Death for Riches, Birds for Food

With an expert who had cultivated Innate Soul Mutation among them, everyone's thinking changed at once.

They had only wanted to leave the caravan because they feared the King of Nine Mountains. But however strong he was, he could be no more than a match for Luo Yong, the Heavenly Dipper Saber—or perhaps a little stronger at most. With the Heavenly Dipper Saber leading the other Innate experts, they could surely withstand this Greenwood lord whose name shook the Northlands.

So why not stay?

For the Chang'an Commerce Guild to risk aiding the Nanping Trade Association, there had to be enormous profits at stake. No one expected the lion's share. If someone else ate the meat, a little broth would be enough for them.

Pan Long changed his mind too. After thinking it over, he decided the risk was not that high—at least no higher than wandering the Martial World with Han Feng later. Even if all he got was a chance to broaden his horizons, it was worth staying to see what happened.

Soon, thirty or forty experts had gathered in the tiny clearing, packed so tightly they nearly bumped into one another.

For people of the Martial World, who always liked to keep their distance, the sight was rare indeed.

The caravan manager waited a little longer. Once he was sure no one else was coming, he cleared his throat. "I know you're all wondering about my decision. To be honest, when the Nanping Trade Association first asked for help, my first thought was, 'What's it to me?'"

He spoke with Candor. "People in the same trade are rivals. Even if our two guilds work together, helping collect their bodies afterward would be enough to clear my conscience. Risk my life to help them? I don't live next door to their old man!"

Everyone burst out laughing, and no one disagreed.

People of the Martial World were practical. They lived with blood on their blades, but who would take a risk for nothing?

"When the Nanping Trade Association saw I wouldn't budge, they had no choice but to tell me a secret," the manager continued. "That secret changed my mind."

"What secret?"

"Out with it!"

"Stop dragging it out!"

"Come on, hurry!"

Amid their urging, the manager laughed too, then said, "The man told me that nothing else in their shipment mattered. What mattered was a Bamboo Slip their manager carried on him."

Those words seemed to cast a spell. Silence fell over the clearing.

"A Bamboo Slip?" After a long while, someone asked hoarsely, "Impervious to fire and water, unharmed by blades and axes, untouched by insects?"

"That's the one."

Puzzled, Pan Long turned and saw horror filling Han Feng's eyes.

Han Feng: This... this is the Bamboo Slip the imperial court ordered everyone to find, isn't it?

Pan Long: Maybe. Probably. Perhaps... it is?

Han Feng: Should we run? Senior Li said even he'd flee if he came across that thing!

Pan Long: Are you sure we can leave now?

Han Feng: Fuck! Curiosity killed the cat! It's going to kill us this time!

While Han Feng was full of regret, Pan Long was full of questions.

The Great Xia Dynasty was searching for the Classic of Mountains and Seas, but it had fused into Pan Long's body the first time he activated it. Unless he severed his connection to the treasure himself, it would only emerge from his corpse after he died.

If so, what was the Bamboo Slip the Nanping Trade Association had found?

Could the Classic of Mountains and Seas Fragment have consisted of more than the single Bamboo Slip passed down through his family? Could it have been divided into many pieces?

He considered it, then decided that was unlikely.

Even if that ancestor had divided the Classic of Mountains and Seas and hidden the pieces in different places, he would never have put two close together.

If another fragment had been found, it should have been somewhere like Yang Province or Jing Province, or even beyond the Nine Provinces. Why would it be in Yong Province?

While he puzzled over that, the others reached an agreement.

The court had offered a staggering reward for the Bamboo Slip. Even if each of them contributed only a little, they could still get something. That little reward alone would be worth at least several fights with blades drawn.

So what was there to hesitate over?

Quite a few harbored another thought: Who knew what immense power lay hidden in a treasure worth such a staggering bounty from the Great Xia Dynasty? If I'm lucky enough to get it, I'll flee Great Xia at once, cross a thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers, and devote myself to studying it. Perhaps once I understand it, I'll ascend to immortality in broad daylight and never grow old or die...

Those with such thoughts were even more eager than the ones hoping for a share of the reward. More than one shouted for everyone to set off immediately.

"The King of Nine Mountains might already be there! What if we arrive too late and he takes the Bamboo Slip?"

That convinced them. Even the Heavenly Dipper Saber could no longer keep his composure. He charged ahead, running down the mountain.

The experts streamed after him in a long line.

Not a single person tried to withdraw.

Pan Long and Han Feng were less skilled, so they fell behind, and no one paid them any attention. Zhao Lin and Pan Ying had rushed ahead and were already out of sight.

As they walked, the two exchanged looks, trying to decide what to do.

Han Feng: Let's just run. We can't wade into these muddy waters!

Pan Long: There's only one road. Where would we run? We can hang back and stay out of trouble if anything happens.

Han Feng: Will that really work?

Pan Long: Do you have a better idea?

Han Feng sighed, helplessness written across his face.

Never in his wildest dreams had he expected to get tangled up with the Bamboo Slip worth a founding duke's title.

And he knew this connection was no blessing. It was a death warrant!

Even Li Wu, a Great Grandmaster of the True Realm, avoided this matter as if it were a snake or scorpion. Han Feng was only a newcomer to the Martial World. Hundreds or thousands of him could not withstand a single slap from Li Wu. How could he get involved?

He was still young. Unlike many people in the Martial World, he had not let greed cloud his mind. Even with enormous rewards before him, he could keep his Sanity.

The veterans, meanwhile, were nearly crazed.

Of course they knew what Han Feng knew. But to them, risking their lives for a reward was only natural. If the prize was big enough, why not take the gamble?

To put it bluntly, if they missed this chance, they would never get another opportunity to stake their lives on a prize so great!

Even all of them together were not worth a single toe of a founding duke!

Pan Long and Han Feng walked at the rear. After a while, they heard the experts shouting and roaring up ahead.

They exchanged a look, both wearing bitter smiles.

What they had feared had come to pass. The King of Nine Mountains had doubled back to seize the Bamboo Slip!

Han Feng could not help asking, "Brother Long, don't you think it's strange? News of that Bamboo Slip must be closely guarded. How did the King of Nine Mountains find out?"

"It doesn't make sense."

"Why not? The Nanping Trade Association might have bought it from someone—or even stolen it. If they heard about it, why couldn't the King of Nine Mountains?"

Han Feng thought for a moment, then nodded. "You're right, Brother Long! That's probably it."

But being right solved nothing. Nor did it put more distance between them and the fighting at the foot of the mountain.

Worse, they were too embarrassed to turn and run now.

The experts had all charged toward the battlefield. Only the caravan's laborers and guards remained nearby, no one of any real skill. With their martial arts, Pan Long and Han Feng could probably run without anyone stopping them.

Yet neither could bring himself to flee.

It was not just hot-blooded young Han Feng. Even Pan Long, with the experience of two lifetimes, had never fled a battle and left others to die!

Sanity told him to do it. His conscience told him he could not.

And to him, conscience was far more persuasive than Sanity...

My damned conscience is going to get me killed one day!

He cursed inwardly, yet stepped ahead of Han Feng.

Han Feng had come out to wander the Martial World with him. Whatever happened, Pan Long had to shield the foolish kid from danger as best he could.

...If he could.

They dawdled, but still walked faster than the laborers hauling goods. About fifteen minutes later, they reached the front of the caravan.

By then, they heard more than shouts and roars from up ahead. They heard the sounds of battle.

The laborers were terrified, but without an order from the manager, they could only grit their teeth and keep walking.

These large guilds kept their people under strict discipline, no less than an army's. Anyone who disobeyed orders and deserted would face "military punishment"—not beheading, perhaps, but a beating to death instead.

Pan Long and Han Feng walked on with their hearts in their throats, watching the surroundings at every step. They feared a wild King of Nine Mountains might leap out of the grass at any moment, shout "Your life is mine!" and hack at them with both blades.

Fortunately, none did.

Not only that, but as they drew closer to the foot of the mountain, the cries of battle dwindled, then fell silent altogether.

Rather than reassuring them, the silence made them even more worried.

Han Feng said, "B-Brother Long, do you think... they've... they've all been... k-killed?"

His teeth chattered with fear, and he could barely get the words out.

Pan Long rested a hand on his shoulder and felt him trembling all over. "Don't scare yourself," he said gently. "There are so many of them, with the Heavenly Dipper Saber leading them. However strong the King of Nine Mountains is, he can't beat that many people. Maybe he realized he couldn't win for now and retreated again."

Han Feng perked up at once. "You're right, Brother Long! Even if the King of Nine Mountains is made of iron, how many nails can he make? He can't beat all those experts. He must have left already. Maybe he's gone to find reinforcements."

Pan Long smiled and nodded, but a faint warning flashed through his mind.

He looked around in confusion and saw nothing.

Was I imagining it?

Feeling steadier, they quickened their pace. Before long, they reached the foot of the mountain. The road bent just ahead. Once they rounded it, they should have a clear view.

But then they slowed again.

A powerful unease welled up in both of them.

Why... is it completely silent over there?