Chapter 8: The Complaint-Nenhum dos Quatro Desastres é Normal(Presas venenosas adolescentes)

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Wang Jingyuan thought that since he had to get dressed anyway, he might as well freshen up properly. After all, he was reasonably good-looking, and if his game interface were more detailed, he guessed he might have earned a [+1 Charm] notification after grooming himself.

The group arrived at the Huashan Sect dining hall. Although Linghu Chong and Lu Dayou were both cheerful and talkative by nature, they had recently endured too many mental shocks and were still in an emotionally withdrawn state, so they weren’t inclined to engage much with Wang Jingyuan.

On the way to the dining hall, Wang Jingyuan didn’t idle. He carried a small shovel and whenever he saw ripe medicinal herbs by the roadside, he quickly dug them up. With a flick of his hand, the herbs would vanish without a trace. If he spotted ripe wild fruits, he would pick them similarly, and the fruits would disappear in the same manner.

[“Gathering Technique” proficiency +1]

…

At first, Linghu Chong and Lu Dayou didn’t pay much attention, but Wang Jingyuan did this so many times along the way that they could no longer ignore it.

“Little junior brother, what are you doing?” asked Linghu Chong.

“Gathering,” Wang Jingyuan answered. “Though it’s not immediately useful, stockpiling materials will surely come in handy someday.”

Linghu Chong asked the question he was most concerned about: “But little junior brother, where do you put those herbs you dig up?”

“In the game inventory,” Wang Jingyuan replied matter-of-factly, flipping his hand to reveal a wild fruit, then flicking it away to make it disappear.

Lu Dayou hurried over, grabbing Wang Jingyuan’s hands and inspecting his sleeves, but of course, found nothing. He then exclaimed, “Such impressive sleight of hand, flawless without a single flaw! To be honest, before coming up the mountain, I wanted to become a magician.”

“Only I hadn’t found a teacher for magic tricks, and then I met our master first.”

Wang Jingyuan analyzed, “Then you came to the wrong place. You should have apprenticed under Mount Heng. One of their founders was a magician, and their supreme skill, ‘Thirteen Illusionary Cloud Forms,’ integrates magic tricks into martial arts, endlessly varied and ever-changing.”

Lu Dayou shook his head vigorously like a rattle drum. “Since I’ve already entered and sworn allegiance, I can’t entertain such nonsense.”

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“Not even considering it? What if Mount Heng suits you better? Look, the current sect leader, Mo Da, plays the erhu, and you just happen to be a monkey trainer. Although you didn’t join Mount Heng, you oddly fit their culture.”

Lu Dayou said solemnly, “Little junior brother, don’t say such things again. I was born of Huashan and will die a ghost of Huashan.”

Wang Jingyuan sighed regretfully, “Alas! I was hoping you might trigger a mission to leave your sect, which would help me complete the Grand Slam of the Five Mountains. Looks like no luck with you.”

Linghu Chong frowned, “Changing allegiances is a grave taboo in the martial world. Little junior brother, don’t entertain such thoughts.”

“Tsk, who can say what the future holds? Even the Huashan founder was once from the Quanzhen Sect. Anything is possible. Even you might become leader of Mount Heng someday.”

Lu Dayou shook his head again. “Little junior brother, you’re talking nonsense. Mount Heng is a nunnery; they don’t even accept male disciples. How could they let a man be the leader?”

While the three chatted, Yue Buqun was in the Hall of Righteousness when a group of special visitors arrived—farmers from the foothills.

Huashan Sect had been established here for years, and Yue Buqun naturally recognized these farmers. Moreover, the vegetables on the mountain came from their farms. Yue Buqun was known for his chivalry and frequent assistance to local villagers, earning their respect and reliance in times of trouble.

A burly man sat awkwardly before the hall and stammered, “I really didn’t want to bother Sect Leader Yue, but… we have no choice.”

Yue Buqun smiled kindly, “Speak freely; I shall do my best to help.”

Seeing Yue Buqun’s courtesy, the man looked even more troubled. After hesitation, he bit the bullet and said, “Please, Sect Leader Yue, restrain the heroes on Huashan a little.”

At this, Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze were suddenly shocked, and even Yue Lingshan showed a look of disbelief. There were only two or three so-called “heroes” on Huashan—none impressive, some drunkards, some monkey trainers.

Yet Yue Buqun knew the character of his disciples well. Even the spy sent by Zuo Lengchan was diligent and honest, incapable of committing any outrage that would anger the heavens.

But the farmers wouldn’t come all this way just to slander a Huashan disciple…

Yue Buqun exchanged a glance with Ning Zhongze, then after a moment’s thought, said to Yue Lingshan, “Go call your senior brother.”

Yue Lingshan hurried out, but before she had gone far, she saw three ruffians heading toward the dining hall. She ran over in a panic and told Linghu Chong, “Big brother, it’s bad! Something’s happened to you. Father is furious right now. You’d better get yourself cleaned up and return to Reflection Cliff for reflection.”

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“Huh?!” Linghu Chong was baffled. “I just came down. Why do I have to go back up again? Besides, I was only punished a month ago with Reflection Cliff for secretly coming down to drink. What else could have happened?”

Yue Lingshan anxiously said, “The farmers have come looking for you. Are you still going to deny it?”

Linghu Chong became flustered, “Last time I just sneaked down to drink; I didn’t steal anything. It really has nothing to do with me. I’m going to find Master and explain.”

He hurried toward the Hall of Righteousness. Yue Lingshan stamped her foot and followed closely. Lu Dayou, a devoted fan of Linghu Chong, naturally followed as well.

As for Wang Jingyuan, seeing an event unfolding, he certainly wouldn’t miss the chance to watch the drama.

They all entered the Hall of Righteousness in sequence. The farmers inside looked fearful and complicated upon seeing them. Yue Buqun, a shrewd man, immediately guessed many things and confirmed his previous suspicions.

He then shouted at Linghu Chong, “Traitor, kneel down at once!”

Linghu Chong reflexively dropped to his knees, but once steady, he remembered he was here to explain… no, to argue his case.

“Master, I—”

Yue Buqun interrupted harshly, “Traitor, do you still intend to argue?!”

The burly man also tried to reason, “Sect Leader Yue, please…”

Yue Buqun declared righteously, “Brother Niu, no need to persuade me further. Today, I will surely seek justice for you!”

He grabbed a ready-made disciplinary rattan cane, preparing to start with a beating and interrogate during the process. But at that moment, a discordant voice rang out, “Hey, fellow villager, you look very familiar.”

Hearing this, Yue Buqun’s cane froze in midair, and another suspicion immediately arose in his mind.