Chapter 24: Valley Poppy

“Ahhh—stop chasing me! I really was just passing by! Why don’t you believe me?!”

Accompanied by a shrill scream, countless birds were startled in the mountains.

Shen Fu looked at Chu Baige, who was shouting at the top of his lungs not far away, and shook his head in disbelief. He took out a paper bag from his robes and carefully shook the powder inside into a trap. Once the disguise was almost complete, he tiptoed away quietly.

This was their second day in the mountains.

The two had better luck than they had imagined.

On the night they entered the mountains, they discovered traces of Shun Xin Ruyi’s activities.

Perhaps he thought that no one would be idle enough to venture into such a deep forest, so he hadn’t concealed his presence well. While ordinary people might overlook the fallen weeds and chopped trees, for Shen Fu and Chu Baige, who already knew the truth, it was clear evidence.

Following these traces, the two found the entrance to Shun Xin Ruyi.

It was an ordinary-looking cave, most of its entrance covered by vines.

The last time they had entered, both of them had been lying in a coffin, and they were unsure if this was the same place. The paths in the cave were narrow, and even in the wider areas, they were not spacious enough. If they encountered enemies inside, they would easily be attacked from both sides. Therefore, neither of them planned to go in and explore.

Shen Fu believed that Shun Xin Ruyi should have more than one entrance because the cave was very narrow. If four people carried a coffin, there would only be enough space for one coffin to enter. Judging from the number of people in the Shun Xin Ruyi market, there must be more entrances to ensure that everyone could be brought in at a similar time.

Gradually, they found three or four suspected entrances, all showing signs of human activity outside.

However, the total number of these places did not match Shen Fu’s expectations.

She felt that there should be another location, the real entrance to Shun Xin Ruyi, which could accommodate a large number of people coming and going in a short period of time. But this place was obviously much more hidden than those smaller entrances. The two of them searched the nearby hills but could not find an ideal location. However, they accidentally stumbled upon a hidden valley.

The valley was filled with red flowers, their delicate petals dancing gently in the breeze, creating a sea of crimson.

“What is this?” Chu Baige asked, having never seen such flowers before.

“Opium,” Shen Fu replied quietly.

Chu Baige’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Is it the opium I think it is? The one that makes… makes opium?”

After receiving a positive answer, Chu Baige took a deep breath.

A significant reason for the previous dynasty’s fall was precisely due to the little flower before them.

At the end of the previous dynasty, profit-seeking merchants discovered the use of opium and began to promote a series of products derived from it as raw materials in the country. The names were more enticing than the last, such as “Xiaoyao Powder.” From the royal family to the common people, from officials to soldiers, everyone indulged in smoking this substance.

The results were catastrophic.

The emperors succumbed to sensual pleasures, and in just twenty years, three emperors died on the dragon throne while indulging in opium.

The people’s wealth was drained by merchants, leaving them hungry and cold, while vast tracts of farmland lay abandoned and uncultivated.

Not to mention the army. An army stripped of its fighting power was like a toothless tiger, easily bullied. Surrounding nations, including barbarians and foreigners, eyed the army covetously, repeatedly harassing the borders and causing land to be ceded away continuously.

It was Taizu of the State of Zhao who rose from obscurity during that time. As the son of a county magistrate, he led a rebellion against the opium trade, organizing the people to resume farming. He gathered a group of idealists who refused to go along with the crowd and marched triumphantly to the capital, overthrowing the previous dynasty’s foolish rule and proclaiming himself king.

The newly established State of Zhao learned from the lessons of the previous dynasty and banned all products made from opium. Even pharmacies were strictly controlled and were not allowed to disclose information at will. If opium materials in the store were not kept secure and were stolen, there would be no compensation, only severe punishment.

Although the aristocratic families and the royal family took completely different paths, no one escaped the consequences when disaster struck. Those who foresaw the danger and banned opium early on suffered less, while those who were caught unawares faced dire fates.

Countless aristocratic families were reshuffled in the last twenty years of the previous dynasty. Many families with a history of over a thousand years collapsed overnight, devoured by the jackals who were eyeing them from all around.

The Chu family, to which Chu Baige belonged, would first use examples from the previous dynasty to educate their members about the dangers of opium before teaching them etiquette and morality. They reminded everyone to avoid these substances that could bring fleeting pleasure but would cause endless harm in the future. Anyone found touching these substances would face punishment according to family rules, and in serious cases, they would even be expelled from the family.

“Hiss—”

Chu Baige inhaled sharply.

No wonder he hadn’t recognized it.

If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, who could have imagined that such delicate and beautiful flowers were, in fact, demons on earth?

Curiosity piqued, he wanted to take a closer look, while Shen Fu pondered what to do about the flowers in this valley.

Zhao Qin certainly didn’t know that Shun Xin Ruyi could be so bold.

Those in Xiuchundao might suspect that someone in Shun Xin Ruyi was taking the risk of using opium, but they likely thought that Shun Xin Ruyi had secretly imported it from outside Zhao. After all, while opium was completely banned in Zhao, many still profited from planting and selling it in areas beyond Zhao’s control. They would never have imagined that Shun Xin Ruyi had taken advantage of the darkness to cultivate such a vast area of opium directly within Zhao’s territory.

The so-called collusion was probably just a cover; this was their real trump card.

What could control people’s hearts better than a substance that ensnares them in addiction after just one use? Moreover, in the hands of skilled practitioners, these materials could yield effects beyond ordinary imagination. It was likely that the people in Shun Xin Lou had told Shen Fu that they could manipulate and subdue individuals just like this substance.

Shen Fu had seen poppies being cultivated before.

They were found on Shenxian Mountain, where a significant amount was planted in a hidden location, guarded by heavy troops. Essentially, all the opium in the country flowed from here. Additionally, these substances were often used during interrogations. Many spies from enemy nations and corrupt officials who formed factions for personal gain could withstand severe torture but could not resist the allure of opium.

In the two years before Zhao Qin was about to leave Shenxian Mountain, she had already been interrogated by Xiuchundao.

Occasionally, when she returned from outings, she always carried a strong scent of blood.

When Shen Fu asked where she had been, Zhao Qin remained silent until she finally took Shen Fu to the interrogation room.

She wanted Shen Fu to witness the fate of those who fell victim to the drugs.

The tough individual who had refused to yield even under torture half a month ago had been reduced to a mere skeleton in just half a month due to the drugs. Except for when he was under the influence, he was mostly dazed, his eyes dull like a walking corpse. With just a little pressure, his secrets would spill out like beans from a broken pot.

Shen Fu stood in the dark dungeon, watching the man lying on the ground, licking the blood Zhao Qin had thrown on the ground like a dog. A chill ran down her spine, and her scalp tingled uncontrollably. Zhao Qin stood beside her, gently stroking the girl’s long hair, and said in a casual tone, “Did you see that? This is the fate of drug addiction. The previous dynasty fell because of this, plunging the entire country into hell on earth. Ah Fu, I know you have a lively spirit, are curious about everything, and want to try everything, but promise me, never touch this stuff, okay?”

Shen Fu couldn’t help but be cheeky. “What if I do touch it?”

Zhao Qin chuckled lightly, her smile dangerously alluring. “It doesn’t matter. If you get infected, I’ll tie you up. It only takes forty-nine days, and you’ll be free from it. But from then on, you’ll never leave my side. I’ll put handcuffs on you, and you can only go where I go. Understand?”

Shen Fu shivered and replied, “No, no! I was just joking! I will never get involved with this stuff!”

Zhao Qin was satisfied with her answer and kissed her on the forehead. “Good girl.”

Chu Baige turned to Shen Fu. “What should we do?”

“Don’t be too anxious. Opium can only be used after it has been processed, which should take some time. Let’s go back and inform the people at Xiuchundao. This is not something we can handle alone; we need the military to deal with it.”

Shen Fu was bold but also very cautious. If someone dared to openly grow so many poppies, they must have some hidden support that others did not know about. With their current skills, rushing in would be tantamount to courting death.

After all, their purpose this time was merely to explore the way. Although they couldn’t locate the true entrance to Shun Xin Ruyi, discovering such a vast sea of poppies was beyond their expectations.

What worried Shen Fu more was what would happen to Ruyi if Shun Xin Ruyi was dismantled.

She was the owner of Ruyi Lou. Although anyone with a modicum of sense knew that the title of owner was likely a puppet role, with a more powerful figure pulling the strings behind the scenes, Ruyi was merely a manifestation of that power. What she could do was destined to be irrelevant to her.

She had come to investigate Shun Xin Ruyi with the intention of rescuing her friends, but now, with this development…

Shen Fu suppressed her complicated thoughts and said to Chu Baige, “Let’s go and discuss it when we return.”

Chu Baige replied, “Don’t worry, don’t worry! Let me pick a flower to take back. If we want to mobilize the army, we need some evidence.”

Shen Fu agreed with his proposal.

And so, this scene unfolded.

Unbeknownst to them, the seemingly empty valley was actually filled with numerous traps and ambushes set by Shun Xin Ruyi.

Despite their caution, they were unable to escape entirely and were chased like dogs by several skilled pursuers.

Chu Baige attracted attention, quickly setting up numerous traps.

Estimating that the numbers were roughly equal, she made some noise to lead the pursuers in her direction.

“Where are you running?”

Chu Baige yelled, “Why are you so unreasonable? I told you I was just passing by!”

“If you were just passing by, why did you run when I chased you?”

“Only a fool wouldn’t run! You look fierce and vicious; you’re obviously not a good person!”

As Chu Baige led the pursuers behind her, she plunged into the woods that had been pre-trapped.

Although she didn’t know how to set traps, Shen Fu had a tacit understanding with her. They had done similar things before. While they couldn’t see where Shen Fu had hidden the traps, their past experiences allowed them to navigate without triggering them.

Those behind them were not so fortunate.

“Toxic smoke! Be careful!”

“Fuck, it’s not poisonous; it’s a mist bomb!”

“Come on, do you think I’m a fool? Punch—”

“Fuck, it’s poisonous smoke!”

Chu Baige caught up with Shen Fu, and the two exchanged smiles, raising their hands in a synchronized slap.

Chu Baige praised, “Awesome!”

Shen Fu replied, “I admire you!”

The two laughed, but their joy was short-lived.

“Wang, Wang—”

Chu Baige’s expression changed drastically. “Oh no, they have dogs!”

Shen Fu continued to run.

The pursuers with the dogs weren’t fast, but they couldn’t hold back their hounds, which kept biting at the two of them.

“There’s water! There’s water ahead! Dive in! The water can cover our scent!”

Chu Baige spotted a puddle with sharp eyes.

The water was dark and murky, and it looked deep at first glance, but there was no time for hesitation. The pursuers were hot on their heels, and they had run all morning without food. Exhausted, they knew that two fists were no match for four hands, let alone forty. Chu Baige had no fighting power…

Without hesitation, Shen Fu reached the shore and jumped in.

Plop—

She plunged into the water.

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