Qi Chengming now had 170 points.
The items available in the mall were limited, perhaps because Qi Chengming hadn’t made many purchases before. Only nine items were displayed in a grid:
[A bag of corn seeds] 100 points. [A bag of potato seeds] 100 points. [A bag of sweet potato seeds] 100 points.
[One Jian Ti Yang Sheng Pill] 50 points. [One Taishan Tuo Ding Pill] 50 points. [One Feng Chi Dian Che Pill] 50 points.
[A method for alcohol distillation] 50 points. [A simple high-temperature composting method] 50 points. [A method for extracting ammonium sulfate from bones] 50 points.
All were useful, but only those pills could be of immediate use.
Qi Chengming quickly scanned their descriptions.
The Yang Sheng Pill could heal injuries and detoxify. The Taishan Pill granted immense strength for one day, while the Feng Chi Dian Che Pill provided extreme speed for one day.
Right now, only the Taishan Pill or Feng Chi Dian Che Pill might come in handy.
Total cost: 100 points.
This was no time to be frugal. With a thought, Qi Chengming exchanged for one of each. They appeared in the Infrastructure System’s inventory rather than materializing directly in reality. This reassured him, and he decided not to use them immediately, opting to assess the situation first.
“Charge! Charge through!” “Subdue them!” Suddenly, chaos and clamor erupted in the distance.
Qi Chengming and Xiao Song Zongguan stood in front of his tent, alertly watching the commotion. Shadowy figures moved through the distant forest, accompanied by occasional screams. Under the pale moonlight, Mao Dalingtong leaped up like a tiger—massive and imposing—and roared, “Brothers, attack!”
In an instant, sentries—both hidden and visible—along with those sleeping on the ground and even burly eunuchs assigned to manual labor, sprang into action. Amidst whinnying horses and rapid hoofbeats, the entire camp, which had been asleep, suddenly came alive. The Imperial Guards rushed forward, coordinating with Youzi’s team herding from the opposite direction, completely encircling the emerging force without letting a single one escape.
The incident erupted abruptly and ended just as swiftly.
It was over in less time than it takes for an incense stick to burn.
Amid the ongoing noise, Youzi spent considerable time tying up the captives before driving them over like geese.
“What’s happening?” Those sleeping in the center of the camp were finally roused, a timid palace maid’s voice trembling with tears. A Jianghu’s wife hurriedly pulled her young son close, watching fearfully. Most instinctively turned toward the carriages to check on the Second Prince.
Mao Dalingtong shook the blood off his blade and strode back first.
Mindful of his strong scent, he stopped a few steps away from Qi Chengming to report: “Your Highness, it’s all resolved. None escaped.”
“What happened?” Qi Chengming couldn’t clearly see how many people were in the distance, but the blood splattered on Mao Dalingtong’s face hinted at the earlier danger. It was his first time smelling such thick human blood, and though uncomfortable, Qi Chengming kept a stoic expression, betraying nothing.
“Beyond that treacherous pass ahead lies a village. Those bandits earlier were committing inhuman acts…” Mao Dalingtong cursed foully, “They even posted several lookouts—the ones Youzi discovered.”
“…So it was a misunderstanding?” Qi Chengming countered.
A false alarm? These bandits actually intended to raid the village by the mountains, but their scouts accidentally stumbled upon the sentries? Now they’ve been completely surrounded?
Mao Dalingtong, however, didn’t conclude definitively, his face grim: “At the very least, yesterday’s incident still has some unanswered questions. This subordinate will interrogate further.”
The village lies beyond the treacherous terrain. If the bandits wanted to attack the village without crossing the dangerous area, why would they post sentries there? The figures they encountered yesterday remain highly suspicious.
Mao Dalingtong resolved to thoroughly interrogate these bandits, while having Youzi and the others carefully identify their faces.
After this commotion, the entire camp could forget about sleeping for now.
Lanterns were lit one after another, illuminating the area brightly. The Imperial Guards busied themselves cursing and detaining the unruly bandits, while the menial eunuchs temporarily took over patrol and crowd control duties, pacing back and forth. Occasionally, the sound of a child’s distressed sobbing could be heard.
“Your Highness, something seems amiss.” The liaison soldier called Lao Hua, who had been quietly shadow-like until now, suddenly emerged and spoke in a low, seasoned voice: “The weapons these men use are standardized, though quite worn… as if they were cast-offs.”
Qi Chengming’s brow gradually furrowed: “Are you suggesting these bandits might have connections with the government?”
Lao Hua didn’t presume to make judgments for his master. Having stated his observation, he fell silent and stood motionless.
Instead, the corners of Qi Chengming’s mouth lifted, as if wanting to laugh: “How intriguing.”
His anger was being stoked by these successive mysteries.
They had just arrived in Yiyang County territory, and already it was so unsettled.
First, what appeared to be an attempt to bury the caravan under falling rocks, then this seemingly plausible bandit attack on a village—yet closer inspection suggested possible collusion between bandits and officials. One wave subsides, another rises—was someone trying to kill him, or what?
Whatever the case, this Yiyang County before them was certainly not innocent. Grandmaster Huang’s hometown… quite formidable indeed.
He would accept the challenge!
“Since there’s a village ahead, we’ll spend the night there.” Qi Chengming declared coldly and decisively.
While the treacherous pass remained under their control and the bandits had just been subdued, the village would offer better conditions. Having traveled for three or four days already, some in the party were long exhausted and needed rest. The bandits required proper detention space as well. Everyone should conserve their strength to properly investigate the sinister forces in Yiyang County!
Qi Chengming left one thought unspoken:
These days, ordinary people suffered too much. Who knew what condition that village was in? They should help where they could.
The cumbersome caravan began moving at night, but this time they didn’t need to go far. After traveling less than a mile, Qi Chengming already saw flickering firelight and villagers running about shouting, looking utterly frantic.
“How could this be…” Xiao Dezi couldn’t help murmuring. Xiao Chengzi’s brow also tightened, gritting his teeth bitterly: “A pack of beasts!”
“Quick, help put out the fire!” Qi Chengming immediately commanded.
“I’ve left some men here to assist,” Mao Dalingtong promptly reported. As the carriage convoy drew closer, the village’s devastation became increasingly apparent.
The desperadoes had set fire to several parts of the village, diverting everyone’s attention to firefighting while they launched their assault—making their pillaging twice as effective. Now, with the help of the Imperial Guards, the villagers had finally managed to extinguish the flames after considerable effort, leaving behind only smoldering ruins.
“This humble elder pays respects… to the noble guests.” The Village Chief and several village elders finally found the opportunity to approach trembling, expressing their gratitude for the assistance.
“We’ll be lodging in the village tonight. I hope we won’t be causing any inconvenience.” Qi Chengming gently reassured them before having them helped to their feet, then inquired in detail about the situation. “Were there any casualties? What were those bandits like?”
“Nothing too serious, thank you for your concern,” replied the Village Chief, who was relatively younger and more articulate, his voice filled with gratitude. “At most, a few suffered minor injuries—one fell into the pond—but otherwise everyone is fine. Most importantly, our grain stores weren’t burned, thanks to Advisor Qin…”
“Advisor Qin?”Xiao Song Zongguan asked sharply.”
The Village Chief’s legs gave way, and he fell to his knees with a thud, not daring to lift his head, his voice trembling. “Noble lord… you are a heavenly master, descended from dragon’s blood. Only after those damned beasts were tied up by your men would this humble elder dare make a request.”
“…Year after year they emerge from the mountains to kill and plunder. The county sends troops to suppress them,” the Village Chief wept. “We always hear the bandits have been eliminated and merits claimed, but before long, a new group appears… We who till the land have nowhere to flee from our roots, suffering daily calamities.”
“I understand what you mean,” Qi Chengming said with an inscrutable expression, speaking slowly. “…Rest assured, if investigation confirms this is true, I won’t stand by.”
Others might not comprehend, but only these bottom-tier victims with no outlet for their grievances see things most clearly. It’s not that they don’t know—they’ve simply never dared speak. This suggests collusion between Yiyang County officials and bandits. For the sake of political achievements, officials at various levels must have concealed key details—how could these mud-legged commoners dare breathe a word?
Qi Chengming was currently an unwelcome prince, practically in exile. But encountering such injustice, he truly couldn’t ignore it. After all, he still bore the title of prince—and with troops at his command, he feared nothing.
—He could afford to go mad at any moment.
Having left the palace, couldn’t he overturn the very heavens?
“And this Advisor Qin is—?” Xiao Song Zongguan pressed again.
“They say he’s a reincarnated Literary Star, a fine scholar, but his arm isn’t quite functional, so he remained here as a county yamen advisor.” The Village Chief spoke with extreme caution, fearing Qi Chengming might misunderstand. “He’s a good man, always thinking of ways to warn us or offer strategies. But… this time it seems word leaked. My Daniu never received news of his safety, and he hasn’t sent anyone again.”
The Village Chief’s face was full of anxiety, while the other elders sighed mournfully, all expressing concern for Advisor Qin. “So… noble lord, this humble elder boldly wishes to beg you…”
Qi Chengming calculated the time mentioned by the Village Chief and the travel duration from here to Yiyang County, then had a sudden thought. His gaze fell upon Youzi beside Mao Dalingtong, but he asked the Village Chief: “Village Chief, can you describe his appearance—or that of someone he trusts? I have people who can sketch portraits…”
The Village Chief naturally agreed repeatedly.
Qi Chengming summoned a palace maid who had previously served at the Second Prince’s Residence. She had originally attended to the deceased Second Princess and learned some drawing skills, which now came in handy.
After detailed descriptions and repeated revisions, several portraits were produced. Following Qi Chengming’s suggestion, they were drawn as realistically as possible.
Then—Youzi’s eyes lit up as he pointed firmly at one portrait: “Yes—it was too dark to see clearly, but the person we encountered at the dangerous spot was definitely him!”
Qi Chengming felt as if a heavy stone had been lifted from his heart, though he also found it somewhat absurd.
It was indeed related to that Advisor Qin.
Though some doubts remained unresolved… it didn’t matter. They would meet tomorrow and clarify those details.
Author’s Note:
The next reincarnated minister makes an appearance!
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