Chapter 82 - 50: Huang Bamboo’s Invitation

Chapter 82: Chapter 50: Huang Bamboo’s Invitation

"When the time comes, we might not even be able to recover our costs." Qi Jiushan shook his head and sighed.

"Why not clear out the surrounding demons in advance?" Li Yinsheng asked.

"That mountain is already on the edge of the Zhengyang Dharma Vein’s territory, far from all Daoist Temples, including our Huang Bamboo Temple. We rotate a batch of disciples every year to care for the Cloud Bamboo there," Qi Jiushan said with a bitter smile. "Under these circumstances, just managing to properly care for those bamboos is already quite difficult. How could we have the energy to root out demons across dozens of mountains one by one?

"Furthermore, being far from the Zhengyang Dharma Vein means demons breed in far greater numbers than within the Dharma Vein’s boundaries. It’s simply impossible to exterminate them all.

"Therefore, every harvest season, we can only mobilize as much manpower from the temple as possible, set up an Array on the mountain, and lie in wait to guard against the demons that come to steal the food.

"However, our Huang Bamboo Temple doesn’t have that many disciples, and most have other duties. We can’t just throw everyone at caring for the Cultivation Fruit, or else nothing else would get done.

"That is why, at this time every year, we spend heavily to hire disciples from other Daoist Temples to help us fend off the demons.

"Ordinary disciples are easy enough to hire as long as you’re willing to spend talismanic coins, but inevitably, some of the attacking demons are quite powerful. We can’t leave those to ordinary disciples to handle."

Qi Jiushan looked at Li Yinsheng. "So, to guard against those specific demons, the temple must also find a few Fellow Daoists with profound Cultivation to hold the fort on the mountain.

"Unfortunately, Fellow Daoists with profound Cultivation are either fully devoted to their own training or hold important positions in their own temples and can’t get away. Even though our Huang Bamboo Temple is generous with talismanic coins, it is still incredibly difficult to invite them.

"This year, we are still short one Fellow Daoist to hold the fort. But the harvest of the Cultivation Fruit is right before our eyes, and the anxiety has left me losing sleep and appetite."

Hearing this, Li Yinsheng fully understood the situation. "So, you are in desperate need of manpower, Qi. And since you happen to know Meng, she recommended me?"

"Exactly!" Qi Jiushan nodded. "However, Li, you were slightly inaccurate on two points.

"The reason Meng recommended you isn’t because she and I are acquainted. It’s because she is the expert our Huang Bamboo Temple invited from the Jade Altar Temple to set up and preside over the Array this time.

"Secondly, we have now hired enough disciples from other Daoist Temples, so we aren’t lacking in general manpower. What we truly lack are experts like you, Li!"

Li Yinsheng paused in surprise, then teased, "With your face so full of righteous integrity, Qi, I didn’t expect you to know how to flatter people."

"Ah... it’s because I’m desperate," Qi Jiushan said, looking a bit embarrassed. "I really am desperate. If you are willing to lend a helping hand, Li, our Huang Bamboo Temple will absolutely not skimp on the reward."

His expression turned serious. "You only need to hold the fort for about half a month, Fellow Daoist. Afterward, the Huang Bamboo Temple is willing to offer you one hundred thousand talismanic coins, plus one thousand Cultivation Fruits."

"So generous?" Li Yinsheng was somewhat surprised.

For just half a month’s work, the actual reward was equivalent to two hundred thousand talismanic coins. Pondering for a moment, his gaze fell on Mu Xiaoyu, who was still practicing her swordplay.

Two months ago, after experiencing a life-and-death struggle with a demon, his junior sister’s mindset had already changed. But in terms of actual combat experience, the benefit of a mere single battle was definitely limited. Whether it was the upcoming Shifeng Conference or the further Lesser Yang Dao Examination, she would have to compete in combat against others. Actual combat experience was still extremely important.

With this in mind, Li Yinsheng turned to Qi Jiushan and asked, "Fellow Daoist, I wonder, during the period when the Cultivation Fruit ripens, are there many demons that come up the mountain to steal them?"

"Uh... quite a few, actually," Qi Jiushan said hurriedly. "But you need not worry about that, Li. Ordinary demons will naturally be handled by ordinary disciples.

"Our temple has already hired many disciples from other Daoist Temples. They patrol the mountain in groups of a few, rotating day and night, and most of them have less than twenty years of Cultivation.

"The Patrol Disciples simply dispatch the average lesser demons and monsters themselves.

"For slightly stronger demons, there are also carefully selected Demon Extermination Disciples from a higher First Layer to handle them. Once the Patrol Disciples spot a powerful demon, they notify the Demon Extermination Disciples to go and capture it.

"Only when encountering extremely powerful demons will the experts holding the fort need to act. But demons of that level are incredibly rare."

Seemingly afraid that Li Yinsheng would refuse out of concern, Qi Jiushan continued without pausing for breath, "Including myself, there are a total of four people holding the fort. If you join us, Li, that will make five.

"Furthermore, a Vice Temple Master from our Huang Bamboo Temple is there in person, coordinating the overall situation and guarding the core.

"If an extremely powerful demon truly arrives, we don’t need to speak of honor or chivalry with it. We’ll simply swarm it together; no matter how strong it is, it won’t be able to withstand that.

"And even if an unexpected demon appears that threatens everyone, you are all free to retreat on your own. Naturally, there’s no need to risk your life for this sum of talismanic coins..."

"Ah, that’s not important." Li Yinsheng waved his hand to interrupt him. "I’m asking, do the ordinary Patrol Disciples get many opportunities to encounter demons?"

"Quite a lot. They basically encounter them every day, though they will absolutely never bother a Fellow Daoist like you," Qi Jiushan replied.

"Hmm, then I can go," Li Yinsheng said with a slight nod. "However, I have one condition."

"Please speak, Fellow Daoist. As long as it’s not too difficult, I have the authority to agree to it immediately!" Qi Jiushan’s eyes lit up.

To secure an expert with profound Cultivation like Li Yinsheng before the Cultivation Fruit ripened, even if it meant paying a bit more, it would be well worth the cost!

Li Yinsheng pointed at his junior sister, who was training hard, and smiled. "I wonder, Qi, if you could hire this little junior sister of mine as well?"

Qi Jiushan: ???

Not far away, Mu Xiaoyu, who was completely immersed in her martial arts practice, suddenly shivered for some unknown reason.