A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 132 - 116: Outside the County, Entering the Kiln

"Brother Bai! Brother Bai... Are you home? Open the door; it's He Jingfeng!"

Early in the morning, Bai Qi was woken by the noisy voice. He quietly clenched his fist but then thought of the large jar full of Jade Water Rice, the Golden Orchid and Gentiana growing in the house, and most importantly, the secret text book.

"Forget it, forget it. For Brother Fu who spills gold coins, a little more tolerance is needed. When the benefits are in place, the service must also be in place; maintain a professional attitude."

He took several deep breaths to calm down his unwarranted morning temper, threw on his robe, and opened the door. Just in time to see Ah Di rubbing his sleepy eyes:

"It's fine; I'll handle him. You can lie down for a bit longer. It's so cold, it's only comfortable in bed."

Bai Qi waved his hand, quickly walked through the front yard, pulled out the door bolt, and sure enough, saw He Jingfeng's friendly face.

"Brother Bai! Haven't seen you for a few days, I really missed you. Come on, come on, I've even prepared a sedan for you; let's set off quickly!"

He Jingfeng stepped aside, and several sturdy servants were waiting outside with two soft sedans.

Bai Qi looked up at the not yet fully lighted sky and squeezed out a question:

"Where to?"

He Jingfeng cheerily replied:

"The kiln! Ten jars of Luofu Brew have finally been sent over. My men were dragging their feet, delaying it until today.

I thought about it, and with the snow falling, it's the perfect time to enjoy the scenery, so I thought of bringing you along, Brother Bai.

You know, I'm unfamiliar with the people and places in Black River County, coming alone with gifts feels a bit abrupt."

Bai Qi almost laughed out loud; just a few days ago, He Jingfeng was throwing a party in Scattered Garden, massively disgracing the Inner City Martial Arts Association Master, and even proclaimed arrogantly about how a strong dragon can still suppress a local bully!

Now he was acting like a traveler from afar.

"In this freezing weather, Master Li might not even have the kiln open, and we might make a fruitless trip..."

He Jingfeng seemed to have anticipated that, raised his hand, and pointed:

"Provisions for you and me for several days are all prepared; there's no fear of not catching Master Li."

Considering the connections at several ferry docks and shops, Bai Qi sighed inwardly and agreed:

"Young Master He, wait for a moment; I'll instruct Ah Di a few words, freshen up a bit, and change my clothes."

He closed the door, leaving the Seventh Young Master of the He Family outside in the snow. Uncle Yang, standing nearby, couldn't hold back his silent dissatisfaction:

"Young Master, this boy has no manners. You are so humble and respectful, personally inviting him, but he is so stingy with even a cup of hot tea, leaving you to endure the wind and cold."

He Jingfeng waved his hand, not minding at all. If it were any son from a prominent family in Yihai County City, daring to treat him like this,

he would definitely leave in a huff and find a chance later to retaliate!

But after knowing Bai Qi was a disciple of Ninghai Zen, He Jingfeng saw him in a better light, even restraining his usual unruly nature, as if he turned into a mild-mannered mud Bodhisattva.

Even facing cold reception, he had a strange sense of "as expected from Ning the Madman's disciple."

"Before the Taoist schools fell, there was the story of 'Standing in the Snow.' I sincerely want to befriend Brother Bai; seeing my sincerity, how could he not be moved? Uncle Yang, you're too impatient; learn to be more like me."

He Jingfeng held a slight smile, while Uncle Yang looked as if he'd seen a ghost, his face stiff with shock.

Was this still the Seventh Young Master he knew?

The one who would flip tables in the restaurant at the slightest disagreement, frequently brawling with peers from the Thirteen Trades, always proclaiming, 'My elder brother has the bearing of a Daoist Official,' the Seventh Young Master of the He Family first branch?!

...

...

Bai Qi didn't know that by studying at Tongwen Hall and bearing the title of Ninghai Zen's disciple, he had caused the notorious tyrant of Yihai Prefecture to change his attitude.

He originally didn't want to have any deep interactions with He Jingfeng, after all, he wasn't clear about his master's relationship with the Thirteen Trades, and if there was any deep-seated enmity, a fallout would be too abrupt.

Unfortunately, this Seventh Young Master of the He Family first branch was like a clingy piece of sticky candy; every time things got quiet for a few days, he'd come visiting with large parcels, acting all familiar.

"I'm going out for a day or two, the house will be too quiet. After you finish breakfast, go and stay at Tongwen Hall, let Old Xu watch over the house."

Bai Qi instructed, momentarily putting aside He Jingfeng's proactive invitation; he was quite interested in Black River County's kiln too.

The fishery had already collapsed halfway, and he'd seen the Chai Market; only the kiln for porcelain and weapon forging was left to explore.

"Recently, I talked about finding ways to get rich; succeeding in ironworking can be much more lucrative than fishing."

Bai Qi finished washing up, tied his hair with a bow, and walked out with big strides.

Unless involved in illegal salt smuggling, the fish stall's profits remain limited, but the weapon forging shop is different; they sell swords, sabres, spears, and staffs at high prices with a large market, which in a past life, was akin to legal arms trading.

The massive profits within need not be mentioned.

"I wonder what kind of temper Master Li has."

Bai Qi pondered as he exited the house and got into the sedan.

The most luxurious mode of transport in Black River County is either ox carts or horseback riding.

Roaming with the Seventh Young Master of the He Family gave him a taste of the County City lord's enjoyment in advance.

The four sturdy servants carried the sedan steadily without shaking.

But before Bai Qi could quiet down for long, He Jingfeng lifted the cloth curtain and loudly asked:

"Brother Bai, after staying home for so long, have you gotten the basics of the Cultivation secret text? According to the Daoist School's criteria, recognizing fifty characters in ten days is considered average talent."

Bai Qi's temple vein throbbed, instantly feeling that this Seventh Young Master of the He Family was like a duck, with a mouth that never stopped.

"Not much."

He was as sparing with his words as usual.

After dissecting and interpreting the characters, he memorized over a hundred characters from two pages of magic techniques, rapidly improving his literacy skills, making it the first technique he mastered.

[Skill: Literacy Mastery (Accomplished)]

[Progress: 47/800]

[Effect: Discern Netherworld sounds, recognize the forms of spirits and deities]

"Does it mean that I, like Ah Di, can now see 'wandering ghosts' invisible to the naked eyes of ordinary people?"

Bai Qi blinked, skimming over this mastery skill glowing with a purple halo.

Thus, with intermittent chat with He Jingfeng, they finally arrived at the kiln outside Black River County, over a hundred miles away.

Both dismounted from the sedan, and looked from afar, seeing a row of dragon-like kilns lying on the low hill, stretching over ten meters long from bottom to top.

The kilns were burning bright red, flames blazing towards the sky, spewing thick smoke that obscured the sun, a truly magnificent sight!

"This is the Cyan Flower Kiln, used for firing porcelain. The Yuan Blue-and-White Porcelain that the wealthy families in the County City love comes from here. Master Li, with just this one kiln, makes at least one hundred thousand taels a year."

He Jingfeng remarked with admiration:

"My He Family is in the pawnshop business; it's hard to form ties with Master Li."

One hundred thousand taels? One kiln?

Bai Qi clicked his tongue and casually asked:

"I wonder if Master Li is still taking on apprentices; I actually would like to learn a skill."

He Jingfeng laughed heartily:

"Master Li has no children, and has already taken on three apprentices. One in porcelain firing, one in brick firing, and the youngest who hasn't been an apprentice for long, learning weapon forging.

He's also named Li, nicknamed Dog, very strong but with a short breath, unable to forge a few weapons before getting worn out."

The Seventh Young Master's ability to gather information was impressive.

"You even know that?"

Bai Qi was amazed.

"Of course, I specifically ordered a business deal, eight sixteen-refined steel knives, trying to make connections.

It's a tiny business, surely not worth Master Li's attention, his young apprentice took it.

This lad is good at drawing pancakes to appease me, promising delivery in nine days, extending to half a month, now nearly twenty days, with no sign of action."

He Jingfeng smiled in exasperation.