Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 74 How Will You Reward Me?
The hillside was in complete chaos. The Fenxianglou experts who had scattered and fled were captured one by one by the disciples of Tianxing Sword Sect. They all looked down dejectedly at the sight of their Grand Elder being beaten.

Zhang Shaoyou noticed that many others had escaped and fled... He knew it wasn't that the Heavenly Sword Sect couldn't catch them; they had deliberately let them go.

Once these people return to their sects and talk about this battle, they really can't go back... at least Zhang Shaoyou can't go back.

An hour ago, no one would have imagined that a battle that seemed like a crushing defeat based solely on the paper lists would end up like this.

The Heavenly Sword Sect suffered zero casualties... Even the Incense Burning Pavilion suffered few casualties. The only dead were Chang Qing, Zhu Lianfeng, and Cao Qiang, who were at the very core of the Incense Burning Pavilion. Other disciples were injured in the chaos, but none died. Most were captured, and a few escaped.

Sheng Yuanyao's request for "not to be too ruthless" was fulfilled perfectly.

In fact, the fact that the weak defeated the Fenxiang Tower was already a terrifying demonstration of power. There was no need for further bloodshed to prove it. On the contrary, it would spread a reputation for being just and peaceful, which would be beneficial to Shen Tang, to subduing these powerful figures, and even more beneficial to what Shen Tang wanted to do in the future.

Therefore, there's no need for Sheng Yuanyao to explain; Lu Xingzhou won't be too ruthless this time.

Zhang Shaoyou, of course, didn't understand any of this. Just look at the core of the Heavenly Sword Sect... three young people plus a child, so full of energy... Zhang Shaoyou felt like he had wasted his entire life's cultivation. The alchemists at the Incense Burning Pavilion were even more lifeless. The styles of the two sects were almost completely opposite.

Qin Buwang, Zhao Guishan, and others slowly walked out of the courtyard with dozens of people.

In fact, the sudden outbursts of these people alone could have caused Shen Tang a great loss, but Shen Tang seemed completely unaware of it, and instead smiled gently: "If any of you do not wish to join the sect, I will not force you, and you may leave on your own."

No one moved.

After a long while, Zhang Shaoyou spoke on behalf of everyone: "Sect Leader Shen, how do you intend to deal with us?"

"Dispose of?" Shen Tang asked curiously, "Why do you say that? You should say settle down."

He paused, then smiled and said, "The time we had to talk to you all this time was too tight. We only had time to talk to Protector Zhang and Protector Qin separately. We also wanted to talk to Protector Zhao, but there wasn't enough time. Do you know why we specifically chose you to talk to?"

Zhang Shaoyou said, "Because we are the strongest among the external protectors of the Incense Burning Pavilion?"

“No, it’s because you are all of good character.” Shen Tang said seriously, “Perhaps you still can’t believe it, but we sincerely invite you to develop the sect together, rather than simply letting the outcome of the battle at Fenxiang Tower sway your inclinations.”

Everyone was stunned.

Lu Xingzhou suddenly turned to Zhao Guishan, a body-tempering martial arts practitioner: "Brother Zhao, right? I originally wanted to find you, but I didn't have time. It's not too late to tell you now."

Everyone was even more stunned. The sect leader was talking to someone else, and this guest elder dared to interrupt. What was even more outrageous was that the sect leader actually shut his mouth and looked at him with beautiful eyes as he spoke.

With a belly full of ellipses, Zhao Guishan cupped his hands and said, "Mr. Lu, please speak."

Lu Xingzhou confiscated Chang Qing's ring, took out a pill and waved it: "This is the Grade 3 Breakthrough Pill you really want. Chang Qing has one, but he won't give it to you because he needs it to keep you on your toes. Do you think it's normal for Fenxiang Tower to do this?"

Zhao Guishan remained silent. Putting aside his feelings, he also thought this was a fairly normal thing to do. What if you were given what you wanted most and then turned your back on it? If he were the manager of Fenxiang Tower, he wouldn't just give it to you like that either.

Lu Xingzhou laughed and said, "This approach seems reasonable at first glance, but it's actually quite bad. Because Fenxianglou hasn't set any standards for you, it's like a carrot tied in front of a donkey... The real approach should be to make it clear in advance what kind of tasks you'll get. If there aren't any tasks that meet the required level for a long time, then you can accumulate a lot of low-level tasks to get it. Once the standards are set, Brother Zhao will have a goal and something to strive for, instead of suffering like this every day, not knowing when it will end."

A glint suddenly appeared in Zhao Guishan's eyes.

Lu Xingzhou said, "When I went to find Brother Qin Buwang, I made these things clear to him. If I had had time to find Brother Zhao at that time, I would have said the same thing."

Zhao Guishan looked at Qin Buwang, who nodded, indicating that he had indeed said that.

Lu Xingzhou said, "Therefore, it is a gentleman's agreement... We will definitely launch a counterattack on Fenxiang Tower next. If Brother Qin and Brother Zhao can perform well in this battle... Well, it's not good to say it like that, there's no standard for whether it's good or not... So let's do it this way, if the two of you can kill a strong person of equal cultivation in this battle, then after this battle, I will offer you a Grade 3 Breakthrough Pill. The rest of you can do the same."

Zhao Guishan's heart skipped a beat: "What if we just take it and leave?"

“Then the transaction is complete, and I haven’t lost anything.” Lu Xingzhou smiled. “Of course, as the sect leader just said, we sincerely invite you all to join the Heavenly Sword Sect. Ultimately, this is a matter of voluntariness, and there is no point in forcing it… We also believe that the Heavenly Sword Sect will be a good place for you all.”

The crowd looked at each other with somewhat strange expressions.

If we really fight against the Incense Pavilion, then besides you, who else would dare to take in such a traitorous creature? They would either have to hide their identities and flee to a distant land, or they would be bound and killed by your Heavenly Sword Sect.

But the fact that Lu Xingzhou said that made everyone feel very comfortable.

Because they felt respected, rather than treated as mere "outsiders" by the Incense Burning Pavilion.

Even knowing that he was just using the spoils from the Incense Burning Pavilion as a show of generosity...

Zhang Shaoyou finally spoke: "Anyway, if I can study your sect's first-grade sword technique, I am willing to become a guest elder of your sect."

“Not a guest elder.” Shen Tang smiled slightly. “Once you’ve learned the sect’s sword techniques, you’re one of the sect’s people. Hmm…would you be interested in the position of head of the Sword Peak Hall?”

Zhang Shaoyou's heart skipped a beat; he simply couldn't believe it. Was he really that magnanimous?

Looking around at the others, their expressions couldn't hide their emotion. Although Zhang Shaoyou wasn't the leader of these "outsiders," and many of them were merely nodding acquaintances, his influence was undeniable. If Zhang Shaoyou could directly enter the core of the Heavenly Sword Sect, why would the others fear exclusion or discrimination?
And this also means that Zhang Shaoyou brought a very strong force with him when he joined the sect... Is Shen Tang really not afraid that at a certain time, Zhang Shaoyou will turn the tables and rebel against him?
Shen Tang said calmly, "If you employ someone, you should trust them; if you doubt someone, you should not employ them. You all need not doubt. If you are all willing to join the sect, you will all be assigned positions."

Zhang Shaoyou took a deep breath and knelt on one knee: "Only after meeting the Sect Master do I realize how much time I wasted in the Incense Burning Pavilion over the years. I am willing to serve you."

Shen Tang pretended to help him up with a show of respect, but in reality, she was even more excited than he was.

This is a third-grade sword cultivator! There are also fourth-grade upper-level Dao cultivators and body cultivators! The others are all at the fifth or sixth grade. If this force truly joins, the Heavenly Sword Sect will completely become a dragon coiled in Xia Prefecture.

Before acquiring Lu Xingzhou, Shen Tang thought it would take at least ten years for the Tianxing Sword Sect to reach this level of strength, but unexpectedly, the world changed dramatically in just two months.

Having a land-based boat can save you ten years of hard work...

Dugu Qingli's gaze was also complicated. She had watched Shen Tang go from being penniless and even being poached by alchemists to where she is now. It would be an understatement to say that she had been reborn.

"Let's settle everyone in first." Lu Xingzhou winked at Shen Tang: "Sect Master, I... um, I have something to tell you."

With Tang Yunzhong and others from the Tianxing Sword Sect taking care of settling the newcomers, Shen Tang led Lu Xingzhou back to the dormitory.

Neither of them felt there was anything wrong with entering the dormitory; they'd been there countless times before. Dugu Qingli stood outside, her eyes filled with confusion.

When I pushed you in the door, you cursed at me. Now?
No, why should I stand outside?

Anuo's little head peeked out from the side and pressed against the door to listen. Dugu Qingli twitched the corner of her mouth, her face expressionless.

Never mind, this scene is more familiar.

Inside, Lu Xingzhou was saying to Shen Tang, "Although Elder Tang and the others didn't say anything, their faces showed some worry. Your next step is to upgrade your existing core layer of the Heavenly Sword Sect."

Shen Tang rubbed her temples: "I've realized that too, but improvement doesn't happen overnight."

“Improvement takes time, but confidence does.” Lu Xingzhou smiled. “The secret realm can now be opened to them, but only to them.”

A glint flashed in Shen Tang's eyes.

So that's how it is, it's that simple. By gaining the utmost trust from Uncle Zhong and the others, they will naturally no longer worry. Furthermore, the abundant spiritual energy of the secret realm will benefit their breakthroughs, and it won't be long before their cultivation is up to par, thus balancing the forces under their command.

"If we can successfully counterattack the Incense Pavilion, we can distribute the Incense Pavilion's reserves of pills to them. Don't say that the Sword Sect doesn't like taking pills; it's still worth taking them to help them break through to the next realm."

"Okay, I understand." Shen Tang bit her lower lip, her beautiful eyes seemingly filled with autumn water: "Don't you have anything to ask me?"

Lu Xingzhou chuckled and said, "Your hidden power?"

"Hmm." Shen Tang lowered her eyes slightly. This was probably the only thing she was holding back from Lu Xingzhou. If she revealed all her trump cards, then she would have no secrets left from him.

For some reason, it wasn't that I didn't trust him, but rather that I felt a strange sense of shame, as if I had been stripped naked.

Lu Xingzhou remained nonchalant: "You already told me you had assassins, but as for their specific strength and how many there are... everyone should have some privacy, and I won't ask."

Shen Tang's heart stirred slightly, and she looked up into his eyes.

Lu Xingzhou blinked: "But sister... with such a great achievement, how are you going to reward me?"

Shen Tang's heart pounded, and she stammered, "Guest Elder, you've done a little good and you want a reward? How about I give you a big slap?"

He raised his hand as if to slap her.

In reality, she was weak and powerless, and Lu Xingzhou easily grabbed her wrist.

Their eyes met, and a moment of silence fell over them.

Shen Tang's heart was beating faster and faster, and she suddenly felt grateful for the two people's wheelchairs.

If it weren't for this terrible obstacle, and if they were standing face to face like normal people, Shen Tang would find it hard to imagine how horrible the atmosphere would be.

Just as he was thinking this, Lu Xingzhou stood up.

(End of this chapter)