I Have A Qi Fortune Altar

Chapter 143: Chapter 136: Take Action! (Subscription Request)
 

Qinghe County was closer to the Prefecture City than Ping’an County, and Chen Yuan, along with Yue Shan and others, did not rush on their journey. It took them nearly two days to reach their destination.

Afterwards,

Chen Yuan had most of his men change into civilian clothes to blend into the county town.

Regarding this,

The citizens of Qinghe County were not very surprised. For the past few days, many Jianghu individuals had already flooded into the town, and the Qinghe County Government had only made a symbolic inspection at the city gate.

According to the prior agreement, the Yunjiang Four Ghosts would send one person to wait for Chen Yuan at the first restaurant in the North City, three days after arriving in Qinghe County.

This day was Qian Xishan’s turn.

After a brief glance, Chen Yuan spotted him and sat down next to him without causing any stir.

“Sir…”

Qian Xishan looked around and whispered.

Chen Yuan casually picked up a cup of tea and moistened his throat,

“And them…?”

“The eldest brother has already managed to infiltrate the Ren Family as a guest, and they are currently resting there.”

“How goes the scouting?”

Although Heavenly Patrol Bureau also had an intelligence department, it wasn’t directly linked to him, which could result in delays.

“We’ve investigated, and it seems that Ren Changyi has indeed suffered severe injuries. He has not shown himself these past few days. As for the Ren Family, currently, Ren Changyi is the only Gang Condensing Martial Artist.

His son was hurt in his early years, destroying his foundation for this life. On the other hand, he has a grandson who is said to be quite talented.”

“How many people did the Ren Family bring?”

“Quite a few this time. Six Gang Condensing Martial Artists have already arrived today, including other family members from different counties, and some who were previously indebted to Ren Changyi….”

In Qian Xishan’s account, Chen Yuan learned about the current general situation of the Ren Family. Two people, who had been indebted to him, arrived and were very respectful towards him.

They had prepared a significant gift.

Other forces, such as people from the surrounding counties and various family powers, had also sent representatives, among them old acquaintances from the Qingmu Sect, including Chu Yunfeng.

However, they did not notice the disguised Yunjiang Four Ghosts.

Chen Yuan nodded. Their reconnaissance was somewhat acceptable; having a few subordinates working for him indeed saved him much effort, eliminating the need to rush to Qinghe County beforehand.

The power of the Ren Family was indeed alarming. With Ren Changyi in charge, the family had thrived tremendously over the decades. Plus, Ren Changyi often liked to mentor talented youths, earning him a loud reputation.

It was said that the first task for anyone taking office in Qinghe County, from the County Magistrate to other officials, was to prepare gifts for the Ren Family. With a nod from Ren Changyi, life was much easier for the officials of Qinghe County,

and vice versa.

The influence of the Qinghe Ren Family was already taking shape.

It was just a pity that Ren Changyi’s sons hadn’t turned out well; to this day, the family depended solely on him. Otherwise, after decades or even centuries, the Ren Family would certainly have secured a place in Nanling Prefecture.

This was Chen Yuan’s assessment.

Those who lived long were never simple.

“Sir, should I call the elder brothers over?”

Qian Xishan asked in a low voice.

“No need. We will meet them naturally at Ren Changyi’s birthday banquet tomorrow. Tell them to keep a close watch on the Ren Family’s descendants, do not let a single one escape!”

Chen Yuan was not a man who liked leaving loose ends.

“I understand, I will pass the message to the elder brother tonight,”

Qian Xishan said, nodding gravely.

…

…

That day,

the excitement in Qinghe County started early in the morning. At each of the four city gates, theatre troupes performed on stages, with loud gongs, drums, and firecrackers resounding everywhere.

Many citizens treated it as a grand festival.

Marking the occasion of Ren Changyi’s seventieth birthday, the Ren Family had set up a three-day banquet, with many of their business products being sold cheaper than usual—showcasing the wealth and grandeur of the Ren Family.

Everyone knew that the Ren Family was a parasitic leech in Qinghe County, but from the County Government to the commoners, none dared to speak out.

Some had tried in the past, but all had perished.

Including a previous County Magistrate who had died at the hands of Ren Changyi.

He had vowed before taking office to cleanse the county for the citizenry, only to be killed by bandits midway.

Many speculated that it was the Ren Family’s doing, though no evidence was found.

Years later, however, agents of the Heavenly Patrol Bureau managed to gather conclusive proof.

The entrance of the Ren residence was decorated with red cloth, beautifully adorned with red paper cutouts of the character ‘Longevity’.

A seventieth birthday was considered rather old for that era—Chen Yuan knew that the average lifespan in this world was only about forty years.

Martial Arts practitioners pursued longevity, but that required attaining profoundly high realms.

For instance, those in the Foundation Establishment Realm, with robust bodies, could generally live beyond eighty years.

And Gang Condensing Martial Artists, with Qi incorporated into their bodies, were free from sickness and disaster, living up to a hundred years at most.

However, most Gang Condensing Martial Artists did not live that long.

They either died in vendettas or in strife. Once past fifty, their vital energy would begin to wane, and very few lived long thereafter.

Hence, relatively speaking, Ren Changyi was quite old.

It was no wonder he was celebrating his seventieth birthday with such pomp.

The Ren Family’s courtyard was enormous, cleaned in advance to accommodate over a dozen tables; yet, even so, only the influential figures from Ping’an County and the surrounding areas could secure a seat.

Guests of an even higher status were invited into the main hall.

Under the scorching sun, every member of the Ren Family and the guests wore smiles on their faces. As the sound of instrumental music began, guests started to enter, presenting their gift lists.

The gatekeeper, with intense focus on the gift lists, announced loudly:

“From Qinghe, the Cui family presents a string of top-grade white jade beads, wishing Elder Ren longevity beyond the southern mountains and fortune as vast as the East Sea.”

“From Qinghe, the Ma family presents one kilogram of East Sea sea cucumbers, wishing Elder Ren…”

“From Wujiang, the Liu family presents….”

…

Taking a sip of tea to soothe his throat, the gatekeeper continued loudly, his face showing signs of fatigue, but he dared not rest and risk missing Elder Ren’s auspicious moment.

“Elder Xu Baishong from Qingmu Sect, presents twenty Bone Refining Pills, wishing…”

“Master Xuan Nu from Gold Mountain Monastery, presents a string of Buddha Beads…”

“Zhang… presents a Jade Peach, wishing…”

The gatekeeper was nervous, now announcing the arrivals of rather significant guests, aware that any mistake could lead to his disgrace.

Ren Changyi, adorned in a bright red robe embroidered with a pine tree, his hair grey and his complexion ruddy, moved with the stride of a dragon and tiger, showing no signs of his recent injury.

Upon hearing the name of Gold Mountain Monastery, he immediately came out to greet them, and upon seeing Xuan Nu in his monk’s robes and the scars on his head, a smile squeezed onto his face.

He quickly bowed with his hands folded and said:

“For Gold Mountain Monastery’s Master to grace an elderly man’s birthday is indeed an honor, a fortune in three lifetimes.”

Gold Mountain Monastery, an unrivaled power in Nanling Prefecture known for its strong connections with many Buddhist communities, had few disciples, but each was an elite. Even the government hesitated to provoke them.

Xuan Nu, a burly monk who appeared no older than thirty, returned the gesture with one hand clasped in prayer:

“Elder Ren is too kind.”

“Elder Xu, it’s been many years,” after exchanging pleasantries, Ren Changyi turned his attention to Xu Baishong of Qingmu Sect.

Xu Baishong nodded with a smile.

Chu Yunfeng and others immediately bowed to Ren Changyi, not daring to neglect their junior status.

Besides Gold Mountain Monastery and Qingmu Sect, dignitaries from Qinghe County, including County Magistrate Wu Sanhu, County Magistrate Zhao… and many other prominent forces in Nanling Prefecture, presented their congratulatory gifts as well.

Joy spread across Ren Changyi’s face, as he hurriedly invited them in.

Inside the main hall, over a dozen seats were filled without exception. Disciples like Chu Yunxiao could only stand behind Xu Changming, peering around. Those who were seated were either local Family Heads or other notable figures of Nanling Prefecture.

Ren Changyi stood in the middle and bowed to both sides:

“On this significant birthday, having all of you present is the greatest honor. Later on…”

Ren Changyi went on with a string of courteous remarks.

Off to the side, Monk Xuan Nu frowned, and once the lengthy courtesies concluded, he immediately said:

“Elder Ren, aside from celebrating your birthday, there is another matter we are here for.”

Ren Changyi laughed heartily, well aware that most were here for the Geng Metal he possessed, and then said:

“I understand what the Master implies.”

“If so, Brother Ren might as well present the Geng Metal now for our inspection, to fulfill our anticipation,” Xu Baishong suggested.

“Exactly.”

“Yes, Elder Ren, please don’t keep us…”

Ren Changyi smiled:

“Of course, the Geng Metal can be presented, but as mentioned before, I wish to exchange it for a spiritual medicine that can restore my meridians. Do any of you possess such a thing?”

Seeing Ren Changyi act cautiously, whispers filled the crowd.

“This monk has a bottle of Meridian Passage Spirit Water, I wonder if Elder Xu would consider a trade?” Monk Xuan Nu stated calmly.

Ren Changyi shook his head:

“While the Meridian Passage Spirit Water is excellent, it cannot restore my condition.”

“I have Black Jade Ointment, Brother Ren, how about that?”

“Is it the renowned Qingzhou Black Jade Discontinuation Ointment?” A spark flashed in Ren Changyi’s eyes.

“Brother Ren jests. How could I possess something as precious as Black Jade Discontinuation Ointment?” Xu Baishong laughed.

The ointment capable of restoring meridians to their original state, even enhancing their resilience, was not something he could obtain or safeguard.

“Then this is…”

The joy on Ren Changyi’s face faded gradually.

“This is a medication specially concocted by our Qingmu Sect for repairing meridians. Although slightly inferior to Black Jade Discontinuation Ointment, it’s still quite extraordinary.”

Ren Changyi frowned deeply:

“Can it possibly repair the meridians in my body?”

“That… can’t be determined yet, but its uses are indeed substantial.”

Inside the main hall, Ren Changyi hesitated.

Meanwhile, outside the Ren residence, the gatekeeper’s shouting had not ceased.

“From Ping’an County, Wang Ping presents two ounces of old jar sauerkraut, wishing….” Upon seeing what was listed on the gift list, the gatekeeper paused, hesitated for a moment, then announced loudly:

“wishing Elder Ren contentment and everlasting happiness….”