Wild cultivation begins with wielding the Taiyin talisman.

On the morning of the eighth day, Ning Che used his cicada-catching speed to outpace a galloping horse and walked to the rat swamp.

A thin mist still floated at the edge of the swamp; he sniffed it and realized it was just mist.

The problem that has plagued the surrounding area for decades has been solved just like that?

Ning Che showed no joy. Those four rat demons couldn't possibly be so strong that even the squad leader couldn't kill them. So, it was clear that the root of the problem must be that piece of root.

He still didn't know what kind of drug it was, but there was clearly a huge conspiracy involved, possibly even related to that commander.

That was a fifth-rank expert, one of the strongest in Feihu City. Ning Che had only caught a glimpse of that silver armor once, from afar, when the calamity ended.

After a moment's thought, he gave a self-deprecating laugh.

No matter what kind of shady dealings there are, we can only deal with them as they come, and if all else fails, then death will be the only option. Worrying about it is useless; things still need to be done.

Before long, they arrived at the outpost.

A pot was set up outside the door, and Zhong Hongyao was simmering something there.

She took two steps forward and, seeing only Ning Che and Lin Caiwei, asked, "Where are they?"

"Let's go into the city first, I'll take you there."

She nodded and then asked, "How's things in Fat Lake City?"

Ning Che briefly explained the situation regarding the free clinic, and then concluded, "That's about it. The Shi family doesn't dare to make a move openly for the time being. I'd like to know if the Zhong family is interested in making some money from this business?"

"You're giving this away for free, how are you going to make money from it?"

Ning Che laughed and said, "You may not make much money, but every little bit counts. Besides, the most important thing isn't money, but reputation. Buying reputation with money doesn't seem like a bad deal for the Zhong family, does it?"

Zhong Hongyao looked up at him: "I'd like to hear the details."

"The free clinic is free, but you'll have to pay for the medicine afterwards. That's where you make your money. When the time comes, you can send people over, and we'll put up the Chung family's name at the clinic. That's how you gain fame."

Zhong Hongyao laughed: "Do you think I don't know what you're up to? Even if the Zhong family spends money to buy some reputation, it's not a loss. But this mess comes at a different price."

Moreover, the Shi family has controlled the herbal medicine business in Feihu City for decades; how could you possibly bring them down so easily? The price the Zhong family will pay will probably be enough for you to run ten free clinics.”

"They control the herbal medicine business, didn't the Chung family try to take it over?"

"Of course, but it's easier said than done. If it were really that easy to seize, how could they have kept it for decades?"

"Reputation isn't the goal, but a weapon. If their reputation is ruined, is there a chance to steal something?"

Zhong Hongyao remained silent for a long time before shaking her head again: "It's still difficult. A small reputation won't affect the choices of those herb gatherers. At most, it will make them earn less in the short term, but it's a necessity for people, and in the end, they will still go to the Shi family to buy."

"So, all I need to do is get the herb gatherer to sell the herbs to the Zhong family, and that's it?"

"It's difficult."

"How will you know if it will work if you don't try?"

Ning Che looked at Zhong Hongyao, and Zhong Hongyao looked at him.

After a long silence, she finally nodded: "Then let's give it a try."

After packing up quickly, the two set off back to the mountain.

We took a car back, and didn't say a word the whole way.

In the afternoon, the mountain gate could be seen in the distance.

The mountain gate of the guard camp was more deserted than ever before. On both sides of the bluestone steps stood a dozen or so fully armored guards, their hands on the hilts of their swords, their eyes fixed on the mountain path.

This is certainly not a welcome.

Ning Che recognized the man in the lead.

Zhao Bantou.

He wasn't wearing armor today, but a long, dark robe. The scabbard at his waist was new, and his face still held that calm and composed expression. It was as if no one had died in the Rat Swamp, and no wind had risen in Fat Lake City; everything was nothing more than an insignificant leaf falling in the mountains.

When Zhao Ban Tou saw them, he took a step forward.

He stood in the center of the stone steps leading to the mountain gate, with a dozen or so guards spread out behind him, their hands on the hilts of their swords. He didn't draw his sword; he simply stood there, blocking the way.

"Star Captain." His voice wasn't loud, but everyone in front of the mountain gate heard him clearly: "You've returned too early. It's not time for the handover yet. You'll have to wait here until you're summoned by the council hall."

Lin Ye's eyes widened immediately: "Wait? I killed four Rank 8 rat demons in the Rat Swamp, lost my brothers, and now they won't even let me into the mountain gate?"

Ning Che raised his left hand to stop the people behind him, then looked at Zhao Bantou: "The matter of the rat swamp has been resolved, you should know that."

"Rules are rules." Zhao, the foreman, shrugged. "According to the rules, you can't come back now. Don't make things difficult for me."

Ning Che seemed to recall for a moment, then said, "Squad Leader Zhao, now that you mention rules, I do remember. The garrison in the Rat Swamp hasn't been rotated for years. Do you know what that rule is?"

Also, those who collect Hundred-Cure Grass, do you even know what the rules are? And the source of the miasma in the Rat Swamp isn't the Rat Demon, do you even know what the rules are for that?

He looked around, his gaze lingering on each person for a moment: "Chief Zhao, could you please explain the rules to me?"

Zhao, the squad leader, was furious and shouted, "Squad Leader Xing! Are you trying to disobey orders?"

Ning Che asked Zhao He to bring the evidence: "How can this be called disobeying orders? I just wanted to ask Chief Zhao to explain these rules to me. Look, everything is here."

Just then, heavy footsteps echoed down the mountain path.

Shi Bingzhu has arrived.

Shi Bingzhu strode to the mountain gate, his gaze lingering for a moment on Ning Che's crippled right arm before turning to Zhao Bantou.

"Who gave you permission to stop him here?"

Zhao, the squad leader, said expressionlessly, "Commander Mu has given orders."

Shi Bingzhu sneered: "Commander Mu wants you to conduct the trial at the mountain gate?"

Zhao, the squad leader, frowned: "Shi Bingzhu, this matter has nothing to do with you."

"None of my business?" Shi Bingzhu snatched the old account book of Huichuntang from Ning Che's hand, roughly flipped through two pages, and his expression changed after just one glance.

He turned around abruptly and looked at the few Shi family mountain guardians behind him.

"Which branch of your household does Shi Mingxuan belong to?"

The men looked unwell and stammered.

One of the middle-aged men stepped forward with a stiff upper lip: "Bingzhu, this matter has not been investigated yet. The news coming from Feihu City is mostly that someone is slandering the Shi family."

Shi Bingzhu slapped the account book at his face.

The pages scattered with a rustling sound, landing all over the floor.

"Slander? Who borrowed those thirty acres of medicinal herb fields from Dongpo?"

The middle-aged man's lips moved, but he didn't make a sound.

Shi Bingzhu then asked, "Who collects the medicinal tax from the South Canal?"

Still, no one answered.

Shi Bingzhu asked again: "Did Shi Mingxuan lead a group of people to smash up the free clinic tent in the street, and use the poisoned patients as a setup to frame someone else? Is that true?"

The middle-aged man stiffened his neck and said, "Mingxuan is young and impulsive. Perhaps... perhaps he was provoked by someone."

"Are you trying to incite him to use the patients' lives to set a trap?"

Shi Bingzhu raised his hand and slapped him.

Snapped!

A crisp sound rang out in front of the silent mountain gate.