Chapter 73: Colluding with Evil Cultivators
There wasn't much commotion.
Even Wei Fan, a fellow senior member of the Immortal Market, had begun paving the way for his friend.
It was evident that the crimes committed by the steward of the Spirit Herb Pavilion and the two managers must have been severe—so severe, in fact, that they likely incited public outrage.
Otherwise, such a situation wouldn't have unfolded.
As fellow senior members of the Immortal Market, it would have been impossible for them to stand idly by while their colleagues were executed.
"The man colluded with evil cultivators, directing his subordinates to recruit them into the Immortal Market. With irrefutable evidence, the Immortal City Enforcement Squad executed him on the spot. His two accomplices met the same fate, and the hidden evil cultivators within the Immortal Market were thoroughly eradicated."
As he spoke, a glint of killing intent flickered in Wei Fan's eyes.
Being a late-stage Qi Refinement Realm cultivator and a senior member of the Immortal Market, Wei Fan was also filled with rage upon discovering that his colleagues had allied with evil cultivators.
Having come from the Vast Earth Academy, his heart remained loyal to the Vast Earth Sect, and he harbored nothing but hatred for evil cultivators, wishing for their utter destruction.
This, too, was why the execution of the Spirit Herb Pavilion's steward by the Immortal City Enforcement Squad had caused little upheaval.
In Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market, in Azure Cliff Immortal City, and under the rule of the Vast Earth Sect, there was only one outcome for collusion with evil cultivators—death!
"Colluding with evil cultivators, recruiting them into the Immortal Market?" He Song repeated Wei Fan's words, his brows furrowing.
He thought of Chen Zhou.
Chen Zhou had also been recruited into the Immortal Market six years ago.
Could it be...
He Song's mind conjured a bold hypothesis.
But he quickly dismissed it.
If Chen Zhou were truly an evil cultivator, and He Song had asked Wei Fan to kill him, the evil cultivators would surely have retaliated.
Yet, even now—three years later—the evil cultivators had been eradicated by the Immortal City Enforcement Squad, with no sign of retaliation.
This confirmed that Chen Zhou likely had little connection to the hidden evil cultivators within the Immortal Market.
Of course, it was also possible that the evil cultivators had traced their losses to Wei Fan and didn't know He Song was the mastermind.
Facing a late-stage Qi Refinement Realm cultivator, the evil cultivators might have refrained from seeking revenge.
At the same time, He Song thought of Zhao Lin.
If he remembered correctly, Zhao Lin had taken over Meng Guan's position, becoming a manager of the Spirit Herb Pavilion with a level four Qi Refinement Realm cultivation.
Chen Zhou had also been recruited by Zhao Lin.
If there were issues with Chen Zhou, Zhao Lin might not be innocent either.
But Wei Fan had already stated that all hidden evil cultivators in the Immortal Market had been eradicated, leaving no survivors.
As long as Zhao Lin was alive, he couldn't be guilty of collusion.
"Brother Wei, do you have a list of the deceased from the Spirit Herb Pavilion? I have a friend who is a manager there."
Though He Song was aware that Zhao Lin had already fled the Immortal Market to avoid trouble, he still asked just to be sure.
Better safe than sorry—what if Zhao Lin had been captured and brought back?
At the same time, He Song felt a sense of relief.
Relief that he had been cautious enough.
If he hadn't left the Immortal Market before the Immortal City Enforcement Squad arrived and had remained there, he would likely have been repeatedly interrogated by them.
Even though he wasn't an evil cultivator, how could anyone guarantee that the Enforcement Squad wouldn't arbitrarily label him as one?
If that happened, he might not die, but he would undoubtedly suffer.
After all, with the steward of the Spirit Herb Pavilion having colluded with evil cultivators, the entire Pavilion would be thoroughly investigated.
If someone passed the investigation, they'd be cleared.
If not, they would've already been executed three days ago.
Who was innocent and who was guilty was ultimately out of one's own hands.
He Song didn't want to entrust his life to others' judgment, which was why he left the Immortal Market.
"You mean Zhao Lin, from three years ago? Before Old Meng left, he mentioned Zhao Lin to me. Half a month ago, Zhao Lin was also under suspicion."
"But after a thorough investigation, he was cleared of all charges. As a Talisman Master with a promising future, cautious in nature and free of enmity, he had no ties to evil cultivators."
Recalling the past, Wei Fan continued,
"However, like you, he disappeared right before the Immortal City Enforcement Squad arrived, claiming he wanted to travel. Since then, there's been no news of him."
As he spoke, Wei Fan seemed to remember something, and his gaze shifted to He Song.
"Your information… could it have come from him?"
Wei Fan looked at He Song with a peculiar expression.
He suddenly thought back to six years ago.
Six years ago, before True Master Chengshan had left Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market, He Song had already sensed impending chaos in the Immortal Market.
At that time, as He Song's friend, Wei Fan believed him and spent a fortune on protective items like artifacts and talismans, constantly vigilant against an evil cultivator attack.
In the end, He Song was proven right.
Now, before the Enforcement Squad's arrival, He Song had once again left the Immortal Market in advance, fearing involvement.
If He Song's information had indeed come from Zhao Lin, Wei Fan felt he understood something.
No wonder.
No wonder the two of them had vanished from the Immortal Market together.
It seemed likely that He Song had sensed something, shared it with Zhao Lin, and the two had left the Immortal Market, intending to lie low for a while before returning.
This train of thought brought back memories for Wei Fan, who looked at He Song with an even stranger expression.
This felt oddly familiar.
Hadn't he experienced something similar before?
Except last time, it was He Song and him, and this time it was He Song and Zhao Lin leaving the Immortal Market together.
"Indeed, Zhao Lin came to my door bearing gifts that day and then—" He Song calmly recounted the visit Zhao Lin paid him, selectively revealing only what was safe to share.
After all, when He Song had decided to leave the Immortal Market, he had sent word to Wei Fan.
Remembering Wei Fan even in times of crisis was a testament to their friendship, leaving Wei Fan with no reason to criticize.
However, after hearing He Song's explanation, Wei Fan's gaze turned even stranger.
Cautious.
Extremely cautious!
At the slightest sign of trouble, He Song seemed to have an uncanny ability to anticipate it and avoid it in time.
Such caution was truly admirable.
But it was also this caution that made Wei Fan regard He Song even more highly.
"Alright, let's stop talking about him. With two management positions suddenly vacant in the Spirit Herb Pavilion, if you're interested, I can apply on your behalf."
"If Zhao Lin returns, you can seek his help too. As a manager in the Pavilion, he likely has some influence there and could boost your chances."
Knowing He Song was inquiring about Zhao Lin, and since Zhao Lin wasn't an accomplice of the evil cultivators, Wei Fan naturally didn't mind and even began helping He Song secure some benefits.
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