Steward Chen Fu looked at the crowd and said slowly, “I believe some of you already know why you’ve been called here today.”
“As you all know, the Chen Family mainly deals in the medicinal pill business. Recently, demonic beasts have been causing trouble near the family’s Spiritual Herb Fields.”
“There aren’t enough people over there to escort the medicinal materials back, so the residence needs to send personnel to receive them. It’s time for all of you to contribute.”
“In a moment, I will select 20 people at or above the 6th stage Qi Refining Realm. Of course, your efforts will not go unrewarded. Each person who goes will receive 20 Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Those who perform exceptionally will receive an additional 20.”
As soon as Chen Fu finished speaking, the crowd erupted into discussion. What stirred them was not the sudden mission, but the 20 Low-Grade Spirit Stones.
They only received ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones per month. Once they bought a portion of “Qi Refining Powder,” it was all gone.
That was also why Hai Dali had only found a bit of broken silver in his room before and not a single Spirit Stone.
For low-level cultivators, cultivation resources were truly difficult to obtain.
Watching the heated discussion, Hai Dali knew many were tempted. But he personally had no desire to go.
He knew his own limits.
If it was only some low-level demonic beasts, that would be manageable. But what if they encountered one comparable to a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator? Wouldn’t he die on the spot?
But fate rarely followed one’s wishes.
Often, the very thing one feared most would happen.
Most of the guards in the Chen Residence were below the 5th stage Qi Refining Realm. There were not many at or above the 6th stage.
And the cultivation level Hai Dali currently displayed to the outside world was exactly the 6th stage Qi Refining Realm.
So he was selected.
He was an employee of the Chen Family. He could hardly refuse. He had not even found a new employer yet.
So he could only grit his teeth and accept the mission.
Then he remembered he did not even own a weapon, and he could not help but sigh at his bad luck.
“All right. You have half an hour to prepare. After half an hour, Guard Captain Chen will lead you out,” Chen Fu said before leaving.
Upon hearing this, everyone dispersed to make preparations. Hai Dali also returned to get ready.
At the very least, he had to inform Chen Muxue and let Qingzhi know, in case he did not return that night and she became worried.
Most importantly, he wanted to see if he could get a weapon from Chen Muxue for self-defense. Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
At that moment, Niu Xiao hurried over and asked in surprise, “You’ve reached the 6th stage Qi Refining Realm?”
He had not expected Hai Dali to improve his cultivation in just a few days.
Hai Dali nodded.
Niu Xiao looked envious and said, “I didn’t expect you to be selected. That’s 20 Spirit Stones. Just one simple mission and you get them.”
Hai Dali did not think this job was good at all. He said gloomily, “I don’t want to go. What if something dangerous happens?”
“What danger could there be? In the past, demonic beasts from the Lianyun Mountain Range have wandered out several times. They were all low-level beasts. Even I could handle them,” Niu Xiao said dismissively.
“Let’s hope so. I still need to prepare. No more chatting,” Hai Dali said.
Time was precious.
He did not want to waste it on idle talk.
After informing Niu Xiao, he left.
Hai Dali went straight to Chen Muxue. As soon as he saw her, he informed her that he had been selected to escort supplies to the Spiritual Herb Fields.
Chen Muxue was slightly surprised. She had not expected Hai Dali to be chosen. She said, “Since it’s for the family, I cannot object. You must be careful.”
Hai Dali nodded, then put on a sorrowful and helpless expression and said, “This subordinate understands. It’s just that I lack combat experience. If I encounter a slightly stronger demonic beast, I may not return to repay and serve the Second Miss.”
Chen Muxue was moved by his tone.
Recently, Hai Dali had given her quite a few pleasant surprises. She did not want him to lose his life for nothing. After thinking for a moment, she turned around, took out a long sword, and tossed it to him.
“This sword is a top-grade Yellow-tier weapon. It’s enough to protect you during this mission. It was my fifteenth birthday gift from Mother. You must take good care of it.”
Hai Dali caught the sword, delighted. A top-grade Yellow-tier weapon was more than sufficient for him at his current level.
Caressing the sword, he could not help but sigh inwardly. As expected, the crying child gets the candy. A little complaint, and he obtained a sword.
Although it was only temporarily lent to him, it greatly increased his safety on this trip. He immediately said earnestly, “Second Miss, please rest assured. This subordinate will take good care of this sword and will not let it suffer even the slightest damage.”
Chen Muxue nodded in satisfaction and signaled that he could leave.
Hai Dali gave Qingzhi a reassuring look before taking his leave.
Not knowing how long the trip would take, he prepared some dry rations and then went to the front courtyard to assemble.
When he arrived, Chen Er was already waiting. Seeing the sword in Hai Dali’s hand, a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes. He asked, “Is that the Second Miss’s sword?” You are reading on novelping.com, the official source.
Hai Dali did not have a storage treasure and could only carry it openly. It was not surprising that Chen Er recognized it, given his status in the residence and his frequent contact with Chen Muxue. Hai Dali put on a moved expression and said, “The Second Miss learned that this subordinate would be carrying out a mission and granted me this sword for protection.”
“The Second Miss truly values you. Do not disappoint her expectations,” Chen Er said, a hint of envy in his voice as he looked at the sword.
He himself also possessed a top-grade Yellow-tier weapon, but he had saved for a long time to afford it. Yet this young man received one just for going on a mission. It unsettled him slightly.
“This subordinate will never forget the Second Miss’s kindness. I am willing to go through blades and flames for her, even if it means being shattered to pieces,” Hai Dali said firmly, as if making a solemn pledge.
Chen Er was momentarily dazed. This version of Hai Dali felt unreal to him. After a long look, he said, “Just remember where your duties lie.”
Hai Dali sensed hidden meaning in those words but could not grasp it. He responded, “Yes.”
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Chen Er said, “For most of you, this is your first time going out on a mission. I expect you to follow the rules and not make things difficult for me.”
He scanned the crowd and waved his hand. “Set off.”
The Chen Family was just a small clan in Qingfeng City. Naturally, they would not use flying treasures or spirit beasts for transport. Qi Refining cultivators could not fly, so they had to travel on foot.
The Spiritual Herb Fields were over one hundred li away from the Chen Residence, which was more than fifty kilometers. With movement techniques, they could arrive in about two hours.
Two hours later, they reached the Spiritual Herb Fields without incident.
At that moment, a middle-aged man who looked like a manager approached. He first greeted Chen Er, then addressed the group, “Brothers, thank you for your hard work. In a while, the Eldest Miss will come to select some of you to remain here and help guard the area for a period of time. Please wait a moment.”
The crowd immediately exploded in protest. This was not what had been said before. No one had mentioned that people would have to stay behind.
This place was remote and faced the threat of demonic beasts. It was nothing like the comfort of the Chen Residence. Everyone wanted to complete the task quickly, return, and collect their 20 Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Not a single person wanted to stay.
Hai Dali felt numb. He sensed he had been tricked. Indeed, benefits from others were never easy to obtain.
“Silence.”
The middle-aged man released the pressure of someone at the peak of the 9th stage Qi Refining Realm. It swept over the crowd, and the scene immediately quieted.
Seeing the situation under control, he said, “This was the Eldest Miss’s temporary decision. There was no intention to deceive you. If you have questions, wait for the Eldest Miss to arrive and she will explain personally.”
Hearing this, everyone fell silent in frustration. Who dared to confront the Eldest Miss? Did they not want to keep their jobs?
The treatment at the Chen Residence might not seem high, but it was far better than struggling outside. They did not have to live a life licking blood from the blade, and they had stable income. Countless people outside coveted such positions.
So now they could only accept it silently.
Standing among the crowd, Hai Dali felt their helplessness and could only pray that he would not be selected.