Chapter 410 - 392: Treasure Pill, Escape Route

After completing a full set of the Azurewood Shadow Ape Fist, familiar ink-wash characters appeared before his eyes.

[Azurewood Shadow Ape Fist Skill Level +12]

[Martial Art]: Azurewood Shadow Ape Fist (Skilled 682/2000)

’My Skill Level went up by 12 points in one go. The rate of increase really improved!’

A sharp glint flashed through Su Yu’s eyes.

’As expected of a Spirit Tier aptitude, my martial arts progress has increased by a full fifty percent! At this rate, it’ll take me less than twenty days to break through to the Tiger Tendon Realm!’

’Not only has my martial arts practice accelerated, but my Qi and Blood has also increased by a considerable percentage! Perhaps my absorption of pills will change as well.’

Su Yu took a Tiger Sinew Pill from his Sumeru Mustard Seed and consumed it.

"Shadow Ape’s Branch Exploration!"

Once again assuming his stance, Su Yu’s figure dodged and weaved under the tree.

Soon, he once again finished a complete set of the fist technique.

[Azurewood Shadow Ape Fist Skill Level +13]

’Excellent. Just as I thought, my absorption of the pill is a bit stronger, and the growth of my Qi and Blood is a little faster than before. The increase isn’t huge, but stretched out over several years, or even decades, the difference will become massive!’

’The value of this Profound-tier Treasure Pill is truly immeasurable. If not for the fact that each person can only take one, its value would surely multiply several times over!’

’Oh, right. I have another Profound-tier Treasure Pill. I wonder what this one does.’

A light flashed in Su Yu’s hand, revealing a brocade box made of sandalwood. He opened the lid, and inside lay a single, white, jade-like pill.

It was the other Profound-tier Treasure Pill he had obtained from Huyan Hai.

’Zhen’Er investigated for several days without any results. It seems it’s not a common pill. I’ll have to ask Master later!’

...

In the afternoon, Su Yu went to the Public Security Bureau’s Flying Feather Institute to handle official business.

"Sir, the Huyan Family has started to make their move, but their actions seem to have no connection to the Black Lotus Sect. They’ve sent people to the Inner City to contact the Tiemu family, and they’ve also sent gifts to the Liu Family, the Xu family, and other prominent families, as if they’re about to discuss something."

Song Mirror reported each item, his voice somewhat low.

After listening to the report, Su Yu’s expression remained calm as he said, "We need a variable now. Otherwise, this operation can only end in failure."

Although he had prepared for everything, if timing and opportunity were not on his side, there was nothing to be done.

Dealing with the Huyan Family would have to be postponed. Fortunately, his own strength was increasing rapidly. The longer he delayed, the less of a threat the Huyan Family would be.

"How is the development of the Flying Feather Guard coming along?"

"Sir, dozens more regular Flying Feather Guards have been recruited from Qingxi Town. Among them, the Wang Yuechi you pointed out has agreed to join and is now serving as a logistics squad leader."

"Mm, give him the same compensation as a regular squad leader. Let’s see if he can break through to the Martial Artist realm."

Su Yu paid some extra attention to Wang Yuechi’s case, then asked again about the situation in the western district.

The situation in the western district was growing worse and seemed irreversible. After all, with more and more people unable to find enough food to eat, they could only resort to increasingly brazen crimes to survive.

Thoughts churned in Su Yu’s mind as he carefully considered his next move.

’I’m the Great Commander of the Public Security Bureau now. I have to shoulder this responsibility, not just be a placeholder.’

’The top priority is to continue building up the Flying Feather Guard, especially the elite members. Once that force is assembled, we can suppress any potential riots in the western district immediately.’

’But to reverse the chaos in the western district and outside the city walls, I have to solve the problem at its root.’

’I need to ask Mansion Master Pang about the progress on the work-for-relief initiative!’

...

After leaving the Public Security Bureau, Su Yu headed to the White Ape Martial Arts Hall to ask about the pill.

"Master, do you have any idea what this pill is?"

In the tea room, Su Yu placed the sandalwood brocade box on the table and gently opened it. The unusual fragrance of the pill immediately filled the air.

"It’s a White Jade Antitoxic Pill!"

Master Qin recognized it with just a single glance.

"This pill is a Lower Grade Xuan Treasure Pill. It’s refined using Earth Marrow White Jade Ginseng as the sovereign ingredient, with Celestial Frost Hundred-Relief Grass, Jade Toad Cream, and Cyan Stone Milk as supplementary ingredients."

"Years ago, I knew an alchemy master and happened to see him refine this very pill. The refining process is quite tedious. First, you must use a slow fire to temper the baleful energies, decocting it for three days and three nights to fully activate the medicinal properties of the sovereign and minister ingredients. Then, you blend ice and fire... and finally, you must use Cold Jade Concentrate to seal the pill."

"I’m making it sound simple, but the actual refining is far more troublesome, befitting its rank as a Profound-tier Treasure Pill."

"Now that you have this pill, don’t be in a hurry to take it. You can keep it on you. If you ever encounter a poison expert while roaming the jianghu, it will be a powerful trump card."

Su Yu nodded and closed the box again. "What poisons can it cure, then? And how effective is it?"

"How could a Profound Tier Detoxification Pill be anything less than excellent? For the poisons typically used by poison experts, this pill takes effect immediately. Curing them is not an issue at all."

"If there’s a poison that even this pill can’t cure, it must have come from a poison master at least comparable to the Divine Storage Realm. Masters of that caliber are exceedingly rare. If you really run into one, you’ll naturally know of your enemy’s reputation."

"’An old person at home is like a treasure in the house.’ Master, you are truly wise and experienced. This disciple understands."

"I have roamed for the better part of my life. Naturally, what I’ve seen and heard is beyond your comparison." Qin Fangqiong stroked his beard in great satisfaction, looking as if he had a truly teachable student.

"However, Yu’Er, you’ve been cooped up in Black Stone City ever since you started your training, my boy. Your experience is certainly lacking. I’ve had an idea recently that I wanted to discuss with you."

Su Yu’s expression shifted at once. "Please speak, Master."

"The Black Lotus Sect’s army is currently eyeing Cangya Pass like a hungry tiger. Who knows when they might sweep in again. I fear it will be another vicious battle. Do you think Cangya Pass can hold?"

Meeting Master Qin’s suddenly intense gaze, Su Yu’s expression also turned serious. He thought for a moment before replying, "Who can say for sure? But since the Black Lotus Sect was able to conquer the entire province of Liangzhou, their strength and foundation must be astonishing. If they attack with all their might, regardless of the cost, I’m afraid both Cangya Pass and Black Stone City will be in danger."

Master Qin nodded in satisfaction. "With you thinking like this, I can rest easy. Remember, in these chaotic times, the only thing you can trust is the strength in your own hands. Don’t place your hopes in the idea that Black Stone City will never be breached."

"If Black Stone City could also fall, then where would we go?"

"Master, do you mean we need to start thinking about a way out?" A flash of understanding went through Su Yu’s mind, and he felt he had guessed his master’s thoughts.

"You’re right. We can’t put all our eggs in one basket, especially in chaotic times like these. I have been considering this for some time now. However, I was previously focused on recovering to the Profound Bone Realm, which delayed things. Now that I’ve broken through, we must start taking action!"

"What exactly do you have in mind, Master?"

"In my younger days, I traveled through Qing Province, Snow State, Bing State, You Province, and even the Central Province where the Imperial Capital is located. I have some connections from that time. Right now, I have a good friend in the nearby Jian’an Prefecture. I was thinking of heading to Jian’an Prefecture first to get in touch. That way, if we really need to retreat there, we’ll have a path prepared!"

"Master is wise and far-sighted. This disciple agrees."

"A round trip to Jian’an Prefecture will take at least ten-odd days. I need to hold down the fort at the Martial Arts Hall, so I probably can’t be away for that long. I originally planned to have you go, but now that you’re the Great Commander of the Public Security Bureau, you probably can’t get away easily either."

"In the end, I’ll leave it to you to decide who should go. However, this trip to Jian’an Prefecture won’t be that easy. Over there, I plan to open a branch of the White Ape Martial Arts Hall. If we’re to open a new hall, according to tradition, we’ll have to prove our strength in the ring."

"There will inevitably be some fighting. We have to send someone competent, since we can’t very well have someone like Jiang Liuchuan go and embarrass us."