NOVEL NEXT Chapter 42: The Group
Chapter 42: The Group
The white fox seemed to have become a bit addicted. “Do you have any more questions? Feel free to ask them all at once, that way you won’t have to keep asking later.”
“…”
Xu Lian was speechless.
The previous questions had cleared up the fog around Green Bamboo Town for him, allowing him to understand more about the Yi Sect and the origin of the Night Patrol people. However, his circle of knowledge was still too small, and for a moment, he didn’t know what else to ask.
After thinking for a moment, he finally remembered an important question. “By the way, I know about the Skin Refining Stage, Muscle Refining Stage, Bone Refining Stage, and Marrow Refining Stage for warriors, but what comes after those stages?”
The white fox quarry patrol inspector replied, “Bright Strength, Dark Strength, Transformarion Strength, Grandmaster, Great Grandmaster, Transcendent, Void Realm, Divine Source, Return to Void, and Return to Truth. Do you have any other questions?”
“…”
Xu Lian felt that the fox was really getting into it. It seemed like it had grown fond of this role of teaching and solving others’ questions.
This exchange had indeed brought them closer together – not just as superior and subordinate, but with a touch of warmth.
“May I ask… are you male or female? Your voice sounds clear and crisp, so you must be female, right?”
“Female.”
“Can we meet in person?”
“You are not worthy.”
“???”
Dazed, the white cat watched as the white fox spun around and disappeared into the forest like a streak of white light.
Holding three items in its mouth, Xu Lian’s white cat avatar entered the forest and walked while pondering.
“This White Fox Quarry Patrol Inspector… I can almost guess its true identity. A woman, not very old, but very powerful, probably a female genius from a large faction.”
“The Yi Sect consists entirely of avatars and alternate identities. No one knows anyone’s true identity. The waters here are too deep. As an avatar myself, I should blend in and avoid contact with my main body to prevent anyone from discovering my true identity.”
This point was crucial.
In the Yi Sect, everyone entered the sect with avatars, like an anonymous group where no one knew each other’s true identity. If his personal ID and address got exposed, it would be very awkward.
Awkwardness was the least of his worries. The worst case scenario would be much worse!
After all, there must be some evil people, villains, or monsters among the Yi Sect’s many avatars. If his identity was exposed and someone found his real home… the consequences would be unimaginable.
“Be careful, careful, and more careful. Careful, careful, and more careful.”
Xu Lian’s white cat avatar silently repeated these thoughts.
Like a white streak, it moved swiftly through the forest.
Reaching a large tree, the avatar used its small paws to dig a hole in the soil, burying the three items in it.
Once done, it left the spot and found a hollow tree to curl up in. It closed its eyes and entered into a state of dormancy.
More than an hour later, Xu Lian’s main body arrived at the tree where the items were buried. He unearthed the three items: the blue jade token, the seal of the Pingyang County Inspector, and the first volume of the Breaking Wind Sword Technique.
He kept the blue jade token and the Breaking Wind Sword Technique, and tied the Pingyang County Inspector’s seal to a string. Then he buried it again, knowing that only the White Cat Avatar could use the seal. He could definitely not use it himself, or else his identity would be exposed.
The string was tied so that the White Cat Avatar could wear it around its neck, making future tasks easier.
Once everything was done, he left the spot quietly.
When he returned to the mine, the sky was already darkening.
“Time to call it a day, open the warehouse and release the grain!” Xu Lian announced.
After the miners lined up to receive their rations and left, the four overseers happily brought four black donkeys along with Xu Lian’s horse.
Zhang Yuan, Pu Ling, and Lin Bufeng were naturally thrilled to receive their black donkeys.
Yang Ye, who already had a black donkey, received ten taels of silver and was also happy.
Xu Lian reached out and took the reins of his horse. “I have to take care of something in the next few days, so I won’t be able to come to the mine. You’ll have to take care of things here. I hope I don’t find any problems when I return.”
He was preparing to go to Stone Town to collect stone marrow.
Since joining the Yi Sect, his horizon had broadened, and he realized just how vast the world was. He also understood his own insignificance, which only strengthened his resolve to increase his power. Only by continually improving himself could he carve out a place for himself in this chaotic world.
Pu Ling was about to say something when Zhang Yuan beat him to it, patting his chest. “Brother Lian, don’t worry. I’ll watch over the mine. I guarantee that nothing will go wrong!”
Xu Lian was less reassured and pointed at Pu Ling. “While I’m gone, the mine will be your primary responsibility, Pu Ling.”
Pu Ling hurriedly bowed and cupped his fists, saying, “Thank you for your trust, Manager Xu.”
Zhang Yuan, clearly dissatisfied, chimed in, “Brother Lian, as the saying goes, ‘Brothers fight side by side in war, father and son fight together in battle.” We’ve been friends since childhood, so why would you be worried about leaving the mine to me?”
However, Xu Lian knew him too well. With Zhang Yuan’s nature-his petty triumphs and unscrupulous ways-if the mine were entrusted to him, at least two major problems would arise. First, Zhang Yuan would undoubtedly find a way to secretly embezzle a large amount of the mine’s wealth. Second, he would surely abuse his position to take advantage of the female workers, corrupting the lives of many families in the process.
Lin Bufeng was too young and naive to handle such a responsibility.
Yang Ye, though well-meaning, was a people-pleaser who didn’t want to offend anyone, which made him unsuitable for such a task.
Only Pu Ling had the ability and determination. More importantly, Pu Ling knew how to discipline himself. Even though he was an overseer now, he hadn’t taken a woman home yet.
Even Yang Ye, the honest man, had brought a young woman home, but Pu Ling had not, showing that he harbored long-term ambitions and a desire to improve himself. He wasn’t satisfied with the fleeting pleasures of the moment.
In Green Bamboo Town, people at the bottom of the social ladder lived day by day, but someone like Pu Ling – ambitious and driven – was incredibly rare.
Xu Lian held Pu Ling in high esteem. If he could be properly nurtured at the mine, he might prove to be useful in the future.
Back at home, Xu Lian explained that he had received notice to go on a business trip for a few days. Unsurprisingly, Li Xiya, Yang Chan’er, and Wang Cuiyun were all worried, their natural fear of the unknown world outside the city setting in.
Of course, each woman had her own unique set of concerns.
Li Xiya’s worry stemmed from the deep bond they shared as a couple, to the point where she was willing to follow him through life and death. Her worry was the purest form of worry.
In addition to her feelings for him, Yang Chan’er’s worry likely carried a tinge of self-interest. If something happened to him, she would lose the comfortable life she had now, and her own family would return to its impoverished state.
Wang Cuiyun’s concern was also quite pure, but without the emotional attachment. She was simply worried about what would happen to her if Xu Lian got into trouble. Who would take care of her in her old age? And she expected that person to provide for her in a comfortable, luxurious manner.
“Don’t worry. I have the jade token issued by the higher-ups with me. Even the people from the night patrol will have to avoid me. Nothing will happen.”
Xu Lian reassured them, and after a while, the three women felt slightly more at ease.
That night, perhaps still carrying some lingering worry, Li Xiya became particularly proactive and passionate.
Of course, Xu Lian was pleasantly surprised. It was rare for her to act this way.
After a long time, Li Xiya’s emotions finally calmed down. She said softly, “Be careful on the road. I’ll wait for you to come back.”
“Mm.” Xu Lian replied.