Judging by the way Monk Faxian rummaged around inside his sleeve, he clearly possessed some kind of Portable Treasure Pouch.
As he sent his message, he was also picking out strange treasures that could save Ge Xian's life and help him escape.
Before a few breaths had passed, the Lecherous Monk handed over two items: a shabby, dusty kasaya riddled with patches, and a Wooden Fish.
At the same time, he sent a message:
"That monk's robe is called the Bodiless Kasaya. A few of my fellow disciples and I killed an invisible Bodiless Ghost by force, then peeled off its entire hide and refined it into this. Once you put it on, you can conceal your figure. Even a Mortal Transformation Realm cultivator would have trouble detecting you, unless they made a great show of using their supernatural abilities to search for you. Of course, using it comes at a price. That Bodiless Ghost was a lecherous sort. It used its invisibility ability to become a rapist, so you might become lecherous after putting it on too."
"This Wooden Fish has the Maitreya Pure World Mantra engraved inside. When struck, it can ward off evil, drive out ghosts, and repel demons. With these two items and your talent, you should be able to reach Bozhou safely."
"Excellent treasures!"
Ge Xian sent back his praise, accepting the two treasures and slipping them into his robes with practiced ease.
After giving away the treasures, Monk Faxian suddenly felt something was a little strange. He was usually generous, but he seemed far too generous toward this Young Peddler.
Unable to figure out what was wrong, he could only chalk it up to his fondness for talent.
So before the peddler left, he couldn't help sending him another message:
"Brother Ge, the fact that you can pry out intelligence of this level shows how formidable your talent is, and how meticulous your mind."
"It's perfectly suited to the Formless Law of the Maitreya Cult. When the time comes, you can enter the Dao and cultivate through the Formless Skeleton. It won't take long for you to establish your foundation, and later, grasping the Formless Buddha Heart-Watching Secret Mantra and stepping into the Mortal Transformation Realm won't be difficult either."
Ge Xian had been about to fish out something else.
But seeing Faxian get more and more carried away, he knew that if he didn't leave soon, the fellow might recover the "wisdom" he had drugged out of him, then simply keep him at his side and refuse to let him go. That would be like carelessly boarding a pirate ship.
It wasn't that the pirate ship had no future, but it certainly wasn't the best choice. Ge Xian would feel cheated.
The peddler accepted the treasures and hurriedly took his leave of Faxian.
He hid himself somewhere, then changed his Skin Sac.
Following his senses, he soon found Shi Er and his companion, who were also watching the excitement of the Martial Arts Competition for Marriage. He waved his cudgel in front of Shi Er.
After drawing their attention, Ge Huolang used the same trick again.
He sent another message, revealing the shocking intelligence to Shi Er.
Compared with Monk Faxian, Shi Er was not only more powerful but also more gifted, and he was more highly valued under Zhang Shicheng.
The instant he learned the intelligence, delight spread across his face.
The intensity of his reaction was clearly far greater than Monk Faxian's.
Just from that response, combined with Zhang Shicheng's territory and present circumstances, Ge Xian extracted another piece of intelligence in the blink of an eye. A judgment formed in his mind:
"With the Dragon Nest backing him, Zhang Shicheng must have a powerful desire to seize Jiangzhe Province. But Yelü Tianzheng is so formidable that he's never managed to conquer his way in."
"Now that there's a weakness like this, there's plenty of room to maneuver. If luck is on his side, he might really be able to bring Yelü Tianzheng down and seize the whole province."
"By that reckoning, I've clearly done a great service."
As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Ge Xian's spirits lifted.
Sure enough, the next moment he heard Shi Er lavishly praise him and extend an invitation.
"Little brother, you're no ordinary person. You've managed to uncover such a well-kept secret."
"My lord rewards merit and punishes wrongdoing fairly."
"With the intelligence you offered earlier and this secret, you can redeem treasures of the highest grade: Dao-Entering Flesh, cultivation secret arts, and Dao-Protecting Magic Treasures."
"Come back to Gaoyou with me. I'll personally vouch for you, and you can redeem your cultivation method in advance..."
Shi Er was even more sincere than Faxian. As he spoke, he also told him some secrets about the Dragon Nest, including revelations from Dragon Gods whose knowledge clearly matched Ge Xian's talent. He even mentioned the Candle Dragon, a supreme Dragon God who held a divine post in the Myriad Laws Sect.
Of course, Shi Er's achievements were nowhere near enough to redeem Candle Dragon blood.
If this had happened earlier, Ge Xian would have been very tempted.
But he had already transformed into a dragon, and he was carrying the Immortal Lord Yinglong Scroll, which belonged to another powerful Dragon God with a divine post in the Myriad Laws Sect.
So the fellow once again resorted to his patter—and to drugging him.
He repeated the same shameless lie he had made up before.
Shi Er was an upright man and didn't suspect him in the slightest. He even thought this explanation made more sense: without the help of the Fox Woman beside the Lu Hualong Couple, how could a Young Peddler have uncovered such secrets?
Any doubts he'd had vanished completely.
Like Faxian, he began rummaging around on his person, looking for a life-saving treasure for this loyal and affectionate Young Peddler.
As the saying went, "A gentleman can be deceived by appealing to his principles." Seeing this, Ge Xian seized the opportunity to make another request:
"Brother Shi!"
"I've always had a habit of taking in evil spirits and strange objects, so they can't get out and harm people. But I've been short of things like Storage Pouches. Lately, I've been stretched thin and can barely keep them under control. Do you happen to have a pouch you're not using? Could you lend me one?"
"Once I reach Gaoyou and earn enough merit to redeem some treasures, I'll return it to you."
"What are you talking about? It's only a pouch. As it happens, I do have a spare one."
As he spoke, Shi Er took a yellow cloth bag from inside his robes.
It was made of some kind of fabric, and embroidered at its center was a strange Dragon Species, its body coiled in a loop and its eyes shining as it watched in every direction.
Shi Er then took out some Horse Talismans and Paper Guards, placed them in the bag, and handed it to Ge Xian. He sent a message as he did:
"This bag is called the Hidden Treasure Pouch. It's woven from the scales and hide of a Hidden Treasure Dragon."
"The space inside is about the size of a room. It can store objects, but not living beings. Of course, certain evil spirits and strange objects that have gained sentience aren't restricted."
"These Paper Guards and Horse Talismans are ones I drew myself. They can help you travel a thousand li in a day and keep others from noticing you."
"Unfortunately, you haven't entered the Dao yet, and you haven't learned the Dragon Clan Secret Technique. Otherwise, you could turn this pouch directly into a secret scale and embed it in your body, or swallow it into your belly. No one else could possibly take it."
"But that's no matter. After you rescue the people, hurry to Gaoyou. Once we meet again, I'll vouch for you, and your Dao Path will be smooth sailing."
"I still have to stay here and make a few arrangements, so the Eternal Life Cult's scheme falls through. I'll also bring back some outstanding Guǐ Wǔ Cultivators for my lord. Those sects could be quite useful."
"The most important thing is that, if we handle this well, we can ruin Yelü Tianzheng's reputation. Once he's out of the way, Jiangzhe Province will surely fall into my lord's hands..."
Ge Xian heard every word, and his senses confirmed it.
Brother Shi truly regarded him as one of his own.
He spoke with complete sincerity, even telling him what he planned to do and revealing some of his arrangements. This made the naturally devious Ge Huolang feel rather ashamed.
Then, the very next moment!
The fellow reached out with even greater ease, took the Hidden Treasure Pouch, and slipped it into his robes just as smoothly as before.
He got back into character and bade Shi Er a sorrowful farewell.
This time, he took a little longer. He put every strange treasure and strange object he'd collected today and over the past few days into the Hidden Treasure Pouch, including the Lord She Treasure Pouch—a dangerously ominous item containing a Rat God Embryo.
At the end, he put the pretty young widow's Soul Residence inside as well, then had her try going in and out. Sure enough, she wasn't restricted.
"Perfect. My life and possessions are safe now."
"And Sister Bai won't have to work so hard keeping watch at home. She can share my protection."
With that, the fellow opened his mouth and swallowed the Hidden Treasure Pouch.
He could have turned it into a scale and embedded it in his body, but swallowing it was clearly safer.
If he ever lost all the strange objects and treasures he'd collected, it would mean an enemy had subdued him, slit him open, and dug them out.
By then, losing them wouldn't matter anyway.
"What a haul. What a stroke of fortune."
"Sure enough, selling one piece of intelligence to several buyers is the secret to getting rich."
"And there's no risk in doing it this way. I haven't redeemed all my merit, either. Even if I don't join them, when we meet again later, I can come up with an excuse about getting separated and rekindle our ties."
"Now this is what you call a bond of goodwill."
"Next!"
Muttering happily, the fellow patted his belly, then followed his senses toward a third buyer.
Perhaps Ge Huolang had been too pleased with himself over his abundant haul. At the third buyer, he finally hit a soft nail.
Yang Bi, chief spymaster under Zhu Hongwu.
He was standing right in front of Ge Xian. After a few rounds of sending messages, his expression was no different from Faxian's and Shi Er's.
He was just as delighted, and just as quick to say that once Ge Xian joined him, he'd put in a good word and see that he was well trained.
But after Ge Xian used his "patter," Yang Bi didn't offer anything. He merely glanced at Ge Xian with some puzzlement, then said:
"Just the other day, I said Brother Ge was a clever man. How did you become so sentimental over the past two days?"
"What man has to worry about not finding a wife? Besides, she's only a Fox Woman."
"Now that she's served her purpose, just throw her away. Why risk going back to rescue her? If you fall into the hands of Lu Hualong and Yelü Yuyan, even I, Yang, might not be able to get you out for a while."
"In my view, you should stay by my side from now on. After we deal with this calamity and make a profit, you can come back with me."
"With the merit you've earned by offering this intelligence, you'll have more than enough to redeem the resources and treasures needed to enter the Dao and cultivate—or even establish your foundation."
"If that's not enough, big brother Yang will lend you the rest."
Ge Huolang merely froze for a moment as he listened, then cursed inwardly.
Everything came down to comparison.
Had that fellow sworn allegiance to the Pixiu Spirit God that only took and never gave?
He certainly deserved his position as Zhu Hongwu's spymaster. His skill at drawing people in with empty promises was one thing, but he was also very good at using people as expendable pawns.
And he expected Ge Xian to work for him?
If Ge Xian really did join him, he'd probably be tricked to death by this fellow in just a few years, long before that calamity arrived.
In the blink of an eye, Ge Xian had seen straight through Yang Bi's character.
Even setting aside whether he wanted to work for him, if he really did enter Zhu Hongwu's camp through Yang Bi, he'd have to figure out how to get away from him immediately.
Otherwise, having an "upper-level superior" like this would make nine lives nowhere near enough.
Knowing he couldn't squeeze anything out of Yang Bi, Ge Xian felt no regret. Spreading the intelligence far and wide had been his plan from the start.
Besides, this still counted as a bond of goodwill. There was no gain to be had for now, but he'd planted a hook in Zhu Hongwu's camp. It would surely come in handy one day.
But since there was no profit to be made, he couldn't be bothered to listen to Yang Bi drone on.
He got into character at once, putting on the face of a loyal and affectionate man, and forcibly took his leave of Yang Bi, saying he had to go rescue someone.
Perhaps Yang Bi felt that a subordinate like this would be easier to control. At the last moment, he handed Ge Xian an extremely detailed Jiangzhe Province Map and sent him a message:
"Since Brother Ge is so stubborn, I won't try to dissuade you. I can only wish you good luck."
"After you rescue them, use this map to escape. Go to my lord and wait for me."
Ge Xian took the map and glanced at it hastily.
He immediately judged from the fresh ink that Yang Bi had most likely drawn it himself.
Combined with the Factions Secret Manual he'd given earlier, it seemed to contain everything Yang Bi had accomplished since infiltrating Jiangzhe Province.
Well, well!
Thinking about it, perhaps the fellow wasn't stingy, but... dirt poor.
Whatever the case, Ge Xian pocketed the map and went looking for a fourth buyer.
Fei Zhong, a clerk in the Political Investigation Department.
Ge Xian hadn't placed much hope in this fellow either. He was nothing more than a greedy, shameless fat monster.
But at least they had a bond of goodwill, and there was a chance he could squeeze out a little more profit. When opportunity came knocking, you didn't let it pass you by.
Yet when he followed his senses to find Fei Zhong in an abandoned temple at a hidden spot on Sunset Mountain, he was greeted by a bizarre sight:
The fellow wasn't in human form at all. Instead, he looked like the Pot Person who had escaped from Ge Xian's home earlier. He was hopping up and down before a round-faced young woman with luxurious clothes, lovely features, and conspicuously chubby cheeks, denouncing the Lu Hualong Couple.
From the way he spoke, it seemed he was also begging her for something.
What startled Ge Xian was the terrifying aura of qi inside the round-faced young woman.
It was far stronger than Fei Zhong's, of course, but it was also stronger than Monk Faxian's and on par with Shi Er's.
"Is this girl also a cultivator on the verge of entering the Mortal Transformation Realm?"
"Who is she?"
"Who?"
Just as Ge Xian was pondering this, he suddenly heard a sharp shout.
The next instant, his body was forcibly pulled over. Fei Zhong, who had seen him arrive, looked both surprised and delighted.
His chubby hand, covered in rolls of flesh, pointed straight at Ge Xian as he said:
"Lord Fugui, this is the boy who gave me the intelligence. He's an informant I recruited. Under my guidance, he's quite quick-witted, which is how he uncovered Lu Hualong's scheme to sell off Qiantang."
"Your excellency can use a spell to probe his soul and confirm that the intelligence is true."
"For rendering such meritorious service, does Fei qualify to join the Myriad Laws Soul Searching Department? I don't ask for a high post. I'd be happy to serve as a clerk again. If that's not possible, I could even watch over the storehouse."
"Is what Fei Zhong said true?"
Ge Xian had only just heard the words "Myriad Laws Soul Searching Department" when he found himself in the round-faced young woman's hands.
At first, she had merely grabbed him by the collar with her little hand. But in the blink of an eye, she revealed a little of her True Form—not much, just a pair of rather dainty ox horns, a pair of hooves covered in soft white fur, and the cloud of hazy mist that suddenly spread behind her.
Even so, in that instant Ge Xian sensed Dao Qi cultivation far beyond his own.
Strangely, though, this Dao Qi didn't make him feel uneasy. On the contrary, it made his soul feel more peaceful and joyful.
At the same time, he sensed many auras that stirred a powerful desire to possess them and gradually brought his eccentricities back to life.
Strange treasures!
Treasures!
There were so many of them, all over the girl.
After a moment's thought, Ge Xian had an inkling of the girl's identity. White Jade Old Daoist's Anle Zishen's Logbook had mentioned her:
"The deputy commissioner of the Jiangnan Zhejiang West Dao Supervisory Censorate is a female official named Bai Fugui. Her True Form is the auspicious beast known as Fugui. Rumor has it that she is actually the adopted daughter of Tuotuo, the current prime minister."
"Born auspicious, prosperous and rich in treasures."
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