Sudden Turn

"Hahaha, Young Master Changchuan, you have traveled a long way. Please forgive me for failing to welcome you properly."

As the party of Shen Changchuan and his carriages entered Dawan Village, Shen Shiying, the middle-aged man stationed there, walked out with a face full of smiles, stepping forward with great enthusiasm to greet them.

At the same time, he turned his head to face the dozen or so young men gathered at the village entrance. They were holding weapons and had been looking at Shen Changchuan's group with ill intent, clearly ready to stir up trouble the moment they entered. With a tense expression, he barked at them:

"Shaochong, get your ass over here!"

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

Under Shen Shiying's scolding, the young man at the lead, Shen Shaochong, opened his mouth slightly, his face dazed.

Wait, no.

Didn't you tell me yesterday to give the brat in front of us a hard time?

What happened?

This isn't what we agreed on!

His father's sudden, unprompted change of face left Shen Shaochong unable to react for a moment. However, under the weight of his father's long-standing authority, he dared not protest. He could only cup his hands toward Shen Changchuan, mutter an apology, and obediently step aside.

Shen Shiying turned back around, his face once again wreathed in smiles as he faced Shen Changchuan.

"Alas, it is my fault for failing to discipline my son. He has been hanging around with unsavory characters for years and even formed this so-called Village Guard Squad. He almost offended you, Young Master. I hope you will not take it to heart." Shen Shiying cupped his hands and bowed to Shen Changchuan in apology.

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare!"

"You are an elder, sir; this is truly too much for this junior to bear."

"Besides, I come from humble origins and am unworthy of the title 'Young Master.' Please, just call me by my name, Changchuan."

Although Shen Changchuan sensed that the atmosphere was somewhat off and had no idea what the man was planning, he knew that one does not strike a smiling face. Since the other party was being courteous, he naturally responded with humility and respect.

After a round of pleasantries, their conversation began to take on a surprisingly harmonious tone. Shen Changchuan addressed the man as Uncle, acknowledging his seniority in age and strength, and the man replied that he would shamelessly call Shen Changchuan his nephew.

"Nephew Changchuan, that wild boar is..."

After the brief exchange, Shen Shiying looked toward the massive carcass of the wild boar not far away, which was so large it required two carriages lashed together to transport, and asked aloud.

"Oh, this beast? I killed it on the road while coming here."

"It was about ten miles from the village when it suddenly burst out of the forest and attacked our caravan, killing one of the attendants leading the way."

"Fortunately, after some effort, I managed to slay it."

"Why, Uncle, have you discovered some issue?"

Shen Changchuan walked over to the carriage carrying the giant carcass, patted the mountain of meat, and explained its origin before asking with a puzzled look.

"Nothing of the sort."

"It's just that this beast has been a scourge to Dawan Village. Every time the spirit grain in the fields is about to be harvested, it sneaks down the mountain under the cover of night to ravage the crops."

"We have set ambushes for it several times and fought it over the years, but because of its thick hide and tough flesh, we were helpless against it and could only force it to retreat."

"Nephew Changchuan, your prowess is truly astonishing. To be so young and yet able to slay this beast—you have rid Dawan Village of a great menace before even officially taking your post."

Shen Shiying sighed with emotion. His peripheral vision carefully scanned the carcass of the giant boar. There were no wounds on its body; it appeared that there had been no fierce battle, but rather that it had been killed with a single strike. Upon realizing this, Shen Shiying's heart sank even further.

The opponent's strength far exceeded what the intelligence reports had claimed!

Truly damnable!

Shen Shiying cursed inwardly.

At the same time, a flurry of thoughts raced through his mind, and he quickly reached a decision.

"Nephew Changchuan, you are young and promising; I can rest easy handing Dawan Village over to you."

"However, there is one thing your uncle must mention first: the Dawan Village treasury originally contained some Spirit Grain, as well as gold and silver intended for the village's operating expenses."

"It's just that the order for my removal came so suddenly, and as I prepared to return to Tiannan City, I wanted to bring some local specialties back for friends and family, so I simply took those things with me."

"Of course, to avoid taking advantage of you, nephew, how about I offer five Spirit Stones and a minor Spirit Eye Technique I happened to acquire as compensation?"

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

Deep within his eyes, however, a flicker of heartache flashed.

Clearly, this price was not low.

But there was no help for it; outdated intelligence kills, and this "bargain" was not one to be trifled with!

If he didn't seize the chance to salvage their rapport before the misunderstanding escalated, was he just waiting to die?

One had to know that the Demon Boar was at the peak of the fourth level of the Qi Induction Realm and could go head-to-head with his own attacks at the fifth level; in several skirmishes, he had never managed to gain the upper hand against it.

Yet now, it had been killed in a single blow, becoming the trophy of the person before him!

Whether Shen Changchuan had done it himself or had hidden help behind him, this was clearly beyond his expectations!

Regardless of whether this boy is truly an expendable person in the Shen Family Estate, his strength is already beyond what I can handle.

Moreover, to possess such strength at such a young age—I fear the backing he has is not as simple as it appears.

Not to mention, even if I am overthinking it and he truly has no backing, with his strength, his rise to prominence is inevitable!

Such a person is best left unoffended if possible.

Come to think of it, he is worthy of being from the main lineage; a small fry like me cannot afford to cross someone like him!

In an instant, a multitude of thoughts had flashed through Shen Shiying's mind.

And this was precisely why, upon seeing the party enter the village, his expression had changed drastically, prompting him to appear and stop his second son, Shen Shaochong, from trying to intimidate the newcomer, choosing instead to curry favor and welcome him!

"Oh, then this junior shall accept it without false modesty!"

Hearing this, Shen Changchuan's eyes lit up.

Although he vaguely sensed something was off about the man's excessive enthusiasm, only a fool would refuse a windfall.

Five Spirit Stones were equivalent to his entire year's allowance at the Shen Family Estate.

Not to mention a spell, which would further expand his repertoire.

There was no reason to refuse such a good deal.

Seeing Shen Changchuan accept the Spirit Stones so cleanly, the corner of Shen Shiying's eye twitched.

Nevertheless, he forced a smile and said, "Haha, there is no need for modesty; it is merely a standard transaction."

Shen Shiying was bleeding internally.

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

But there was no help for it; who told him to act before investigating properly?

He could only try his best to make amends.

After a brief conversation, Shen Shiying introduced some of the Dawan Village personnel to Shen Changchuan and conducted a simple handover of various affairs.

Then, citing the urgency of time, he and his family packed their belongings, bid farewell to Shen Changchuan, and departed from Dawan Village.