Immortality Path: From the Blind Man at the Pharmacy-Chapter 58 - 57. Revolt
Chapter 58: 57. Revolt
Chapter 58: 57. Revolt
In the reception hall, maids were attending to Old Master Zhao and the two disciples behind him.
The two disciples, a young man and a young woman, seemed about the same age as Song Cheng.
When Song Cheng arrived, Old Master Zhao rose and cupped his hands: “Younger Brother, suddenly dropping by, I hope it’s not too forward of me!”
Song Cheng smiled: “For you to come, it truly brightens up my humble abode.”
Saying this, he gently looked at the maid who was serving and said: “If the President is here, have her come too.”
The maid acknowledged and turned to walk away.
Old Master Zhao also said: “Little Hua, Little Jun, go and stand outside. I have some matters to discuss with Younger Brother Song.”
The two young martial artists showed a hint of exasperation towards “Younger Brother Song” but still bowed and went outside.
Inside the room, it soon became quiet.
Old Master Zhao leaned in swiftly, his gaze sharp as he looked at Song Cheng: “This time the Ghost Tide has lasted a full forty days… What does Younger Brother Song think?”
Song Cheng replied: “Something big is about to happen.”
Old Master Zhao said directly: “Good! Younger Brother Song understands. Then let me ask you directly, what do you… and that President An plan to do?”
Song Cheng smiled: “Does the elder brother wish to join forces?”
Old Master Zhao squinted, pondering for a while before saying: “I do indeed have that intention.”
No one was foolish, for when the Ghost Tide sealed the city, it was just a matter of guarding against ghosts, but once the Ghost Tide receded, one must guard against human catastrophes.
The duration of this Ghost Tide far exceeded the previous historical record by more than tenfold, and its scale could be imagined.
The last Ghost Tide was several decades ago, lasting only three days before the Northern Barbarians came south, leading to a fierce battle…
No one can imagine what will happen after forty days this time.
Moreover, the winter wheat that should have been tended to was entirely destroyed, and there wasn’t enough time to plant spring rice during the Grain Rain season, making it even worse.
The stored grain was consumed for a year; now, must it feed the second year as well?
Song Cheng said: “Are you all willing to leave?”
Old Master Zhao knew what he meant, for if the Northern Barbarians came south, the Six Towns would be the first to bear the brunt, and the surrounding counties would be devastated, with Hanping Prefecture suffering the most…
To avoid the oncoming storm, one must naturally flee.
Yet, most martial arts halls south of Shanghe County are deeply rooted here, and leaving requires tremendous courage.
Old Master Zhao said indignantly: “Those who wish to leave should leave, those who don’t can stay by themselves!”
After speaking, he looked up at Song Cheng and said: “Younger Brother Song, we old folks don’t have long to live, all we want is the stability of our descendants and the stability of our legacy.
But in a chaotic world, these things are hard to preserve.
We don’t know many high-ranking people, but Younger Brother Song, we all think highly of you, we all respect you, and we all believe you must be someone extraordinary.
So, once the Ghost Tide subsided, I came here wanting to ask what plans you and President An have, and if we could follow along.”
Song Cheng said: “Old Master, do several of your martial arts halls agree?”
Old Master Zhao said: “Nine martial arts halls in the south of the city, with five heads being strong, and four not. Four strong and three not have agreed to leave, making seven in total.”
Song Cheng thought for a moment, then said: “There is a plan, but we can’t leave just yet.”
Old Master Zhao nodded: “I understand, the neighborhood security system was set by those people to prevent you from running around.
If such a large force like ours migrated, they would surely send people to deal with it.
White Camel Estate, Pearl Mountain Taoist Temple, Shanhe Martial Arts Hall…”
The elder mumbled these three names; clearly, he also understood the true power structures of this land.
Song Cheng said: “If the old master trusts me, we can wait a little longer.”
The elder said solemnly: “We shall pledge a blood pact and advance and retreat together, or suffer a horrible fate otherwise.”
As soon as the words fell, a woman’s cold voice suddenly came from outside: “Let me handle it.”
Old Master Zhao looked up to see an exquisite woman, like an ice sculpture, walking in from outside.
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An Chenyu sat by Song Cheng’s side, turning to face Old Master Zhao together and said: “Very well, I will make a blood pact with the old master.”
Old Master Zhao thought for a moment then said: “Alright then…”
Then he scratched his head and said: “President An, between you and Younger Brother Song, who is in charge?”
He meant to ask who was the leader.
Before An Chenyu could speak, Song Cheng immediately laughed and said: “She is.”
Miss An was momentarily taken aback.
Old Master Zhao was also stunned, then he got up and cupped his hands towards Miss An as a gesture of respect: “The love between couples is deep, I am impressed.”
An Chenyu said: “Today, after the rain, the garden’s flowers are in full bloom. Is it suitable to make a blood pact now?”
Old Master Zhao said: “Tomorrow then. Tomorrow I will gather the other six martial arts hall masters.
By then, the nine of us shall make a blood pact together, advance and retreat as one, at the risk of a terrible fate otherwise.
After that, our seven families will follow Miss An…
But until then, Miss An should have a few more words with me, this old man, and speak about your plans.”
An Chenyu smiled: “Alright.”
Having said this, she clapped her hands, and Ling came in from outside, carrying all sorts of topographic materials and such.
Old Master Zhao glanced at them, dazed for a moment, and suddenly understood from the frequent visits in recent days by Song Cheng and the delivery of those fat steamed buns yesterday: “Ah, is this standing by, fishing for those who will take the bait?”
An Chenyu laughed: “Not at all, it’s just that in a chaotic world, everyone must stick together for warmth.”
Old Master Zhao stroked his beard, waved, and laughed heartily: “That’s not my intention, merely an exclamation. This young girl’s strategic thinking and Song Cheng’s extraordinary talents put this old man completely at ease following you both.”
…
…
Late night.
Before dawn.
The entire Ruyi Commerce Chamber was still bustling, An Chenyu, as if in a frenzy, issued complex and cold instructions, arranging various tasks.
Song Cheng listened briefly and felt his head swell.
There were tasks concerning canal supervision, liquidating An Family assets, purchasing cattle, sheep, and demon beasts, handling internal family conflicts, making early arrangements, dealing with influential officials at new locations, sorting long-distance intelligence, exchanging silver notes and jewelry for cash, and much, much more…
So many tasks.
This night, he was to sleep with Miss An.
But Miss An had the demeanor of someone who wouldn’t sleep at all tonight.
Thus, he wandered alone in the courtyard, leaning on his sword, lost in what seemed like meditation, occasionally drawing and wielding his sword, each stroke swift as thunder and cunning as a venomous dragon.
In the darkness, he tore off the black cloth, with the retreat of the Ghost Tide, his pinhole-sized pupils expanded slightly and tended to stabilize, turning his vision somewhat myopic, but still functional at about six to seven hundred degrees.
Before dawn…
An Chenyu finally finished her work. She returned to the inner courtyard, utterly exhausted, her mind uneasy because she had made many arrangements, each filled with uncertainty.
However, much of this turmoil calmed upon seeing the young man in the courtyard.
Her cool and elegant face revealed a faint smile, her lips lightly parted, teasing: “Song, are you busy when I’m busy?”
Song Cheng said: “You have so many things to deal with, I must do something as well.”
The young man straightened up, took a couple of steps, and suddenly, with a casual tone, said: “Sister An, I have a move, do you want to see?”
An Chenyu said: “Did you make more progress? Impressive.”
Saying this, she crossed her arms and leaned on one side of the full moon archway, smiling: “Let’s see.”
Song Cheng also smiled.
Over these days of getting along, he increasingly understood what kind of person An Chenyu was. In this chaotic world, if Madam Tong needed his protection, then… An Chenyu would be someone who fights alongside him.
Because the many things that An Chenyu did, he truly couldn’t do.
Hmm…
Not that he couldn’t.
But to truly engage in it, he would have to devote all his energy, constantly think about these matters, constantly ponder over complex interpersonal relationships.
For this, he resisted.
Thus, An Chenyu filled this void, complemented the areas he lacked.
Similarly, he filled in An Chenyu’s shortcomings.
So at this moment, he decided to reveal a bit of his capability to his woman, allowing her to understand what kind of trump cards she held, to avoid making wrong decisions at critical moments.
The young man made up his mind, took a step forward, the black cloth over his eyes fluttered in the night breeze before dawn, his right hand gently stroking, seemingly sticking to the long blade, the Four Forms’ Perfection-driven powerful Gang Qi converged like rivers running to the sea, following his hand to the blade.
The oppressive hum resounded in the scabbard, like thunder trapped in a pouch.
Suddenly, a circle of qi expanded around the young man’s body, an inch of his skin was covered with a layer of invisible, turbulent mist, even his black hair danced wildly without wind.
Sss…
A blade was drawn and swung into the void, in An Chenyu’s eyes, this slash transformed into a golden dragon leaping out from the depths of billowing dark clouds.
The air of the entire courtyard seemed stirred by this slash, lifting a whirlwind, causing thousands of leaves and flowers to sway in one direction.
An Chenyu’s hairpin also fell, and her ink-black hair danced in the wind.
For a moment, she was entranced.
But only for a moment…
The young man slowly returned the blade.
Everything returned to calm.
An Chenyu raised her head to see the green leaves swept up to the sky by that whirlwind, then lowered her head after a long while, gazing from afar at the familiar yet unfamiliar powerful young man.
Her red lips softly pressed together, revealing a relieved smile.
Although her martial arts skills weren’t high, she could recognize talent.
As a businessman, must one not have good vision?
“Pfft.”
Miss An laughed, and it was the first time she laughed so heartily.
Song Cheng laughed too.
Together, they walked towards the house.
Miss An lightly punched him and said: “Why didn’t you say earlier!”
Song Cheng smiled.
An Chenyu pondered for a while, then suddenly leaned in and said: “Today Old Master Zhao asked who was in charge, you said it was me, do you have any complaints?”
“What complaints?” Song Cheng said.
An Chenyu blinked her charming eyes, revealing an extremely rare girlish charm: “If you want to be on top, it’s not impossible.”
The air fell silent…
Then, it ignited.
…
…
The next day, the heads of the seven martial arts halls in the south of the city gathered at the Ruyi Commerce Chamber, making a blood pact with Song Cheng and An Chenyu to advance and retreat together in the chaotic world.
In truth… this brought the strength of the seven martial arts halls to the Ruyi Commerce Chamber.
…
…
A few days later.
A fast horse, bearing a letter, rushed into Hanping Prefecture, arriving at the An Family.
The courier hastily delivered the letter into the hands of “the first lady contemplating which son-in-law to bring into the family.”
The first lady was the biological mother of the eldest young master, while An Chenyu’s mother had departed early.
At this moment, the first lady took the letter, initially leisurely, but upon seeing that it came from Shanghe County, a glint of excitement flashed in her eyes. She tore open the envelope, pulled out the letter, and looked at it.
The more she read, the darker her complexion grew.
Upon reading the last word, she slapped the table heavily, her brows furrowing in anger, her face twisted in fury, shouting: “Married without telling! Truly rebellious!”
