Chapter 140: Chapter 105: Scapegoat

「The next afternoon.」

Old Zhao stood respectfully outside the door.

Chen Qing pushed the door open and walked out, having changed into a brand-new, deep-cyan Steward’s Martial Attire.

“Steward, I have finished the preliminary processing of the Iron Armor Turtle’s materials.”

Old Zhao bowed respectfully. “The turtle meat was also distributed as you instructed. Everyone is grateful for your kindness, Steward. This is the list of processed materials and my estimated value.”

He handed over a neatly written list.

Chen Qing took it and glanced over the contents: Turtle Shell, Bone Spikes, Sharp Claws, and three vials of Essence Blood from its heart. Excluding the meat, the estimated value was around ten thousand silver taels.

This was just a preliminary estimate. If they found a desperate buyer or one who knew its true worth, the price could be even higher.

“You’ve worked hard.”

Chen Qing put the list away. “For now, store these materials in the Fishery’s warehouse under strict guard. I will contact the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion in the Prefecture City later to see if they’re interested in buying them.”

“Yes! I understand!” Old Zhao replied, marveling inwardly at how well Chen Qing had handled the situation. He had not only secured a tangible benefit but had also won the people’s loyalty.

He hesitated for a moment before adding, “Steward, the Iron Armor Turtle last night… it seemed a bit larger than those from the previous invasions recorded in the files. I’m worried…”

Chen Qing asked, “Worried about what?”

“I’m worried that… something has happened deep within Qianchuan Marsh. In the past, the Iron Armor Turtles mostly stayed in the deep-water areas and rarely attacked the Fishery so violently. That turtle must have been at least fifty years old…”

Old Zhao voiced his concerns.

Chen Qing was silent for a moment. Old Zhao’s worries were not unfounded. “I will keep an eye on this matter and report it to the Sect.”

As if remembering something, he added, “Elder Zhao will be coming at the end of the year to inspect the accounts and the Fishery. We must be cautious during this time. Don’t let anything go wrong at such a critical moment.”

Old Zhao lowered his head and replied, “Yes, sir.”

Chen Qing waved his hand. “You may go.”

Old Zhao clasped his hands in a salute and turned to leave.

After dealing with the miscellaneous tasks, Chen Qing returned to his room.

’This is good stuff.’

He took out the vial of the Iron Armor Turtle’s Essence Blood from its heart. As he opened the stopper, a rich, pure life force with a faint, fishy scent washed over him.

The Essence Blood from an Exotic Beast’s heart was of immense benefit to Hard Skills.

Chen Qing took out the Essence Blood, enveloped it in True Qi, and slowly smeared it onto the skin of his arms, chest, and back.

A searing, tyrannical power instantly seeped in, stimulating his muscles, bones, and flesh, as if countless tiny needles were piercing and hammering him.

Chen Qing immediately activated the Eight Extremes Vajra Body, guiding this violent blood energy to merge with his own and temper his physique.

Inside the Quiet Chamber, the sound of his surging blood and qi was like muffled thunder, and his bones and sinews emitted a faint yet dense hum.

…

After the incident with the Iron Armor Turtle, peace returned to the Fishery.

Chen Qing spent his days in Cultivation, fishing, and handling necessary tasks. His life seemed to have become much more leisurely.

Meanwhile, Wang Shuosheng, Sun Xiaomiao, and the others worked diligently, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

In Wang Hai’s residence at Nanze No. 6 Fishery.

The lamplight was dim. Wang Hai, Zhao Kang, and a recently recovered Zhang Wei sat around a table.

“Zhang Wei, has that Chen fellow made any unusual moves these past few days? Has he checked the accounts? Is he asking deep questions about the Fishery’s business?” Wang Hai’s fat fingers tapped on the table, a sharp glint in his small eyes.

Zhang Wei’s face was still a little pale. He immediately replied, “Reporting to Steward Wang and Steward Zhao, besides his routine morning and evening patrols where he asks a few questions, Steward Chen spends most of his time cultivating in his room or fishing by the water. I submitted the ledgers on time. He flipped through them, but didn’t examine them closely or raise any questions.”

Zhao Kang sneered, his voice low. “Just a wet-behind-the-ears brat. He doesn’t even know how to eat the fat delivered right to his mouth, let alone see through the net we’ve laid for him.”

The fat on Wang Hai’s face bunched into a mocking smile. “That’s for the best! The less he meddles, the more convenient it is for us. Zhang Wei, you’ve done well. Keep him steady. He’s a newcomer with no foundation here. So what if he suspects something? We have connections above, and our books are flawless. What can a young punk like him do? Does he think he can turn the heavens upside down?”

A flicker of conflict crossed Zhang Wei’s eyes. He said in a low voice, “Steward Wang, Steward Zhao, I’m afraid Steward Chen’s strength far exceeds our estimations. He took on the turtle’s tail with his bare hands and killed it with a single spear thrust… What if… what if we just stop? We can fix the books before he notices…”

The strength Chen Qing had displayed terrified him, planting a seed of fear in his heart.

Besides, when he thought about it, Chen Qing had treated them quite well.

“Stop?!”

Wang Hai slammed his hand on the table, his eyes turning fierce. “Zhang Wei, are you an idiot?! Do you know how much trouble we went through to find a buyer? How much effort it took to get Brother Mao transferred? We’re about to close the net, and now you’re telling me to stop?”

Zhao Kang’s face darkened as he chimed in, “Zhang Wei, don’t forget, you’ve taken a hefty ’tribute’ yourself! Stop now? Who’s going to cover the deficit? You? Or us? The buyer is pressing us for the one hundred three-year-old Three-Stripe Carp and the Ink Jade Pearls. What are we supposed to deliver? Our heads?!”

He took a step closer, his voice a mix of enticement and threat. “There’s still plenty of ’stock’ at the Nanze No. 7 Fishery. Chen Qing fishes every day, but how many can he possibly catch? We just need to move one last batch to fulfill this order, get the final payment, and we can cook the books for good! When that time comes, all the evidence will point to Chen Qing. It will be the new Steward who embezzled funds and lined his own pockets!”

“When Elder Zhao comes to inspect the Fishery at the end of the year, faced with the Wutai Sect’s rules and iron-clad evidence, he won’t be able to defend himself! The Sect will only hold him accountable, while you…”

Zhao Kang patted Zhang Wei’s shoulder. “…will get away with enough silver to live carefreely for the rest of your life. Isn’t that a beautiful thought?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep