said, "I only want the pills, along with that golden rope. Everything else is yours. What do you think?"

The Golden Dragon Binding Cord had been refined from the sinews of a Three-Thousand-Year Flood Dragon. It had to be an excellent Spirit Artifact.

"You only want so little?" Old Black asked.

Zhao Ping'an nodded. "Yes, it's already enough."

"Since little brother is being so modest, this old dog won't stand on ceremony." Old Black chuckled, then dug the pills and the Golden Dragon Binding Cord out from the little mountain and tossed them to Zhao Ping'an.

Finally, he opened his huge dog mouth and shouted, "Swallow!"

The next moment, everything flew up from the ground and into his mouth. Large items automatically shrank just before reaching his mouth.

In the blink of an eye, Old Black had swallowed the entire little mountain of treasures. Yet his body still looked skinny and shriveled, his belly flat.

"Little brother, after looting a corpse, you must remember to destroy the body and erase all traces," Old Black instructed Zhao Ping'an.

Zhao Ping'an deeply agreed. "Senior Old Black is right."

But he knew perfectly well that no matter how thoroughly they destroyed the body and erased the traces, it would be useless. Kong Nian had been sent by Pudu Mountain to abduct him and take him up the mountain. Now that Kong Nian was dead, Pudu Mountain would definitely come looking for him.

Still, there was a sliver of hope: Pudu Mountain would not believe that a four-year-old child like him could kill a mighty Divine Treasury Realm expert.

Old Black spat out a fist-sized ball of white fire at Kong Nian's bloated corpse. The white fire instantly engulfed the entire body.

After only two or three breaths, Kong Nian's corpse had burned away without even ashes remaining, carried off by the wind.

The grass on the ground remained emerald green, with not the slightest trace of the body having just been burned.

It truly was destroying the body and erasing all traces.

Zhao Ping'an put away the pills and the Golden Dragon Binding Cord, then asked Old Black, "Senior Old Black, are you really coming home with me to collect a basketful of Golden Buns?"

"Are you trying to go back on your word?" Old Black immediately showed a hint of menace. His dog mouth opened slightly, revealing a mouthful of gleaming white, razor-sharp fangs.

"No, no." Zhao Ping'an hurriedly waved his hands in fright. "I am absolutely not an ungrateful person."

Only then did Old Black ease up. With a light snort, he said, "Remember, even between blood brothers, accounts must be settled clearly. Don't think that just because we've shared the friendship of dividing spoils together, you can default on your debt."

"You're right," Zhao Ping'an said with a placating smile.

After a moment of silence, Zhao Ping'an turned to glance at the town wall looming through the hazy night, then turned back to Old Black. "I can't return to that town to spend the night. Let's travel to another town or village to find lodging."

"I know the way to the nearest neighboring town. Follow me." After saying that, Old Black picked a direction and began trotting away.

Zhao Ping'an used the Willow Branching Movement to follow behind him.

The next day, at dusk.

Zhao Ping'an returned to Jiang Manor in White Emperor City, bringing an old black dog with him.

Jiang Shuyue, who had stood anxiously waiting outside Jiang Manor's gates for an entire day, rushed forward excitedly and swept Zhao Ping'an into her arms, holding him tightly.

If Zhao Ping'an had not returned soon, she would have cast aside all dignity and gone to kneel before the Zhennan Marquis Estate.

After a while, Jiang Wen stepped forward and quietly reminded her, "This is the street. Let's go inside first."

Only then did Jiang Shuyue release Zhao Ping'an. She tightly grasped one of his hands and pulled him into Jiang Manor.

After returning to Moon Laurel Courtyard, Jiang Shuyue suddenly could not hold back a muffled groan and spat out a mouthful of dark-red blood.

"Mother, your injuries..." Zhao Ping'an asked anxiously and with concern.

Jiang Shuyue endured the pain, her face deathly pale, and forced out, "I'm fine..."

Jiang Wen reproached her somewhat, "And you still say you're fine. You suffered such severe internal injuries, yet you refused to rest no matter what."

Zhao Ping'an could not help recalling how Kong Nian had said he would only inflict a slight punishment. He had not expected that the man would injure his mother so severely.

That old Bald Donkey spoke of compassion, yet his hands were vicious. He truly deserved to die.

Then he remembered that among the old Bald Donkey's pills were Spirit Pills for treating internal injuries.

Thus, he immediately took them out, poured out one Spirit Pill, and held it before Jiang Shuyue. "Mother, this is a Greater Revitalizing Pill, a precious pill for treating internal injuries. Take it quickly."

"A Greater Revitalizing Pill?" Jiang Wen could not help crying out in surprise. Then he said suspiciously, "The Greater Revitalizing Pill is a high-grade healing Spirit Pill. It is very difficult to buy..."

Zhao Ping'an understood what Jiang Wen meant and explained, "Grandfather, rest assured. I inspected it carefully. I'm also an Alchemist."

"That's good." Jiang Wen breathed a sigh of relief and nodded happily. "After your mother takes a Greater Revitalizing Pill, her internal injuries will heal in two or three days. Otherwise, she would need at least half a year to a year of recuperation."

Zhao Ping'an fed Jiang Shuyue the Greater Revitalizing Pill, then helped her back to her bedroom to rest.

After leaving Jiang Shuyue's bedroom, Jiang Wen said to Zhao Ping'an, "You've rushed all the way back and look weary. I'll have the servants bring you food. After you eat, take a bath and rest. Whatever needs to be said can wait until tomorrow."

"Yes, Grandfather," Zhao Ping'an replied.

The next moment, he remembered Old Black and said, "Grandfather, could you send two portions of food?"

"Of course." Jiang Wen answered, then called the others away from the courtyard.

As Second Maternal Aunt was leaving, she reached out and gently stroked Zhao Ping'an's face with pity and heartache.

After everyone else had left, Zhao Ping'an said to Old Black, "Senior Old Black, I can't give you the Golden Buns immediately for now, but I'll definitely give them to you within the next day or two."

"One or two days makes no difference." Old Black looked around at the surroundings as he spoke. "Your home is nice. I might as well eat and stay here for a few days."

Zhao Ping'an smiled. "I couldn't ask for more. If you're willing to stay at my home long-term, I'll wait on you like an offering and guarantee you good food and drink. Even beautiful female dogs—you can have as many as you want."

"You wish!" Old Black shot Zhao Ping'an a sidelong glance, seeing through his intentions. "If you're willing to become my Human Pet, I could take you around for a few years."

Having been seen through, Zhao Ping'an helplessly spread his hands.

Late at night, when all was silent, Zhao Ping'an sat cross-legged on his bed in his bedroom, examining the Golden Dragon Binding Cord in his hand.

This Spirit Artifact had been refined from the sinews of a Three-Thousand-Year Flood Dragon. It radiated a fierce, baleful dragon might, and as he held it, his ears seemed to hear the unwilling roar of a Flood Dragon.

Zhao Ping'an guessed that the Golden Dragon Binding Cord was extraordinarily valuable, perhaps not even something a Divine Treasury Realm expert could possess.

I wonder whether dripping blood on it can make it recognize me as its master? He bit his fingertip and dripped two drops of blood onto the Golden Dragon Binding Cord.

Like a sponge, the Golden Dragon Binding Cord swiftly absorbed the blood. The dragon might it emitted seemed to grow a little stronger, but unfortunately, Zhao Ping'an did not sense the slightest sign of it recognizing him as its master.

It seems dripping blood won't make it recognize a master. Tomorrow, I'll ask Grandfather how to make a Spirit Artifact recognize its master.

After putting away the Golden Dragon Binding Cord, Zhao Ping'an took out a bottle of Ten Thousand Year Ginseng Pills.

The Ten Thousand Year Ginseng Pill was a high-grade Spirit Pill. Of the more than ten bottles of Spirit Pills he had obtained from Kong Nian, nearly all were high-grade Spirit Pills. Only two bottles were mid-grade Spirit Pills, but they too were rare special Spirit Pills.

Even with his knowledge, he could not estimate the total value of these Spirit Pills.

"Those Bald Donkeys of Pudu Mountain are truly rich—rich enough to ooze oil!" Zhao Ping'an could not help exclaiming.

Then he pondered inwardly, The Ten Thousand Year Ginseng Pill is a high-grade Spirit Pill. Its medicinal power is overbearing, and it contains an enormous amount of Essence Qi. It is suitable for Divine Treasury Realm experts.

I am in the Primordial Sea Realm, and I'm only four years old. The Meridians throughout my body have not fully developed yet. But I have the Ancient Sacred Body, and my entire body was born with Innate Channeling. The toughness of my Meridians should far surpass that of ordinary Primordial Sea Realm cultivators.

Besides, I cultivate the "Dao Scripture," and my speed of refining Essence Qi is extremely fast.

I shouldn't explode from taking a Ten Thousand Year Ginseng Pill, right? Otherwise, who knows what year it would be before I could fill my Essence Sea?

Thus, Zhao Ping'an made his decision. He poured out a Ten Thousand Year Ginseng Pill and swallowed it, then circulated his cultivation at full force to refine it.

After entering his stomach, the Ten Thousand Year Ginseng Pill indeed transformed into an extraordinarily vast surge of Essence Qi that wanted to rampage through Zhao Ping'an's body.

However, Zhao Ping'an's Meridians were tough enough to endure it.

At the same time, under Zhao Ping'an's guidance, the Dao Scripture circulated at full power, swiftly refining the Essence Qi into True Essence, which then entered his almost boundless Essence Sea.

After cultivating continuously for more than half an hour, Zhao Ping'an finally refined the Ten Thousand Year Ginseng Pill. He gained a tremendous amount of True Essence, and the True Essence within his Essence Sea doubled in a single stroke.

One Ten Thousand Year Ginseng Pill was actually equivalent to the Hundred Herbs Pills he had taken and his arduous cultivation over the past three years.

Opening his eyes, Zhao Ping'an revealed a look of great joy. "Good, good! As expected of a pill used by Divine Treasury Realm experts—the effect is remarkable!"

The next moment, a thoughtful look appeared on his face. However, my Meridians still suffered a little damage. For the next few days, I temporarily can't continue taking Ten Thousand Year Ginseng Pills.

The Meridians throughout my body were born with Innate Channeling. They cannot compare to those Meridians opened up after birth, and their recovery ability is far stronger. In five days, I should be able to take another Ten Thousand Year Ginseng Pill.

The next morning, when Zhao Ping'an paid his respects to Jiang Shuyue, he saw that her injuries had improved greatly, which put him somewhat at ease.

Mother and son talked for a while before Jiang Wen arrived.

After closing the door, Jiang Wen asked Zhao Ping'an, "How did you shake off the pursuit of that Pudu Mountain monk?"

"I killed him," Zhao Ping'an answered truthfully.

Killing a Divine Treasury Realm expert from Pudu Mountain was a matter of great importance, one that had to be kept absolutely secret. Yet his closest family still needed to know, so they could be mentally prepared. Otherwise, if the monks of Pudu Mountain came killing their way to the door one day while Jiang Manor remained completely unprepared, it would mean the annihilation of the entire family.

Jiang Wen could not help letting out an "Ah!" He rose to his feet involuntarily, his face filled with terror, as though a calamity that would wipe out the clan had fallen upon them.

Jiang Shuyue revealed a stunned expression. That monk from Pudu Mountain had been a Divine Treasury Realm expert. How had Zhao Ping'an managed to kill him instead?

When she came back to herself and saw the terrified, anxious expression on her father's face, she immediately realized that Zhao Ping'an had caused a tremendous disaster.

"Dad, I'll take Ping'an and leave White Emperor City today," she said to Jiang Wen. "Pudu Mountain is, after all, a sacred Buddhist land and one of the two great sacred lands of cultivation in the Great Qian Kingdom. It should not indiscriminately vent its anger on Jiang Manor."

Jiang Wen recovered from his terror of their family's destruction and said to Jiang Shuyue, "Your internal injuries have not healed. How can you immediately endure the fatigue of travel? Even if you are leaving White Emperor City, there is no need to rush these few days."

Then he thought of a crucial question and turned to Zhao Ping'an. "According to your mother, that old monk from Pudu Mountain may have been a Divine Treasury Realm expert. How did you kill him?"

"I received help from Senior Old Black. Senior Old Black is the old black dog who came back with me," Zhao Ping'an answered truthfully.

Jiang Wen and Jiang Shuyue were both stunned. They had both noticed that old black dog last night, but had assumed it was merely an ordinary old dog.

"So the old monk was killed by Old Black?" Hope rose in Jiang Wen's heart, and he asked excitedly.

Zhao Ping'an shook his head. "I killed him with my own hands."

Jiang Wen's face went ashen once more.

Zhao Ping'an said seriously, "Grandfather, rest assured. Once Mother's internal injuries improve, Mother and I will immediately leave White Emperor City. Every grievance has its debtor and every debt has its owner. Let them come for me."

Jiang Wen gave a despondent, bitter smile and said nothing more.

He did not fear death for himself, but he feared that Pudu Mountain would vent its anger on Jiang Manor and retaliate against the entire family.

Before Pudu Mountain, Jiang Manor was far too insignificant, like an ant before a mountain. In the south, common people might not know who Emperor Qian was, but they would certainly know Pudu Mountain's Buddha Lord.

Because Jiang Wen was in low spirits, Zhao Ping'an was temporarily too embarrassed to ask him for a basketful of gold for Old Black, or to seek his guidance on refining a Spirit Artifact.