Chương 12: Scouting Allies

As a noble cultivator previously of the White Rivers Sect, Hao decided to start diplomatically. The previously did all the heavy lifting there. If Hao were a noble cultivator currently of the White Rivers Sect, he would've grabbed the guardsman's throat and demanded entrance into the city. But he was here to join a caravan and recruit allies who could aid him and Sister Fu against Yuchen. Pissing off the locals wasn't a good way to go about that. Plus, he was no Master Bolin or Cheng Yuchen.

There was no reason to start off on a bad foot.

"That merchant is a complete ass." His blunt words instantly relaxed the guardsman, though he still watched Hao like a pampered lapdog who'd just come face-to-face with a wolf. What did he see in Hao? Hao was a far cry from the dull mortals of the Lonely Plains. He stood at least a head taller than most. His skin was bronzed from long days spent in the sun, much like the folk here, but his cultivator robes and long black hair set him apart from these practical people.

"He's been braying at me for the last hour," the guardsman said, sending a withering glare over at Merchant Lai's people. He glanced at Hao, wrinkling his nose as if he'd just smelled a corpse, though he swiftly wiped his expression clean. Rude.

"I owe you thanks for scaring him off, Honored Wanderer. We aren't allowed to crack heads anymore. Not since a thousand caravans decided to set down roots in Verdant Plains Town. Violence isn't good form when the caravans outnumber us two-to-one."

"A pity, that." The guardsman relaxed a tad, perhaps recognizing that Hao wasn't a true threat. Hao suspected he was probably the most reasonable person that the guard had chatted with all day. He hadn't started off screaming or blustering at him, for one.

"I am Captain Gu. I lead the garrison here, although our duties haven't consisted of much more than keeping bored caravan guards from slaughtering each other in the streets recently. This damned war…"

"It might not hurt to let a few kill each other." Hao motioned at the enormous crowd of merchants and refugees milling around Verdant Plains Town like a swarm of locusts.

"They could do with some thinning out, I think. I wager it'd save you a few headaches as well." Captain Gu offered Hao a crooked grin. Apparently he'd decided Hao wasn't the sort of cultivator that would make his job infinitely harder.

"Headsman Yang might not appreciate that, but I would. Order here is dangling by a thread, but the old man doesn't give a damn so long as everyone fleeing west fills his pockets." He paused, remembering his station.

"May this humble guardsman have the Master Cultivator's name?"

"Xiao Hao." He barely caught himself before adding of the White Rivers Sect. That name didn't belong to him anymore, for better or for worse.

"If another man in robes like mine swings by, make sure to tell him that I was here. It'll make things easier for you." It was utterly fascinating to pick out the exact moment that Captain Gu began to regret all of his life decisions. The Calcinator's easy smile faded away with the steady resignation of a fly who'd just buzzed into a spider's web. Captain Gu was a strong cultivator by Lonely Plains standards. Not near the top, but powerful enough to crack heads and enforce order in a little town like this.

Someone like the guardsman would be perfectly aware of the trouble that stronger cultivators could bring in tow.

"Master Cultivator, may this humble guardsman ask a question?"

"You already have, but you're welcome to ask another."

"Is Verdant Plains Town in danger?"

"In what manner are we speaking? Generally, theoretically, metaphorically?" Hao enjoyed toying with Captain Gu for a moment, but the earnest distress in the warrior's eyes ensured he ended his fun early.

"No, my business won't impact the town. Just keep an eye out for a cultivator named Cheng Yuchen. Tell him whatever he wants to know. He's a self-absorbed, pompous, arrogant, lecherous, lily-skinned bastard, but he's not the sort to slaughter a town just to prove a point." Captain Gu wilted.

"With that in mind, I feel obligated to ask your business here, Master Xiao." Hao grinned.

"Don't worry. I'll tell you all you need to know. Can you remember, or should you write this down?"

"I find that little encourages my memory like a sense of impending doom."

"Wonderful! Let's get started. As I said before, I am Xiao Hao, previously of the White Rivers Sect—" Captain Gu's eyes bulged. No doubt Yuchen would be absolutely delighted to know that the White Rivers' reputation extended even into the distant Lonely Plains. They were one of the Great Nine for a reason.

"—and I am here seeking to join a caravan going west to Sun Wall City. Preferably as a defender."

"As a defender?" Captain Gu sounded like he was choking.

"Master Xiao, forgive this one's impertinence, but I don't believe there's a single caravan in Verdant Plains Town that could afford to hire you. There are a few great merchants, of course, but most of these people are humble refugees."

"Oh, if that's the case, I suppose I should just leave." You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Hope radiated from Captain Gu.

"Truly?" Hao barked out a laugh and slapped the captain on his armored shoulder.

"No." Captain Gu wilted.

"I plan to offer my services for a discount. The road's been rather lonely. I'd prefer to travel in good company, ideally with fellow cultivators. Surely a few strong ones have passed through your town?"

"Of course," Captain Gu replied, immediately businesslike. He'd picked out the best way to send Hao away from Verdant Plains Town.

"The Nine Qilin Merchant House is led by Mighty Zhang. Stories of him are sung in every tavern along the Forlorn Road from here to Sun Wall City!"

"I've never heard of him," Hao said bluntly. Forgoing diplomacy, it was safe to say that any cultivator here was a fourth-rate talent at best. Anyone who made their home in the Lonely Plains had settled for mediocrity.

"What stage has he achieved? Is this Mighty Zhang alone, or does he retain additional guards?" A decent cultivator might be enough to sway the odds against Yuchen… provided that Hao could buy or manipulate them into cooperation, that was. Hao would prefer to stack the game in their favor as much as possible. In a perfect world, he'd earn the aid of at least three Distillators or one Ruminator. It had been years since Hao had ever entertained the thought of everything going according to plan.

That just wasn't how life treated Xiao Hao, though he did his best to count whatever blessings came his way.

"Mighty Zhang is said to be a breath away from ascending to Rumination," Captain Gu supplied. Hao's eyes narrowed. A Distillator was considered a great hero? Immortals Above!

"He has traveled these roads for decades with his caravan, growing strong from the challenges of the Blue Night Mountains. They say he is waiting for the perfect moment to achieve his cultivator's body!" Ah, that was a bit more reasonable. It wasn't uncommon for Distillators to put off their rise to Rumination for many years. Decades, or in extreme examples even a century.

A Distillator could theoretically ascend to Rumination with a fairly small amount of distilled qi, but it would shatter their hopes for future progression. They would have to content themselves with being the bodyguard of some minor lord in a qi-poor area, or joining the Sunbeam Imperial Army as a low-ranking officer. Anyone with ambition did the smart thing and waited to concentrate a proper stockpile of distilled qi. It was painfully slow and painfully expensive—plus just plain painful— but it was worth it.

One couldn't even call themselves a true cultivator in the Corelands until they attained the Fourth Stage, Rumination. A flawless foundation and a compatible Distilled Form was essential to claw for the heights of cultivation.

"What of his trading company? What sort of force does he command?"

"Three fellow Distillators and five Calcinators. The Nine Qilin Merchant House are a formidable group here in the Lonely Plains," Captain Gu warned.

"They transport highly valuable cargo destined for sects in the Western Reaches—runes, scripting supplies, cultivation resources, and the like."

"I'd quite like to pay this Mighty Zhang a visit." Hao could barely believe his ears. The Calcinators were just ordinary Lonely Plains trash, but three Distillators alongside their powerful leader? It was hard to believe the paranoid Ruminator-Lords would even allow them into their cities for fear of being toppled.

"There are hundreds of caravans parked here. Surely Mighty Zhang isn't the only cultivator of note." Captain Gu eagerly provided Hao a list of prominent cultivators currently in the town. The line behind Hao grew larger and more unruly with ever passing second, but so far his presence was enough to cow the sunburnt merchants. He thought Captain Gu was savoring their discomfort an appropriate amount.

Happy to stretch things out a little, Captain Gu shared tales of Sun the Viper, a Distillator mercenary known for his incredible speed and the chain-whips he wielded. Captain Gu was particularly excited to share news of Geng Xieren, a famed cultivator beauty who was the scourge of bandits in the Lonely Plains. A good chunk of Captain Gu's tales revolved around the Fairy Geng. Hao's eyes glazed over after a minute or two.

"Fairy Geng purged the northern plains of a bandit network just a few years ago, saving countless commoners from their cruelty. They say that she has ascended to Rumination, yet she still serves those beneath her! What a delight, don't you think?"

"Mhm."

"I've caught a few glimpses of her, you know. The legends fail her! Her hair is black as the night sky, her eyes as blue as…" Captain Gu stumbled over his words, finally scrounging near bedrock for something appropriate.

"The day sky!"

"You must be a poet in your free time, Captain Gu."

"Only for worthy beauties!" Captain Gu grinned. The line of angry merchants grumbled behind Hao, slowly inching forward. A quick flush of his Wildfire sent them scurrying away. Hao poured off enough heat to make any of the mortals uncomfortable.

"There's supposed to be a terrible gang to the east harassing travelers. The Grey Sword Gang, I think they're called. Fairy Geng is said to be seeking allies to end their tyranny once and for all!" Apparently Fairy Geng had the good sense to recruit allies to put down the Grey Hilt Bandits. Lucky her. Still, Hao had already dealt justice to the Grey Hilts.

Perhaps she'd be willing to aid him against Yuchen if he showed proof of his valor, although the rather vivid picture of heroism painted by Captain Gu's enamored ramblings suggested she might not be willing to join Hao for an assassination. It couldn't hurt to try. A Ruminator to match Yuchen… it was beyond Hao's wildest hopes. Working with a Ruminator introduced all sorts of other considerations, of course. What would stop her from killing Hao to take the Cheng Spear if she so wished?

If Yuchen convinced her to aid him instead, Hao and Sister Fu wouldn't stand a chance, even with the Transient Burning Leaf. Hao couldn't trust a Ruminator like he could one on his own level. Distillators were much easier to kill. That had an amazing way of settling most disputes.

"Otherwise, there's…no, I think they left already," Captain Gu cut himself off hastily.

"That's the last of them. Yes, most certainly. Now, Master Xiao—""Who were you going to mention?" Hao's curiosity was aroused. Captain Gu glanced around, then leaned closer.

"Avoid this one. Ruminator. Master Wan of the Last Road Trading Company. He's a good man, Master Wan is, but dangerous. He's mixed up in some funny business, I tell you. Why, just last year, I swear on my mother's life, Master Wan challenged some traveler to a duel in the middle of the plaza! It took hours to scrub the blood out…" The captain painted a picture of a fierce martial cultivator with an appreciation for the finer things in life.

He was a brilliant swordsman, an avid drinker, and a ruthless murderer to those who crossed him. Master Wan had left mountains of bodies behind him in his two hundred years on the Lonely Plains, carving out a fierce reputation that few would test. Now that sounded like a proper cultivator!

"Mighty Zhang is your man, I think. But if you can earn Fairy Geng's respect…" Captain Gu waggled his eyebrows and winked.

"You'll have this lowly captain's undying admiration!" Hao grinned, shaking off Captain Gu's pleading glance.

"Wish me luck, captain. I think I'll need it." Then his stomach rumbled so loudly that it made the chattering merchants seem quiet. Captain Gu's eyebrows rose.

"Tell me where to find Fairy Zheng. And if you could point me in the direction of a good meal, you'll have my undying admiration."