The Old Man Isn't Afraid of Your Ambition

Inside the house, under the cover of night.

"Elder Lu, this kid's methods are a bit wild, and he's got too much nerve."

Zhang Qing said indignantly, pointing to several entries in the ledger: "Elder Lu, this kid's only been here a few days and he's already daring to embezzle this much. He even changed 'eight hundred' to 'eighty'."

But Elder Lu calmly glanced at the accounts, a slight smile on his lips as he softly said, "Unrefined methods."

"However, this kid is indeed bold." As he said this, Elder Lu's eyes slowly turned to Zhang Qing, and then he said something with deep meaning, which scared Zhang Qing pale.

"At least he's bolder than you."

Thump! Zhang Qing's face turned deathly pale, cold sweat breaking out. "Elder Lu, I..."

"How much did you take?"

Under Elder Lu's calm tone, Zhang Qing, his face ashen, put on a look worse than crying and tremblingly held up two fingers, his lips quivering, "Two... two hundred."

After saying this, Zhang Qing quickly explained, "Elder Lu, listen to me, I was planning to return it."

"I was doing business with human tickets before, and it looked like I was going to lose all my capital, so I had this idea. Elder Lu, you have to believe me, all those human tickets were sold today, and I was planning to secretly cover this shortfall in a couple of days..."

Seeing the other party's earnest explanation, Elder Lu glared at Zhang Qing fiercely, exasperated, "You idiot!"

"I am an idiot, Elder Lu, I've followed you since I was little..."

"Shut up!" Seeing Zhang Qing's cowardly demeanor, Elder Lu couldn't help but kick him down, pointing at his nose and scolding, "Am I scolding you for being greedy?"

"I'm scolding you for being useless!" Elder Lu reprimanded him with frustration, "Look at this kid Lin Chang'an, he's only been here a few days and he dares to be so greedy. Believe it or not, if I call him over now, he'll be brazenly admitting to his greed."

"You, oh you!" After venting, Elder Lu couldn't help but sigh helplessly. The sect needed people to develop and grow.

At this moment, Zhang Qing also reacted and showed a look of relief, repeatedly cupping his hands in gratitude, "Thank you, Elder Lu, for your mercy."

Zhang Qing was filled with regret at this moment. If he had known Elder Lu was so good to him, he should have been honest. What a great opportunity to clear his accounts.

However, after his anger subsided, Elder Lu looked at Zhang Qing's appearance and sighed with emotion, "You handle things steadily. Over the years, although you haven't made great contributions, you haven't made any mistakes either. I remember it all. The sect needs you to develop and grow."

"But this kid." When he mentioned Lin Chang'an, Elder Lu sneered. He saw through the kid's tricks clearly.

"Elder Lu, this kid is not only bold, but he also has great ambition. Today, he even wanted two people to help him." This time, Zhang Qing shamelessly sold Lin Chang'an out completely.

However, Zhang Qing thought he could redeem himself, but what he got in return was Elder Lu's indifference.

"Is it bad to have ambition?" Elder Lu snorted impatiently, "I like people who are capable and ambitious."

This statement completely confused Zhang Qing. Since when were greed and ambition good things?

Seeing Zhang Qing's confused look, Elder Lu shook his head and sighed with disappointment, "Here, I can give him the fame, fortune, women, and status he desires, as long as he has the ability. If he didn't have ambition, I would truly worry about this kid."

"Despicable people are always easier to deal with than hypocrites, because with despicable people, you know what they want and what they need, but with hypocrites, you never know what they're thinking."

"I'm not afraid of him having ambition, nor am I afraid of him being greedy; I'm only afraid of him not having the corresponding ability."

In Elder Lu's heart, there was only the word "value." Zhang Qing heard this and suddenly understood, cupping his hands, "Elder Lu, you are wise. I understand. But this kid is forming factions?"

Hearing this, Elder Lu revealed a meaningful smile, "If this rootless duckweed finds status and power here, is it still rootless duckweed? Will it be willing to let go of everything it has obtained?"

One sentence made Zhang Qing look enlightened, and he couldn't help but give a thumbs-up in admiration, "Elder Lu, this move is brilliant. It's all under our noses anyway."

Elder Lu smiled and nodded, "So, I'm not afraid of this kid being greedy or forming factions! No matter how much he is greedy, in the end, it will still be used for himself. Moreover, power is more attractive than women. Once he tastes the sweetness of power, will he still want to leave here?"

"Besides, this kid is smart. Since he dared to drag you into this today, he probably wanted to test me."

As he said this, Elder Lu couldn't help but laugh heartily, "At least this kid is much better than those who are solely focused on redeeming themselves and escaping from here."

"I admire you, subordinate." Zhang Qing said with admiration, but his heart was almost sour to death. How much spirit stones had he himself embezzled! And he was scolded nervously. Compared to Lin Chang'an, he felt even more bitter.

Why are people so different!

In the courtyard of the Great Sword Sect patrol team in the marketplace.

"This is yours. While familiarizing yourselves with the market, remember to seize the time to cultivate."

Li Han and Qi Feng looked at the spirit stones in their hands, their faces filled with trepidation. But seeing Lin Chang'an wave his hand casually, and Brother Zhang Qing beside him smiling as if he hadn't seen them.

"Junior brother, I've instructed the subordinates. Anyone who dares not to give you face is not giving me face, and not giving Elder Lu face."

Zhang Qing said, patting his chest as if guaranteeing it, and Lin Chang'an smiled upon hearing this.

"Senior brother, you are too kind."

As they chatted, a storage bag of spirit stones slipped into Zhang Qing's hand from under the table. Li Han and Qi Feng saw this clearly and exchanged glances.

What was this! Pulling people into the water?

"Oh, right, junior brother, Elder Lu asked me to bring you this pill recipe. He wants you to study it well recently, and the spirit herbs will be delivered to you in a few days."

Looking at the pill recipe in his hand, Lin Chang'an nodded with a smile, "Thank you, senior brother."

As they both talked happily, neither of them mentioned the matter of the ledger. Finally, Lin Chang'an personally escorted Zhang Qing to the gate.

"Senior Brother Lin!"

After Lin Chang'an watched Zhang Qing's back disappear from sight, Li Han and Qi Feng behind him lowered their heads guiltily and cupped their hands, their faces clearly filled with confusion.

Lin Chang'an looked at them and smiled, "The patrol office is responsible for security patrols within its jurisdiction. At the same time, the tenants and stalls under its jurisdiction are also registered and collected by us."

"Normally, I don't manage these matters, but the market needs to be stable, and the tenants below need to be satisfied."

The last sentence was filled with a deep meaning, clearly telling Li Han and Qi Feng that taking bribes and extorting was acceptable, depending on their own ability, but if anyone went too far, they shouldn't blame him.

At this moment, Qi Feng and Li Han exchanged glances, and then showed strange expressions. Touching the spirit stones they had just received, they seemed to understand something.

Isn't this just dirty money!