Chapter 263: The Token
Chapter 263: The Token
After the interrogation, the bald monk was taken away and imprisoned in the prison of the Dao Tribunal.
Mo Hua asked Zhang Lan, "Uncle Zhang, was what Baldy said true?"
Zhang Lan pondered for a moment before slowly replying, "The first part is true, but the latter half is unclear. I suspect it's a mix of truth and lies. This man is cunning, and we can't take his words at face value."
Mo Hua nodded in agreement.
He was certain that the man had withheld information about the map. But with so little to go on, Mo Hua had no idea what the map could be related to.
"Should we question the one-eyed man again?" Mo Hua suggested.
He recalled that among the criminals, there was another one-eyed cultivator who seemed to be a leader of some sort. Perhaps he knew more.
"Alright, I'll interrogate him when I have the time. You should head back now. This interrogation room isn't a pleasant place to linger," Zhang Lan said, waving his hand in front of his nose as if to dispel the foul stench.
"Mhm," Mo Hua agreed, finding the air heavy and oppressive.
Suddenly, Zhang Lan added, "I'll come find you in a few days."
Mo Hua turned back, a puzzled look on his face. "Why?"
Zhang Lan winked at him. "Don't you remember? I promised that if we caught the bald monk, the Dao Tribunal would reward you."
Mo Hua's eyes lit up. "What's the reward?"
"You'll see in a few days," Zhang Lan said, still keeping the secret.
True to his word, Zhang Lan sought out Mo Hua a few days later and handed him a brocade pouch.
When Mo Hua opened it, he found a bronze token inside.
It didn't seem to be made of precious materials, nor did it resemble a spiritual artifact. Its design was simple, even crude, with a dull appearance.
"Is that it?" Mo Hua asked, a little disappointed.
He had expected something more impressive, like a technique, cultivation method, pill, or array.
Zhang Lan huffed in annoyance. "What do you mean, 'is that it'? Do you know what this is?"
Mo Hua shook his head.
"This is a token of the Dao Tribunal!" Zhang Lan exclaimed.
Mo Hua's eyes widened in surprise. "I thought only official members of the Dao Tribunal received proper tokens?"
"That's correct," Zhang Lan nodded. "So yours isn't an official one."
Mo Hua paused, "You mean it's fake?"
Zhang Lan sighed. "It's unofficial."
"Oh, I understand," Mo Hua said, realizing the distinction.
Official members of the Dao Tribunal, from the lower ranks of executives and administrators to the upper echelons of vice and chief administrators, were all recruited through rigorous examinations.
These examinations were extremely selective, covering various aspects such as spiritual roots, cultivation techniques, martial arts or magic, family background, criminal records, and whether there were any direct blood relatives who had fallen to demonic paths within three generations.
Passing the examinations was already challenging enough, with perhaps one candidate succeeding out of a hundred.
Moreover, in addition to the examinations, there were intricate webs of relationships and connections among the cultivators that played a role in one's recruitment.
For Mo Hua to officially join the Dao Tribunal as a cultivator, even at the lowest rank, would likely be a difficult endeavor.
So, having an unofficial status that allowed him to work with the Dao Tribunal was not a bad deal.
"What's the difference between an unofficial and an official member?" Mo Hua asked.
Zhang Lan explained, "Unofficial members are outside the formal structure but can still perform tasks for the Dao Tribunal and earn merits. These merits can then be exchanged for spiritual stones, cultivation techniques, magic, spiritual artifacts, and arrays, among other cultivation resources."
"However," Zhang Lan continued, "without an official position within the Dao Tribunal, there is no opportunity for advancement, and you won't hold any real authority. The benefits and treatment you receive will also be far inferior to those of regular Dao Tribunal cultivators."
"Oh, I see," Mo Hua nodded. "So, it's like having a nominal position but actually working as a hired hand."
Zhang Lan snorted. "Even so, many cultivators desire this status but don't have the connections to obtain it."
Mo Hua leaned in and asked in a low voice, "Is this token really that valuable?"
Zhang Lan pointed at the token in Mo Hua's hand. "For others, this token might only mean a chance to earn a living. But for you, it's different. You're an array master, and you don't need this to make a living. With this token, you can reap the benefits from the Dao Tribunal."
Mo Hua whispered, "Uncle Zhang, as someone from the Dao Tribunal, isn't it a bit inappropriate for you to encourage me to take advantage of them?"
Zhang Lan glared at him. "I'm not encouraging you."
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone," Mo Hua assured him.
Zhang Lan sighed in exasperation. "The Dao Tribunal rules over the cultivation world, and its resources are vast. Even the local Dao Tribunal branches are large and influential. If you can benefit from them, it's your own ability."
Although it was referred to as a waist token of the Dao Tribunal, it only had some simple patterns etched onto its surface and no inscriptions. It appeared to be an ordinary bronze medal without any distinctive features.
Even if Zhang Lan said it could be used to reap benefits, Mo Hua had no idea how to go about doing so.
After asking his question, Mo Hua felt that he had been asking Zhang Lan a lot of things and it might not be good manners. He patted his chest and said generously, "Don't hold back today. I'll foot the bill."
After all, the restaurant they were in belonged to his family.
Zhang Lan let out a soft laugh, shook his head, and said to Mo Hua, "By helping the Dao Tribunal, if you didn't have this waist token, it would only be considered a personal favor. Favors can be taken lightly or seriously, and they may not necessarily be taken at face value."
"But with the waist token, you can have your achievements recorded, and these achievements can be exchanged for spirit stones, pills, and spiritual artifacts."
"For example, you helped us capture the bald monk. With his capture, we owe you a favor, and while I and the Chief Administrator know about it, other cultivators may not recognize it."
"Now, with the waist token, this favor can be considered an achievement. With the Chief Administrator's acknowledgment, it will be recorded in the book of achievements. It's a solid accomplishment that can't be denied by others."
Mo Hua understood this much, and then he asked, "So, how are these achievements calculated?"
Zhang Lan took a sip of tea and continued, "First, they are categorized by rank. Since you're in the Qi Refining Realm, your achievements will be considered first-rate."
"Secondly, they are graded by the magnitude of the achievement—'A,' 'B,' 'C,' or 'D.' Different grades will yield different rewards, but there are also quotas for each."
"For helping to capture the bald monk, the Chief Administrator has given you a 'B' grade. In terms of spirit stones, that would amount to about a thousand."
"That much?" Mo Hua was astonished.
There were more than twenty people involved in capturing the bald monk, and Mo Hua alone would receive a thousand spirit stones.
"This is just the calculation based on achievements. There are also bounties and other miscellaneous rewards that add up."
"Is the bald monk that valuable? Wouldn't capturing a few more make us extremely wealthy?"
"What are you thinking about?" Zhang Lan gently ruffled Mo Hua's hair. "Do you think bald monks are like turnips that you can pluck whenever you want?"
Mo Hua thought about it and nodded.
That made sense. Among that group of rogue cultivators, the bald monk was considered a "big brother" of sorts.
Even if they were turnips, he would be the largest one.
"However, it's best to save these achievements for later. Exchanging them for spirit stones would be a waste," Zhang Lan added.
"Is there some trick to this?"
"The Dao Tribunal has the backing of the entire Dao Court, and its heritage and resources are profound. The rewards they offer may not be the most precious, but they are the most comprehensive."
Zhang Lan patiently explained, "Whether it's cultivation or drawing formation techniques, in the future, you will inevitably come across things that may not be the most valuable but are hard to come by. Even with spirit stones, you may not be able to buy them, and that's when this token will be most useful."
"With this bronze token, you can directly exchange them from the Dao Tribunal's warehouse, saving you a lot of trouble."
Mo Hua nodded along as he listened.
Without Zhang Lan's guidance, he would have never known about these intricacies.
Suddenly, Mo Hua became concerned, "Now that I have this waist token, do I have to follow the Dao Tribunal's orders?"
He didn't want to become a "lapdog" of the Dao Tribunal, acting only on their instructions.
"Rest assured." Zhang Lan raised his eyebrows at Mo Hua. "That's another advantage of this bronze token—you are at their disposal but not at their beck and call."
"The Dao Tribunal has the right to deploy you, but they don't truly have the authority to command you. As long as you don't rely on this job for your livelihood, the worst that can happen is that you throw the token away and quit. No one can do anything to you."
"Is that the 'strength in detachment' principle?"
Zhang Lan pondered for a moment and nodded, "You could say that. As long as you don't stoop to scheming and plotting, it's actually quite effortless."
With these words, Mo Hua felt relieved.
He was a formation master and didn't rely on this for his living. The waist token was merely a means to reap some benefits.
Then, Mo Hua sighed, "My identity is getting a bit complicated now."
He was primarily a formation master, a demon hunter, and now also a small-time scoundrel milking the Dao Tribunal for its resources.
(End of Chapter)
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