Under the cover of night, inside a room.
"Elder Lu, this kid's methods are a little too wild. His nerve is far too great."
Zhang Qing spoke resentfully, pointing at several entries in the account book. "Elder Lu, he's only been here a few days, yet he already dared to embezzle this much. He even changed eight hundred into eighty."
Yet Elder Lu merely swept his gaze over the accounts calmly, the corner of his mouth curling as he said softly, "A petty trick that cannot be shown in public."
"But this kid truly has guts." As he spoke, Elder Lu slowly turned his eyes toward Zhang Qing, then said something loaded with meaning, scaring Zhang Qing until his face went deathly pale.
"At the very least, he has more guts than you."
Thud! Zhang Qing was so frightened that his face turned white, cold sweat pouring down him. "Elder Lu, I..."
"How much did you take?"
Under Elder Lu's calm tone, Zhang Qing's pale face twisted into an expression uglier than crying. He held up two fingers, his lips trembling. "T-Two hundred."
After saying this, Zhang Qing hurriedly explained, "Elder Lu, listen to me. I was originally planning to return it."
"Before this, I was dealing in human vouchers, and I was about to lose everything. That was why I entertained such thoughts. Elder Lu, you have to believe me. Those people's vouchers have already all been sold today. I was planning to secretly make up this shortfall in a couple of days..."
Watching him babble out explanations, Elder Lu glared viciously at Zhang Qing in annoyance. "You idiot!"
"I am an idiot. Elder Lu, I've followed you since I was young..."
"Shut up!" Seeing Zhang Qing's cowardly appearance, Elder Lu could not help kicking him to the ground. Pointing at his nose, he scolded, "Am I cursing you for being greedy?"
"I'm cursing you for being such a disappointment!" Elder Lu reprimanded him as though he hated iron for not becoming steel. "Look at Lin Chang'an. He's only been here a few days, and he already dares to be this greedy. Do you believe that if I called him over right now, he would absolutely admit to his greed with perfect righteousness?"
"You, honestly..." After venting, Elder Lu could not help sighing helplessly. The sect still needed people if it wished to grow strong.
Only then did Zhang Qing understand. His face showed the relief of someone who had survived a great calamity, and he repeatedly cupped his hands in gratitude. "Thank you for your mercy, Elder Lu."
Zhang Qing was regretting it to death. If he had known Elder Lu treated him so well, he should have confessed everything. What a fine chance to erase the accounts.
Yet after Elder Lu's anger subsided, he looked at Zhang Qing's appearance and sighed emotionally. "You handle matters steadily. Over all these years, though you have no great merit, you have committed no fault either. I have remembered it all. The sect still needs you if it is to grow strong."
"But this kid..." When Lin Chang'an was mentioned, Elder Lu could not help sneering. He saw through the other party's little schemes clearly.
"Elder Lu, not only is this kid bold, his ambition is not small either. Today, he even wanted two people to help him." This time, Zhang Qing shamelessly sold Lin Chang'an out completely.
Yet Zhang Qing had thought he could atone for his crimes with merit. Who would have expected Elder Lu to simply ignore him?
"Is it bad to have ambition?" Elder Lu snorted irritably. "I like people like this—capable and ambitious."
Those words left Zhang Qing somewhat dumbfounded. Since when had greed and ambition become good things?
Seeing Zhang Qing's baffled expression, Elder Lu shook his head and sighed in disappointment. "Here, I can give him the fame, wealth, beauties, and status he wants. As long as he has the ability. If he had no ambition, I would truly have to worry about this kid."
"A despicable villain is always far easier to deal with than a hypocrite, because with a villain, you know what he wants and what he needs. But with hypocrites, you never know what they are thinking in their hearts."
"I am not afraid of his ambition, nor am I afraid of his greed. I only fear that he lacks the ability to match it."
In Elder Lu's heart, there was only one word: value. Upon hearing this, Zhang Qing suddenly understood and cupped his hands. "Elder Lu, brilliant. This subordinate understands now. But what about this kid forming cliques?"
Hearing this, Elder Lu revealed a meaningful smile. "Once a duckweed without roots gains status and power here, is it still a duckweed without roots? Would it still be willing to let go of everything already in its hands?"
Those words immediately enlightened Zhang Qing. He raised a thumb in admiration. "Elder Lu, that move is brilliant. In any case, they're all beneath our noses."
Elder Lu smiled and nodded. "Therefore, I am not afraid of this kid being greedy or forming cliques! No matter how much he embezzles, won't it all be spent on himself in the end? Besides, power is more alluring than women. Once he has tasted the flavor of power, if you ask this kid to leave this place, would he still go?"
"Moreover, this kid is clever. Since he dared to drag you into the water today, he was likely testing me as well."
At this point, Elder Lu could not help letting out a hearty laugh. "At the very least, this kid is much better than those people who only think about buying back their freedom and escaping this place."
"This subordinate admires you." Zhang Qing's face was full of admiration, but inwardly he was almost sour to death. How many Spirit Stones had he even embezzled? He had still been frightened out of his wits and scolded harshly. Compared to Lin Chang'an, he became even more bitter.
Why were people so different from one another?
Inside the courtyard of the Great Sword Sect patrol team in the Market.
"These are yours. While familiarizing yourselves with the Market, remember to make time to cultivate."
Li Han and Qi Feng looked at the Spirit Stones in their hands, unease written across their faces. Yet Lin Chang'an casually waved a hand, while Brother Zhang Qing beside him smiled as though he had not seen the two of them at all.
"Junior Brother, I've already instructed the people below. Whoever dares not give you face is refusing to give me face, and even refusing to give Elder Lu face."
Zhang Qing spoke as he patted his chest in guarantee, and Lin Chang'an smiled upon hearing it.
"Senior Brother, you're too courteous."
As the two chatted and laughed, a Spirit Stone storage pouch beneath the table had already fallen into Zhang Qing's hand. Li Han and Qi Feng saw the entire scene clearly, and the two immediately exchanged glances.
What was this? Dragging someone into the water?
"Oh, right, Junior Brother. This is the pill formula Elder Lu asked me to bring you. He told you to study it carefully for now. In a few days, the spirit herbs will be delivered to you."
Looking at the pill formula in his hand, Lin Chang'an smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Senior Brother."
The two sides talked happily, and neither mentioned the matter of the account book. In the end, Lin Chang'an personally saw Zhang Qing out of the Patrol Prefecture.
"Brother Lin!"
After Lin Chang'an watched Zhang Qing's back disappear from sight, Li Han and Qi Feng behind him lowered their heads and cupped their hands somewhat guiltily, their faces clearly full of confusion.
Lin Chang'an looked at the two, a smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "The Patrol Prefecture is responsible for security and patrols within its jurisdiction. At the same time, the tenants and stalls under our authority are all registered by us, and we collect their fees."
"I normally do not concern myself with these matters, but the Market must remain stable, and the tenants below must be satisfied."
His final words carried deep meaning. He was clearly telling Li Han and Qi Feng that taking bribes and squeezing benefits was fine—it depended on their own ability—but if anyone went too far, then they should not blame him.
At that moment, Qi Feng and Li Han exchanged looks, both revealing strange expressions. Feeling the Spirit Stones they had just received, the two seemed to understand something.
Wasn't this dirty money?
Before you continue