Chapter 51: A Routine Mission

After confirming that his parents had truly died of illness and that the villagers had only taken whatever money remained on them, no foul play involved, Gu Yuan left Willow Village and continued toward Redleaf Town.

Before he could fully shake off the bitterness in his chest, however, trouble found him.

"Stop there."

A cultivator stepped into his path, his voice nervous despite the threatening gesture he made toward Gu Yuan.

Gu Yuan stopped and looked at him.

The man was only at the Ninth Stage of Qi Refinement.

No, perhaps he was hiding his real cultivation?

Gu Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly.

It was possible that the nervous expression was nothing more than an act meant to make his opponent lower their guard. After all, a rogue cultivator who dared to stop another cultivator and rob them couldn’t possibly be this weak.

With that thought, Gu Yuan used his Thread of Providence.

[Threads of Providence]

Name: Huo Shan

Age: 97

Cultivation: Qi Refinement Realm, Seventh Stage

Spiritual Root: Mixed Triple Root (Third Grade)

Providence: Ordinary

Special Note: Huo Shan, a rogue cultivator. Unable to afford the medicine needed to save his Dao companion, he decided to resort to stealing.

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He really was a small fry.

Yet that wasn’t the first thought that came to Gu Yuan’s mind when he confirmed the man’s cultivation. Rather...

Dao companion? Do all troubles really start with them?

He let out a quiet sigh.

"How many spirit stones do you need to spare me?"

Huo Shan was stunned.

Was there anyone who could beg for their life with such arrogance?

For a moment, he couldn’t even find the words to respond. When he finally gathered himself, he hesitated before answering, "One middle-grade spirit stone... No, actually, two."

"..."

Is this man really all right?

Gu Yuan shook his head, took out five middle-grade spirit stones, and threw them toward Huo Shan.

"Take them."

Without waiting for a response, he continued flying toward Redleaf Town.

Did he feel sorry for the man? Did he feel sorry for his Dao companion?

Of course not.

Gu Yuan simply didn’t want to waste time dealing with something so trivial.

If a few spirit stones could solve the problem, then there was no reason to make things complicated... and that was it.

-----

"Greetings, Senior Brother."

At the entrance of Redleaf Town, two middle-aged cultivators bowed respectfully. After introducing themselves, they quickly added that a full reception had been prepared: lodgings, food, and even attendants ready to serve him.

Both appeared to be Ninth Stage Qi Refinement cultivators on the surface, so such a reception was not particularly strange.

Gu Yuan’s gaze lingered briefly on the one who was actually concealing his Foundation Establishment cultivation, and a smile touched his lips.

"Thank you for your hospitality, but the thought is enough. I’m in a hurry and can’t stay here for long. I’ll only confirm the condition of the spirit medicine and check the records before returning to the sect."

The two men exchanged a glance.

"Of course, Senior Brother. Please, this way."

As they made their way through the town, Gu Yuan observed the villagers along the road, and he couldn’t help but frown.

Redleaf Town cultivated a rare spirit medicine known as Redleaf Grass. The land surrounding the town possessed a unique property that made it especially suitable for growing the plant, and while the grass required blood to mature properly.

Fortunately, the area was already home to a mortal town.

The Black Desolation Sect had therefore taken control of the town, with the villagers providing the blood needed to cultivate the Redleaf Grass.

The amount of blood required each month was small enough that it wouldn’t affect their health. So, even if it wasn’t exactly intentional, it could be considered a fair exchange. The villagers provided the blood, while the Black Desolation Sect protected them from bandits and rogue cultivators.

For mortals living in small villages and towns, such protection was not insignificant.

That was what Gu Yuan had thought when he was first informed about the mission and Redleaf Town.

However, the scene before his eyes told a different story.

The villagers’ complexions were pale, and their overall health was clearly poor. It was obvious that the two men managing the town had been extracting far more blood from them than necessary.

When Gu Yuan reached the fields where the Redleaf Grass was being cultivated, his suspicion was confirmed.

There was far more Redleaf Grass growing here than there should have been, yet its condition couldn’t be considered particularly good.

After all, pouring more blood into the fields wasn’t an all-purpose solution for growing the spirit medicine.

Gu Yuan glanced at the two disciples managing the town but said nothing for now. He would report the matter once he returned to the sect.

"All right," he said evenly. "Let me see the record books."

"They’re already prepared. Please, come and check them."

Lu Feng, the man who was hiding his cultivation, replied readily.

Gu Yuan followed him.

However, considering how cooperative Lu Feng was despite concealing his cultivation, Gu Yuan still felt that something was off. He quietly checked his information.

[Threads of Providence]

Name: Lu Feng

Age: 97

Cultivation: Qi Refinement Realm, Fourth Stage

Spiritual Root: Mixed Triple Root (Third Grade)

Providence: Ordinary

Special Note: Lu Feng, a Black Desolation Sect disciple. After his master, Qiu He, died under the Heavenly Twin Stars and he lost his backing, he plans to defect after embezzling enough resources.

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Gu Yuan read through the information provided by his Orb of Creation.

For a moment, he couldn’t help but feel impressed by how conveniently the Orb could provide him with exactly the information he needed.

Then, he turned his attention back to the problem in front of him.

He had hoped his mission would proceed smoothly, but unfortunately, he had already encountered two problems.

The spirit medicine was being handled improperly, and there was a traitor. Or, more accurately, an enemy.

Not his enemy, but an enemy of his Dao companions. So... maybe it was the same thing?

Qiu He was probably an elder who belonged to the faction of the previous sect master. After his master died under the Heavenly Twin Stars and Lu Feng lost his backing, it seemed he had already made up his mind to defect. Embezzling the sect’s resources before leaving was probably his way of preparing for his escape.

As long as he wasn’t discovered before he was ready to leave, everything would be fine.

Unfortunately for him, he had already been discovered.

"Who wrote these records?" Gu Yuan asked as he flipped through the record book.

"It’s me, Senior Brother."

Hmm?

Wang Fu?

Gu Yuan’s gaze moved between the two men before he finally gave each of them a simple label in his mind.

One was a traitor.

The other was incompetent.

"Everything is in order."

Gu Yuan closed the record book.

"But I still need one of you to accompany me back to the sect."

At those words, both Wang Fu and Lu Feng froze.

Lu Feng feared that he would be exposed and killed, while Wang Fu simply didn’t want to return to that hell.

Here, he was the strongest. Everyone had to respect him and carefully consider his mood before speaking to him.

He was the king here.

But in the sect? He was nothing more than a small fry who could be bullied by almost anyone.

"Lu Feng, you will come with me."

At Gu Yuan’s words, Wang Fu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, while Lu Feng’s expression turned ugly.

"Senior..."

Before Lu Feng could finish his protest, Wang Fu suddenly interrupted.

"Senior Brother, actually, there’s something I would like to ask for your help with."

He extended his hand and placed a middle-grade spirit stone into Gu Yuan’s palm.

"There’s a rogue cultivator whom I would like your help recommending to the sect."

Gu Yuan’s gaze moved between the spirit stone and Wang Fu.

Recommending a rogue cultivator to the sect was already a contribution in itself. So, this spirit stone clearly wasn’t payment for the recommendation. It was simply a token of gratitude.

Gu Yuan naturally understood the meaning. He went along with it, smiling and nodding.

"Bring this rogue cultivator here, then. I’m departing immediately."

Wang Fu’s grin widened, and he immediately went to bring the person over.

As for Lu Feng, who was left behind...

If looks alone could kill, he would have already killed Wang Fu a dozen times over.

He didn’t attack simply because he wasn’t certain he could deal with Gu Yuan.

Otherwise...

Gu Yuan chuckled inwardly.

He understood exactly what Lu Feng was thinking, but he said nothing.