Chapter 141 - Washing Hands (Final) (Patreon)

When he left the Sea Monkey Inn at nightfall, Lucian felt mentally exhausted.

She’s very energetic, he thought with a faint smile. But I bet she's more spent than I am.

During the entire morning and afternoon, he and Verdant Creek had been negotiating. It was a game to see each other's bottom line and how deep they could go.

In the end, Lucian left feeling half satisfied and half concerned.

Being unable to cultivate gave her time to practice the arts of leadership and negotiation, as it seems, he thought, recalling the entire ordeal and how quickly she composed herself once they started talking about benefits.

Lucian had never expected her to be easy to deceive, nor had he believed he could force her to hand over too much before curing her condition. Even so, it would be a lie to say he didn’t expect to gain more than what was given.

Cultivation manuals, fifty Jade Spirit Stones, one Qi Condensation artifact, detailed analyses of the twelve meridians, seven chakra points, and three dantians, and people to help in my experiments. That’s all I’ll get before curing her, he recalled with a sigh.

Most of what he requested was disguised as a need to adapt his mysterious technique to affect other people and to review his knowledge of basic cultivation.

Verdant Creek had no issue providing those things. However, feeling he needed to push further so his true necessities would not become obvious, he had also requested Spirit Stones and artifacts.

His probing paid well enough. He discovered that Foundation Establishment artifacts were so rare that the Vice-Lord refused to provide one until after she was cured. Even then, she would offer a single artifact, either an investigative or an offensive one.

When he inquired about other types, she laughed and told him it was delusional to think she possessed movement-type artifacts or defensive artifacts of that level. The best she could do was find a slowly healing type, at the Qi Condensation realm, for now.

Cultivators value their lives above all else, Lucian thought with a nod. The ability to escape from a stronger foe or defend from a powerful surprise attack could save them from dangerous situations and battles.

Because of how the conversation unfolded, Lucian did not dare ask about Core Formation artifacts. Doing so would either reveal his lack of knowledge or make him look ridiculous.

Amidst his thoughts about the negotiation, Lucian arrived at the warehouse. He ignored the movement of servants and workers as usual and jumped over walls and guarded gates.

Then, his nose twitched, and he frowned.

What happened?

Expanding his hearing, Lucian filtered out the random conversations and noises as he abruptly changed direction toward an underground room. He moved like a ghost, his eyes colder than usual.

They are silent, he thought, hearing the labored breaths and slow heartbeats as he stopped before a wooden door.

Opening it, Lucian was immediately greeted by the strong scent of blood mixed with medicinal herbs and a pungent odor. Glancing to the side, he saw Wang Chen, who had been sitting nearby, quickly stand and nod toward him with a peculiar expression.

It was a mixture of concern, anger, and a faint hint of eagerness.

Inside the room, several servants of the Bo Merchant Chamber hurried back and forth, carrying bloodied cloths and baskets of dirty water while applying medicine to two unconscious people on different mattresses.

Lying to the right was Hao Bang.

His body was covered in scorched wounds, medicinal paste covering half his face, while a constant groan escaped his open mouth.

Further away, on the left side, lay Chen Yuan.

The woman was barely breathing. Wheezing sounds escaped from her mouth and nose. Her chest had collapsed inward, and both her arms and legs were broken.

Observing their condition and the servants desperately trying to save them, Lucian turned toward Wang Chen.

“Tell me what happened.”

With a heavy nod, Wang Chen stepped closer and lowered his voice, not wanting to disturb the servants. “Chen Yuan was transporting a few people here. Apparently, they were under the protection of a minor force. She was forced to let them go and lost a few helpers in the skirmish.”

“Very daring of them to act against the Merchant Chamber,” Lucian said coldly, watching the wounded pair. 

Shaking his head, Wang Chen replied, “She wasn’t allowed to reveal who she worked for. Apparently, she’s been handling jobs that require a level of privacy. They didn’t know who they were offending, Benefactor.”

Pointing toward Hao Bang, Lucian glanced at Wang Chen. Understanding the unspoken question, Wang Chen sighed.

“The people she was transporting were meant for you. She came here for help, and Hao Bang overheard it. He was very, very angry. The two of them left together to resolve the issue.”

“Grandmaster Miao must be very timid to let this happen in broad daylight,” Lucian said, staring at the Qi lines connected to the servants.

To his surprise, Wang Chen immediately shook his head.

“He left around lunchtime, before Chen Yuan brought the news. Some servants told her and Hao Bang to wait, but...” he clenched his fists. “They didn’t dare to. They wanted to solve this before you came back.”

Lucian didn't need to see the way Wang Chen looked at him to know the duo feared him more than they feared a random gang, so they had taken the gamble. For them, disappointing Lucian could mean terrible consequences.

“This doesn’t explain how someone could beat them up and not be apprehended by the city guards or other forces,” Lucian said, eyes narrowed. He was considering whether there was a larger plot behind it. After all, neither he nor Grandmaster Maio was present, and his people were beaten senseless without a clear attempt at negotiation. It was too weird for him.

“It happened in the Broken Maze,” Wang Chen said. “I heard Hao Bang saying things had changed. Every criminal force was pushed there to make the city look better before the festival. He said it was becoming more lawless than before.”

This is partly the effect of my actions, Lucian thought with a frown.

He didn’t like this random thought. No, to be precise, he was aware that the previous thought wasn't correct.

No. The festival would happen regardless of the Tidal Massacre, and Madame Ching would still sell out the Shadow Alliance for a spot in the Sect Tournament. My role in all this wasn’t that significant. The Broken Maze is like this because of the City Council's actions!

Still frowning, Lucian said, “Tell me everything you know.”

Nodding with a conflicted expression, Wang Chen asked, “I’ll tell you, but... can you save them? I don’t know if they’ll survive those wounds.”

Turning around to leave the room, Lucian did not even glance at the injured pair. “Something like this isn’t enough to put down one of mine. Come. It’s time for you to gain some fighting experience.”

Stiffening in surprise, Wang Chen hurried after him.

“Shouldn’t I call for more people?” he asked, nearly shouting.

Scoffing, Lucian smiled.

“This is a banquet, Wang Chen. There’s no reason to share my food with others.”

Watching Lucian walk slowly through the corridor, surrounded by a dangerous aura, Wang Chen found himself growing excited.

He had been very sad and angered when he saw Hao Bang’s injuries. One thing he had not told Lucian was that Hao Bang had escaped while carrying Chen Yuan, both of them barely clinging to life, and had almost died on the way here. Nor had he mentioned that before passing out, Hao Bang had begged everyone not to tell Lucian that he had fled.

Not once had Hao Bang asked for revenge, nor did he assume Lucian would take pity on him and storm into the Broken Maze.

Wang Chen had been fairly certain Lucian would not care either way, but he chose to honor the request and only say the necessary to keep Lucian informed.

Now, however, seeing the cold anger seeping from Lucian, Wang Chen was glad he was wrong. He may not fully understand Lucian’s reasons for acting, but he knew exactly what he wanted.

He wanted to beat senseless every bastard who had dared hurt his little friend.