Chapter 60: Bamboo Horse and Fate

The East Lake Mountain was treacherous, with the cliff where Zhao Xing stood shrouded in clouds and mist, making it impossible to see the end clearly. However, it was said to be at least four to five hundred meters high. Falling from such a height, how could one survive?

Zhao Xing squinted and saw that the person was already a bloody mess, even missing some parts. Yet, he was still alive!

Upon closer inspection, Zhao Xing noticed that the man's life force was still hanging by a thread.

"What the heck, scared me to death!" Zong Shichang jumped up from his chair.

"It's a person," Zhao Xing activated his Bright Eyes Magic Arts.

"Dead or alive?"

"Not dead yet, but almost," Zhao Xing replied.

"Oh no! I know this person!" Zong Shichang took a closer look, his expression changing. He immediately ran over.

Zhao Xing surveyed the surroundings, gathered his energy, and then slowly walked over.

"Brother Wang, how did you fall from the mountain?" Zong Shichang ran over to the pile of rubble and crouched down.

"Pig... pig..." The man surnamed Wang, who appeared to be a martial artist, was left with only half his body but was still alive and able to speak.

"Pig? Where's the pig?" Zong Shichang asked. "Brother Wang, speak clearly."

"Horse... horse..."

"Horse? What are you trying to say?" Zong Shichang was puzzled. First a pig, now a horse, what was he trying to convey?

"Brother Wang, if you have any last words, please speak clearly. Otherwise, once we pass the Forget Worry Monument, I won't remember anything," Zong Shichang urged.

"You... ugh~" The man surnamed Wang stared wide-eyed, dying with his eyes open, perhaps angered by Zong Shichang.

"Rest assured, although I don't know why, since you died working for my Zong family, I will take good care of your family," Zong Shichang said with some sadness, reaching out to close the man's eyes.

Strangely, after Zong Shichang said this, the man who died with his eyes open finally closed them.

"Oh oh oh~" As the man completely died, a sudden gust of Yin Wind emerged, causing the pile of rubble to sink, pulling the man's two halves into the ground.

Seeing this, Zhao Xing and Zong Shichang quickly clasped their hands in prayer, bowing towards the ground.

This was the Yin God of East Lake Mountain, sending the remains of the deceased out.

Leaving the pile of rubble, before Zhao Xing could ask, Zong Shichang took the initiative to say, "This man was called Wang Dong, a member of the Martial Division in Mai County, one of the four people my family entrusted."

"He only reached the eighth stage of Gathering Essence at forty-five, unable to advance further. This year, he sought my family's help, and my father agreed to secure a place for him from Wei. Never thought he'd die here before even reaching the mountain."

"Brother Zhao, do you think he was cursing me before he died, saying I shouldn't have taken this task?"

Zhao Xing shook his head, "If he was cursing you, why would he rest assured letting you take care of his family?"

Zong Shichang seemed somewhat relieved, "True, but what was he trying to tell me?"

Zhao Xing didn't speak, lost in thought.

With a person dead, Zong Shichang no longer had the leisure to drink and enjoy the scenery, sitting there with furrowed brows, pondering.

Unexpectedly, before he could settle down, a mournful and urgent cry came from deep within the dense forest, mixed with the roars of unknown beasts.

Fortunately, the cries gradually faded away.

After a moment, Zong Shichang stood up, took a box from his case, and walked over, "Brother Zhao, I plan to climb, so I won't stay here with you."

"Why the change of plans?" Zhao Xing asked.

Zong Shichang sighed, "I originally planned to wait at the foot of the mountain. But now, seeing as we're already in the mountain, it's unsafe whether going up or down."

"I plan to contact the other three people. If we gather together, it might be safer with their protection."

"Here is a box of Gathering Essence Pills, take it and use it. We part ways here."

Zhao Xing looked at the medicine box Zong Shichang left behind, "Brother Zong, wait a moment."

Zong Shichang turned back, showing a puzzled expression.

Zhao Xing slowly said, "I didn't want to say much, nor do I know if saying this is good or bad for you, but I noticed that the Wang brother you hired was already seriously injured before falling off the cliff."

"His chest was sunken, likely from a blunt weapon impact, and based on his last words, he seemed to be referring to a treasure, the Bamboo Horse."

Zong Shichang was first stunned, then suddenly realized.

Zhao Xing continued, "I dare to speculate that your dealings with the Wang brother might not be unknown to others."

"The Zong family does great business in Nanyang County, inevitably attracting envy. Suppose someone took this opportunity to target you, then this accident might have been him taking the fall for you."

Zong Shichang's expression changed, his eyes filled with doubt and uncertainty.

Zhao Xing calmly said, "East Lake Mountain is under the watch of the Yin God, forbidding murder. However, it doesn't forbid robbery and fighting. This boundary has always been vague, otherwise, there wouldn't be a Forget Worry Monument."

"Moreover, killing doesn't necessarily require direct action. Suppose I compete with you for spiritual show, use methods to restrain you and leave you here, and later a beast eats you, it wouldn't count as breaking the rules, just bad luck on your part."

"You don't lack this spiritual show, I still suggest you go down the mountain directly, no need to take this risk."

Zong Shichang's brows furrowed tightly, seemingly contemplating Zhao Xing's words.

It was clear that this young master from a wealthy family had never faced such a situation. After all, everyone around him was polite and flattering, giving him face for his father's sake, never thinking so much.

Now reminded by Zhao Xing, he seemed to connect some dots, his expression changing, seemingly in a dilemma.

Zhao Xing continued, "If you must go up, be more vigilant. If you see someone riding a Bamboo Horse, just turn around and leave, don't gamble your life on my guess being wrong."

Seeing Zong Shichang deep in thought, Zhao Xing said no more.

After all, it would be taboo to say too much.

As he had just said, if an accident happened on the mountain, it was just bad luck.

Bad luck, how could it be like the fate of Wang Chao becoming an official?

Similarly, if one ascended to the Ninth Grade, if the national fate favored those with poor innate luck, they would have to pay a higher price.

The national fate had to consider balancing income and expenditure, so even after an official's death, it still operated according to the rules of the dynasty.

There were also situations like Xue Wen Zhong, who couldn't be promoted for decades, ultimately because the old man's innate luck was too low, only able to reach the Ninth Grade unless he could achieve great merit. But in the later stages, it was hard to have opportunities for great merit.

Gathering spiritual show was both about filtering out those with bad luck and giving people a chance to make up for it.

Of course, the methods weren't limited to these, but he didn't plan to elaborate.

His reminders were also a fair exchange for the information Zong Shichang had previously provided.

"Alright, I understand, thank you, Brother Zhao," Zong Shichang clasped his hands in thanks.

Zhao Xing nodded, watching him leave.

As for whether Zong Shichang was truly reassured, who he had grudges with, and whether he would continue to go up the mountain, Zhao Xing had no interest in finding out, nor did he plan to pay attention.

His Diamond Bamboo and Green Vine were about to ripen.

(End of Chapter)