Lakeside Market

Li Hua had lured the five Demonic Cultivators to their deaths. Li Fuchan had suffered no real injury, and after resting for a single night, he left the detached residence.

"Young master."

Li Fuchan turned toward the voice and could not help laughing. "There's no one here. No need to be so formal, fellow Daoist."

Li Hua shook his head. He was dressed as a servant now, having stripped away all his demonic aura through a secret art, and looked no different from an ordinary attendant. "The Ning Family is renowned across the Lake for its harsh, merciless treatment of its branch lineages. Of the three offices, the Investigation Office is particularly famous for watching Rogue Cultivators. Anyone who stirs up trouble, breaks the prohibitions, or preys on the common people is beaten to death without mercy. That is why so few Rogue Cultivators are willing to enter the Ning Family's service. Now that I have this opportunity, I ought to fulfill my duties and must not overstep my bounds."

Li Fuchan nodded, thinking to himself:

Demonic Cultivators do not practice the Hundred-Scene Profound Immortal Way, so they are condemned as followers of the Outer Dao. People like Li Hua, who practice the Hundred-Scene Profound Immortal Way yet draw close to the demonic path, are rare after all. He has weathered many storms and is ruthless in heart and hand. No amount of caution is excessive. I should learn a thing or two from him in that regard.

"The Household Head has given me a handwritten letter. Sorry for the trouble, fellow Daoist, but please accompany me to the Lake."

"Yes, young master."

When the two reached the Lake, boats darted across its surface like weaving shuttles, and crowds streamed back and forth without end.

Li Fuchan did not linger, afraid he might run straight into a Buddhist Cultivator. He led Li Hua directly toward a large ship, but someone stopped them just before they reached the junction.

The man cupped his hands in greeting. "Am I addressing Retainer Li?"

Li Fuchan looked him over. The newcomer wore a raven-blue robe with a green jade seal hanging at his waist. His delicate features were cleanly spaced, his chin slightly pointed. His every movement carried the composed bearing of an Aristocratic Clan's scion, though he was still young, with a trace of boyish immaturity on his face.

A questioning look entered Li Fuchan's eyes. "You are. And you are?"

The man bowed again and said respectfully, "This junior is Ning Xiu Fu. The Household Head specially sent me to guide you, senior."

At that, Li Fuchan hurriedly cupped his hands toward the Ning Family's residence and said solemnly, "I am deeply humbled. My thanks to the family for its gracious consideration."

Ning Xiu Fu smiled faintly, stepped aside with an inviting gesture, and led the two aboard the Ning Family's ship.

Once aboard, Ning Xiu Fu explained as they walked, "Most of those on this ship are our Ning Family's retainers, or descendants of minor branches who have no talent for cultivation. Guest Li, feel free to look around. If anything suits you, you are welcome to buy it. If you find nothing for the moment, you can wait a little. Once the other families' ships draw alongside, you may use our family's seal to visit them."

Li Fuchan nodded with a smile, but inwardly thought little of it.

How could clan cultivators keep any good treasures hidden? Anything genuinely valuable would be better handed to the main family than put up for sale, whether for profit or for the sake of their bloodline. What they have laid out aboard this ship is probably nothing but ordinary wares.

As he considered this, he caught sight of Li Hua beside him out of the corner of his eye. Stripping away his demonic aura had damaged his foundation. His face was pale now, his aura unsteady, and he looked decidedly weak.

Li Fuchan tossed back the storage pouch Li Hua had left with him earlier and casually instructed, "Keep an eye on things for me. Whether someone comes to trade or buy, turn no one away. I'll look around elsewhere."

Li Hua caught it with both hands, suppressed the delight in his eyes, and lowered his head. "Yes, young master."

Standing a few steps away, Ning Xiu Fu glanced indifferently at Li Hua without saying anything. He soon withdrew his gaze and led Li Fuchan elsewhere.

Li Fuchan swept his gaze across the stalls aboard the ship, then looked away and asked Ning Xiu Fu beside him, "Might there be any refined gold or spirit iron here that is easy to work with, or Spirit Objects of the Wu Earth path?"

Ning Xiu Fu's expression shifted slightly. "Are you hoping to forge a magical artifact, Retainer Li?"

Li Fuchan nodded and answered frankly, "To tell you the truth, young master, I practiced a sword art in my earlier years, and I need an Enchanted Sword compatible with the fierce potency of Thunderbolt and Li Fire. I have long heard that Wu Earth is a storehouse of fire, gathers the lingering energy of metal, and possesses the quality of holding firm. It happens to suit a piece of metal essence I have. Since Master Gu is available to undertake the work, I would like to take this opportunity to forge the sword blank."

After hearing this, Ning Xiu Fu nodded slightly, looking thoughtful.

His family had cultivated water virtue for generations, and he himself had never studied artifact refining. Li Fuchan's explanation that Wu Earth stored fire and gathered metal struck him as quite novel.

Only after digesting those words did he compose himself again and bow to Li Fuchan, saying earnestly, "Those few words of yours have taught me a great deal, Retainer Li."

After the bow, he pondered briefly and continued, "Our family cultivates water virtue, and we live beside the lake, so our clan treasury holds no spiritual treasures of the Wu Earth path. The Yang Family, which is organizing this Lakeside Market, did acquire a few Wu Earth spiritual materials in earlier years. Please wait a moment, Retainer Li. I will send someone to inquire. As it happens, the Yang Family's ship should be arriving soon."

The two wandered around the ship a little longer before a Clan Troops soldier hurried over and bowed. "Young master, Yang Bozhuo heard that you were aboard this ship and has specially invited you aboard his for a chat."

"That works out perfectly," Ning Xiu Fu said.

He turned to explain to Li Fuchan, "Yang Bozhuo is a fifth-generation descendant of the Grand True Person. Since he has personally extended the invitation, please come with me, Retainer Li."

Li Fuchan nodded in agreement and followed Ning Xiu Fu toward the Yang Family's ship.

The Yang Family's ship was indeed rather grander than the Ning Family's.

Its hull was broad, its deck hung with lanterns and colorful decorations. People flowed through it like woven threads, and vendors' cries rang out without cease. It was far livelier than the Ning Family's ship.

The passing cultivators wore all manner of clothing. Clearly, Rogue Cultivators from various families and schools were present, rather than only those of a single surname or lineage.

As soon as they boarded, they saw a young gentleman lounging brazenly on a brocade couch, with attendants standing on either side.

Yang Bozhuo had slightly sunken cheeks, a sharply tapered chin, and a pair of peach-blossom eyes that seemed to hold a perpetual smile. His bearing was not bad, but a frivolous air lurked between his brows. One glance was enough to mark him as a pampered son of wealth.

Ning Xiu Fu stepped forward to greet him. Yang Bozhuo did not rise, merely eyeing him as he drawled, "You came quickly, Brother Xiu Fu. Could you have been waiting for my invitation all along?"

Ning Xiu Fu's expression remained composed. He merely smiled. "How could I dare delay when you summon me, Brother Bozhuo?"

Then he stepped aside to bring Li Fuchan forward and introduced him solemnly. "This is Senior Li Fuchan, an elder of mine as well. He recently entered our Ning Family's service and is now a retainer of our household."

Only then did Yang Bozhuo turn his peach-blossom eyes toward Li Fuchan and properly examine him. The man had upright features and a steady aura, with an air of integrity about him that set him utterly apart from ordinary Rogue Cultivators. He could not help praising him. "You truly cut a fine figure, senior."

Before the words had faded, he abruptly changed tack and laughed right in front of Ning Xiu Fu. "But what got twisted in your head that you actually joined the Ning Family? If you ever change your mind, you are welcome to visit our Yang Family."

His words showed not the slightest regard for Ning Xiu Fu's dignity.

Although Ning Xiu Fu's expression did not change much, his brows darkened slightly. Yang Bozhuo was a dyed-in-the-wool wastrel who cared enormously about face. Even in the Ning Household, people and dogs alike detested him, let alone outside. He was not deliberately singling them out; whenever he encountered a faction weaker than his own family, he simply had to trample on it.

Ning Xiu Fu did have something of a personal friendship with him, so this already counted as polite treatment.

Li Fuchan merely smiled and cupped his hands, neither servile nor arrogant. "I was a rogue cultivator overseas, subduing fiends and slaying demons, devoted to righteousness but without a fixed abode. Now that this family has graciously taken me in, I cannot thank them enough. How could I dare entertain divided loyalties?"

Only then did Ning Xiu Fu's expression ease somewhat. He chose that moment to add, "Retainer Li cultivates Li Thunder."

Yang Bozhuo had been about to make a few more teasing remarks, but at the words "Li Thunder," his pupils contracted almost imperceptibly. His contempt immediately died away.

Li Thunder was so tyrannical that its Thunderbolt could strike down even the cultivator who wielded it.

If he acted recklessly here and pushed this man past the limits of his patience, any revenge he might take afterward would be a matter for afterward. The pain of being struck by lightning right now would fall squarely upon Yang Bozhuo himself.

He gave a dry laugh, sat up on the couch, and raised a hand. "Brother Xiu Fu, let us speak in the cabin. Senior, please feel free to browse the ship. If anything suits you, just put it on my account."

Li Fuchan smiled and cupped his hands, remaining on deck to browse at leisure.

Once they entered the cabin and host and guest took their seats, Ning Xiu Fu dispensed with further pleasantries and brought up the matter of Wu Earth Spirit Objects.

Yang Bozhuo tilted his head and thought for a moment. "Our family does indeed have a Wu Earth Spirit Object called Qifu Essence Marrow. Its grade is quite high."

He paused, a trace of difficulty appearing on his face, and shook his head. "But it cannot be used to refine artifacts unless paired with a metal essence that neither drifts nor floats, possessing the qualities of sinking, settling, condensing, and storing. Golden Duke is foremost among these. Such a metal essence would probably be worth far more than the Qifu Essence Marrow."

Ning Xiu Fu put on a suitably curious expression. "Golden Duke?"

Seeing his expression, Yang Bozhuo naturally felt pleased with himself and reflexively tossed out a few more barbs. Only when Ning Xiu Fu's face was about to darken did he hasten to explain, "I only heard about it from my elders. Ordinary golden duke is merely a mundane substance, excellent for refining pills. Only when someone with a metal body and metal fate cultivates the Great Golden Lord Heart Sutra for three years do their Three Qi unite into a single substance, producing golden duke suitable for artifact refining. But the Great Golden Lord Heart Sutra is an Ancient Art that was lost long ago. In my opinion, you should have that retainer of yours choose some other Spirit Object."

As Ning Xiu Fu pondered this, a servant came to report and handed Yang Bozhuo several account slips.

Yang Bozhuo glanced through them, his expression growing uglier by the moment.

Ning Xiu Fu was wondering what had happened when Yang Bozhuo said, suppressing his anger, "Xiu Fu, tell me honestly. Is this man some Demonic Cultivator who slipped into your Ning Family? Don't cover for him!"

Ning Xiu Fu asked in bewilderment, "Surely you jest, Bozhuo. Guest Li's cultivation of Li Thunder has been verified. How could he be a Demonic Cultivator?"

"Then Li Thunder must be blind, letting a Demonic Cultivator cultivate it!" Yang Bozhuo cursed.

Ning Xiu Fu smiled and declined to respond to such absurdity.

How could Li Thunder possibly show favoritism toward anyone? It was simply ridiculous.

Whatever thoughts passed through Yang Bozhuo's mind, he began showing his guests the door, telling Ning Xiu Fu to take his family's retainer and leave at once.

After leaving the cabin, Ning Xiu Fu looked around and immediately spotted Li Fuchan, clad in a blue-and-white robe with broad sleeves, speaking to someone outside a shop. When he approached and listened, he finally understood why Yang Bozhuo had dismissed them so rudely.

"Put all those things from earlier on Young Master Yang's account."

"Well..."

"Hmph. Didn't you hear Young Master Yang say earlier that anything I liked could go on his account? Or do you think Young Master Yang would refuse to pay his debts?"

At those words, the old man could no longer bear the responsibility. Afraid of damaging Yang Bozhuo's reputation and suffering his retaliation, he hurriedly said, "Not at all, senior! Please, take your things and be on your way."

But Li Fuchan replied, "There are still a few things I like. How could I leave now?"

Just then, the sound of a teacup shattering against the floor came from the distant cabin. Afraid Yang Bozhuo would turn hostile, Ning Xiu Fu hurriedly led Li Fuchan away.