Enlightenment: Beginning as a Disposable Warrior-Chapter 83 - 77: Southern Border Gu Poison, Black Insect Elder

Li Zhihe flicked his wide sleeves, the golden thread embroidered tiger head pattern on his light green official robe seemed to glare angrily. He reached into his sleeve and took out a scroll with a wanted order.

"Brother Li, have you heard of the White Jade Gang?"

"Naturally, one of the Five Great Powers of Cyan Cloud." Su Mu's eyes flickered, "Is the bounty related to the White Jade Gang?"

"Brother Li, don't worry, even if the White Jade Gang commits a crime, our Demon Slayer Bureau fears nothing..." Li Zhihe, in his official robe, appeared more dignified than usual, "However, this matter is indeed related to the White Jade Gang."

"On the fifteenth of every month, the White Jade Gang holds a small auction in Baihe Town, and every change of seasons sees a larger-scaled auction. The autumn auction is the grandest of the year, so much so that many privately refer to it as the 'Qingyun Auction.' With the approach of autumn, the White Jade Gang has begun preparations..."

"About half a month ago, the White Jade Gang's caravan was attacked, leaving more than ten people, including three Bone Forging Realm guards, dead. Ten days ago, one Muscle-Enhancing Martial Artist of the White Jade Gang was assaulted, sustaining severe injuries... Thus, the White Jade Gang reported to the Government Office and issued a bounty worth one hundred gold taels and a White Jade Order."

After finishing the brief description, Su Mu took the scroll.

Briefly scanning the scroll, Su Mu noted that it was almost identical to Li Zhihe's description, except his pupils contracted slightly at one point.

The wanted order contained additional details, such as the bounty mentioning the leader of a duo skilled in using Gu Poison.

"Proficient in Gu Poison, they must have expertise in it... This person could aid in detoxifying Gu Poison!"

Su Mu's eyes lit up, already forming a decision in his heart.

Li Zhihe keenly noticed Su Mu's gaze linger on 'Gu Poison' for a moment. He spoke up timely, "Gu Poison is dangerous, and this bounty is indeed challenging. That's exactly why the White Jade Gang issued a White Jade Order, which can serve as a commonplace favor from the White Jade Gang..."

"Brother Li is straightforward; I won't hide from you, another Silver Blade Catcher took the bounty a few days ago, and hasn't returned since."

"Should you accept the bounty, I can exceptionally provide a bottle of Hundred Herbs Pill to counter common Gu Poison for Brother Li's protection. This bounty is Second-Level but equivalent to four Level 3 Rewards."

A White Jade Order, one hundred gold taels, worth four rewards, and an extra bottle of Hundred Herbs Pill.

This bounty's reward cannot be considered stingy.

Su Mu narrowed his eyes slightly, yet even without these rewards, the mere 'Gu Poison' was valuable enough for him to take action; in Su Mu's view, 'Gu Poison' outweighed all of this.

"I'll take it."

"Brother Li indeed has great courage." Li Zhihe promptly retrieved a sealed letter from his sleeve, "Confidential."

Su Mu accepted the rolled white paper.

"Black Insect Elder, suspected Southern Border Gu Master, newly Muscle-Enhancing, proficient in two types of Gu Insects: one being Red Peak Gu, the size of a pinky, resembling a bee, entirely scarlet, wounds from its sharp teeth can cause paralysis and excruciating pain."

"The other, the size of a date stone, entirely gray, resembling a longhorn beetle, chirps like a frog, stings can cause profuse bleeding..."

"According to medicinal farmers, likely hiding twenty miles northeast of Baihe Town, South Slope of Black Bull Mountain..."

Scanning it and being startled inwardly, the Demon Slayer Bureau's intelligence was still exhaustive, showcasing remarkable informational capabilities.

"Come, quickly fetch a bottle of Hundred Herbs Pill for Brother Li!"

...

Leaving the Demon Slayer Bureau, Su Mu first returned to his residence, where over the past half-year the Pharmacist had crafted numerous Antitoxic Pills through trial and error. After testing them, the surplus pills were given to Su Mu to keep.

Seeing seven or eight small porcelain bottles on the shelf, Su Mu poured two tablets from each and wrapped them in a small cloth bag, placing it in his jacket.

"Bring these with you... for emergencies."

After his prior encounter with Zhou Tiande, the Pharmacist had gifted him 'Cyan Jade Discontinuity Ointment,' of which half a stick remained, which Su Mu took along. Additionally, he carried a bottle of Blood-Strengthening Pill for essential power recovery and Qi Blood replenishment.

"Let's move out."

Su Mu donned a rice hat and immediately set off, leaving Qingyun City.

Baihe Town is surrounded by mountains on two sides, and the region is rich in Mountain Jade. It's the place of origin for the White Jade Gang, one of the Five Great Powers of Cyan Cloud. As the White Jade Gang annually hosts large and small auctions here, the town is prosperous, attracting merchants in droves.

Under the dusk, the figure of the Rice Hat Wanderer coming from the north stretched long like a spear.

"Where did you come from?"

"Qingyun City."

"Why enter the town?"

"I've long heard of the auction, and have come in admiration."

"Remove the hat."

The hat was taken off, revealing a cold, expressionless face that made the guard outside the town tense up inside. After comparing with the Black Mountain Elder's portrait, he collected a fee of ten cents and let him pass.

"Qingyun City charges fifteen cents... while Baihe Town charges ten cents, indeed flourishing."

Arriving at Baihe Town, Su Mu found it indeed bustling. Though a town, Baihe's scale was much larger than that of Qingshui Town, being the most prosperous place Su Mu had seen in Qingyun County outside the county seat.

On White River Avenue, the banners of taverns fluttered in the wind, the streets crowded with vendors and pedestrians.

The hour was growing late, and night was about to fall. Given the target of the bounty, the Black Mountain Elder and his disciple's expertise in Gu Insects, despite the detailed intelligence from the Demon Slayer Bureau, Su Mu had no intention of entering Black Bull Mountain by night.

Caution is the boat that sails for ten thousand years; in dealing with those using Gu Poison, daytime was preferable.

Su Mu picked the busiest tavern and stepped inside.

"Waiter, bring three pounds of marinated meat, a plate of caraway beans, and some bowls of rice, be quick."

"You've come at the right time, there's just an empty table, please come in!"

Su Mu nodded lightly and took a seat at a corner table. Just as he sat down, a man and a woman approached, both with swords hanging on their waists, the sword adorned with jade, the woman with fair skin and peach blossom eyes, the man tall and imposing.

"This gallant sir, the place is full, may we share the table?"

"Please do."

"Thank you, this meal is on me, the lady knight."

The two immediately cupped their fists in gratitude, and the lady knight eagerly offered to pay. Su Mu merely nodded lightly. Though the pair wore no luxurious clothes, Su Mu could tell from their demeanor that they were unlikely ordinary folk.

"One Refining Force, one Bone Forging."

Su Mu also recognized the swords at their waists as products of the Forging Workshop; coincidentally the lady's sword was one Su Mu had forged.

The tavern was full, rivers and lakes people with a few drinks began to talk of worldly matters, Su Mu listened quietly, his interest piqued at one point. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"It's said the White Jade Gang recently issued several bounties, Black Mountain Elder seems to have gone silent lately, probably too afraid to show themselves."

"Hmm, gone silent? Just this morning, someone found a head in a grove south of town and promptly reported it... I suspect it's the head of the Demon Slayer Bureau's Catcher 'Flying Goose Saber'."

Gasp!

The comment drew several gasps.

"'Flying Goose Saber,' a long-renowned Seventh-Grade Martial Artist, whose saber has slain a villain of similar grade, died at the hands of the Black Mountain Elder. Is this true?"

When asked, the person hesitated, stammering:

"I only heard rumors, not reliable... but I did hear 'Flying Goose Saber' took a bounty some days ago."

Soon, a steaming hot plate of large marinated meat was served. Su Mu picked a piece, chewed it.

The lady from the sharing table, listening to others discuss the matter, turned pale and proactively initiated a conversation with Su Mu.

"Gallant sir, might you attend the auction coming up soon? Since meeting is fate, why not join us?"

"No need."

Su Mu fell silent, finishing his meal and leaving the tavern.