https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-382-Jealousy-Truly-Disfigures-One-s-Face/12991169/
Chapter 381: Su Chen's Personal Investigation of Demon Tracks
Chapter 381: Su Chen's Personal Investigation of Demon Tracks
August 17, 2024
Battle Unit Camp.
At the contribution value exchange point, which was set up in the most prominent location, was a deliberate arrangement to inspire others by making it highly visible.
As expected, Ren Yanfei's actions quickly attracted a large crowd of onlookers, including regular warriors and team leaders who were working nearby and subconsciously gathered around.
"You talk about disagreeing with my principles and spread rumors that I only use clever tricks. If you despise the information I gather so much, then don't use it!" Ren Yanfei stood up, looking down at Su Chen with an arrogant expression.
Hearing this, Su Chen understood the situation.
Jealousy can truly distort one's character.
It seemed that his casual words during their chat in the bamboo pavilion had been reported to Ren Yanfei.
"I never used it in the first place, so how can I stop using it?" Su Chen replied bluntly.
This response startled Tan Kun, who was standing nearby.
He was surprised that Su Chen dared to speak like that in front of Ren Yanfei himself.
Ren Yanfei, standing beside them, started clapping.
"Well said! You mean to say that your recent ability to slay five or six Golden Demons is entirely your own doing?"
"Are you implying that it's because of you?" Su Chen asked.
Su Chen felt that since coming to Jin Kingdom, his words had become much more direct.
Perhaps it was because he had created a fake identity for himself, freeing him from the many concerns he had before.
In response to Su Chen's retort, Ren Yanfei gave a cold laugh.
"Good, well said. Since you've spoken of us in such a way, we'll take a break for a while. Weren't you saying that I use some clever tricks? Come, let me see what you can do. This canyon is under our responsibility for nearly a hundred li. You're so capable, so why don't you take over our duties as well?"
As Ren Yanfei's words fell, Su Chen remained calm, but the onlookers around him grew anxious.
"Lord Ren, it's almost winter, and the demons are most active during this time," someone said.
"Lord Ren, are you punishing him or us? These two are disrespectful to you, but we still believe in you," another person added.
The crowd suddenly became noisy, everyone chiming in to advise Ren Yanfei.
In truth, everyone knew that gathering information was crucial for dealing with demons.
For Su Chen and Tan Kun, going into the canyon to slay demons might not be much help.
But for those who defended against demons at night, this information was extremely valuable.
The terrain in the canyon was complex, and sometimes, Earth Demons would launch attacks.
Without advance information for preparation, the danger level of each night's defense would increase exponentially.
"Lord Ren, there's no need to get angry over this person. You yourself said he's useless. Why bother getting worked up over a useless person?" someone said, their words not only advising Ren Yanfei but also insulting Su Chen.
"Forget it, I was thinking of taking a break anyway. We can discuss this later. Isn't this person very capable? He claims he doesn't rely on my information and can slay so many Golden Demons every day. He must be exceptionally skilled. For this period, you can rely on him."
As Ren Yanfei spoke, he stood up and walked out of the camp.
Just outside the camp, a horse-drawn carriage was waiting.
Given his physique, even a short walk would leave him breathless.
As Ren Yanfei left, the crowd's attention turned to Su Chen.
Many gazes were filled with malice.
"Lord Chen, what should we do now? Without anyone gathering information, we'll be blind during our night guard duty. Should we take this person to apologize?"
Many people surrounded another Lord Chen, who was responsible for night defense.
Lord Chen was the one most affected by Ren Yanfei's strike.
Hearing the crowd's words, Lord Chen frowned deeply without immediately responding.
"Let's wait for the commander to return. In the meantime, everyone, focus on your duties."
This statement surprised the crowd.
After all, they had just witnessed Su Chen angering Ren Yanfei, who then stormed off.
Lord Chen, however, didn't direct his gaze at Su Chen.
As the crowd wanted to say more, Lord Chen's expression turned stern.
"If there's accountability and blame to be assigned, we'll wait for the commander's return. For now, everyone, stick to your duties. It's chaotic enough already. Do you want to make the battle unit even more disorderly? You offended Lord Ren, so now the task of gathering information falls to you. You've caused a big mess, and you'll face the commander's punishment when he returns."
Hearing this, Su Chen remained calm and nodded.
Exchanging the demon heads for contribution points, Su Chen left with Tan Kun.
In contrast, Tan Kun's face turned pale.
As ordinary people, how could they possibly compete with Lord Ren?
Offending a Lord, especially one as crucial as him.
As Su Chen and Tan Kun left, the disciples in the camp couldn't help but ask again.
"Lord Chen, they offended Ren Yanfei like this, and we’re not going to punish them at all? Their actions will affect the entire battle unit."
Lord Chen frowned and glanced at him again.
"Do you think the crux of the matter lies with that young man just now?"
Lord Chen’s counter-question left everyone around momentarily stunned.
"Then why would Lord Ren be so angry and even order a halt for some time? We all saw it; it was that Su Xing who provoked Lord Ren. His words were very disrespectful."
Hearing these words, Lord Chen shook his head with a hint of helplessness. He then called over the disciples who were close to him.
"You often follow me around, and you can’t even see this? Does Lord Ren need to personally handle the punishment of a regular battle unit disciple?"
"Then why did Lord Ren do it?"
"Why? Is his goal hard to guess? When he mentioned that Su Xing, he already hinted at his intentions. He wants to ensure that Su Xing’s future contributions, fifty percent, go to him. Do you think he just wants to take a cut of Su Xing’s contributions? He wants to increase the current twenty percent cut to a higher percentage. As for Su Xing, if it weren’t him, Lord Ren could find Su One, Su Two, or Su Three. He will always find someone to target."
Hearing Lord Chen’s words, those around him also began to understand. They realized that a young disciple couldn’t have truly angered Ren Yanfei. It was just a pretext to renegotiate terms with the battle unit.
"Now you know why I want to wait for the commander to return before discussing anything else. No matter how we punish Su Xing, Ren Yanfei won’t be satisfied. If we go, others will just make excuses. He wants to use this opportunity to show us the trouble we’ll face without him. He wants us to feel the pain and the difficulties, so he can negotiate better terms."
At this moment, everyone around him fell silent. Those following Lord Chen were at least team leaders. The increase in Ren Yanfei’s share wouldn’t affect them directly. However, they had many regular disciples under them. A twenty percent deduction was already high. If it increased further, how would they manage their disciples? Complaints were already widespread, and this was too greedy.
"Lord, if it really increases, our disciples will definitely cause trouble. How can we lead this team?"
Lord Chen spread his hands.
"What can I do? Will Ren Yanfei negotiate with me? In the entire battle unit, who else does he give face to except the commander?"
It seemed they could only wait for the commander to return to deal with the situation.
"Speaking of which, that Su Xing is also quite reckless, even arguing with Ren Yanfei. Even if this matter is resolved, he will still be severely punished to give Ren Yanfei face."
After saying this, Lord Chen scanned the crowd and reminded them again.
"Whatever I’ve said to you, don’t tell the lower ranks. These disciples will likely curse Su Xing. This will give Ren Yanfei a clear stance, showing we support him. Otherwise, he’ll make things difficult for you too."
With that, everyone went back to their own tasks. The fault of the increased share for Ren Yanfei would likely be blamed on Su Chen. It was Su Chen’s argument with Ren Yanfei that caused all this.
At this moment, Su Chen had already returned with Tan Kun.
"Brother Su, should we go and apologize to Lord Ren? In the battle unit, his position is second only to the commander. And because of the two of us, he has halted the investigation."
Seeing Tan Kun’s worried expression, Su Chen patted his shoulder.
"It’s not a big problem. If that person can do it, we can too."
"How could that be possible?"
Tan Kun, of course, didn’t immediately believe it, but Su Chen didn’t find it strange. Without resting in the bamboo tower, Su Chen took Tan Kun directly to the canyon.
Aren’t we supposed to investigate the movements of the demons? Fine, let’s give it a try. See how difficult it is; I can’t possibly fail.
On the first day, Su Chen just took a general look around, clarifying the area with Tan Kun. As expected, Ren Yanfei and his people would likely stop the investigation tomorrow. So, starting tomorrow, he would handle the investigation himself.
Back at the bamboo tower, some people who heard the news had already gathered. Su Chen ignored them and walked to the front of Pang Ding.
"All those idle talks we had, you were the one who relayed them to Ren, weren’t you?"
Seeing Su Chen and Tan Kun’s full harvest every day, he was indeed envious. But in public, he still put on a show.
"Lord Ren is of great importance to us. The entire battle unit is indebted to him. You slander Lord Ren behind his back, and everyone is indignant. I naturally had to report your misconduct."
(End of Chapter)
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