One hundred thousand taels of silver was an eye-popping sum. The Liu family, one of the three major families in Guangling County, would only be able to scrape together twenty to thirty thousand taels even if they drained their entire fortune! Despite their vast influence, much of the money they earned was paid to the County Magistrate. The Magistrate himself also had many expenses, and giving out one hundred thousand taels would cause him some pain. But this time, even though it was difficult, he was willing to part with it.
"No wonder the County Magistrate would be willing to spend such a large sum," Qin Liehu said with a worried expression. "This mission must be extremely dangerous."
"One hundred thousand taels, such a huge sum." Qin Yun, however, remained calm and smiled. "May I ask, Magistrate, what is the spiritual fruit that you want me to retrieve?"
The elderly County Magistrate hesitated before glancing at Qin Liehu. "Lord Qin, please, do not let this information spread."
"Naturally, naturally," Qin Liehu quickly agreed.
"The Thousand-Year Ice Jade Fruit," the County Magistrate whispered.
Qin Yun’s expression subtly changed.
The Ice Jade Fruit tree was as clear as ice and sculpted in appearance. It bore fruit once every century, with only one fruit per cycle. The fruit was usually green, but turned red only when it matured. The maturation period lasted just an hour, after which the tree withered, and the fruit would fall to the ground. If it touched the soil, the flesh of the fruit would dissolve, leaving only the seed behind.
The seed would then sprout anew after a hundred years, and the cycle would repeat. After a thousand years, the fruit would finally be worthy of the name "Thousand-Year Ice Jade Fruit." When ripe, it emitted a purple glow and was a rare treasure of heaven and earth, incredibly mystical.
It was most often used for alchemy, though it could also be consumed directly. Eating one would have miraculous effects. For someone in their thirties or forties, who might have no hope of entering the immortal realm, eating a Thousand-Year Ice Jade Fruit would completely rejuvenate the body and give them a chance to open the Immortal Gate. For older individuals, it could extend their life by twenty years.
Longevity!
How many people yearn for it? The closer one gets to death, the stronger the desire to live. A fruit that could extend life by twenty years would drive many to madness.
Money has a price, but life has no price.
"No wonder the Magistrate is willing to part with one hundred thousand taels," Qin Yun said thoughtfully. "But Mount Cangya, the highest peak in Guangling County, is filled with countless demons. Retrieving this fruit will be extremely difficult."
"There are also two others who will accompany you, and they are not ordinary people," the County Magistrate continued. "One is from Guangling County and commands a demon beast that follows his every command. This beast is more powerful than even the old demon Chu Yong. As for the other, she is my niece, and her strength is likely comparable to yours, Young Master Qin."
"Oh?" Qin Yun was taken aback.
As a local official, the County Magistrate would have access to information about others, but to claim that a mere niece could rival his strength?
"Your niece? Has she entered the Innate Realm?" Qin Yun asked.
"Not quite the Innate Realm," the County Magistrate replied with a smile. "You three are not in the Innate Realm because, if you were, your presence would have a distinct aura that would alert the demons. If they sensed Innate experts coming to steal the fruit, they might destroy it rather than let it fall into your hands."
"You are all in the acquired realm, which is why the demons will underestimate you. I need you to take advantage of their misjudgment and seize the fruit," the County Magistrate explained.
Qin Yun was curious.
A woman who hadn’t even reached the Innate Realm, yet the County Magistrate seemed confident that she was his match in strength? She must be from one of the top sects, possibly a disciple of a Taoist or Buddhist holy land.
"Mount Cangya is filled with demons, and we’ll be deep in their lairs. Too many variables are involved. One hundred thousand taels of silver?" Qin Yun shook his head lightly. "I’m not interested."
"Please feel free to state any conditions you may have," the County Magistrate said.
"I do not require the silver notes," Qin Yun replied. "What I need is ''Cold Essence Liquid''—ten jin (about 5 kg) of it."
Cold Essence Liquid was essential for Qin Yun.
His life-bound flying sword was currently being refined with common materials, and its progress was slow. If he had ten jin of Cold Essence Liquid, his sword could be completed within a month! Unfortunately, Cold Essence Liquid was rare and generally only available in the top sects or powerful factions. As a wandering cultivator, Qin Yun had never been able to gather any.Stolen story; please report.
The County Magistrate furrowed his brow. "Cold Essence Liquid is rare. It can only be found deep beneath the North Sea. Ten jin is not expensive, but gathering that much is troublesome. It should be ready within a month, at the latest, two months."
Qin Yun''s eyes brightened. "That will do. The fruit will not be ripe until a little over a month from now, so if you can provide me with some Cold Essence Liquid before we depart for Mount Cangya, I will be satisfied."
"We will provide you with whatever we have at the time," the County Magistrate said. "Are we agreed?"
"I agree to go," Qin Yun said with a nod.
He felt quite pleased.
Just as the star-patterned steel had shortened the time required to refine his life-bound flying sword, Cold Essence Liquid would enhance the sword''s foundation and accelerate the refining process, potentially finishing in a month.
"This County Magistrate is indeed no simple figure," Qin Yun thought to himself. "He must have connections with top-tier cultivation sects or holy lands. Cold Essence Liquid is difficult to obtain, but he can manage it. His network is extraordinary."
"Ha ha..." The County Magistrate laughed heartily. "Young Master Qin is indeed a straightforward person."
Qin Liehu, however, felt helpless. He exchanged a look with his son, who had already agreed.
"Brother Qin Yun, my father was worried you wouldn''t agree," Wen Chong remarked with a smile. "By the way, I heard you and Miss Chen Shuang from Yan Feng Lou are quite close?"
"Chen Shuang and I grew up together," Qin Yun replied simply.
The County Magistrate looked up and asked, "Is she the same Chen Shuang from the ''Chen Shuang Fu'' written by the talented Yu Bai?"
"Yes, that''s the one," Wen Chong smiled. "Today is the first time I’ve met Brother Qin Yun, and I have a gift for you."
"Oh?" Qin Yun was curious.
"In seven days, the flower competition in Guangling County will take place. I plan to give the Flower Queen title to your sister. How does that sound?" Wen Chong said, laughing.
Qin Yun was stunned.
The County Magistrate nodded approvingly. "Hmm, Wen Chong, it’s just the Flower Queen. You can arrange it now."
The Flower Queen?
For the County Magistrate, it was hardly a big deal.
"I’ll handle it right away. Half an hour is all I need," Wen Chong said, grinning, and immediately left.
As a cultivator, Qin Yun understood that the Flower Queen title, especially in a county like this, was more of a fun diversion for the powerful and influential figures, rather than a significant achievement. The County Magistrate’s proactive offer to help was no doubt a sign that Qin Yun''s participation in the mission to Mount Cangya was critical—this was a life-and-death venture, and the Magistrate wanted to ensure Qin Yun''s full commitment.
"Thank you, Magistrate," Qin Yun said with a smile.
"It’s a small matter," the elderly County Magistrate replied with a grin. "I only want you to remember this favor."
In the Dreamlike Pavilion.
Inside the fragrant curtains, a soft, delicate body was leaning against a man’s chest.
"I never expected that the flower competition would have a contender like Chen Shuang," the Mistress of the Pavilion sighed with some regret. "If I don’t make it into the top three in seven days, I won’t be able to face anyone. I might as well throw myself into the Flower Yang River."
"Don’t worry, don’t worry, Ru Meng. While the Flower Queen title is uncertain, I’ve told you before, I guarantee you’ll make it into the top three," the man said, gently caressing her smooth skin.
Ru Meng raised her head. "Wang Lang, don’t let me have false hopes."
The man smiled. "How could I bear to see you upset?"
For some reason, even though Ru Meng was a little older, her beauty and skin were as youthful as a young maiden, and her charm was captivating. The man found himself irresistibly drawn to her.
"Master, Master! The County Magistrate requests your presence!" A voice urgently called from outside.
"The County Magistrate?" The man shuddered in surprise.
"The County Magistrate wants to see you, Wang Lang? You should hurry," Ru Meng urged.
"I’m going now."
The man quickly dressed and rushed out.
Ru Meng sat up, wrapping herself in a thin blanket, and moved to the vanity. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and smiled softly. "A little girl trying to compete with me? She’s still too young!"
Within half an hour, the three—two men and a woman—were all brought to Qin Yun’s residence.
"Greetings, Magistrate," they said respectfully, bowing before standing to one side, filled with curiosity.
Wen Chong smiled and said, "Brother Qin Yun, how does one choose the Flower Queen? They judge based on looks, talent, and charm... But in the end, the Flower Queen Association, composed of one hundred people, makes the final decision. These people are either famous figures in Guangling County, members of prominent families, respected scholars, or wealthy clients who frequent the brothels. Their decision is supposed to be fair."
"But in reality, some of these scholars and famous people have their own agendas. Some of the wealthy merchants and patrons also exert influence."
"These three," Wen Chong introduced, "Yu Niang, who manages five brothels in Guangling County, including Yan Feng Lou. Many scholars are supported by her."
The woman gave Qin Yun a slight smile.
"Wang Shilang, the deputy president of our Guangling County Chamber of Commerce. Many of the wealthy merchants and patrons in the Flower Queen Association listen to his advice," Wen Chong added.
The man, Wang Shilang, immediately flashed a friendly smile at Qin Yun.
"And this is Young Master Hong," Wen Chong continued. "The Hong family is the most powerful in Guangling County, and their influence is enormous. Many people in the Flower Queen Association don’t dare to ignore the Hong family’s wishes."
"Greetings, Young Master Qin," Young Master Hong said with a smile. "I’ve heard of your actions—how you made Liu Qi fall on his face just for a lady’s honor."
"These three have enough power to sway the Flower Queen Association," Wen Chong explained. "If they all agree on a candidate, that person will definitely become the Flower Queen. My father has high hopes for Miss Chen Shuang. What do you all think?"
Yu Niang responded first. "Chen Shuang is already famous, and I’ve supported her from the beginning. I’m confident she’ll win the Flower Queen title this year."
Young Master Hong nodded in agreement. "She’s unparalleled in both sword dancing and playing the pipa. If she’s not the Flower Queen, then who is?"
"Yes, yes," Wang Shilang added. "Even the talented Yu Bai wrote the ''Chen Shuang Fu'' about her. Of course, she deserves to be the Flower Queen. If she doesn’t win, I’ll be the first to protest."
"Ha ha..." Wen Chong chuckled. "Brother Qin Yun, you see? It’s all settled! Miss Chen Shuang is the Flower Queen this year."
Qin Yun watched all this unfold.
No matter how the other courtesans competed in seven days, today, the Flower Queen title was already decided.