Chapter 629 - 200: Meeting the Dean

In truth, while the lead Shen Bai provided was important, it would still require a great deal of effort to verify. So, revealing it now would be pointless.

Shen Bai didn’t want to dwell on the topic either. Secrets like that were best left for the people in charge to handle.

As for the Netherworld, it wouldn’t be too late for Shen Bai to enter after he received more information.

Focusing on increasing his current strength was what Shen Bai needed most.

"What’s the reward?" Shen Bai asked, his eyes gleaming.

This whole affair was finally drawing to a close.

Since they were talking about rewards, Shen Bai naturally wanted his share.

"How about a hundred or so Deceitful Objects? I’m not picky."

Shen Bai continued rambling, "Or a hundred or so Deceit Transformation Pearls would be fine too. And maybe a few hundred aberrations..."

CRACK!

The Saint Martial Emperor had crushed the teacup in his hand.

The Saint Martial Emperor’s mouth twitched. "You’re really not picky, are you."

In all his years as Emperor, this was the first time he had encountered such a thing.

If it were anyone else, they would have replied, ’It is all up to Your Majesty.’ Someone like Shen Bai, who made such exorbitant demands, was a true rarity.

However... it was quite amusing.

Shen Bai spread his hands. "Your Majesty, you asked me what reward I wanted, so naturally, I had to tell you."

The Saint Martial Emperor replied helplessly, "Aberrations are typically destroyed on sight. Unless they have some great use, who would bother sealing them away for no reason?"

"As for the Deceit Transformation Pearls, I have a great need for them, so I cannot spare many for you."

"As for Deceitful Objects, I don’t have a hundred. The Great Zhou Country is not as wealthy as you imagine. But ten is possible."

The country was founded amidst the chaos of war, and expenditures remained high to this day.

There were many good things, but for the Great Zhou Country, resources had to be used judiciously.

After all, in terms of foundation and resources, the Great Zhou Country still fell short compared to the other three nations.

Shen Bai nodded. "It’s fine. Ten will do. I’m not picky."

Thanks to his gains this time, Shen Bai had already accumulated thirty wisps of Evil Qi. He could handle a few more Deceitful Objects.

The Saint Martial Emperor nodded. "In that case, you are dismissed. Go and rest. In a few days, I will have the reward sent to you."

The matter of the Celestial Pride Hall was over, but there was still much work to be done to wrap things up, so a few days’ delay was to be expected.

Shen Bai nodded. "Then I will take my leave."

The Saint Martial Emperor waved his hand dismissively.

Shen Bai didn’t linger, turning and exiting the Imperial Study.

He planned to find Zhou Qing and the others first for a good meal and some drinks, and then he would grind his Skill Level.

’But there was still one thing he hadn’t managed to get this time.’

’Shen Bai hadn’t found the Ten Thousand Ancient Books that Prime Minister Cao had mentioned.’

’He figured he’d talk to Prime Minister Cao about it in a couple of days.’

...

After leaving the Imperial Study, Shen Bai walked along a wide, bluestone-paved road.

Not far ahead was the exit from the palace.

But at this moment, a person was standing at the palace gate.

Prime Minister Cao stood at the palace gate with his hands behind his back, waiting patiently.

When he saw Shen Bai, he slowly walked over.

’Shen Bai hadn’t expected Prime Minister Cao to finish his work so quickly and even come here specifically to wait for him.’

’But on second thought, he was probably here for the Ten Thousand Ancient Books.’

Shen Bai said, "Prime Minister, I wasn’t able to get the Ten Thousand Ancient Books this time."

The Celestial Pride Hall disappeared too quickly; Shen Bai didn’t even catch a glimpse of the Ten Thousand Ancient Books.

The Prime Minister shook his head. "It doesn’t matter that you didn’t get it. It wasn’t a very important thing to begin with."

Shen Bai frowned.

’He said it was crucial before, but now he’s saying it’s not important. Shen Bai had no idea what Prime Minister Cao was playing at.’

Prime Minister Cao pulled something from his sleeve and handed it to Shen Bai. "Take this. Consider it your reward."

It was a single Bead, from which a cold, sinister Qi emanated. Shen Bai could sense that an aberration was sealed inside it.

But Shen Bai didn’t take it. Instead, he stroked his chin and said, "Prime Minister, I don’t quite understand what you’re doing."

’No reward without merit. There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Shen Bai knew this better than anyone.’

’He had failed to complete the task Prime Minister Cao had given him, yet he was still being offered a reward. Shen Bai felt something was off.’

’Either this was some kind of conspiracy, or there was an ulterior motive.’

Seeing that Shen Bai didn’t accept it, Prime Minister Cao said, "The Ten Thousand Ancient Books... you could say it’s important, and you could say it’s not. It was merely a matter of pride in a dispute between myself and the Dean."

"The Ten Thousand Ancient Books of the previous dynasty was left behind by my and the Dean’s teacher. Our teacher was the prime minister of that dynasty."

Hearing this, a flicker of interest appeared in Shen Bai’s eyes.

’He sensed some drama, and juicy drama at that.’

Prime Minister Cao continued, "We killed our teacher with our own hands. His blind loyalty was his downfall."

"Before he died, our teacher didn’t resent us. Instead, he addressed the discord between the two of us."

"Even on his deathbed, he wanted the Dean and me to reconcile. So, he said that whoever obtained the Ten Thousand Ancient Books he left behind would be the one to take the lead."

"The two of us came to see the Ten Thousand Ancient Books as the conclusion to our dispute."

"The book itself isn’t important—it has no special properties at all. Since it couldn’t be found, then let’s just stop looking for it."

Hearing this, Shen Bai was left speechless.

’So this whole thing was just about a squabble between Prime Minister Cao and the Dean.’

’Whoever got it first, won.’

"In that case, I really can’t accept this reward," Shen Bai said, waving his hand.

’He wasn’t a perfect gentleman, but he had his principles.’

’He hadn’t retrieved the Ten Thousand Ancient Books, but he was taking a reward from the Prime Minister? Wouldn’t that mean he owed him a favor?’

’Favors were the hardest debts to repay, and Shen Bai had no intention of being unable to pay one back.’

Prime Minister Cao laughed. "You certainly are a shrewd one. Just take it. You resolved the incident with the Celestial Pride Hall, so consider this a personal reward from me."