Chapter 42: Competing for Height, Are We? Let's See Who Can Outdo Me (Please Add to Favorites and Keep Reading!)

Sanniang remained silent, but the oiled paper umbrella in the main hall seemed to lift itself and landed in Shanglu’s hands.

“I knew it, Sanniang, you care for me and can’t bear to let me take the risk alone.”

Shanglu smiled, stowing the umbrella in its case and slinging it casually over his shoulder.

If he could, Shanglu would have preferred to wait a few more days—to consolidate his cultivation, practice his Wind-Cleaving Blade and Tiger Step until they reached a modest proficiency, and then set out to Yunhua Mountain to hunt the monstrous serpent.

But time waited for no one.

The shaman official had already gone to Yunhua Mountain. It would not be long before he confirmed the presence of a hidden realm in the mountain and reported back to the Shaman Institute.

Once their people arrived, entering the mountain would be impossible.

If he wanted to hunt the monstrous serpent, he had to seize these few days and act before they did.

He still wasn’t clear about the mountain’s secrets, nor did he know if there were other lurking dangers besides the serpent.

But with Sanniang by his side, even if danger arose, they would find a way through.

After all, the bloody meat paste Sanniang had given him came from Yunhua Mountain; she must know the place well.

Stepping outside, a wave of sultry heat struck him in the face.

Last night’s rain had brought only a few hours of coolness. Now, with the rain gone, the heat was rising again, and the lingering humidity made the world feel like a giant steamer.

Shanglu wiped the sweat from his brow, suddenly wondering: “Could this strange, stifling weather also be related to the hidden realm and strange happenings in Yunhua Mountain?”

Arriving at the county office early, he found the third division’s courtyard quiet—only a few constables had shown up for roll call, all yawning and rubbing their eyes, still half-asleep.

Seeing this, Shanglu figured there would be some time before roll call, so he went to the armory, found the storekeeper—also just out of bed—and after registering, exchanged his saber for a new cow-tail blade.

The storekeeper drew the old blade Shanglu handed over, inspecting it with amazement. “Constable Shang, what did you hack at with this blade?”

Shanglu had already prepared his excuse: “What else? Yesterday’s training, hacking at those bean soldiers. They may be made of soybeans, but they’re tougher than armor—the blade was ruined.”

“That’s the shaman official’s magic beans—of course they’re tough.” The storekeeper, now understanding, ceased his curiosity, logged the damaged blade, and set it aside for the smiths to repair later.

With the new blade in hand, Shanglu returned to the third division. After a while, the others arrived one by one.

A glance told him that Shi Fan, Chu Xing, and a few others were still absent, likely still investigating at Yunhua Mountain.

Sun Ying, however, had arrived. He looked at Shanglu with unconcealed resentment in his eyes.

Shanglu noticed. He thought to himself, “No need to hurry, Sun. Zhao Hai is already dead; next, it’ll be your turn—and Captain Ma’s.”

But Captain Ma was not like Zhao Hai; he held official rank and was the leader of the constables. If he were killed, the county office would launch a thorough investigation, and even the shaman official would step in.

So he had to be patient and wait for the right opportunity.

Shanglu was confident that he wouldn’t have to wait long.

After another while, Captains Niu and Ma finally appeared. As usual, after a brief roll call and division of duties, everyone was dismissed.

Shanglu was assigned to lead his subordinates in patrolling several streets in the south of the city.

Once the tasks were handed out, Captain Ma hurried out with Sun Ying. Though they said nothing of their destination, Shanglu suspected they were heading to the farm outside the city to confront Zhao Hai.

But they would find nothing but a shock—for Zhao Hai was already dead.

Shanglu took Du Feng with him as they left the office. As they walked, he instructed, “Du Feng, I’m counting on you for today’s patrol. For now, you’re the only one I can rely on.”

“No problem,” Du Feng replied, smiling, oblivious to any hidden meaning.

But Shanglu’s next words caught him off guard: “Alright, I’ll leave you to it. Be diligent while on patrol.”

Du Feng was stunned. “Wait—aren’t you leading us today?”

“You go ahead. I need to return to Shuanggui Village,” Shanglu explained. “Last night, I was called away from home in the middle of the night—my parents are worried. I have to go assure them I’m safe.”

“But the magistrate said last night that we’re not to leave the city these days…”

“Captain Ma took Sun Ying out of the city. I’m just following their example. Don’t worry, the shaman official won’t be back so soon.”

Shanglu patted Du Feng on the shoulder. “Do a good job. I have faith in you.”

Du Feng wanted to protest but didn’t dare—so he reluctantly went off to patrol on his own.

Shanglu didn’t rush to leave the city. He first stopped by a general store.

He wanted to buy a rope.

Yunhua Mountain was shrouded in thick fog. To hunt the monstrous serpent, one had to venture into the mist.

But the strange fog caused people to lose their sense of direction.

Last time, Shanglu had only escaped the maze after killing the serpent and dispersing the fog.

But this time, no one knew how many monstrous serpents were lurking within, or what other fiendish things might be waiting.

To avoid losing his way and being trapped, Shanglu thought to secure a long rope—one end tied around his waist, the other fastened to a tree or stone outside the fog.

That way, when it was time to leave, he could follow the rope back out, safe from getting lost.

Even if Sanniang could slip through the fog, her methods might not suit him—it was best to have a backup plan.

It was a good idea, but the general store only sold coarse straw ropes, as thick as a finger, and a long enough one would be a massive bundle.

With his current cultivation, carrying even the largest bundle would be easy, but it would certainly attract attention.

Fortunately, Shanglu quickly thought of an alternative.

He went to the pharmacy and bought plenty of realgar powder. His plan was to scatter it along his path inside the mist.

The powder was brightly colored and had a strong scent. With his keen eyes and nose, he could follow the trail back out without worrying about getting lost.

After leaving the pharmacy, he stopped by a jeweler’s shop, bought a silver hairpin for Sanniang, and gently tucked it into the handle of the oiled paper umbrella.

But as soon as he left the shop, the hairpin vanished with a shimmer.

Shanglu knew Sanniang had taken it.

She must have liked it.

After leaving the city, Shanglu used the Bird Step technique, combining travel with practice, flying swiftly along the road.

He first returned to Shuanggui Village to reassure his parents and left them some money to host a feast for the villagers, as he had promised the day before.

Afterward, he excused himself, saying official business awaited, and set off directly for Yunhua Mountain.

On the way, he passed through a bamboo forest, where he made a detour to cut a long bamboo pole.

“So it’s a contest of height, is it? I’ll carry this bamboo on my head and see which serpent can outdo me!”

When it came to bending the rules, Shanglu wouldn’t claim to be an old hand—but he was certainly an expert.