Chapter 429 - 398: Tang Linli Surviving in the Cracks

Chapter 429: Chapter 398: Tang Linli Surviving in the Cracks

Upon learning of Chen Che’s plan, everyone finally understood.

The Primordial Sect, though a colossus, was not invulnerable. It had plenty of hidden adversaries. Aside from its centuries-old mortal enemy, the Star-Picking Sect, there was also Xiao Chan. If they truly orchestrated an "Evil Dragon Burned Warehouse" incident, the Primordial Sect would have no choice but to swallow the loss.

They would end up going after Xiao Chan, not targeting Jinyun Valley.

Besides, with the Star-Picking Sect to worry about, the Primordial Sect couldn’t possibly station several Golden Core cultivators in the Black Tortoise Calm Sea year-round just for a single ore vein. If word got out that they were making such a big deal out of a minor issue, they would become a complete laughingstock.

Then again, if the Primordial Sect actually did that, Chen Che would have no choice but to flip the table. The worst-case scenario would be simply burying those Golden Core cultivators along with the entire reef.

By that time, the Star-Picking Sect would surely not miss such a golden opportunity.

And for Chen Che, it would create a scenario where two tigers fought, allowing him to seize the opportunity for some Hidden Light and Hidden Strategy. It was just like when the Star-Picking Sect suffered from internal strife years ago; the Primordial Sect had used that very chance to rise to power.

He wasn’t the only one practicing Hidden Light and Hidden Strategy; there was also the Yu Race.

Chen Che tapped his fingers lightly, his thoughts turning to Yu Yunko. That clan had always kept a low profile, acting subservient, clearly waiting for an opportunity to make their move. ’Perhaps in the future, if a real chance presents itself, I could join forces with them to topple both the Primordial Sect and the Star-Picking Sect.’

Of course, that was still a distant prospect and not something to dwell on for now.

"Valley Master Chen."

While they were talking, Tang Linli had already walked over with a broad smile. He first bowed to Chen Che, then to Meng Qianxun, Meng Changtu, and the others. He could naturally sense the atmosphere was a little off; after all, he had come to "collect the dues."

In the Mortal World, he was essentially a tax collector.

Even in the Mortal World, there was a risk of being beaten to death by an angry mob, to say nothing of being in the midst of a Golden Core Influence. He naturally had to tuck his tail between his legs and be submissive.

"Have you chosen a location for the office?"

Chen Che asked, turning his gaze to him.

"I have. It’s in the southwest section of the reef," Tang Linli replied, pointing behind him.

Chen Che glanced over. The location wasn’t out of the way, but it wasn’t in the center, either. He instantly understood the man’s intentions. With a gentle smile, he said, "Steward Tang, if you require anything, just say the word. Jinyun Valley will spare no effort to assist you."

"There’s no need to trouble you, Valley Master. The Primordial Sect will cover the expenses for such trivial matters, and we have our own servants."

Tang Linli was all smiles. Then, he lowered his voice and said pointedly,

"Valley Master Chen, rest assured, I will not tamper with the books."

This meant the man would neither skim from the totals nor inflate them. This was crucial. If the person stationed here had even the slightest conflict with Jinyun Valley, they only needed to add a few phantom entries to the mine’s daily revenue.

With that, they could easily carve a chunk of flesh from Jinyun Valley.

Chen Che nodded at his words, gently patted Tang Linli’s shoulder, and then took out a bottle of elixirs. "I feel at ease with you handling matters, Steward Tang. I refined some elixirs a few days ago and happened to have an extra bottle..."

"I couldn’t possibly, I couldn’t!"

Tang Linli hastily refused. He really hadn’t been fishing for a reward.

Only after some back and forth did he finally accept it.

"I have some questions regarding the ore collection. I was wondering if Steward Tang could explain a few things to me?" Chen Che asked.

"Of course."

Setting aside the fact that he was now indebted to him, he wouldn’t have dared to put on airs in front of a Golden Core True Master anyway. He answered honestly,

"The Chief gave instructions before he left. Half of all Ore produced from the Anomalous Copper Ore Vein must be turned over. If the amount is insufficient, any shortfall must be compensated for with Spirit Stones."

Chen Che understood the implication.

In other words, the Primordial Sect didn’t care what Jinyun Valley did; they had to hand over half the value, whether in Ore or Spirit Stones.

"How often is the Ore handed over?"

"Once a year."

Tang Linli explained, "The Sect has several other mines, and the collection for all of them is done annually."

"Does the Sect come to collect it, or do I have to send people to deliver it?"

"The Sect sends its own people to retrieve it. That’s another reason for establishing the office here. Besides housing for the Sect’s disciples and Stewards, it’s used to store resources. According to the mine’s regulations, deliveries are made to the warehouse every five, ten, or fifteen days."

"And every so often, the Sect will also send someone with a Token to conduct a random inventory check. When the deadline arrives, after the amounts are verified and confirmed to be correct, the resources will be transported to the Sect. The entire process from collection to delivery shouldn’t take more than half a month."

Chen Che thought for a moment before asking, "And what about my share of the Ore? Does the Sect have any requirements for that?"

"That belongs to Jinyun Valley. It is, of course, for Valley Master Chen to handle as you see fit. The Primordial Sect will not interfere," Tang Linli quickly promised. He noticed that after he said this, the gazes from the other Golden Core masters nearby were no longer as hostile.

Then he quickly added another sentence:

"Once the Sect disciples arrive, I will keep them under a tight leash. I won’t let them cause any trouble in your territory, Valley Master Chen."

According to Qiu Tianshui, guarding the mine was considered a great service.

Unsurprisingly, some families would surely want to shove their own relatives into the position to gild their reputations. Even though these disciples might come from prominent families, they weren’t, strictly speaking, qualified Cultivators. They were more like the spoiled scions of the Mortal World.

Causing trouble, fighting out of jealousy, and throwing their weight around would be inevitable. Without restraint, it would be easy for chaos to break out.

Chen Che nodded and asked a few more questions, all of which Tang Linli answered honestly.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Tang Linli took his leave.

After leaving the Spiritual Boat, he eagerly uncorked the bottle and poured a few elixirs into his palm. The Spiritual Light emanating from them instantly froze his expression. He then scraped off a bit of powder, tasted it, and his face contorted in ecstasy.

"This is a Tier Three Middle Grade Elixir..."

He stopped in his tracks, turned around, and bowed deeply in the direction of the Spiritual Boat.

...

The Juvenile Turtle poked its head out from his robes, craning its neck to look at the departing Tang Linli before turning its round, beady eyes to Chen Che. It clearly didn’t understand why its master had given away its food.

Chen Che gently pushed the Juvenile Turtle’s head back down, tucking it into his sleeve.

"He’s a classic fence-sitter. No one wants to offend him, yet everyone wants to curry favor with him."

Watching Tang Linli walk away, practically floating on air, Meng Qianxun couldn’t help but comment, "Even though he repeatedly tries to get on our good side, we can’t actually win him over."

"He’s a smart man."

Chen Che nodded in agreement.

Putting himself in the man’s shoes, he understood Tang Linli’s stance perfectly. The Primordial Sect was his Upper Sect, an entity he dared not defy. Without a powerful sect as a backer, the Tang Family was merely an ordinary Foundation Establishment Clan.

And though Jinyun Valley was technically under their jurisdiction, it was a Golden Core Race. On paper, Chen Che was not only a Tributor but also the Sect Leader’s "Junior Brother."

As a mere Steward, he didn’t dare show any overt favoritism. Angering either side would mean a gruesome death, leaving him to survive in the cracks between giants. That’s why a smart man wouldn’t try to borrow power by flaunting connections; he would simply do his job honestly.

Perhaps because he saw the situation so clearly, the Tang Family had managed to thrive within the Primordial Sect like a fish in water.

"Men like him don’t easily offend any party, nor do they easily pledge allegiance to one."

"Should we arrange for someone else to be stationed here?"

Meng Qianxun glanced at Tang Linli’s retreating back from the corner of his eye and made a throat-slitting gesture. Clearly, he was already getting ready for the "Evil Dragon Burned Warehouse" plan.

"The personnel for the office were appointed by Qiu Tianshui. No matter how many we kill, they’ll just send more who are loyal to the Primordial Sect." Chen Che shook his head, rejecting the old man’s bloodthirsty suggestion.

"Besides, we’re already somewhat familiar with Tang Linli. There’s no need to risk swapping him for a complete stranger."

...

「Three days after Tang Linli moved onto the reef.」

The Primordial Sect sent over a Spiritual Boat packed with Cultivators. In addition to the disciples assigned to garrison and guard duties, there were also Array Masters tasked with setting up the warehouse. All told, there were about a hundred people. The ceaseless CLANG and BANG of construction echoed from the southwest corner.

At the same time, some of them began entering the mine, posturing as if they intended to jointly manage the Anomalous Copper with Jinyun Valley.

However, Tang Linli kept his earlier promise. He didn’t meddle in the mining operations, allowing Jinyun Valley to take the lead on everything.

The Reef, Ferry Dock.

A massive Spiritual Boat slowly pulled away from the pier.

At the hidden harbor entrance, Zhao Changping watched until the Spiritual Boat had vanished deep into the Black Tortoise Calm Sea before turning to walk back inland. With the Valley Master, the Meng Clan, the Lu Clan, and the Chen Clan all having departed, he was now, without a doubt, the most powerful person on the entire island.

During this time, he had been busy handling and familiarizing himself with the ore vein’s affairs, only finding a moment to reply to a single letter from his father.

As a Steward, he had naturally been entrusted with great expectations.

’If I can handle this well, then on the day I return to the Sect, I can justifiably become the Chief of the Pill Hall.’

Of course, it was no easy task. The pressure on a mere Qi Refining Cultivator to manage a group of mostly Foundation Establishment Cultivators, all while dealing with the Primordial Sect, was immense. Therefore, every single task had to be handled perfectly.

"Steward Zhao."

Lost in thought, he was interrupted by a disciple knocking and entering. "Steward Tang of the Primordial Sect wishes to see you. He is asking when the Anomalous Copper Ore Vein will officially begin extraction."

"Understood."

Zhao Changping straightened his clothes and strode quickly toward the Primordial Sect’s office.