The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS
Chapter 169 - 162 News

Chapter 169: Chapter 162 News

In the secret chamber of the western city mansion, the pharmacist paced restlessly, walking back and forth as if unsettled by something.

"Buzz—"

A dull thud sounded as the door of the secret chamber opened, and Qing Yu stepped in.

"Sir, you’ve finally arrived..." the pharmacist hurried forward and said.

"What’s so urgent?" Qing Yu asked, looking at the pharmacist who seemed anxious.

These past few days, due to the detention of a Japanese prisoner in the dungeon of the Branch of Six Gates, Qing Yu had stayed together with Luo Yan and others, and had not returned to the mansion in the western city.

Ever since the pharmacist had been attacked by a Death Soldier that day, he had been frightened out of his wits, staying in the mansion all day long and not daring to go out easily. According to him, being the sole descendant of the Zhang Family, he couldn’t afford to die before expanding his family lineage.

"Today, during the daylight, Han Wenxin was attacked on the street; though he repelled the enemies, he still received serious injuries and is now recuperating," the pharmacist reported.

"Today?"

Qing Yu felt a bit surprised. Attacking Han Wenxin during the day and the dungeon at night, both events happening on the same day, the Japanese were really daring. Or rather, they were overly confident about the success of their actions, not anticipating a failure.

However, there’s always an unexpected element. Not only did they fail in their attack on Han Wenxin, but their attempt to break the prison had also failed.

"Yes, today." The pharmacist confirmed, "It was Feng Yixian, known as ’Flying Axe,’ who led the attack. Although they were all masked, Feng Yixian’s signature Light Axe is unique in Linchuan Prefecture."

"Utterly reckless," Qing Yu said.

Though Feng Yixian wore a mask, the use of a weapon that could be said to be uniquely his made this mask just a mere fig leaf at best. He truly acted without restraint, currently standing at the pinnacle of power among the Japanese in Linchuan Prefecture.

With Lin Tengyuan, a master from Divine Origin Realm, backing him, Feng Yixian could swagger around Linchuan Prefecture, fearing no one, not even Luo Yan and others.

If not for their respect toward the master of Luo Yan and Bu Lengchuan, Lin Tengyuan might have already made a move on the two of them.

However, just the matter concerning Han Wenxin shouldn’t have made the pharmacist so desperate to send for him. There must be something else.

"Besides, Han Wenxin has finalized negotiations with the person in charge of the Shadow Pavilion in Linchuan Prefecture. The Shadow Pavilion has agreed to support the distribution of Longevity Powder through Linchuan Prefecture to Daqian, and moreover, other areas within the Shadow Market will also allow the sale of Longevity Powder locally."

This piece of information was quite astonishing. Longevity Powder, such a pernicious drug, was actually allowed by the Shadow Pavilion to be sold in Daqian? Had he guessed wrong? Was the Shadow Pavilion not an undercover force of the Daqian Court?

"How did they reach such an agreement?" Qing Yu asked curiously.

"The Shadow Pavilion turned down the inferior Longevity Powder from entering Daqian. Instead, they have a large demand for high-quality Longevity Powder, the more refined the better. They will take in a large batch initially, and subsequent supplies will be sold in the Shadow Market," the pharmacist revealed the conditions set by the Shadow Pavilion.

High-quality Longevity Powder...

Qing Yu slightly tapped his fingers on the table; it seemed the people from the Shadow Pavilion also had their agendas.

According to Qing Yu’s understanding, the Shadow Pavilion should be an organization dominated by either the Emperor’s confidants, or directly by someone from the Imperial Family, primarily established to stabilize Daqian’s hidden powers.

From what he could see currently, a person from the Imperial Family was more likely, and regardless of their status, at the very least, they were highly ambitious.

What was the greatest use of Longevity Powder? Was it to accumulate wealth?

No, money was secondary; for those in high positions, money was necessary but not the most important thing.

The greatest function of Longevity Powder lay in its ability to corrupt the heart. Initially, when Feng Jiu had the pharmacist sell Longevity Powder in the Divine Capital, it eventually led to the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Li Renjie, pursuing the matter. However, Li Renjie’s investigation was halted by layers of intricate relationships, making it impossible to proceed further, and the investigation into the source of Longevity Powder ended there.

The nodes in this intricate web were none other than the hedonistic scions indulging in Longevity Powder. Captivated by the euphoric effect of Longevity Powder, they involuntarily became protective umbrellas for its sales, sheltering its distribution from scrutiny.

High-quality Longevity Powder was incomparable to its inferior counterparts, massively different in price, setting a natural limit on the financial and social power of potential buyers. It was clear who the refined Longevity Powder would end up being sold to. The Shadow Pavilion, just like the initial Feng Jiu, would utilize Longevity Powder on the same path.

"Troublesome times indeed..."

Thinking this, Qing Yu almost felt the urge to sigh deeply.

On one hand, the Japanese were aggressively pressing forward, with Luo Yan and Bu Lengchuan being suppressed by Lin Tengyuan, leaving them no room for operation. On the other hand, although Han Wenxin had been the target of assassination and was seriously injured, he had managed to finalize the distribution channel for Longevity Powder, which meant he could retire from the scene with accomplishments.

Moreover, with him overseeing the resolution of the routing issue of Longevity Powder, the subsequent matters would definitely continue to be influenced by him. Qing Yu, aiming to leverage the Sixth Prince’s influence to bolster his own, found his tasks increasingly difficult under Han Wenxin’s interference, with half of the efforts failing right from the start.

Busy dealing with the Japanese lately, he had neglected Han Wenxin, indeed underestimating him. Qing Yu laughed mockingly at himself.

Presumptuous judgment could be lethal. He, Qing Yu, hadn’t even genuinely dealt with the Shadow Pavilion before, yet had assumed based on his estimations that Han Wenxin was bound to return in defeat, unaware of the intentions on the part of the Shadow Pavilion.

"The situation is growing more urgent, I need to cut through the chaos with a swift blade..."

Thinking this, Qing Yu suddenly asked the pharmacist, "How severe are Han Wenxin’s injuries, and do you have a way to find out more?"

"Feng Yixian struck Han Wenxin’s back with an axe, causing a very deep wound that keeps him bedridden until now. Additionally, a Flying Axe wounded his shoulder. I’m also quite surprised that Han Wenxin is still alive," the pharmacist immediately detailed Han Wenxin’s injuries as if he had witnessed them personally.

"Oh..." Qing Yu looked at the pharmacist with surprise. Given his relationship with Han Wenxin, who would be cautious around him, how could the pharmacist know about the injuries?

"Sir," the pharmacist noticed and smiled proudly, saying, "Don’t forget, I knew about the arrangement between Han Wenxin and the Shadow Pavilion too. Just as Han Wenxin can plant his people around me, I can also plant mine around him. Using others’ strategies against themselves isn’t exclusive to Han Wenxin."

Well said, however you and Han Wenxin aren’t on the same level. Qing Yu couldn’t believe anyone could be so blind as to be bought over by the pharmacist.

"The position you and Han Wenxin hold in the heart of the Sixth Prince is not the same. I’m curious to know who was foolish enough to betray him and become a spy for you."

"Sir, don’t forget the allure of Longevity Powder," the pharmacist, taking out a medicine bottle from his bosom, said with an increasingly triumphant smile, "In this world, those who can resist Longevity Powder wouldn’t serve Han Wenxin as a mere servant."