Sudden Twist

"Ha ha ha, Young Master Changchuan, you have come from afar, and I failed to welcome you properly. I hope you will not take offense."

When Shen Changchuan's group and the convoy of carriages entered Great Bay Village,

the middle-aged Shen Shiying, who had originally been stationed here, came out with a broad smile and warmly stepped forward to greet them.

At the same time,

he turned his head,

facing the dozen or so young men gathered at the village entrance, each holding a weapon,

whose faces had been hostile ever since Shen Changchuan's group entered the village, clearly looking to step forward and cause trouble, his expression tightened as he loudly berated them:

"Shaochong, get the hell down here!"

"This is Young Master Shen, who has come to take over our post! Are you blind?"

Amid Shen Shiying's angry scolding,

the leading young man, Shen Shaochong, opened his mouth slightly, his face blank with confusion.

No—

hadn't you said yesterday that you wanted me to give that Brat a show of force?

What happened?

Why was this different from what we agreed on?!

His father's utterly unanticipated change of face left Shen Shaochong unable to react for a moment.

But under the weight of his father's long-standing authority,

he did not dare make a fuss. He could only cup his hands toward Shen Changchuan, mutter an apology, and obediently withdraw.

Shen Shiying turned back around,

and his face toward Shen Changchuan was once more filled with smiles.

"Alas, it is also my fault for failing to discipline my son. Over the years, that rascal has been running around with all sorts of shady people outside, and even formed some Village Guard. He nearly offended you, Young Master. I hope you will not hold it against him."

Shen Shiying cupped his hands toward Shen Changchuan and apologized.

"I would not dare!"

"You are my elder, Senior. This truly shames this junior."

"Besides, this junior was born humble and cannot bear such a title as Young Master. Senior may simply call me Changchuan."

Though Shen Changchuan also sensed that something about the atmosphere was off, and had no idea what medicine Shen Shiying was selling from his gourd,

one did not strike a smiling face.

Since the other party was polite,

he naturally returned that politeness with humility.

After a round of pleasantries,

their conversation gradually took on a rather harmonious air.

Given Shen Shiying's age and superior strength, Shen Changchuan addressed him as Uncle, while Shen Shiying said he would shamelessly call Shen Changchuan Nephew.

"Nephew Changchuan, that wild boar..."

After exchanging a few simple courtesies,

Shen Shiying looked toward the Giant Wild Boar's corpse in the distance. It was like a small mountain and required nearly two carriages joined together to pull it. He spoke up to ask.

"Oh, this beast? We killed it halfway here on the road."

"It was roughly ten li from the village when it suddenly emerged from the mountain forest and attacked the convoy, killing a servant who had been leading the way ahead."

"Fortunately, after some effort, this nephew managed to kill it."

"Why, Uncle? Did you notice some problem?"

Shen Changchuan walked to the carriage carrying the Giant Wild Boar's corpse, patted that mountain of flesh, briefly explained where it had come from, and asked doubtfully.

"Nothing of the sort."

"It is simply that this beast has been a scourge upon Great Bay Village. Whenever the Spirit Grain in the fields is nearing harvest, it sneaks down the mountain under cover of night to ravage the Spirit Fields."

"We have laid ambushes several times and fought this beast repeatedly over the years, but its hide was too thick and its flesh too tough. We could do nothing but force it back and drive it away."

"Nephew Changchuan's Divine Ability is truly astonishing. At such a young age, you were already able to slay this beast. Before even assuming your post, you have already removed this great menace from Great Bay Village."

Shen Shiying spoke with feeling.

Out of the corner of his eye, he carefully swept his gaze over the Giant Wild Boar's corpse.

There were no obvious wounds across its body.

It appeared not to have undergone any fierce battle,

but to have been killed in a single strike.

Upon discovering this, Shen Shiying's heart sank even further.

The other party's strength

far exceeded what the intelligence had claimed!

Damn it!

Shen Shiying cursed inwardly.

At the same time, countless thoughts spun rapidly through his mind, and he swiftly made a decision.

"Nephew Changchuan, you are young and accomplished. With Great Bay Village entrusted to you, this uncle can rest much easier."

"However, there is one matter this uncle must mention first. The village treasury of Great Bay Village originally contained some Spirit Grain, as well as gold and silver for the village's operating expenses."

"However, the order removing me from office came suddenly. Since this uncle planned to bring some local specialties back to Tiannan City for friends and relatives, I simply took all those things with me."

"Of course, to avoid taking advantage of you, Nephew, how about this uncle compensates you with five Spirit Stones and a low-grade Spirit Eye Technique that I acquired by chance?"

As he spoke, Shen Shiying took a small pouch of Spirit Stones from his sleeve and handed it to Shen Changchuan.

Yet at that moment, a flash of pain passed through the depths of his eyes.

Clearly, the price was not a small one.

But there was no helping it.

Outdated intelligence killed people.

This advantage was not so easy to take!

If he did not quickly salvage some goodwill before the misunderstanding grew too large, was he supposed to wait for death in the future?

One had to know that the Yao Pig possessed strength at the Peak Fourth Layer Qi Gathering, able to directly contend with attacks from someone like himself at the Qi Gathering Fifth Level. After several clashes, he had never managed to gain any advantage against it.

Yet now,

it had been killed in a single blow and become the spoils of the man before him!

Whether this Shen Changchuan had personally done it, or whether there was some hidden helper behind him,

this had clearly exceeded Shen Shiying's expectations!

"Whether this boy is truly an insignificant figure within Shen Family Manor or not, his strength is already beyond what I can handle."

"Besides, at such a young age, he possesses such strength. What lies behind him is likely not as simple as it appears."

"Not to mention, even if I am overthinking things and there truly is no force behind him, with his strength, it is inevitable that he will rise someday!"

"A person like this is better left unfought whenever possible."

"Sure enough, he is worthy of being born from the direct bloodline of the main branch. My little frame cannot bear such a person!"

In an instant,

countless thoughts had already flashed through Shen Shiying's mind.

And this

was precisely why, upon seeing the convoy enter the village, his expression changed drastically and he hurriedly appeared to stop his second son, Shen Shaochong, from giving the other party a show of force, instead coming forward to curry favor and welcome him!

"Oh, then this junior shall accept it despite my unworthiness!"

At those words, Shen Changchuan's eyes lit up.

Although Shen Shiying's seemingly excessive enthusiasm made Shen Changchuan vaguely feel that something was amiss,

a fool was one who refused a free bargain.

Five Spirit Stones were already equal to his annual stipend at Shen Family Manor.

Not to mention a technique, which could further expand his methods.

There was no reason to refuse such a good thing.

Seeing Shen Changchuan accept the Spirit Stones so readily, Shen Shiying's eye twitched.

Still, he forced a smile and said:

"Ha ha, there is no question of worthiness or unworthiness. This is merely a normal transaction."

Shen Shiying's heart bled.

For low-level cultivators like them, five Spirit Stones were no small sum.

But there was no helping it.

Who had told him to make a move before properly investigating?

He could only do his utmost to make amends.

Afterward, they spoke briefly. Shen Shiying introduced Shen Changchuan to several people from Great Bay Village and conducted a simple handover of the various affairs.

Then, citing the urgency of time, Shen Shiying and his family packed their luggage, bade Shen Changchuan farewell, and departed from Great Bay Village.