The Nine Cauldrons

Book 8 Chapter 10: Shuangshan City

Teng Qingshan already knew the answer before the Sixth Elder had said anything. Showing up at his residence at this hour, it would be strange if nothing was up.

“Ha ha, there is good news regarding the thirty-six stone inscriptions.” The Sixth Elder walked over with a smile.

“The thirty-six stone inscriptions?”

As soon as this was mentioned, Teng Qingshan’s eyes began to shine. “Sixth Elder, come in. Let’s resume our discussion in the house!”

……

Inside the house, the stove burned, warming up the building.

Teng Qingshan and the Sixth Elder sat opposite each other.

“Sixth Elder, you were saying… the Hall of Assassins, which is under the Rising Sun Trading Company, has issued me an assassination order?” Teng Qingshan frowned, and the Sixth Elder immediately explained. “It’s a mission from the Hall of Assassins yes, however it isn’t an assassination, but a request for a live capture! Bringing the target back to our Hall of Assassins alive will suffice.”

“There’s no difference between a live capture and assassination.”

Teng Qingshan began to ponder.

Regarding the assassination of someone unknown to him… In his previous life, Teng Qingshan was a hitman under the Red Organization and dared not disobey any command passed down from the organization. However, in this life, he had experienced days filled with affection as part of the Teng Family, and this had caused a subtle shift in his line of thinking!

Towards those who wished for Teng Qingshan’s death, or to those who obstructed him, like the crazed troops on the grasslands and those men of Qing Hu Island who wanted his life, Teng Qingshan would never shown them any mercy.

On the other hand, to those that were total strangers to him…

“Who do you want me to capture?” Teng Qingshan asked another question.

“Dong Zhezi!” The Sixth Elder answered.

“Who is this Dong Zhezi?” Teng Qingshan had no knowledge of this person.

The Sixth Elder chuckled “Mister Teng, other than cultivation, you really are an individual that pays no heed to outside matters. This Dong Zhezi… is a bigwig in the Eastern Flower Region. Despite being a woman, she was able to become the head of the Dong Clan of Shuangshan City! Furthermore, the number of matriarchs has historically been rather small.

Teng Qingshan thought to himself, “A matriarch?”

He felt a little admiration for those woman who went on to become a female lord. Generally speaking, these types of people were those who faced a lot more hardship than the norm!

“Indeed. Moreover, she’s also a Martial Saint of the Innate Realm.” The Sixth Elder shook his head, “Of course, before Mister Teng, she’s merely a child that had just learned how to walk.”

“Why do you need me to capture her?” Teng Qingshan inquired further. “Do you know who placed this request?”

The Sixth Elder explained. “It’s the Jiang Clan! They are also a powerful clan in the Eastern Flower Region, but this time, they fell into a trap during the war waged against the Dong Clan which resulted in the capture of many Jiang Clan descendants. Even the Patriarch of the Jiang Clan was captured! In the end, the Jiang Clan sent many experts and rescued the 3rd Young Master with difficulty. As for the other members, they all died.”

“Furthermore, during this battle, the Jiang Clan’s foundations suffered a blow!”

“That Jiang Clan’s hatred for the Dong Clan had already seeped into their bones. Especially the Third Young Master of the Jiang Clan. it was rumored that he had suffered all kinds of torment during his capture.” The Sixth Elder smiled “So, regardless of the consequences, they requested that Mister Teng capture that Dong Zhezi for their reprisal.”

Teng Qingshan understood everything and nodded in response.

In a power struggle between clans, plots and schemes were normal. Teng Qingshan did not think one party was right and the other was wrong.

“This Dong Zhezi, what is her character like?” Teng Qingshan asked another question.

“This, I do not know well.” The Sixth Elder shook his head. “Right, there’s also an interesting story regarding this Dong Zhezi, she’s married to nine men.”

“She married?” Teng Qingshan was taken aback.

“Haha.” The Sixth Elder chortled. “Indeed, she married them! Under the heavens, there are many men who married several wives and had many concubines. After this Dong Zhezi became the matriarch, she was extremely domineering, married 9 men, and claimed they were her male concubines!”

Teng Qingshan was stunned.

This made Teng Qingshan recall the myths that were spread in the villages regarding the first Female Empress.

“Tsk tsk, interesting.” Teng Qingshan nodded.

“Mister Teng, do you accept this mission or not?” The Sixth Elder inquired.

Teng Qingshan cracked a smile “I am quite curious towards this Dong Zhezi. But this task…At least for now, I won’t be able to decide whether or not to accept this mission. How about this, tell me where this Dong Zhezi lives, and I’ll made a trip there! After I’ve arrived, I’ll make my decision.”

“Alright.” The Sixth Elder let a laugh. “This matters shall be left to your discretion. It would be great if Mister Teng does decide to capture Dong Zhezi. Should this be the case, hand Dong Zhezi over to the ‘Rising Sun Restaurant’ in Wuan City of the Eastern Flower Region, or a medicine store named ‘Five Savors Hall’.

“Alright.”

Teng Qingshan nodded with a smile.

“Since matters have been decided, I shall take my leave.” The Sixth Elder stood up, but quickly spoke when he saw Teng Qingshan getting up. “Mister Teng, you don’t have to send me off. This visit must’ve disturbed your dinner. Lady Jun is already looking this way.”

Li Jun who had finished making dinner could not help but smile.

Once the Sixth Elder had departed, Teng Qingshan and the others sat around a table and began dining.

“Big Brother Teng, I overheard your conversation with the Sixth Elder. Are you preparing to accept the mission?” Li Jun looked towards Teng Qingshan.

For Teng Qingshan, the thirty-six inscriptions were of extreme importance.

Each inscription contained marks left by Emperor Yu, which would help Teng Qingshan save a great amount of time, thus allowing him could return to the Land of the Nine Prefectures earlier.

“Little Jun, do you think I should accept it?” Teng Qingshan gazed at Li Jun.

Li Jun hesitated for a moment, and spoke “Earlier when I overheard your conversation, I felt that this Dong Zhezi… must be a rather capable woman. Ha ha, even I had to feel a little respect toward a person like her. However, whether you’re capturing her or not, in my opinion, if she turns out to be a pretty good person that treats the civilians well, then I say let her go.”

Teng Qingshan pondered silently.

“I’m only giving my opinion. In the end, the decision lies with Big Brother Teng.” Li Jun added, evidently little worried for Teng Qingshan.

Teng Qingshan couldn’t help but raise his head, and after seeing the nervous expression on Li Jun’s face, he laughed.

At the dining table, the Old Wang, the coachman, and Little Ping dare not interrupt. As for Teng Shou, he’s was little silly, and rather simple-minded. He only knew that he should not kill people who treat him well, and kill those people who treated him badly!

……

It was late at night. In the underground cave near the Godly Axe Mountain.

Iron Leafed Fruits that were littered around the cavern glowed with a green light. Teng Qingshan sat cross-legged in meditation and the thirty-six tablets were placed before him. It was already late at night, and Li Jun, Little Ping and the others had already drifted off to sleep..

“Big fellow, what are you doing stretching your head in!”

Teng Qingshan looked towards the passageway at the side.

The head of the Six Legged Bladelike Chi had already stretched towards Teng Qingshan’s side, part of its body remained outside, and another in its own lair.

“Roar~~” The two round pupils of the Six Legged Bladelike Chi protruded outwards and large gold-colored eyes stared at Teng Qingshan.

Teng Qingshan shook his head and snickered.

Ever since he arrived here, the Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth was no longer violent. Instead, it had become very tranquil. The Six Legged Bladelike Chi was not foolish, it naturally wanted to get near to the center of the Spiritual Power of Heavens and Earth… so it tried its best to get close without offending Teng Qingshan.

“This Six Legged Bladelike Chi does not seem to respect me.” Teng Qingshan sensed the meaning contained within its gaze. “True, even if we fought directly… I wouldn’t be able to defeat it! Within the narrow caves, I’d be able to fight against it. If we took it outside, the Six Legged Bladelike Chi would have the upper hand.”

Teng Qingshan really wished to subdue the Six Legged Bladelike Chi!

When he returned to the Land of Nine Prefectures in the future, Teng Qingshan could imagine that there won’t be any less battles than there were now, but with the Six Legged Bladelike Chi as a helper, the results would be a lot better.

What a pity…

As an old demonic beast that was more than a thousand year old, with battle prowess that was no weaker than his, subduing it was no more than a pipe dream. Demonic beasts were full of pride.

……

On the second day, by morning, Teng Qingshan and the others had already left the underground cave, and gathered near the Crescent Moon Lake.

Because Teng Qingshan was about to set out on a journey to the Eastern Flower Region, Li Jun and the others were here to see him off.

“Blue Luan can remain here, just incase the Six Legged Bladelike Chi ties to do something bad.” Teng Qingshan smiled at Li Jun, Little Ping, Teng Shou and Old Wang, “It’s several thousands of Li from here to Shuangshan City in the Eastern Flower Region. The Whole Gale Eagle is an Innate Realm Demonic Beast that can travel thousands of Li within a day. Even if it was a tad slower, I’ll most likely be back by tomorrow.”

“Big Brother Teng, be careful on your journey.” Li Jun said gently.

Under Li Jun’s urging, Teng Qingshan became a little absent-minded as he recalled scenes from his previous life.

In the years he spent in the hitmen organization, when Teng Qingshan left on tasks, Little Cat would give him a kiss, and urge him to be careful. When Little Cat went out to perform her tasks, Teng Qingshan would send her off in the same way. A wife sending off her husband… a husband sending off his wife. That scene had long since been carved into the recesses of his memory.

“Big Brother Teng?” Li Jun called out.

“Yes, wait for my return.”

Teng Qingshan looked towards the Whole Gale Eagle and gently patted its back.

Immediately, Whole Gale Eagle excitedly unfolded its wings and beat them several times, causing snow to fly everywhere. Soon after, it soared into the skies. When the Whole Gale Eagle had reached an altitude of twenty zhang in the air, higher than most of the treetops, Teng Qingshan, carrying the Reincarnation Spear, leapt into the air and descended onto the eagle’s back.

Teng Qingshan pointed towards the northeast.

“Oh~~~”

The cheerful cry of a bird resonated throughout the heaven and earth. The Whole Gale Eagle immediately flew swiftly toward the Eastern Flower Region. In a flash, it disappeared across the faraway horizon.

The Shuangshan City in the Eastern Flower Region was one of the thirty-six main cities in the continent.

Teng Qingshan also possessed a detailed map of Duanmu Continent. By relying on different reference points, coupled with the Whole Gale Eagle’s terrifying speed, he arrived at Shuangshan City, crossing a distance of several thousands of Li away by noon.

Allowing the Whole Gale Eagle to fly freely in the vicinity, Teng Qingshan entered Shuangshan City alone.

……

In the backyard of the Rising Sun Restaurant in Shuangshan City.

One must say, the Rising Sun Restaurant’s fame was significantly larger than Five Savors Hall. It was very easy for Teng Qingshan to locate the restaurant.

“I pay my greetings to Deus Teng!” The manager of the restaurant saluted respectfully.

Teng Qingshan nodded with a smile.

The fat manager’s eyes curved into half crescent moons as he grinned and said, “I received news earlier that Deus Teng is visiting Shuangshan City. I didn’t expect that Honorable Deus would arrive so quickly. May I know if Honorable Deus has any orders for me?”

“I want a detailed map of Shuangshan City, with an indication of where the Dong Clan resides.” Teng Qingshan commanded.

“Yes.” The manager immediately arranged for some men to carry out the tasks.

“When you find it, deliver it to me. I will be eating lunch in your restaurant.” As Teng Qingshan said this, he strode towards the restaurant, with the restaurant manager accompanying him by his side, “Honorable Deus, the third floor is already occupied. Please wait for a moment, I’ll get them to move down.”

“No need, just simply find an empty table in this restaurant.”

Teng Qingshan was still pondering…

“That Dong Zhezi, should I capture her?”