Chapter 241

Fang Yuan sits at the stone table and clasps palms with the monkey king, while Brother Qiang and his group hope to see his arm break. The monkey king, already weary from many rounds, cannot budge him and is astonished. Earlier Gu Masters with bear strength or horse strength lost because each strength type has its own field of expertise, and the bandit monkeys are born to arm wrestling. Fang Yuan could guarantee victory with his deep foundations, yet he shows a strained expression and shaking arms to avoid looking blatant. Slowly, he pushes the monkey king’s arm down. ^{ch. 241}

The onlookers are in an uproar, and the heads of main clans want to recruit him at once, since he costs no investment. Many Gu Masters envy Zhang Clan. Brother Qiang’s group give up revenge and fear he will make trouble for them. Chen Clan’s old steward looks ugly, and its vice leader suspects Zhang Clan’s earlier demand for Fang Yuan and his companion was a trap but endures the bad luck. Shang Xin Ci smiles in relief, and Zhang Zhu, with a complex look, waves the troops onward. ^{ch. 241}

Fang Yuan wins two rounds straight, and Zhang clan’s caravan passes most of the path. At the third he deliberately loses to keep up his disguise, and many goods are taken from the wagons. He reports his mission to Shang Xin Ci, who calls him Hei Tu and offers one hundred and fifty primeval stones as thanks. He righteously declines, and when she insists, he says even a thousand would not do and she must not humiliate him, so she puts them back. Xiao Die approves, and Zhang Zhu’s gaze grows more complicated. Fang Yuan asks to use his strength for her, to repay the favor of his life. ^{ch. 241}

Caravans spend over twenty days on bandit monkey mountain, and at the monkey checkpoints Fang Yuan wins some and loses some by design. Goods fall by almost half, but only Zhang Clan is happy, since its losses are far below estimates. Many clans send servants with attractive terms, and he refuses all and stays with Zhang Clan. Xiao Die now warms to him. He cares only about Shang Xin Ci and Zhang Zhu, and feels Zhang Zhu beginning to suspect him. ^{ch. 241}

Bai Ning Bing tells him refusing the stones was a mistake, since in his current guise such a huge sum should move him, and urges a pause in cultivation. He refuses and cultivates every night. She cooperates, indifferent to exposure and more willing to see his defeat. Snow silver primeval essence gives enormous help, and on the night they leave Fei Hou mountain’s region he advances from rank two initial stage to middle stage. At the base of Huang Jin mountain, he finishes with crocodile strength Gu, and his strength permanently rises by a crocodile’s. ^{ch. 241}

Huang Jin mountain holds many gold mines. Gold there is a Gu refining material rather than currency. Huang village lies on the southern side and Jin village on the northern, and judging by Qing Mao mountain, the two clans are not harmonious. Both send notice that the caravan may choose only one, since they have attacked each other through caravans before. The caravan heads disagree, so the caravans divide in two, each group going to one clan and stationing around its village. Zhang Zhu then privately tells Shang Xin Ci that after many days of secret investigation he finds Hei Tu and Bai Yun very suspicious, and urges evicting them. ^{ch. 241}