NOVEL NEXT Chapter 72: Spirit Stones in Hand
Chapter 72: Spirit Stones in Hand
The flower blooms at both ends, representing a branch on each side.
Lin Chengyu, accompanied by Xiao Yu, arrived at the dungeon and found Xu Lian in a clean and spacious cell.
Xu Lian reclined in a grand chair as two maids massaged his shoulders, two pounded his back, two fed him fruit, and two waved fans to keep the mosquitoes away.
In front of him was a grand feast, a table laden with exquisite dishes and delicacies.
“Brother Xu Lian, do you like living in the dungeon?” Xiao Yu giggled, covering her mouth.
Xu Lian opened his eyes and rose from the chair, spreading his hands helplessly. “I can’t help it. These maids told me that if I refused their service, the magistrate would scold them. They’re so pitiful that I had no choice but to let them serve me”.
Xiao Yu froze, thinking Brother Xu Lian was truly kind—yet something felt… off.
Picking up his chopsticks, Xu Lian sampled a dish. “This feast? Same story. The chef from Linjiang Tower said that if I didn’t eat, the magistrate would destroy their reputation. What could I do but reluctantly eat?”
Xiao Yu was stunned. Her mind struggled to process the situation.
Lin Chengyu, who stood to the side, was at a loss for words. He lowered his voice and said, “The magistrate has gone to our Lin family home.”
Xu Lian instantly understood Lin Chengyu and Xiao Yu’s reason for visiting the dungeon: they were sent to gauge his mood. Waving to the eight maids, Xu Lian said, “You may all leave for now. Don’t worry, I won’t let you go forever. I’ll call you back soon.”
The maids curtsied and left the cell.
Lin Chengyu spoke: “The magistrate asked me to inquire about your dissatisfaction and see how he might address it.”
At this point, Xu Lian saw no need to drag things out. He bluntly replied, “Gu Yanming’s carriage hit me, locked me in this dungeon for five days, and even plotted to kill me. Now the magistrate thinks a single banquet is enough to settle the matter? Does he take me for a fool? Not even a token of compensation?”
Lin Chengyu blinked in surprise and then quickly understood. “You’re saying you want compensation?”
Xu Lian didn’t mince words. “Exactly.”
Lin Chengyu’s expression became pensive. “But the magistrate mentioned that you have an impressive background, and you shouldn’t lack resources for cultivation. Is this compensation important to you?”
Background? Xu Lian wasn’t sure how deep his supposed “background” went, but he did know one thing: he was broke. While he had plenty of mundane wealth, he didn’t possess a single Spirit Stone, the fundamental resource for cultivators.
Of course, he wouldn’t admit his lack of cultivation resources outright. That would reveal too much to the magistrate.
Xu Lian replied, “Whether I lack resources or not is irrelevant. What matters is the magistrate’s sincerity. A mere banquet doesn’t prove that.”
His words were a masterful balancing act – implying that he didn’t need the resources while subtly demanding proper compensation.
Lin Chengyu nodded in understanding. “I understand. I’ll convey your feelings to the magistrate.”
Xu Lian decided to apply some pressure. “You might as well mention this while you’re at it: Tell him that I said detaining an imperial envoy in the dungeon is a grave matter. If word gets to the higher authorities, he’ll face severe consequences.”
Lin Chengyu gave Xu Lian a meaningful look and cupped his hands. “Understood. I’ll report everything truthfully.”
After hearing Xu Lian’s side of the story, Lin Chengyu and Xiao Yu quickly left for the Lin family’s estate.
Not long after, the magistrate himself hurried to the dungeon, carrying a jade box with him. He once again apologized profusely to Xu Lian.
When Xu Lian opened the jade box, he found over thirty translucent stones, each of which radiated spiritual energy. He immediately recognized them as Spirit Stones, the currency of cultivation.
However, he had no idea if thirty Spirit Stones were a substantial amount or merely a pittance.
However, upon careful consideration, Xu Lian realized that while the magistrate of Pingyang County appeared to hold significant authority, his position within the Yi Sect was likely not very high-perhaps only at the “Red” level. It was reasonable to assume that he didn’t have abundant cultivation resources. For him to offer over thirty Spirit Stones was already a sign of great sincerity.
With this in mind, Xu Lian accepted the jade box and expressed his willingness to forgive the magistrate.
The magistrate heaved a long sigh of relief; the matter was finally resolved.
As Xu Lian left the dungeon, a sudden thought occurred to him. Forcing the magistrate to part with his cultivation resources might have planted a seed of resentment. While the magistrate wouldn’t dare act against him openly, he might try to sabotage Xu Lian in more subtle ways.
After all, the chief official of a county could easily create minor obstacles behind the scenes.
So Xu Lian looked at the distant sky and casually offered some advice:
“During this time, Magistrate, you must not let your guard down. Maintain strict order in the county. I’ve heard that the newly appointed inspector might make a surprise inspection. This inspector is said to have a fiery temper, and if he catches wind of any mismanagement, there will be serious trouble”.
The magistrate’s face changed when he heard these words. He looked at Xu Lian with deep gratitude and bowed hastily. “Thank you for your guidance, esteemed envoy!”
The envoy is me, and the inspector is also me. I bet you didn’t see that coming…
Xu Lian just gave a short “Hmm” and left without elaborating.
Xu Lian rented a carriage and went to the Lin family’s estate. On the way, he remembered something.
“Qin Liu is still in the brothel.”
He instructed the coachman to make a detour to pick up Qin Liu from the brothel.
When Xu Lian arrived at the brothel, he froze at the sight before him.
What was this?
Bruised and battered, Qin Liu was standing at the brothel’s entrance, bowing and scraping as he invited customers inside. Was he acting as a brothel servant?!
The moment Qin Liu saw Xu Lian, he rushed over and clung to him, crying as though he had just found salvation. To see a grown man crying like that was truly heartbreaking.
Xu Lian frowned in confusion. “What happened? Who beat you up?”
Between sobs, Qin Liu explained, “Brother Xu, where did you go? You left me here alone! You paid for last night’s stay, but you didn’t pay for today’s. The brothel madam accused me of freeloading and had fifty-six strong men beat me up! Then she made me stand at the entrance as a servant to attract customers until I repaid my debt!”
Pfft… Xu Lian tried not to laugh but couldn’t hold it in.
Qin Liu was frantic. “Quick! Give me three taels of silver! Getting beaten up is nothing, but if word gets out that I freeloaded at a brothel, my reputation as a treasure hunter will be ruined!”
What are the odds that it’s already spread? Xu Lian handed him a silver ingot. “Take five taels and slam them on the madam’s desk. Tell her, ‘Keep the change-I’m no freeloader!'”
Qin Liu rushed in with a sense of urgency.
A short while later, he returned – with four taels of silver.
“What’s this?” Xu Lian was confused. “Didn’t she accept the money?”
Qin Liu explained, “I owed the brothel three taels. They reimbursed me two taels for medical expenses, so I only had to pay one tael. There was no way I was giving them five taels.”
Xu Lian nodded, impressed. He looked at the brothel’s sign and thought, As expected from a reputable establishment… fair and just.