Free Web NovelChapter 190: Chapter 187: The Trail Appears
「Two days later,」
The relentless rain had been falling for over half a month without a single moment of respite.
The sky was gloomy and overcast.
The world was a vast expanse of white haze.
The sound of raindrops, SPLASHING and pattering against the plants, echoed everywhere.
Meanwhile, the rushing water on the ground was nearly ankle-deep.
In such an environment,
staying for too long
would surely sour one’s mood.
But at this moment,
as Shen Zeyu strolled through the commercial district’s streets under the downpour,
his mood was exceptionally good.
The heavy rain didn’t actually have much of an effect on Cultivators.
Even a Cultivator in the Early Stage of Qi Introduction could circulate their Magical Power to form a Magical Power Shield, completely warding off the wind and rain.
It was even simpler for Cultivators in the Middle to Late Stage of Qi Introduction.
By casually releasing their Magical Power, they could form an invisible barrier around themselves, allowing them to walk through a torrential downpour without a single drop of water touching them.
Because of this,
the commercial district in Dawan Village was still bustling with Cultivators.
Some headed to the temporary residences of various merchant guilds to purchase all sorts of supplies needed for their cultivation,
while others weaved through the stalls in the square—simple thatched awnings over high-legged tables—browsing for items they might need.
It seemed
that not only had the rainy season failed to dampen the commercial district’s activity,
but on the contrary, because of the leech plague in the mountains, a large number of Cultivators had been forced to retreat from their explorations and gather in settlements like Dawan Village.
This, in turn, had caused the market’s prosperity to reach new heights!
Shen Zeyu stood with his hands behind his back,
patrolling the commercial district, his gaze sweeping around with keen interest.
It was as if he were carefully taking stock of his own property.
He finally stopped in an open area, taking in most of the commercial district, and nodded in satisfaction.
’Not bad, not bad at all. That Shen Changchuan is quite good at management...’
He had to admit,
that bastard son named Shen Changchuan really had a knack for business.
The layout of the commercial district, the style of the shops, the design of the streets—it was all very well thought out.
It took all parties into account.
For Dawan Village to have developed from a tiny, remote rural village into something now nearly comparable to a Major Immortal Cultivation Town,
wasn’t entirely due to just favorable timing and location.
His personal abilities were also worthy of praise.
’It’s a shame, though. Without sufficient strength, no matter how well you develop, you’re just a meal on someone else’s plate...’
’Don’t blame us. Blame the world... After all, even if we didn’t make a move, others certainly would once they found out... Who told you to be so powerless to protect yourself?’
Shen Zeyu recalled the decision he had discussed with the others earlier,
and couldn’t help but think to himself.
Although he knew
that this wasn’t fair to the bastard son, Shen Changchuan.
The fruits of his hard work,
ultimately plucked by others.
This made even him, the perpetrator, feel a sliver of pity for the man.
After all, according to their scheme,
not only would the foundation this man had spent so much effort building fall right into their hands,
but if the plan succeeded, his fate would also be extremely grim.
But pity was just pity.
When it came time to act, Shen Zeyu wouldn’t hesitate in the slightest.
It couldn’t be helped.
The stakes were too high!
Besides,
who told him not to have the strength to protect himself?
A mere Cultivation at the Qi Introduction Fourth or Fifth Layer, yet in control of a Major Immortal Cultivation Town with such immense profits... It was like a child carrying a gold brick through a crowded market.
It was only right that it should fall into the hands of someone more deserving...
Judging by Dawan Village’s current level of prosperity,
even if the profits were split among a few people after it fell into their hands, it would still mean an income of several thousand Spirit Stones a year...
If they managed it well,
it might even become a legacy for their families to pass down to future generations...
Such benefits...
how could they possibly give it all up for a mere moment of pity?
Just as Shen Zeyu was lost in thoughts of the future, fantasizing about the massive influx of Spirit Stones to come,
a figure wearing a conical hat and a straw raincoat walked past him.
Shen Zeyu paid it no mind.
The commercial district was so bustling;
countless Cultivators had walked past him.
Was he supposed to scrutinize every single person who crossed his path?
Soon, the figure disappeared into the depths of the rain-swept curtain.
Something inside his Storage Bag stirred,
but lost in his excited daydreams of earning thousands of Spirit Stones without lifting a finger, he still didn’t think anything of the movement in his Storage Bag...
It wasn’t until a quarter of an hour later
that he suddenly remembered something.
The daydreaming expression on his face instantly froze.
’Wait,’
’Just now,’
’did my Storage Bag move?’
Shen Zeyu hurriedly took out the Storage Bag hanging from his sleeve and retrieved a Jade Talisman.
At that moment,
the Jade Talisman was pulsing, glowing with a blood-red light.
Shen Zeyu’s pupils contracted sharply.
’The Blood-Tracking Talisman reacted.’
’The person who just passed by,’
’was that Shen Chong?!’
’Shit!!!’
...
"Should we be worried about that kid named Zhang Qingyuan?"
"No need."
"I remember that while the Shen Family has the Zhang Family as an affiliate, there’s no Zhang Qingyuan in the Zhang Clan’s direct line. He’s most likely a Loose Cultivator from the outside..."
"We’re making our move through the Great Madam, relying on the Shen Family’s internal channels to deal with him... What can a mere outsider do? Does he dare interfere in the internal affairs of our Shen Clan?"
"Besides, what can a mere Loose Cultivator with no background possibly accomplish?"
"Although that Shen Changchuan somehow managed to build some connections and is a capable person in his own right, it’s a pity... We are members of the Shen Clan. Our business is an internal affair..."
"...In that case, it’s settled."
"Contact the Great Madam. We make our move in three days..."
Inside an inconspicuous room,
several figures were plotting something in secret.
Suddenly,
BANG!
The main door was abruptly thrown open.
Everyone in the room tensed up, their Heart Spirits tightening as they whipped their heads toward the doorway.
They saw Shen Zeyu burst in, having slammed the door open.
The familiar face
allowed their taut Heart Spirits to relax.
Someone was about to curse out loud,
but before he could get the words out,
Shen Zeyu spoke in a rush:
"Shen Chong! That damn Shen Chong has appeared!"
"What? Where is he? Where did you see him?!"
"Just now..."
Shen Zeyu quickly recounted what had just happened.
After hearing the situation,
the expressions of everyone present turned grim and uncertain.
"What do we do? We finally found a trace of that cunning brat, but according to the plan, in three days..."
"Forget it! The plan for Dawan Village can wait!"
The person who seemed to be the leader of the group immediately made the final decision.
"Dawan Village isn’t going anywhere. We can come and take it anytime."
"But if that brat Shen Chong gets away this time, who knows when we’ll find him again!"
"And don’t forget, the Great Madam only gave us one month!"
As soon as these words were spoken,
no one present had any further objections.
"Then let’s go! We’ll catch that Shen Chong brat first!"
"Alright, let’s go!"
Shen Zeyu and the others in the room quickly made their decision. They filed out of the room one by one, closed the door, and swiftly disappeared into the vast, pouring rain...
However,
what they didn’t know was
that after their figures had vanished into the distance,
in the world shrouded by the torrential downpour,
the figure of Shen Changchuan
silently emerged from behind the corner of the house,
watching the direction they had left with a completely expressionless face...
