novelraw Chapter 111: Where Did This Wealthy Lady Come From
Chapter 111: Where Did This Wealthy Lady Come From
On the banks of the Li River, none of the government soldiers dared to resist. They were scared out of their wits, scrambling and crawling as they retreated.
Wang Yi stood proudly, waiting for someone to slash him a few times or shoot him with a few arrows. He wanted to show off the powerful physique he’d gained from his Mountain and River Body Refining.
Unfortunately, after waiting for a good while, no one dared to make a move. As far as the eye could see, there were only government soldiers desperately fleeing for their lives.
HUMMM.
The Great Toad Mountain God reverted to a point of light and flew back between Wang Yi’s eyebrows.
Man Datou reappeared. To the onlookers, he still seemed like a god or a demon.
"Damn, this Wang guy is a real piece of work! Where did that giant toad come from? Did he form a pact on Miaomu Mountain?"
Zhao Jinlong muttered, a deep sense of dread toward Wang Yi now blooming in his heart.
"So damn strong! It’s like he’s using cheats. No wonder he could take down Black Mountain Stronghold!"
Qiao Meng sighed with emotion, the pressure on him mounting.
’A guy this strong, and his territory isn’t far from mine... What if he decides he wants to wipe me out? How many seconds would my hundred-odd government officials last?’
He shuddered violently, not daring to think about it any further. ’I can’t afford to offend Yang Wanli,’ he thought, ’and I definitely can’t afford to offend this Wang Shanhe.’
Lu Aqi was still in a daze.
Wang Yi looked back at him and said, "The rest of this won’t be too troublesome to handle, will it?"
Lu Aqi snapped back to his senses and hastily bowed. "Not at all, not at all! Everything is as the Divine Being says. We can all corroborate it. I will handle everything properly."
Wang Yi nodded and looked toward the Li River once more.
There were three large boats in the river, flying the flag of the "Jinyuan Zhao Family." They were loaded with cargo and appeared to be merchant ships.
"If the people on those three merchant ships are sensible and do as they’re told, you can let them pass!"
Wang Yi added, speaking to Lu Aqi, then returned to the docks to discuss the construction of the small, square city on the mountaintop with Pei Zhi.
Meanwhile, the people on the three Zhao Family merchant ships had seen the Great Toad Mountain God’s display of power from afar, and most were scared stiff. One person, however, had a look of excitement on her face—a beautiful young woman.
More precisely, she was a female Player, the legitimate daughter of the Jinyuan County Zhao Family, Zhao Mei!
’What kind of ability is that? Can Players get this strong? Can... I get this strong too?’
Far from being afraid, Zhao Mei was filled with anticipation. She gave an order: "Bring the ships to shore! Someone, bring the 5,000 Gold Coins and come with me. We’re going to befriend a powerful ally!"
"Young Miss, you mustn’t! It’s too dangerous!"
a gray-haired old man suddenly said to Zhao Mei. He was the steward of the Zhao Mansion.
"Staying put and doing nothing is the real danger!"
Zhao Mei was clearly determined to stick to her plan.
The steward tried again. "But those 5,000 Gold Coins are meant as tribute for King Dongsheng’s Prince Mansion..."
"So what? Those corrupt officials from the Prince Mansion are all dead. Instead of just handing the Gold Coins over to them for nothing, we’d be better off using them to befriend a more powerful ally!"
A moment later, Zhao Mei disembarked after all. She led the steward, followed by two guards who were carrying a wooden chest.
Zhao Mei glanced at the small train, then at the Shanhai Pass stone monument ahead. Her mind raced. Seeing someone approach to guide them, she announced in a clear voice, "Zhao Xiyu of the Jinyuan County Zhao Family requests passage through Shanhai Pass! I wish to present a gift of 5,000 Gold Coins and request an audience with the Lord Chief Steward..."
At that moment, Wang Yi was sitting leisurely on a bamboo chair in a teahouse by the docks, curiously sizing up a cyan-robed swordsman who was clutching a worn-out jar.
The Cyan-robed Swordsman was one of the Indigenous People. He stood respectfully before Lu Aqi, pointed to the old jar in his arms, and said, "This is the Spiritual Artifact Rice Cooker. It is my family’s heirloom. I heard that you, my lord, were searching for this item, so I came specially to present it as a treasure!"
"The Spiritual Artifact Rice Cooker? Is it really the Spiritual Artifact Rice Cooker?"
Lu Aqi stepped forward to carefully examine the worn-out jar the Cyan-robed Swordsman was holding.
Not long ago, he would have been overjoyed if someone had presented this item to him. But now, after witnessing the Divine Being’s power and seeing Chen Chong killed, his mind was in turmoil, and it was difficult to show any excitement or joy.
"Of course it’s the Spiritual Artifact Rice Cooker, I’m absolutely certain! Look, there are even ancient words here. See? ’Spiritual,’ ’Artifact,’ ’Rice,’ ’Cooker.’ Isn’t that right? A perfect match!"
The Cyan-robed Swordsman had a grave and earnest expression.
Lu Aqi stepped forward and identified the four words, "Spiritual Artifact Rice Cooker," on the old jar. He nodded and said, "It seems this is it! I’ll take it. How much of a reward do you want?"
The Cyan-robed Swordsman said, "For a family heirloom such as this, I would never sell it if I hadn’t fallen on hard times. Give me One Thousand Gold Coins!"
"Men!" Lu Aqi called out. "Give him Hundred Gold Coins and send him on his way!"
"My lord, you misspoke. It’s One Thousand Gold Coins!"
"I didn’t misspeak. Giving you Hundred Gold Coins is already generous of me. Don’t be greedy and try to rip me off!"
The Cyan-robed Swordsman didn’t dare say anything more. After receiving the Gold Coins, he cupped his hands in farewell and left.
Wang Yi was now curiously holding his Talent Assessment Machine, which was displaying its assessment of the Cyan-robed Swordsman: "Master Forger. A natural-born artisan, skilled in blacksmithing, casting, and pottery. Possesses an astonishing, eidetic memory. Bold yet meticulous. Adept at imitating handwriting. Psychologically resilient and extremely skilled at spreading rumors. A high-quality candidate for undercover work. Overall Rating: 88. Talent Grade: Elite."
’Such a high rating is rare among the Indigenous People. An elite-grade talent, eidetic memory, a master forger, a blacksmith, and good at spreading rumors...’
Wang Yi’s eyes narrowed. He said to Man Datou beside him, "Catch up to that man. Use whatever reason or persuasion is necessary to recruit him into Eggshell Village."
"Yes!"
Man Datou responded and immediately chased after the Cyan-robed Swordsman.
Wang Yi then turned to Lu Aqi, his expression turning serious. He walked over and asked, "Lord Lu, I happened to overhear your conversation with that Cyan-robed Swordsman just now. Can you tell me where you learned of something like a Spiritual Artifact Rice Cooker, and why you are searching everywhere for it?"
Lu Aqi bowed. "I dare not hide anything. The search for the Spiritual Artifact Rice Cooker is a mission assigned by the Prince Mansion. As for why the Prince Mansion needs it, I do not know. Fortunately, the mission is now complete. Once I order someone to send this rice cooker back to the Prince Mansion by swift horse, it will be one less difficult matter weighing on my mind."
"A mission from King Dongsheng’s Prince Mansion?"
Wang Yi frowned slightly. ’How long has it been since I got the Spiritual Artifact Rice Cooker? How could King Dongsheng’s Prince Mansion already know about it and issue an order for Lu Aqi to collect it?’
’Or is this just a coincidence? Is the Spiritual Artifact Rice Cooker the Prince Mansion wants just a regular version, not the enhanced one I have?’
Regardless, Wang Yi felt that he needed to start paying attention to King Dongsheng’s Prince Mansion.
As for the Spiritual Artifact Rice Cooker Lu Aqi had just obtained, it was undoubtedly a fake.
Wang Yi had no intention of pointing this out to Lu Aqi. He was curious to see how the Prince Mansion would react upon receiving a forgery.
Just then, Pei Zhi approached Wang Yi, supported by a caravan attendant. He said, "Boss, Zhao Xiyu, the sole daughter of the Jinyuan County Zhao Family, is willing to offer five thousand Gold Coins just to meet with you."
"Five thousand Gold Coins just to see me? Where did this rich lady come from, spending money so freely? What are we waiting for? Invite her up!"
Wang Yi was secretly delighted. ’I was just running low on Gold Coins. I can’t believe someone would just show up to give me money like this.’