C18 Lee Daniu's Decision

Qian Songren was in such agony that he passed out in a single breath, yet the herbs he had gathered were still insufficient for Shen Feixue's needs. The required materials had increased several-fold compared to the initial exchange, and by this rate, the current supply of herbs would only suffice for one more exchange.

Moreover, Shen Feixue was still short of a Demonic Beast Core. Disregarding the five cores that Bi Yuesheng had destroyed, the upcoming exchange demanded a staggering thirty Demonic Beast Cores for each pill, including the Earth Level Spirit Gathering Pill that had never been exchanged before. This was a monumental task, and currently, Shen Feixue lacked the strength to confront Demonic Beasts that had formed such cores.

Demonic Beast Cores were not something the average person could obtain, and those with the power to do so were unlikely to sell them. Reviewing the medicine pills on the panel, Shen Feixue realized that she would have to procure the Demonic Beast Cores on her own.

"Young Master Shen, what are your plans moving forward?" Lee Daniu broke into Shen Feixue's contemplation.

Throughout their journey until they left Tianxi Town, Shen Feixue had remained silent, leaving the others unsure of what to say. Now, as they neared the point of parting, Lee Daniu couldn't resist asking.

Plans?

Shen Feixue intended to return to Qing Prefecture. It was natural for her to go back now, and the dilapidated Shen family estate could serve as a temporary refuge.

Upon hearing Shen Feixue's intentions, Lee Daniu quickly interjected, "You've barely managed to escape, and you want to return?"

"Escape?" Shen Feixue was taken aback. Although she remembered the Shen family's decline and the subsequent betrayal by the Qing Prefecture's factions, the term 'escape' seemed out of place.

"Have you forgotten the downfall of the Shen family?"

"The Shen family was implicated with Yaen Zhengfeng's remnants."

Lee Daniu was reluctant to discuss such matters at this time, but he felt compelled to in order to dissuade Shen Feixue. After learning of the Shen family's raid, he had conducted his own discreet investigation.

Since his inquiries had turned up nothing, he felt it was imperative to prevent Shen Feixue from returning. To his surprise, Shen Feixue remained composed when discussing the loss of her family's fortune, as if it bore no relevance to her.

"I've been with the Shen family for many years, and I'm well aware of Old Master Shen's integrity. It's inconceivable that he would have any connection with the traitor Yaen Zhengfeng. He's clearly been framed."

"And then?"

"Somebody deliberately framed the Shen family, and the Mysteries Pavilion is involved too. If you return now, you'll be walking straight into a trap."

"Oh." Shen Feixue mounted her horse.

So, all that explanation was for nothing?

Lee Daniu was dumbfounded. He knew that Shen Feixue was far from the frail figure she appeared to be, but taking on the powerful clans and sects of Qing Prefecture, not to mention the Mysteries Pavilion, was tantamount to a death wish.

"By the way, these 9,000 taels of silver notes were a bonus from Old Master Qian." Shen Feixue produced the notes and then rode off without further delay.

"Don't ever go back to being a Wandering Tiger!"

Clutching the stack of silver notes and hearing Shen Feixue's parting words, Lee Daniu was in a daze.

He had never seen so much money in his life. Nearly ten thousand taels could support his family for generations.

Zhang Ershan and the others were equally astounded.

Lee Daniu distributed the silver notes to everyone, including Zhang Ershan and his three companions.

"Thank you. If there's ever anything you need, Brother Lee, don't hesitate to call on me," Zhang Ershan said earnestly. A thousand taels was enough to take down two bandit leaders in a fair fight.

Lee Daniu was overwhelmed with gratitude.

"This money is from Young Master Shen." Having said that, Lee Daniu and his brothers also got on their horses.

A thousand taels was more than enough for a family to live comfortably for a lifetime.

But Lee Daniu had no intention of settling down for a quiet life. He still owed a debt of gratitude to Old Master Shen, and now there was another great kindness from Old Master Shen's descendants to consider, especially since Shen Feixue had returned to Qing Prefecture alone.

Lee Daniu believed that Shen Feixue's determination to return was driven by a desire to restore the Shen family.

It was a mission that seemed impossible, yet he pursued it nonetheless!

This spirit touched Lee Daniu deeply.

As someone who believed in repaying kindness, Lee Daniu could not simply stay in the village living a tranquil life.

Regardless of what his companions might think, Shen Feixue was determined to head to Qing Prefecture alone if necessary, once his family was settled.

With this resolve, he spurred his horse into a faster gallop.

...

Traveling from Tianxi Town to Qing City would take a relentless day and night's journey. By the time Shen Feixue arrived at the gates of Qing City, dawn was breaking on the second day.

Once inside the city, it didn't take long for Shen Feixue to learn of two places where he could purchase medicine pills.

Choosing the closer of the two, Shen Feixue led his horse through the streets. The early morning bustle on the cobblestone streets lived up to the reputation of a large city.

Suddenly, a shout erupted from behind.

"Stop, thief!"

The commotion that followed grew louder and nearer.

Glancing back, Shen Feixue saw someone weaving through the crowd with remarkable speed, bumping into pedestrians and adding to the chaos.

Not far behind, three muscular men were in hot pursuit, shouting as they went.

"Catching a thief?"

As Shen Feixue pondered the situation, the fleeing figure was nearly upon him, only ten feet away. The man frowned upon seeing Shen Feixue and his horse blocking the path, waving his hands frantically, "Move, move!"

Shen Feixue just smiled and, contrary to the man's pleas, lifted his sheathed sword across the path. Man, horse, and sword together formed an impromptu barricade across the narrow street.

The runner realized he was trapped. Unable to pass, he pouted and shot Shen Feixue a glare before turning to face the three burly men catching up to him.

"Run, why don't you? You were so quick before, keep it up!" The three men, seeing their quarry cornered, cracked their knuckles and advanced menacingly.

"Here's your Demonic Beast Core back!" The cornered man tossed an object toward them.

"You think returning it settles the matter? You dared to steal from the Yaoyun Sect, and you think you won't be taught a lesson?" The burly man's threat was cut short as he realized his words fell on deaf ears. The would-be thief, fuming, turned and approached Shen Feixue.

"Why are you stopping me?"

Shen Feixue was taken aback by the question. Since when had thieves become so defiant?

The thief in question was slight in build, at least half a head shorter than her, with a face so grimy that his features were barely discernible. Shen Feixue couldn't be bothered to argue and replied coolly, "Stealing is wrong."

"What's it to you whether it's wrong or not?"

The thief spat out the words, squeezed past Shen Feixue's sword, and stormed off.

"Brother, don't worry. With the Yaoyun Sect here, he won't dare to bother you."

Before Shen Feixue could respond, the already departed thief's voice came back, still tinged with resentment.

"What's your name?"

"Shen Feixue."

"Fine, I've got you marked. Watch your back!" With that, the thief vanished into the throng.

Shen Feixue didn't take his threat to heart. Turning around, she noticed the three men had retreated to their initial spots.

They were huddled together, occasionally gesturing towards Shen Feixue and murmuring amongst themselves.

Finally, the discussion ceased, and one resumed his intimidating demeanor.

"You're Shen Feixue?" he inquired.

Shen Feixue remained silent, her non-response serving as an implicit confirmation.

"So you're the useless young master, Shen Feixue, the one even the Mysteries Pavilion took pity on?"

"What, are you back in Qing Prefecture to restore the Shen family's glory?"

The group burst into laughter. Despite Shen Feixue's intervention with the thief, they felt no gratitude.

Unperturbed, Shen Feixue calmly mounted her horse and set off toward her destination.

As far as she was concerned, as long as these sect members didn't meddle in her affairs, they weren't worth her time or attention.

The three men were taken aback as Shen Feixue departed without a word.

"He's just leaving like that?"

"What did you expect? That he'd beat us up? Despite wielding a sword, he's as much of a pushover as ever."

"Regardless, we should report this incident to the sect."

After a brief consultation, the trio hurriedly took their leave.

Shen Feixue had arrived at her destination: Qing City. The city was home to countless affluent families, naturally giving rise to a thriving market for medicine pills. The trade was quite lucrative.

Some sects even went as far as to hire alchemists at a premium to ensure a continuous supply of medicine pills for their disciples over extended periods. This practice contributed to the superior strength of Qing Prefecture's sects.

Even an average sect from a small town like Tianxi Town was regarded as a formidable presence.

Upon entering the shop, Shen Feixue was promptly greeted by a salesman. In this line of work, even salesmen were expected to have some level of cultivation; otherwise, how could they possibly understand and sell medicine pills?

"What kind of medicine pill are you looking for?" the salesman inquired.

Before Shen Feixue could respond, he began to boast about their inventory, "We carry medicine pills of all kinds, like this Yellow Level Breath Opening Powder..."

Shen Feixue interrupted with a raised hand, "Actually, I'm not here to purchase medicine pills."

The salesman paused, giving her a puzzled once-over before asking, "Then what can I do for you?"

"I need to speak with your shopkeeper."

"That would be me," he replied, his confusion deepening.

Not here for medicine pills, yet seeking the shopkeeper directly? He didn't recognize the person before him at all.

Upon confirming his identity, Shen Feixue removed her boots and poured out a golden pill.

"What's the exchange rate for this with Yellow Level Spirit Gathering Pills?"

The shopkeeper's gaze mirrored that of Bi Zhuang when he first laid eyes on an Earth Level Spirit Gathering Pill. He was so stunned that it took Shen Feixue repeating her question three times before he snapped back to reality.

"How many are you looking to exchange?"

"One thousand."

"I can do that, but I don't have that many on hand right now. Give me three days."

"Fine."

Even after Shen Feixue had left, the shopkeeper was still reeling from the encounter. An Earth Level Spirit Gathering Pill, just like that, in the hands of a young person? And he looked like a stranger; the shopkeeper was almost certain this individual wasn't a local of Qing City. If not from Qing City, then where...?

A sly grin spread across his face as he pondered the situation.