At the Gongzhengde Auction House. Days before, Gongzhengde Auction House announced that a blue-tier poison-preventing inscribed pill would be up for auction, the news attracted attention from martial artists, prominent merchants, and the nobility, some of whom sent confidants to verify the item’s authenticity. While some skeptics doubted the auction house’s claim, thinking it a ploy to increase attendance, others were genuinely curious or even traveled from other cities specifically for this event. The auction house was bustling with activity, the only one in the city, featuring two floors: the first for regular guests with a stage for the auction before them and the second divided into rooms for high society guests. On this day, every table and room were reserved. The auction house owner smiled, pleased with the overwhelming response. "Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to tonight’s special auction. Our auction house is committed to honesty and integrity. Every item is of the highest quality and worth every coin you spend. Should any item be damaged or not as described, we will fully refund your payment. Tonight, we are excited to present our first item, a jade vase over a hundred years old..." The initial part of the auction proceeded humbly, featuring items that were not so eye-catching. Over a shichen later, the moment everyone had been eagerly awaiting finally arrived. A small pill, no larger than a little finger, shimmered in soft blue light as it was presented on stage. "Our next item is one many of you have been anticipating. A blue-tier poison-preventing inscribed pill. This pill was crafted by a high-level alchemist using pure spirit herbs, then inscribed by a blue-tier inscription master. Do not underestimate it because it is blue tier. The character is ancient and lost to time, of very high quality, capable of neutralizing 1000 types of poisons, including the Weiman grass, king of the poison. Once consumed, its effects last for one and a half years. In a world where the blade and poison are ever-present dangers, this pill could very well save your life, bringing you back from the Angel of Death. To dispel any doubts, we’ve invited Master Zhao Shun, an indigo-tier inscription master from the central auction house, to verify its quality. The pill is indeed as described." "Ah, if Master Zhao Shun has examined it himself, then I’m at ease." "Yes, it’s good that Master Zhao Shun personally verified it." "The Gongzhengde Auction House is the top auction house in Yan Region. Even though this is just a branch in Fengfu City, they wouldn’t risk their reputation." The murmurs of satisfaction among the guests filled the auction house. The assurance from Master Zhao Shun put everyone at ease. Master Zhao Shun was a renowned inscription master of the Gongzhengde Auction House, an auction house that has their branch in almost every city in Yan Region. Zhao Shun was responsible for inspecting every inscribed item before it went to auction, earning a salary that rivals that of second-tier nobles in the royal court. "Ladies and gentlemen, please remain calm. We are about to start the auction. The opening bid for the blue-tier poison-preventing inscribed pill is 50 taels." The bids gradually climbed higher and higher. "1,000 taels," a cold, authoritative voice announced from the second floor, stunning everyone. "Who’s in that room?" "I do! I saw him when he entered. He’s Wei Sizhi, the young leader of the Water Dragon." No one dared to bid further, whether due to the high price or fear of the power of the person on the second floor. Thus, the blue-tier poison-preventing inscribed pill was auctioned off for 1,000 taels! April, the sixteenth day, The He family was tense on the final day of inscribing the Concealment Characters. Since Zhenzhu mentioned she had memorized it, they agreed to inscribe them into the vegetable garden. Given the garden’s size, it was not that large for farming, but it was too large for a single session of character inscribing. Zhenzhu proposed to inscribe daily, taking a total of five days. When they first discovered she could inscribe with only a day’s rest in between, everyone was astonished. Zhenzhu explained this was possible thanks to a golden fish scale. As they began inscribing, the family worried Zhenzhu might overexert herself or unexpected occurrences could happen, hence, they take turns guarding her. Even Baihu and Xiao She were concerned, watching over diligently. The past four days went smoothly, and today marked the final day of inscribing the entire garden. Zhenzhu started fluidly inscribing character, her concentration so intense that she became unaware of her surroundings, her spirit energy enveloping her in a soft blue light. The family waited silently, focused. "There it is, master, this is the house!" A distant voice caused the He family, engrossed in the garden, to look at each other anxiously. Please, let it not be as they feared. "This house, right here, belongs to the He family." "Come out this instant, Miss Wang!" A shrill voice from the front of the house turned Miss Wang pale. It was Miss Yu’s voice, wasn’t it? Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✶𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✶𝕟𝕖𝕥 Could it be that Miss Yu had indeed sent official soldiers to inspect the He household? "Husband, what shall we do?" Miss Wang turned to her husband for advice, knowing they couldn’t afford any disturbances during Zhenzhu’s character inscribing. Any noise or intrusion could ruin the process, potentially harming Zhenzhu or, in the worst case, rendering her unable to cultivate spirit energy ever again. "Stay calm. One of us should stay with Zhu’er to ensure her safety, while the other handles the situation outside. Without supervision, Zhu’er could be in danger." "You stay with Zhu’er. I will handle the guest," Miss Wang decided. "I’ll accompany you, Mother. Father, please ensure no one disturbs Younger Sister." Miss Wang and He Ming then left. Once they got to the front of their house, there was gathering crowd, led by Miss Yu, with three officials in tow. "What business brings everyone to the He house?" Miss He tried to remain composed and speak calmly. "What business could it be? We’re here to search your house," Miss Yu sneered, interjected before the officials could speak. "To search my house? For what reason? My family has done nothing wrong." "If you’ve done nothing wrong, let the officials search!" Miss Yu interrupted again. "How can you just enter to search without reason? Officials, please explain," Miss He turned to the three officials. "He Furen, we apologize. We received a report claiming you possessed illegal goods. With rampant illicit salt smuggling lately, we must inconvenience you," one official explained calmly. "Officers, my family has no such contraband." Miss Yu exclaimed, "Whether you have it or not, we’ll know after we search. You say you don’t have, should we just take your word for it?" "Yes, if you truly have nothing illegal, then allow the search." "Exactly. Refusing a search , do you really have something to hide?" "That explains it. Recently they’ve become quite affluent. Just the other day, He Yu went out playing with my child wearing a brand-new shirt." The villagers present today collectively pressured Miss Wang. "Speak some sense for once. My house has nothing of the sort," He Ming, who had been silently standing by, finally spoke up. "Then move aside!" Miss Yu shouted back, impatient to commence the search and reduce them to servitude. "Filthy woman," He Ming muttered under his breath. However, Miss Yu, with her keen hearing, snapped back, "What did you just say, you brat!" Without waiting, she lunged at He Ming, uncaught by anyone in time. "You hit me!" Miss Yu fell, tasting blood in her mouth as blood trickled from the corner of her lips. He Ming, although young, was a spirit energy cultivator. Even with brief training, his physical strength far exceeded that of ordinary people. Seeing someone attack, he reflexively countered. "You assaulted me! I’ll have you arrested!" Miss Yu shrieked. "Everyone saw you attack me first." "Officers, please, you saw she attacked my son first," Miss Wang turned to the officials. "Enough, all of you! I’m here to do my duty, not watch you squabble," one of the officers interjected, clearly annoyed. "Officer, please, go ahead. They must have smuggled salt hidden inside," Miss Yu, not deterred by her setback, insisted on her point. "Furen, we must proceed with the search," the official turned to Miss Wang. Miss Wang sighed, "Then please, come in." She led the officials through their modest, somewhat dilapidated house which, surprisingly, contained many new household items. They searched every nook and cranny meticulously but found no contraband. Upon completing the search and rejoining the villagers who were eagerly watching from outside, the anticipation was palpable. Some were prematurely satisfied, thinking the He family would surely be taken away as slaves. "There are no illegal items." "No! How can there be nothing! Or did you hide them!" Miss Yu screamed in her high-pitch voice. "We didn’t hide anything. If there’s nothing, it means there’s nothing." "Not true! Eh! What’s that there? Why have you hidden it behind a woven fence? Right there, did you hide something there?" Miss Yu pointed towards the vegetable garden. "No!" Miss Wang panicked, unable to hide her suspicious demeanor. "That’s just a vegetable garden. I saw that there were many chickens from next door, afraid they would come and eat the vegetables, so I made a fence to prevent them from getting in." "Go, officers, she might have hidden illegal items there. Please go and check." Not waiting for the officers’ permission, Miss Yu stormed towards the vegetable garden immediately. "Who dares to make a fuss at my house!" A stern voice echoed from the vegetable garden, causing Miss Yu to halt in shock. A middle-aged man with a strong demeanor walked out. Having been a soldier, He Lei had an imposing presence. "Yes, that’s He Lei. Has he recovered?" Many villagers began to whisper in surprise. He Lei had been disabled for many years, and no one expected him to have recovered, let alone to be walking around so vigorously. "Yes, this is my father. Does anyone have a problem with that?" Zhhenzhu came out from the garden, her face still a bit pale. "He Lei, you’ve recovered?" One of the villagers ask. "Yes, I have recovered. Does anyone have any suspicion?" He said with a cold tone, exerting a subtle pressure. "Alright, since everyone is so curious, today, our He family will not hide anything," Zhenzhu said, displeased. "As everyone knows, my family moved here three years ago. But before that, no one knew who my father was or where he came from. Today, I will tell you,” she paused, swallowing slightly. "My father was once a soldier who protected the city and also a spirit energy cultivator. However, due to an accident, he was severely injured and became ill. Not long ago, by chance, my mother encountered a miracle physician passing by the mountain’s foot and invited him to treat my father. His condition gradually improved, and eventually, he fully recovered. His spirit energy returned, allowing him to grow vegetables and spirit herbs to sell in town, which is why our He family could afford new things that everyone sees." "Does anyone else have doubts?" She swept her gaze over the villagers. "Really? Or are you lying to cover up the salt smuggling?" Miss Yu still shrilly insisted, unwilling to concede. How could it be? If He Lei was a spirit energy cultivator, he’d be the only one in the village and thus revered by the people. From then on, Miss Wang could walk with her head held high from one end of the village to the other. And what about her? Would she become subordinate to Miss Wang? Absolutely not! Unacceptable! She reminisced about the time her husband had hunted a silver spirit deer, which had greatly boosted her status in the village. However, what she had never revealed to anyone was that the deer had already been gravely injured, and her husband had merely stumbled upon it. How could an ordinary hunter manage to capture a silver-ranked spirit animal? But even if someone were to hold a knife to her throat, she would never confess the truth. Her husband was the best hunter, and her family was the wealthiest in the village. There was no way He family could surpass hers. "If you don’t believe it, please feel free to inspect our vegetable garden. Officers, you’re invited too," she gestured for everyone to enter the garden. "Ah, so the agricultural spirit energy cultivator rumored in town is Master He himself?" One of the officers remarked excitedly, his demeanor becoming friendlier. How could it be that the person others had searched the town for, yet never found, was hiding in such a remote village? "Yes, officers," she decided to reveal because if they kept being harassed by the villagers, the secret would soon come out anyway. Besides, Master Tiao had sent a letter saying he had already formed a friendship with the Governor. At least if anything happened, they would have the Governor’s protection. The Concealment Characters she had inscribed in the garden were not complete; three vegetable plots and three herb plots still visibly radiated spirit energy, visible to ordinary people. "It’s my good fortune to see so many spirit herbs," one of the officers complimented smoothly. The villagers following behind were stunned, not expecting He Lei to truly be a spirit energy cultivator. Miss Yu turned pale, as if she might faint on the spot from envy and frustration. "From now on, no one should doubt that I’m smuggling salt," He Lei said, seizing the opportunity to assert his authority. "Indeed, Master He, it appears we have eyes but failed to see. We apologize once again." "Ah, what’s that black and white thing over there?" As everyone finished touring the vegetable plots, someone spotted two animals under a large tree: one, a giant snake coiled beneath a basket, and the other looked like... a cat. No... a tiger cub! The visitors panicked at the sight. "There’s no need to panic, they are my pets," He Lei calmly explained. "To be expected from Master He! Even his pets are extraordinary," they commented. After a brief visit around the garden, they courteously excused themselves to leave. 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