Chapter 565: Iron Reinforced Bamboo (Nuclear, Non-Combat Personnel Please Evacuate)

Sun Tiecheng pointed at the bloody ball of thread and said to Fan Zhongfu, "The person inside this ball is you. You used the Flawless Garment technique to tuck yourself into this clothing."

Fan Zhongfu stared blankly at the ball in his hand, shaking his head. "This can't be me."

The logic was simple: how could his own technique ensnare himself?

Sun Tiecheng said, "It must be you, otherwise, who else could it be?"

Fan Zhongfu looked at the ball of thread in his hand, seeming to regain some clarity. "No, I just ensnared you."

Sun Tiecheng chuckled at this. "Are you talking nonsense? I'm right here in front of you. When did you ensnare me?"

Fan Zhongfu touched the ball of thread in his hand; blood still seeped out, and the flesh inside seemed to pulsate.

He grew afraid. The more afraid he became, the faster his heart pounded, and the faster his heart pounded, the faster the flesh in his hand throbbed.

"Well, even if it's not you, it doesn't necessarily mean it's me, right?" Fan Zhongfu's voice lacked conviction. The only explanation now was that when he used his technique, he had failed to ensnare the middle-aged man in front of him, and instead caught someone of unknown origin.

Sun Tiecheng sighed. "Why are you so slow-witted? Look closely, I'm perfectly fine right in front of you. This certainly isn't me."

As he spoke, Sun Tiecheng pointed at Qiu Zhiheng. "This person is as thin as a monkey, but he's also standing perfectly fine. It definitely isn't him either."

Qiu Zhiheng didn't know what to say, nor did he understand the situation unfolding before him. Fan Zhongfu was an invincible presence to Qiu Zhiheng.

Yet, before this middle-aged man, Fan Zhongfu became someone who could be manipulated at will.

This wasn't a metaphor; he was truly being controlled.

Sun Tiecheng said to Fan Zhongfu, "There are only three of us here. It's not me, and it's not him. So who else could it be? That just leaves you, doesn't it?"

Fan Zhongfu was speechless.

Having lived for so long, he had never encountered a true Foolish cultivator, nor had he witnessed the art of 'reversing cause and effect'. He had no idea what methods the middle-aged man in front of him was using.

Sun Tiecheng said, "If you don't believe me, squeeze that ball of thread in your hand and see if it hurts."

Fan Zhongfu's hand trembled continuously; he didn't dare to squeeze.

With a wave of his hand, as if performing a magic trick, Sun Tiecheng made the ball of thread appear in his own hand. "You're too reluctant to squeeze it, so I'll help you. See if it hurts."

He took it. He squeezed it.

Sun Tiecheng gently squeezed the ball of thread in his hand, and Fan Zhongfu's entire body crackled with the sound of bones breaking. He collapsed to the ground with a thud.

The pain was excruciating, heart-wrenching!

But after the pain subsided, Fan Zhongfu wondered, *where did these bones come from?*

He was a Garment Cultivator, a Garment Cultivator of the clouds. His flesh, bones, and internal organs had long transformed into clothing.

*This is a trick!*

*This is an illusion!*

*That ball of thread isn't me at all; he tricked me!*

Fan Zhongfu gritted his teeth, immediately got up, and with a flick of his hand, unleashed thousands of needles and threads, surrounding Sun Tiecheng.

This was a Garment Cultivation technique: Striding Threads and Moving Needles.

These needles and threads formed a special array. Anyone trapped within it could not move easily, or they would be cut by the threads.

Although the interwoven threads appeared to have many gaps and holes, one should never attempt to escape through them. Sticking a hand through a hole would sever it; poking one's head out would cost one's head.

The array formed by the Striding Threads and Moving Needles technique offered no path of escape. The only way to break it was to destroy the needles and threads.

However, these needles and threads were exceptionally tough; destroying them required specific techniques or weapons.

Fan Zhongfu's strategy was clear: if the needles and threads could trap the middle-aged man, he would kill him immediately, then deal with Qiu Zhiheng.

If the needles and threads couldn't hold the man, it would at least buy Fan Zhongfu some time to escape.

Trapped within the needle-and-thread array, Sun Tiecheng looked at Fan Zhongfu and asked, "Does it truly hurt?"

He squeezed the silk thread packet in his hand again.

Fan Zhongfu vomited a mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground once more. Under the intense pain, the array could no longer be maintained, and the needles and threads scattered into a tangled mess.

*What was going on?*

*Wasn't it supposed to be an illusion?*

*Why did the pain feel so real?*

Sun Tiecheng kicked away the threads at his feet and, chuckling, approached Fan Zhongfu. "Just tell me, is this you or not?"

Fan Zhongfu nodded. "Elder, if you say it is, then it is. As long as you spare my life, I'll agree to anything you say."

"Spare you?" Sun Tiecheng squeezed the ball of silk thread again. Fan Zhongfu felt several of his bones shatter, and his eyes rolled back from the pain.

"Why should I spare you?" Sun Tiecheng squatted down, looking at Fan Zhongfu. "You just lied to me, saying you knew where the Iron Sinew Bamboo was. I'm an honest man, and I actually believed you. I never expected you to stab me in the back.

Shouldn't a scoundrel like you die?"

"Elder, I am from Snowflake Creek. If you intend to kill me, you should at least consider the reputation of Snowflake Creek."

Sun Tiecheng chuckled. "What reputation does Snowflake Creek have? When it comes to reputation, I think of 'Snowflake Cream' – that good stuff you put on your face. Are you Snowflake Cream?"

Fan Zhongfu repeated, "Whatever you say, Elder. If you say I'm Snowflake Cream, then I am Snowflake Cream."

Sun Tiecheng reached out to Fan Zhongfu. "Alright, squeeze some cream out for me to see."

"I... I can't squeeze any out."

"Shall I help you squeeze?" Sun Tiecheng squeezed the ball of thread.

Fan Zhongfu wailed loudly, "This junior was blind and unintentionally offended you, Elder. Please be magnanimous and don't hold it against me. As long as you spare my life, I will do anything you ask."

Sun Tiecheng nodded. "First, tell me, do you really know where the Iron Sinew Bamboo is?"

"Elder, I truly don't know," Fan Zhongfu replied honestly. He indeed didn't know where the Iron Sinew Bamboo was.

The existence of Iron Sinew Bamboo on Mount Bitter Mist was merely a legend. Fan Zhongfu had never seen it in his life, and very few people in the entire Prosa Province had ever laid eyes on it.

"You don't know, so why should I keep you around?" Sun Tiecheng squeezed the ball of silk thread repeatedly.

Fan Zhongfu felt his entire body, bones and internal organs, being squeezed into a pulp.

He had used the Flawless Garment technique to torture many people, but it wasn't until today that he truly understood what that technique felt like.

"El-Elder, please let me speak. I know where the Iron Sinew Bamboo is—"

Sun Tiecheng rubbed the ball of thread. "If you know, then speak up."

This ball of thread had become Fan Zhongfu's nightmare; merely looking at it felt like being sliced a thousand times.

"Elder, I really can't recall right now—"

Sun Tiecheng was about to squeeze the ball again, but Fan Zhongfu shrieked, "I'll take you there, Elder! I'll take you there right away! I haven't been to Mount Bitter Mist in years, so I've forgotten a bit, but once I get through this forest, I'll remember, Elder, I truly will remember!"

Tears streamed down Fan Zhongfu's face. Sun Tiecheng sighed. "You're quite pathetic. Alright, you lead the way. I'll trust you this once."

The two walked into the forest, leaving Qiu Zhiheng standing rooted, unsure what to do.

Sun Tiecheng looked back. "I see a flower in your basket. Are you here to collect the Blood-Skin Apricot? There are apricots right in this forest. Go on, quick, and pretend you never saw us."

Qiu Zhiheng dared not collect apricots, nor did he dare to descend the mountain. He stood still, wanting to wait until Sun Tiecheng had gone far away before moving himself.

After a while, he suddenly heard Sun Tiecheng shout from a distance, "Why are you running? Don't run! It's good to stay with me. If you run now, you'll definitely regret it!"

As his words fell, Qiu Zhiheng saw Fan Zhongfu dashing downhill at top speed. After only a few steps, with a *plop*, he vanished on the mountainside.

Mount Bitter Mist was shrouded in thick fog. Qiu Zhiheng didn't know why Fan Zhongfu had disappeared. As he drew a little closer, Qiu Zhiheng smelled a strange odor, and then heard Fan Zhongfu's struggles.

*Plop, plop!*

Fan Zhongfu struggled to swim in a pool of golden liquid, but the liquid was too viscous. Every inch Fan Zhongfu moved forward, he faced immense resistance.

*Why would there be a pool of golden liquid on Mount Bitter Mist?*

*This place didn't seem suitable for farming. Who would undertake such a massive project here?*

After a strenuous struggle, Fan Zhongfu finally swam to the edge of the pool.

He grabbed the slippery pool wall and used a Garment Cultivation technique: Feathered Garment Sprouting Wings.

His clothes gathered on his back, unraveling into threads. The threads re-wove and intertwined, transforming into a pair of enormous wings.

The wings, soaked with the golden liquid, felt somewhat heavy, but after a few beats, Fan Zhongfu managed to fly up.

The golden liquid pool was very deep, and every foot Fan Zhongfu ascended was a struggle.

This was not only because his feathered wings were incredibly heavy, but also because his body was severely corroded by the golden liquid.

Since falling into the pool, he had reverted to his Garment Cultivation state, with no flesh or blood, just layers upon layers of clothing. However, from the innermost to the outermost layer, every piece of clothing was corroded with countless holes.

This was equivalent to a normal person having a thousand holes burned through their body. That Fan Zhongfu could still fly in such a state showed the depth of his cultivation.

Inch by inch, he flew upwards, finally reaching the edge of the pool.

Old Xu stood at the edge of the pool and casually scooped a ladle of the golden liquid downwards.

This was a Gold Cultivation technique: Golden Radiance.

Under the obscuring golden light, the pair of feathered wings on Fan Zhongfu's back turned to ash, and he plummeted back into the pool.

Sun Tiecheng sighed, standing by the pool's edge, and said to Fan Zhongfu, "Why are you so disobedient? I told you not to run, but you refused to listen. Now do you regret it?"

Seeing Old Xu arrive, Qiu Zhiheng breathed a sigh of relief.

Xu Han asked, "Little Qiu, what are you doing on Mount Bitter Mist?"

Qiu Zhiheng took out the Blood-Skin Apricot flowers from his basket and said to Xu Han, "I wanted to pick some Blood-Skin Apricots for Old Yao to eat."

Xu Han smiled. "Silly boy, tell me directly about these things in the future. Try to avoid places like this. Now, hurry and go down the mountain."

Qiu Zhiheng dared not collect apricots, nor did he dare to descend the mountain. He stood rooted, wanting to wait until Sun Tiecheng had completely departed before he moved himself.

Sun Tiecheng called out, "Why are you telling him to leave? He came to pick apricots! Little brother, there really are apricots in that forest. Pick a few extra and take some for Old Xu too. If Old Xu hadn't saved you today, you wouldn't be alive."

"Yes," Qiu Zhiheng thought, "I owe my life to Old Xu."

Qiu Zhiheng looked back, feeling a little worried for Old Xu.

Xu Han waved his ladle, signaling him to leave quickly.

Once Qiu Zhiheng had gone far, Sun Tiecheng sighed. "Old Xu, what are you doing? He really just came to pick apricots. Aren't you messing with his legitimate business?"

Xu Han looked at Sun Tiecheng. "Never mind what he's doing. First, tell me what you're doing here."

Sun Tiecheng glanced at the pool of golden liquid, smiled, but said nothing.

Xu Han then poured another ladleful over Fan Zhongfu's head. This technique was called 'Golden Liquid Covering the Head'. The golden liquid flowed steadily from Fan Zhongfu's head until his entire body was golden. Now, Fan Zhongfu could hear nothing and see nothing but blinding golden light.

Seeing this, Sun Tiecheng spoke up. "I came to Mount Bitter Mist to get some Iron Sinew Bamboo to refine elixirs back home."

Xu Han frowned. "Who told you Iron Sinew Bamboo is used for refining elixirs?"

Sun Tiecheng chuckled. "Never mind that. Just tell me if you'll give it to me or not."

Xu Han shook his head. "Why should I give you such precious medicinal material?"

Sun Tiecheng raised an eyebrow. "On account of our past acquaintance."

Xu Han still shook his head. "I have no acquaintance with you."

"If not acquaintance, then let's talk about grievances."

"I have no grievances with you either. I wasn't involved in the destruction of Fool's City."

Sun Tiecheng nodded. "Your non-involvement proves you're a friend of Old Sun. When friends meet, they should drink and reminisce. Why should we resort to conflict?"

Xu Han thought about it and found his words reasonable. He scooped a ladleful from the pool and presented it to Sun Tiecheng. "How about we have a drink?"

Sun Tiecheng nodded. "Alright, if we're drinking, we drink together!"

Xu Han unfastened a gourd from his waist and drained all the liquor within. "I'll drink first as a toast."

With the liquor gone, only the golden liquid in the iron ladle remained.

Sun Tiecheng sighed and gave a wry smile. "You old rascal, why are you so uncooperative?"

Xu Han also sighed. "I'm a farmer. Whenever we get involved in your ways, it's always the farmers who suffer."

Sun Tiecheng waved his hand. "Let's put other matters aside and talk business. I want Iron Sinew Bamboo. Are you going to give it to me or not?"

Xu Han said, "You want it, I don't want to give it. There's no point in talking further. Let's just fight it out."

"I told you, we're friends, no need for weapons," Sun Tiecheng said. "How about this: let him judge for us. Whatever he says, we'll do!" Sun Tiecheng looked at Fan Zhongfu in the pool.

Xu Han used his ladle to scoop Fan Zhongfu out.

Fan Zhongfu wiped the golden liquid from his face and looked at Sun Tiecheng and Xu Han.

Sun Tiecheng spoke first. "We have a bit of a disagreement, and we want you to arbitrate. I came all the way to Mount Bitter Mist to collect some medicinal materials, but this old man refuses to give them to me. What do you say we should do about this?"

Xu Han, holding his ladle, stirred the golden liquid in the pool. "Ordinary medicinal materials can be given away, but some are priceless. They can't just be taken with a single word from him."

Sun Tiecheng said, "If one word isn't enough, we can say a few more. Name your price, and I'll buy it."

Xu Han said, "I'm not naming a price, I'm not selling to you, and I won't let you take it. What are you going to do about it?"

Sun Tiecheng looked at Fan Zhongfu. "Listen to him, does that sound reasonable?"

Xu Han also looked at Fan Zhongfu. "You tell me, what exactly is 'reasonable'?"

Fan Zhongfu licked his lips and first looked at Xu Han.

He knew this was the Old Ancestor of Gold Cultivation. Before he came, someone in Snowflake Creek had warned him to definitely avoid Xu Han, but unexpectedly, he hadn't avoided Xu Han and had also encountered another ruthless individual.

Sun Tiecheng grew impatient and squeezed the ball of thread in his hand. "I'm asking you a question, why aren't you speaking?"

Xu Han also got a little angry and waved his ladle in front of Fan Zhongfu. "Why are you hedging? If you've thought it through, just say it clearly!"

*How to say it?*

Speaking in favor of Sun Tiecheng meant offending Xu Han, which would result in being thrown into the golden pool.

Speaking in favor of Xu Han meant offending Sun Tiecheng, which would result in being sliced a thousand times.

Fan Zhongfu knelt on the ground and kowtowed to both of them. "Esteemed Elders, both of you, grandfathers, please be magnanimous and spare my life."

Upon hearing this, neither of them was pleased.

Sun Tiecheng squeezed the ball of thread. "I think you're sick and can't speak clearly. I'll have to loosen your bones properly."

"Don't just loosen bones; for sickness, you need medicine," Xu Han said, bringing the ladle to Fan Zhongfu's face. "Come, young man, open your mouth."

It was impossible to avoid speaking today.

Fan Zhongfu had never imagined he would have a day like this, arbitrating a dispute between two reclusive masters.

After careful consideration, Fan Zhongfu spoke. Looking at Sun Tiecheng, he said, "I think this Elder Brother makes sense. We are all friends, and he came a long way. He's not stealing or robbing, just collecting some medicinal materials. It's only reasonable to offer him convenience."

Sun Tiecheng chuckled. "Old Xu, listen to what he says!"

Fan Zhongfu wasn't speaking idly; this was truly a result of careful deliberation.

If he offended Sun Tiecheng, a couple more squeezes of the thread ball would cost him his life.

But if he offended Xu Han, soaking in the golden pool for a bit longer would still allow him to keep his life.

As long as he survived, there would still be a chance to escape.

Xu Han sighed. Since there was a prior agreement, given his and Sun Tiecheng's statuses, he couldn't go back on his word in such a matter.

"Old Sun, I truly cannot tell you where the Iron Sinew Bamboo grows."

Sun Tiecheng folded his arms. "If you don't keep your word, you'll be bullying an honest man."

Xu Han pointed at Fan Zhongfu. "You hand this person over to me, and I'll get you two pieces of bamboo. How does that sound?"

"Deal!" Sun Tiecheng nodded. "I don't want the leaves, I don't want the stalks, I just want the bamboo shoots!"

He wanted bamboo shoots!

Xu Han's expression grew even more serious.

Sun Tiecheng, with arms folded, said, "What, you don't want to give them again? Words spoken are like nails hammered; Old Xu, I respect you greatly, you must keep your word!"

"Alright, I'll keep my word. You wait here, I'll go get the bamboo shoots."

Before long, Xu Han returned, holding two bamboo shoots. "Ten iron sinews. Inspect them yourself. If you find any issues later, I offer no returns or exchanges."

Sun Tiecheng examined the bamboo and nodded. "What you bring can't be fake."

With that, Sun Tiecheng cupped his fist, took the bamboo shoots, and departed.

Xu Han looked at Fan Zhongfu and smiled. "Now it's just the two of us."

Fan Zhongfu knelt and kowtowed repeatedly, crying out, "Elder, spare my life! I never intended to offend you. I came here looking for Qiu Zhiheng. I stayed in Medicine King's Gorge for many days and didn't dare seek him out, precisely because I feared offending you.

Only when I learned Qiu Zhiheng came to Mount Bitter Mist did I follow. As you saw, Qiu Zhiheng is perfectly fine; I didn't beat him or kill him, I just scared him a little. Elder, you can't take my life for such a small matter!"

"Get up first. I don't intend to kill you. I will ask you three questions. Answer me truthfully, and I'll let you go."

Fan Zhongfu nodded. "Please ask, Elder."

"First question: Why are you looking for trouble with Little Qiu?"

Fan Zhongfu answered truthfully, "I am from Snowflake Creek. My superiors instructed me to find Qiu Zhiheng, use him to lure out Li Qi, and then use Li Qi to investigate the whereabouts of the Profound Rebirth Red Lotus."

Hearing this, Xu Han asked a second question. "Everyone says Snowflake Creek works for the Peddler. Have you ever seen the Peddler inside Snowflake Creek?"

Fan Zhongfu replied, "I have never seen the Peddler inside the Creek."

"Third question: Have you seen the Peddler outside Snowflake Creek?"

Fan Zhongfu lowered his head. "Yes, I definitely have. When I entered the Dao Gate, I bought medicinal powder from the Peddler."

Xu Han shook his head. "I'm not asking about things that far back. I'm asking if you've encountered the Peddler since you joined Snowflake Creek?"

"Yes, I have. I've bought things from him before, and of course, I dared not be disrespectful. But I couldn't say much to him, especially about matters within the Creek; those are absolutely forbidden to mention.

Snowflake Creek has a rule: unless on a mission, once outside the Creek, you cannot speak about anything inside the Creek.

Nor can you acknowledge people from the Creek. Even in front of the Peddler, you must act like an ordinary person, so no one can detect anything unusual."

After the three questions were answered, Xu Han pondered for a long while.

He put away his ladle and said to Fan Zhongfu, "I can let you go now, but when you return to Snowflake Creek, you must act as my informant. Every day, you must write me a letter detailing the situation in Snowflake Creek."

Fan Zhongfu nodded repeatedly.

*A letter a day, could he do that?*

He couldn't. He wouldn't even serve as Xu Han's informant.

He just wanted to get away as quickly as possible; whatever Xu Han said, he would agree to it.

Xu Han took out two gold nuggets, real gold nuggets, and handed them to Fan Zhongfu. "From now on, use these to write letters. If you have paper, write on paper. If no paper, write on the wall. If no wall, write on the ground. As long as you can write the characters, I will receive them. Remember?"

Fan Zhongfu accepted the gold nuggets and nodded. "I remember."

"If you remember, then go down the mountain. With your cultivation, you can leave Mount Bitter Mist within an hour. Once you do, find a place to stay, then write me your first letter. Remember?"

"I remember!"

"I'll remind you one more time: you must write to me within an hour. Do you remember?"

"I remember!" Fan Zhongfu clutched the gold nuggets and bolted down the mountain.

*Leave Mount Bitter Mist in an hour?*

*He's underestimating me!*

Fan Zhongfu once again used the Feathered Garment Sprouting Wings technique. Two wings grew from his back. He took out needles and threads, sewing up his wounds as he flew.

Initially, he flew slowly. After five minutes, the golden liquid on his wings dried, and he had stitched up some of his wounds. In less than ten minutes, Fan Zhongfu had flown out of Mount Bitter Mist's territory.

After descending the mountain, he didn't head towards the town or look for a place to stay. He went straight to New Land, wanting to leave Medicine King's Gorge as quickly as possible.

After flying for more than three hours, Fan Zhongfu noticed the landscape below looked somewhat familiar: village followed by wilderness, then wilderness followed by village, a repeating cycle, but he still hadn't seen New Land.

*Was he lost?*

Fan Zhongfu firmly believed he couldn't be lost. He realized he must have fallen victim to Xu Han's contingency plan.

*Careless.*

He needed to write that letter. If he didn't write this first letter, he definitely wouldn't be able to leave Medicine King's Gorge.

Fan Zhongfu landed on the ground, found a rock in a patch of forest, and was about to write the letter when he suddenly saw Xu Han standing before him.

"Elder—" Fan Zhongfu trembled. "I was just about to write to you. I hadn't found a suitable place, but I'll write it right away. I was just about to take out the gold nuggets."

Xu Han sighed. "Why did you go back on what we agreed upon?"

As his words fell, the surrounding scenery changed.

The surrounding forest vanished, replaced by a dense fog.

He was still on Mount Bitter Mist.

Fan Zhongfu cried out, "Elder, I was wrong! I truly meant to write to you, I just forgot the time!"

Xu Han shook his head. "This is a sickness, and it needs curing!"

"Elder, El—"

Xu Han pinched Fan Zhongfu's mouth open, raised the ladle, and offered the golden medicinal soup. "Come, take your medicine."

The warm medicinal soup slid down his esophagus and into his stomach.

Tears welled in Fan Zhongfu's eyes, and his body trembled uncontrollably.

"Sun, the wanderer beneath the city, sighs to himself, recalling those miserable past days. I am like a bird in a cage, with wings unable to spread; I am like a tiger away from its mountain, suffering loneliness; I am like a wild goose flying south, lost from its flock; I am like a shallow-water dragon, trapped on the beach—"

Sun Tiecheng sang his own altered version of "The Fourth Son Visits His Mother" all the way back to Fool's City, entering his courtyard with triumphant glee.

Gui Jianchou was still squatting by the entrance, not having moved.

Sun Tiecheng frowned. "You're really still squatting here. Get up quickly; don't block the way!"

Gui Jianchou straightened up, chuckling. "City Lord Sun, was it a success?"

Sun Tiecheng let out a cold snort. "Does that even need asking? Today, I'll show you what Iron Sinew Bamboo shoots look like!"

Gui Jianchou genuinely wanted to see, as he too had never encountered Iron Sinew Bamboo shoots. "I heard that Iron Sinew Bamboo has ten iron sinews. I wonder if they're visible on the shoots."

"Of course they are! Why wouldn't they be?" Sun Tiecheng said proudly. "I was worried Old Xu might trick me, so I counted them right in front of him, one by one. Exactly ten, not a single one missing!"

As he spoke, Sun Tiecheng took out the bamboo shoot, and Gui Jianchou carefully counted alongside him.

On the emerald-green shoot casing were metallic-sheened iron sinews, each extending from the tip to the root of the shoot. Exactly ten of them.

Gui Jianchou exclaimed admiringly, "Indeed, not a single one is missing."

Sun Tiecheng frowned. "No, something's wrong. One is missing."

Gui Jianchou shook his head. "I counted. There are ten iron sinews, indeed not one is missing."

Sun Tiecheng shook his head. "Not the iron sinews, a bamboo shoot is missing!"

Xu Han had given Sun Tiecheng two bamboo shoots, but Sun Tiecheng had only brought back one.

"Where did the other bamboo shoot go?" Sun Tiecheng looked at Gui Jianchou.

Gui Jianchou shook his head. "I certainly wouldn't know."

Gui Jianchou was nervous, but Sun Tiecheng wasn't actually angry. He looked at Gui Jianchou earnestly. "I'm asking you to tell me, who could have stolen this?"

Gui Jianchou thought for a moment. "The only one capable of stealing something from you would probably be the Old Ancestor of the Rogue Cultivators."

Sun Tiecheng pondered. "You mean Laughing Thousand Hands? It should only be him, but I remember the Peddler killed him."

Gui Jianchou thought again. "I think the Peddler could definitely defeat him, but whether he could kill him, that's another matter."

Greenwater City, Round Bamboo District, deep within an alley, a small courtyard.

In the courtyard stood two tiled houses. An old man sat in the main house, drinking tea.

This old man had very distinctive features: his figure was gaunt, his back was hunched, and when seated, his feet barely touched the ground. Standing, he was only slightly taller than a table.

Looking at his appearance, his high cheekbones were red, his pointed chin was dark, he had two thin eyebrows, a pair of narrow eyes, and from his thin lips, two sharp, slender front teeth occasionally peeked out.

The old man took a sip of tea, set down his cup, and called out to the empty courtyard, "Come in!"

He Jiaqing appeared beside the old poplar tree in the courtyard, entered the main house, and respectfully bowed to the old man.

The old man chuckled. "You rascal, I told you to come, and you actually showed up!"

He Jiaqing replied, "How could I dare not come when the Old Ancestor has given an order?"

"How is the ring coming along?"

"Just a little decoration left; it'll be finished soon."

"Let me see it."

He Jiaqing quickly placed the ring on the table.

The old man glanced at it and nodded. "To be honest, I don't think much of your other crafts, but this ring is decent. Don't decorate it anymore; just leave this one for me, and we'll be even."

"The Old Ancestor is generous!" He Jiaqing bowed again.

The old man took the ring, and He Jiaqing didn't see how he took it.

With one hand holding his teacup and the other holding the lid, he was stirring the tea when the ring on the table suddenly vanished.

"Little Qingzi, I called you here today to show you something good." The old man's hands didn't move, yet a bamboo shoot appeared on the table. "Do you recognize this?"

He Jiaqing examined it from top to bottom, then nodded. "I've seen this in pictures. It's Iron Sinew Bamboo, good for internal injuries, considered a rare medicinal material."

"Considered rare? You've got quite the nerve, boy!" the old man chuckled, showing his teeth. "Little Qingzi, do you know who I offended to get this bamboo shoot?"

He Jiaqing shook his head. "I wouldn't dare guess."

The old man asked again, "Do you know what this Iron Sinew Bamboo is used for?"

He Jiaqing thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Besides treating internal injuries, what else could it be used for?"

The old man said, "It can also be used to refine medicinal powder. Iron Sinew Bamboo shoots are the primary ingredient for the Peddler's beginner medicinal powder!"

"Refine beginner medicinal powder?" He Jiaqing was shocked. "Aren't beginner medicinal powders refined from cultivators' corpses?"

The old man chuckled at this. "Refining medicinal powder from corpses, what kind of skill is that? Even that scoundrel Hua Manchun can do it.

Corpses are passed down from generation to generation, with losses in each. If that were the only method, wouldn't the cultivators of Prosa Province become fewer and fewer?"

He Jiaqing's eyes widened as he looked at the bamboo in his hand. "The Peddler can use medicinal ingredients to refine beginner medicinal powder?"

"What do you think?" the old man took a sip of tea. "That's the capital of the Lord of Prosa."

***

*Thanks to the great support of Alliance Master Wind Sting God Slayer, and thanks for the trust and guardianship of the Lord of Prosa!*

*Dear readers,*