Chapter 14: First Rise to Fame within the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion
Huang Yaoshi, Master of Peach Blossom Island, was truly the Liu Dehua of the Great Zhou—a paragon of both literary and martial prowess, a beloved idol with countless admirers throughout the realm. In his youth, he dominated the ranks of talented scholars for years on end. Not only was he handsome, but his demeanor was carefree and elegant; he scorned rigid traditions yet deeply respected loyal ministers and filial children.
Many martial heroines of the jianghu were drawn to him, yet he cherished only one. Even after his wife’s passing, he remained a lifelong bachelor, living alone on Peach Blossom Island to raise his daughter.
After Huang Yaoshi’s era, the stage naturally belonged to Gao Wu, a fledgling figure in the martial world.
“Greetings, Master Huang!” Gao Wu stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Huang Yaoshi. Then, glancing at Shopkeeper Tong, he shook his head with a wry smile. “Shopkeeper Tong, you’ve orchestrated such a grand display—this truly puts me in a difficult position!”
“Hey, you brat! I am making your name known, and you’re not grateful? Instead, you blame me?” Shopkeeper Tong’s face was flushed, clearly having indulged in drink early this morning.
In the world of martial arts, nothing matters more than fame and fortune. What Shopkeeper Tong said was true: after this event, Gao Wu’s name would surely spread throughout Bianzhou.
Of course, with fame came unknown dangers. Bearing a millennia-old Lingzhi mushroom and possessing innate martial techniques, it was only natural that others would covet him.
With Gao Wu taking the stage, the transaction formally began.
At Shopkeeper Tong’s signal, a maid of the Ten-Thousand Treasures Pavilion brought forward a tray draped in red silk. “Mr. Huang, please.”
The crowd surged forward eagerly, jostling to catch a glimpse of the legendary thousand-year Fire Lingzhi.
Huang Yaoshi was a master of refining elixirs such as the Nine-Flower Jade Dew Pill. Having seen—and even once used—a thousand-year Lingzhi himself, he was one of the reasons the pavilion invited him.
When the red silk was lifted, a fiery red Lingzhi appeared, its cap glowing like blazing flames.
The mushroom cap was a perfect semicircle or kidney shape, resembling an exquisite small fan, measuring several dozen centimeters in diameter—thick and textured.
Even Huang Yaoshi could not help but exclaim, “A fine medicine!”
Gao Wu stared intently at the thousand-year Fire Lingzhi. Up close, he could see the cap was covered in dense, unique patterns—mysterious runes winding like ancient, mystical forces.
Huang Yaoshi scrutinized every detail—the cap’s patterns, the main body, the stalk—leaving nothing overlooked.
Jiang Chongde breathed heavily. Indeed, this was the very Fire Lingzhi they had taken from the Tang Duke’s mansion. How had it ended up at the Ten-Thousand Treasures Pavilion? That wretched Wen Tao—if we ever meet again, I swear I will tear you limb from limb!
The Tang Duke wore a smile of inscrutable amusement, as if watching a splendid drama unfold.
“How is this the thousand-year Fire Lingzhi?”
“That’s right! This is the divine medicine for breaking through one’s limits!”
“But the young man on stage looks like he just started practicing martial arts?”
“Hmph, you don’t know. The thousand-year Fire Lingzhi can also improve one’s martial roots and enhance innate talent!”
“Wow, I really want to snatch it!”
Whispers buzzed through the crowd—a rare treasure had appeared, as expected.
After half an incense stick’s time, Huang Yaoshi reluctantly lifted his gaze from the Fire Lingzhi. Gao Wu grew anxious, suspecting the old man was secretly absorbing his spiritual energy.
“This is genuine thousand-year Fire Lingzhi, well preserved with full medicinal efficacy!” Shopkeeper Tong chuckled, covering the red silk again. “Master Huang, your discerning eye is appreciated!”
Then she turned to Gao Wu. “Young Master Gao, you may now present your treasure for Master Huang’s appraisal!”
Gao Wu nodded and withdrew a scroll of fine parchment from his bosom. He had purchased this high-quality paper to lend a grander air to his martial manual. Yet from Shopkeeper Tong’s disdainful glance, it was clear she found it still lacking in opulence.
Upon opening the parchment, Huang Yaoshi’s expression changed abruptly. “Exquisite calligraphy!”
If there was any connection between Gao Wu and the ancient past, it was through his mastery of Yan style regular script—undoubtedly his most significant skill.
From the youth palace, he had practiced brush calligraphy, drawn to Yan style’s robust strength and broad, dignified strokes. Eventually, he specialized in this script. Were calligraphy divided by realms, Gao Wu would at least be at the innate level.
After reading the “Jade Maiden’s Heart Sutra” once, Huang Yaoshi sighed, “The characters are full-bodied and magnificent—solemn yet bold! The technique is delicate and intricate, embodying the principles of yin and yang. It suits a pair—man and woman—to practice together, assisting each other. At deeper levels, it requires a mutual understanding of heart and mind, like harmonious music from a qin and se.”
“What grade is the technique?” Shopkeeper Tong cared little for the calligraphy; she only wanted to know its rank.
“Top-grade innate technique! If two suitable practitioners cultivate it simultaneously, it could become supreme!”
Martial techniques were ranked in upper, middle, and lower grades within each realm. The supreme grade meant that prodigies could use it to break through their current limits into the next realm.
“Did you write this manual, young sir?”
“Indeed.”
“When you have time, you must visit Peach Blossom Island. We can discuss calligraphy together.”
“An honor!”
Huang Yaoshi’s scholarly attire was refined and graceful, fitting comfortably. But Gao Wu, clad in tight battle gear, tall and broad, looked somewhat awkward in this setting.
“Since Master Huang has appraised the technique as innate, Young Master Gao, shall we conclude the deal?”
Shopkeeper Tong had staged this entire transaction not out of kindness to Gao Wu, but for the Ten-Thousand Treasures Pavilion’s benefit.
First, it brought free publicity to the pavilion.
Second, henceforth, the pavilion would hold exclusive rights to the “Jade Maiden’s Heart Sutra.” Anyone else attempting to trade it secretly would find no mercy from them.
Third, by selling the thousand-year Fire Lingzhi openly before many martial artists, the Tang Duke’s mansion would have to negotiate with the rightful owner if they wished to reclaim it.
Shopkeeper Tong’s strategy served multiple ends, securing great merit for the pavilion. Whether her rank as shopkeeper would rise after this was unknown to outsiders.
After receiving the thousand-year Fire Lingzhi, Gao Wu wasted no time and began eating it before everyone’s eyes.
The Lingzhi tasted like an ordinary mushroom—soft and tender in the mouth, with a slightly crisp center and a refreshing fragrance.
Once the entire mushroom was consumed, Gao Wu felt a fiery heat coursing through his body, as if flames burned within his veins.
“Such waste!” Huang Yaoshi could not bear to watch. If it were him refining the Fire Lingzhi into medicine, he would preserve every drop of efficacy and combine it with auxiliaries to unleash even greater power.
Shopkeeper Tong chuckled but secretly admired Gao Wu’s decisiveness. The innate technique was traded without hesitation; the priceless Fire Lingzhi was eaten without regret—no half measures.
Gao Wu had no other thoughts. After all, buying the thousand-year Fire Lingzhi was precisely to consume it.
Eating it openly now also prevented others from coveting it later.
For Gao Wu, nothing was more important than restoring his martial roots.
However, he underestimated both the Fire Lingzhi’s potency and the pain involved in repairing his roots.
The fiery energy contained within the Fire Lingzhi relentlessly purified Gao Wu’s meridians. The mushroom’s mysterious power began healing his martial roots, a process so intense it caused him to lose consciousness on the spot.