Chapter 111, Showcasing a Corpse and Clan Leader’s Reward

Translator: Raznick

 

According to the information gleaned from the apprehended rogue cultivator, the Foundation Establishment cultivator who suffered in Zhou Chun’s fight was named Shen Han, a rogue cultivator who had reached the Foundation Establishment less than thirty years ago.

 

He originally practiced under the banner of a rogue cultivator organization, frequently assisting other rogue cultivators in dealing with formidable demon beasts, and wasn’t stingy with sharing the profits, earning a decent reputation.

 

Therefore, a rogue cultivators who discovered the Eight Antlers Stag alongside Zhou Jiacheng informed him of this information, seeking a reward afterward.

 

In this regard, Shen Han could be considered a clever individual; at least he understood the principle of a steady stream, and wouldn’t easily resort to burning bridges.

 

However, he overestimated himself this time, attracting the attention of someone he shouldn’t have.

 

Thanks to the early report from Zhou Jiacheng, who had returned to the clan, an enraged Zhou Daoyi had personally sent transmissions to all friendly clans, requesting them to gather information about Shen Han.

 

He also privately made promises to leaders of multiple rogue cultivator settlements, offering a direct reward of two thousand spirit coin if they provided the exact whereabouts of Shen Han.

 

With this multi-faceted approach, Shen Han, who was recovering from injuries at a rogue cultivator settlement, was soon betrayed by a Foundation Establishment Stage rogue cultivator.

 

Then Zhou Daoyi, the Clan Leader of Zhou Clan, personally went to the rogue cultivator settlement and waited in ambush.

 

When Zhou Jiarui led Zhou Chun and others, using a combined water and land transportation method that took several days, to transport the remaining three Eight Antlers Stag to Nine Peaks…

 

The corpse of Shen Han had been brought back by Zhou Daoyi, who had personally gone to retrieve it.

 

“Zhengchun, I’m glad you’re alright. I have decided to hang this man’s corpse outside the estate for a hundred days, so that rogue cultivators in Mist Province would know better than to harm our clan.”

 

Inside Central Palace, after Zhou Daoyi personally checked Zhou Chun’s injuries, hi expression softened and then coldly spoke about how Shen Han’s corpse would be dealt with.

 

This was the first time a rogue cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Stage directly attacked cultivators of the Zhou Clan after the clan established roots in Nine Peaks.

 

An example had to be made!

 

Therefore, even if it wasn’t Zhou Chun the victim, the successor he highly valued, Zhou Daoyi, as Clan Leader of the Zhou Clan, would absolutely not tolerate such behavior.

 

It was for this reason he didn’t hesitate to request assistance from various clans and offered heavy rewards to induce Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators to provide intelligence.

 

He must make those rogue cultivators understand that targeting cultivators of the Zhou Clan would result in their corpses being displayed for all to see, regardless of the cost.

 

Only then could a deterrent be created against those rogue cultivators who believed they were invincible.

 

This would prevent them from easily attacking cultivators of the Zhou Clan for a small profit.

 

Zhou Chun certainly had no objections to Shen Han’s corpse being displayed for public view.

 

Although the action was somewhat inhumane, it was absolutely necessary.

 

Lesser actions would not be enough deterrence.

 

However, although he knew Zhou Daoyi’s relentless pursuit of Shen Han was mainly for the collective benefit of the clan, Zhou Chun still felt immensely grateful and moved by his effort in avenging him.

 

He immediately said with gratitude, “How could I, a humble junior, deserve such generosity from the Clan Leader!”

 

“No need for such words. I do this not only to make it right by you, but also for the safety of all cultivators of the clan.”

 

Zhou Daoyi waved his hand, carefully avoiding any insincere praise regarding how much he valued Zhou Chun.

 

Then, he looked at Zhou Chun and said, “Jiarui and Jiacheng told me of your performance. If it weren’t for you, the clan might have lost several talented members. This contribution must be rewarded!”

 

After a slight pause, he nodded and said, “Alright, including the reward for this mission, I will grant you five hundred clan merits, as well as two inferior second-grade talisman and a superior first-grade flying artifact.”

 

The reward was considerable.

 

However, considering Zhou Chun’s losses, it was reasonable.

 

During the battle with Shen Han, Zhou Chun had not only used a precious second-grade implement, but also consumed a highly valued Dragon Blood Restoration Pill, two Qi Restoring Pills, and dozens of first-grade talisman.

 

The combined value of these items would not be less than one thousand spirit coin.

 

The reward given by Zhou Daoyi was adequate.

 

Therefore, Zhou Chun accepted the reward with a clear conscience.

 

After receiving the reward, he returned to his residence to rest.

 

Because he sustained significant injuries in this mission, and they were sustained in the line of duty, Zhou Daoyi had specially approved a three-month rest period for him.

 

But in reality, after resting for almost a month, Zhou Chun had almost fully recovered.

 

At this time, Shen Han’s body, which had been exposed and left to die outside Nine Peaks, had been sun-dried into a husk.

 

And this matter, through the mouths of those rogue cultivators who went to cultivate on Nine Peaks, quickly spread through the rogue cultivator circles in Mist Province.

 

Because the Zhou Clan did not betray the Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator who revealed Shen Han’s whereabouts, other rogue cultivators, upon hearing this, were shocked at the Zhou Clan’s power and skill, being able to find him so quickly and bring him to justice.

 

Even some cultivating clan unaware of the specifics were astonished by the power the Zhou Clan displayed in this matter, forcing them to re-evaluate the Zhou Clan’s influence.

 

It could be said that this deterrent worked as intended.

 

The first cultivator of the Zhou Clan to consume an Elevating Spirit Fruit to attempt Foundation Establishment had a result.

 

The result was unfavorable!

 

This cultivator attempting Foundation Establishment Stage was Zhou Jiaqing, ranked fifteenth.

 

After failing to reach Foundation Establishment, he suffered a severe backlash.

 

Ultimately, he narrowly managed to save his life, but his meridians were damaged, making a full recovery impossible; he had become a cripple.

 

Given his age of eighty, he likely had few years left to live.

 

This outcome also dealt a blow to the other two who had Elevating Spirit Fruit and secluded themselves to attempt Foundation Establishment.

 

Their fervent fantasies about Foundation Establishment cooled significantly.

 

However, the other two already secluded themselves to attempt Foundation Establishment from the Zhou Clan and didn’t know.

 

Upon learning this, Zhou Chun could only silently wish well to his thirteenth aunt, Zhou Jiahe, hoping that she would reach Foundation Establishment.

 

Then he said goodbye to Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi and left Nine Peaks.

 

After a few years, the pills he had for advancing cultivation were almost gone, and they were of a quality that provided little benefit to his current cultivation.

 

Zhou Chun intended to purchase some superior pills from the market at Li’s Pharmacy to accelerate his cultivation to Twelfth Layer of Qi Refining Stage.

 

He exited the Nine Peaks a short distance before reaching for his storage bag and summoning a silver long ruler.

 

This silver long ruler was precisely Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi’s reward to Zhou Chun, a superior first-grade flying artifact dubbed the Iridiscent Ruler, and it had previously been used by Zhou Clan’s prodigal Qi Refining cultivator, Zhou Zhengkang.

 

Compared to the bamboo leaf-shaped flying artifact Zhou Chun had used previously, the Iridiscent Ruler not only had a faster flight speed, but could also emit silver spiritual light to protect its user, allowing him to fly swiftly as high as three thousand meters.

 

Zhou Chun had been unable to use this item within the clan estate before, to avoid certain clan members being reminded of the object and forming a particular opinion of him.

 

Now that he was in the expansive outside world, he no longer needed to worry about anything and directly stepped onto the ruler, and then, under the urging of spiritual power, he controlled the ruler to soar upwards, rushing to three thousand meters high.

 

Upon arriving at this altitude, confronted with the onslaught of frigid winds, Zhou Chun immediately intensified the injection of spiritual power into the ruler beneath his feet.

 

A surge of silver spiritual light emanated from the ruler, quickly forming a wind-blocking shield before him in accordance with Zhou Chun’s intentions.

 

Then, with a flick of his mind, he directed the artifact forward at high speed.

 

He looked like a clear streak of silver light darting ahead.

 

However, although the exhilaration of high-altitude flight was enjoyable, it greatly consumed spiritual power.

 

With an added wind-blocking shield, the consumption of spiritual power increased by nearly twenty percent.

 

The advantage of Foundation Establishment cultivator’s spiritual flight became evident here; they did not need to worry about any wind influence at all.

 

Therefore, after flying at that height for a while, Zhou Chun dropped lower.

 

Thanks to the new flying artifact and his own noticeably enhanced cultivation, Zhou Chun’s trip from Nine Peaks to Red Cliff Market this time was nearly six hour shorter than before.

 

The progress was significant.

 

However, upon arriving at Li’s Pharmacy, Zhou Chun discovered that the pharmacy manager was no longer Li Siyuan, whom he was familiar with, but another unidentified middle-aged man from the Li Clan.

 

Then, upon inquiry, he learned that Li Siyuan, for his merits in managing the pharmacy, had returned to the Li Clan to pursue Foundation Establishment.

 

This elicited a sense of wistfulness in his heart.

 

At this moment, Zhou Chun could almost imagine the feelings of his Sixteenth Uncle Zhou Jiasheng, who was also dispatched by the clan to manage the shop in the market, upon hearing this news.

 

But he could only feel a sense of wistfulness for this senior, and was powerless to help further.

 

Therefore, after chatting for a while with the new pharmacy manager, he explained his purpose.

 

“Uncle Li, does your pharmacy have any pills that can improve my current cultivation?” he asked. “The several pills I’s taken in recent years have become less and less effective.”

 

He knew that Li Clan cultivators were not necessarily proficient in alchemy, but those who could manage a pharmacy certainly possessed extensive knowledge of pills.

 

Therefore, he even specifically mentioned the names of the few advanced pills he had taken, to avoid incorrect recommendations.

 

After all, the two clans had been acquainted for over a thousand years; the other side would certainly not deceive him, nor dared they.

 

As expected, after listening to his words, the other side pondered for a moment before looking at him and saying, “If nephew Zhengchun says so, then only Golden Bud Pill might meet your requirements.”

 

Zhou Chun immediately nodded and said without hesitation, “Since Uncle Li recommends it, give me a vial of Golden Bud Pill to try it out.”

 

“The Golden Bud Pill is quite expensive; one costs sixty spirit coins, and a vial of five costs three hundred. Nephew Zhengchun, perhaps you should first buy one or two to try it.”

 

Zhou Chun smiled at this moment and said, “It doesn’t matter; the price justifies the quality. Even if this Golden Bud Pill is not that effective, I can give it to other clan members; Uncle Li need not worry.”

 

“Alright, since you said so, then I’ll sell it to you.”

 

The shopkeeper, Li, visibly relaxed at Zhou Chun’s words, and promptly retrieved a vial of Golden Bud Pill and handed it to him.

 

He also instructed, “The Golden Bud Pill has a long-lasting effect and a gentle nature with minimal pill toxicity. Nephew, you can take one every forty days, and be sure not to mix it with other pills during that time.”

 

“I understand, thank you, Uncle Li.”

 

Zhou Chun acknowledged, bid farewell, and left the pharmacy.

 

As he stepped out of the pharmacy’s door, he saw a man and a woman walking towards the shop.

 

After a brief glance at the pair, Zhou Chun casually walked away without a second thought.

 

But the female cultivator froze on the spot and fixed her gaze on Zhou Chun’s retreating back.

 

“What’s wrong? Do you know him?”

 

The female cultivator’s change in demeanor quickly caught the man’s attention, prompting him to quietly ask.

 

At his words, a flash of hatred appeared in the female cultivator’s eyes, and she looked at him and asked, “Husband, do you remember the promise you made to me when we married?”

 

The man was momentarily taken aback at her words, then said with a look of surprise, “Could that person just now be…”

 

“Yes, it’s him! I would recognize him even if he were reduced to ashes!”

 

The female cultivator said, her words laced with deeply rooted resentment.

 

“But didn’t you say he was only at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining? Barely a few years have passed. How could he have reached the Eleventh Layer of Qi Refining Stage?”

 

The man frowned, seemingly reluctant.

 

The female cultivator immediately flushed with anger, glaring at the man and saying, “What do you mean by that? Do you intend to go back on your word?”

 

The man immediately softened his tone, quickly grasping the female cultivator’s hand and soothing her softly, “My dear, don’t be angry. I simply feel that for our safety, we should ascertain the situation before acting, we shouldn’t be reckless.”

 

But the female cultivator was not fooled, and directly shook off his hand, saying, “There isn’t that much time for us to investigate. As you’ve seen, he has already reached Eleventh Layer of Qi Refining Stage cultivation in less than ten years. If we don’t act now, who knows whether he will have reach Foundation Establishment when we see him again?”

 

Then she added a harsh warning, “In any case, whether you help or not, I am determined to act!”

 

“My dear…”

 

The man looked at the female cultivator with an expression of astonishment and anger, unsure why his wife, who had always been docile and obedient towards him, had suddenly become like this.

 

But seeing her turn and walk away, he hesitated for a moment before still unable to resist chasing after her.