Northern Derivations Chapter 11: Inquiries

Mo Hao smiled slightly upon hearing Feng Xing’s words.

"Brother Feng, I sought you out today because I recently visited the Outer Sect. As you know, the pact between the three of us is quite perilous. Although Resentment Beasts are only early-stage Foundation Establishment level monsters, they usually travel in packs of three or five, making them truly difficult to deal with."

Upon hearing this, the smile on Feng Xing’s face gradually faded. "It seems, Junior Brother, that you are having second thoughts about our mission to Resentment Beast Mountain?"

Mo Hao explained, "No, no, Brother Feng, you have misunderstood me. How could I go back on a promise made to you? It is just that I have only recently entered the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment and fear my strength may be insufficient. When I went to the Outer Sect earlier, I looked around at the alchemy and smithing shops. It is just as you said—without contribution points, one can barely take a step. As you know, the sect sets the exchange rate for spirit stones to artifacts very high to encourage disciples to go out and gain experience. I am completely penniless, with only a dozen spirit stones to my name. I was hoping to trade them for a useful artifact. Given your many years in the sect, do you know where one might purchase artifacts with spirit stones?"

Hearing this, the cold, stern expression on Feng Xing’s face gradually softened. "So that is it. I thought you were regretting our agreement and wanted to negotiate new terms. It seems I was too suspicious. In truth, splitting the spoils of this mission with you is already the most generous arrangement I could offer. I, Feng Xing, prefer to keep things clear from the start; if you cannot accept this split, then we must simply part ways."

Mo Hao nodded, understanding Feng Xing’s meaning. If they were to discuss this later, it would inevitably lead to unnecessary conflict. Feng Xing’s strength was superior to his own, and an equal split of the mission’s rewards was already a major concession. Not wishing to create further trouble, Mo Hao nodded. Seeing this, Feng Xing stroked his fleshy chin and nodded in return, continuing, "If you only have a dozen spirit stones, it is impossible to obtain a high-quality artifact within the sect. Having joined the sect earlier than you, I do possess a few minor channels where one can acquire artifacts, elixirs, and talismans at a lower cost—even secret manuals on formations, which are usually reserved for Inner Sect disciples. It is a pity that I must go on a long journey in two days and cannot handle this for you personally."

"How about this? Take this token to a place called Phoenix Tower in Yue City. Hand it to the person inside, and they will naturally lead you to a place called the Ghost Market. The artifacts sold there are usually obtained from slain cultivators or theft. High-level cultivators guard the market, and fighting is strictly prohibited. There has never been any major trouble there in all these years, so you need not worry, Junior Brother Mo."

With that, he took a rusty iron token from his storage bag. It looked like an antique common object with only a single large character, "Phoenix," engraved on it, though the character was so worn it was barely legible.

Mo Hao accepted the token and bowed to Feng Xing, who waved his hand to dismiss the formality.

Watching Mo Hao leave, Feng Xing sneered. He had thought Mo Hao might have discovered something and was trying to back out, but it seemed he had overthought it.

Holding the common iron token given by Feng Xing, Mo Hao felt that asking the right person upon his return to the Outer Sect had truly solved his immediate crisis. He still had a vivid impression of the effeminate man he had encountered; just thinking of him made Mo Hao’s skin crawl, but the man’s claim that he could claim a monthly stipend proved very useful as a reserve of spirit stones.

Mo Hao headed toward the main hall. As usual, the old man was sleeping, and the old woman rushed over to wake him. Watching these two eccentric old fools always left Mo Hao feeling a mix of amusement and frustration. Seeing Mo Hao approach, the old man seemed relieved and hurriedly retrieved two bags of spirit stones from the counter, totaling seven crystalline stones.

Mo Hao looked at the old man in confusion, not reaching out to take them. The old man explained, "Brother Feng instructed me that if the birthday month stipend arrived, I was to hand it over to you. I do not know the specific reason, however."

Mo Hao hesitantly accepted the seven stones and promptly tucked them into his Qiankun bag, thanking the old man before heading to his residence. Feng Xing must have had his reasons; there was no need to overthink it.

There was no time to lose. After a brief rest, he would have to head to Yue City, yet his heart remained filled with confusion regarding Feng Xing’s actions. Did Feng Xing still doubt his strength, or did he lack trust in him? It was clear that Feng Xing intended to go all out and fight for his life during the trip to Resentment Beast Mountain. This forced Mo Hao to heighten his vigilance and ponder the underlying reasons.

Just as Mo Hao stepped into his room, he turned around and walked toward the living quarters of the mortal disciples. Seeing him approach, the men dropped their wine cups and looked at him with apprehension. Mo Hao nodded to signal they should not be nervous and asked for the location of the disciple nicknamed "Little Informant." Upon hearing he was looking for Little Informant, their expressions relaxed, and they all looked toward a man in the back.

Mo Hao finally spotted him. The man was less than six feet tall, and seeing everyone look at him, a shy expression appeared on his dark face. However, he showed no unease like the others; instead, his face revealed an indescribable confidence, as if he knew why Mo Hao had come. Mo Hao called him to his side and dismissed the others.

Mo Hao looked at the dark-skinned youth and asked, "Are you Lei Tong, the 'Little Informant'? I hear you are a 'know-it-all' who understands everything. I have come to ask you something, and naturally, you will be well rewarded."

With that, a small bottle appeared in his hand. The stopper was tightly sealed, yet the fragrance of wine still wafted out. As soon as Lei Tong smelled it, he stared intently at the bottle. It was the Ape Wine Mo Hao still had in his possession. He did not have much left, and since he had reached the mid-stage, the wine was of little use to him; it would be better to trade it with this man.

Mo Hao gestured for him to take the bottle. Lei Tong did not reach for it, but instead looked at Mo Hao. Mo Hao smiled and said, "What I want to ask is not a classified matter. I have accepted a mission, but the details are unclear. If you can provide information regarding the bandit leader in Yue City who seized the Imperial Seal, this bottle of wine is yours."

Upon hearing that the inquiry concerned the bandits of Yue City, the Little Informant’s expression changed, then softened. He waved his hand at Mo Hao, and just as Mo Hao thought he was going to refuse, the man held up two fingers.

"Two bottles. Not one less. And you must keep this matter confidential."

Seeing him act this way, Mo Hao felt relieved—as long as things could be negotiated, there was a path forward. Mo Hao took another identical bottle from his Qiankun bag. As Lei Tong smelled the even more intense aroma of the wine, he became completely enthralled. To a cultivator, this might just be a fine wine for cultivation and enjoyment, but to these mortal disciples, it was a rarity, not to mention that this wine helped improve one’s physique and cultivation.