Chapter 145: Preparations For Essence Gathering

A few months later, Lu Yang finally took an extended leave from the Imperial Prison.

After making the necessary arrangements, he departed from the Imperial Capital and headed towards Wuyuan Province.

However, the situation along the roads had become far worse compared to his five years ago.

Not long after leaving the areas under the direct influence of the Imperial Capital, he encountered several small groups of cultivator bandits.

Most of them were only at the early stages of the Body Tempering Realm, and their numbers rarely exceeded five or six individuals.

Naturally, they were no threat to Lu Yang. He dealt with them casually, collecting whatever silver they carried before continuing his journey.

By the time he had travelled for several days, he had accumulated approximately two hundred taels of silver.

It was not a particularly impressive amount for the current him, but it was better than nothing.

However, Lu Yang found the situation quite difficult.

Previously, even ordinary bandits were rarely seen along the roads of Great Qian, let alone cultivator bandits.

Now, however, such groups were gradually becoming more common.

Although most were still relatively weak and disorganized, their existence indicated that the local authorities were no longer maintaining the same degree of control as before.

The Emperor’s policies were beginning to produce consequences beyond the Imperial Capital.

Lu Yang shook his head and continued travelling.

With his current cultivation at the Seventh Stage of Spirit Awakening Realm, his travelling speed was comparable to that of an ordinary Ninth Stage Spirit Awakening cultivator.

Thus, in just over three days and nights, he arrived in Luoyun Prefecture.

As usual, Lu Yang did not enter the prefecture city.

Instead, he headed directly towards the familiar county town where Zheng Hui lived.

The town had changed greatly over the years, growing to become one of the more prosperous places under Luoyun Prefecture.

The streets were busier, the number of shops had increased, and several new buildings had appeared near the commercial district.

Zheng Hui’s businesses occupied a noticeable portion of the town.

After arriving at the familiar residence, Lu Yang was quickly received.

"Senior!"

Zheng Hui hurriedly came out to greet him.

Compared to their first meeting years ago, his appearance had changed a lot.

He was now an old man, with half a head of grey hair and deeper wrinkles. Although his complexion was still healthy, the signs of aging were unmistakable.

Nevertheless, his eyes were as energetic as ever.

"Please, come inside."

Lu Yang nodded and followed him into the residence.

This time, Zheng Hui’s two children were also present.

Both were already in their twenties and had gradually begun taking over various responsibilities within the family business.

Since neither possessed cultivation aptitude, they had devoted themselves to learning commercial affairs from their father.

They were also familiar with the arrangements involving Lu Yang, after all, their family had benefited from his assistance for nearly two decades, and he was their most important benefactor.

They naturally treated him with utmost respect.

After exchanging a few greetings, everyone sat down.

The initial conversation concerned ordinary matters.

Zheng Hui reported the recent developments of his businesses, mentioning several new commercial arrangements and some difficulties encountered while dealing with other merchants.

Lu Yang listened while occasionally asking a few questions.

Since he had not visited for two years, there were quite a few developments he needed to understand.

Eventually, Zheng Hui brought out the account books.

"This year’s profits were slightly higher than last year. After deducting the necessary expenses and retaining sufficient working capital, senior’s share comes to nearly three thousand taels."

He placed several documents before Lu Yang, who glanced through them.

The figures were reasonable, and there were no obvious discrepancies.

He nodded, "Not bad, continue operating as before."

Zheng Hui smiled, "Understood."

He then instructed his children to bring over the silver.

However, instead of ordinary silver ingots, they brought several bundles of silver notes.

Each note represented one hundred taels of silver.

The Imperial Court naturally operated a national bank, although ordinary people rarely used it for everyday transactions.

It was mainly employed by merchants, wealthy factions, and cultivators conducting large financial transactions.

For Lu Yang, carrying increasingly large amounts of silver every time he visited Wuyuan Province had gradually become inconvenient. Using silver notes was much easier.

He accepted them and stored them away.

Nearly three thousand taels, combined with his salary from the Imperial Prison and the savings accumulated over the years, made him a wealthy person even among fellow Spirit Awakening cultivators.

After discussing several more matters, Lu Yang finally brought up the subject he was most interested in.

"Have you obtained any information regarding the Moonlight Pavilion?"

Upon hearing this question, Zheng Hui’s expression became somewhat solemn.

"Unfortunately, not much."

He hesitated briefly before continuing.

"We have managed to obtain some information through the outer disciples and people who occasionally interact with the pavilion, however, most of it concerns ordinary affairs. Obtaining information about their inheritance or internal arrangements is extremely difficult."

Lu Yang nodded, gesturing for him to continue.

"We considered establishing connections with some inner disciples, but those people are all Spirit Awakening cultivators. Even the weaker ones possess high status within the sect. It is difficult for a merchant family like ours to approach them, let alone bribe them."

Zheng Hui sighed as he spoke.

"We simply don’t have the necessary qualifications."

Lu Yang remained silent for a moment before nodding again, having already expected this outcome.

Though he held a bit of hope, it was not much.

The Moonlight Pavilion was a major cultivation faction with an Essence Gathering Realm powerhouse overseeing it, not something Zheng Hui’s commercial network could easily penetrate.

Even if Zheng Hui managed to establish connections with a few outer disciples, that would hardly provide access to anything important.

"You’ve done enough."

Lu Yang spoke calmly.

"Continue gathering whatever information you can, there’s no need to take unnecessary risks."

"Understood, senior." Zheng Hui replied.

Lu Yang considered the matter briefly before speaking again.

"There’s something else I want you to pay attention to."

Zheng Hui immediately straightened up.

"Please instruct me."

Lu Yang looked at him straight from under the mask and said.

"Start keeping an eye on auctions throughout the entire province."

Zheng Hui was slightly surprised, "Auctions?"

Lu Yang nodded.

"In particular, pay attention to anything related to the Qi Transformation Heart-Protecting Pill."