"Sacrificial Priest Tiansheng, we meet again."
A deep voice, like that of a middle-aged or elderly man, rang out. This time, it lacked the muffled quality of being underwater. Clearly, last night’s feast had also been of great benefit to this Purple-striped Turtle.
However, to the townsfolk of Jinning Town outside, it just looked like a blurry figure had appeared between Zhao Tiansheng and the Traveling Merchant Priest, seemingly to act as the judge for their so-called ’Sacrificial Decree’.
Hearing the Purple-striped Turtle’s greeting, a flicker of surprise showed in the eyes of both Elder Wei and Chi Xuan. Zhao Tiansheng, however, simply gave a slight bow with his hands clasped, acknowledging the greeting.
Then, the Purple-striped Turtle turned to look at the other Traveling Merchant Priest. Its anthropomorphic features showed no hint of favor or dislike.
"You there, unfamiliar Sacrificial Priest from another province. I shall serve as the judge for this Sacrificial Decree. Do you have any objections?"
The Traveling Merchant Priest from the Divine Land had a calm expression, betraying no emotion. He simply clasped his hands in a bow as well.
"None. I accept you as the judge, Your Excellency!"
However, among the other Traveling Merchant Priests by his side, one of them wanted to object but was quietly stopped by his companion.
’Don’t be hasty. The fact that the Non-human World knows the local boy isn’t necessarily a bad thing.’
The somewhat impulsive Traveling Merchant Priest managed to hold himself back.
’Second Brother Tian, what do you mean?’
’My thoughts aren’t so straightforward.’
’Hurry and explain. Brother Li won’t be in trouble, will he?’
The Traveling Merchant Priest surnamed Tian and his companions had all come from the Divine Land together, so naturally, they placed great importance on regional bonds.
It was known that the Divine Land, much like the Han Dynasty of Zhao Tiansheng’s past, had a penchant for gods, ghosts, and Witchcraft, and placed the utmost importance on bloodlines and regional ties. When away from home, they certainly wouldn’t undermine one of their own.
’The moment the Non-human World spoke, it revealed its familiarity with the local Sacrificial Priest.’
’It even made a point of asking Brother Li if he would accept it as judge. To put it bluntly, it was trying to prove its neutrality...’
The Traveling Merchant Priest surnamed Tian stroked his chin. He had clearly sensed that something was off but couldn’t quite put his finger on it. However, he was certain that the current situation was by no means one-sided. On the contrary, on a level playing field, their Brother Li might actually win.
At this thought, he said no more, but a new idea flashed through his mind.
’I really had to come out and travel to see this. Otherwise, I never would have known that even in a remote mountain town in Sheng Province, there could be such intricate scheming.’
...
Don’t be fooled; being an inter-provincial traveling merchant is a dangerous opportunity where lives are on the line.
But in many places, to even participate in such an opportunity, one needed either family resources or significant capital.
Ordinary people truly had no way to get involved. It was no wonder, then, that these Traveling Merchant Priests from the Divine Land all had such an impressive bearing, and even their methods and schemes were in a class of their own.
One must understand that the Divine Land revered martial prowess. It was ranked alongside Yin Province and Shi Province as one of the three provinces in the Jiu Province World with the most intense military fervor. Even Sheng Province, which could be considered well-armed, could not compare.
And so, after learning these people were from the Divine Land, Elder Wei started paying them a little more attention.
If they were Traveling Merchant Priests from other provinces, it might have been safer. But how could those from the three great martial provinces be ordinary? They were basically masters of both cooking and combat.
He really had to worry about Zhao Tiansheng’s small frame.
If the boy got so much as a scratch, he wouldn’t be the only old Daoist to suffer for it.
Patting the long-stemmed pipe tucked at his waist, Elder Wei’s expression was unreadable as he swept his gaze over the growing crowd of onlookers. He noted the absence of certain people, and many things became self-evident.
...
"Since the contract between both parties has been established."
The Purple-striped Turtle, giving off a very anthropomorphic impression, delivered its verdict as the judge.
"Then..."
"Let the Sacrificial Decree begin!"
There was no more idle talk. This was neither the way of the Non-human World, nor the way of Sacrificial Cultivation.
Zhao Tiansheng and the Traveling Merchant Priest from the great Li clan of the Divine Land exchanged a look.
Without any hesitation, they each returned to their respective cooking spaces.
The priest surnamed Li was particularly remarkable. His family was a Noble Family of Military Generals and was also extremely well-versed in Sacrificial Cultivation. Unfortunately, his own aptitude had proven insufficient, or he would not have had to make this journey.
However, since his family background was extraordinary, the things he brought with him would be anything but few.
Unfortunately, some of his possessions couldn’t be exchanged for travel money, or else he would never have taken on a task he now considered horrendously unlucky.
The Traveling Merchant Priest was then seen taking a green-backed ’Hidden Fresh Talisman’ from his book basket. It was clearly different from the ordinary White Talismans and Yellow Talismans common in Jiu Province. Such special Talisman Paper also represented a much more powerful preservation effect.
The ingredient contained within was bound to be of an exceptionally high grade.
When he undid the Talisman, a blood-red slab of meat, wrapped in layer upon layer of lotus leaves, fell onto the cutting board.
An ordinary person wouldn’t be able to identify the origin of this cut of meat, but Zhao Tiansheng recognized it at a glance. It was a piece of venison of the highest quality, the likes of which he had never seen around Jinning Town or even in the entire Xiangshui River Basin!
...
There were, of course, deer in the Xiangshui River Basin. In fact, for a certain period, venison had been one of the long-term sources of meat in the Xiang Prefecture’s Xiangshui River Basin.
That was until the Sacrificial Cultivation Lineage developed, and the resources of Jiu Province grew exponentially, reaching a balanced Peak a thousand years ago.