Traveling Through the Mist

March 20th. The sun shone brightly, and spring had returned to the land.

At the dock on Wooden Fish Island, with a boat laden with treasures, Jiang Chen stepped off Wooden Fish Island for the first time and headed for Little Golden Sand Valley on the White River.

As Jiang Chen's boat sailed ever farther away, the people on Wooden Fish Island wore varying expressions. When he returned, he ought to be the Fourth Boss. Though the River-Sweeping Bandits belonged to the outlaw world, their power was far from small. If he became the Fourth Boss, then across the surrounding several counties, he would count as a figure of consequence. From then on, power would be in his grasp and wealth and glory would be his without worry—how many people dreamed of such a thing?

Under everyone's watchful eyes, the small boat carrying Jiang Chen was gradually swallowed by thick fog.

"Methods of cultivators."

Standing at the bow and looking at the waterway ahead, Jiang Chen's thoughts stirred.

Once they left Wooden Fish Island and entered Soul-Lost Bay, the entire river was shrouded in dense mist, as if a gigantic bowl had been turned upside down over it. Yet at this very moment, within this fog-covered stretch of river lay a waterway where passage was unhindered and the view wide open, as though some force had pushed the thick mist aside and forcibly pinched out a passage for boats to travel through.

Such a sight could by no means be described as a mere natural wonder. Someone had deliberately created it, and this was one of the fundamental reasons the River-Sweeping Bandits could occupy Soul-Lost Bay, raise their banner and collect tolls, and remain standing all this time.

"According to Skinny Monkey and the others, the waterway within Soul-Lost Bay shifts every so often. Without the proper guidance, anyone who rashly enters will never meet a good end. This also proves that someone truly controls things from behind the scenes, and that person is most likely the First Boss."

"Such a method is far beyond mere talisman arts. The bandit chief who built the River-Sweeping Bandits from nothing by himself truly is no simple man."

As he silently sensed the state of the waterway, all manner of thoughts flashed through Jiang Chen's mind. Clearly, besides Ironman Tu's martial arts and the talisman arts he cultivated, he had other trump cards as well.

Just as Jiang Chen sank into thought, Stone cautiously approached.

"Chief, here is the final summary of the gifts, along with a roster of the important personnel in Little Golden Sand Valley."

With a respectful expression, Stone handed over two booklets.

Hearing this, Jiang Chen gave Stone another look. He had asked for the gift list, but not for the personnel roster of Little Golden Sand Valley. Clearly, Stone had gathered it on his own initiative.

"You've been thoughtful."

After offering a word of praise, Jiang Chen took the two booklets and read them carefully.

"Controlling the waterways, these River-Sweeping Bandit chiefs, great and small, truly do have some wealth. They have gathered seven or eight tenths of the materials I wanted. With this, the medicinal baths needed for martial training and the vessels for refining and preserving qi and blood will no longer be a problem."

After reading through the gift list, a smile appeared on Jiang Chen's face. Having come from the apocalypse, no one understood the importance of resources better than he did.

"Compile another summary on these people. There will likely be some turbulence within Golden Sand Valley, so we must prepare some people we can use."

After considering it for a moment, Jiang Chen marked several names on the roster. Neither he nor the original owner of this body knew much about these people. His standard for selection was simple: only whether the gifts they had sent were valuable enough.

Hearing this, Stone understood at once. For a time, he could not help but sigh at these people's good fortune. Positions in Golden Sand Valley were lucrative posts, after all. More importantly, they had caught the Chief's eye. Others might not know it, but he had once seen the Chief practice martial arts. The Chief had very likely already entered the first-rate realm.

After giving these instructions, Jiang Chen opened the other booklet. In the end, his gaze settled on one name.

"Qian Wen, originally an accountant in Qinghe County. He later offered his own younger sister to Zhao Meng as a concubine, earning Zhao Meng's favor. He currently serves as the chief steward of Golden Sand Valley."

Looking at Qian Wen's name, Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes.

With Zhao Er's arrival, Jiang Chen already understood Zhao Meng's attitude perfectly well. Zhao Meng hoped he would become nothing more than a clay statue, turning a blind eye to all matters within Golden Sand Valley, so that three years could pass peacefully. Unfortunately, that was not something Jiang Chen could accept. He needed resources as well, and most importantly, a lion would never accept the threat of a hyena.

"Reach Golden Sand Valley as soon as possible."

Leaving behind those words, Jiang Chen turned and entered the cabin, continuing that day's cultivation.

And so, after leaving Soul-Lost Bay and traveling for a day and a night, Jiang Chen's party finally entered the White River and arrived at Golden Sand Valley. At the crude dock, Golden Sand Valley's junior stewards had long been waiting under Qian Wen's lead.

Judging from their expressions and the dew-soaked hems of their clothes, they had been waiting there for quite some time.

"Qian Wen, together with the stewards, greets the Chief."

Seeing Jiang Chen step down from the boat, Qian Wen immediately strode forward and bowed deeply. The five junior stewards behind him followed suit.

Hearing this, Jiang Chen's gaze naturally fell upon Qian Wen.

His body was as thin as a hemp stalk, his face long and narrow like a donkey's, with a large mole on his chin. His eyes were rather small, and he did not look like a good man at all.

Sensing Jiang Chen's gaze settle on him, Qian Wen remained unfazed and kept his respectful demeanor.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen casually grunted in response, then led his group straight into Golden Sand Valley, paying Qian Wen and the others no further heed.

"This..."

Seeing Jiang Chen's attitude, the junior stewards of Golden Sand Valley could not help looking at one another.

"Chief Steward, this Chief Jiang is far too arrogant. You waited here for so long, yet he actually..."

Once Jiang Chen's group had gone far away, one of Qian Wen's confidants could not hold back his complaint.

At those words, Qian Wen's expression immediately changed. He shot his confidant a fierce look.

The confidant promptly shut his mouth. Clearly, Qian Wen commanded considerable authority in his heart.

Seeing this, Qian Wen finally let out a soft sigh, and his expression eased.

"It is nothing, merely a little loss of face. A new official always starts with three fires. If this Chief wishes to show his might, then I shall let him show his might. So long as he does not interfere with our serious business, that is enough."

His voice low, Qian Wen made his stance clear. Before Jiang Chen arrived, he had already inquired through various channels about Jiang Chen's circumstances. He knew Jiang Chen was an odd man who disliked trivial affairs, disliked forming factions, and devoted himself single-mindedly to martial training.

That was precisely why he had made his preparations. He intended to put on a good show, elevate Jiang Chen high above everyone else, and let him focus on martial training, while Qian Wen handled all worldly affairs on his behalf.

Hearing this, the people present exchanged looks and nodded one after another. Under the entanglement of interests, Golden Sand Valley had already become a solid iron plate. Those who did not fit in had long since sunk to the bottom of the river.

"Then let me suffer a little more, in exchange for the Chief's leisure."

With a sigh, Qian Wen composed his expression and walked into Golden Sand Valley.

Seeing this, the others hurriedly followed.