Chapter 1594: Chapter 662: Return

Chen San returned to the tavern.

As he crossed the main hall, numerous gazes fell upon him, lightly pricking like fine needles.

"I heard Young Master Ning Zhuo was taken away by Iron Mad Hall Master."

"Why is he still here?"

"I placed quite a bit of money on the Three Brave of Xiang Sect, and now they’re not fighting? What kind of game is this?!"

Chen San heard clearly, yet his expression remained as steady as a rock, with not a single misstep.

Today, he wore a gray-green long robe, with the token Ning Zhuo gave him hanging at his waist. His sleeves were neat and clean, and although his Foundation Establishment Cultivation was unimpressive within the Myriad Images Sect, standing behind him was Ning Zhuo, naturally making his spine straighter.

He entered the private room he had long rented, lit a stick of Clear Heart Incense, and arranged a stack of name lists, contracts, and item inventories in order, like a soldier inspecting arms before going into battle.

Ning Zhuo’s orders were clear, asking Chen San to express gratitude on behalf of himself and propose returns. As for what was already consumed, sign debt contracts, agree on compensation by price. For those uncontactable, publicly post announcements to explain and sincerely apologize.

"Young Master Ning Zhuo is indeed different from those family heirs; he truly is responsible!"

Chen San’s heart grew warm, not just because Ning Zhuo entrusted such an important task to a mere Foundation Establishment Cultivator but also because Ning Zhuo’s character made him even more certain that following Ning Zhuo was absolutely the right choice!

The first to arrive was Shen Hongyao.

Shen Hongyao was dressed in red, like clouds descending on her shoulders, with fine medicinal patterns embroidered on her sleeves. In her hair was a Red Jade Hairpin, her face bright as fall maple fire, her eyes like a warm glow.

Chen San rose and saluted, offering a Jade Bottle with both hands: "Miss Shen, my lord is currently trapped in the Xingyun Trial and cannot make an agreement with the Three Brave of Xiang Sect for a short time. He says he cherishes your kindness and keeps it in his heart. This pill is precious, and for now unnecessary, please take it back."

Shen Hongyao looked at the Jade Bottle, her eyes pausing with a gentle smile. She reached out, placing her fingertips on the bottle, but did not take it immediately.

Just then, a ray of sunlight slanted in, falling on her lowered eyelashes, casting delicate specks of gold.

"Did he ask you to return this?" she asked softly, with no tone of emotion.

Chen San respectfully replied: "He says one cannot slight the grace of others and instructed me to thank everyone face-to-face wherever possible."

Suddenly, Shen Hongyao smiled, taking the Jade Bottle into her sleeve, her demeanor as straightforward as ever: "Good, I’ll keep it. You tell Ning Zhuo that if he wants to battle the Three Brave of Xiang Sect someday, I’ll lend this Demon Pill again."

Chen San solemnly clasped his fists: "I will certainly convey your words."

The middle-aged cultivator was still in his cloud-pattern long robe, with a gentle expression like distant spring mountains. He arrived second after receiving the Flying Message.

Chen San conveyed Ning Zhuo’s words verbatim, then handed the Cloud Beast to the middle-aged cultivator.

"This beast is precious. My lord insists on returning it intact."

The middle-aged cultivator nodded, took out a Cloud Bell, and gave it a gentle shake—the Cloud Beast turned into a thread of white cloud and silently slipped into the bell. "I’ll inform Cloud Wanderer."

The middle-aged cultivator put away the Cloud Bell, speaking warmly: "Your lord actively returns, lending again in the future will not be difficult. But you might struggle to contact Cloud Wanderer, contact me first."

Chen San bowed: "Thank you, senior.

Cao Gui hurried over.

His forehead was still sweaty, with a faint medicinal smell lingering on him.

"My master personally instructed me to say this pill remains with Young Master Ning, no need to return."

Chen San frowned: "This..."

Cao Gui softly said: "You tell Young Master Ning Zhuo, if he truly feels regret for accepting it, he should spare some time to come to Danxia Peak for tea and chat about Alchemy Dao with the Peak Master."

Chen San’s heart was shocked hearing this, retrieving the Treasure Box, solemnly saying: "I will certainly convey Brother Cao’s words."

After Cao Gui left, Chen San admired Ning Zhuo even more, thinking: "Just as the Young Master’s instructions guide me."

Subsequently, Flying Messages arrived one after another.

"These Green-striped Bamboo Core, Cloud Silk Soft Copper, Fine Silver Spring, are mere pennies. If Young Ning returns them all, where will my old face stand?"

"What’s it for? To pile and gather dust in my warehouse? Ning Zhuo with Empty Valley Sound Green Mechanism Tube legacy, these items found true purpose by his hand."

"Young Master Ning Zhuo did not break faith. He has pledged under the True Words Bell to battle the Three Brave of Xiang Sect someday. We sponsor this intention, this person. Once given, it is given."

...

Chen San noted each response, suddenly understanding: Ning Zhuo’s act of returning impressed many sponsors, greatly enhancing Ning Zhuo’s prestige!

Qingya Study Room.

Outside the window, bamboo shadows swayed like ink brush renderings, atop the desk lay a half-open volume of "Knowledge and Action Record."

Kong Zhaoming read the urgent intelligence sent by Kong Ran, mainly the news of Ning Zhuo trapped in Xingyun Trial, followed by actively returning various sponsorships and apologizing one by one.

Kong Zhaoming initially dismissed it, but after reading, suddenly clapped and praised: "Good!"

Kong Zhaoming pressed his hand on the desk, his eyes filled with unbridled appreciation: "Advance and retreat wisely, able to bend and stretch. This young man, at such a critical juncture, still managed to take a step back voluntarily, handling every sponsorship aptly. Rare, truly rare."

Reflecting, Kong Zhaoming smiled: "Since he knows courtesy and holds faith, what harm in letting him have the National Power Bricks?"

He then picked up the brush, writing a Flying Message without hesitation, the ink spreading on the paper like flowing water.

Compared to these people, the atmosphere at Bai Qingya’s was far heavier.

Bai Qingya and other high-level figures remained silent.

A middle-aged clan member finally couldn’t help speaking, his voice filled with uncontrollable anxiety: "Clan uncle, we’ve already shown our faces. The news of supporting Ning Zhuo must have reached Xiang Si Sect over there. The Three Brave of Xiang Sect might not be focusing on us now, but what about the future?"

A female cultivator murmured: "The sect rules of Myriad Images Sect are in place; our lives are probably safe. But business, spirit fields, the future of the clan’s children, could all be blocked at every turn."

Bai Qingya grasped his cane, the veins on the back of his hand standing out like old tree roots.

This sudden change concerning Ning Zhuo was akin to a bolt from the blue when the news reached them.

The Flying Message sent by Chen San made the Bai family unable to sit still, urgently convening a meeting.

A young clan member suddenly raised his head, his voice carrying the typical recklessness and fervor of youth: "Didn’t Young Master Ning accept Huoniao’er? If even a loose cultivator can rely on him, why can’t our Bai family? We’ve even brought out the ancestral remains; once returned, can we just pretend it never happened?"

The hall fell silent immediately.

Bai Qingya’s eyes flashed, and he slowly looked at the young man.

The young man’s face turned crimson, yet he gritted his teeth and continued: "Rather than waiting for Xiang Si Sect to suppress us, it would be better for the clan to rely on Nanming Village! Young Master Ning values loyalty; his sending people today to return the pearl indicates he’s not a man without faith."

Bai Qingya gazed around the hall, seeing the change from hesitation to intrigue on their faces.

He slowly closed his eyes, and in the darkness, blood feuds of old appeared.

He suddenly opened his eyes, exhaled a long breath, his voice tired yet with the underlying tone of determination: "Then the clan should go to rely on him!"

Shuangya Liu Family.

The Liu clan elders were also gathering around Chen San’s Flying Message, discussing.

Someone advocated for immediate withdrawal to avoid trouble. Someone suggested simply opting to ally with Ning Zhuo. Someone gritted their teeth and said since they’ve already stood out, retreating would just lead to disrespect and a worse outcome.

Finally, the great elder of the Liu family sighed tiredly: "The old battle map will not be withdrawn. Tell Young Master Ning that since Liu family has given it, we are willing to wait for the day he wages war."

Broken Lamp Wanderer resided in a dilapidated guesthouse.

Carrying the oil lamp with half its shade missing, he sat under the window, the room lit dimly like a dream from the past.

By the lamplight, he read Chen San’s Flying Message, slowly shaking his head: "Ning Zhuo swore an oath publicly; he cannot possibly back out. If not today, or tomorrow, there’ll be a day. This old tattered lamp of mine can wait."

The shopkeeper of Yundu Trading House, round-faced and chubby, habitually fiddled with the abacus while reading the Flying Message.

As the beads of the abacus clacked like the sound of fine rain, he smiled broadly to himself: "Once goods from our trading house are sent, we pride ourselves only on no regret. Taking them back would be a losing deal."

Young Sword Cultivator Jiao Chi went straight to the tavern to meet Chen San. He remained as terse as iron, his left eye covered with a black cloth, his silhouette lean and sharp like a sword.

Chen San returned the broken sword to him, explaining Ning Zhuo’s apology.

Jiao Chi reached for the broken sword, gently stroked the fracture where its razor-edge sliced his fingertip, a blood pearl emerged, immediately absorbed by the sword.

"When he sets the battle date, come find me again." He said, then turned to leave.

A petite elderly woman claiming to be part of Crane Nest Old Department also came forward willingly.

She grinned, revealing several sparse teeth: "Return what? Old lady asks you, does Ning Zhuo want more Starfire Ash?"

Chen San was a bit startled.

The old woman flicked her fingers against a medicine bottle, and the powder inside emitted a blue and red glow like starfire flickering in darkness: "The Three Brave of Xiang Sect are still alive, the old granny’s price is set here. If Ning Zhuo offers a satisfying trade, the old granny has plenty of stock here!"

Many secretive supporters were unreachable. Following Ning Zhuo’s orders, Chen San posted notices at the tavern entrance, the workshop entrance, and a few of the most informed tea houses.

The notice was written properly and earnestly—Ning Zhuo is temporarily stuck in Xingyun Trial and, in the short term, cannot fulfill the agreed battle schedule. Any previous anonymous supporters wanting to withdraw their support can do so three days later at noon in this tavern’s third level elegant room, reclaiming support with a token. If the support has been spent, Nanming Village will compensate according to the value. Ning Zhuo appreciates the generosity of all parties and vows to fight the Three Brave of Xiang Sect later; his resolve remains unchanged!

The notice quickly drew a crowd.

"Is it really refunded?"

"This Ning Zhuo is interesting. While others don’t dare to release treasures they acquire, he actively posts a notice."

"This is smart. If I were in his position, I’d be willing to deal with such a person."

"He made his stance clear, ’resolve unchanged’—looks like it’s inevitable that the fight against the Three Brave of Xiang Sect will come eventually."

...

In the crowd, a masked cultivator squeezed his way in.

He was of intermediate build, his gray robes wide, hat pulled extremely low, revealing only a paper-white chin. His movements were light, like a shadow floating along the ground, unnoticed by those he passed.

He lifted his head, his gaze sweeping over the list like a hawk.

On the first pass, no sign.

On the second pass, still no sign.

His eyes sank slightly, scanning every word from top to bottom, left column to right row.

Still no sign!

No sign of the Three Brave Life-taking Nail!

The masked cultivator’s breath paused ever so slightly, as if the water’s surface had been ruffled by the wind, suddenly returning to calm.

He was sent to retrieve the Demon Treasure nailed with a Nascent Soul. Now that Ning Zhuo was trapped in Xingyun Trial, returning all forms of support would be fitting, and the Three Brave Life-taking Nail should appear on this list.

But nowhere on the list was it mentioned.

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