Chapter 613: Chapter 59: The Small Gathering
This place is so delightful, one doesn’t miss Shu.
Fang Zheng, who had never participated in a large-scale trading event involving real masters and the Martial Sects, joined for the first time, and it was truly rewarding.
"Elder."
Chu Qingqin was He Zhong’s disciple, and for the past few days, she had been following Fang Zheng closely, helping him connect with various people:
"Today’s small exchange meeting is hosted by Elder Ling from Little Night Palace, and attendees are mostly cultivators from the Land of the Two Poles and some overseas loose cultivators."
"It’s said there will be several kinds of Life-Extending Treasure Medicine and Celestial Treasures..."
Saying so, her eyes brightened, her breath became a bit quickened, and her steps hastened significantly.
As a manager of the Exclusion Sect, she did not lack good items.
She lacked top-notch items.
Life-Extending Treasure Medicine?
Fang Zheng felt a slight stir in his heart.
Such Treasure Medicine is extremely rare; while he couldn’t use it at the moment, it could be given to Linghu Qiuchan.
But he wondered if what he had could be traded for it?
Entering the courtyard, he lifted the beaded curtain.
"Wow..."
A gentle spring breeze greeted him.
Though it was icy cold outside with snow drifting for miles, beyond the curtain, it was warm as spring, with flowers budding and ready to bloom.
Such subtly adjusting of the seasons, seemingly plain and ordinary, was actually quite extraordinary.
"Is it Fellow Daoist Fang from Gu’an County?"
A person greeted with a hearty laugh:
"I am Monk Chuanxin, a loose cultivator from Beigong Mountain, now serving under the Commandery Princess. I have long heard of your renowned name."
"Today, we meet at last."
Monk Chuanxin was roundly built, with a plump face and large ears, wearing a Kasaya that sparkled with golden light as he approached, laughing heartily.
His gaze lingered on Chu Qingqin, and his eyes couldn’t help but light up.
The Wei Dynasty found beauty in slender forms, and while ’beauties’ weren’t extremely skinny, they possessed barely a couple of ounces of flesh.
Like the maids at the meeting,
each one seemed not yet fully developed, extremely youthful.
While some might fancy such youthful ’beauty,’ it didn’t suit Monk Chuanxin’s tastes.
Chu Qingqin was different.
She was a mature beauty.
Her skin was rosy and sleek, as if congealed fat, and the two heavy mounds on her chest almost spilled out as she bowed in greeting.
"Fellow Daoist Fang."
The host of the small meeting was precisely Ling Shan, who had had dealings with Fang Zheng, and he stood up to greet him:
"We meet again."
"Indeed."
Fang Zheng nodded:
"It’s been years, Fellow Daoist Ling’s cultivation base has greatly progressed; congratulations."
"Haha..." Ling Shan laughed heartily:
"I’ve made minor gains, can’t compare to you, Fellow Daoist. I’ve heard the Bai Family Brothers met their end at your hands?"
"A mere stroke of luck!"
"Luck had nothing to do with it."
Although the people present may not have witnessed the Bai Family Brothers’ prowess, they had heard of them, and their gaze towards Fang Zheng carried surprise and disbelief.
To kill the Bai Family Brothers,
among those present, there might be few rivals.
"Have a seat!"
Ling Shan gestured with his hand:
"The Commandery Princess often wonders when you would drop by for a talk."
"The Commandery Princess has many affairs to attend to, Fang does not dare to bother her." Fang Zheng cupped his hands and found a seat:
"When I have the time, I will certainly pay a visit."
Ling Shan smiled without saying more.
After a few moments of idle chat, once everyone had arrived, each began to take out the items they wished to trade in search of buyers.
Real masters and the Martial Sects had long lifespans, often living for two or three hundred years, so the items at hand were naturally rare.
Additionally, the past few decades have seen turbulent changes in fate, with various exotic treasures emerging, broadening Fang Zheng’s horizons.
Demon Inner Cores, Celestial Treasures, Ancient Spiritual Materials, Profound Mysterious Beasts...
’Gu’an County is too small, the world is vast; though my cultivation base is not bad, my vision was of a frog in a well.’
’There’s such a wealth of treasures in the world!’
He personally did not have many good items, but the Bai Family Brothers’ storage pouch did contain some rare objects.
After some selection, he managed to trade for a few treasures.
Among them was a Spiritual Medicine that could extend lifespan by twenty years.
After the gathering,
Fang Zheng did not hurry to leave, but after a brief delay, he went to an adjacent room where several people were already waiting.
"Fellow Daoist Fang!"
"Brother Fang!"
"Brother Cui!"
"Fellow Daoist Han!"
"..."
The people greeted each other, clearly familiar with one another.
"With Fellow Daoist Fang accompanying us, there should be no trouble as we venture out," Cui Tianshou stroked his beard and laughed lightly, speaking:
"Though the Commandery Princess and the army of Three Sages Manor besiege the entrance, they dare not approach each other, to avoid conflict."
"Between the two military arrays lies our chance to exit."
"Fellow Daoist Fang, being a Martial Arts Grandmaster, is less suppressed by the array; leaving together ensures safety."
"Alas!" Fellow Daoist Han shook his head:
"Back when the Yama Sect was thriving, they plundered exotic treasures everywhere and sent them into the Yama Secret Realm."
"After resting for over a thousand years, the Secret Realm holds countless treasures, including the Yama Hall; if I could take a share, I wouldn’t desire to leave."
"Indeed." Lady Yu nodded:
"Aside from other matters, the Yama Secret Realm holds at least ten different treasure medicines that can extend a master’s lifespan, which wouldn’t be obtainable outside."
Saying this,
she sighed softly.
The group also shook their heads, showing regret.
They had traveled thousands of miles to seize some benefits amidst the chaos, only to be forced to leave prematurely.
If they hadn’t suffered, why would it be this way?
Of course,
it’s possible someone had already obtained what they wanted and planned to leave; outsiders wouldn’t know.
Fang Zheng stroked his chin and remained silent.
He was just looking to leave with a few companions, with no intention to engage deeply.
...
"Elder Fang."
Chu Qingqin’s face was radiant, resembling fields nourished by rain, full of lively energy.
For the past few days, Monk Chuanxin had sought her out.
She wasn’t an ignorant young girl but rather a mature woman who knew how to use her advantages for benefits.
What’s more, as for relations between men and women, who actually reaps the benefit is debatable.
Judging by the situation,
each got what they needed.
"Today, a few cultivators from the East Sea are hosting a small exchange meeting outside the market. My master is also participating."
"Outside the market?" Fang Zheng frowned.
"Yes."
Chu Qingqin nodded, explaining:
"This particular trading involves Underworld Souls, corpses, and cursed objects, with Evil Daoist Wanderers from Six Paths of Demon Heaven involved."
"It’s rumored there are also native cultivators from the Yama Secret Realm, and those in the market don’t trust them."
"Hmm..."
After a moment’s thought, she spoke:
"Elder, you need not worry; this time, my master and Elder Xiao are both attending, no one dares to cause trouble."
Fang Zheng nodded.
Holding trade outside the market is very common.
Especially given that the Iron Flute Immortal is the top expert of Three Sages Manor, with many matters to attend to, he couldn’t possibly keep an eye on him at all times.
Particularly with the imminent opening of the Yama Hall, real experts have already dispersed to search for its traces and won’t invite trouble now.
Moreover,
with He Zhong and others present, even if the Iron Flute Immortal comes, they wouldn’t be afraid.
"Alright."
Fang Zheng spoke:
"I do have some interest in the Evil Skill; strolling around should do no harm."
During the meeting,
He Zhong called Fang Zheng to a corner with no one around, waving his hand to set up a barrier against others eavesdropping.
He spoke in a low voice:
"Brother Fang, the Exclusion Sect has been in a difficult situation during recent years. The Receiving Sect Leader repeatedly violated sect rules, wantonly indulging clansmen and disciples to bully sect members..."
"Brother He."
Fang Zheng shook his head:
"I’m sure you’re well aware of who I am, the sect matters of Exclusion Sect should not be discussed today."
"..." He Zhong opened his mouth but could only nod helplessly:
"Alright then!"
"Any way to leave?"
"I’ve already agreed with a few fellow Daoists, we’ll leave together in half a month." Fang Zheng showed a smile:
"You’re not leaving, Brother He?"
"Hah..." He Zhong chuckled lightly:
"The Yama Secret Realm is like a gold mine for us; I don’t have Brother Fang’s resolve to cut ties so easily."
"Then best wishes for Brother He’s desires fulfilled." Fang Zheng cupped his hands.
"Thanks for your words."
The two exchanged a few more words quietly; seeing Fang Zheng’s determined stance, He Zhong offered no more persuasion before taking his leave.
Several days later,
Chu Qingqin again brought Fang Zheng to attend another trade meeting held outside the market.
As time passed, various cultivators increasingly held mini-exchange gatherings, swapping the resources they needed.
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