**Chapter 65: Insider Information**

This matter couldn't be openly discussed.

The reward had been personally applied for by Zhao Lin on He Song's behalf.

This belated recognition naturally had to come from Zhao Lin's own mouth to make it feel more valuable.

He Song would reap the benefits, but the gratitude had to be directed toward Zhao Lin.

Having been friends with Zhao Lin for several years, He Song had a good understanding of his friend's personality.

A word of gratitude from He Song would make Zhao Lin happy for a long time.

However.

Although it was He Song who had arranged for the death of a cultivator in the immortal district who had posed a threat to him.

After Zhao Lin's maneuvering, it had been framed as He Song exposing a hidden malevolent cultivator within the immortal district.

And a reward had been applied for based on this.

If He Song hadn't been the one behind it all, he might have believed Zhao Lin's story.

Zhao Lin had gone to such lengths for him.

He Song naturally wouldn't hesitate to express his gratitude.

"Fellow Daoist, you're being too modest. As a spirit farmer, you're serving the immortal district. Your contributions are naturally recorded by the district. How can you say you've made no contributions?"

Shaking his head, Zhao Lin affirmed He Song's contributions to the immortal district.

At the same time, he waved his right hand over the table.

Instantly, a delicate little box appeared in front of He Song.

"Fellow Daoist, you must have forgotten. Three years ago, you rid the immortal district of a great scourge. Such a meritorious deed can hardly be called no contribution. Now that the district has issued a reward, I naturally had to deliver it to you in person."

Pushing the small box toward He Song, Zhao Lin smiled but made no mention of his own role in the matter.

Three years ago.

When the communication paper crane He Song sent landed in his hands.

The faint aura of a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator it carried had shaken him to the core.

It was only then.

That he finally understood.

Why Meng Guan had specifically instructed him to stay close to He Song before leaving.

It was only then.

That he finally understood.

Why He Song had come to him on the very day Meng Guan left, bearing gifts and seeking to build a friendship.

It was only then... that everything seemed to make sense.

This was also one of the reasons he had agreed so readily back then.

Though cautious by nature, and despite having been friends with He Song for three years, when it came to matters involving life and death, he naturally became even more cautious.

He worried about retaliation from Chen Zhou afterward.

He worried about being held accountable by the immortal district afterward.

He worried...

But.

When he sensed the aura of a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator on the communication paper crane He Song had sent, all his doubts vanished.

With a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator involved, Chen Zhou was as good as dead!

With no worries about the consequences and the opportunity to strengthen his friendship with He Song.

Even with his cautious nature, he couldn't refuse.

This was also why he had agreed so readily back then and had even gone out of his way to apply for a reward for He Song.

He knew that with the presence of this late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, the matter would definitely succeed!

Now.

The matter had indeed succeeded.

Although three years had passed, he had still made sure to personally deliver the reward to He Song as he had promised.

"So it's about this. I must thank you, Fellow Daoist. Without your help, there might have been complications. I am truly grateful."

Hearing this, He Song's face showed just the right amount of surprise.

As he spoke, he stood up and clasped his hands in a gesture of gratitude toward Zhao Lin.

He Song's actions were natural.

He would take the benefits.

But he also had to show gratitude to the friend who had helped him.

In matters of human relationships, when someone gives you real benefits, you naturally have to reciprocate in some way.

At the very least, you have to show your appreciation.

Though he didn't know what was inside the small box, even if it was just a few spirit stones, he was still coming out ahead.

A simple gesture of gratitude and a few words of thanks in exchange for a few spirit stones.

If word of such a good deal got out, countless cultivators would fight tooth and nail for it.

Moreover, the reward from the immortal district was surely more than just a few spirit stones.

"It's nothing, really. I'm just happy to have been able to help you, Fellow Daoist." Zhao Lin smiled and quickly returned the gesture.

But from the gleam in his eyes, He Song could tell that Zhao Lin was in an excellent mood.

Seeing this, He Song knew his goal had been achieved.

For the next few days.

Zhao Lin's mood would likely remain quite pleasant.

He Song was naturally pleased with this outcome.

He had gained benefits.

His friend had gained a good mood.

A win-win situation.

He Song accepted the small box, and Zhao Lin's purpose for coming had been fulfilled.

Next, the two naturally fell into casual conversation.

"Fellow Daoist, do you know why the reward came at this particular time, neither earlier nor later?" After a few cups of tea, Zhao Lin spoke in a low, mysterious tone.

His words seemed to hint at some hidden details.

Hearing this, He Song's curiosity was piqued, and he became interested in the matter.

That's right.

Three years had passed.

During this time, He Song had almost forgotten about the matter.

Why had the reward suddenly been approved now?

Seeing Zhao Lin's mysterious demeanor, He Song realized that what Zhao Lin was about to say would definitely be related to this.

However.

To get Zhao Lin to elaborate.

He Song would have to ask first.

"I'm not sure. Do you have some insider information?" Shaking his head, He Song lowered his voice and asked.

Beside him, seeing He Song play along, a flash of delight crossed Zhao Lin's face.

Ever since he had learned this secret, he had never shared it with anyone, keeping it bottled up inside.

The feeling of knowing a secret.

But being unable to share it with others.

Was quite uncomfortable.

Now, under the pretext of personally delivering the reward to He Song, he could finally speak freely.

After all, this was the outskirts of the immortal district. Even if someone overheard, it wouldn't matter.

With his mind made up.

Zhao Lin began to speak.

"Fellow Daoist, do you remember that cultivator named Chen Zhou from three years ago?"

He Song nodded, signaling Zhao Lin to continue.

"Since you remember, you should also recall the reason I used to apply for your reward back then."

Taking a sip of tea, Zhao Lin's voice continued.

"Back then, when I applied for your reward, I said that Chen Zhou had been bullying the weak, extorting spirit stones, committing all sorts of evil deeds, and was a heinous criminal."

As he spoke, Zhao Lin looked at He Song, his expression tinged with emotion.

Then he shook his head and continued, elaborating in detail.

"This matter actually had a cause."

"Six years ago, after the great calamity in the immortal district, the lower-tier cultivators were nearly wiped out. Most of those who survived had some means to protect themselves, which is why they didn't perish in that disaster."

(End of Chapter)