Clad in a black robe, with long black hair, he carried a divine sword sheathed in black upon his back. Yet, his eyebrows were stark white, appearing like twin blades. As his eyes remained closed, a faint sword light seemed to shimmer within their depths. This stern, black-robed, white-browed man strode through the mountain forest, three figures trailing in his wake.
Two men and one woman, all appearing quite young in their features.
“Feng’er,” the stern, black-robed, white-browed man spoke.
From the three behind him, the keenest-eyed youth responded with deep reverence, “Master!”
“You have been my disciple for thirteen years,” the black-robed, white-browed man stated coolly. “However, your progress in cultivation is far too slow. You are one of the three primary disciples I selected. Your aptitude is one in millions, and you have various spirit treasures aiding your path, yet to this day, you have not broken through to the Xiantian realm!”
The youth’s face shifted dramatically. With a heavy thud, he immediately knelt, saying breathlessly, “Master, this disciple is ashamed.” Among his master’s three main disciples, he was the only one who hadn't reached Xiantian.
“By rights, I should cripple your martial arts and expel you from the sect.”
Hearing his master say this, the youth was consumed by anxiety. He knew well his master’s severity.
“I will give you one opportunity.”
The black-robed, white-browed man’s expression remained utterly unchanged. “Three days ago, the caravan organized by the Hu Clan Merchant Guild departed from Hujiao Commandery’s city. They should arrive near us by tomorrow evening. I order you to infiltrate the caravan posing as a merchant.” With that, the black-robed, white-browed man drew something from his robes, produced a portrait, and tossed it to his disciple.
The clever youth caught it swiftly and examined the likeness closely. The person in the portrait was ordinary, appearing approachable.
“This person is named ‘Qin Wei,’ and he is merely a freelance merchant within that caravan,” the black-robed, white-browed man said flatly. “However, that is just his disguised identity. His true identity is Teng Qingshan of the Guiyuan Sect!”
“Teng Qingshan?”
Not only the kneeling disciple, but the two other disciples standing nearby were also greatly shocked. All three closely studied the portrait. Teng Qingshan—that was a figure of legend. Though all three were geniuses, aided by spirit treasures and taught by a formidable master, filling them with immense pride, they still held profound admiration for Teng Qingshan.
Seventeen years old, possessing a Xiantian Core Elixir!
This single fact alone caused countless martial artists to look up to him. Throughout history, those whose accomplishments could compare might be countable on one's fingers.
Now, Qinghu Island was hunting him across the world, aided by the Eight Great Sects… yet there was still no news of Teng Qingshan.
Did their master know him?
These three senior disciples were aware of their master’s terrifying power and simultaneously understood the astonishing influence of the power behind him.
“Feng’er, your mission is this: when Teng Qingshan separates from the caravan and checks into an inn, you must immediately relay this information to the people of the Yu Imperial Gate. Those from the Yu Imperial Gate will then notify Qinghu Island,” the black-robed, white-browed man instructed.
Though puzzled, the youth still responded respectfully, “Yes, Master.”
“Master,” the only woman among the three looked up, her captivating eyes fixed on the black-robed, white-browed man, “we have no connection with Qinghu Island; why should we help them?”
“This is an order,” the black-robed, white-browed man stated coldly.
Immediately, the three disciples dared not utter another sound. The black-robed, white-browed man continued, “Feng’er, this matter is of utmost importance. There can be no failure! Crucially, you must not let Teng Qingshan discover your involvement. Teng Qingshan’s concealment abilities are exceptionally powerful… once he notices, finding him again if he flees will be nearly impossible. If you complete this task perfectly, I will permit you to cultivate the supreme art of my lineage, the Complete Subtle Sword Canon!”
The clever youth was overjoyed and immediately declared, “Yes, Master, this disciple swears to complete the mission even unto death.”
...
Yuzhou was situated at the very center of the entire Nine Provinces. It was also the place where the Yu Emperor established his capital. Most citizens of Yuzhou, especially those from Yu City, carried a distinct arrogance, proud to be Yu City natives, and often looked down upon people from other provinces.
Within Yuzhou, snow fell like goose feathers, scattering wildly between heaven and earth.
A large merchant caravan moved forward in a grand procession. This was indeed the caravan organized by the Hu Clan Merchant Guild, which had departed from Hujiao Commandery in Qingzhou, but its personnel had now swelled to nine hundred. With every city they passed, more freelance merchants joined. Simultaneously, the caravan used the merchants’ commissions to hire additional guards.
“This snow is really heavy; I wonder how long it will last?” a voice laced with resignation drifted from Teng Qingshan’s left side.
Teng Qingshan, however, rode his Crimson Fire Horse leisurely forward, his mind immersed in a state of complete oneness. His ‘spirit,’ nurtured in this immersion, grew continuously like a small blade of grass receiving vital rain.
“Brother Qin, Brother Qin,” a voice called from beside him.
Teng Qingshan turned to look. Beside him was a youth wearing a white padded leather jacket and a fur hat, whose bright, animated eyes made him seem remarkably quick-witted. This youth was named ‘Sun Feng.’ He had joined the caravan on the fourth day after they left Hujiao Commandery. Sun Feng was quite talkative, and he seemed to know almost everyone among the group of freelance merchants that Teng Qingshan belonged to.
According to Teng Qingshan’s understanding, this was Sun Feng’s first time traveling out alone, so his old steward, ‘Uncle Wu,’ had accompanied him.
“Young Brother Sun,” Teng Qingshan smiled, “with such heavy snow, it’s better to speak less and preserve your energy.”
“You know me, I just can’t sit still,” Sun Feng chuckled. “Maybe in another ten years, I’ll be like you, Brother Qin, riding dozens of miles without saying a word.”
An elder riding beside Sun Feng laughed, “Brother Qin, my young master just has this playful nature; you must tolerate him.”
“It’s fine,”
Teng Qingshan smiled. “Brother Sun, you aren’t tired from the journey, but I am. If you have something to say, go ahead; I’m listening.” After speaking, Teng Qingshan looked straight ahead, riding his horse leisurely.
Sun Feng pursed his lips but sighed inwardly: This is true composure! To sit on a horse for half a day without speaking. If Master hadn't told me, I truly wouldn't have guessed he was only seventeen. Oh… the New Year’s Festival is also approaching; when that arrives, he’ll be eighteen. He’s over a decade younger than me. Teng Qingshan, oh Teng Qingshan, I truly don't want to see you fall into trouble, but… the sect has given an order. If I disobey, you might live, but I’ll be finished.
Sun Feng’s expression, however, remained unchanged.
Though his strength couldn't compare to his two fellow disciples, his skill at acting far surpassed theirs.
...
The twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, Wucheng, Yuzhou!
On the official road.
Teng Qingshan remained deeply immersed in his cultivation. For him now, maximizing every day for practice was essential.
“Wucheng is just ahead,” Elder Zhou’s voice echoed throughout the caravan. “Our caravan will only stop here for lunch and then press on. We must strive to reach Yu City before the New Year’s Festival! This is the final city before Yu City. Anyone wishing to leave the caravan in Wucheng should inform me now. We will not wait for you after the meal.”
Immediately, several merchants called their guards and hurried towards Elder Zhou.
Teng Qingshan also rode over: “The next city is Yu City… that’s the stronghold of the Yu Imperial Gate, teeming with experts. I’ll separate from the caravan here.”
Teng Qingshan knew a few things about the caravan’s schedule. If he reached Yu City, he would certainly have to stay there for a few days. Because in the days following the New Year’s Festival, every household would celebrate the New Year. Even merchants would rest for several days. These were the most important days of the year. At that time, it would be nearly impossible to find a caravan setting out.
If no caravan departed, traveling alone?
That would bring many troubles.
Staying in Yu City for a few days? It was a place of mixed elements, too chaotic.
Wucheng, however, was a small city, on the same level as Yicheng. It wasn’t even a commandery capital. Its population was small, and experts were even fewer. Staying here for a few days offered Teng Qingshan some peace of mind.
“Oh, Brother Qin Wei is stopping here too?” Elder Zhou asked with surprise when Teng Qingshan approached. “Aren’t you heading to Yanzhou? Wouldn’t it be better to travel directly to Yu City with us?”
“I have matters to attend to here in Wucheng,” Teng Qingshan replied with a smile.
Elder Zhou didn't mind and happily crossed Teng Qingshan’s name off the list.
“Brother Qin, you’re resting in Wucheng too?” A voice sounded from behind. Teng Qingshan turned; it was Sun Feng and his steward, Uncle Wu.
“Yes, you too?” Teng Qingshan smiled.
Sun Feng nodded. “Yes. My father has an old friend in Wucheng. Before leaving, my father asked me to bring him a gift… But looking at the time, I might have to spend the New Year here in Wucheng this year.”
Soon, the caravan entered the city.
A stout man with a large beard called out, “Brother Qin Wei, Old Tan, Young Brother Sun… the twelve of us are stopping in Wucheng. I’m treating everyone—give Old Hou some face—how about we all go for lunch together?”
“Sounds good.”
“Old Hou, you’re generous!” Sun Feng laughed heartily.
No one refused, and Teng Qingshan naturally joined the group at a restaurant for lunch.
Freelance merchants who travel the world, earning money between life and death, were often quite forthright. This lunch lasted for an hour and a half. By the afternoon, the local man named Hou personally found a very nice inn for those who didn't have lodgings.
“This place is quiet. The food, while not comparable to a grand restaurant, is decent,” the man surnamed Hou laughed loudly. “The New Year’s Festival is the day after tomorrow. Brothers who are far from home can enjoy the time together here.”
“Come on, give us a hand!”
The merchants began moving their goods one by one. Since they planned to stay for several days, some needed to sell their cargo to interested buyers right there. Naturally, they needed to keep their goods secure in their own rooms.
“Waiter, make sure you look after our horses well. We’ll pay you, but if a single horse goes missing, you’ll be in serious trouble,” Teng Qingshan said with a grin, simultaneously grabbing a rope and managing to lift the two crates, then moving them towards his room seemingly with effort.
“Don’t worry, esteemed sir,”
One of the waiters called back with a smile. “The horses absolutely won’t go missing.” They were perceptive; a fine horse like the Crimson Fire Horse was worth nearly a thousand taels of silver. The waiters only earned a few dozen taels a year; how could they afford to compensate for a loss? Thus, they would guard them fiercely.
Just as Teng Qingshan reached the second floor along the stairs and placed the two crates inside his room, he heard a voice—
“Uncle Wu, you watch the cargo here. I’m going to visit my elder uncle.”
Sun Feng, holding a small box, then walked out of the guest room and headed outside.