In years of famine and drought, their village even rejected fatty meat.

Chapter 497 Jianghu

The so-called Jianghu is actually a circle composed of martial artists.

Within this circle of martial artists, Qianli'er was considered a well-known figure.

Qianli'er, whose real name is Feng Yong, has the same martial arts realm as Zhu Tu Fu, both at the peak of the fourth rank.

Of course, the reason why Qianli'er is so famous has little to do with his martial arts level. Qianli'er mainly practices leg techniques, or rather, body techniques, and is not particularly strong in combat.

What truly made Qianli'er known was... his exceptionally good information network!

There's an unwritten rule in the martial arts world: whatever happens within the Nine Provinces, there's nothing that Qianli Er (a nickname for someone with exceptional hearing) doesn't know about.

This statement may be a bit of an exaggeration, but Qianli'er's identity as an information broker is real. It is precisely by selling information that Qianli'er, a martial artist who is not good at fighting, was able to control a huge amount of resources and money, which enabled him to cultivate to the peak of the fourth rank.

"Brother Zhu, it's been a long time!"

Qianli'er replied with a smile, explaining that he knew Zhu Tu Fu because Zhu Tu Fu had contacted him to purchase information about Python Blood Grass and Python Bone Grass.

"haven't seen you for a long time."

Zhu the Butcher smiled and nodded, then asked, "Thousand-Mile Ear, what brings you, an intelligence seller, to Qingzhou Prefecture City to join in the fun?"

"What's wrong with selling intelligence?"

Qianli'er said, "Do those who sell information not need to cultivate? Like you, Brother Zhu, I have been stuck at the peak of the fourth rank for a long time. Now that we finally have news about Python Blood Grass and Python Bone Grass, we naturally have to come and see."

It's hard for any martial artist to resist the temptation of advancing their realm. Even a martial artist like Qianli'er, who isn't good at fighting, is no exception. Having been stuck at the peak of the fourth rank for many years, he desperately needs Python Blood Grass and Python Bone Grass to help him advance to the third rank!

In the land of Kyushu, there are very few martial artists of the upper three ranks, and each one of them is a renowned figure, someone even the imperial court must treat with utmost respect.

It can be said that once one breaks through to the third rank, one truly attains great freedom, and even the imperial court cannot restrict one in the slightest.

"Then it seems we are competitors."

Zhu the Butcher squinted and said, "Python Blood Grass and Python Bone Grass are rarely seen in the Nine Provinces. Although the Green King has a large amount of Python Blood Grass and Python Bone Grass, no one can be sure how much he has."

In this situation, the more competitors there are, the less chance Zhu the butcher has of obtaining python blood grass and python bone grass.

"Brother Zhu, rest assured! As far as I know, Qingzhou has quite a lot of Python Blood Grass and Python Bone Grass. Not to mention the two of you, even if there were ten or eight more, King Qing would have enough Python Blood Grass and Python Bone Grass."

"I see."

Butcher Zhu was immediately relieved.

While the two were talking, the crowd behind them remained silent, not daring to express the slightest dissatisfaction.

The reason was that there were many martial artists among the crowd waiting to enter the city. They had all heard of the reputations of Butcher Zhu and Thousand-Mile Ear, and knew that the two were powerful martial artists at the peak of the fourth rank. Therefore, they dared not show any dissatisfaction.

As for the soldiers guarding the city...

The moment the soldiers heard the Thousand-Mile Ear report Zhu Butcher's origins, their expressions turned serious. The soldier responsible for checking Zhu Butcher's travel permit was terrified and almost turned tail and ran.

Zhu the Butcher, a peak fourth-rank martial artist, is even more powerful than the Azure King, yet he just refused Zhu the Butcher's request to enter the city...

A bead of cold sweat slowly slid down the soldier's forehead.

If Butcher Zhu has any complaints, he'll probably be killed here in no time.

Fortunately, although Butcher Zhu looked fierce, he was not a really bad person.

After finishing his conversation with Qianli'er, Zhu Tufu turned to the soldier and asked, "May I enter the city now?"

"Of course, of course!"

The soldier nodded quickly, took Zhu the butcher's travel permit with both hands, respectfully returned the permit to Zhu the butcher, and made way for Zhu the butcher to enter the city.

"Brother Zhu, wait for me."

Qianli'er quickly followed, not even bothering to show his travel permit, and caught up with Zhu the Butcher, entering the city together.

The soldiers guarding the city remained silent and did not make any move to stop them.

Are you kidding me? How could they dare to stop a Thousand-Mile Ear at the peak of the fourth rank? They have to be selective about who they're dealing with if they want to skim some profits or extort money, okay?

"Damn it, these city guards are really bullies who prey on the weak."

One of the men in line muttered under his breath, “They grovel before the strong, but they make things difficult for us. They’re bastards.”

Those nearby who heard the man's cursing nodded in agreement. These city guards were just like that—sycophantic to their superiors and bullying their inferiors, making things difficult for ordinary people and merchants in every way.

But when they encounter the powerful and influential, they immediately become obsequious, their discriminatory attitude is utterly disgusting.

Of course, despite their dissatisfaction, the people in line didn't dare to cause trouble.

Zhu the Butcher and Qianli'er were able to enter the city easily because they were highly skilled.

As for them...

They couldn't afford to provoke the Qingzhou army, much less the Qing King, so they could only obediently queue up and wait for the city guards to check them.

The long queue moved slowly forward. After Zhu the Butcher and Qianli'er left, the order of queuing to enter the city was restored. Everyone had to be checked by the city guards and then offer a sum of money as a tribute before they could enter the city smoothly.

The soldiers guarding the city were overjoyed to see the crowds of people entering the city offering silver.

Since news spread that the Azure King possessed both Python Blood Grass and Python Bone Grass, the number of martial artists arriving in Qingzhou Prefecture has increased day by day, and the martial artists...

It is well known that martial artists are often extremely wealthy, and the tributes they offer are far more than those of poor, ordinary people.

In just one morning, these soldiers received more tribute money than they would have received in a whole day in the past, how could they not be overjoyed?

"Line up, one at a time."

The soldier in charge of the inspection was overjoyed, and even his attitude towards the people entering the city became much more polite. There was no way around it; these people were his cash cows!

However, before he could be happy for long, a rather unusual figure appeared in front of him.

This peculiar figure was dressed in a Taoist robe, with thick, jet-black hair and strangely white eyebrows. He looked like an elderly middle-aged man, yet he also gave off an extremely youthful vibe.

Youth and age, two completely different qualities, are perfectly blended in this Taoist priest, leaving a very deep impression.

"Taoist priest, please show me your travel permit!"

The soldier conducting the inspection quickly wiped the smile off his face and spoke respectfully.