The Dao Sovereign of Shennong

Donghu Mountain is treacherous. The cliff where Zhao Xing stood was shrouded in mist, and the top couldn't be seen, but it was at least four or five hundred meters high.

Falling straight down from such a height?

As Zhao Xing focused his gaze, he saw that the person was already a bloody mess, with parts of the body missing.

But the person was still alive!

Under the observation of his Night Vision technique, Zhao Xing could see that the person's life force was barely holding on.

"What the hell! That scared the crap out of me!" Zong Shichang jumped up from his chair.

"It's a person," Zhao Xing said, activating his Night Vision.

"Dead or alive?"

"Not dead yet, but not far from it."

"This isn't good! I know this person!" Zong Shichang took a closer look and his expression changed.

He immediately ran over.

Zhao Xing scanned the surroundings, conjured some clouds for protection, and then slowly followed.

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

"Pig…pig…" The man surnamed Wang, clearly a martial artist, was missing half his body yet still clung to life, even managing to speak.

"Pig? What pig?" Zong Shichang asked. "Brother Wang, please explain clearly."

"Ma…ma…"

"Ma? What are you trying to say?" Zong Shichang couldn't make sense of it. First a pig, now a horse? What was he trying to convey?

"Brother Wang, if you have any last words, speak clearly. Oh wait, once we pass the Forgetful Stele, I won't remember any of this anyway."

"You…uh…" The man surnamed Wang's eyes widened in disbelief as he died, possibly frustrated to death by Zong Shichang.

"Don't worry, even though I don't know why this happened, since you died working for the Zong family, I will take care of your family." Zong Shichang, looking somewhat sorrowful, reached out to close the man's eyes.

Strangely enough, once Zong Shichang finished speaking, the man's eyes, which had been wide open in death, gently closed.

Suddenly, a gust of eerie wind blew through the area. The rubble began to collapse inward, swallowing the man's two halves into the earth.

Zhao Xing and Zong Shichang quickly clasped their hands in respect, bowing toward the ground.

It was the Yin God of Donghu Mountain retrieving the official's body to be sent out of the mountain.

After leaving the rubble, Zhao Xing hadn't even had a chance to ask when Zong Shichang began to explain, "This man was named Wang Dong, a member of the martial division in Mai County. He was one of the four men I hired for this mission."

"He had reached the eighth stage of Essence Gathering by the age of forty-five but had been unable to advance further. This year, he came to my family for help, and my father agreed to secure a position for him as a subordinate officer. I never expected him to die within an hour of entering the mountain."

"Zhao brother, do you think when he was talking about pigs and horses, he was cursing me for giving him this task?"

Zhao Xing shook his head. "If he was blaming you, would he have trusted you to take care of his family?"

Zong Shichang seemed relieved. "That's true, but what was he trying to tell me?"

Zhao Xing remained silent, deep in thought.

With one man dead, Zong Shichang no longer felt like drinking or enjoying the scenery. He sat there, frowning in contemplation.

But the quiet didn't last long. A sudden, pitiful cry echoed from deep within the forest, followed by the roar of an unknown beast.

Thankfully, the roar quickly grew distant.

Moments later, Zong Shichang stood up, retrieved a box from his pack, and approached Zhao Xing. "Zhao brother, I'm heading up the mountain. I won't be staying here with you."

"What made you change your mind?" Zhao Xing asked.

Zong Shichang sighed. "I originally planned to wait here, but it's clear that no place in the mountain, whether high or low, is truly safe."

"I intend to find the other three men I hired. With their protection, I'll be much safer."

"Here's a box of Essence Gathering Pills. Please take them. I'll be on my way now."

Zhao Xing glanced at the medicine box. "Wait, Zong brother."

Zong Shichang turned around, puzzled.

Zhao Xing spoke slowly, "I hadn't planned on saying this, and I don't know if telling you will help or harm you, but I noticed that your Wang brother was already gravely injured before falling from the cliff."

"His chest was caved in, likely from a blunt impact, and judging by his last words, he might have been referring to a special craft treasure—the Horned Bamboo Horse."

Zong Shichang was momentarily stunned before realization dawned.

Zhao Xing continued, "If I were to make a bold guess, it's possible that your dealings with Wang weren't as private as you thought."

"Your family's business in Nanyang County is quite extensive, bound to attract envy. If someone wanted to take this opportunity to target you, it's likely that Wang died blocking a disaster meant for you."

Zong Shichang's face turned pale, his eyes filling with suspicion and uncertainty.

Zhao Xing said calmly, "Donghu Mountain is under the watch of the Yin God. While killing is forbidden, fighting and robbery are not. The line between what is allowed and what isn't has always been blurry; otherwise, there'd be no need for the Forgetful Stele."

"Besides, killing doesn't always require a direct hand. If I wanted to compete with you for the mountain's essence, I could restrain you and leave you here. If a beast comes along and devours you, it's not against the rules—it's just bad luck."

"You don't need this essence that badly. I advise you to leave the mountain and not take the risk."

Zong Shichang furrowed his brow, clearly deep in thought.

It was obvious that this wealthy young man had never faced real adversity. His life had been filled with flattery and praise. After all, who wouldn't show respect to his father? He wasn't used to thinking so deeply about things.

Now that Zhao Xing had raised this possibility, it seemed to trigger some realizations in him. His expression changed as he struggled with indecision.

Zhao Xing added, "If you must go, be extra cautious. If you encounter someone riding a bamboo horse, turn around and leave. Don't bet your life that I'm wrong."

Seeing Zong Shichang lost in thought, Zhao Xing didn't press the issue further.

Saying too much would bring trouble.

As he had said earlier, if something unfortunate happens in the mountain, it's just bad luck.

And with bad luck, how could one survive in a Fortune Dynasty?

Even among those promoted to ninth rank, if the dynasty bestows fortune on someone who is naturally unlucky, it requires much more effort.

The dynasty's fortune system had to balance gains and losses, which is why there were rules about the redistribution of fortune after an official's death.

There were also cases like with Elder Shennong, where decades passed without promotion. In the end, it was because his initial fortune was too low, limiting his advancement. He could only achieve the ninth rank unless he achieved great merit. But working as a Shennong official in the rear, such opportunities were rare.

Harvesting the mountain's essence was not only a way to weed out the unlucky but also a chance for others to replenish their fortune.

Of course, there were other methods, but Zhao Xing didn't plan to elaborate.

His warning was enough to repay Zong Shichang for the information he had provided earlier.

"Alright, I understand now. Thank you, Zhao brother." Zong Shichang cupped his hands in gratitude.

Zhao Xing nodded and watched him leave.

Whether Zong Shichang believed him or not, who his enemies might be, or whether he would still ascend the mountain, Zhao Xing didn't care to know or follow up on.

His Vajra Bamboo and Evergreen Vine were almost ready.