Chapter 105: Night Attack, Vital Energy Pill, and a Marriage Offer

Chapter 105: Night Attack, Vital Energy Pill, and a Marriage Offer

“Strange, why hasn’t Xiaoxu returned yet? Could something have happened?”

Half an hour passed without Tan Xu’s return. As the night deepened, Tan Run’s face tightened with worry.

He beckoned several of the Tan Clan’s guards and murmured, “Go find Xiaoxu. Bring him back as soon as you locate him.”

Though Tan Xu’s strength was formidable for his generation, raw power alone couldn’t guarantee safety outdoors. If anything happened, he’d have no way to face his younger brother.

Fortunately, soon after, Tan Xu returned carrying a sturdy wild boar, its pungent bloodstains spreading through the inn.

Tan Xu glanced at Su Chen, already finished eating, then ordered the guards, “Process this boar. We’ll roast it later.”

“Yes, sir!”

The group sprang into action. Seeing this, Tan Run shook his head with a wry smile—his nephew truly knew how to find joy in hardship.

As the boar was cleaned and carved into chunks, the aroma of roasting meat soon filled the inn. The weary travelers, even those who’d just eaten, couldn’t resist tearing off glistening strips of meat, devouring them hungrily.

The crackling fire mixed with laughter, chewing, and smacking lips, creating a lively symphony of satisfaction.

“Brother, have some meat!” Tan Xu tore off a piece and offered it to Su Chen, who sat alone in a corner.

Su Chen, already full, nodded as he accepted it. “Thank you.”

“Just meat,” Tan Xu waved off, then sat beside him. “I noticed you traveled through these mountains alone. Aren’t you afraid of bandits?”

“Bandits wouldn’t bother with my meager coins.”

Tan Xu chuckled but noticed Su Chen’s disinterest and rose to leave.

The feast lasted nearly an hour before everyone retired. Tan Run stationed five guards outside, alternating shifts for the night.

At the fourth watch, snores filled the air.

“Enemy attack!”

A scream shattered the night, jolting everyone awake. Tan Run rushed out to find the Azure-Faced Giant leading a gang of bandits at the inn’s entrance.

“You dare ambush us again after we spared you?” Tan Run glared. “Do you think the Tan Caravan is easy prey?”

“Fool! You killed my men. Now I’ll make you pay in blood!” The Azure-Faced Giant roared, recalling their previous humiliating defeat.

Tan Run’s eyes narrowed. Though his opponent had fled last time, now he seemed confident. He noticed a hooded figure behind the giant—small and unassuming, yet treated with reverence by the bandits.

“Black Tiger, handle this old man!” the giant commanded.

Black Tiger said nothing, his dark gaze locking onto Tan Run like a viper’s stare. A chill ran down Tan Run’s spine.

“Kill them all!” Azure-Faced Giant barked.

“Counterattack!” Tan Run roared, and both sides clashed.

Su Chen watched from the corner, observing as the battle unfolded. His eyes flickered between Tan Xu and the Azure-Faced Giant, then to Tan Run and Black Tiger.

To his surprise, Tan Xu, despite his youth, matched the giant blow for blow as a Vital Force Cultivator. Though the giant’s strikes were fiercer, Tan Xu’s swordsmanship nearly balanced the gap.

But Tan Run’s duel with Black Tiger was fiercer. Both had reached the Visceral Reformation Realm, yet Tan Run faltered against Black Tiger’s ruthless style. Every move was a killing blow, leaving Tan Run struggling to land a strike.

Suddenly, Su Chen stiffened. A faint scent—stronger than Dreamweaver Powder—wafted through the air. Though his Visceral Reformation cultivation resisted it, the mercenaries crumpled within minutes, leaving the bandits unharmed.

“You drugged us!” Tan Run growled, panic rising as he saw Tan Xu collapse. Black Tiger seized the opening, striking him down.

The Azure-Faced Giant pressed his blade to Tan Run’s throat. “Any last words?”

Tan Run spat, silent.

“A rat’s escaping!” a bandit shouted, spotting Su Chen.

Recognizing Su Chen, the giant snarled, “You killed my men. Tonight, you’ll join them!”

His men lunged, only to collapse. Su Chen smirked. “Too late to hold your breath.”

The enhanced Dreamweaver Powder felled even Visceral Reformation experts like Black Tiger, who staggered, vision blurring.

“Kill him!” the giant rasped.

Black Tiger advanced, but Su Chen tossed Tan Run a smirk. “Snap out of it. He’s yours now.”

Tan Run charged, fury fueling his strikes. This time, he overwhelmed Black Tiger, forcing him to target Tan Xu.

Tan Run anticipated this, deflecting the attack effortlessly.

“Curse you!” Black Tiger retreated, redirecting his rage at Su Chen. “You meddler! Enjoy watching from hell!”

Feigning an attack on Tan Xu, he pivoted toward Su Chen. Tan Run’s warning came too late.

“Blame your nosiness for this!” Black Tiger hissed, his blade flashing at Su Chen.

A flicker of candlelight—then a sharp shing! as a throat parted. Black Tiger’s body crumpled, blood erupting.

Tan Run stared, stunned by Su Chen’s blindingly swift strike.

Su Chen rifled through Black Tiger’s belongings, retrieving a small box containing crimson pills. Ignoring it, he searched the bandits, pocketing hundreds of silver taels.

“I have an antidote. How much for it?” he asked Tan Run.

“Two hundred taels,” Tan Run offered.

Su Chen tossed the antidote, accepted the silver, then explained, “They’re free of my drug, but not Black Tiger’s. They’ll wake slowly.”

Tan Run nodded, gesturing to the bandits. “What about them?”

“Your call,” Su Chen shrugged.

Tan Run executed them on the spot without hesitation.

Half an hour later, Tan Xu awoke, startled by the corpses. “Did you kill them, Uncle?”

Tan Run recounted the events. Eyes widened, the survivors gaped at Su Chen, stunned by the night’s turn of events.

“The night’s gratitude to you, Senior Brother,” the group thanked Su Chen one by one.

Su Chen merely waved a hand, dismissing their thanks. It had been a simple act to him.

As dawn’s light brightened the horizon, the group quickly adjusted their gear and prepared to depart.

Tan Run approached Su Chen. “Young friend, are you heading to Big Feng City?”

“Yes.”

“Excellent! We’re heading there too. If you don’t mind, why not travel with us?” Tan Xu chimed in with a smile.

Su Chen hesitated briefly before nodding in agreement.

Thus, Su Chen joined Tan Xu’s merchant caravan as they journeyed onward. With a new peer of similar age and strength finally among them, Tan Xu eagerly launched into chatter, bombarding Su Chen with endless conversation.

From Tan Xu’s stories, Su Chen learned that Big Feng City was vast—four districts, thirty-six markets—and each district was as large as White Stone City, while each market rivaled Medicine Town in prosperity. It was among the most flourishing cities in Qinzhou Province.

The Tan family’s caravan was moderately successful, sourcing goods from distant cities to sell in Big Feng City for profit, gradually expanding their influence.

Meanwhile, Tan Run revealed the name of the pill Su Chen had obtained the previous night: a Vital Energy Pill, a key item for advancing the Progress Panel. According to Tan Run, its value surpassed everything Black Tiger had carried.

In Big Feng City, Vital Energy Pills were more valuable than silver. Essential for martial cultivators, they fetched over a hundred taels each, yet demand far outstripped supply.

Realizing its significance, Su Chen secretly swallowed the pill at the first opportunity. The effect was immediate—far stronger than Boiling Blood Powder. The Progress Panel advanced by a tenth, confirming it was the correct item.

——

“Brother Ding, ahead lies Big Feng City,” Tan Xu said. “You really won’t come with us to the Tan estate?” His voice carried regret.

Su Chen’s lips twitched. He declined firmly.

If Tan Xu hadn’t incessantly pushed the idea of “repaying a life debt with marriage to my younger sister,” Su Chen might have considered staying. Not anymore.

“If Young Master Ding declines, Brother Xu, don’t press him,” Tan Run interjected.

Tan Xu sighed, feigning dramatic disappointment.

Su Chen merely shook his head. He’d come to understand Tan Xu’s nature—ambitious, grateful, and boisterous. His antics were harmless.

After parting, Su Chen wandered the city. Not long after, a street urchin approached, carrying a bamboo basket of books.

“New to Big Feng City, sir? I’ve got guides on the districts, sects, and even secret manuals. Interested?”

Su Chen glanced at the basket: Big Feng City Districts and Markets, Sects of Big Feng City, Gangs of Big Feng City…

“How much?”

“One tael each.” The boy grinned. “Original research. You won’t find them elsewhere.”

Su Chen handed over a coin. “Give me the districts and markets book.”

The boy eagerly pulled out more books. “Sir, for a noble like you, perhaps this sect guide, or this gang manual? There’s even a guide to… ahem… pleasure houses. Three hundred sixty secret techniques!”

Su Chen flipped through his purchased book, then pointed to the sect and gang guides. “These two as well.”

The boy brightened, pocketing the coins before moving on.

At a nearby tavern, Su Chen ordered a meal and studied the thin booklets. Though brief, they offered a basic overview—enough to orient him.

He noted the exorbitant prices—meals costing fifteen taels, five times White Stone City’s rate. Still, he’d budgeted.

After dining, he visited a pharmacy.

“Do you sell Vital Energy Pills?” he asked.

The clerk chuckled. “Sir, you must be new here. Only major sects and gangs deal in those. Small shops like ours? We can’t stock such items.”

Su Chen leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Know where I might find one?”

The clerk eyed the silver in Su Chen’s palm. Two words slipped out: “The black market.”

——

The clerk explained: Vital Energy Pills were exclusive to the Xuan Shui Sect. Outside joining or purchasing from them, the only option was the black market—which operated twice monthly. Su Chen would have to wait three days.

The black market also traded in secret manuals and information, far more chaotic than Misty Rain Pavilion. Violence was common beyond its walls; only the strong should dare enter.

Next, Su Chen sought news of “Qin Xue,” but Hong Ming’s letter held only outdated leads. By dusk, no trace remained of her.

“I’ll try the black market,” he decided. “If even there I find nothing, I’ll abandon the search. My cultivation has never relied on external guidance. With the Progress Panel, I’ll advance regardless.”

At sunset, he secured a modest rented house through an agency—remote, with a courtyard, flexible lease. One month would suffice.

The following two days, he studied alchemy, refining Boiling Blood Powder. Ten batches netted five successful uses, advancing the Progress Panel by half a Vital Energy Pill.

The cost? Nearly three hundred taels. The ratio? One pill equated to ten powders—but the expenses were staggering.

With the black market opening tonight, Su Chen set out to explore the Vital Energy Pill’s true value.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end