Moments later, Luo Yexian and Tan Zhuyin returned from their investigation.
“That was fast!”
Yu Wen Cuojin looked at the two, maintaining a poker face while asking, “So, what did you find out?”
Tan Zhuyin nodded enthusiastically. “We gathered all the rumors about that Immortal’s actions around here.”
“He came to this place three years ago, moved a big mountain from Three Mountain Town, and chased away our sect’s priest.”
“The weird part is, he made all the townsfolk mine the other two mountains for stones to offer him!”
“And not just that, after collecting the stones, he’d regularly drop off various food and farming tools for the townsfolk.”
The more he spoke, the stranger Tan Zhuyin’s expression became.
Yu Wen Cuojin, a member of the Huanmo Sect, frowned as well. Trading food and tools for stones? Wasn’t that obviously a bad business deal?
With a cold snort, the vice sect leader said, “This guy clearly knows nothing about managing his followers.”
“If mortals are living comfortably, what do they need gods for?”
He couldn’t hold back from giving some advice on managing the crowd:
“If you want to keep the masses under control long-term, you need to keep a rope around their necks. Let them get too comfortable, yank it tight until they’re almost choking, then slacken it a bit.”
“If it’s too loose, they’ll lose respect. Too tight, and they’ll break free. A nice balance of struggle is what keeps them line dancing!”
The followers of the Huanmo Sect nodded; after all, he was the vice sect leader, and he had a point.
“Birth is such a mystery…”
“Huh?”
Yu Wen Cuojin turned around, casting a dark glare at Luo Yexian.
Luo Yexian’s expression turned serious. “I listened to the vice sect leader and couldn’t help but feel it’s much like managing livestock.”
“Hmph! How was your investigation? Did you find the reason behind the surge of power among the townsfolk?”
Yu Wen Cuojin suspected that, given the way they were going about it, the townsfolk’s strength was weakening.
But the opposite was true—there must be other methods at play.
“I got this from a local,” Luo Yexian said, pulling out a jar.
“This is pretty common; many townsfolk know the flavor inside. I suspect our brother Immortal might be using this for something.”
“Oh?”
Yu Wen Cuojin cautiously opened the jar.
A unique fragrance wafted out. The members of the Huanmo Sect, who had been traveling non-stop and used to roughing it, suddenly looked intoxicated, gasping for breath.
What… what could smell this good?
The scent had them completely entranced.
“Why does this smell oddly familiar…?”
“Is it barbecue? No… it seems even better than that!”
“So where can we get some?”
Hearing someone ask, Luo Yexian replied, “I asked the locals. They’re holding a feast at the temple! Everyone in town can go snag a bowl. Plus, they have free braised beef noodles!”
“How can you all be so unruly!”
Yu Wen Cuojin swallowed hard, but as he scolded, saliva was still flying everywhere.
“Hmph! My guess wasn’t wrong. That Immortal is controlling the townsfolk with this kind of trick! There must be some shady stuff in that jar!”
“The temple, huh? Everyone, follow me. I want to see what sort of tricks he’s up to!”
In a grand display, the members of the Huanmo Sect surged toward the temple.
What greeted them was a bustling scene. Describing it with fancy words wouldn’t do it justice.
A horde of people from the town had brought their bowls and had already gotten their noodles, squatting on the ground and slurping away. Even more townsfolk were lining up in a long queue.
At the end of that line was a stove with a roaring fire, accompanied by the frantic movements of someone stirring the pot.
“Brother Immortal?”
Luo Yexian’s eyes nearly popped out.
“This is that so-called Immortal?”
Yu Wen Cuojin took a step forward, ready to unleash his aura.
But then, the woman helping at the stove seemed to sense something, lifting her gaze towards them.
“Zhang Xuan?!”
Seeing a fellow Zhang Xuan, Yu Wen Cuojin instantly felt the same aura as her.
This made sense—he wouldn’t fear an equally strong presence.
But the real question was: Why was a powerful expert content to chop green onions like a mere kitchen apprentice?
And who was this Immortal, the majestic Black Earth, stirring the pot?
“Saint Son, let’s get in line.” Luo Yexian wiped his mouth.
“Get in line? Do you know our status? What level is the vice sect leader at?!”
Yu Wen Cuojin was caught off guard for a moment before slowly saying, “Let’s get in line!”
“?”
Thus, the grand Vice sect leader of Huanmo Sect and the rest of the members obediently shuffled to the back of the line.
It wasn’t just the saint of Huanmo who had little question marks popping above his head.
Even the Black Earth Immortal, Chef Li, was baffled.
“What are these folks up to?”
Just earlier, Qin Yuzhi had secretly told him that a Zhang Xuan was present.
Then, while cooking up some beef noodles, Chef Li looked up to see Luo Yexian and Tan Zhuyin dutifully standing at the end of the line.
“Are the members of the Huanmo Sect really this polite?”
“Clearly, it shows I manage well!”
Qin Yuzhi puffed out her chest, one fist on her hips like a superhero.
“…Let’s think of a way to deal with this first.”
Li Mo hadn’t expected a Zhang Xuan to show up.
In the Huanmo Sect, a Law Realm expert was already at the top, and a Zhang Xuan was probably on par with the leader!
If he wasn’t here to get on him, why would he send such a formidable expert?
But if it was for a confrontation, why be so polite?
Li Mo activated his divine eye and decided to face whatever came at him head-on.
He had to hand it to Chef Li’s efficiency; that massive pot was flipping all over the place, a skill honed from the Shenbing Peak’s frying techniques. Over a thousand bowls were ready in no time!
Quickly, the townsfolk went home, absolutely thrilled.
The temple fell quiet.
The two sides sat across from each other at the stove, the atmosphere stiflingly tense.
“Slurp slurp…”
“Huh?”
Yu Wen Cuojin turned his head to find Luo Yexian not only finished his first bowl but also got a second, slurping away like it was the most casual thing ever.
What a trivial matter! Did he not grasp the situation?!
“What business do you gentlemen have here?”
The Black Earth Immortal greeted Luo Yexian and then nonchalantly looked at Yu Wen Cuojin.
“Before we talk, I’d like to set a little security measure.”
Yu Wen Cuojin pulled something out of his sleeve.
It was a segment of bamboo, green like jade, emanating a spiritual aura.
“This is the Honesty Bamboo. If anyone lies, it will grow rapidly, allowing us to be candid with each other. What do you think?”
“…”
Li Mo thought to himself, “What is this weird tool? Does it leave some funky marks if you lie?”
Qin Yuzhi huffed, “You impudent wretch, you have quite the gall!”
She was really into her role here.
“?”
Yu Wen Cuojin was momentarily taken aback, but still maintained his composure, looking at Li Mo.
Li Mo nodded, laughing, “I’ve lived my life with integrity, asking for honesty while being a righteous man—what’s there to fear from Truth Bamboo?”
“Good! Then, in the depths of the Cloud Dream’s palace, might I request an explanation from you?”
Yu Wen Cuojin locked eyes with Li Mo, hinting at a trace of Zhang Xuan’s terrifying energy.
As his low voice echoed, an imposing aura pressed forward!
Once he finished speaking, he activated the Honesty Bamboo.
It would grow the moment it detected a lie.
