All for the Sect

Inside the main hall.

The two held teacups. Lin Chang'an lazily looked over the account book in his hands, while Zhang Qing appeared calm, though it was obvious he was somewhat unsettled.

When he saw another ledger, Lin Chang'an could not help frowning. "The rampaging bandit cultivators lately have affected business in the Market, which in turn has affected the sect's industries."

Zhang Qing had originally felt some pressure, but seeing Lin Chang'an so calm and unruffled, he gritted his teeth. If something went wrong, the two of them would bear it together anyway.

"Then, Junior Brother, shall we take another five percent from the residential and shop rents?"

Greed flashed in Zhang Qing's eyes. He knew it was wrong, but what if using these resources allowed him to break through? By then, as a late Qi Condensation cultivator, everything he did would be for the sect.

Yet this time, Lin Chang'an shook his head. "No! With bandit cultivators running rampant, cultivators will instead set off a buying frenzy for pills, talismans, magic artifacts, and the like. We absolutely cannot touch that."

"You should even assign more people to patrol the rented residential areas, Senior Brother. We need to tell these cultivators that within our sect's territory, their safety is absolutely guaranteed."

At this point, Lin Chang'an looked at Zhang Qing and tactfully explained what could be taken and what could not.

"Senior Brother, everything has its proper measure. So many people are watching us."

If all you knew was how to take, yet achieved nothing at all, then you were useless. But if you managed the sect's industries beautifully, then it was not called greed—it was merely taking a little of what you deserved.

Even those above knew about such things, and would instead turn a blind eye.

"Junior Brother, brilliant."

Zhang Qing was no fool. At once, the entire matter connected in his mind. First, they would crack down on the bandit cultivators, then strengthen patrols within the sect's territory in the Market. The industries would flourish even more afterward. That was merit.

As for losses during the crackdown on bandit cultivators, was it not normal to suffer some? If they did not do this, how could they let the other cultivators see this sense of security?

"Brilliant!" Zhang Qing could not help raising a thumb in admiration. He had only thought of taking benefits, but had never considered any of this.

Lin Chang'an merely chuckled. "Senior Brother, there is still a long road ahead. Do not always stare at the sesame seeds before your eyes. Set your sights farther ahead. Elder Lu is already preparing the spiritual herbs for my breakthrough pill."

A breakthrough pill!

Upon hearing the name of that pill, Zhang Qing's face flushed crimson and his neck swelled thick. The temptation this pill held for him was enormous. He had been stuck at mid Qi Refining for far too long. If he could truly take this pill, he was seventy to eighty percent confident he could break through.

"Junior Brother!"

Zhang Qing looked at him with reddened eyes, while Lin Chang'an smiled and nodded. "Senior Brother, breakthrough pills are scarce goods to begin with."

How could Zhang Qing fail to understand? Had he not been in cahoots with Lin Chang'an all these years for this very day? Had he not been taking so much for the hope of a breakthrough?

"Senior Brother will use tea in place of wine to toast you!"

With a face full of excitement, Zhang Qing drained his cup in one gulp. He was nearly forty. If he did not make a push now, his chances of breaking through would only diminish as he grew older.

The two exchanged looks and immediately smiled. As if remembering something, Lin Chang'an reminded him with a smile, "If there are any loopholes in these inflated losses, you can lure a few blind bandit cultivators into burning one or two batches of supply convoys."

A sharp glint flashed through Zhang Qing's eyes upon hearing this, and understanding dawned on his face.

Lin Chang'an's meaning was clear. The falsely reported losses were all fake. If someone became suspicious and noticed something, then they could make some arrangements with certain supply shipments, turning the false accounts into dead accounts that could never be checked. Would that not prevent any problems?

As for the losses, this place was so chaotic. What day did not see outsiders crossing the line or bandit cultivators who licked blood from knife edges? It was perfectly normal for brazen robbers to raid their supply transport teams and burn the supplies so the enemy could not obtain them.

As for how much had been lost, that was Zhang Qing's business. Not to mention padding the figures, he at least had to fill in the questionable gaps. Did that even need to be taught?

"Junior Brother, the two men under you are quite efficient."

Zhang Qing suddenly changed the subject and smiled at him. How could Lin Chang'an fail to understand the meaning behind his words? Zhang Qing was taking such a great risk. Since they were sharing the benefits, they had to share the burden as well.

Dragging Li Han and Qi Feng into the water would put them all in the same boat. After all, everyone knew that Li Han and Qi Feng were his men.

Lin Chang'an immediately laughed. "This junior brother is in the Market every day. If Senior Brother lacks manpower, feel free to deploy them as you see fit."

After three years, Lin Chang'an had reached the sixth layer of Qi Condensation and possessed the identity of an alchemist. He was already not much inferior to Zhang Qing. The two separately managed the sect's industries in the Market, and had long since ceased to distinguish between primary and secondary authority. Elder Lu had also had a much easier time these past two years.

"Haha, Junior Brother enjoys listening to music. Another day, Senior Brother will give you a batch of dancing girls from the mortal royal palaces."

Lin Chang'an smiled and nodded. Zhang Qing's face was flushed red, and he could not help rubbing his hands together as he looked at Lin Chang'an and began calculating.

Others might not know much about his junior brother's talent in alchemy, but Zhang Qing had watched his growth over the past three years. His potential was simply too great.

Thinking that even if he broke through, his life would go no further than this, while he still had quite a few descendants, Zhang Qing gritted his teeth and revealed a solemn expression.

In an instant, a Soundproofing Spell barrier appeared around them. Lin Chang'an could not help showing a puzzled look. "Senior Brother, what is this?"

Zhang Qing lowered his voice and said gravely, "Junior Brother, meet beneath the big locust tree outside the west gate tonight."

Seeing Lin Chang'an's puzzled gaze, Zhang Qing said in a deep voice, "Junior Brother, do not doubt me. You have been in seclusion refining pills this whole time and have only just emerged, so naturally there are things you do not know."

"Old Man Li has met with trouble!"

After Zhang Qing revealed a meaningful smile, he said no more. He had originally waited for Lin Chang'an to ask curiously, yet Lin Chang'an merely smiled as though he had heard nothing at all.

"Senior Brother, since you are already here today, shall we have a few drinks together at noon?"

"No. There have been too many worries in the Market lately. How could I be as leisurely as you, Junior Brother?"

After discussing the serious matters, Zhang Qing felt light all over. Smiling broadly, he rose to leave. He was very busy now.

"Then this junior brother will not keep you."

"Haha, what need is there for formality between us?"

The two looked at each other with smiles on their faces. Only after watching Zhang Qing's figure depart did Lin Chang'an withdraw his gaze. The moment he turned around, the corners of his lips slowly curved upward into a smile.

"Senior Brother, you are not the only one who needs this breakthrough pill."

Dressed in a brocade robe, Lin Chang'an looked like a young master of a great clan as he chuckled softly. In his hand, a Spirit Stone as hard as a Low-grade Magic Artifact let out a crisp crack and was crushed to pieces.

The next instant, under the suction from his palm, the shattered Spirit Stone turned into windblown sand and vanished into the air.