Chapter 51, Mysterious Enemies and a Small Fortune

Translator: Raznick

 

After being tasked with the mission of gathering intelligence, Zhou Chun could now freely leave the shop and wander around the flea market.

 

In the following two weeks, he spent most mornings outside, not only gathering information about the discussions regarding the Scarlet Glow Iron mine but also keeping an eye out for any herbs that appeared on the market.

 

By the end of this period, Zhou Chun sent all the collected intelligence back to his clan while also acquiring a few decent herbs.

 

Based on the most common rumors, rogue cultivators were indifferent about whether the Scarlet Glow Iron mine would belong to the five major culivating clans or other forces—it was unlikely to be under their control anyway. Most of them adopted a spectator’s mindset, hoping that conflicts between other forces and the five clans would result in heavy casualties on both sides.

 

This situation turned out to be fortunate for the five major cultivating clans, as at least it reduced the likelihood of interference from the rogue cultivator community.

 

However, Zhou Chun was taken aback when, just a few days after transmitting his gathered intelligence back to the clan, an unseen force quietly struck out against the clans.

 

More precisely, it was the Zhou Clan that came under attack！

 

Rogue cultivators heading to Zhou Clan for cultivation were ambushed out of nowhere by a mysterious force, suffering heavy losses.

 

This led to the previously settled rogue cultivators around Nine Peaks to no longer risk venturing to Zhou Clan.

 

Their withdrawal reduced the spirit coins earned by Zhou Clan but also impacted the Purification Pavilion’s overseeing duty.

 

With the help of rogue cultivators, Zhou Clan only needed two Zhou Clan cultivators among the three guards at Purification Pavilion. This allowed more Zhou Clan cultivators to have extra time for other tasks.

 

But now, with rogue cultivators no longer going to Zhou Clan, the Purification Pavilion was left without their help in maintaining security. As a result, most Zhou Clan cultivators were stuck guarding Purification Pavilion and could do little else.

 

“Enemies are coming in force. It seems the entire Mist Province’s rogue cultivator community has received warnings. No rogue cultivator dares to go near our clan anymore!”

 

“The Clan Leader has issued orders for the entire clan to prepare for battle, forbidding any clan members from leaving the mountain and venturing out, leaving no openings for the enemy.”

 

“Our shop operations are suspending messenger falcon services effective immediately, with all actions now governed by the Clan Leader and Elders’ directives.”

 

Inside the Spirit Beast Pavilion, Zhou Jiasheng conveyed the clan’s intelligence to Zhou Chun with a grim expression.

 

With everything finally on track, the Zhou Clan would take advantage of the newly discovered Scarlet Glow Iron mine to make a big move and pursue greater prospects.

 

However, fate dealt them a sudden blow.

 

This put clan seniors like Jiasheng in a terrible mood.

 

Zhou Chun was also in low spirits, but he asked, “Still no clue about the enemy? To be able to issue a warning to all rogue cultivators in Mist Province, forbidding them from interacting with my clan, that’s not an ordinary faction, right?”

 

“The Clan Leader hasn’t specified; I assume they’re still investigating,” came the reply.

 

Jiasheng shook his head and clenched his teeth as he said, “A fox will eventually show its tail; they won’t be able to hide for long!” Zhou Chun nodded in agreement.

 

If the enemy had already struck Zhou Clan, it couldn’t just be about restricting rogue cultivators from approaching Zhou Clan to cultivate. There would surely be more moves coming down the line, and their identity wouldn’t remain hidden forever.

 

Changing the subject, he asked, “What tasks has the Clan Leader assigned to us?”

 

Jiasheng replied, “Clan Leader instructed us to cease purchasing ordinary items from now on and only acquire century-old herbs. The spirit coins earned should be used to buy talismans and artifacts to bolster our clan’s fighting strength.”

 

He then looked at Zhou Chun and said, “I must handle this personally. For now, you will stay at the shop to handle guests while politely asking those selling goods to leave.”

 

“Understood, Uncle,” Zhou Chun responded with a nod, his mind conflicted as he agreed.

 

Subsequently, Jiasheng took ninety percent of the shop’s spirit coins and set out, browsing through various shops for talismans and artifacts. Meanwhile, Zhou Chun remained at the store, managing sales and collecting funds.

 

One day, when Zhou Chun was alone manning the shop, a middle-aged man in green robes entered. Upon seeing him, Zhou Chun instinctively wanted to gauge his cultivation level. However, as soon as his Divine Sense approached the man, it was forcefully repelled by an even stronger Divine Sense.

 

Foundation Establishment cultivator!

 

Zhou Chun was startled, hurriedly bowed and apologized, saying respectfully, “Forgive me, Senior, I was too hasty in my actions.”

 

The robed man seemed unfazed by the incident. He merely furrowed his brow as he looked at Zhou Chun and asked, “Youngster, are you the manager of this shop?”

 

Zhou Chun answered with a respectful demeanor, “No, esteemed Senior, I am not the shop’s manager, just an assistant.”

 

Before the robed man could speak, Zhou Chun quickly added, “However, this store is opened by my clan. In the absence of the manager, I do have the authority to handle all affairs within the store.”

 

The robed man regarded Zhou Chun with a serious expression and said, “Is that so? Do you happen to have any Gnarled Snake Branch older than a hundred years for sale?”

 

Zhou Chun immediately understood that this person was in urgent need of such an item for medicinal purposes. He wasn’t here for common items, but spiritual herbs.

 

Fortunately, Zhou Chun had recently acquired a piece of such Gnarled Snake Branch older than a hundred years during his visit to an open-air market.

 

With a smile, he said, “You’re truly fortunate, esteemed senior! We do have one in stock, at a century and fifty years old, already purified.”

 

“Really? Hurry up and bring it out for me to take a look!!”

 

The man in green, his face lighting up with joy, quickly extended his hand towards Zhou Chun, urging him to produce the item.

 

Zhou Chun, seeing this, didn’t dare to delay; he quickly slapped his storage bag and retrieved the box containing the snake branch.

 

Slam!

 

He eagerly flung open the box and took out a two-foot-long dark green branch, examining it closely.

 

After appraising for a moment, he nodded with approval and said, “It’s excellent; definitely over a century and fifty years old.”

 

He turned to Zhou Chun. “Name your price; I’ll take it.”

 

“Esteemed Senior, please understand. Gnarled Snake Branch isn’t exactly a precious herb, just rare and hard to find, so it shouldn’t be overpriced.

 

“But rarity makes it valuable. This Gnarled Snake Branch is rare due to its complex forming conditions, often overlooked or destroyed by cultivators. Finding one of this age is no easy task.

 

“Therefore, our store will price this item at 120 spirit coins and not one coin less.”

 

Zhou Chun looked up at the man carefully, and added: “Of course, if you think the price is too high, you can also wait for our shopkeeper to come back and talk about it. He may give you some discounts then.”

 

“Forget the discount. One hundred and twenty spirit coins is not cheap, but it’s not like I can’t even afford this little amount of spirit coins.”

 

The man put the wooden box into his storage bag, and then took out 120 spirit coins and placed them on the counter.

 

“Please count the spirit coins. If there is no problem, I will take my leave.”

 

Zhou Chun heard this and immediately used Divine Sense to scan the spirit coins. After confirming that they were correct, he smiled and said, “The amount checks out. Take care.”

 

After the man in green left, Zhou Chun quickly put all the spirit coins into his storage bag, his face beaming with joy. This time he made a lot of money!

 

He only spent twenty-five spirit coins to buy the branch.

 

Selling it multiplied his gains!

 

He was right all along. That purification stone jar was his treasure trove, a source of endless wealth.

 

And this sale would be just the start.

 

As long as he remained in the market at the Zhou Clan shop, such opportunities were bound to arise again in the future.

 

Perhaps one day, even without the clan’s support, he could amass enough spirit coins to purchase items to help with reaching Foundation Establishment!