After experiencing the mystical "rain listening to all things," Ji Yuan was now very confident in his hearing. Although his mind wasn't entirely free of distractions just now, he absolutely wouldn't miss someone's footsteps at such close range.
Recalling what Jin Shunfu had just said sent a chill down Ji Yuan's spine.
A scholar appearing out of nowhere on a cold, desolate mountain night was unsettling no matter how he thought about it.
Yet, the scholar's demeanor and actions were flawless, and his identity as a seemingly defenseless scholar seemed to have successfully gained the initial trust of the traveling merchants.
To be fair, the mountain god temple wasn't the merchants' private property; everyone had the right to rest there. They weren't wicked or unreasonable people, so even if they remained wary of the scholar, they couldn't simply drive him away.
The traveling merchants weren't completely unguarded, of course. While politely inviting the scholar to sit, they still intended to inquire about his background.
"May I ask your name, where you reside, and where you attend school?"
Zhang Shilin, having read some books, phrased his question to the scholar with a noticeable air of refinement, making even the youngest, Wang Dong, glance at him several times.
The scholar dared not delay, cupping his hands and bowing to Zhang Shilin.
"This humble student's surname is Lu, and my given name is Xing. I reside in Paimenfang, Shuixian Town, and I am a student of Qingsong Academy in Desheng Prefecture. This time, I was traveling with friends from the academy and on our way back home, we went up the mountain together…"
Perhaps due to Zhang Shilin's manner of questioning, the scholar perceived him as a semi-literate person and changed his self-reference from "I" to "this humble student."
The scholar, recalling his experience with a hint of lingering fear, recounted in detail who he had gone up the mountain with, how he had accidentally become separated, where he lived, and which academy he attended. From time to time, he would interject a flowery verse, and his narrative was entirely coherent, not at all like a fabrication.
The scholar's performance was natural and unaffected, and his words were polite and appropriate.
Especially upon hearing that the scholar was a student of a reputable academy, the merchants were filled with respect. Compared to scholars who studied diligently at home, academy students often had better status, family backgrounds, and academic achievements – in other words, they were considered of higher caliber.
Scholars were always revered, let alone a student of Qingsong Academy.
Gradually, even Zhang Shilin lowered his guard. Not only that, but everyone treated Scholar Lu with increased deference.
The scholar, for his part, was not arrogant, repeatedly thanking them for offering water and food, though he politely declined, saying he wasn't hungry at the moment.
Ji Yuan's heart sank. This so-called scholar was an excellent actor; if Ji Yuan hadn't already concluded that this person was definitely not human, he would probably have believed him by now.
This was terrifying, utterly terrifying!
If Ji Yuan were given the choice now to stay transmigrated or immediately return home, he would unhesitatingly choose the latter. Unfortunately, he had no choice.
Ji Yuan still clung to a sliver of hope, reasoning that the scholar's need to act this way suggested he wasn't an overwhelmingly powerful entity. Moreover, it seemed the other party hadn't discovered the beggar lying behind the mountain god statue.
Scholar Lu and the merchants were now chatting amiably, enjoying the rare experience of a student from a prestigious academy showing no prejudice towards them as vendors, making the conversation naturally harmonious.
As if struck by a sudden thought, the scholar patted his head and conspiratorially addressed Zhang Shilin and the others.
"Oh, right! I don't have much money on me, so I can't repay your kindness in assisting me. But on my way to the mountain god temple, I saw something valuable that I believe could bring you some profit!"
This immediately piqued everyone's interest.
"What valuable item might that be?"
The scholar lowered his voice.
"An ancient king ginseng!"
Ginseng was a precious medicinal herb, and adding the prefix "king" (山王) usually referred to the finest quality ginseng.
As traveling merchants who constantly traversed mountains and rivers, they would carefully dig up and take any suitable medicinal herbs they encountered, as they offered considerable profit.
Upon hearing "king ginseng," their expressions grew excited.
Zhang Shilin, however, frowned slightly and looked at Scholar Lu.
"Young Master Lu, you are a scholar; how would you recognize a king ginseng?"
"Haha, Brother Zhang is quite right. While I have indeed read about the characteristics of ginseng in various botanical texts, I can't identify a king ginseng at first glance. But even if I can't, others can!"
At this, Scholar Lu cautiously looked left and right, then lowered his voice further.
"I'm from Shuixian Town, and I know that occasionally a group of mountain folk comes to town to sell mountain produce and herbs. I've chatted with them a few times and learned some insider information."
"That king ginseng has nine leaves, and a tall stalk with red berries. The most crucial part is…"
By now, all the merchants, including Zhang Shilin, had involuntarily leaned closer.
"The most crucial part is that its stem has three small red ropes tied around it. This is a local method used by skilled mountain leaders to prevent the king ginseng from escaping!"
This explanation was new to many merchants and made them quite excited.
"Yes, I've heard old folks say that old ginseng roots can burrow into the ground and escape, and only the most skilled mountain people can catch them!"
Jin Shunfu also recounted something he had heard before.
"Exactly, exactly! Brother Jin's words are true!"
Scholar Lu clapped his hands lightly and nodded in agreement.
"The mountain folk tied the red ropes but didn't dig it up, presumably to wait for the king ginseng to reach its optimal ripeness. But you all don't need to do that. If you can acquire this king ginseng, it will surely be a substantial profit. If I hadn't been so terribly frightened at the time, and afraid of damaging the herb, I might have dug it up myself."
"Yes, yes!"
"Brother Shilin, let's go dig it up!"
"Scholar, where is this king ginseng?"
The merchants were overcome with excitement, eager to dig up the king ginseng immediately.
The allure of wealth and the drive for profit made them trust Scholar Lu's words even more.
A chill deepened in Ji Yuan's heart, and he had only one thought: *This is bad!*
Facing the merchants' eagerness, the scholar thought for a moment before replying.
"The spot isn't far from where I took shelter from the rain earlier; a round trip won't take more than the time it takes two incense sticks to burn. If you truly want it, it would be best to accompany me before dawn."
"Why is that? The path is dark and slippery now; wouldn't it be too unsafe?" Zhang Shilin asked, puzzled.
"Brother Zhang, you may not know this, but mountain folk enter the mountains just before dawn. I saw that the king ginseng's red flower has already emerged. What if the mountain folk come to dig it up in the next day or two? Wouldn't we miss out if we don't go tonight?"
"That's right!"
"Makes sense!"
"Brother Shilin, I'm quick on my feet, I'll go!"
"Yes, let's hurry and dig it up!"
In those times, providing for one's family was paramount. And a king ginseng, nurtured by heaven and earth, wasn't necessarily owned by the mountain folk just because they tied a red rope around it. As long as they didn't run into them, there would be no issue.
"Not everyone needs to go. A few agile ones should go, and the rest stay here to watch our belongings."
Zhang Shilin no longer hesitated, beginning to pull out torches, oilcloth, and other items from his basket.
"Old Jin, Little Dong, Liu Quan, and Li Gui, the four of you go with Young Master Lu. The mountain path is slippery, so on the way, make sure to guarantee Young Master Lu's safety!"
"You can count on me!" "Don't worry, Brother Shilin, I won't let Young Master Lu fall!"
"Much obliged, much obliged."
Scholar Lu bowed in thanks, and by the side where no one was looking, in the flickering firelight, his smile stretched into a pale, eerie arc.
Ji Yuan felt chills racing up his scalp, and he roared internally.
'Don't go! Don't go with him!'
[12 seconds from now] Chapter 59: Shock (Part 1)
[1 minute ago] Chapter 44: Questioning
[4 minutes ago] Chapter 50: Cross-eyed Old Man
[5 minutes ago] Chapter 58: Celebration
[6 minutes ago] Chapter 47: Tianxuan Can Awaken the Spirit
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