The East Lake Mountain was perilous, and the cliff where Zhao Xing stood was shrouded in mist, making it impossible to see the end, but it was at least four to five hundred meters high.
Such a height, to fall straight down?
Zhao Xing focused his gaze and discovered that the person was already a bloody mess, with even a few parts missing.
Yet he was still alive!
Upon closer inspection, this person's vitality still lingered by a thread.
"What the hell, scared me half to death!" Zong Shichang jumped up from his chair.
"It's a person," Zhao Xing activated his Bright Eyes technique.
"Dead or alive?"
"Not dead yet, but close."
"Not good! I know this person!" Zong Shichang's expression changed after a careful look.
He immediately ran over.
Zhao Xing surveyed the surroundings, summoned the clouds, and then slowly walked over.
"Wang brother, how did you fall from the mountain?" Zong Shichang crouched down by the pile of rubble.
"Pig, pig..." The man with the surname Wang, who appeared to be a martial artist, was left with only half of his body and surprisingly was still alive, even having the strength to speak.
"Pig? Where's the pig?" Zong Shichang said. "Wang brother, be clearer."
"Horse, horse..."
"Horse? What do you want to say?" Zong Shichang was puzzled, first pig, then horse, what was he trying to convey?
"Wang brother, if you have any last words, please say them clearly. No, after the Forgetting Worry Monument, I won't remember them."
"You, um~" The man with the surname Wang widened his eyes, unable to close them, not knowing if it was due to Zong Shichang's anger.
"Don't worry, I don't know why, but you died serving my Zong family. After we get out, I will take good care of your family," Zong Shichang said sadly, reaching out to close the man's eyes.
Strangely enough, after Zong Shichang said this, the man who couldn't close his eyes finally shut them.
"Crack, crack, crack, crack~"
Once the man was completely dead, a sudden gust of cold wind emerged, and the pile of rubble began to sink, pulling the man's two halves into the ground.
Seeing this, Zhao Xing and Zong Shichang hurriedly clasped their hands in respect and bowed to the ground.
This was the Yin God of East Lake Mountain, sending the official's remains away.
After leaving the pile of rubble, before Zhao Xing could ask, Zong Shichang took the initiative to say, "This person is named Wang Dong, a member of the martial division from Mai County. He is one of the four people entrusted to my family."
"He only reached Gathered Essence Eighth Level at the age of forty-five, unable to stabilize his foundation. This year he came to my family seeking help, and my father agreed to secure him a position from Wei this year. I never expected he would perish here before even an hour on the mountain."
"Zhao brother, you said he was talking about pigs and horses before he died. Is he blaming me for taking this job?"
Zhao Xing shook his head, "If he were blaming you, why would he trust you to take care of his family?"
Zong Shichang seemed to feel somewhat reassured, "That's true, but what did he want to tell me?"
Zhao Xing remained silent, lost in thought.
With a person dead, Zong Shichang had no leisure to drink or enjoy the scenery, sitting there frowning in contemplation.
Unexpectedly, before long, a mournful and urgent cry echoed from the depths of the dense forest, mixed with the roars of unknown beasts.
Fortunately, the howls gradually faded away.
After a moment, Zong Shichang stood up and pulled out a box from his bag, walking over. "Zhao brother, I plan to climb the mountain, so I won't stay here with you."
"Why the sudden change of heart?" Zhao Xing asked.
Zong Shichang sighed, "I originally planned to wait at the foot of the mountain. But now it seems, since we've entered the mountain, neither up nor down is safe."
"I plan to contact the other three. If we gather together, it would be safer with their protection."
"Here is a box of Gathered Essence Pills, take it and use it. We part ways here."
Zhao Xing looked at the medicine box Zong Shichang placed down, "Brother Zong, wait."
Zong Shichang turned back, a look of confusion on his face.
Zhao Xing slowly said, "I didn't want to say much, and I don't know if it's good or bad for you to hear this, but I saw that your brother with the surname Wang was already injured before he fell from the cliff."
"His chest was caved in, likely from a blunt weapon strike, and according to his last words, it should refer to a worker's treasure, the Unicorn Bamboo Horse."
Zong Shichang was first taken aback, then suddenly enlightened.
Zhao Xing continued, "Let me make a bold guess, your family's transaction with the brother with the surname Wang may not be unknown to others."
"The Zong family has a large business in Nanyang County, which inevitably attracts jealousy. If someone wanted to take this opportunity to harm you, then this accident might be him shielding you from disaster."
Zong Shichang's expression changed, his eyes becoming uncertain.
Zhao Xing said lightly, "The East Lake Mountain has the Yin God overseeing it. While killing is prohibited, robbing and fighting are not. This boundary has always been vague; otherwise, there wouldn't be a Forgetting Worry Monument."
"Moreover, killing doesn't necessarily require direct action. If I were to compete with you for the Lingxiu, using magic to bind you and leave you here, and later a fierce beast eats you, that wouldn't be considered a violation of the rules; it would only mean your fortune was lacking."
"You don't lack this Lingxiu, so I still suggest you descend the mountain directly and avoid this risk."
Zong Shichang frowned, seemingly pondering Zhao Xing's words.
It was evident that this wealthy young man had never faced hardship, surrounded by flattery and praise, everyone giving his father some face; how could he think so deeply?
Now, being reminded by Zhao Xing, he seemed to connect the dots, his expression shifting as if in conflict.
Zhao Xing continued, "If you must go up, then keep your wits about you. If you encounter someone riding a Bamboo Horse, just turn around and leave; don't gamble your life on my guesses."
Seeing Zong Shichang deep in thought, Zhao Xing stopped speaking.
To say more would be taboo.
As he mentioned earlier, if an accident occurred on the mountain, that would be a matter of bad fortune.
Bad fortune, how could one hold an official position in the Fortune Dynasty?
Even if both were promoted to Ninth Rank, if the national fortune favored those with poor innate fortune, they would have to pay a greater price.
The national fortune must consider the balance of income and expenditure, which is why there are rules for officials who die yet still have fortune in the court.
There are also cases like Xue Wenzhong, who couldn't be promoted for decades, fundamentally due to the low innate fortune level of the old Agricultural Affairs Bureau head, only able to achieve Ninth Rank unless he could accomplish great deeds. But as the head of the Agricultural Affairs Bureau, it was hard to find opportunities for great achievements.
Gathering Lingxiu not only filters out those with poor fortune but also gives people a chance to make up for their fortune.
Of course, there are more methods than just this, but he didn't intend to elaborate too much on the intricacies.
He reminded Zong Shichang of these things, which was also a way to repay the information Zong Shichang had previously provided.
"Alright, I understand. Thank you, Zhao brother." Zong Shichang clasped his hands in gratitude.
Zhao Xing nodded, watching him leave.
As for whether Zong Shichang believed him or not, what grievances he had with anyone, or whether he would continue up the mountain, Zhao Xing had no interest in understanding or paying attention.
His Golden Bamboo and Green Vine were about to ripen.
(End of Chapter)