Chapter 6, Entering the Miao Mountain

The shopkeeper flipped through the account book while lowering his head and said: "The government now requires all its wealth to be submitted to the national master for alchemy. They are too busy squeezing the common people; how could they possibly spare money to hire someone to exorcise demons? We have long since lost hope in the officials of the Upper Xuan Kingdom."

Bai Qiuran also said somewhat apologetically: "I apologize, I have grown older, and my personality has become quite sluggish."

Tang Wei sighed

He raised his glass and said to Tang Wei, "I am very happy to have met a friend like you on this trip. If fate allows, we shall meet again next time"

Tang Wei silently returned to the table. Bai Qiuran, who was pouring wine, noticed his expression and asked, "What’s wrong? Brother Tang, you don’t look well. Is that demon very formidable?"

Tang Wei regained his composure and did not mention the matters concerning the government. Instead, he said: "Bai Qiuran, tomorrow I will take you to the horse market to sell the horse, and then we shall part ways."

The two individuals traveled from the border of Shangxuan Kingdom near Qingming Mountain, delving deep into the interior for five days, and finally arrived near Mang Mountain

I somewhat regret agreeing to walk with you

There is no need for them to take action

Tang Wei remained in the town, unsure of what to do, while Tu Shu and Bai Qiuran, with a carefree spirit, stepped into the currently perilous Mang Mountain as if embarking on a spring outing

Since then, for five days, the two traveled together. Tang Wei was responsible for guiding the way, while Bai Qiuran approached the journey with a playful mindset, accompanying him along the path

Ah, it has indeed been quite tumultuous recently, with several nearby villages and towns suffering numerous fatalities. I have heard that the demon moves with incredible speed; when it attacks, bystanders can only see a shadow, and those who are attacked are left in a state of utter dismemberment, a truly tragic sight. It shows no fear of humans, appearing both day and night, displaying a brazen audacity. Many martial artists have formed groups to hunt it down, but none have returned. We do not know when it might come to our town to seize people, and we hope that the immortal gentlemen residing in the mountains can intervene.

Now, as he is on the verge of a breakthrough once again, his elixir formula happens to be missing a few medicinal ingredients. Although these ingredients are rare, their quality is not particularly high, and their applications are limited. Sometimes, even if cultivators come across them, they would not pay them any mind. Therefore, the storage room of the Qingming Sword Sect does not keep them in stock, and Bai Qiuran has no choice but to descend the mountain to retrieve them himself

The person behind appeared somewhat clumsy with the horse; he seemed very unaccustomed to riding, did not know how to control the horse with the reins, and dared not let the horse run, only walking slowly. It was evident that he was a novice who had just started riding.

is very impressive

Bai Qiuran is not a pretentious person; his request for company during the journey is merely for companionship. Since the other party has made it clear that he should leave, he certainly will not cling on stubbornly.

The lagging Bai Qiuran called out: "Please wait for me."

Tang Wei raised an eyebrow and inquired

He came here merely to search for a few auxiliary herbs that are not commonly used in the foundation-building pills. Bai Qiuran's foundation-building pill had long since deviated from the prototype of the standard foundation-building pill in the cultivation world. In order to address his unique situation, he had added many personal modifications to the foundation-building pill he concocted, resulting in a complete transformation. If an ordinary Qi-refining cultivator were to use his foundation-building pill to break through, they would likely be unable to withstand the potency of the medicine, leading to their immediate demise.

Upon mentioning this matter, the innkeeper immediately wore a troubled expression.

Tang Wei helplessly said, "I didn't expect you to be so powerful, yet you can't even ride a horse."

Although he did not feel very tired, Bai Qiuran immediately ordered a table full of fine wine and dishes to reward his stomach, while Tang Wei ran to the innkeeper to inquire about the matters concerning the demons of Mangshan.

Has the local government not issued a bounty for exterminating demons?

Bai Qiuran set down the wine jug and asked, "Why? I also want to enter Mang Mountain"

In the midst of the Mangshan Mountains, the dangers are not limited to the demons currently rampaging, but also include numerous ferocious beasts.

Does the young master wish to exterminate the demons

Tang Wei said: "In any case, you cannot ride; with your cultivation level, it would be faster to walk yourself."

Tang Wei, who was riding ahead, wore a look of helplessness on his face. He slowed down his horse, matching pace with Bai Qiuran as they walked side by side.

Tang Wei asked: "Is there too much money and nowhere to spend it?"

Bai Qiuran smiled somewhat bashfully

Brother Tang

Tang Wei replied, "Bai Qiuran, heed my advice: you are ultimately going in there just to gather herbs. Once you have collected the herbs, you should leave quickly. The demons in the mountains are very dangerous even for martial arts masters like us, so if you have no business there, do not provoke them."

Certainly, these matters are not issues that Bai Qiuran needs to worry about. Although he finds himself in an awkward position in terms of his realm, after three thousand years, he has long since transcended the level of a novice depicted in those lowly and simplistic illustrations. He has ventured into the perilous lands of the Nine Provinces and even faced the more dangerous and terrifying wilderness and the vast seas.

Then I suggest you discuss with those martial artists. In the world of Jianghu, one seeks fame while the other seeks profit. If you, young master, can offer money, along with the reputation of being a demon-slaying hero, I believe they would agree to accompany you. However, the demons are very dangerous, so please do not go to your own demise.

What is there to send? Nowadays, the Emperor of the Upper Realm is obsessed with immortality techniques and has no interest in the lives and deaths of us commoners

Brother Tang

Tonight we should arrive at the small town in front of Mang Mountain. Once we get there, you can take the horse to the market to sell it

The innkeeper pointed to several tables in the inn, where some individuals who appeared to be from the martial world were seated

Mangshan is a place where spiritual energy converges, abundant with materials needed for alchemy by cultivators. Consequently, the beasts here are more formidable than those in other regions, including some spirit beasts that have already awakened their intelligence and can wield simple supernatural abilities

After half a day's journey, upon entering the area of Mang Mountain, Bai Qiuran immediately expanded his spiritual awareness to search for the medicinal herbs he needed

... ...

Bai Qiuhe smiled and said, "Is there a problem?"

Because I need to attend to important matters

Since Brother Tang insists on this, let it be so

Oh?

The next morning, after Tang Wei took Bai Qiuran to the horse market to sell the horses, the two officially parted ways.

Hehe

On the road of the Upper Xuan Kingdom, two individuals were riding horses, one following closely behind the other

Tang Wei raised an eyebrow and said, "We mortals will manage it ourselves"

The person in front, although not claiming to be an expert in equestrianism, clearly shows signs of having undergone specialized training in horseback riding, and is someone who is capable of riding a horse for travel

Previously, at a roadside tavern, Bai Qiuran proposed to Tang Wei the idea of traveling together. Perhaps considering Bai Qiuran's relatively "superior" cultivation compared to that of martial artists, Tang Wei agreed to his suggestion

Before nightfall, the two entered the small town before Mang Mountain. Tang Wei found an inn with available rooms in the town, and the two temporarily settled down.

What kind of horse are you buying

What should have been a journey of three days was unnecessarily extended to five days by you

This ... ... I used to travel on my own.

I simply bought a horse because I was in a good mood

I saw you leading a horse out, and I thought you could ride it

The Demons of Mangshan