Chapter Fifty-Five: The Brothers of the Zhao Family

The death of Xu Zhong left him somewhat melancholic. After all, the two had once known each other; his first pot of gold could be said to have come from Xu Zhong. Naturally, he felt a touch of sorrow. Yet, having faced death more than once, his heart had long been tempered, and his expression soon returned to calm.

Afterwards, they followed He Youtian to the place where Zhao Jie and Zhao Qiang, the two brothers, had built their house. Though the structure appeared to be a wooden cabin, it occupied a considerable area, with a vast courtyard in front. Behind the courtyard, the entire perimeter was encircled by spirit-thorn vines, the enclosure spanning nearly three acres. Clearly, within lay the spirit herb fields the Zhao brothers had been cultivating for several years.

But with the house blocking the view and dense, man-high spirit-thorn vines forming a barrier, coupled with the impropriety of approaching too closely, Zhou Changwang—though curious about the herbs grown inside—did not venture near.

They entered the side building mentioned earlier. Despite being called a side house, it was quite spacious, and several spirit farmers with their families occupied different corners. Zhou Changwang greeted each one in turn, then he and Qian Xiaoyue found a spot near the door and sat down. Essentially, they were refugees, so they did not stand on ceremony.

“Let’s rest for today,” Zhou Changwang said. “But the wilds are not like other places; we must remain vigilant. We’ll take turns keeping watch: I’ll guard the first half of the night, you the second.” He glanced at Qian Xiaoyue and, with a flick, cast a soundproofing spell.

“All right. If anything happens, wake me immediately.” Qian Xiaoyue, seeing Zhou Changwang’s calm face, felt inexplicably reassured. She nodded and sat against the wall, not sleeping but instead meditating to restore her depleted spiritual energy.

Zhou Changwang sat beside her, taking out three cloth bags—the possessions of the three he’d slain earlier.

“Thirteen low-grade spirit stones? Three jade slips? Seven talismans?” Zhou Changwang had held some hope, but upon emptying the bags, his face fell in disappointment. Three people combined, and only thirteen low-grade spirit stones. As for the jade slips, they contained “Fire Origin Technique,” “Water Moon Method,” and “Fireball Spell”—two cultivation methods and one spell, none of which were of much use. He had already mastered Fireball, while Fire Origin and Water Moon were low-level fire and water techniques, of little value to him.

Among the seven talismans, aside from three protection charms, two light-footed charms, and one ice arrow charm—all quite practical—there was also a lightning charm.

Lightning arts were renowned for their formidable power, far surpassing other spells of the same level. Even as a talisman, its potency was not to be underestimated and it was quite valuable. Had the adversary deployed this lightning charm at the outset, Zhou Changwang’s defensive measures might have held, but it would not have been so easy—and certainly not so effortless to dispatch all three.

“This harvest… better than nothing,” Zhou Changwang reflected. “Such is the norm for low-level wanderers. How many are truly wealthy? Forced into banditry, it’s no surprise their spirit stones are few.” He sighed, though he had been prepared for this outcome.

He then closed his eyes and began meditating to replenish his spiritual power. Immediately, the Five Elements Technique, which had been operating slowly, began to revolve rapidly under his focus. Threads and wisps of spiritual energy from the world, as if drawn by a powerful force, swiftly entered his body, absorbed and refined, transforming into his own spiritual power.

Five Elements Technique +1

...

The next morning, Zhou Changwang slowly opened his eyes, only to meet a pair of bright, watery eyes. Startled, he saw them quickly withdraw, followed by a somewhat flustered voice, “You’re awake?”

Zhou Changwang nodded and rose to his feet. “How are things now?”

During the second half of the night, Zhou Changwang had roused Qian Xiaoyue for her watch, then lay down, not intending to sleep. But after a round of cultivation, he was mentally exhausted, and the chaos had brought a fierce battle and acute tension. The fatigue of fleeing followed, and only upon reaching this place did he relax slightly, thus drifting into sleep without realizing it. Of course, it was only light sleep; in unfamiliar surroundings, he could not truly let his guard down, and any movement would awaken him.

“The fighting in the market seems to have ended. I didn’t hear much noise in the latter half of the night. Oh, the owner came by as well—he didn’t seem keen on us staying, and they’re discussing returning…” Qian Xiaoyue spoke quickly, perhaps to mask her embarrassment.

“Then let’s leave as well. There are top experts in the market; this turmoil was, at its core, a power struggle among the leaders. No matter which side wins, they won’t let the chaos continue. Now, returning shouldn’t be too dangerous,” Zhou Changwang replied, casting a cleansing spell on himself.

Immediately, his entire body felt as if it had been scrubbed clean, fresh and invigorated. He stepped out the side house's door, just as Old Xu and Old He, with their families, were bidding farewell to Zhao Jie and Zhao Qiang.

Zhao Jie and Zhao Qiang, both in their thirties, were dark-skinned from years working the spirit fields. Zhao Jie, the elder, was tall and lean, a mid-stage cultivator at the fifth level of Qi refinement. His younger brother, Zhao Qiang, was rounder, with small eyes that occasionally narrowed, revealing a hint of ferocity. Though his cultivation was lower, at the fourth level, most spirit farmers respected him more.

“Thank you, elders, for your hospitality. Now that day has broken, I won’t trouble you any longer—I’ll take my leave,” Zhou Changwang said, stepping forward and bowing.

“Thank you for letting us stay,” Qian Xiaoyue followed with her own thanks.

“No need for courtesy,” Zhao Jie waved it off, though his expression was tinged with worry, clearly preoccupied.

Zhou Changwang nodded, gestured slightly, and prepared to depart. At that moment, Zhao Qiang spoke, “Wait.”

“Is there something else, elder?” Zhou Changwang tensed slightly, instinctively wary of those stronger than himself. He was certain he’d never crossed paths with the Zhao brothers before.

“You’re Zhou Changwang, aren’t you? I heard you’re quite skilled at pest control?” Zhao Qiang inquired.

“Just some modest experience; I wouldn’t dare boast before you two elders,” Zhou Changwang replied humbly.

Zhao Jie’s gaze fell upon him as well, and he followed with a question, “Then, do you have any means for dealing with soul-devouring insects?”