Hearing the system's prompt,
Xia Ci's heart leaped with joy.
The reward for killing Flying Dragon was actually the Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms.
This martial art was legendary to Xia Ci, known as the most powerful Yang technique in the world. It was extremely forceful and strong, with straightforward yet versatile moves. The eighteen palm techniques offered eighteen different combat capabilities, yet each approach was primarily offensive, fully proving that "attack is the best defense."
This palm technique was unmatched in power, correspondingly consuming vast amounts of internal energy. Those with insufficient internal energy would find this technique troublesome to use.
But it was perfect for Xia Ci.
His Nine Yang Divine Skill generated endless internal energy, making it an ideal match for the Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms.
This palm technique would also fill a gap in Xia Ci's current abilities.
He now possessed the incredibly powerful Nine Yang Divine Skill internally, but his only attack method was the Mysterious Sword Skill. Although the Mysterious Sword Skill was exquisite, it was a technique that emphasized illusory and substantive moves—plenty of finesse but lacking in attacking power, somewhat wasting his Nine Yang true energy.
...
When Xia Ci agreed to take on this mission, Yan Sanniang quickly handed the stack of rice paper to Xia Xiayin, saying, "This contains detailed intelligence about Flying Dragon and the Flying Horse Gang, including each person's martial arts specialties, personalities, and so on. I've gathered as much detailed information as possible. You two siblings should study it carefully."
Xia Xiayin nodded, "Don't worry, we'll examine it thoroughly."
Yan Sanniang continued, "Flying Dragon is currently in Zhushan County, but the Flying Horse Gang is in the Pingze County area. Everyone's attention has been drawn to Pingze County. My information should give us about a five-day lead, so you must go to Zhushan County as soon as possible. Otherwise, we'll lose our advantage. Once in Zhushan County, you'll need to find someone."
"Who?" Xia Xiayin asked.
Yan Sanniang said, "An underground merchant in Zhushan County named Wen Yong, nicknamed Night Rat. He's quite famous there and runs a pawnshop business. He won't be hard to find. This man is one of Flying Dragon's partners and has been helping him sell stolen goods. Many of Flying Dragon's valuable jewels have been sold through him. Now that Flying Dragon has gone to Zhushan County, only this man knows his exact whereabouts."
"Good," Xia Ci nodded.
Xia Xiayin asked curiously, "Since he's Flying Dragon's partner, will he tell us Flying Dragon's whereabouts?"
Yan Sanniang smiled confidently, "He will, because he's now one of Notsecond Manor's undercover agents in Zhushan County."
Xia Xiayin was stunned for a moment, then exclaimed, "Madam Yan, you're amazing!"
Yan Sanniang chuckled, "How could I dare to run the Pursuit business without some connections?"
"But why doesn't he just tell you directly where Flying Dragon is hiding?" Xia Xiayin asked.
"It wouldn't help. Someone like Flying Dragon is very cautious and won't stay in one place for long. He's constantly moving. We can only track his latest location once we get there," Yan Sanniang thought for a moment, then added, "I've recorded all other information on those papers. You can read them while traveling. So, when do you plan to leave?"
"Anytime," Xia Ci said.
"Then I'll arrange a carriage for you," Yan Sanniang said. "Little sister Xiayin, can you drive a carriage?"
Xia Xiayin responded, "No problem. When I was escorting with my brother, I was the assistant and often responsible for driving the carriage."
"That's perfect then. I'll send someone to deliver the carriage soon," Yan Sanniang said. "I've prepared dried food, change of clothes, and other necessities for you. You just need to be ready to go."
With that, Yan Sanniang rose to leave.
Xia Xiayin accompanied Yan Sanniang to the door and suddenly asked, "Madam Yan, you have wide connections and experience. I'd like to ask you something."
"What is it? Tell me."
Xia Xiayin asked cautiously, "Do you know any skilled divine doctors?"
Yan Sanniang glanced into the courtyard and said, "You want to know if anyone can treat your brother's eyes, right?"
Xia Xiayin nodded, "I don't want my brother to be blind for life."
Yan Sanniang said, "For someone like Master Xia, it's truly a pity if he can't see the beauty of the world. I don't know such divine doctors personally, but I know someone who might be able to heal him."
"Who?" Xia Xiayin asked.
"In Qingzhou, there's the Medicine Sage Qi Miaoxuan," Yan Sanniang said. "This person has precedent in curing blind people, even someone who was blind from birth. However, his whereabouts are unpredictable, and while many seek his treatment, few receive it because his conditions are difficult to meet."
"How strange are they?" Xia Xiayin asked.
Yan Sanniang said, "Three rules. First, ten thousand taels of silver, which must be in cash, not bank notes, and all in one-tael ingots. Reportedly, he likes to throw silver into rivers for fun. Second, you must give him a natural treasure that piques his interest. Third, you must be considered a friend by his standards."
Xia Xiayin looked bewildered, "The first two conditions make sense, but for the third, who knows what it takes to be considered his friend?"
Yan Sanniang sighed, "That's why getting treatment from him is so difficult. The first two conditions are hard for ordinary people but not for officials or wealthy merchants. The real difficulty lies in the third condition."
Xia Xiayin nodded, "I understand. Thank you, Madam Yan. At least there's hope."
"I'll try my best to help you find a way and gather information."
"Thank you!"
Yan Sanniang smiled and turned to leave.
A-Qi, still coldly carrying his sword, followed beside Yan Sanniang. As they walked, A-Qi suddenly asked, "Boss, is Xia Ci really blind?"
"Yes, he is. Why?" Yan Sanniang asked.
"I just saw him counting ants."
"Hmm?"
A-Qi said, "I've heard that when martial arts cultivation reaches a certain depth, one can achieve a state called 'cicadas sense autumn wind before it moves,' referring to extraordinarily powerful perception. For instance, as a swordsman, that realm would be called 'intent'—sword intent. For internal energy practitioners, it's described as 'not even a feather can be added, nor can a fly land,' meaning that when internal energy reaches a certain level, it automatically forms a protective energy shield around the body."
"Are you suggesting that Xia Ci has reached this level?" Yan Sanniang asked in surprise. "Practitioners of internal energy at this level might not even number more than a few in the entire Linjiang Prefecture, right?"
"Not just internal energy masters, but all martial arts masters. Those who have reached this realm, all together, certainly don't exceed ten."
...
Yan Sanniang moved quickly, and soon arranged a carriage fully equipped with changes of clothes, food, and everything needed for the journey.
Xia Ci sat inside the carriage,
while Xia Xiayin drove, heading toward Zhushan County.
Zhushan County was one of the eleven counties under Linjiang Prefecture's jurisdiction, located in a rather remote area at the very edge of the prefecture, about five hundred li away.
However, both Xia Ci and Xia Xiayin were accustomed to traveling in the martial world, used to eating and sleeping outdoors, so the journey itself wasn't an issue. The only drawback was that Xia Ci couldn't ride a horse and had to travel by carriage, which significantly slowed their pace and lengthened their journey. Due to the poor road conditions, the trip would take about three days.
Unfortunately, the weather wasn't cooperative.
On the evening of the second day, the sky suddenly became overcast with dark clouds.
Xia Xiayin increased their pace and finally, just as the rain began to fall, found a shed in the mountains, probably built by local hunters for emergencies.
Xia Xiayin immediately covered the carriage with oilcloth to prevent it from getting soaked, then tied the horse under a tree before leading Xia Ci into the shed.
Just as they got a fire going,
the sound of hoofbeats and commotion came from outside, suggesting that quite a few people had arrived.
Xia Xiayin immediately gripped her sword, then heard a resonant voice from outside: "Friends inside, we are from the Changfeng Escort Agency, passing through with an escort. We've come upon this place—would you mind if we enter to rest and take shelter from the rain?"
Upon hearing "Changfeng Escort Agency," Xia Xiayin became angry.
The siblings had been expelled by the Changfeng Escort Agency's dishonorable actions, and now they had coincidentally encountered them here.