**Chapter 46: Ashes to Ashes**

In the blink of an eye, the paper crane landed in front of He Song. 

Releasing a trace of his aura, the paper crane transformed into a blank sheet of paper.

Unfolding it, He Song read the message.

"Fellow Daoist, this matter originated because of me. Handling the aftermath for you is my responsibility."

"I originally thought it could wait until after my shift, but I didn't expect you to have already investigated Chen Zhou's background."

"That Chen Zhou is a vicious individual who bullies the weak, extorts spirit stones, and commits all manner of evil deeds. He is a true black sheep."

"With you uncovering this, it's a great merit."

"I have already removed Chen Zhou's name from the list of spirit farmers and will recommend you for a reward from the Spirit Herb Pavilion."

"With this merit, you will receive recognition from the Spirit Herb Pavilion. I will personally deliver the reward to you when the time comes."

"Zhao Lin."

In the letter, Zhao Lin made no mention of how he had arranged benefits for He Song or He Song's desire to deal with Chen Zhou.

Instead, he focused on removing Chen Zhou's name from the list of spirit farmers and emphasized Chen Zhou's unforgivable crimes, even suggesting that He Song be rewarded for uncovering such a villain.

This approach was nothing short of masterful.

He Song couldn't help but chuckle after reading it.

Even Wei Fan, who had been fuming over Chen Zhou's actions, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow when he accidentally glanced at the letter.

This Zhao Lin.

When it came to helping his friends within the scope of his authority, he truly went all out.

"This fellow Daoist is quite the character," Wei Fan remarked with a strange expression, his tone tinged with admiration.

He, too, had once used his authority to help He Song save some spirit stones by waiving half a month's rent.

But Zhao Lin's actions were on another level.

Not only had he handled He Song's spirit field matters, but he also covered for He Song when he wanted to eliminate a threat and even recommended him for a reward.

This... 

What started as a personal conflict, with one side seeking to eliminate the other to prevent future trouble.

In Zhao Lin's hands, it became a story of He Song's keen insight, identifying Chen Zhou as a toxic individual and cleansing the Spirit Herb Pavilion of a harmful element.

If Wei Fan hadn't been directly involved in the matter, he might have actually believed Zhao Lin's version of events.

"This fellow Daoist and I have known each other for over three years. He was introduced to me by Old Meng before he left. When Old Meng returns, perhaps we can invite him to join our gatherings, adding one more to our circle."

Seeing Wei Fan's interest in Zhao Lin, He Song, who had long considered bringing Zhao Lin into their small circle, quickly explained.

If someone was friends with any one of the three, their character could already be vouched for.

If they were friends with two of the three, joining the circle would naturally face no obstacles.

He Song, Wei Fan, and Meng Guan.

The three had known each other for many years and understood each other's temperaments.

Anyone approved by two of them would undoubtedly have no issues with their character.

"Speaking of Old Meng, has he sent you any messages recently?" Halfway through his explanation, He Song suddenly remembered Meng Guan and quickly asked.

It had been a long time since He Song had seen Meng Guan.

Three years ago, Meng Guan had sent a paper crane message to both He Song and Wei Fan, and then there had been no word from him since.

He Song and Wei Fan had tried to contact him, but their messages always went unanswered.

The two were anxious but could do nothing.

The Crimson Spirit Gold Mine was too dangerous, and with their cultivation levels, they dared not go to investigate.

All they could do was worry in silence.

"Let's discuss adding new members to the circle after Old Meng returns. And no, Old Meng hasn't sent me any messages. But wait a moment, I'll have my subordinates expel Chen Zhou from the immortal marketplace first." Shaking his head, Wei Fan spoke as he released a paper crane.

Wei Fan was not a man without influence.

As an official in the Spirit Construction Pavilion and a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, he wielded considerable power.

The Spirit Construction Pavilion was responsible for managing all buildings in the immortal marketplace.

As an official in such a powerful department, expelling a rogue cultivator from the marketplace was as simple as issuing an order.

Now.

Since Chen Zhou had already been removed from his position as a spirit farmer by Zhao Lin, he was now a rogue cultivator.

The simplest way to deal with a rogue cultivator was to expel them from the marketplace and then eliminate them.

As a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator who had significantly improved his combat abilities three years ago, Wei Fan faced little challenge in dealing with a fourth-layer Qi Refining cultivator.

Chen Zhou, though a rogue cultivator, was only a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator who had recently broken through to the fourth layer.

Facing a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator with high-quality artifacts, ample talismans, and mastery over spells, Chen Zhou stood little chance.

"Fellow Daoist, wait a moment. I'll go fetch that scoundrel's head for you." After sending the paper crane, Wei Fan smiled at He Song and quickly dashed out of the courtyard.

Judging by his eager demeanor, it seemed he hadn't had a chance to act in a long time and was itching for a fight.

However, just as he was about to step out of the courtyard.

He Song's voice rang out behind him.

"Brother Wei, there's no need for the head. But remember to burn the body and reduce it to ashes!"

Wei Fan's figure visibly paused, then he sped out of the courtyard even faster.

At the same time, his voice echoed back.

"Alright, I'll bring you some ashes after burning it."

With that, Wei Fan's figure disappeared from the courtyard, heading toward Chen Zhou's residence.

In the courtyard.

Watching Wei Fan's figure vanish from sight, He Song felt a mix of emotions but ultimately decided not to object.

Burning the body and reducing it to ashes after killing.

Should prevent any future complications.

Even if Chen Zhou had friends outside, they likely wouldn't be able to trace it back to He Song.

Moreover, burning the body and reducing it to ashes would also prevent Chen Zhou from feigning death or escaping.

Even if he were truly dead, he wouldn't turn into a zombie or some other abomination.

Once the body was burned and reduced to ashes, everything would vanish.

Chen Zhou would be completely erased from this world.

After some thought, He Song forcibly suppressed the urge to follow Wei Fan and assist in disposing of the body.

The area outside the immortal marketplace was still too dangerous for He Song at this point.

With only mid-stage Qi Refining cultivation and no offensive or defensive spells, his combat ability was practically zero.

In such a situation, if he encountered an enemy, he would likely have to hide behind Wei Fan.

That wasn't what He Song wanted.

"Better wait until I've learned some offensive and defensive spells, equipped myself with attack and defense artifacts, and prepared some high-quality talismans before venturing outside the immortal marketplace."

In Wei Fan's courtyard, He Song silently listed out the things he needed to prepare.

Now that his cultivation had reached the mid-stage of Qi Refining, he would earn at least ninety spirit stones annually.

This was much more than during his early-stage Qi Refining days.

With some time to save up, He Song felt confident he could gather everything he needed.

After all, time.

Was something he had in abundance.

(End of Chapter)