Immortal Cultivation: Starting from a Pharmacy Apprentice

Chapter 173: Chapter 173: Guest of Honor

The culture of the Fire Cave Dynasty’s Northern Territory was certainly different.

The people here weren’t fond of the so-called righteous army; instead, they staunchly supported the royal court.

As a result, there were many families renowned for their unwavering loyalty.

"What a thriving martial culture,"

Bai Mo remarked, looking at the men before him—men hailed as the last of the Northern Territory’s elite Samurai.

They had traveled a long way to arrive here and were now staying at this very estate.

Its masters were the burly men standing before them.

Even with prices soaring, the men had ignored Bai Mo and his companions’ protests, insisting on holding a welcoming feast for the three of them in the front courtyard.

With plenty of food and wine, the atmosphere was merry and harmonious.

Bai Mo glanced at the blades and spears arranged in the courtyard. Their owners were Body Refining martial artists who practiced with them constantly, and as such, the weapons were polished to a brilliant shine.

"Brother Tan."

Bai Mo looked at the leader of the group. The man was built like a bear, with piercing eyes that seemed to burn with a constant fire.

"How is the situation in the Fire Cave Dynasty now?"

Tan Long poked at the hot coals on the grill with his bare hands, pondering for a moment before replying:

"Excellent."

"Thanks to the treasured Pill you Immortals had the old duke present, His Majesty’s cultivation has advanced another step. He’s now crushing the rebel army."

"Another month, and he’ll likely shatter the rebels’ morale and retake the lost territories."

The burly man forced a smile.

"I was wondering, do you Immortals have any more of those treasured Pills? We would be willing to spend our entire family fortunes to acquire just one."

At these words, his four sworn brothers looked over as well, their gazes filled with fervent hope.

"Yes, that’s right!"

"We’ve been such dedicated hosts, Immortal. Don’t be stingy!"

Bai Mo chuckled.

"We’re not common mortals. You and I are both men of cultivation. How could you really believe a Pill exists that can grant someone a world-altering opportunity out of thin air?"

"And even if it did, what makes you think it would fall into the hands of your emperor?"

The Pill presented by the old duke had become the subject of wild rumors among the people of the Northern Territory, its story already elevated to the level of myth.

Some said it was a sign that the emperor’s Mandate of Heaven had not yet ended. Others claimed the old duke had searched for the Pill for decades and, upon finally obtaining it, presented it to His Majesty out of pure loyalty.

Bai Mo’s Pill was rumored to be a treasure that had seized the fortune of heaven and earth, one that had been accompanied by a Thunder Tribulation upon its creation.

Heaven have mercy, it was just a Fire Marrow Pill. When sold in Immortal Arrival City, it went for twenty Spirit Stones.

Tan Long rubbed the stubble on his scalp and turned to his brothers.

"Did you hear that? The Immortal himself said there’s no such thing!"

They all roared with laughter.

Zhao Jingyu was off to the side, devouring roasted meat. He wasn’t afraid of the heat, and his mouth was slick with grease.

"Hmph. Even we don’t have the good fortune to enjoy a Pill like that."

"What are you people getting your hopes up for?"

Tan Long grinned.

"If it doesn’t grant some world-altering opportunity, does the treasured Pill not even have the miraculous effect of aiding Body Refinement?"

"I’ve seen His Majesty’s physique. It’s beyond what any ordinary Body Refining Cultivator could achieve. He can withstand blades and even magical arts with ease."

’As expected of the local strongmen. Their information is far more detailed than an ordinary person’s,’ Bai Mo thought, nodding to himself.

’No wonder we were intercepted and ’invited’ here so soon after entering their territory.’

’These men have both resources and deep roots.’

"Why would you say that, Brother Tan? Could it not be that His Majesty was simply born with a powerful physique?"

Bai Mo asked with a faint, knowing smile.

Tan Long pointed to himself.

"It may sound arrogant, but our ancestors were all prominent figures. You could call us a cultivation family that specializes in Body Refinement."

"Take me, for example. My ancestor was a cavalry general, someone who frequently had an audience with the emperor."

"Our second brother’s ancestor was the Northern Expedition General."

"Our fourth brother’s family produced an imperial guard who was even fortunate enough to enter your honored sect to study. Back then, the royal court and your sect were on very close terms..."

Tan Long sighed.

"To be blunt, and perhaps a bit disrespectful, according to our family records, the fruits of our ancestors’ decades, even nearly a century, of Body Refinement were leagues below what His Majesty has achieved."

"And you have to understand, the current emperor doesn’t even specialize in Body Refinement."

"Compared to him, it makes it seem like our ancestors, who spent their entire lives tempering their physiques, wasted all their efforts!"

He spread his hands and looked at Bai Mo.

"Something this ridiculous can’t possibly be due to His Majesty’s natural talent. If it’s not the effect of that treasured Pill, then what is it?"

Bai Mo didn’t explain, instead pointing to the feasting Zhao Jingyu.

"What do you all think of my senior brother? He’s a Body Refinement practitioner as well."

Zhao Jingyu tossed aside his wooden skewer.

"If my Junior Brother had such a treasured Pill, I’d willingly call him my adoptive father and serve him for the rest of my life!"

He cupped his hands, his expression one of utmost sincerity.

Tan Long and his brothers finally gave up hope.

"Your Majesty... oh, Your Majesty..."

The five brothers exchanged glances, their expressions unreadably complex.

After a long moment, Tan Long came back to his senses.

"You Immortals are passing through... are you headed to the royal court to assist the king?"

"Not at all."

Bai Mo said, "We’re going to Moyun Peak. We’ll have to trouble Brother Tan to point the way for us."

Tan Long nodded silently.

"From Moyun Peak, they say you can still see the smoke from signal fires, the vast desert battlegrounds... It has a unique atmosphere."

He gave the three of them directions, but insisted they stay for three more days before finally letting them go.

With fine wine and good food being served, Bai Mo saw no reason to insist on leaving.

Zhao Jingyu, in particular, enthusiastically exchanged pointers with the burly men.

One came from a sect and had a very high starting point, while the others had spent half their lives cultivating and tempering their bodies, possessing the accumulated wisdom and experience of generations.

The two parties hit it off splendidly.

Once the three days were up, Bai Mo wasted no more time and got on the road.

"If you Immortals happen to see the old duke someday, please put in a good word for us. It might help us secure an official post or two in the future."

Tan Long said frankly.

After fighting so long for the royal court, they couldn’t just let their blood be shed for nothing.

Seeking a post through normal channels was too demeaning, and they looked down on the minor positions available that way. It was better to find an alternative path.

Bai Mo agreed. Just as he was about to leave, he remembered something and turned back to ask:

"By the way, Brother Tan, since the current emperor is so powerful, who is this rebel leader that can stand against him?"

"The rebel leader?"

Tan Long paused, a look of disdain appearing on his face.

"A house slave, born and raised. I heard his original family was fairly well-off."

"But he wasn’t satisfied with that. He ran off to serve another great clan as a slave, all to obtain a Cultivation Technique."

"Somehow, he later got into the Douchen Sect, and then for some reason, he was cast out as an apostate..."

...

Strolling leisurely toward Moyun Peak, Bai Mo sighed.

"The Samurai of the Northern Territory are far more straightforward than those in the south."

Wan Shenxiu, who had kept a low profile since they’d arrived in the Northern Territory, nodded in agreement.

"For a few local strongmen to know the name of the Douchen Sect, and to be so well-informed about the rebel leader... that’s quite impressive."

"They’re not men who can be easily fooled."

Bai Mo nodded.

’Setting aside everything else, it seems the Emperor of the Fire Cave Dynasty is losing his ability to command respect.’

’Even the Samurai are starting to have second thoughts now.’

’Does the Emperor even know about this situation?’

Bai Mo’s thoughts went a layer deeper as he voiced them to Wan Shenxiu.

"It’s possible the Emperor is still holding back his true strength. If his connection to the Corpse God Pill is any deeper, then he has other sources of support. The only question is the extent of the Douchen Sect’s support for the rebels."

"Regardless, even with an advantage, the Emperor is probably willing to drag this war out. He has to find a way to suppress the dissenting voices within his court..."

After Bai Mo shared his thoughts, Wan Shenxiu expressed his agreement.

"There’s just one problem," Wan Shenxiu cautioned. "Of all the powers involved behind the scenes, not a single one is an enemy the Fire Cave Dynasty can afford to make."

"We need to be careful. If the situation at court truly gets out of hand and disrupts the lives of the common people, it would conflict with our objectives..."

Bai Mo gave a wry smile.

"I never thought a sect external affairs mission would involve stakes of this magnitude."

"Of course," Wan Shenxiu said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Otherwise, how else are we supposed to be trained to handle things on our own?"