Chapter - 22

"System, there is no way in hell I would do that."

"Host, but didn't your Huian say that this bead is garbage."

"System, it could be garbage, but why should I waste my money and time to help some bastard?"

"Host, can we renegotiate?"

"System, Sure. First, tell me, what did you mean when you said 'be careful?"

"Host, I can only warn you but can't give the details."

Long Chen groaned but still stared at the mission panel.

'Ding. Attention, host.'

'Mission: Place the Fire Bead in Pingzhai Mountain.'

'Reward: 10 Karma Points.'

'System's honest comments: Pretty simple mission.'

'System additional comments: Yup, very simple.'

"Long Lin, come here. I have a task for you."

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Long Chen calmly looked at Chang Qiu, his eyes still sharp and asked, "Patriarch Chang, what is it that you are expecting from me?"

Chang Qiu's face, which was very tense before, slowly became calm. He was not an idiot. Zhicun City is just an average city subordinate under Blue Cloud City. There shouldn't be any reason for an aristocratic young master to be here.

Looking at Long Chen, he started to recall what had happened. He realized that too many of the instances were very suspicious. Zhao Tai's herb was not very precious for anyone beyond Qi Refinement. So why would this young man purposefully humiliate that girl? Is it to provoke the Zhao clan?

'It seems I need to make preparations. The Zhao clan seems to have overturned their luck. Didn't that Zhao Xun recently win the clan competetion? I also heard that Patriarch Zhao has made a miraculous recovery. Is the Blue Cloud City worried?'

Chang Qiu was way too deep into his own thoughts.

All of a sudden, he made a decision in his heart. There is only one way for the Chang clan to prosper.

"Patriarch Chang?" Long Chen smiled as he looked at Chang Qiu.

"Young Lord Long, I have decided." Chang Qiu took a deep breath and said.

Long Chen didn't understand. So what exactly did you decide, brother?

Somehow, this Chang Qiu met him at his courtyard in Zhicun city and figured out that he wasn't Wang Chunan but a person from the Long Clan. Chang Qiu didn't speak much, bringing several gifts, but his face showed various expressions.

Long Chen had simply asked whether this guy was expecting anything from him. So I only asked you out of courtesy, brother.

"Patriarch Chang?" Long Chen continued asking. If you have to think so much, do it somewhere else.

"Young Lord Long, I am awaiting your order." Chang Qiu continued with uncertainty.

"Patriarch Chang, say what you want to say." Long Chen finally said.

"Hmph! Hmph!" Chang Xiu snorted twice first. Then he stated: "Young Lord Long, recently we have heard that the Zhao clan has produced a genius."

After pondering on his own thoughts for a moment, he suddenly had a look of shock expressed on his face, "Young Master, are you here to find out whether the Zhao clan came across any treasure?"

Long Chen was confused. Why should he care about some Zhao Clan?

Wait?

"System, fuck you. Are you purposefully trying to make me some kind of villain here?"

The system was silent.

"System, if you don't speak now, I will ask Huian to go and kill that genius."

"Host, please don't ask anything."

"Young Lord." Meanwhile, Chang Xiu continued, "That Zhao Xun was trash who couldn't cultivate at all. But, then, suddenly this year he entered Body Quenching stage and then recently stepped into Qi Refinement."

"So?" Long Chen asked.

"Young Lord Long, do you want me to...?" Chang Xiu showed an expression of slitting throat.

Long Chen's face was filled with an indescribable expression. Don't go on assuming everything, you old bastard.

"Young Lord.." Chang Xiu suddenly remembered something.

"In a few days, we are having a city competetion to select geniuses to represent our city for the Blue Cloud city event." Chang Xiu tilted his head and looked at Long Chen.

"Now I understand." He suddenly came to understand but was again puzzled by something: "Young Lord Long, are you planning to crush this genius here at the event?"

Long Chen felt tired.

Long Chen decided to make things clear. "about that, what are the rewards for this event?"

"Young Lord Long?" Chang Xiu's face changed, and he suddenly let out a look of admiration towards Long Chen and replied respectfully. "I understand."

Long Chen wanted to kick this bastard out.

Finally, he reminded Chang Xiu: "Don't do anything unnecessary. Let nature take its course."

Long Chen then asked: "Don't you clans always bet this and that during these events?"

"Young Lord Long, we do bet. This time I am planning to bet some herbs that I had come across the mountains."

"Just some herbs?"

"Young Lord Long, this is just some local event? Who would be stupid enough to bet precious items?"

"Change it. Can you bet Pingzhai mountains with Zhao clan?"

Chang Xiu face was at the point of tears. He tremblingly asked: "Young Lord Long, that's the lifeblood of my clan. If I lose it..."

"Don't worry. Huian..."

Huian nodded, took out a pill bottle, and handed it to Chang Xiu.

Chang Xiu was shocked. Isn't this?

Long Chen laughed sinisterly in secret.

He lowered his voice and said: "If you follow my exact words, you will get more than this."

Even though Chang Xiu felt that a large piece of flesh was being taken out if he could get the solid support of the Long clan?? Regardless of his clan's unwillingness, he decided to get things done as this lord said.

That was why no matter what the Young Lord asks, he should not show any hesitation. But, unfortunately, this reward is not something that he could get quickly. He had been going to the Long Clan for pills for the past few years. But was always thrown out.

After taking a deep breath, he said: "I will do as Young Lord Long advises."

"Good." Long Chen slapped his thigh, "What you need to do is simple. Just bet Pingzhai mountains. If you lose, don't give it for now. Take your time to clear everything you can find there and leave."

Chang Xiu laughed.

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Long Lin soon returned. He bowed and said to Long Chen: "Young Master, I have done as you asked."

"Oh? What did you find there?"

"Young Master, there's some Firestone. But, unfortunately, they are of low quality and only good for mortal tools."

He didn't ask anything else. This mountain is good enough for a small clan in this city to make a good profit, nothing more. So he didn't understand why this Young Master asked him to dig around and place the bead in some inconspicuous place.

'Ding. Attention, host.'

'Mission: Place the Fire Bead in Pingzhai Mountain. - COMPLETED'

'Reward: 10 Karma Points.'

'System's honest comments: Pretty simple mission.'

'System additional comments: Yup, didn't I already say it's effortless.'

Now that the mission was completed, he didn't want to stay in this place anymore.

Looking at Long Lin, he said: "Pack your bags; we are leaving."

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A few days after Long Chen left Zhicun city, a grand event to select the top genius of Zhicun city was held with great fervour. A great arena was constructed, and the surroundings were filled with thousands of people watching the event. Right now, their gazes were all concentrated on the centre of the arena.

"I hope Zhao Xun will win this event." At the Zhao clan area, Patriarch Zhao narrowed his eyes at the arena and smiled.

"Haha, Patriarch Zhao, you must be dreaming. Is there anyone here better than my clan's Chang Long?" To his side, Chang Xiu chuckled.

Upon hearing these words, Patriarch Zhao just smiled. Then, just as he gathered his thoughts, waves of cheers suddenly sounded out from the arena. Soon after, the crowd saw a few figures appearing upon seeing that one familiar figure among them, his face turned bright.

On the giant arena, the participants of this event all revealed themselves. They looked at the massive crowd around them and waved their hands.

As the participants ascended onto the arena, several judges swiftly arrived and started issuing various tags.

"Let the match start." The patriarchs all stood up and declared.

Chang Long's calm face immediately changed. He exchanged a glance with Zhao Xun as a glint flashed in his eyes before he turned to ask in a solemn voice: "Young Master Zhao, are you not afraid of getting crippled?"

Zhao Xun was silent. He didn't bother to waste time arguing with this ant.

"Where is your little sister? After you got beaten by Young Master Wang, I heard she isn't seen anywhere. Ha Ha." Chang Long added more spice.

Zhao Xun sent an icy glare at Chang Long.

Chang Long was getting more and more confused since morning. His Patriarch called him this morning and specifically told him to provoke this Zhao Xun for no reason. Whatever who cares?

"Patriarchs, why not make this event interesting?" After watching at the arena, Chang Xiu suddenly suggested.

"Oh?" Patriarch Zhao sneered as he furrowed his eyebrows. Recently he has been hearing many things about Patriarch Chang secretly meeting someone from Blue Cloud City.

"How about we wager? I will wager my Pingzhai mountain. Should your Zhao Xun win during this competition, then my Pingzhai mountain shall belong to your Zhao clan. However, if you lose, your clan's Shunhe mountain will belong to us. Patriarch Zhao, do you dare to accept this wager?" Chang Xiu's eyes flashed as he said.

"Pingzhai mountain?"

Upon hearing these words, Patriarch Zhao and the whole crowd were stunned. The Pingzhai mountain produces Firestone and is a significant revenue enterprise for the Chang clan. However, Shunhe mountain was the only lifeblood of his family. If he loses, the Zhao clan will become a second-grade clan in Zhicun city.

Chang Xiu smirked as he looked at Zhao Xun. I hope this kid will not disappoint him.

Zhao Xun noticed Chang Xiu's smirk and was secretly frowning. The treasure he found was near the Shunhe mountain range. He had also heard about Patriarch Chang meeting someone privately.

Patriarch Zhao's expression changed significantly; he was obviously shocked by the stakes. Immediately, he gently shook his head. Even though the wager was lucrative, he didn't want to bet on his clan's future.

"Patriarch, let's not wager...."

Standing behind Patriarch Zhao were various elders and disciples of the Zhao clan. Suppose they were to lose the Shunhe mountains because of this wager. In that case, they would lose face, but their reputation will be significantly affected.

After hearing his clan members opinion, Patriarch Zhao sighed in his heart. However, just as he was about to reject, a young voice suddenly resonated from the arena, causing everyone to look.

"Alright, my Zhao clan accepts your wager!"

Zhao Xun stated as he clenched his fists.

'Patriarch Chang, do you think I am a fool? Let me show you all that I deserve this after working so hard, he sneered in his heart.

'Young Master Wang, this event is my first stepping stone. Some day, I will arrive at your clan and defeat you in front of everyone. Then, I will return the humiliation a hundredfold, no, a thousandfold.', Zhao Xun vowed.

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Long Chen, walking around the Blue Cloud city with Huian, suddenly sneezed.

Huian asked with concern: "Young Master, are you alright?"

Long Chen replied with a smile: "I am fine. Someone is thinking about me."

Huian only responded with an 'Oh'.

'Fuck you, system.'