Chapter 195: Handling
Chapter 195: Handling
"It seems you've made quite a haul this time, Senior Zhang. I wonder if I could exchange some of it for my use? Rest assured, I'll give you a fair price—three spirit stones for one merit point."
Senior Zhang modified his message to transmit it mentally.
A blank expression remained on Han Qingyun's face, but his mind was racing.
Although the Celestial Sword Sect officially prohibited the pledging of merit points, such things were inevitable!
And it wasn't a direct transfer of merit points; it was taking a cut from someone's earnings!
For example, what Senior Zhang had his eyes on were the Inner and Outer Sect disciple tokens of the Blood River Palace!
As long as both parties kept their mouths shut about this kind of transfer, it would be hard to investigate.
The Celestial Sword Sect wouldn't bother with such an unpopular task, often choosing to turn a blind eye instead.
'But... three spirit stones? The going rate among disciples has already reached four spirit stones per merit point, even climbing to five... This Senior Zhang truly deserves his nickname, the Veiled Tiger...'
Han Qingyun's thoughts raced, 'Was he threatening me just now? If I don't agree, will he send me to guard the mines?'
Compared to Five Fingers Peak, which was guarded by a third-level array and where Fang Xing, a powerful expert, was stationed.
Those scattered spirit mines and markets were the most dangerous places.
Even Foundation Establishment cultivators could be brutally killed.
Naturally, Han Qingyun didn't want to go there. If he ended up under that person's command, would he even be able to ask for favors?
In his heart, he sighed.
In this cultivation world, it was truly difficult for a wandering cultivator to rise.
Even after joining a cultivation sect, if one wanted to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill, they would have to reveal some of their strength, which would attract covetous glances from all sides...
"This... Senior, I'm afraid my meager merit points aren't worth much. Moreover... I've long known that Senior Su wants to exchange for a pill to break through the bottleneck of the mid-Foundation Establishment stage... Senior Su saved my life, and I should be grateful for that!"
Han Qingyun replied after some contemplation.
Hearing this, Senior Zhang's eyelids twitched. If it weren't for this Qi Refining disciple having a Foundation Establishment cultivator backing him, how could he dare to speak so politely?
Nowadays, that person didn't care much about affairs, leaving all the miscellaneous tasks to Green Ripple, so Green Peak had practically become Qingxu Sect's sole domain.
With his previous connections, even if he harmed a few low-level cultivators, he could cover it up under the guise of war...
With this thought, he immediately put on a fake smile and said, "Since Junior Han values friendship and righteousness so much, then forget it... But before I left, I heard that Senior Su had already saved up enough merit points and went to exchange for a pill..."
'Damn!'
Han Qingyun's face turned pale, looking rather ugly.
He had been away from the sect for some time and was unaware of its recent developments. He didn't expect Senior Su to have already saved up enough merit points.
His intention to use Senior Su as a shield was now obvious, and someone had even pointed it out.
This would not only offend Senior Zhang greatly, but it might also offend Senior Su once the news spread...
'But Senior Su has always been generous and broad-minded, and we're from the same place. I was once her subordinate... We were both treated as outsiders in Qingxu Sect, so she probably won't make things difficult for me...'
'As for my reputation, it's worth less than a fart to a Qi Refining cultivator... The only thing to worry about is Senior Zhang... If he insists on sending me to guard the mines, I really can't refuse. If I encounter an external invasion, my chances of survival are slim!'
Han Qingyun gazed at the Five Fingers Peak, which was becoming clearer and clearer in the distance, and finally made up his mind...
...
After disembarking from the flying boat, he first went to the Hall of Rewards and Punishments to hand over his token. Looking at the merit points in the jade pendant, he immediately found someone else.
"Brother Han... Do you want to borrow merit points?"
Meng Zijin tightly pressed her lips together. "Why are you in such a hurry?"
"To be honest... once our merit points as outer sect disciples exceed five thousand, we will attract covetous eyes... I have no choice but to try to gather ten thousand merit points as soon as possible and then apply for Foundation Establishment... "
Han Qingyun intended to use the Foundation Establishment as an excuse to dodge Senior Zhang's arrangement, which was the most feasible plan at the moment.
Meng Zijin looked at Han Qingyun and gritted her teeth. "I'll lend them to you!! I still have one thousand two hundred merit points. I'll lend them all to you!"
"Hmm? You actually have..."
Han Qingyun was a little surprised and somewhat touched.
"In that case, I'll send a message talisman to the commander immediately!"
Han Qingyun took a bite.
"What? Send a message talisman to the commander?"
Meng Zijin widened her eyes.
"Senior Zhang has a complicated network of connections within the sect... Now, the key positions in the Hall of Rewards and Punishments are all held by Qingxu Sect. Even if I gather enough merit points, he can still find excuses to block me."
Han Qingyun coldly smiled, and the aura of a wandering cultivator he had when he was alone returned: "We also have a bit of a connection with the commander, although it's very shallow... But it's worth a try!"
...
On Golden Peak.
Fang Xing toyed with the jade talisman in his hand, deep in thought: "As expected... the foundation of any system is people... No matter how tight the system is, as long as it's executed by people, there will be room for flexibility... It's a pity about Old Daoist Wu Xuan..."
He naturally knew the downsides of being a hands-off manager.
Green Ripple, as the only pseudo-pill cultivator, with Qingxu Sect as her support, could easily manipulate things.
But for Fang Xing, the most important thing was his own cultivation.
Even if Qingxu Sect was poaching his people, so what? It wasn't like he was losing anything.
On the contrary... if Green Ripple dared to tamper with the resources he valued, such as the Yin and Yang Qi of Heaven and Earth... he would definitely cut this pseudo-pill cultivator down with his sword.
"Originally, that Old Daoist Wu Xuan from the Black Heaven View also had disciples as his support and could be considered a force to balance Qingxu Sect, or at least supervise them... It's a pity he chose to walk the path of self-destruction, just like that Nascent Soul cultivator from his sect..."
Fang Xing shook his head.
Black Heaven View was a Taoist temple with some characteristics of a lineage temple. The master and his lineage, including the late Great Elder who fell in the Secret Realm of Ten Thousand Laws, were all surnamed Wu.
But he chose to self-destruct, and there was nothing Fang Xing could do to support him.
"There are still many helplessness in life..."
At this moment, a green light flashed, and a female cultivator appeared, gracefully kneeling in front of Fang Xing, "I, Lu Yi, pay my respects to the True Sword Disciple."
"Take a look at this..."
Fang Xing casually tossed the jade slip towards Lu Yi.
Lu Yi swept it with her spiritual sense and immediately knelt down, "This disciple deserves to die..."
"Very good. If you dare to make any more excuses, I'll cut you down right here!"
Fang Xing snapped his fingers, causing a chill to run down Lu Yi's spine. She knew that if this Sword Disciple truly attacked, she wouldn't even be able to withstand a single strike, let alone attempt to escape.
"I entrusted the management of miscellaneous affairs to you because I trusted you. Yet, you abused your power for personal gain and even oppressed our own sect's disciples. How laughable!"
He believed that after this incident, there were still dozens or even hundreds of similar or even more cruel cases hidden away.
But for now, this was enough to deal with Lu Yi.
After all, he was accustomed to being a detached manager, and he didn't really care much about this side of things.
"It's time to clean house in the Hall of Rewards and Punishments. Get rid of those from the Qingxu Zong. Do it yourself! Additionally, call a few cultivators from the Black Heaven Pavilion, the Five Elements Sect, and some unaffiliated cultivators to join the Hall... It's better to keep them busy than to let them get too powerful."
Fang Xing delivered his final verdict.
"Yes!"
Although Lu Yi's heart ached, she heaved a sigh of relief.
She had almost thought that her life was forfeit.
"Also... that little Han who sent the letter, he has some connection with my elders. I don't want to see any retaliation against him later on..."
Fang Xing waved his hand, dismissing Lu Yi, "Take care of it yourself... If anything goes wrong, regardless of the reason, I will hold you responsible! Go!"
Having reached his current status, he no longer felt the need to personally receive a mere Qi Refining cultivator.
It was enough to leave it in Lu Yi's hands.
...
On the other side,
After sending the message talisman, Han Qingyun felt anxious and uneasy.
He feared that a Foundation Establishment cultivator might arrive at any moment to capture and punish him.
Within the third-rank Five Elements Sword Formation, even running away would be difficult.
Just as he and Meng Zijin were feeling apprehensive, they suddenly heard the sound of a bell ringing.
"The Yellow Dragon Bell rings thrice, signaling an assembly of all cultivators for an important matter..."
Meng Zijin wondered, "Could it be that another major battle is about to take place?"
They dared not delay and quickly made their way to the Hall of Rewards and Punishments.
On the square in front of the hall, nearly a thousand cultivators had already gathered, with several dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators at the forefront.
Su Ye, dressed in a green robe with a golden belt tied around his waist, wore a worried expression on his face as he looked forward.
Not long after, a green light flew towards them, revealing Lu Yi. Strangely, she held a jade-green rope in her hand, binding several Foundation Establishment cultivators.
"Isn't that... Elder Zeng?"
"And Elders Liu and Zhang as well..."
...
The cultivators pointed and whispered among themselves.
Han Qingyun recognized Elder Zhang, who had previously threatened him, and felt a chill run down his spine.
"These... aren't they the core figures of the Hall of Rewards and Punishments? They're the core of our Qingxu lineage... As for Elder Zeng, I heard he's related to Elder Lu Yi by blood... How come they're all tied up?" Meng Zijin asked in shock.
"I have been entrusted by the Sword Disciple to oversee all matters. There are traitors among us who abuse their power and prevent good deeds from being rewarded and evil from being punished. They shall be put to death!"
Lu Yi's voice rang out, reaching the ears of every cultivator present.
Then, she pointed with her jade-like finger.
A flying sword, solidified from pseudo-Dan stage energy, instantaneously skewered Elder Zeng! The remaining cultivators stayed silent, either because of the constraints imposed on them or out of pure astonishment.
"This... Isn't this like cutting off an arm?"
"Why would the Grand Elder do this?"
"Just look at the Sect Master's expression. Besides that person giving the order, what other possibility could there be?"
"For now, it's a sacrifice to protect the commander. If we don't take drastic action, we might end up losing our own lives..."
The gathered cultivators whispered among themselves, with the unaffiliated cultivators, who had been suppressed the most, even cheering quietly.
By executing several Foundation Establishment cultivators and promoting outsiders into the Hall, Lu Yi finally managed to disperse the crowd.
However, Han Qingyun's body suddenly trembled, and he fell to his knees.
After a moment, he gritted his teeth and entered the Hall of Rewards and Punishments. There, he saw Lu Yi smiling at him and quickly paid his respects, "Greetings, Grand Elder..."
"Although our sect has its fair share of traitors, we also have many talented individuals..." Lu Yi seemed quite satisfied with Han Qingyun, "Your achievements are sufficient to exchange for a Foundation Establishment pill..."
In fact, if the elders of the Foundation Establishment families were to obtain ten thousand achievements to exchange for this pill, Lu Yi would probably make them wait.
Who knew when the next batch would be crafted, and if these elders were to unfortunately perish in battle during the wait, it would only create more trouble later on.
But for Han Qingyun, once his achievements were reached, he could exchange for the pill immediately.
The difference in treatment was like the difference between clouds and mud.
"Thank you, Grand Elder."
Han Qingyun's heart raced with excitement as he received the Foundation Establishment pill, ready to begin his closed-door cultivation.
Lu Yi offered him a few more pointers before casually asking, "May I ask what your relationship is with the one from the Golden Peak?"
Han Qingyun's expression turned solemn as he replied, "I only have a slight connection with that senior. To be precise, it's related to his elder, whom I had the honor of serving in the marketplace of the Wildlands."
"I see..."
Lu Yi didn't know whether to believe him or not, but she smiled and said, "Little Han... I've already arranged for a third-rank cave abode to assist you in your Foundation Establishment. If you succeed, you can join the Hall of Rewards and Punishments, specializing in managing the treasury. What do you think?"
"Thank you for your kindness, Grand Elder."
Han Qingyun repeatedly bowed, a bitter smile on his face.
How had he, a youth who once aspired to slay dragons, now become a villain himself?
(End of Chapter)
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