latelenovela Chapter 234 Appeasing the Old Cultivator
Chapter 234 Appeasing the Old Cultivator
"Oh dear, you ignorant brat, you're dreaming."
The old Golden Core cultivator clenched his fist tightly, causing the armor and flesh to fuse together, with bones protruding from the gaps in the armor with a cracking sound.
"You're quite clever, aren't you? You threw out the treasure to lower people's guard, making them think that the item was back and catching the fugitive was just the hunting team's job? In reality, you've already gotten what you wanted, that map, right? It's engraved in your mind, in your soul."
The old Golden Core cultivator was particularly angry because this incident made others "think" he was inferior to the one guarding the treasure vault.
The Yunlu City Auction House has a Golden Core cultivator who is in charge of the shop. His task is to protect the treasure vault. Unless the city is attacked and the city lord personally asks him to take action, he will never leave.
He was the oldest and most versatile cultivator, skilled in the Dao of the Soul, with profound Daoist techniques and a powerful physique. It was precisely because of this that his talent was that of a Nascent Soul cultivator, and even now, as his lifespan was nearing its end, he was still at the Golden Core stage.
This little thief, unless he disguises himself as an appraiser or a guard transporting treasures, will not be able to escape the soul search of that powerful cultivator who owns the shop.
Instead of taking action at the auction, it only made it seem like he looked down on the specially invited high-ranking monk.
What, am I that much worse than him?
You're making your move at the auction, instead of waiting for others to leave after winning the bid, to ambush and kill them? Do you think they're more difficult to deal with than me?
Am I the worst?
The old man grew angrier the more he thought about it, and grabbed him, throwing him behind him. "Check it out! Search the soul! Just how important is this map that someone would give up their physical body to get it?"
After dealing with these matters, he flashed to Zhong Ming's side.
"You've got some skills, kid."
In the blink of an eye, a huge figure appeared before Zhong Ming. This old cultivator had very little flesh on his face and was as thin as a skeleton, but he was extremely tall and, after being wrapped in robes, had the demeanor of a great master.
His anger had not subsided, and his first action was not to reward Zhong Ming, but to put a hand on Zhong Ming's shoulder and ask, "Kid, tell me, why did he choose to make his move at the auction?"
"Hmm... Senior," Zhong Ming pondered for a moment, as if perhaps he should... logically praise this senior at this moment?
“Senior, I think he was trying to hide in the chaos, betting that the auction house would be dark and wouldn’t be able to find him. He was sure that you wouldn’t dare to go against all the guests, but he didn’t expect your strength to exceed his expectations. You really persuaded all the immortal masters and guests to be obedient and not dare to cause trouble, so the venue didn’t become chaotic.”
"advise?"
“In my hometown, people often try to mediate disputes, saying that one should be lenient when possible. Little do they know that the preceding phrase is ‘since emerging from the cave, there has been no equal.’ If the senior does not possess overwhelming strength, others will not easily back down. Once chaos breaks out, a melee might ensue, which would only benefit that little thief.”
Once chaos erupts, their attention will inevitably be focused on the rioters, and they might even send guards to arrest them or chase them out of the auction house. At that point, it will be too easy for the thief to find a chance to escape.
"Hmm, you're right."
The Golden Core cultivator's mood clearly improved. "Tell me, what do you want, and how should I reward you?"
"I dare not accept the reward. If it weren't for your decisive decision to send the divine beast to block the entrance, I certainly wouldn't have been able to control the situation below. I was just following your instructions to check everything one by one."
Zhong Ming knew perfectly well what to do now. If he could please this person and give back to him because of his own merits, the person would be much more generous than if he had asked for a reward.
"Hey kid, tell me, how did you figure out that guy was suspicious?"
The old cultivator seemed to be in a very good mood, willing to chat with a junior Qi Refining cultivator for so long.
"This junior has no such ability. I just kept those who seemed suspicious until the very end."
I also caught a glimpse of the duo whose faces were swollen like pig heads.
"Hmm, intuition, very good. Cultivation requires a lot of intuition, and your intuition is sure to be a good thing." The old man pondered for a moment, then waved his sleeve.
"what's your name?"
“Master Cuihong was a disciple of Maoshan Taoist Temple.”
"Alright, I am Yan Qinhai of the Yan family. I have been retired for many years and am not familiar with the situation in the military, but if you come to the Yan family, you will be treated as an honored guest. I see that you are already in the late stage of Qi Refining. Do you have the Foundation Establishment materials prepared? I have a leftover Foundation Establishment Pill here. How about I give it to you?"
"Boiled egg... Oh, this junior thanks senior for the Foundation Establishment Pill." Zhong Ming bowed deeply. He didn't know the exact value of the Foundation Establishment Pill, but since it was named after a cultivation level, it must be expensive.
"Then I'll go interrogate the criminal first. The suspect has been apprehended. You wait here and do as you please."
After saying that, the old man left in an instant, along with the three-tailed tiger demon.
Zhong Ming suddenly realized that he was still sitting, while his senior had been standing when he asked the question, which was rather... impolite.
"Captain, our men..." Xuan Jing jumped down from the second floor and saw a row of soldiers staring blankly at Zhong Ming, looking exactly like resentful women whose bodies had been taken from them.
"Uh, Captain..."
Suddenly, a burly man jumped up and questioned Zhong Ming, "How come Old Wu is gone? Why is Old Wu a prisoner? Where did Old Wu really go? Tell me!"
Captain Qi moved with incredible speed, and immediately kicked him in the back of the thigh, knocking him to his knees.
"The deceased has passed away; please accept our deepest condolences."
As Zhong Ming finished speaking softly, the sudden chill of early spring hit the ground heavily, and he slowly stood up.
"The matter is settled, so we'll be leaving now. Hope we meet again someday." Zhong Ming clasped his hands in a fist salute to the row of soldiers, then waved to Xuan Jing.
"Where are Brother Yue and the others?"
"I'm here." Yue Kaishan, carrying Chen Dahai's wheelchair, jumped down from the second floor.
They did nothing in this big event, just acted as security guards, and were really unhappy about it.
Zhong Ming stood up, about to say that they were just lucky not to encounter any enemies, but he was almost shot through the heart; look at his tortoise-shell armor, most of it was shattered at the chest...
Suddenly, he remembered the smell of the "elixir" the gray ape had made when it saved him, and he felt nauseous.
Hi~~~
......
An hour later.
"Thank you so much, Immortal Masters! I am so grateful. I will personally go to the army to present you with a banner and have your achievements engraved on a monument." The chubby auctioneer, with snot and tears streaming down his face, held Zhong Ming's hand tightly, shaking it back and forth without letting go.
My job is safe! The murderer was caught, the treasure wasn't lost, and what was originally a serious mistake of being dismissed became a minor oversight of "not entertaining guests well." A little money can make up for the damage.
"This is our VIP card. Please accept it. Yunlu City Auction House always welcomes you."
The man insisted on handing over a black card and a storage bag, but Zhong Ming refused to accept them, making a show of kneeling down and crying to the heavens.
They managed to throw the items in through the crack in the door just before the transport ship closed.