52: Chapter 52 Chen Hao's Troubles and Invitation

Seven days later, at dusk.

Lin Xuan had just returned from the herb garden when the courtyard gate was pounded loudly with a "bang bang".

“Lin Xuan! Open up! It's me!”

Chen Hao's voice carried a rare trace of irritability.

Lin Xuan opened the door, and a wave of alcohol fumes rushed over him. Chen Hao stood outside holding two wine jars, his face slightly flushed, his eyes filled with gloom.

“What's wrong?” Lin Xuan stepped aside to let him in.

Chen Hao sat down heavily on a stone bench in the courtyard and thumped the wine jars onto the table. “Drink with me.”

Lin Xuan didn't ask too many questions and went inside to fetch two porcelain bowls.

Chen Hao slapped open the mud seal, and the amber liquor poured out. The aroma of the wine carried a faint scent of spiritual fruit—this was "Green Bamboo Brew" sold in the marketplace, costing five contribution points per jar, which was not cheap.

The two clinked their bowls together. Chen Hao threw his head back and gulped down a large mouthful, letting out a long sigh.

“Did you have a falling out with Senior Brother Zhang Meng?” Lin Xuan asked directly.

Chen Hao smiled bitterly. “How did you know?”

“You have 'I am annoyed' written all over your face.” Lin Xuan took a sip of wine. “Besides, other than team matters, I can't think of anything else that would bring you to me like this.”

“Sigh...” Chen Hao took another gulp and wiped his mouth. “It's Senior Brother Zhang Meng and Senior Brother Li Ming. The two of them... things have gotten a bit tense.”

He set down his bowl and began to pour out his grievances.

It all started half a month ago. The team had taken on a mission to clear out a nest of Red Fire Crows, which was located in a cliff crevice.

As the captain and the strongest, Zhang Meng was responsible for the main assault. Chen Hao and Li Ming supported from the flanks, while another team member was on guard on the perimeter.

The battle went smoothly. Although there were many Red Fire Crows, the highest among them was only Tier One Low Grade, so they were quickly cleared out. The problem lay in the distribution of the spoils.

“According to custom, whoever makes the kill gets the Materials.” Chen Hao sighed. “Senior Brother Zhang Meng killed twenty-six of them and got twenty-six pairs of Red Fire Crow claws. Senior Brother Li Ming killed eleven and got eleven pairs of claws. I killed nine.”

“Initially, this was fine; everyone relied on their own ability. But afterward, Senior Brother Li Ming privately told me that deep inside the nest, there was also a clutch of newly hatched fledglings, which were worth quite a few contribution points. Senior Brother Zhang Meng took them all for himself while we weren't paying attention, without sharing a single one.”

Lin Xuan listened quietly.

“Senior Brother Li Ming wasn't satisfied and went to argue with Senior Brother Zhang Meng.” Chen Hao scratched his hair. “Senior Brother Zhang Meng said he discovered the fledglings and caught them himself, so they should naturally belong to him. The two had an argument and parted on bad terms. The atmosphere during our missions these past few days has been really strange.”

“You didn't just come today to complain, did you?” Lin Xuan looked at Chen Hao.

Chen Hao fell silent for a moment, took another sip of wine, and then said in a low voice, “The team took on a new mission, a Grade B Low-Rank mission to 'Explore the Black Wind Cave'. The reward is very generous, eight hundred contribution points, and there's also a chance to find Yin-attribute Materials, which could add up to over a thousand.”

“A Grade B mission?” Lin Xuan raised his eyebrows slightly.

outer sect missions were divided into four grades: A, B, C, and D. Grade C was suitable for the Early Stage of Qi Refining, while Grade B usually required a team in the Middle Stage of Qi Refining to accept. Zhang Meng's team was only at the Peak of the third level of Qi Refining at best, so taking on a Grade B mission was somewhat risky.

“Senior Brother Zhang Meng said he inquired about it, and the danger of the Black Wind Cave mainly lies in the Yin Qi and the ghosts that might breed there. Our fire-attribute Cultivation Techniques counter Yin and evil, so as long as we are careful, it should be fine,” Chen Hao explained. “But it requires tacit cooperation among four people. However, one of our team members has just withdrawn.”

He looked up at Lin Xuan. “Senior Brother Zhang Meng wanted me to ask if you would be willing to join us temporarily.”

Lin Xuan did not answer immediately.

He raised his wine bowl and sipped slowly. The Green Bamboo Brew was slightly spicy as it went down his throat, carrying the fresh scent of bamboo leaves.

“What do you think?” he asked Chen Hao.

“I...” Chen Hao's expression was conflicted. “Senior Brother Li Ming has been good to me. The last time I was injured on a mission, he gave me his spare Qi Recovery Pill. Senior Brother Zhang Meng goes without saying; he brought me into the sect and taught me Spells... Caught in the middle, I feel miserable.”

Lin Xuan understood Chen Hao's dilemma. Valuing relationships was Chen Hao's strength, but sometimes it was also a burden.

“What are the specific details of the mission?”

“The Black Wind Cave is deep within the Black Wind Cliff; it's a naturally formed cavern,” Chen Hao cheered up. “In the past month, Yin Qi has been leaking from the cave entrance, and the nearby vegetation has withered. The General Affairs Hall suspects that Yin-attribute Yao Beasts or ghosts are breeding inside. They need us to investigate thoroughly and eliminate the source. The mission requirements are to map out the cave, record the changes in Yin Qi concentration, and kill or disperse all Yin-evil entities.”

He added, “Senior Brother Zhang Meng said that Materials like 'Yin Soul Stones' or 'Netherworld Grass' often grow in these kinds of caves. Although they are useless to us fire and lightning-attribute Cultivators, they can be sold to ghost Cultivators or Alchemists for a decent price.”

Lin Xuan weighed his options in his mind.

Yin-evil entities were indeed countered by lightning techniques. His Palm Thunder, Thunder Whip Technique, and even the most basic Lightning Strike Technique all dealt extra damage to ghosts. Moreover, having just completed his initial Body Refining, his Physical Body's strength had greatly increased, giving him confidence in close-quarters combat.

More importantly, the Pangolin's Earth Perception could detect underground structures, allowing him to avoid risks in advance. The Herb-Seeking Mouse's Spirit Energy Tracking could also sense changes in Yin Qi concentration.

There were risks, but they were manageable.

“If I join, how will the spoils be divided?” Lin Xuan asked the crucial question.

“Senior Brother Zhang Meng said that the contribution points will be split equally among the four of us, two hundred each. Whoever gets the Materials keeps them, but if cooperation is needed to obtain them, they will be distributed based on contribution.”

Chen Hao paused. “Lin Xuan, I know you are used to being a loner, but the reward for this mission is indeed generous. And... I also hope you can help me ease the tension in the team.”

Lin Xuan looked at the expectation in Chen Hao's eyes, fell silent for a moment, and nodded. “Alright, I'll join.”

“Really?” Chen Hao's eyes lit up.

“But I have three conditions.” Lin Xuan held up three fingers. “First, after entering the cave, all actions will follow commands, but if we encounter a life-or-death crisis, I reserve the right to make my own judgment to retreat.

Second, all distribution plans must be written down clearly in black and white before we set off, signed and sealed.

Third, if Senior Brother Li Ming has any objections to this, I need you to guarantee that he won't trip me up during the mission.”

Chen Hao nodded heavily. “Don't worry! Senior Brother Zhang Meng has agreed to all of these. As for Senior Brother Li Ming... I will go talk to him. Although he is unhappy with Senior Brother Zhang Meng, he is an upright person and won't play petty tricks during a mission.”

“That's good then.” Lin Xuan raised his wine bowl. “When do we set off?”

“Three days from now, at the hour of Chen, we gather at the mountain gate.”

“Alright.”

The two clinked their bowls and drank them dry.

Three days later, early morning.

Lin Xuan arrived at the Mountain Gate Square right on time. He wore tight-fitting green robes, with the startling thunder whip hanging at his waist and the qingyun sword on his back. His Storage Pouch was fully stocked with Medicinal Pills and Talismans.

Chen Hao had already arrived and was talking to Zhang Meng. Zhang Meng was a sturdy man in his early thirties, with a square face, thick eyebrows, and large eyes. His cultivation at the Peak of the third level of Qi Refining gave him a steady aura, and he stood there like an iron tower.

Seeing Lin Xuan approach, Zhang Meng took the initiative to greet him, cupping his hands with a smile. “Junior Brother Lin, sorry to trouble you this time.”

“You're too polite, Senior Brother Zhang. We'll look out for each other,” Lin Xuan returned the gesture.

Just then, the other person arrived.

Li Ming looked to be twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with a lean build and a cold, stern face. He wore tight-fitting dark red robes, with a crimson longsword hanging from his waist. When he saw Lin Xuan, his eyes narrowed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.

“Senior Brother Li.” Lin Xuan greeted him proactively.

Li Ming nodded without saying much, only telling Zhang Meng, “We can set off.”

The atmosphere was somewhat subtle.

Chen Hao quickly smoothed things over. “Everyone is here, let's talk as we walk. Black Wind Cliff is over sixty miles from here, we need to hurry.”

The four left the mountain gate, utilizing their movement techniques to speed toward the northwest.

On the way, Zhang Meng briefly introduced the details of the mission and their respective divisions of labor: he would lead the attack, Chen Hao would provide support, Li Ming would be responsible for scouting and guarding, and Lin Xuan, having cultivated lightning techniques, would specialize in dealing with Yin-evil ghosts.

Li Ming occasionally added a few words in a flat tone, betraying no emotion.

Lin Xuan observed silently.

Zhang Meng indeed possessed the bearing of a captain, making reasonable arrangements and thorough considerations. Li Ming did not speak much, but every time he did, he hit the nail on the head, clearly being highly experienced. Chen Hao, on the other hand, did his best to liven up the atmosphere, trying to ease the stiffness between the two.

This team did have strength, but their hearts were not united.

Two hours later, Black Wind Cliff came into view in the distance.

It was a steep, grayish-black cliff, its face riddled with large and small caves like a honeycomb. Although it was clearly midday, a thin layer of gray mist shrouded the foot of the cliff, blocking out the sunlight and making the place look eerie and gloomy.

“The Black Wind Cave is just ahead.” Zhang Meng stopped and pointed to a cave entrance at the foot of the cliff that was about two people high. “The Yin Qi is leaking out from there.”