Chapter 77: Cooperation
Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Cooperation
One after the other, the two men crossed the bustling courtyard and entered the study.
Chen Li gestured for Zhang Chengzong to sit, then poured two cups of warm tea, pushing one toward him. "It’s just coarse tea from the countryside, Brother Zhang. Please, have some to wet your throat. What can I do for you today?"
The smile on Zhang Chengzong’s face faded, replaced by a somber expression tinged with a deliberate attempt to appear closer. "Brother Chen, let’s not beat around the bush. The last few times... It was I who was too hasty and caused offense. I hope you can forgive me."
Chen Li lifted his teacup, blew on the surface, and took a sip. "You’re being too formal, Brother Zhang. I understand."
Seeing Chen Li’s calm demeanor, Zhang Chengzong relaxed slightly. He sighed, his tone becoming confidential. "Brother Chen, to be honest with you, this task of mine isn’t easy. My father ordered me to cooperate with you, Brother Chen, to gather at least 30,000 dan of grain by the end of the year. Sigh, I know it’s a difficult task. After much thought, I feel that perhaps we could both benefit from working together."
"Oh?"
Chen Li set down his teacup and looked at him, his gaze calm.
Zhang Chengzong lowered his voice even further. "I know the location of a Water Bandit stash of grain. It’s filled with looted supplies, at least 10,000 dan of it. I can’t tell you the exact location right now, but if we join forces—I provide the intel, you provide the men and the muscle—we can sneak over and take the grain! That way, I can complete my assignment, and you, Brother Chen, can get a real benefit out of it. The best of both worlds. What do you say?"
After speaking, Zhang Chengzong gave a dry laugh and looked at Chen Li.
Faced with Zhang Chengzong’s proposal, Chen Li didn’t respond immediately.
’I’m not sure what his real purpose is in coming here today, but from what he’s said, this so-called cooperation sounds more like a trap.’
’It sounds wonderful: cooperate, split the profits, solve a difficult problem.’
’But after a moment’s thought, I can almost instantly see the huge loopholes and risks behind this plan.’
’Ten thousand dan of grain is no small amount.’
’How many carts and horses would it take to move that much? How many men? How could they possibly keep it quiet?’
’The Water Bandits aren’t dead. Would they really not notice their main den being raided?’
’Even the official soldiers can’t do anything about the Water Bandits. With the few hundred Village Braves they could muster at best, they would be walking to their deaths if they were delayed or ambushed during transport.’
’If we succeed, Zhang Chengzong will have contributed nothing but a piece of information. If we fail, it’s my family’s men and resources that are lost, and we might even end up targeted by the Water Bandits from then on.’
’Besides, Zhang Chengzong is secretly dealing with the Sect. His ambitions are not small.’
’And behind these Water Bandits is that very same Sect.’
’This feels more like bait.’
"I appreciate the kind offer, Brother Zhang."
Chen Li smiled faintly and said, "But as a Village Chief, I’m a general without an army right now. I have no one to command. We’ll have to consider this at length."
Zhang Chengzong hadn’t expected Chen Li to be so lukewarm about the proposal to raid the grain stash. He was displeased and said bluntly, "Brother Chen, this is a god-sent opportunity. It won’t come again. I urge you to reconsider carefully."
Chen Li spread his hands. "To be honest with you, Brother Zhang, ever since the County Magistrate was suspended, the County Captain and the County Magistrate have made no arrangements regarding the village defense. My spirit is willing, but my hands are tied!"
A flash of anger crossed Zhang Chengzong’s eyes. "Clan Leader Chen, do you think that because my father has lost power and has no hope of recovery, you can look down on me like this?"
"Why would you say such a thing, Brother Zhang? I have no such intention," Chen Li replied, his tone neither servile nor overbearing.
Zhang Chengzong snorted coldly. "Since Clan Leader Chen insists on this attitude, then you can solve the grain collection task for the end of the year by yourself. Farewell!"
With that, he flicked his sleeves and stormed away.
"Take care. I won’t see you out."
Chen Li watched him leave. ’Zhang Chengzong’s so-called proposal for cooperation was, in all likelihood, a trap laid specifically for me. Of course I’m not going to walk into it.’
...
「In September, the golden autumn wind was crisp and refreshing.」
The air was filled with the unique, fresh scent of new grain.
Dozens of long-term and short-term laborers shouted work chants as they threshed, winnowed, and sun-dried the last batch of harvested rice.
This year, the weather had been favorable.
From the family’s 820 mu of fertile fields, they had harvested a grand total of over 4,300 dan of grain.
Just as Chen Li was directing the laborers to move the sacked rice into the granary...
...the system’s notification sound echoed in his mind once again.
[Congratulations to the Host. Your second son, Chen Shouye, has broken through to the Blood Refining Realm. Reward issued: Arhat Vajra Relic Fruit x6.]
"Shouye broke through? Excellent!"
Joy surged in Chen Li’s heart.
His attention was immediately drawn to the reward.
Arhat Vajra Relic Fruit.
It was rumored to be a fruit from a strange sapling in the Relic Tower Forest of the Western Desert Buddha Country. It contained a trace of an Arhat’s immortal Buddha-nature and the indestructible will of a Vajra. The fruit could re-temper the body’s muscles, bones, and skin, significantly increasing one’s defense.
Chen Li returned to his study, took one out, and consumed it.
The fruit’s flesh melted the moment it entered his mouth. It wasn’t sweet; instead, it had a faint metallic tang and a strange scent of sandalwood.
The flesh dissolved on his tongue, carrying no sweetness, but rather a light, metallic odor and an exotic sandalwood fragrance.
In the next moment, an energy far more domineering, heavy, and sharp than that of the Dragon Blood Bodhi Heart erupted. Potent Essence Qi frantically assaulted his flesh, skin, and bones.
Unfortunately for the fruit, Chen Li had already opened his Profound Acupoint Pass.
With the aid of the Five Directions Twenty-Four Solar Terms Wuxiang Fist, his five viscera and six bowels were already mostly tempered, and his body’s recovery speed was extremely fast. The moment the Essence Qi tore through his flesh, the vitality surging from his organs immediately repaired the damage.
Thus, the goal of re-tempering his body was not achieved.
He could only faintly feel a trace of the indestructible Vajra will left behind in his organs, meridians, and bones.
"What a pity. This item is no longer very effective for me. It’s a waste."
Chen Li shook his head. It seemed these fruits were better saved for his descendants.
「Three days later.」
A travel-worn Chen Shouye hurried back home.
"Father, I’ve broken through to Blood Refining."
The last time they had spoken, his father had instructed him to return home immediately after his breakthrough.
Chen Li looked him over, nodding in satisfaction. He took out a Dragon Blood Bodhi Heart and an Arhat Vajra Relic Fruit and handed them to him. "These two items will be of great benefit in solidifying your Realm and tempering your physique. Take them now."
"Thank you, Father!"
Chen Shouye accepted them with great solemnity.
He sensed two completely different yet equally vast and powerful energies. He immediately sat down cross-legged and consumed the Dragon Blood Bodhi Heart first.
Perhaps because he practiced Horizontal Training Skills, his reaction was different from Shouheng’s; Shouye’s skin did not turn crimson.
Only his tightly furrowed brow and the dense beads of sweat on his forehead revealed the immense pressure he was under.
Two hours later.
Shouye finished refining the essence of the Dragon Blood Bodhi Heart and, without hesitation, tossed the dark-gold Arhat Vajra Relic Fruit into his mouth.
"Nngh!"
Shouye let out a muffled grunt as his body trembled violently.
His skin instantly took on a faint metallic luster, as if an invisible layer of golden lacquer was rapidly coating his entire body.
A series of sharp, rapid-fire CRACKLES, like popping soybeans, erupted from his bones, as if they were being repeatedly forged and tempered by an invisible sledgehammer.
His muscle fibers visibly swelled and contracted, becoming tougher and denser.
Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, instantly soaking his clothes.