Is It Wrong to Bully the Novice Village for System Rewards?

Chapter 187: Is It Too Much to Ask for a Little Service Fee?

Soon, the inaugural meeting of the Spirit Grass Gang concluded in an atmosphere of flourishing revolutionary zeal.

During the session, Gang Leader Old Ginseng made an executive decision: the gang would shift its strategic focus entirely to the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary. This operation would serve as the Spirit Grass Gang’s debut on the world stage—a move destined to shock the cultivation world.

However, adhering to the principle of “grasping with both hands, both hands must be hard,” they could not afford to ignore their arch-nemesis: the Alchemist Alliance.

Thus, under the “inspiring” guidance of a certain Deputy Gang Leader and Military Advisor, the four Spirit Grass dolls originally from the Pill Saint Sect volunteered. They chose to brave the dragon’s den, risking their lives to infiltrate back into the Pill Saint Sect as deep-cover sleeper agents to gather intelligence.

After agreeing on the time and location for their next joint operation, Old Ginseng led the remaining grass dolls into the earth veins, tunneling toward the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary with high spirits.

Once the main force of the plant spirits departed, the overwhelming medicinal fragrance in the underground cavern dissipated significantly. Qi Yuan heaved a sigh of relief.

While the aura of a ten-thousand-year spirit herb is a supreme tonic for cultivators, there is such a thing as overdosing. Mixing the conflicting medicinal properties of multiple ancient herbs was a recipe for spiritual chaos and exploding blood vessels.

Qi Yuan looked at the four timid Spirit Grass dolls remaining before him. He smiled, his expression radiating benevolence and warmth.

“Comrades of the Spirit Grass Gang, your righteousness knows no bounds. To willingly throw yourselves back into the clutches of the alchemists for the safety and future of the gang… you are truly the role models of our generation!”

Hearing this high praise, the four dolls—who had been feeling a bit jittery—immediately puffed up their chests. Their blood boiled with newfound courage.

“Deputy Gang Leader, no need to be polite! It’s just going back to the old herb garden. I lived there for ten thousand years; what’s there to be afraid of?”

“Exactly! Even the old geezer guarding the garden has to call us ‘Little Ancestors’ when he sees us!”

“For the Grand Plan! To liberate all suffering Spirit Grass in the world! Forget the herb garden; I’d dare to walk right into the Alchemy Hall!”

“That’s right! Overthrow Human Tyranny! Spirit Grass Shall Never Be Slaves!”

Another doll, sporting a large leafy hat, spoke with impassioned solemnity.

“Rest assured, Deputy Gang Leader. Even if those evil alchemists torture me, I will grit my teeth and never reveal a single word about the gang!”

“Me too!”

“And me!”

Qi Yuan’s smile deepened, looking like a proud parent sending his children off to war. He leaned in, his tone turning serious and conspiratorial.

“To avoid arousing suspicion, I will disguise myself as a ‘helpful citizen’ assisting the Pill Saint Sect. I will stage a scene where I heroically rescue you from the ‘thieves’ and return you to your rightful owners.”

“…In short, your mission is to lie low, be obedient, and gather intelligence. Wait for the day the organization summons you…”

The four dolls nodded vigorously, their eyes shining with trust.

“Deputy Gang Leader, we listen to you!”

“No problem!”

“Mission guaranteed!”

Qi Yuan nodded with satisfaction, though he couldn’t help but sigh internally.

Scamming such simple-minded grass dolls… my moral bottom line really is dropping lower by the day.

Then again, these four dolls belonged to the Pill Saint Sect in the first place. Returning them was technically the right thing to do.

While recovering only a fraction of the “stolen goods” wouldn’t solve the entire case, his main goal was simply to earn enough goodwill to ask the Pill Saint, Zu Chengzhi, for a favor. Returning four sentient ten-thousand-year herbs was more than enough leverage.

Besides, for these dolls, staying with Old Ginseng was a death sentence. Following a senile root around to commit grand larceny would eventually get them caught and stewed into soup. Returning to the Pill Saint Sect was the safest option.

In the Pill Saint Sect, mature plant spirits were treated as living heirlooms. Their seniority was higher than the current Sect Leader. Even Zu Chengzhi wouldn’t dare refine them casually. They would live like kings in the garden.

Since I’m doing such a massive favor for the Pill Saint Sect and saving these little guys’ lives… is it too much to ask for a little service fee?

Thinking of this, Qi Yuan’s expression turned stern. He critiqued the dolls with a critical eye.

“Look at you. You’ve been stuffing yourselves with Spirit Stones until you’re round, oily, and glowing with health. Do you look like victims who were kidnapped by ruthless thieves?”

“Those alchemists are cunning old foxes. They’ll spot the flaw in a second. If they realize you’ve been living the good life, our undercover operation will be exposed!”

The dolls looked at each other in panic. “Military Advisor, what should we do?”

Qi Yuan’s smile became dazzlingly bright. He swiftly retrieved four empty jade bottles from his storage space.

“To ensure the plan is foolproof, you need to look a bit… haggard. Release a portion of your medicinal essence right now. Bleed a little for the cause.”

He held out the bottles. “Don’t worry. This Deputy Gang Leader will safeguard your essence for you. I promise…”

…

Meanwhile.

Deep within the territory of the Nether Fiend Sect.

Miluo Palace.

In the vast, shadowy depths of the main hall, Shen Honglian, the Sect Leader of the Nether Fiend Sect, stared at the jade slip in her hand. Her phoenix eyes, usually as calm as an ancient well, flickered with rare shock.

If the intelligence hadn’t come from her most trusted confidante, she would have suspected it was a fabrication.

To think the Outer Sect has produced such a ruthless, vicious talent.

On his very first day, this disciple had orchestrated a blood sacrifice that wiped out the entire Blood Refining Peak. Hundreds of disciples, including two Outer Sect geniuses, had died tragically at his hands. He hadn’t even left their souls behind.

And that wasn’t all. An Internal Affairs Hall steward failed to assign him a dormitory promptly. In retaliation, this disciple exterminated the steward’s entire clan, pulling them up by the roots.

A mere Outer Sect Disciple, a newcomer, daring to commit two such horrific atrocities back-to-back? His temperament was savage; his methods were terrifying.

Decisive killing. Cruel and bloodthirsty. A natural-born demon.

Shen Honglian’s eyes narrowed. If she could bring such a talent under her wing, he would undoubtedly become her right arm in controlling the Saint Sect in the future.

However, this “Big Qi” (Qi Da) was currently only at the mid-Foundation Building stage. He would need time to grow before he could stand on his own.

Furthermore, he had been personally recommended by Ji Chan’er of the Ji Family. There was a risk he might still be loyal to that direct-line daughter…

Shen Honglian drummed her fingers on the armrest, making a swift decision.

This child can be used.

The deeper one’s demonic nature, the more self-serving and unrestrained they are. Winning over such a person doesn’t rely on vague emotions, but on cold, hard benefits.

As the Leader of the Saint Sect, the resources she could offer far exceeded anything Ji Chan’er—who wasn’t even the heir of the Ji Family—could provide. With the right incentives, subduing him would be effortless.

After a moment of contemplation, Shen Honglian slowly raised her head, her gaze piercing toward the palace entrance. Her voice carried a chilling, murderous undertone.

“Guards. Summon Shen Xingxuan.”

Such a massive incident had occurred in the Outer Sect, yet she, the Sect Leader, had been kept in the dark. The level of deception and incompetence among the lower administration had reached an intolerable level.

It was time for a purge.

Moments later, a graceful, slender figure walked into the hall.

The newcomer was a young woman who appeared to be seventeen or eighteen. Though petite, her figure was undeniably curvaceous—lordly where it should be lordly, slender where it should be slender. Her features were exquisite, fair and translucent as if carved from white jade by divine hands.

Most striking were her eyes—a deep, azure blue—and her hair, which fell in cascades of rare, shimmering gold. She clearly possessed exotic, foreign bloodlines.

“Disciple pays respects to Master.”

The girl knelt on one knee, her posture respectful and precise.

Her voice was sweet and crisp, soft and pleasing to the ear. Yet, hidden within her brows lay a faint, ruthless aura that would make anyone shudder.

This was Shen Honglian’s only personal disciple—Shen Xingxuan.

Shen Honglian nodded slightly, her expression grim.

“Xingxuan. I am giving you a list.”

She flicked a jade slip through the air.

“Kill everyone on it. Leave no one alive.”

“Disciple obeys the decree!”