ASER - Chapter 111
Chapter 111: Good-for-nothing
Like the Li siblings, A'Diao knew people from Yunzhou Academy were about to arrive, but was she waiting for someone like Duan Fei, the so-called number one, and teachers?
How could that be possible?
It would take someone at the principal's level to resolve the current situation. However, things weren't right in the Southern Sea Region. Even if the principal of Yunzhou Academy was at the coastline, it was impossible for him to come over. After all, the students were already out of danger. Even if old scores needed to be settled, it wouldn't be at this critical juncture. Therefore, she was certain there was no Forbidden Master of the principal's caliber on the airship.
So, what damn use was it for Duan Fei and the others to come?
Yet, A'Diao still risked going to save people because of Duan Fei's airship. This was because she knew Duan Fei and the others certainly had self-awareness. Since they had come, they must have some backing. With this deduction—she knew the Patrol Army personnel had also arrived.
Of course, the Patrol Army didn't appear here by chance, nor did they rush over specifically from the Southern Sea Region.
They didn't have that much clout, and besides, there wasn't enough time.
The main reason was... she had already reported the case two days ago.
At that time, the purpose of reporting the case wasn't to solve any immediate life-saving situation. She wasn't a god; she hadn't anticipated the matter of the male and female BOSSes, let alone Mysterious Persons A and B. She didn't have that foresight.
Reporting the case two days ago was purely for two purposes.
First, those female cultivators originally belonged to different groups, each with their own backgrounds. It had been about half a month since they were conscripted by the Five Prefectures' government. Regardless of where they came from, having encountered such an incident, with companions dead or missing, even if they could face life anew, they had to give an account to the families and friends of these people. This wasn't like those martial arts dramas where people died in droves, lives were cheaper than dirt, and there were no subsequent troubles. For ordinary people in groups, whose family wouldn't need to face those domestic trivialities? But could they really explain it themselves? They might even be blamed. Providing evidence would also be difficult. To disprove these things was chaotic, disorganized, and they could easily be victimized a second time. Therefore, an official, unified investigation was needed at this point, to first define them as victims and then proceed accordingly. (Their situation was different from A'Diao's counter-killing and wiping out the entire bandit clan or KO'ing those key members of the Cui family. She didn't need to consider the consequences; killing was all that mattered, and her identity wasn't even exposed. But these female cultivators still had to bear the consequences. This was reality, and also because they weren't strong enough.)
Second, to claim credit.
For A'Diao, of course, the second point was the most important. Anyway, that's what she told Toilet two days ago, and Toilet didn't say anything, just reiterated that old saying—strong people do strong things.
Claiming credit, well, it can be done directly or indirectly. But to establish a good persona for oneself, the initial intention is very important.
A'Diao led the Patrol Army personnel to those underground caves, letting them see the still-living bandits.
She didn't think these bandits could last many more days; anyway, the Mental Power they provided was dwindling.
As they say, when people are about to kick the bucket, their final life value deserves a wave of sublimation.
So, two days ago, A'Diao had prepared to find a place for their legal body collection.
Would the Patrol Army go, you ask?
A state unit, guaranteed to be high-end, atmospheric, and classy.
Food, lodging, and dedicated service before death. If they couldn't withstand torture and died, the officials would handle it, no need for funeral expenses. How great! She almost wished she could get a set for herself.
Of course, the key point was that before coming to the southern coast, she had carefully studied the conscription order from the Five Prefectures' government. The so-called conscription order couldn't solely rely on "generating power through patriotism to protect the common people"—that was idealism and definitely wouldn't work. Benefits, mainly benefits.
The benefits mentioned in the conscription order included rewards for meritorious service in exterminating Demonic Spirits, such as money, cultivation resources, and status, and so on.
It was all handled through a unified point system. When points reached a certain level, they could be exchanged for certain benefits. And the one who implemented this measure was Qingzhou, the leader of the Five Prefectures.
The other four prefectures merely followed suit.
But what did this have to do with the bandits?
It did, because the bandits were robbing and killing cultivators who had come from various places after the Five Prefectures' conscription.
A'Diao's persona and intention were very tactful.
After leading them there, she didn't say much, just: "I couldn't stand seeing these scumbags killing people and bullying women. After I took them down, I handed them over to these ladies for supervision. To prevent them from escaping or committing suicide, I could only keep them confined like this. But I also felt this wasn't a proper solution, so I thought I should contact the authorities. Before coming to the Five Prefectures, I had heard of Qingzhou's reputation, and my first thought was the Patrol Army. But then I realized I might have troubled you officers."
With a sincere expression, she said: "Logically, I should have contacted the government office first? Was I wrong?"
From Qin Yin +139999!
This was goodwill; A'Diao was very sure.
The Patrol Army's Junior General, Qin Yin, twitched his brow slightly and said formally and politely: "No, Your Excellency was right to contact us. Our Patrol Army is under the Grand Commandant's orders to maintain order during this coastal Demonic Spirit extermination. Whether it's Demonic Spirits or these bandits causing trouble and ambushing cultivators, it all falls within our duties. It is also thanks to Your Excellency's astuteness and bravery in eliminating these bandits and contacting us to handle this matter. It's clear that there must be secrets behind these bandits. Next, our Patrol Army will investigate thoroughly and resolutely clear a safe passage for the righteous individuals aiding the coast. Your Excellency should also be a model for cultivators. When we return this time, we will also record your merits as points and reward Your Excellency."
When the two had their brief conversation, it actually contained some political subtext.
First, the Grand Commandant of Qingzhou was a fierce and formidable figure, dominating the Five Prefectures with absolute authority. The Qingzhou Commander was his promoted adjutant. With military orders passed down layer by layer, if, after the Five Prefectures' conscription order was issued, bandits were found to be ambushing righteous individuals on a large scale here, it would tarnish their reputation terribly. The Qingzhou government would be absolutely furious, and the Patrol Camp responsible for security would be the first to bear responsibility. So, ostensibly, if something happened, it could be reported to the government office. But this Zhao Ritian had conveniently bypassed the government office and contacted their Patrol Camp first, which was tantamount to giving them a chance to remedy the situation. Otherwise, they would be punished by the Commander and reprimanded by the Grand Commandant, and the consequences would be dire.
Second, Zhao Ritian had taken care of these overt bandits for them. The Patrol Army would thoroughly investigate the hidden secrets behind them, setting priorities straight. In the future, no one could accuse the Patrol Army of being derelict in their duties. This also hinted that A'Diao should smooth things over for them with a few tactful words.
This Junior General was also a sharp fellow. After a few exchanges with A'Diao established a tacit understanding, he would naturally ensure the latter received her due rewards and also form a good connection.
A'Diao smiled faintly. "Thank you so much then. If the Patrol Army needs my assistance in any way, please don't hesitate to ask."
While the two sides were engaged in friendly social exchanges, the others were also nearby.
Zhao Guang and the others were fine, but the Li siblings, as people who "possessed firsthand intelligence," said nothing on the surface. However, when they exchanged glances, they suspected one thing—could this Zhao Ritian be that expert who profited sneakily?
This suspicion was very bold, but the Li family's upbringing was to distrust any outsider (and even people within the family).
However, after this suspicion arose, two facts shook it.
For example, they had all seen the appearance of that "profiteer" before. Fine, you could say appearance can be disguised. But that person had indeed been struck by a sword and was definitely injured, no faking it. Yet, when this Zhao Ritian appeared, he had no injuries whatsoever. If you were to say that person's injuries were faked, that he actually wasn't injured by Mysterious Person A's sword attack, or that he was truly injured but recovered perfectly in an extremely short time—regardless of which possibility, it all pointed to this person's terrifying strength. If he truly had malicious intent, why would he return to save people? With his strength, he could have laid low and emerged at the end to take down everyone and the bird, playing the fisherman reaping the rewards.
For example, perhaps Zhao Ritian had arranged for the airship to feign approach in advance, while he himself had already "profited." After escaping, he returned to save people to reap benefits, gain the gratitude of the Li and Yue Clans, and maximize his gains. Because he had indeed contacted the Patrol Army and knew of their arrival, returning to save people posed little risk to him. Even with unexpected events like the female BOSS later, he could still retreat unscathed. However, with this assumption, another problem arose—if a person could perfectly execute all of this, with the plan succeeding ideally and all benefits secured, then by comparison, returning to save people would instead easily expose flaws. The benefits gained would merely be the gratitude of the Li and Yue Clans. Was this deal worthwhile? Even if Li Yuankai was confident in his family's power, he wouldn't be so arrogant—this person was someone who had solo-killed a Forbidden Master as an A-rank, a top genius anywhere. If he could plan all this and succeed, why would he expose his weaknesses at the end for such trivial benefits?
If you first frame someone as an awesome and powerful conspirator, and then speculate that they exposed their suspiciousness for petty, fly-like gains.
This doesn't fit the character's logic.
So, the two siblings were merely suspicious, and they even refuted their own suspicions. However, due to their inherently suspicious nature, they still kept an eye out—they were waiting to see if this Zhao Ritian would hand over He Luo's body. If he did, and also said this person was related to the Bandit Alliance, then... something would be fishy!
The two waited without batting an eyelid. On the other side, A'Diao had just gained a wave of Mental Power and was also about to receive her due benefits. After speaking, she seemed to remember something.
"Wait."
Here it comes! The Li siblings' eyes flashed, and they pretended to observe casually and silently.
Qin Yin: "Your Excellency, is there anything else?"
The hearts of the two siblings leaped into their throats.
A'Diao: "Will the Patrol Army give out big red flowers in the future? You know... praise me officially. I just feel I've done a good deed, saved so many people, and I must let my family know, let them praise me a bit. Otherwise, they'll say all day long that I accomplish nothing, that I'm a good-for-nothing who only knows how to eat."
???
Are you talking about the good-for-nothing who wiped out over a dozen bandit groups and solo-killed a Forbidden Master in two days?
From Qin Yin +155555!
From Li Yuankai +144444!
From...
For some reason, the Li siblings felt that not only had they failed to pry out any information, but they had also been subtly insulted.
Li Yuankai felt this "Big Brother" was very strange. Could he be deliberately changing the subject? Then he would be direct.
"I wonder what Big Brother's family does? Your cultivation is so strong, you must be a peerless prodigy. I truly wish to get to know you, so we can have dealings in the future."
A'Diao glanced at him, her tone odd: "Really?"
Li Yuankai smiled: "Naturally, it's true."
A'Diao: "My family is in the underground CBD business, the 'life's back garden' industry."
Li Yuankai: "?"
A'Diao: "It's underworld real estate."
Li Yuankai: "..."
A'Diao: "Alright, we sell burial plots. The business isn't small, but it's rather secretive, after all, it's inauspicious. To outsiders, we say we're in virtual real estate; perhaps you've heard some reputation. You see, my talents aren't very festive. It's clearly just real estate, but it ends up looking like the funeral service industry. It's quite embarrassing to say it out loud. However, if you really need it, buy ten burial plots, and I can give you a ten percent discount."
Little idiot, try probing again, and I'll piss you off until you get meningitis.
Everyone: "..."
From the Li family members ++++
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