At daybreak the next morning, a great crowd of menial laborers gathered in the Work Assignment Courtyard.
They had only just received their talisman coins yesterday, so everyone was in rather high spirits and in the mood to cluster together for idle chatter.
“Have you all heard? Those two vicious dogs, Zhang San and Dong Si, met with disaster!”
“Ugh, don’t mention it. I live right next to the big tiled house where those two stay. Zhang San’s mother wailed the whole night, making such a racket I didn’t dare close my eyes!”
“Dong Si had it even worse. When I went out for work, I went over for a look. That face of his looked like it had been rolled around the furnace in the tempering room. Tsk, tsk. Died with his eyes wide open!”
“They say Brother Yi was the one who did it…”
Everyone talked at once, voices rising in a clamor, their gazes involuntarily drifting toward He Laohun.
There was no helping it. After all, Brother Yi no longer had to work now, so it was rare to see him in person.
“Old He! Give us a hint, tell us about it!”
Someone in the long queue began to stir up the crowd, urging He Laohun to say a few words.
“That’s right! Brother Yi is only at the third level of Qi Refining, isn’t he? Yet he could take care of Zhang San and Dong Si. He must have cultivated some incredible skill!”
Someone immediately chimed in, full of curiosity and eager to sniff out some news.
Dozens of people spoke over one another, making the place noisy and lively.
Zhang Chao and Dong Ba, those two vicious dogs, had thrown their weight around for so long that everyone knew their methods better than anyone.
For Brother Yi to suddenly remove them without a sound naturally left them both shocked and frightened.
One point had to be made clear: though Qianji Sect was a demonic Dao lineage, those struggles of killing for treasure, plundering, harming lives, and mutual slaughter in truth had little to do with the menial laborers at the bottom.
The reason was simple.
More than eighty percent of the outer sect’s menial laborers would find it difficult in this lifetime to even touch the threshold of the fifth level of Qi Refining.
Since they could not open the Origin Gate Inner Palace, they could not refine the spiritual mechanisms of heaven and earth, and thus could not be called true cultivators.
They either worked for the sect, saving enough talisman coins to descend the mountain and retire, or went to the market towns to be hired hands, relying on some craft to put food in their mouths.
They were like the grains of sand and blades of grass found everywhere across Nanzhan Continent, living ordinary lives of mediocrity and insignificance.
The Foundation Establishment cave abodes, mighty expert ruins, fortuitous encounters, and chances so often seen in storybooks had nothing whatsoever to do with them.
The vast majority of these menial oxen and horses bitterly cultivated Qi Refining.
Even to the end of their lives, they might never experience so-called “magical combat.”
“I don’t know anything. I slept deeply last night and didn’t hear a thing.”
Had it been the He Laohun of the past, with so many eyes on him, he would surely have sprayed spittle everywhere and launched into a torrent of nonsense.
But after experiencing this affair, he had changed that bad habit of boasting wildly and made up his mind to keep his mouth shut.
He Laohun understood the principle that a tall tree catches the wind.
Brother Yi had stood up for him, only then displaying his ability and eliminating Zhang Chao and Dong Ba, those two vicious dogs.
He himself could not repay kindness with enmity by talking too much, ruining things, and exposing Brother Yi’s details.
“Old He…”
There were still some who refused to let it go, but when the gate of the Work Assignment Courtyard opened, they unexpectedly saw Jiang Yi come out together with three young Daoist attendants.
The many menial laborers fell silent at once.
Back when Brother Yi had just become an inspector, everyone had still felt that he was young and amiable, and had not held much fear or reverence toward him.
Now Zhang Chao and Dong Ba had, in the space of a single day and night, ended with one crippled and one dead.
Only then did everyone realize in alarm that this Brother Yi was someone swift and decisive, resolute in killing.
“Inspector Zhang of the Engraving Workshop has broken his leg. Inspector Dong of the Forge has lost his life. For the time being, I will manage the miscellaneous affairs of the workshops.”
Jiang Yi stood on the steps, his brand-new Daoist robe matched with his fair, clean features, making him look every bit like a handsome young gentleman.
Yet the words that came from his mouth carried ample weight:
“Before the middle of the month, I will request several duty officers to select suitable personnel to serve as inspectors. I hope all of you will apply yourselves and work to the best of your ability.”
The many menial laborers hurriedly gave their assent and said in unison:
“We respectfully obey Inspector Jiang’s instructions!”
Clang, clang, clang!
Once the bell of Guanlan Peak rang, everyone went off to their respective workshops.
The packed crowd abruptly scattered, and no one asked again what would become of the crippled Zhang Chao and the suddenly dead Dong Ba, or how the aftermath ought to be handled.
Forget Crimson Flame Peak—even in the entire outer sect, what year did not see several dozen lives lost?
As long as those above did not pursue the matter, the menial laborers who lived like oxen and horses would not worry over it too much either.
“Brother He, keep a closer eye on things.”
Jiang Yi descended the steps, gave He Laohun an instruction, and then went straight toward Yang Xun’s residence.
He pondered to himself:
“As expected, lives in the outer sect aren’t worth much. Forty thousand talisman coins are enough to settle things, enough to make the two duty officers of the Engraving Workshop and the Forge turn a blind eye and not weigh the matter too heavily.”
Of course, part of that was also because they were giving Yang Xun face.
Otherwise, the “compensation” Jiang Yi had to pay would likely have been even more.
“Old Zhou from the Forge didn’t say much. That man only looks at money. Once you gave him the talisman coins, he was perfectly happy to find another useful talent to replace Dong Ba.”
Jiang Yi had not gone far when he saw Yang Xun on the mountain path.
The other man had his hands clasped behind his back, standing in the snow in a black robe, particularly eye-catching. His hoarse voice drifted down:
“Old Tang from the Engraving Workshop, on the other hand, surprisingly didn’t trade barbs with me for once. That fellow is always noisy, but today he was straightforward for a change.”
“It is all thanks to Duty Officer mediating on my behalf and smoothing things over.”
Jiang Yi stopped below him and respectfully cupped his hands in salute.
After resolving the trouble with Zhang Chao and Dong Ba, he had asked the Heavenly Book a question.
The result he obtained was: “safe and sound.”
With Yang Xun stepping forward, Tang Cong, the duty officer of the Engraving Workshop, and Zhou Guang, the duty officer of the Forge, did not pursue the matter excessively.
The two happily accepted the talisman coins and treated the matter as over.
Otherwise, the disturbance might not have died down so quickly.
Yang Xun asked as if casually:
“This old man is somewhat puzzled. Why did you kill Dong Ba but leave Zhang Chao alive?”
“Reporting to Duty Officer, I felt Dong Ba was vicious and narrow-minded, prone to stirring up trouble, so he had to be removed.
As for Zhang Chao, though he is sinister, he has already been scared out of his wits and can no longer raise any waves, so I left him alive to suffer a little.”
Jiang Yi answered truthfully.
Presumably, the two menial laborers living under the same roof as Zhang Chao would “take good care” of him.
“Your thoughts are quite meticulous, and your methods are formidable enough as well!
Zhang Chao is crippled and cannot work. Sooner or later, the outer sect will take him away to be used as ‘consumable material.’
For every extra day he clings to life, the many menial laborers of Crimson Flame Peak will hold another measure of awe toward you, Inspector Jiang.”
Yang Xun’s voice was like a night owl’s as he laughed heartily.
“This old man was previously worried, thinking that even if you entered the inner sect, you started too late and might not be able to establish yourself.
Now, it seems that worry was unnecessary.”
Jiang Yi said:
“I was merely borrowing Duty Officer’s tiger skin to raise as my banner. What methods could I possibly be said to have?
If one must speak of methods, it is only that Duty Officer is a towering tree, allowing me to bask in your light and receive the shade of your protection.”
Listen to that. How pleasing those words were to the ear.
Yang Xun could not help the corners of his mouth from rising. He shook his head and said:
“Killing relies on blood courage. Even a rabbit will bite when pressed too hard. There is nothing unusual about that.
But before doing something, being able to consider the consequences; after it is done, knowing how to bring it to a close—
That is what is truly rare.”
Jiang Yi remained silent.
When praised by a superior, excessive modesty was no good, as it appeared false;
but outward complacency was no good either, as it lacked steadiness.
At such a time, saying nothing was better than having a glib tongue.
Yang Xun slowly walked along the mountain path and asked in an indifferent tone:
“Have you truly cultivated the Lesser Forging Origin Fire-Control Art to minor achievement?”
Without hesitation, Jiang Yi replied:
“How would I dare deceive Duty Officer? It was precisely by relying on the Fire-Control Art reaching minor achievement that I had the confidence to do something like borrowing money to buy lives.”
That was true. Zhang Chao and Dong Ba were both at the third level of Qi Refining and were also proficient in fist-and-foot combat, as well as blades, spears, staffs, and clubs.
If not for the Fire-Control Art reaching minor achievement, Jiang Yi could not possibly have suppressed those two vicious dogs so cleanly.
Yang Xun drew in a deep breath, as if making some major decision. After a long while, he spoke:
“How confident are you that you can break through to the fourth level of Qi Refining by the start of spring?”
Jiang Yi did not answer immediately, as though seriously pondering it.
The Tiger-Wolf Ointment and Green Ganoderma Pulp complemented each other, continuously driving the progress of his third-level Qi Refining cultivation.
By rough estimate, this kind of considerable growth could continue for another seven or eight days. After that, he would have to rely on his own diligence and hard work to grind and temper himself.
Thus, Jiang Yi answered rather conservatively:
“Around sixty percent.”
Yang Xun’s face twitched.
How long had it been since this brat broke through to the third level of Qi Refining? Did he truly think accumulating cultivation and advancing one’s attainment was as simple as eating and drinking?
Yang Xun continued:
“I may as well be frank with you. The fourth level of Qi Refining is not enough even in the inner sect.
Only by opening the Origin Gate Inner Palace and stepping into the fifth level can one be considered qualified to make people look at you properly.
But refining the spiritual mechanisms of heaven and earth involves many intricacies and great expense.
Take Qianji Sect, for example. Many inner sect senior brothers rely on the support of an entire clan before they can continue cultivating.”
Jiang Yi could not help falling silent.
For oxen and horses to turn their fate around was as difficult as ascending to the heavens, unless they had a noble patron’s help.
This principle, of course, he understood.
Yang Xun coughed lightly twice and said:
“This old man asks you this: after entering an inner peak, will anyone provide you with talisman coins and support?”
Jiang Yi shook his head.
Yang Xun then asked again:
“Then how many talisman coins can you save before the start of spring? Can you reach two hundred thousand?”
Jiang Yi still shook his head.
Two hundred thousand talisman coins?
That would require draining all the “surplus grain” from every menial laborer on Crimson Flame Peak.
Yang Xun sighed, the palm hidden in his sleeve clenching tightly.
“Then what a pity. Even if I give you an inner peak seat, so what?
After a few years of being unable to cultivate, you will still be driven out in disgrace.
Without backing in the sect, it is very difficult to stand firm.”
Jiang Yi stood on the lower slope of the mountain path, looking up at Yang Xun, the black-robed duty officer.
He bowed deeply, then said:
“If Duty Officer does not disdain me, Jiang Yi is willing to serve at your side in the future and care for you in your old age!”
Yang Xun was first stunned, an expression of astonishment appearing on his fierce face. Then he laughed.
“You certainly know how to adapt to circumstances and read the room. You are like a fine talent fit for cultivating the demonic Dao!”
“From now on, don’t call me Duty Officer anymore. It sounds too distant.
Call this old man ‘Grandfather,’ and the inner peak seat will be yours.”
Jiang Yi’s expression did not change as he called out with incomparable naturalness:
“I will do as Grandfather commands.”