104 Exaction (1/2)

”I had spent much energy looking for this piece of jade in the past, but who would've guessed that it would appear so effortlessly!”

Inside the room, Fang Yuan slowly put the piece of jade down, feeling relieved.

”The thing that I had wanted most came to me in such a way…..”

He shook his head, with a slight happiness in his heart.

According to what Huang Fu Renhe said, many years ago, he was being ill-treated and was under extreme pressure; there was no way he could endure. Taking an opportunity, he escaped with this piece of jade to the Secluded Mountain Prefecture.

However, his magical energy was not great enough to see through the piece of jade to know its secrets.

To Fang Yuan, however, it was a piece of cake.

<<Spiritual Recordings>>!

This was the title of the paragraph inscribed in the piece of jade. It was the elementary book for potential alchemy masters. The book not only had recordings of the characteristics, medicinal effects and methods of handling different types of spiritual objects, it also included a special way to appraise spiritual objects, aiding alchemy masters in determining the quality of spiritual objects, if they were poisonous, etc.

After all, there were many weird and strange spiritual objects present in this world and it was impossible for the inscription to cover every single one of them.

”Of course, the most valuable pieces of information will be the explanation by alchemy masters themselves, as well as the methods of handling different types of spiritual ingredients…....This inscription should be considered very precious to Huang Fu Renhe!”

Fang Yuan thought about it before deciding to pass on the information from the Spiritual Recordings to Huang Fu Renhe. Ultimately, this piece of jade was from him.

”Unfortunately, Renhe didn't know about the preciousness of this object. If he had passed this jade to Lanruo, that girl should be able to see some of the secrets in it, and of course…...that would also mean that the jade would not come to me!”

He felt fortunate, and at the same time, a little worried.

The mysterious spiritual knight or spiritual disciple who wanted to kidnap Lanruo was also a problem.

Of course, he had already exterminated the Wild Wolves Gang. It would be hard for the spiritual knight to track him down.

Being such a gifted girl, Fang Yuan was not willing to give her up.

”I cannot easily pass on the cultivation of a dream master. However, I still have a few other spiritual knight techniques with me…..”

Letting his thoughts run wild, he pondered. ”It will be beneficial for me to train a few loyal subordinates. Of course, as much as possible, I shouldn't let her learn the Blood Magic Manual. Just the thought of it spooks me…..”

”Thinking about this, as part of the secluded valley faction, we can have anything we want. If I need people, I can get them. If I need spiritual ingredients, I can also get them. We now have a doctor, a pharmacist, a martial artist and a certain level of influence, and therefore should be considered the most powerful in Qingye City. If I was the Sect Head of the Spirit Returning Sect, even if I only knew a little about the secluded valley, I would still have to ask them for help in times of war…..”

Fang Yuan stroked his chin and was speechless.

He was in a different position and hence, his perspective and attitude in seeing things were very different.

Since he was part of the secluded valley, he wouldn't wish to see the Spirit Returning Sect having their way and becoming powerful at the expense of the suffering of others.

”Master! They are already here!”

While Fang Yuan was in deep thoughts, Zhang Sheng called to him from outside.

”Direct them to the main hall. I will be there soon!”

Fang Yuan opened the door and saw Zhang Sheng carrying a broom.

Under the care of Fang Yuan, and with the help of spiritual ingredients, Zhang Sheng's Dantian recovered. He had re-obtained his inner force and reinstated his status as a considerably skilled martial artist.

In the main hall of the secluded valley.

Zhou Wenwu, Yu Xinlou and Huang Fu Renhe were waiting in there.

Huang Fu Renhe looked like he had no worries and was enjoying his tea. Yu Xinlou seemed a little worried and Zhou Wenwu was the most uneasy one.

”Here comes Sir!?”

Seeing the arrival of Fang Yuan, the three of them got up and greeted him.

”Hmm!”

Fang Yuan nodded his head to acknowledge them. He then sat in his chair and waved his hand.

Seeing this, Zhang Sheng closed the doors to the main hall and guarded outside. With his skills, even martial artists of the 4 Heavenly Gates could not sneak up upon them.

”You may speak now. Did something happened at the Spirit Returning Sect?”

Fang Yuan came straight to the point.

”You are correct. The Spirit Returning Sect had given an order for all cities in Qinghe County to be on alert. Soldiers from the Spirit Returning Sect are now deployed everywhere, and every family in the county are expected to contribute and help out in any way they can!”

Zhou Wenwu gave a wry grin.

The way he mentioned about the Spirit Returning Sect showed that he was unhappy with the sect.

”Oh? What did they blackmail the three of you for?”

Seeing this, Fang Yuan became interested.

”Every big household in the Qingye City will have to give 100 taels of gold and all the spiritual food they have. The households will also have to provide their most powerful martial artists to be under the direct command of the city master!”

Zhou Wenwu's face was black.

Previously, things were improving back in the Zhou family. However, with this order from the sect, his family would be forced to their limits, and even he, an inner force expert, would have to be conscripted since he was the most highly skilled in his family, which explained his expression.

”The situation for my family is slightly better than Brother Zhou's!”

Yu Xinlou forced a laughter. ”I was ordered to give them some money and food supplies, and some of my business shops to the temporary city master…..”

”Since all of you were affected, I guess it is a matter of time the secluded valley will be blackmailed too...”

Fang Yuan murmured and suddenly, he asked, ”A temporary city master? What about the previous county leader?”

The previous county leader was a good old man. He was kind, and it was probably due to the fact that he did not have real power and authority over the county. As long as things were not too chaotic or going out of hand, he would always be the forgiving and kind old man, which made him the favourite among the rich and powerful.

However, since the situation in Qinghe County was different now, the previous system of bureaucracy was no longer relevant. Hence, the county leader, together with the name of his appointment, had to be changed.