Seven Profound

Carrying sixty taels of silver and a wooden box, Jiang Ding walked out of the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce, a flicker of excitement stirring in his heart.

Medicinal herbs aged several decades naturally could not be eaten raw. That would be too wasteful, and they might even be toxic. He planned to commission a major apothecary to refine them into pills.

Since he had no money to pay the processing fees or buy supplementary ingredients, he could use part of the herbs to offset the cost.

"Has the Seven Profound Sect returned?"

"Isn't that so? It seems it's today..."

As he passed a teahouse, Jiang Ding's ears twitched. He stopped, went inside, ordered a cup of clear tea, and looked out over the street.

Mm, he would not touch any food from this foreign world without processing it first.

It was not only Jiang Ding. The other patrons also looked over with interest.

The Seven Profound Sect had been rooted in Eastspirit Prefecture for over a thousand years. Its roots ran deep and its branches spread wide. Everyone present had likely dealt with the Seven Profound Sect's businesses before; some might even have once been old disciples of the Seven Profound Sect.

"That's a long story..."

Yet the drinker abruptly stopped talking, provoking curses from everyone around him.

"Yang the Youngest, are you hanging us out to dry?"

"Waiter, bring this table a jug of East Mountain Old Liquor, a plate of pastries, and two plates of braised beef!"

Some perceptive patrons called out.

"Gentlemen, it isn't exactly a secret."

The drinker grinned. "The Young Marquis has become engaged to Gong Caiyu, the Flying Snow Fairy, daughter of the late sect master of the Seven Profound Sect. Since the Seven Profound Sect and the Eastern Pacifying Marquis's Estate are now one family, it is only natural for them to reestablish the sect."

"Is that true? Aren't they afraid that the Golden Saber Sect's 'Sea-Splitting Saber' will make another trip here?"

"Exactly! Yang the Youngest, you brat, aren't you just here to swindle this gentleman out of wine and meat?"

The crowd broke into discussion. Some were excited, some hateful; every face held a different expression.

"Bullshit!"

After taking a sip of wine, Yang the Youngest snapped, "I heard it from my clan uncle, who works at the Marquis's Estate! And it's happening today—how could it be false?"

The crowd was half-convinced, half-doubtful.

"That is possible."

Someone speculated, "Though the Eastern Pacifying Marquis's Estate cannot compare to the Golden Saber Sect, it still represents the court's dignity. It was once one of the twelve colossal pillars holding up the heavens. The Golden Saber Sect may not dare touch the Marquis's in-laws."

"One must know that although the Golden Saber Sect is powerful, it cannot compare with the imperial court."

At that moment, someone outside let out a howl.

"The Marquis, the Young Marquis, and a group of the Marquis's Estate retainers have come out!"

The Eastern Pacifying Marquis's Estate stood in the most prosperous part of the city, only a few streets away. Looking over from here, they could see rows of orderly black-armored soldiers surrounding a group of people. The nearby streets had already been sealed off, and the display was immense.

The entire teahouse fell silent, so quiet that a needle dropping could be heard. Then, with a boom, it erupted into commotion, and the crowd swarmed toward the vicinity of the Marquis's Estate.

They truly had no choice but to care.

The Marquis's Estate and the Seven Profound Sect were both colossal forces. Any change would affect many people's livelihoods. If things were handled poorly, falling from riches overflowing with oil to utter poverty was entirely possible.

Very soon, only Jiang Ding, sitting quietly, and Yang the Youngest, wolfing down wine and meat, remained in the teahouse. Even the waiters and shopkeeper had vanished for the moment.

Yang the Youngest stuffed a slice of beef into his mouth and raised a cup toward Jiang Ding from afar.

Jiang Ding gave a slight nod, tossed a grain-sized pellet of silver onto the counter, and rose to leave.

Leaving the teahouse, he avoided the places where people were gathering and headed toward Rotten Plank Street, where the general stores were located.

Surrounded enthusiastically by many dignitaries, Gong Caiyu suddenly looked in a certain direction, but saw nothing.

"What is it, Niece Caiyu?"

An elderly man with several wisps of long beard noticed her distraction and sent her a voice transmission.

This man was precisely Zhang Ziteng, the Fifth Elder of the Seven Profound Sect, known as the Iron Sword of the Goshawk. Rumor had it that his sword descended like a goshawk swooping from the heavens, seizing a grass rabbit like a bird of prey. His sword force was grand and heavy; ordinary experts would die before they could withstand even one strike.

When the Seven Profound Sect had been destroyed, he had happened to be away visiting relatives. And Wei Xian, the Sea-Splitting Saber, was such a proud man that he naturally would not waste time specifically hunting him down. Thus, he had luckily escaped disaster.

Gong Caiyu forced a smile. "Fifth Uncle, it is nothing."

"Niece Caiyu,"

Zhang Ziteng continued his secret voice transmission, "I know you do not like the Young Marquis, Tang Qingjie. His reputation is somewhat wild and unrestrained, but none of that matters. The flesh is no more than a skin bag, and the love between young men and women is but a dreamlike bubble and fleeting shadow. You will understand this in the future."

"As long as the sect can be reestablished, as long as our patriarch's foundation does not crumble in our hands, and as long as you advance to the Innate realm, everything will have been worth it."

Gong Caiyu remained silent.

Entering Rotten Plank Street, Jiang Ding saw old, undecorated storefronts lining the road. The ground was pitted and uneven, and a strange odor hung in the air, yet he felt a certain relaxed harmony.

"You mongrel!"

"Beat him to death! How dare you steal my things!"

The relaxed harmony quickly vanished.

Jiang Ding glanced at the little beggar being beaten by a group of beggars, then continued toward the general store.

In the poor district, there were too many such things. It was difficult to say who was right and who was wrong.

When poor, one could only cultivate oneself alone. There was too much to manage.

The little beggar did not make a sound. He neither resisted nor cried out in pain.

After beating him for a while, the other beggars also found it boring. Cursing and muttering, they left.

A series of staggering footsteps came from behind, as though someone were disregarding his injuries and chasing after him with all his strength, as if this were his only hope of survival.

Jiang Ding paused and turned around.

The little beggar wore ragged clothes, greasy and reeking. His face and arms were covered in wounds; some had scabbed over, while others were still seeping blood.

Yet his features could vaguely be recognized. He was the grandson of the old herb gatherer from the ruined temple.

"Sir, my grandfather is dead."

The little beggar's emotions, suppressed for so long, suddenly collapsed. He burst into loud sobs. "Those men in black killed him. Grandfather pushed me into the river, but he himself..."

Jiang Ding quietly listened to his incoherent, wailing cries.

The boy had gone through much these past days. Suddenly encountering someone who had once shown him kindness, his emotions had somewhat spiraled out of control.

Not until his voice had grown hoarse.

"Sir, can I follow you?" the little beggar asked softly.

"You can."

Jiang Ding said quietly, "My shop is still short a clerk. If you are interested, come and give it a try."

With that, he turned and left.

He would not take the initiative to do anything, but since the boy had come asking, and he was only a child, Jiang Ding would lend him some help.

"Thank you for your great kindness, sir!"

The little beggar was overjoyed. He had intended to kowtow, but seeing that Jiang Ding had already gone, he hurriedly followed after him.

After winding left and right, they returned to his little shop. There were still few customers, with only one or two entering from time to time.

The moment Huang Deyou saw Jiang Ding, his face turned deathly pale, and he froze in place.

Jiang Ding ignored him and returned to the small courtyard.

"Boss..."

Not long after, Huang Deyou came running over, pale-faced. He tried to kneel, but a sword scabbard tapped him on an acupoint, leaving him drenched in cold sweat. He did not dare say another word and could only stand rigidly in place.

After a long while.

"It has only been half a month, and you have already caused me two major incidents!"

Jiang Ding sighed. "Manager Huang, you must understand that everyone's patience has its limits."

Everything came with a price. Letting Long San go had consumed a favor of his.

"Boss, Deyou knows he was wrong," Huang Deyou said, trembling.

"Knowing your mistake is good. Everyone makes mistakes; correcting them is enough." Jiang Ding pointed at the little beggar behind him and said blandly:

"This..."

"Sir, this lowly one is Han Lin."

"This little brother Han, arrange a suitable job for him. Also, begin collecting animal specimens. I want insects, birds, mosquitoes, and other small things too. The price will remain one copper coin per specimen for now."

"Yes, Boss!"

Huang Deyou glanced from the corner of his eye at the little beggar's proper and courteous manner, and his heart tightened.