https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-42-Grass-Puppet-Guarding-the-Spirit-Herb-Field/12543712/
Chapter 41: If You Can't Beat Them, Report Them
Chapter 41: If You Can't Beat Them, Report Them
As the three men stood there anxiously, Lu Chen reached into his sleeve and produced a handful of spirit stones, which he eagerly pressed into the hands of the Foundation Establishment cultivator.
"Fellow daoists, you must have had a tiring journey with all the inspections. Please accept this small token of my gratitude. It's not much, but I hope you'll join me for a cup of spirit tea."
A sincere and enthusiastic smile spread across Lu Chen's face.
The leading cultivator, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, couldn't refuse such a gesture and gracefully accepted the offer. He weighed the spirit stones in his hand, his experienced eyes instantly gauging their number, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.
Seeing that the cultivator had accepted his bribe, Lu Chen relaxed slightly. He didn't want these men entering his spirit herb garden and laying eyes on his rare and precious spirit herbs, like the Sword Grass and Dark Marrow Fern, for fear of arousing their greed and inviting trouble.
While he was confident that he could defeat all three instantly with his own Foundation Establishment cultivation, a first-grade unique magical artifact, the Silver Rift, a second-grade talisman, the Thousand Sword Qi Talisman, and the Thunderfire Pearl—he knew that the aftermath would be more than he could handle. With so many people around, there was no way to dispose of their bodies without attracting attention.
If bribery was the only way to stop them, then so be it. Twenty spirit stones were a small price to pay to avoid potential trouble.
Lu Chen forced a fake smile, mentally noting the names and appearances of the three cultivators, especially the leading Foundation Establishment cultivator, vowing to get his revenge and reclaim double the amount someday.
The Foundation Establishment cultivator, Tan Xiaodong, discreetly pocketed the twenty spirit stones into his storage bag, while the two Qi Refining cultivators by his side remained expressionless, as if they hadn't noticed anything.
"You seem like an honest and upright person, my friend. I'm sure you have no dealings with those heretics. How about I let my two subordinates have a quick look around your yard? It'll just be a formality." Tan Xiaodong said with a smile.
Lu Chen was taken aback, understanding the implied threat in Tan Xiaodong's words, and a nameless anger rose within him.
"I've already given you twenty spirit stones. If you want to keep them all to yourself, that's fine, but don't expect me to feed your two subordinates as well. Do you want to burst their bellies?"
Initially, Lu Chen had only intended to stand up for himself, but Tan Xiaodong's words ignited a strong desire to kill all three of them.
He led the two Qi Refining cultivators into the courtyard and handed each of them five spirit stones. They glanced around casually and then left, satisfied.
"My spirit stones aren't so easily earned," Lu Chen muttered under his breath as he walked out of the courtyard, a cold smile playing on his lips as he watched the two cultivators' retreating figures.
Just as the three cultivators were about to move on to another courtyard, Wang Shan suddenly stepped out of his house. His eyes lit up when he spotted the Foundation Establishment cultivator.
"Senior Brother Tan, what brings you to this side? Why not come in and pay a visit to your junior brother?" Wang Shan asked with a broad smile on his face.
"We're quite busy with tasks from above, inspecting the area due to the numerous heretic sightings. It's been a while, Junior Brother Wang Shan. Your cultivation has progressed significantly," Tan Xiaodong replied with a smile.
"I see. This is my neighbor, Fellow Daoist Lu Chen. He's a cultivator of spirit herbs, honest and simple. I hope you haven't given him any trouble, Senior Brother Tan?" Wang Shan said.
"Of course not. Lu Xiaozi here exudes integrity and righteousness. There's no way he'd be involved with heretics," Tan Xiaodong assured, making no mention of the twenty spirit stones he had just accepted from Lu Chen.
"That's good to hear. Allow me to introduce you all then," Wang Shan said.
"This is Fellow Daoist Lu Chen, a Qi Refining cultivator and a spirit herb master."
"And this is Tan Xiaodong, the executive in charge of security in the market. He's a powerful Foundation Establishment cultivator and my senior brother."
Wang Shan proceeded to introduce each party to the other.
"I've heard much about you, Fellow Daoist Tan. Your dedication and impartiality are renowned. It's a blessing for all the cultivators in the market to have such a strong and diligent executive protecting us," Lu Chen said, his tone respectful.
"Shh!" Lu Chen gently patted the grayish-white fur on the lynx's pointed ears.
The lynx cub fixed its emerald green eyes on Wang Shan and the others, refraining from any further growls, but it continued to bare its teeth.
After a brief exchange, Wang Shan left with Tan Xiaodong and the other two cultivators.
Once their figures disappeared, the lynx cub calmed down, regaining its elegant posture. With a light leap, it landed on Lu Chen's shoulder, its four fluffy white paws resting gently.
"Don't bark randomly like that in the future, understand?" Lu Chen said as he brought the cub down from his shoulder, setting it on the ground, and playfully tugging on its pointed ear fur.
"Ao~~" The lynx cub, with its emerald eyes, squeezed out a squeaky chirp.
"Hmm?" Lu Chen suddenly sensed something amiss. He clearly remembered that the cub's growl when Wang Shan had entered was not as forced and unnatural as it was now. It was usually coarse and straightforward.
Aside from the first time it had roared in front of him, this kind of sound had only occurred three other times. Twice when Wang Shan entered his courtyard, and once when they encountered the aberrant cultivator in the market.
His expression turned cold as he recalled the incident in the market. The lynx cub had sensed something amiss with that cultivator, and its growls when encountering Wang Shan might also have been a warning.
"Did you sense something peculiar about that neighbor of mine?" Lu Chen asked, intrigued by the cub's mysterious emerald eyes.
The Cloud-Striding Lynx, an exotic beast with a fair amount of intelligence, stared back with its round eyes, nodding its small head.
"Is it similar to the aberrant cultivator we encountered in the market?" Lu Chen probed further.
The cub nodded first, then shook its head.
"What do you mean by nodding and then shaking your head?"
"Right, the aberrant cultivator in the market underwent the transformation after the opening of the secret realm when the demonic energy erupted. But the lynx cub growled at me about Wang Shan before that incident," Lu Chen realized.
"So, you're nodding to indicate that there's something amiss with Wang Shan's body, some demonic energy or other abnormalities, and shaking your head to imply that it's different from the aberrant cultivator in the market?" Lu Chen guessed.
He was now in a dilemma. "What's the best way to handle this ticking time bomb? Should I confront it head-on, or strike first? There's no such thing as being too cautious when dealing with potential threats."
"But if I strike first, I don't know if I can win. If Wang Shan only had his own cultivation at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer, I'd be confident. But with the unknown demonic energy inside him, it's unpredictable."
"Moreover, Wang Shan is a small-time leader among the market's security cultivators, backed by the official sect. Getting involved with him could bring even more trouble."
"More importantly, I have no idea what kind of demonic or bizarre tricks he might have up his sleeve."
Lu Chen found himself in a difficult situation. If he didn't take action, he would have to live in constant fear, as Wang Shan was his neighbor. Moving out wasn't a realistic option either, considering the amount of rent he had paid for this courtyard.
However, taking action could also put him at risk.
"Is there a way to deal with this safely and effectively?" Lu Chen pondered.
An idea struck him. "Wait, the Lin Yang Market has been vigorously clearing out demonic energy lately. Why don't I use that as an excuse and let them handle it internally?"
"If I can't beat them, I can always report them!"
(End of Chapter)
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