From a slave to the Great Qian Martial Saint

Xiao Fengxiao was willing to tear off all pretenses and make a scene before she finally managed to get Chen Shi back from the main house.

Whether Chen Shi can survive depends on himself.

"No! We can't let him join the search and rescue team!"

Back in his own courtyard, Xiao Fengxiao had just sat down when Yun'er said something anxiously.

She gripped Xiao Fengxiao's wrist, almost bursting into tears.

"I……"

Xiao Fengxiao opened her mouth, then sighed helplessly.

"Since the magistrate himself has spoken, neither I nor Madam Li can refute it. Moreover, although this punishment is severe, it also gives Chen Shi an opportunity to make a name for himself, so it is not unfair."

"Bah! What meritorious service? That's gambling with your life! Of those who join the search team, how many come back alive, and how many find the treasure!"

As she spoke, Yun'er couldn't hold back any longer and kept wiping away her tears with a handkerchief.

Chen Shi stood below, somewhat bewildered.

What exactly is this mountain search team going to? In Yun'er's words, it's as terrifying as an abyss or hell.

"You haven't been in the household long enough, so it's normal that you don't know."

Seeing Chen Shi's confusion, Xiao Fengxiao explained.

"The so-called mountain search team, as the name suggests, is a group of people who go into the mountains to search for treasures. The government organizes one such team every year, and each time they go into the mountains for a month."

"so."

Chen Shi nodded, but he was even more puzzled.

"Isn't this just like going into the mountains to hunt or gather herbs? Is it really that dangerous?"

"They are indeed similar in form, but the level of danger is worlds apart."

Xiao Fengxiao sighed softly again, and then asked a question.

Do you know why Yongqiu City got its name?

"Because it's near Yongqiu Mountain?"

"Have you been to Yongqiu Mountain?"

"no."

Chen Shi shook his head as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Yongqiu City is said to be near Yongqiu Mountain, but in reality, it is several hundred miles away. It's just that Yongqiu Mountain is so vast that Yongqiu City is the closest city to it.

Unless absolutely necessary, no one in Yongqiu City would specifically go to Yongqiu Mountain. Even hunters and herb gatherers only hunt and gather herbs in the nearby hills.

Another thing is that there are many strange beasts in Yongqiu Mountain. Not to mention ordinary people, even martial artists would be either killed or injured if they encountered them!

Even if you haven't been there, you must have heard some rumors about it.

Xiao Fengxiao's expression turned serious as he explained.

Every December, a northerly wind rises from the depths of Yongqiu Mountain, causing a sharp drop in temperature and nurturing a large number of rare and precious natural treasures in the mountains.

"Rare and precious materials?"

"The so-called heaven refers to what is naturally formed, and the so-called earth refers to what is nurtured by the earth. Whether it is minerals, spiritual fruits, or medicinal herbs, these treasures nurtured by heaven and earth possess various magical and powerful effects."

Xiao Fengxiao couldn't help but show a look of longing on his face, and let out another soft hum.

"Compared to this, thousand-year-old Ganoderma lucidum and hundred-year-old ginseng are not worth mentioning!"

"That's amazing..."

Chen Shi opened his eyes wide, his face showing surprise.

Because he needs to take medicinal baths for his martial arts practice, and he had previously studied medicine, plus he has been helping out at the medicine shop recently, he has a fairly good understanding of medicinal herbs.

Let alone thousand-year-old Ganoderma lucidum or hundred-year-old ginseng, even ordinary Ganoderma lucidum and ginseng of good quality are quite valuable, worth at least ten or twenty taels of silver.

These precious medicinal herbs are actually insignificant compared to the natural treasures of Yongqiu Mountain.

Chen Shi suddenly realized why the prestigious Jing'an Marquis's mansion would organize a special search party to go into the mountains.

"But it's just gathering herbs, how could it be so dangerous?"

"Little do people know that people die for wealth and birds die for food. A great treasure will inevitably attract many contenders, including not only warriors but also some extraordinary individuals. Although our manor will send troops to seal off the mountain, it is impossible to completely seal off such a large place as Yongqiu."

Xiao Fengxiao's expression grew increasingly serious as he continued.

"Besides these treasure thieves, the greater danger actually lies within Mount Yongqiu. Mount Yongqiu harbors many strange beasts, and these rare treasures are extremely nourishing to them. Therefore, wherever there are rare treasures, there are always strange beasts guarding them. If you want to obtain the treasures, you must fight them!"

"So that's how it is..."

Chen Shi nodded, suddenly understanding.

The so-called strange beasts are ferocious beasts that are different from ordinary ones.

Although Chen Shi had never seen them in person, he had heard some rumors. It was said that these strange beasts were not only bizarre in appearance, but also exceptionally fierce and powerful, far surpassing tigers, leopards, jackals, and wolves. Many of them could even tear apart martial artists.

"Furthermore, the environment of Yongqiu Mountain is extremely harsh."

Xiao Fengxiao frowned, and his voice lowered even further.

"As I just mentioned, these rare and precious materials were created by a biting north wind deep within Yongqiu Mountain. This fierce wind, accompanied by swirling snow, makes the temperature inside the mountain extremely low. Those who have gone in report that it's several times colder than the coldest time outside! Even wearing several layers of cotton clothing can't ward off the bone-chilling cold. Many people weren't killed by strange beasts or treasure hunters, but rather froze to death!"

"They froze to death..."

Chen Shi's mouth was slightly open, his face full of surprise.

Every winter in Yongqiu City, people freeze to death on the streets, but those are always poor people dressed in thin clothes. The Marquis's search party, though well-equipped and wearing thick cotton-padded clothes, still froze to death, which shows how severe the cold is in the Yongqiu Mountains.

"That's why only 20-30% of the search teams come back alive each year."

Xiao Fengxiao shook his head slightly, then suddenly his expression softened and he spoke.

"However, this is also an opportunity. If we can find one or two treasures, the Marquis's mansion will be generous with its rewards. So many people are actually volunteering to join the search team."

"Um."

Chen Shi nodded; he could understand that.

As the saying goes, people die for wealth, and birds die for food; when faced with the greatest profit, some people will naturally be willing to die.

After all, human life is cheap in this world, and many people are willing to risk their lives for a chance to turn their lives around.

"Furthermore, the master said that as long as you return alive, everything will be forgiven. If you can bring back one or two treasures, you'll be promoted to steward!"

Xiao Fengxiao looked at Chen Shi, her eyes flickering slightly.

"You've only been in the manor for a short time, yet you've already risen to the position of steward. That's truly one of a kind."

"I see!"

Chen Shi nodded again, his gaze hardening.

No risk, no gain; fortune favors the bold!

He had promised Cui Nong that he would get back their indentures, and if he became the manager, he would be one step closer to that goal!

The steward was the highest rank among the servants.

For example, Jia Shun, although he also held the position of steward, was not actually a servant, but a "household retainer".

After Chen Shi becomes the steward, the next step is to become a "household retainer," at which point he can completely get rid of his status as a servant!

Therefore, joining the search team this time is indeed a great opportunity for him.

"The search team will enter the mountains in December. Due to the distance, they will have to set off in the first ten days or so. So, you have more than half a month to prepare."

Xiao Fengxiao thought for a moment, then continued.

"I promised you before that if you made another contribution, I would grant you a burst-energy martial art. This time you led the Flying Eagle Gang and the Wolf Poison Gang to defeat the Fierce Tiger Gang, which is a great achievement. I keep my word and will allow you to go to the library and choose any burst-energy martial art."

"Thank you, Second Grandma!"

Chen Shi was very excited and quickly thanked him.