Chapter 80: Chapter 80: Truth and Tacit Understanding

"Taoist Yi Chengzi, the matter at Yang Family Fort was resolved largely thanks to your righteous intervention, otherwise my son would have been in grave danger," Yi Chen said as he had just stepped out of the temple, with Lin Zhenbei bowing his hands in gratitude toward him.Lin Baihu, who stood behind Lin Zhenbei, stepped forward and returned the Dragon-Slaying Sword into Yi Chen's hands.

"Taoist, this Pure Yang cultivation sword has now been rightfully returned to its owner."

"I still want to thank the Taoist for his help last time. Next time you come to Ping'an County, please let me know so that I can fulfill my duties as a landlord," said Lin Baihu.

Yi Chen politely declined the repeated thanks, took the Dragon-Slaying Sword, and led everyone to the backyard.

They took their seats.

Tea was served.

Qing Feng and Ming Yue attended by their sides.

Qing Yunzi sat beside Yi Chen on his right.

Under the cue of Lin Zhenbei's gaze, Lin Baihu took out a tea-colored paper bag from his chest and handed it over.

"Taoist, this is the truth uncovered by our Town Security Office through extensive investigation. It contains confessions and physical evidence, and you may examine it," Lin Baihu said.

"Some of the witnesses have also been brought here and are being held outside the temple."

"The main reason for the delay was the incident at Yang Family Fort; otherwise, the investigation could have been concluded even earlier," Lin Zhengyi explained.

Yi Chen smiled, took the paper bag, but did not open it immediately.

Inspecting it right away was not the way to treat a guest.

He smiled and placed the paper bag on the side table next to him, then turned to inquire about the incident at Yang Family Fort.

"The incident at Yang Family Fort?" asked Yi Chen.

Hearing Yi Chen's question, Lin Zhenbei's eyebrows knitted together, and his expression seemed to show some difficulty. After a moment of contemplation, he said:

"This matter should not be spread, but since the Taoist is not an outsider, I will share some information that I've learned."

Lin Zhenbei cleared his throat, "In fact, I too have limited knowledge of this matter. The news has been strictly sealed by the higher authorities, and I heard only a bit of information from my direct superior."

"It is said that the blood-colored meteors scattered across the land have spawned various strange disasters in the Da Yue dynasty. Fortunately, these ghoulish things, while troublesome and odd, are not a major concern if dealt with promptly," he said.

"The upper echelons of our Town Security Office have already used a marvelous treasure to transfer those troublesome and dangerous sites directly into a Secret Realm for confinement. Those sites that pose less danger have been enclosed with high walls to prevent people and animals from inadvertently entering."

"What concerns us now is the fear that those blood-colored meteors were not just a one-off occurrence. When the next change happens, that will be the real test."

As he spoke, Lin Zhenbei suddenly lowered his voice and whispered:

"When I was escorting the left arm of the True Monarch of Transformation, I accidentally heard the chief executive say that with the anomalies in heaven and earth, we are entering an era of endless troubles."

"The attitude from above does not seem optimistic, and we need to start making early preparations."

Yi Chen was not too surprised by what Lin Zhenbei said, as he had already seen the letter from the old Heavenly Master when he had mistakenly entered the Yin Manor.

The old Heavenly Master had indicated in the letter that with the anomalies in the world, the future was uncertain.

Many powerful cultivators must have predicted today's changes long ago.

However, according to what Lin Baihu said today, the first wave of blood-colored meteor strikes had been withstood, and it seemed the next disturbance would require some time to come.

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The coming storm was inevitable, and only the true masters would be able to break free from their constraints and take control of their destiny.

A glint flashed in Yi Chen's eyes—what an opportunity.

Without great destruction, there cannot be great order.

If his Hidden Dragon Temple were to develop and become a superpower alongside the Three Mountains and Six Cults, it would need to break the current power structures. Under the stable and solidified old power structures, this was nearly impossible to achieve.

Only in times of turmoil would there be a chance for newcomers to rise.

For instance, the current Da Yue dynasty could not have risen to power if the Longevity Cult of the True Monarch of Transformation hadn't plowed through the previous dynasty's court and sects, resulting in heavy casualties among the masters. How else could Da Yue have seized the opportunity?

With each era comes new talents; every generation surpasses the last.

The Da Yue dynasty feasted on the remains of the former, integrating many broken sects and noble families to become the reigning empire, overpowering all under heaven. Even the Three Mountains and Six Cults had to bow their heads to the might of the Da Yue dynasty, at least nominally.

Yi Chen naturally had no ambitions to dominate the world, but amidst the chaos, he had the courage to greatly develop his sect and to preserve the relics and Cultivation Techniques from the ruined ancestral tombs of other sects.

Not only did he have that courage, it was considerable.

Such behavior, under an orderly rule, would easily get one killed.

The chaos, however, gave him the opportunity to fish in troubled waters.

Moreover, with the current supernatural changes to the world, it seemed that the future would be plagued with frequent appearances of ghosts and evil spirits—all of which amounted to a wealth of Deep Red Points.

If he played his cards right, he could very well rise swiftly using the momentum, testing his strength against the world.

"Still, I have to thank the landlord for being so forthright."

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"If there's anything in the future, just send a letter and I will not hesitate to help if I can."

Yi Chen stood up and bowed deeply to Lin Zhenbei, who quickly got up and returned the bow. A young and an old fox exchanged glances, understanding each other without words.

Yi Chen needed the official status and intelligence from the town's peacekeeping office, while Lin Zhenbei saw promise in Yi Chen's future and decided to invest early.

The so-called web of human relationships is one thing, and what you have in your hands that others need is another.

In the previous life, some people liked to socialize, but how could you fit in with the circle of predators if you came empty-handed?

Are you expecting them to take an interest in charitable work?

This is why different circles can't be forced together.

It is also the reason why teachers and doctors were held in such high regard in society in the past life.

There were many smooth talkers, but one's real strength had to keep up, or it was in vain.

The protagonist of the story of the wild dog who was hunted by the lion failed to understand this principle.

When the strength was there, relationships and circles would naturally form.

Yi Chen believed that as long as his strength progressed, his relationship with Lin Baihu of the Hidden Dragon Temple would only get better.

Furthermore, he was not the type to be ungrateful.

In the early stages, Lin Baihu had helped protect the Hidden Dragon Temple, and Yi Chen would reciprocate with generous rewards later on.

After another round of casual conversation on various topics, Lin Zhenbei and his people decided it was time to leave. This personal visit was merely to show importance to Yi Chen; in the future, some affairs would not necessitate a personal presence.

Yi Chen personally saw Lin Zhenbei and his party off for a hundred meters.

Outside, the autumn wind was bleak, whisking away the dried grass on the ground.

Lin Zhenbei hesitated to speak, but in the end, he still voiced his question.

"Taoist, there has been something weighing on my mind; I must speak to feel at ease."

"Landlord, please speak freely; we can talk about anything."

"What I want to ask is, does your junior brother, Qing Yunzi, have an issue with me and my son? He has been looking at us with dismissive eyes for several encounters now."

"You know, that kind of, domineering and unyielding gaze."

Yi Chen: "....."

"To be honest, for some reason, my junior brother has been severely cross-eyed since he was young, and he looks at everyone like that…"

"And over time, it has gotten worse."

Lin Zhenbei: "....."

Lin Baihu: "....."

"Farewell!"

With the misunderstanding cleared, Yi Chen watched Lin Zhenbei and his group leave before finally opening the tea-colored paper bag.

On the first page of the intelligence report, the words "Qing Feng Temple" were written prominently.

At this sight, Yi Chen's eyes involuntarily narrowed.