Enlightenment: Beginning as a Disposable Warrior

After the two reached an agreement, Su Mu took a sip of tea and spoke directly.

"Director Li, I have a matter to request your assistance with."

"Please go ahead, Mr. Li."

"A blacksmith from the Forging Workshop once forged weapons for me. Today, I heard that he was abducted by the Black Mountain Rebel Army, and I would like to ask you to investigate this situation."

"Indeed, this is the case. It coincides with the time before Mr. Li disappeared from Qingyun several months ago." Li Zhihe said this, stood up, and found a secret message from the cabinet in his study.

"This matter has been a headache for me. The gist is that County Magistrate Tao invited three master blacksmiths from the Forging Workshop to a manor outside the city to forge weapons. Unexpectedly, the reckless Black Mountain rebels appeared halfway through and kidnapped them."

"These are the last three possible hideouts of the Black Mountain Army."

Su Mu took the secret message and spread it out.

"The most likely location is Black Wind Valley, which is also in the same direction as County Magistrate Tao’s estate outside the city, approximately forty to fifty miles apart."

"Next is Little Black Mountain, located at the junction of Qingyun, Canghe, and Changfeng counties. It is said that the Black Mountain Rebel Army began from here, and it is likely that it is still their old nest, though the Black Mountain Rebel Army’s lair might also be in the Qifeng Mountain Range."

"Lastly, there’s the western Black Mountain Forest. This location is least likely, as the forest is filled with rocky terrain and is too rugged for too many people to station."

Li Zhihe analyzed the three places for Su Mu. Su Mu’s eyes fell on the Black Mountain Forest, as Gao Feng had mentioned it before he died.

He also noticed Li Zhihe mentioning ’County Magistrate Tao’, and reflected that in all these years, he’d seemingly never met this fatherly official of Qingyun.

"Mr. Li, this matter is dangerous, and you should be careful if you go. The Black Mountain Rebel Army kidnapped the three blacksmiths from the Forging Workshop, surely intending to craft Grade-Entering Weapons and Treasure Armor. The importance of these three individuals is self-evident, and there will certainly be experts in the rebel camp."

"The Black Mountain Rebel Army has become quite influential now, with many powerful members. Just over half a year ago, Mr. Li beheaded Yuan Wuming at the Changfeng Execution Ground." At this point, Li Zhihe paused for a moment in contemplation.

"Mr. Li, you may not be aware, but a few months ago, someone filled Yuan Wuming’s vacant position in the Black Mountain Army. The new Protector, named Gao Feng, is said to be as strong as Yuan Wuming, possibly another Sixth-Grade Martial Artist."

Li Zhihe’s expression grew even more solemn as he introduced Su Mu to the new Protector Gao Feng of the Black Mountain Army, unaware that he had already been killed by Su Mu.

Su Mu had even defeated Gongsun Xin, who was stronger than Gao Feng.

"From Li Zhihe’s reaction... Zhao Pingyuan has tightly sealed any information regarding Gongsun Xin."

Su Mu thought silently, showing no hint on his face, taking the opportunity to adopt a solemn expression and say, "To be honest, I have reached a bottleneck in my Martial Arts Cultivation, but I lack a Sixth-Grade Technique. Do you have any solutions, Director Li?"

"A Sixth-Grade Technique, hmm."

Li Zhihe’s expression changed slightly upon hearing this, as if contemplating something. But soon, his eyes grew firm, as Su Mu had already reverse-slashed the Sixth-Grade Yuan Wuming while still at the Seventh Grade.

Even if Yuan Wuming had forcefully ascended through some means, Li Feiyu’s potential remained astonishing, even extraordinary in Qingzhou.

But Li Zhihe was unaware that Gongsun Xin, who was killed by Su Mu, was a genuine Sixth-Grade Daoist Cultivator.

This was precisely why Zhao Pingyuan was so anxious, uneasy with someone capable of killing Gongsun Xin remaining alive. He wanted to utilize the Judge to eliminate Su Mu, a classic case of using a borrowed knife to kill.

Li Zhihe had previously suspected Zhao Pingyuan’s eagerness, considering him a crafty old fox—why would he act like a cornered animal?

"Once Li Feiyu ascends to the Sixth Grade... unless he encounters a disciple of a noble family sect, he shouldn’t meet an equal at the same grade, and helping me return to Qingzhou will need Li Feiyu’s assistance!"

Li Zhihe’s eyes slightly narrowed as he made up his mind, though he still appeared troubled.

"Regarding the technique, I might be able to think of something, but Mr. Li, besides the technique, you also need the Five Elements Elixir to temper the five viscera if you wish to ascend to the Sixth Grade. Do you have the elixir prepared?"

Su Mu was naturally aware of this but feigned ignorance at the moment, appearing puzzled.

"There’s such a thing?"

Li Zhihe was taken aback but inwardly acknowledged it as expected, realizing Li Feiyu indeed lacked any significant backing, making it even more impressive.

Li Feiyu had relied on his strength to reach this stage, possessing a power that far exceeded others of his level, capable of overcoming formidable opponents across realms. This potential terrified Li Zhihe even more.

"Does the Hundred Elixir Tower have the Five Elements Pill used for refining the viscera?"

"There’s a gap between the Lower Three Grades and the Middle Third Grade. This item is precious even in the commandery city of the Three Canglan Counties. Even if the Hundred Elixir Tower has it, they wouldn’t trade it."

Li Zhihe quickly shook his head but, after thinking for a moment, continued.

"However, there might be a possibility."

Su Mu’s eyes brightened with unexpected excitement, as Li Zhihe truly surprised him today. Although Su Mu didn’t have much hope when mentioning it, Li Zhihe’s capacity turned out to be significant, potentially obtaining a Sixth-Grade Technique and even the channel for accessing the Five Elements Pill to refine the viscera.

"Do you know of our Lord County Magistrate in Qingyun County?"

Su Mu shook his head, maintaining a listening posture.

"County Magistrate Tao is named Tao Xingzheng. He assumed the role of Qingyun County Magistrate six years ago, likely from the Tao family of Donglai County, one of the noble families of Qingzhou. County Magistrate Tao might be able to obtain the Five Elements Pill, though it’s challenging to negotiate this matter. I can only attempt it."

Tao Xingzheng?

Su Mu suddenly recalled the boy from Lower Mountain Village who boasted about making a name for himself, also named Xingzheng.

"Then please, Director Li, if the County Magistrate is willing to sell the elixir, I will cover the expenses needed."

"Alright."

Before departing, Li Zhihe handed Su Mu an unregistered Sword Catching Copper Order. Su Mu understood and, after altering his appearance, received it and left the Demon Slayer Bureau.

...

After leaving the Demon Slayer Bureau, Su Mu arrived at a courtyard he had specifically purchased for storing liquor.

Opening the dusty courtyard gate, Su Mu found a letter made of leather paper at the entrance when he entered the courtyard.

"A letter?"

Su Mu used a bit of Pill Force to retrieve the letter and, tearing it open, noticed handwriting he had never seen before.

"The crest of the Ancient River Commerce Association... it’s a letter from Li Kang, and the handwriting is as bad as mine once was."

After reading it, Su Mu chuckled at the crooked writing.

The letter was sent by Li Kang through the Ancient River Commerce Association, bearing the association’s crest, which Su Mu had seen on their carts while transporting liquor. The letter mentioned some issues encountered with the final batch of liquor, causing a delay.

Li Kang also invited Su Mu to Canghe County for a tasting session, as he had devised a new brewing method, wishing to exchange insights with Su Mu.

Su Mu quickly considered whether this could be a ploy by Zhao Pingyuan, but he dismissed the thought. If Zhao Pingyuan knew his identity, it would have been revealed in the secret message Li Zhihe shared earlier.

The tone and content of the letter matched Li Kang’s character. Li Kang was obsessed with brewing strong liquor, and Su Mu wouldn’t have shared the distillation method from his previous life otherwise.

"The pharmacist mentioned wanting to meet Li Kang, the wine enthusiast. This new brew from Li Kang can also be shared with the pharmacist... and it would also be a chance to meet Zhao Pingyuan."

A cold glint flickered in Su Mu’s eyes. After putting away the letter, he headed to the cellar. Last time, he couldn’t take all the liquor because he had to transport the pharmacist’s medical books.

Now, with two Sumeru Rings at his disposal, he had more than enough space.

Subsequently, Su Mu quietly returned to the end of Yanque Street to the courtyard, spreading out the three maps he had acquired from the Demon Slayer Bureau on the table, waiting for nightfall.

Returning home, Su Mu finally relaxed completely, the weariness washing over him like a tide. The events of recent days had drained him mentally.

He boiled a pot of lotus leaf water for himself, adding three packages of Five Treasures Marrow-Nourishing Soup, and directly immersed his hand into the boiling bathwater.

Typically, a Seventh-Grade Muscle-Enhancing Martial Artist would need only one package to effectively temper the meridians, but now with three packages, Su Mu felt only a slight numbness.

Shaking his head, Su Mu continued pouring in the medicinal powder.

Four packages.

Five packages.

Seven packages.

...