Free Web NovelChapter 251: Chapter 226: Accepting the Compensation Doesn’t Mean Forgiving Him
The appearance of Thousand Eyes True Master, especially when the man suddenly looked over, made Chen Che’s heart clench.
’Have I been exposed?’
’That must be it!’
Thousand Eyes True Master would never give up on a Tier Four Divine Statue. Even an existence like Zuo Yishan had once said outright that if someone stole one of his Tier Four Divine Statues, he would hunt the thief to the ends of the earth, to the Yellow Springs and Green Depths, until he found them.
The cultivator from the Ghost Market was only at the Foundation Establishment realm. How could he possibly escape the pursuit of a Golden Core True Master?
WHOOSH!
In an instant, the entire Primordial City seemed to fall silent.
Everyone turned to look at the suddenly-appeared Golden Core True Master.
Chen Che looked over as well. A nerve twitched between his brows as the Sword Pill in his sea of consciousness began to bloom, and his Nine Transformations Spirit Flame Technique secretly began to circulate.
"Where are my pills?"
"!?"
Chen Che was stunned.
If the man hadn’t spoken just then, he would have already mobilized his Sword Pill to catch him off guard with a deadly first strike.
"They’re already refined."
"Give them to me!"
Thousand Eyes True Master stretched out his hand, and a medicinal vial immediately levitated into his grasp. He nonchalantly uncorked it and poured out a pill that resembled an eyeball. Scraping off a bit of powder, he sniffed it lightly, and the powder turned into a wisp of smoke that drifted into his nostrils.
A moment later, he nodded slightly and said with appreciation:
"Not bad. The medicinal efficacy is at least thirty percent higher than the ones from the sect. You have not disappointed me."
"True Master, True Master..."
Zhou Jing was dumbfounded.
"Commander Zhou, what an impressive display of authority," Thousand Eyes True Master said as he turned to look at him. "Valley Master Chen is my personal Tributor. You dare try to arrest him?"
"I suspected he might be connected to Xiao Chan..."
Zhou Jing’s heart pounded with terror, but he forced himself to explain, his gaze faltering for a moment on Chen Che.
He never thought this kid would actually have a connection to Thousand Eyes True Master. ’He’s really gotten me killed this time.’
Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Jing felt a colossal force slam into him, and his world began to spin.
"Ngh!?"
The force was so overwhelming that he had no chance to react. Before countless horrified eyes, he was sent flying backward on the spot.
BANG!
Dust billowed up as cracks spiderwebbed across the ground.
"You disgusting piece of trash. Don’t think I’m unaware of your little schemes."
Thousand Eyes True Master’s voice was cold, but when he turned to Chen Che, a hint of warmth entered his tone.
"If something like this happens again, remember to show my token. You are my man; no one in the Primordial Sect can touch you."
"...Yes."
Glancing at Zhou Jing, who lay on the ground with blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, Chen Che raised a single eyebrow.
’It seems Thousand Eyes True Master failed to catch the thief.’
’Otherwise...’
’...his visit wouldn’t have been so amicable. He would have come to tear me limb from limb.’
"Everyone, disperse!"
Thousand Eyes True Master put the pills away, clasped his hands behind his back, and his voice boomed, "We depart tomorrow. If anyone dares to cause more trouble, don’t blame me for obliterating both their body and soul..."
Before his voice had even faded,
he took a single step and vanished from sight.
...
「Primordial Sect, Great Hall.」
Twenty Golden Core True Masters were seated, each in their own space, as motionless and majestic as temple statues. At their head was a man in white robes with white hair, a long beard, and a kind, benevolent face, exuding the air of an immortal sage. This was the Primordial Ancestor, the founding patriarch of the Primordial Sect.
The other True Masters all had their eyes half-closed, appearing to be either dozing, cultivating, or conversing via Divine Sense.
Thousand Eyes True Master took a step forward and seated himself on a pumpon.
"Is the matter of your Cave Mansion settled?" a Golden Core master asked.
"No."
Thousand Eyes True Master’s voice was devoid of emotion. "The culprits fled in a Flying Boat but ran into a beast tide along the way. The Flying Boat was destroyed, and the Divine Statue has vanished. Most of the thieves’ bodies were obliterated. I used Soul Searching, but couldn’t extract any information."
The other True Masters were speechless.
In their many years of cultivation, their own Cave Mansions had been intentionally or unintentionally trespassed upon or disturbed. But thanks to their Mountain Protection Arrays, those intruders either left empty-handed or died without a trace.
However, due to the special nature of Thousand Eyes True Master’s cultivation technique, he couldn’t take the same comprehensive precautions as the others.
"Tch!"
A derisive scoff echoed from a corner of the great hall.
Thousand Eyes True Master shot a cold glare in that direction.
"Enough."
At this, the Primordial Ancestor spoke slowly, "Since everyone has arrived, let us discuss the matter of the Undersea Palace..."
...
"How is this possible?"
"That Chen Che actually... he actually..."
The moment Thousand Eyes True Master left, the streets and alleys erupted in a flurry of discussion.
’That Valley Master actually has a connection to a Golden Core True Master?’
’What a pity.’
Chen Che glanced out of the corner of his eye.
Hu Haiqing was helping Zhou Jing to his feet, his expression as dark as water and incredibly grim.
’If not for this Commander Zhou, Hu Haiqing would already be dead.’
’No matter.’
’I’ll let him live a little longer...’
"Thank you all for your help. I will remember it."
Chen Che turned and cupped his fist to the Major Cultivators behind him. Their willingness to show up and bolster his numbers was a favor in itself. With some cultivation, these relationships could become a valuable network. He was a businessman, after all, and these Major Cultivators were all future customers of Jinyun Valley.
"It was nothing."
"Valley Master Chen, you’re too kind."
The Major Cultivators replied all at once.
The night’s events, with their many twists and turns, had given them quite a fright. But in the end, it was a scare with no real harm done, and the matter was now concluded.
After thanking everyone one by one, he turned and cupped his fist to Lu Yuntian—the aggrieved party—who returned the gesture without a word, then turned and led the Lu Family cultivators away through the crowd.
Just before he left, however, his gaze lingered on Lu Qinglian for a moment.
’Are those lingering feelings I see?’
Chen Che thought.
"Che’er, you have a connection like this with Thousand Eyes True Master, why didn’t you say so sooner?"
Meng Changtu had been truly terrified.
He could naturally see that if Thousand Eyes True Master hadn’t appeared, it would have been impossible to resolve things tonight. Not only would Jinyun Valley have been implicated, but the Meng Family would likely have been dragged into it as well.
"Cultivation isn’t just about fighting and killing; it’s also about navigating human relationships and worldly affairs. If you have connections, you have to use them!"
If it weren’t for worldly affairs, would the Lu Family have stood with us? Would so many Foundation Establishment Major Cultivators have come to show their support?
If it weren’t for worldly affairs, would Zhou Jing have tried to arrest Chen Che without even distinguishing right from wrong?
"I’ll keep that in mind."
The corner of Chen Che’s mouth twitched.
’Because of the Divine Statue, I don’t want anything to do with the man. Why would I proactively seek him out?’
...
’Thousand Eyes True Master!’
’Chen Che actually became a Tributor for Thousand Eyes True Master!’
"He’s found himself a powerful backer..."
The crowd was still bustling, but as the central figures departed, the other cultivators began to disperse. Hu Haiqing’s eyelid twitched violently. He had paid an unknown price to orchestrate today’s scheme.
But...
"Thousand Eyes True Master!"
Hu Haiqing’s expression was dazed.
It wasn’t that he had never thought of connecting with a Golden Core True Master. But such grand figures were like Divine Dragons in the sky—they would only notice you if they happened to take an interest. Otherwise, any amount of effort was just a waste of time.
SLAP!
Hu Haiqing’s body jolted as Zhou Jing raised a hand and slapped him aside.
"Get the hell away from me!"
Hu Haiqing staggered, a fiery pain stinging his cheek where a hand print had instantly appeared.
"...Brother-in-law."
Hu Haiqing felt a tightness in his chest that left him speechless. But Zhou Jing had already turned and walked away, disappearing at the end of the street.
"Family Head..." his family members said in bitter tones.
"Let’s go back to the inn."
Hu Haiqing sighed deeply and was about to leave when the waiter from the Beast Shop stepped in his way with a broad smile. "Thank you for your patronage. The Demon Beast Bracelet is fifteen thousand and one Spirit Stones... Our proprietor is also a Golden Core True Master, you see."
...
...
Primordial City was countless times larger than Jinyun Valley, but news traveled no slower.
On the way back, Chen Che overheard countless people mentioning his name. He had no sooner returned to the inn than invitations began to arrive from those wishing to build a connection with him. Chen Che glanced through them; most were from obscure Foundation Establishment Clans.
Shockingly, there were even some Qi Refining Clans mixed in among them.
What Chen Che didn’t expect, however, was that Zhou Jing also came to visit. He was bare-chested and carried thorny vines on his back, a complete departure from his previous arrogance on East Main Street. At the same time, he offered up the house title to a property on East Main Street:
"Brother Chen, today’s conflict was entirely my fault. Hu Haiqing is my brother-in-law, and I only stepped in for him because I couldn’t refuse my younger sister’s incessant pleading. A daughter married is a daughter lost; from now on, whether the Hu Family lives or dies has nothing to do with me!"
Zhou Jing was different from Hu Haiqing.
His roots were in Primordial City, which meant he lived right under Thousand Eyes True Master’s nose.
When faced with someone you cannot kill, you can only befriend them and show weakness.
"Three shops on East Main Street?"
Meng Changtu glanced at the deed, his expression changing slightly.
While East Main Street wasn’t the most prosperous area in Primordial City, land there was still worth its weight in gold. Three shops were likely worth tens of thousands of Spirit Stones.
’Tsk, he certainly knows when to bow and when to stand tall.’
Chen Che thought to himself, his expression unchanging.
In his past life, being one of the Four Great Commanders of the East City wasn’t comparable to being a security captain; it was more akin to being a city’s top official... After getting a beating, he immediately comes to offer an apology and even cuts all ties with the Hu Family.
"I’ll accept it."
Taking the house title, Chen Che said with a smile, "Commander Zhou, won’t you come in for a cup of tea?"
Accepting the gift meant accepting the offer of reconciliation.
Seeing this, Zhou Jing finally breathed a sigh of relief and said respectfully,
"Tributor Chen has business tomorrow, I wouldn’t dare impose..."
After a few more pleasantries, he hurried away.
"That really cost him a fortune!"
Meng Changtu sucked his teeth, marveling at the man’s quick reaction. "To get to his position, he must have a few tricks up his sleeve. Since he’s sincerely seeking reconciliation, and you’ve accepted the shops..."
"What does his sincere plea for peace have to do with me accepting the shops?"
Folding the house title and putting it away, he glanced at the stunned Meng Changtu and said casually, "Accepting the compensation doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven him. The moment I get the chance, he’ll be the first one I kill."
After all, Zhou Jing, just like Hu Haiqing, had wanted him dead. Did he think a few shops could wipe that slate clean? It wasn’t that easy.
...
...
The night passed without incident.
「The next morning.」
DONG!
A melodious bell chime echoed through the air.
In an instant, the sound waves awakened the countless Major Cultivators within the inn, whether they were sleeping, in meditation, or cultivating. Innumerable figures darted out of the inn, and Chen Che moved with the crowd.
Looking up, he saw twenty-one magnificent auras rising from within the Primordial Sect.
Then, a majestic Spiritual Boat, over a thousand zhang long, broke through the clouds.
At the same time, a thousand or more figures transformed into streaks of Escape Light, like meteors streaking across the sky. In the span of a few breaths, they flew from high above the Primordial Sect and landed upon the Spiritual Boat.
Many figures even rose up from within the city itself.
"They’re departing!"
The Major Cultivators at the inn all cried out in excitement, swiftly taking to the air to follow.
"Let’s go!"
Chen Che took in the spectacular sight of a thousand cultivators departing at once, glanced back at Lu Qinglian, Meng Changtu, and the others, and then shot into the sky as a streak of Escape Light.
