Longevity starts with choosing Hextech enhancement

Chapter 307 Zhang Cunfu, a petty man, is willing to serve the True Lord.
"Move those two boxes to the corner! And hurry up!"

"Why are these small wooden boards still new? Take them all apart and don't overlook any possible hidden layers."

"Everyone, pay close attention and keep your eyes peeled."

"Anyone who dares to be negligent, even if I, the chief steward, want to protect you, you cannot bear the wrath of the True Lords!"

Inside the market warehouse, Zhang Cunfu, who had just returned after the smell of alcohol had dissipated, heard the manager's sharp reprimand.

"Old Zhang, what's wrong with you?"

Steward Li turned around abruptly, his triangular eyes flashing with cold light: "I asked you to go to East Street to pick something up, how could you take so long?"

“You’ve been working in the warehouse for a long time. What’s the critical moment now? You’re still dawdling like usual. Can’t you pay a little more attention?”

"You're in charge of being on duty this month."

"If we can't find that cultivation manual..." Steward Li drawled ominously, "you should know what the consequences will be, right?"

Upon seeing Zhang Cunfu arrive, Manager Li immediately launched into a barrage of shouts.

He had long been annoyed by this guy who, relying on his connections in Fudi, had taken over half of the warehouse management.

It's really unlucky for the other party this time, as they just happened to run into this kind of trouble.

Ideally, the True Lords would be so angry that they could arrest him and make him take the blame, thus removing a thorn in his side.

"Manager Li's reminder is correct. I'll go check it out right away."

Zhang Cunfu forced a dry smile onto his face.

But in his heart, he couldn't help but curse: "What are you barking for? What a damn good dog!"
It's really unfair, why do those spirit thieves always have to attack when he's on duty?

If there were truly no evidence, Zhang Cunfu would have suspected that Steward Li might have secretly colluded with the spirit thieves.

But since things have come to this, he can only accept his bad luck and hope that the worst will not happen.

"Manager Zhang, we've found a suspicious piece of wood here."

A trusted aide quickly approached and pulled out a wooden plaque with an old, worn luster from his sleeve.

The surface of the card is densely covered with twisted cipher text, which gleams with a faint vermilion color in the sunlight.

They deliberately slowed down their movements, leaving the pile of scattered planks to be dismantled last, in order to cover up the discovery.

At this moment, the monk deliberately bypassed the crowd and handed the wooden plaque directly to Zhang Cunfu—instead of in the direction where Steward Li was.

"Hmph~!"

Upon seeing this, Steward Li, who was not far away, let out a harsh snort from his nose, and his face instantly darkened.

Two venomous glints flashed from his triangular eyes, piercing the cultivator's face as if he wanted to carve a mark on him with his gaze.

These clueless idiots!
Even in this dire situation, they still wholeheartedly follow Zhang Cunfu, the deputy chief steward.

He's obviously the kind of stubborn person who won't listen to reason!
He made a deep grudge in his heart, determined to teach these opportunists a lesson they would never forget after dealing with Zhang Cunfu.

The reason Steward Li was so angry was that he wanted to use some tricks.

If the newly discovered technique is handed over to him for safekeeping, wouldn't there be room for manipulation?

Of course, he would never actually keep a Heaven-level cultivation technique to himself; that would be courting death.

If they cannot find the whereabouts of the Heaven-level cultivation technique, the sect will never give up and will definitely expand the scope of their suspicions.

But it can be found in another place.

If this thing were to mysteriously appear among the items handled by Zhang Cunfu, and then be rediscovered in front of everyone, then this matter could become an ironclad case.

Unfortunately, there are always some people who can't see the situation clearly and cause trouble here.

"show me!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Cunfu's spirits lifted, and he quickly took the wooden sign to examine the top and bottom.

Unfortunately, a hint of disappointment soon appeared in his eyes.

Without needing to examine the contents of the wooden plaque closely, he could quickly discern from the sect's unique secret mark at the top that it was nothing more than a failed attempt at improving a Yellow-level spell.

When researching and improving exercises, deviations are inevitable.

Therefore, such things are the least valuable items, and the sect is full of all kinds of failures.

If only this is found.

This will not help alleviate Zhang Cunfu's current situation at all.

But he still patted his trusted aide on the shoulder: "Very good, another one found. Everyone has worked hard, but we still need to put in more effort to find the rest as soon as possible."

"If there's still a chance after this matter is resolved, I'll treat everyone to some spirit fish."

At this point, Zhang Cunfu had very few spirit stones left after spending his time bribing officials and smoothing things over.

However, he still made a promise, hoping it would have some effect.

Only those who survive have the right to worry about money; if he gets arrested, then he can't be blamed for breaking his promise.

Sigh, where is that Heaven-level cultivation technique?

Looking at the busy crowd in front of him, Zhang Cunfu sighed inwardly.

If only someone could lend a hand right now.

But this is undoubtedly unrealistic, since the only ones who can help him right now are probably the few Nascent Soul True Monarchs in charge of the investigation.

The problem is that he's not familiar with any of the True Lords, so who will help him?
Zhang Cunfu subconsciously touched the now empty storage ring.

To smooth things over and say a few kind words, he would need to gather a large sum of spirit stones, but where could he find that?

Feeling troubled, Zhang Cunfu sat in the warehouse yard, lost in thought.

Fortunately, no one cared whether he was slacking off or not; everyone was busy working and searching the remaining items for any hidden martial arts techniques.

It was the largest market town within a radius of hundreds of thousands of miles.

The warehouses of Guiyun Market were astonishingly large; the ledgers alone were three feet thick.

Finding the hidden martial arts techniques among this mountain of goods is no easy task.

Steward Li was still preoccupied with the plan to switch the beams and pillars.

Therefore, after working for several hours.

He then assigned Zhang Cunfu another task: "Old Zhang, at the beginning of the year, Bai Dan Ge took a batch of pills from here."

"There was also a box containing pills that was taken there but was never returned."

"Go there right away and get your things back."

Zhang Cunfu frowned slightly upon hearing this: "This matter requires Fellow Daoist Qi to..."

He hasn't finished speaking yet.

Manager Li suddenly raised his voice: "Oh dear, everyone is busy right now, I have to keep an eye on them to check the warehouse, so you're the one with the most free time."

"Besides, they're not familiar with the manager of Baidan Pavilion, so it would be difficult to communicate with him."

"Alright, it's settled then. You should go now and not waste any time."

Actually, these were all just excuses made up on the spot. The main reason was that Zhang Cunfu was sent away so that he could find an opportunity to do something.

As for whether they might let the other party escape, it's practically impossible.

Not to mention that Zhang Cunfu's entire family is here, just the fact that Zhenjun is now in charge means he neither dares to run away nor can he go far.

If they escape, they will only confirm their guilt.

"Fellow Daoist Li, are there any other items you wish to retrieve? If so, it would be better to take inventory all at once, so I don't have to make a second trip."

Zhang Cunfu already sensed that something was wrong.

Are there things that can't be brought all at once and have to be taken separately?
But since he was the deputy manager, it wasn't easy for him to continue arguing. He could only ask for clarification first to prevent being distracted by this excuse later.

"Let me take a look."

Steward Li secretly regretted it and pretended to search for it.

Then he replied, "Oh, there really is. The Xu family shop took three boxes of spirit ore last year. Why don't you go there and bring the boxes back?"

Zhang Cunfu reluctantly accepted the task.

Then he came out of the warehouse and quickened his pace, heading straight for the north side of the market.

This is absurd. Baidan Pavilion is on North Street, and Xu Family Shop is on South Street, yet on their first trip out, they arranged for themselves to go to East Street.

Nobody would believe that Manager Li wasn't deliberately trying to annoy him!
Zhang Cunfu was extremely vigilant, but he didn't have any good solutions.

I can only hope that things go smoothly along the way and that nothing unexpected happens while I'm not in the warehouse.

However, he didn't know if something would happen to the warehouse, but he did have an accident halfway through.

Due to the no-fly zone formation within the market, Zhang Cunfu deliberately took a back alley known only to locals in order to save time.

Just as he was about to step out of the alley...

A soft call suddenly came from behind him.

"Fellow Taoist, please stay!"

The voice wasn't loud, but it came from almost a foot behind him, making it clear to his ears.

what?
Zhang Cunfu was immediately taken aback.

He immediately turned his head and saw that, at some point, a handsome but unfamiliar young man dressed in white feather robes was standing three steps away from him.

In that instant, he felt the hairs on his body stand on end.

This distance is just too close!
If the other party had any ill intentions, the flying sword would probably have already pierced his back by now.

However, Zhang Cunfu did not notice anything before the other party spoke.

Even though he could clearly see the other person, his divine sense told him that there was no one in the alley behind him.

“Fellow Daoist Zhang, I see that your face is dark, you must have encountered some trouble recently.”

Xiao Chen smiled and said, "Why don't we have a chat?"

He was still thinking about how to find an opportunity, but the other party actually slipped into an empty alley. They were so cooperative.

How did you know my surname is Zhang?

Zhang Cunfu's pupils contracted to pinpoints, his eyes filled with wariness: "And who are you?"

At this particular time, they encountered a powerful and suspicious stranger.

Is this possibly a good thing?

As he looked at the slightly smiling lips of the young man in feathered robes, his heart sank.

Should he call for help now?

Or should we choose to run away?
If I were to take action, what are my chances of survival?
Many thoughts flashed through Zhang Cunfu's mind, and his whole body involuntarily stiffened.

My breathing involuntarily became three degrees more rapid.

Even the flow of true energy within the meridians suddenly felt somewhat sluggish.

A bead of cold sweat slid from his temple down his sideburns to his chin, but he didn't bother to wipe it away.

"Why ask me, Fellow Daoist Zhang? Don't you already have the answer in your heart?"

Xiao Chen looked relaxed, showing no fear of the other party turning against him.

He first gave Zhang Cunfu an encouraging and affirming look.

He deliberately gave the other side a few moments to think.

Finally, he coaxed her gently, "Look at you, don't be so nervous, I'm not going to eat you."

"I've come here with the utmost sincerity to seek cooperation with you."

"If you're willing to cooperate, I have plenty of ways to save you."

Xiao Chen wasn't lying. Although he was new to the place, he was sure he had a solution, and theoretically it should be feasible.

Whether it will actually work is another matter entirely.

As the saying goes, do your best and leave the rest to fate. *Gulp*

Zhang Cunfu swallowed hard.

Oh no, I've actually been approached by the demonic cultivators from the Reverse Immortal Alliance.

Why is he so unlucky!
After much internal struggle and doubt.

Zhang Cunfu silently recited a defensive spell, trying to keep his tone calm: "You've mistaken me for someone else."

"I, Zhang, am a member of the Guiyun Sect in life and in death. I will never betray the sect."

Despite being under immense pressure.

However, Zhang Cunfu is still trying his best to make the right decisions.

Unless there is absolutely no other choice, he must first refuse outright, regardless of whether he ultimately agrees or not.

Firstly, doing so can test the other party's sincerity in cooperating.

A person who betrays easily will not be valued anywhere.

Secondly, the other party is a stranger, and what if this is a test deliberately designed by the Guiyun Sect?

If he agrees, he'll be walking right into a trap.

Therefore, after careful consideration, Zhang Cunfu mustered up his courage and declined the invitation.

Why refuse so decisively?

Xiao Chen remained unperturbed upon hearing this, still smiling, "Won't you listen to my conditions first?"

Since the other party did not shout for help, nor did they choose to run away or resist, it shows that they were already somewhat wavering.

He guessed correctly; Zhang Cunfu was indeed wavering.

After all, Guiyun Sect has treated him badly, and now he even faces the risk of taking the blame.

Since we've already been unfairly suspected anyway, we might as well actually join the Reverse Immortal Alliance; perhaps things will take a new turn for the better.

Despite repeated emphasis from above, these evil practices are utterly inhuman.

However, according to some inside information obtained by Zhang Cunfu, the Reverse Immortal Alliance is not entirely composed of ruthless killers.

Among them were also relatively normal cultivators who were simply dissatisfied with the major blessed lands and secretly banded together to fight against them.

If you encounter this faction.

Perhaps he could manage things a little better because of his status.

Zhang Cunfu fell silent.

Silence is sometimes an answer.

"There are three major benefits to working with me."

Xiao Chen held up three fingers in sequence: "First, I'll only tell you one thing, and I guarantee it won't be difficult for you."

"Secondly, I will pay for the spirit stones you use to smooth things over with your superiors and subordinates."

"Third, if you are unwilling to continue this cooperation, then let's part ways amicably. I can guarantee that I will never contact you again in the future."

These three conditions are clearly very lenient.

Zhang Cunfu gritted his teeth and asked, "What do you want me to do?"

He wanted to hear the specifics before making a decision.

But this question was exactly what Xiao Chen wanted to hear.

He deliberately avoided mentioning specifics, only emphasizing that it wasn't difficult, just to pique the other person's curiosity.

If the other party chooses to ask further questions, it's as if they've already given in once.

Once something happens, it will happen again. Once you hear about a task that is indeed not difficult, it will be much easier to agree to it a second time.

"Find a way to bring out a fourth-tier wood-type yellow-level cultivation technique for me from the warehouse."

Xiao Chen emphasized again: "It's just a mere Yellow-level cultivation technique. This should be a very simple matter for you, right?"

"I can also provide you with many spirit stones."

"Is one million enough? How about two million? Or even more? That's fine, as long as you can explain their purpose."

"After this is done, I can help you solve the rest of your problems."

Zhang Cunfu was tempted.

The condition proposed by the other party was much simpler than the life-or-death, earth-shattering event he had initially envisioned.

There is no need to set up a blood sacrifice formation, nor is there a need to risk stealing core secrets.

"You really only want one Yellow-level cultivation technique?"

Zhang Cunfu couldn't believe it, so he asked in return, "No other requests?"

In fact, this matter involves a fourth-level cultivation technique, and it is by no means simple.

However, compared to the legendary "great achievements" of the Reverse Immortal Alliance, this was far too easy and too gentle, not at all like the behavior of the demonic path.

This made him feel incredulous.

"of course not."

Xiao Chen answered decisively: "I think you should believe the promise made by a True Monarch, shouldn't you?"

He subtly released a trace of his own aura, then quickly concealed it.

This is both a way to leverage one's cultivation level to increase one's own advantages and a form of deterrence.

After all, Xiao Chen couldn't keep an eye on the other party all the time, and he also had to prevent the other party from pretending to agree to him but actually going back to secretly report him.

The fact that he is a Nascent Soul True Monarch means that even if he betrays the party and reports them, it may not be effective.

On the contrary, it may bring even more serious consequences in the future.

"I, Zhang Cunfu, am willing to serve the True Lord."

Without much thought, he bowed and agreed.

He was already wavering, and now he had no room to refuse.

The problem is, if this is the only possible outcome...

Why couldn't you have come earlier and chosen to take action last month or next month?

Of course, Zhang Cunfu only dared to say this in his heart and certainly wouldn't dare to reveal it.

On the surface, he forced a smile: "Rest assured, Lord True Lord!"

He then deliberately repeated his request: "I promise to bring you a fourth-tier wood-type yellow-level cultivation technique."

Xiao Chen reached out and patted his shoulder: "Then I'll wait for your good news."

Then he took out a spiritual fruit: "By the way, it's so late, you haven't had dinner yet, have you?"

"Then let's eat this to fill our stomachs."

This was a common third-tier spiritual fruit that he had picked in the Hundred Herbs Secret Realm.

"Oh, good, good."

Zhang Cunfu looked at the special 'poisonous' fruit, which was as red as blood on the outside and whose variety he could not recognize even after working in the market for many years.

Without daring to ask any more questions, he took it with trembling hands.

I didn't even dare to chew it; I practically swallowed it whole.

Fortunately, that spiritual fruit was only the size of an egg.

Even so, Zhang Cunfu's eyes immediately welled up with tears.

It's unclear whether she was choked up or simply too touched by Xiao Chen's sudden concern.

But in any case, the food had already been eaten.

It's a 'pirate ship' we have no choice but to board.

Zhang Cunfu quickly calmed down and respectfully asked, "True Lord, how should I contact you after I obtain the cultivation manual?"

Normally, this would indeed be a big problem.

After all, if the next transaction is conducted in a place that is dangerous for Zhang Cunfu, he might be killed to silence him.

In this way, in order to ensure his own safety, he might not work properly.

But if he chooses a place that is relatively safe for him.

It's very likely that he won't be the only one coming; there will also be Nascent Soul True Monarchs from the Guiyun Sect.

Therefore, deciding on a location is often a major challenge.

“I’m not really familiar with Guiyun Market. Where do you think it’s safest for us to trade? Let’s choose that place.”

Xiao Chen simply threw the question back at him.

The reason he doesn't pick and choose a place is firstly because he's really unfamiliar with the area.

Secondly, he was relatively confident, both in terms of his own safety and in the success of the transaction.

Zhang Cunfu must have harbored resentment towards Guiyun Sect.

At this moment, agreeing to help him solve his troubles is tantamount to extending a lifeline to someone who has fallen into the water.

If he's not stupid, he should seize this opportunity.

"I'll choose?"

Zhang Cunfu was somewhat taken aback upon hearing this. He quietly looked up and saw that Xiao Chen had a mysterious smile on his face.

He wouldn't believe a statement like "not very familiar" without even a punctuation mark.

The opponent, a dignified Nascent Soul True Monarch, immediately revealed his surname as Zhang, clearly indicating that he had made thorough preparations before coming.

Oh, he understands!
This issue is actually a test.

He tests the sincerity of his cooperation by judging whether the transaction location he chooses is safe or dangerous.

Thinking of this, Zhang Cunfu suddenly felt a great deal of pressure.

Which place should I choose?

He needed to ensure his own safety without arousing suspicion in the other party.

The two conditions are completely contradictory, so there's no such thing as a place where you can have the best of both worlds, right?
"Your Excellency, I believe this is the most suitable place!"

Zhang Cunfu recommended, "I am dull-witted and indecisive. But since you have chosen to meet me here, there must be a deeper reason behind it."

"In that case, this is the best place."

what?
Isn't it because you walked down this alley and there just happened to be no one there?

Xiao must have a deeper meaning. Chen was a little confused by his praise.

But on the surface, he showed an approving look: "Very good, you are indeed insightful and a smart person."

"Then I'll wait here for your good news."

"A smart person should do smart things, so don't let me down."

I stood in the alley and watched Zhang Cunfu leave.

Xiao Chen didn't wait in place any longer. Instead, he took a few steps back and went to a spirit weapon shop not far away.

We'll wait and then investigate what's going on with these spirit robes.

On his way here, he happened to see a piece of clothing with 'patches' hanging in front of this magical artifact shop.

So he released the "Secret Method of Xuanzong Harmony" and walked to the shop entrance.

He asked the approaching guest, "Is there anything special about this spirit robe?"

(End of this chapter)