38: Chapter 38 Watching the Dogs Fight

Early the next morning, Chu Sheng stretched as he walked out of the Listening to Bamboo Pavilion, his mood bubbling with joy.

Last night's trip had been a massive harvest.

With his Qi Induction Fourth Grade cultivation, he had swept through the warehouse without any effort.

He had looted half of the medicinal herbs in the Black Wind Stockade's warehouse.

It wasn't that he didn't want to take it all; he simply couldn't carry it all on his back.

Those of high quality, sufficient age, and rare on the market all went into his Storage Pouch.

Along the way, he also brought back that broken Pill Furnace he had swiped in the simulation; although it was second-hand junk, it was at least a proper Pill Furnace.

It was much better than the temporary shed he had set up.

"Tsk, this haul was worth it."

Chu Sheng happily weighed the Storage Pouch in his hand.

Xiao Huan was nearby drying medicinal herbs; seeing his expression, she couldn't help but ask.

"Big Brother Chu, did you find some money?"

"Even better than finding money."

Chu Sheng grinned, "I've found a shortcut to making a fortune."

He didn't elaborate, and Xiao Huan didn't ask further.

This girl's greatest virtue was her sensibility; she never asked about things she shouldn't.

It was the third quarter of the Chen hour.

Chu Sheng changed into clean clothes and swaggered out of the Lin Manor.

This time he did not restrain his aura, letting the spiritual pressure of his Qi Induction Fourth Grade cultivation leak out faintly. The rogue cultivators he met along the way gave way one after another, and even the town's dogs detoured around him.

Black Wind Hollow, the stockade's main gate.

The two lackeys guarding the gate saw a young man swaying toward them from a distance and were about to shout a challenge.

Suddenly feeling a sense of oppression rushing toward them, their legs went weak, and they nearly knelt.

"Wh-who are you?"

"Go inform your stockade master."

Chu Sheng stood with his hands behind his back, a smile on his face, "Say that the Lin family's Attendant Chu, Chu Sheng, has come specifically to pay a visit."

The lackey scrambled inside.

In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Song He personally came out to greet him.

The pressure Chu Sheng exerted was much greater than he had imagined.

His face was piled with smiles, displaying great enthusiasm.

"Oh my, Attendant Chu's presence is a great honor! Forgive me for not welcoming you sooner!"

Song He cupped his hands in greeting, "Please come in! Please, come in!"

Chu Sheng laughed inwardly, but maintained a polite facade.

"Stockade Master Song is too kind. This humble one is a newcomer and should have visited long ago, but I simply haven't had the time."

The two of them entered the Loyalty Hall chatting and laughing.

Song He set out a banquet, a table full of delicacies from the mountains and seas, attending to him as diligently as if he were serving his own father.

After three rounds of drinks, Song He asked tentatively: "Attendant Chu, have you come this time with any instructions?"

Chu Sheng put down his wine cup and sighed.

"Stockade Master Song may not know, but although This humble one is a Lin family attendant, my foundation is still shallow. In this Qingshi Town, I still need to rely on the support of various friends. I heard that Stockade Master Song has a good relationship with Attendant Han, Han Li?"

Song He's eyes flickered, and he gave a dry laugh.

"Not at all, we both just work for the Lin family and look out for each other, that's all."

"Then that makes things easy."

Chu Sheng raised his wine cup.

"This humble one is a newcomer; if I fall short in the future, I hope Stockade Master Song will put in a good word for me before Attendant Han."

"We are all serving the Lin family, why should we let harmony be disrupted?"

Hearing this, Song He said, "Attendant Chu is being too formal! We're all brothers! Come, drink!"

The two of them exchanged toasts, chatting fervently.

Song He tried to probe Chu Sheng's intentions several times, but Chu Sheng deflected them all seamlessly.

While they were half-drunk, a lackey rushed in panic and whispered a few words in Song He's ear.

Song He's face changed abruptly. He slammed down his wine cup and stood up suddenly.

"What?!"

Chu Sheng held his cup, looking concerned: "Stockade Master Song, what's wrong?"

Song He's face was ashen as he gritted his teeth.

"I won't hide it from Attendant Chu, the stockade... has been robbed! More than half the herbs in the warehouse were stolen!"

Chu Sheng raised an eyebrow, his heart blooming with joy, but he put on a shocked expression.

"Such a thing happened? In this Black Wind Hollow, who would be so bold?"

"If I find out, I'll skin them alive!"

Song He was so angry he slapped the table.

"That batch of herbs was the wealth I've saved up for half a year! All gone!"

Chu Sheng took a sip of wine and said thoughtfully.

"Stockade Master Song, I don't know if I should say this."

"Please speak, Attendant Chu!"

"Near Qingshi Town, there are probably very few who would dare touch the Black Wind Stockade."

Chu Sheng put down his wine cup.

"As far as I know, besides the Lin family, there are the Wang and Li families. The Lin family has Attendant Han, so they naturally wouldn't touch your things. That leaves..."

Song He's pupils contracted: "You mean... the Wang family or the Li family?"

Chu Sheng spread his hands.

"I didn't say anything. I'm just reminding Stockade Master Song that one must always be on guard against others."

Song He's expression shifted as he paced back and forth.

Chu Sheng continued to add fuel to the fire.

"I heard that the Wang and Li families have been moving frequently lately, seemingly expanding their businesses. There's only so much profit in Qingshi Town; if they want more, someone naturally has to give some up..."

"Bang!"

Song He smashed his fist onto the table.

"What a Wang family and Li family! I'm not finished with them!"

Chu Sheng quickly held him back.

"Calm down, Stockade Master Song, calm down. You can't reach a conclusion based on my words alone. Why not send someone to investigate first? What if it's a misunderstanding?"

Song He took several deep breaths and gradually calmed down.

"Attendant Chu is right, I was impulsive."

He sat back down, his gaze toward Chu Sheng becoming a bit closer.

"Thank you for the reminder, Attendant Chu. If you ever need anything from me, just ask!"

Chu Sheng smiled and cupped his hands: "Of course, of course."

After another round of drinks, Chu Sheng stood up to take his leave.

Before leaving, he took a small jade bottle from his robe and pressed it into Song He's hand.

"Stockade Master Song, a small token for our first meeting. This is a Yangyuan Pill I refined; it's of some benefit to cultivation, please accept it."

Song He took the jade bottle and opened it; a medicinal fragrance wafted out, and he immediately beamed with joy.

"Attendant Chu is too kind! Come visit often in the future!"

Chu Sheng waved his hand and swayed his way down the mountain.

After walking three miles, he looked back toward Black Wind Hollow, a smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"That fellow Song He is easier to fool than I thought. Letting him go and fight like a dog with the Wang and Li families saves me so much trouble."

He touched his Storage Pouch; that batch of herbs inside was still 'warm'.

"As for Han Li's side..."

His gaze turned cold, "Take it slow, no rush."

By the time he returned to the Lin Manor, it was already evening.

As soon as Chu Sheng entered the Listening to Bamboo Pavilion, Xiao Huan came to meet him and said in a low voice.

"Big Brother Chu, Young Master Lin Hao came by this afternoon, saying he had something to discuss with you."

Chu Sheng's brow furrowed.

Lin Hao?

That fellow was looking for trouble again?

"Did he say what it was about?"

"He didn't."

Xiao Huan shook her head, "He just didn't look very happy; he paced around the courtyard twice and then left."

Chu Sheng grew thoughtful.

Lin Hao was narrow-minded and suspicious.

Having failed to win him over last time, he surely held a grudge.

Plus, Han Li probably hadn't been idle in fanning the flames...

"It seems I need to be on guard."

He mused, "Beating him to death would be easy, but he's a young master of the Lin family; it would be hard to explain if he died. And then there's Lin Wanqing..."

He sighed.

These interpersonal relationships were more troublesome than refining pills.

Late at night, Chu Sheng sat in the courtyard, wiping his qing feng sword while reviewing today's operations.

The Black Wind Stockade side was temporarily stabilized.

Song He's head was now full of the Wang and Li families stealing his things; he wouldn't suspect him for a while.

When he and those two families started tearing into each other, he could just fish in troubled waters.

As for Han Li, there was no movement yet.

He was likely watching and waiting for Chu Sheng to make a mistake.

Lin Hao...

"Forget it, I'll take it one step at a time."

Chu Sheng sheathed his sword, "Anyway, with Strong Luck on my side, I'll deal with whatever comes my way."

He looked up at the night sky; the moon had grown a bit rounder.

The countdown for the fourth simulation had ten days left.

"In ten days, I'll be a hero once more."

He smiled and turned to go into the house.

As the night deepened, the Listening to Bamboo Pavilion returned to tranquility.

But Chu Sheng knew that this tranquility wouldn't last long.