Chapter 148: Chapter 107: Five Elements

He patrolled the Fishery daily as usual.

Liu He and Sun Xiaomiao privately whispered about why Li Tie and Zhang Wei had suddenly disappeared, their hearts full of suspicion.

Only Old Zhao seemed to have guessed some of the truth, but he remained silent.

This was precisely the survival strategy that had allowed him to live peacefully at the Fishery for thirty years.

Don’t take what isn’t yours, and don’t ask what isn’t your business.

Chen Qing waited in silence. By the third day, he knew the matter was no longer a major issue.

Sure enough.

On the fifth day, a Steward from the Sect’s Affairs Department arrived at Nanze No. 7 Fishery.

The man in the lead wore the uniform of an Affairs Department Steward. He had a square face; it was the very same Steward Zhu who had been in charge of testing Root Bones and registering information when Chen Qing first joined the Wutai Sect.

He was followed by several disciples with impressive skills.

Chen Qing was already waiting at the Fishery’s entrance. With an impassive expression, he cupped his fist in salute. “Greetings, Steward Zhu.”

Steward Zhu dismounted, his gaze sweeping over Chen Qing before glancing around the Fishery.

He clearly didn’t recognize the Transmutation Force Disciple with the ’Four Forms Root Bone’ from over a year ago. Or rather, he had never bothered to remember him in the first place.

After all, the disciples he had tested were as numerous as fish in a river, and a single Four Forms Root Bone was hardly enough to leave a lasting impression.

“Mm.”

Steward Zhu gave a slight nod, his tone flat. “You are Chen Qing? The Steward of Nanze No. 7 Fishery?”

“I am,” Chen Qing replied calmly.

“Good.”

Steward Zhu took a document stamped with the seal of the Affairs Department from his robes and began to read it aloud:

“Upon investigation, it has been found that Wang Hai, former Steward of Nanze No. 6 Fishery, and Zhao Kang, Steward of the No. 8 Fishery, were blinded by greed. They abused their positions and stole what they were meant to guard, colluding with Zhang Wei, a disciple of Nanze No. 7 Fishery, to plunder vast quantities of the Fishery’s precious resources, including Treasure Fish, Jade Lotus Buds, and Ink Jade Pearls. The amount was enormous, severely damaging the Sect’s interests! Recently, these two thieves had a violent clash over the division of their spoils just outside the Fishery, resulting in both of them perishing on the spot!”

His voice echoed over the quiet Fishery. Liu He and the others listened, dumbfounded, and exchanged stunned glances.

’Wang Hai and Zhao Kang are dead?’

’In a violent clash, no less? And Zhang Wei was involved?’

’No wonder we haven’t seen Zhang Wei these past few days.’

Steward Zhu continued reading: “Chen Qing, Steward of Nanze No. 7 Fishery, and Patrol Li Tie, keenly noticed irregularities during their patrols. They reported them to the Affairs Department in a timely manner and provided crucial clues, which led to the exposure of these parasites’ deeds! For his commendable loyalty and decisiveness, and for his meritorious service in protecting the Sect’s assets, Chen Qing’s stipend is hereby increased to one thousand five hundred taels. He is also awarded ten Truth Condensing Pills and ten Quenching Essence Pills.”

“Furthermore, for Li Tie, who died in the line of duty, his family shall be compensated with three thousand taels of silver.”

After he finished reading, Steward Zhu handed the document to Chen Qing, forcing a slight smile onto his face. “Steward Chen, well done. The Sect is very pleased with your performance. Keep this commendation document safe.”

“In a couple of days, the Affairs Department will send some new disciples over.”

Chen Qing accepted the document with both hands and nodded.

’Master Li truly is formidable,’ Chen Qing thought. ’Not only did he swiftly resolve the situation, but he also twisted it into a tale of my commendable loyalty and merit.’

Wang Hai and Zhao Kang became the scapegoats who had embezzled from the Fishery, Zhang Wei was their accomplice, and he, Chen Qing, had become the meritorious official who discovered and reported them.

All the deficits, all the trouble—gone in a puff of smoke.

’Living people can be scapegoats, so dead people can be too. In fact, they’re even more useful.’

“Thank you, Steward Zhu. Thank you for the Sect’s trust.”

Chen Qing’s tone was steady, betraying no emotion. “This disciple will certainly do his utmost to guard the Fishery well and live up to the trust placed in me.”

Steward Zhu nodded. “Our business here is concluded. We still need to go to No. 6 and No. 8 Fishery to handle the aftermath.”

With that, he mounted his horse and departed hastily with his guards.

Chen Qing carefully put the document away.

He turned to look at the Fishery workers. Liu He and the others were watching him with unease.

“Did you all hear that?” Chen Qing’s voice was calm.

“We heard, Steward.” Wang Shuosheng and Sun Xiaomiao nodded hastily.

“Zhang Wei got what he deserved; his death is no loss. It’s a shame about Li Tie, though. The matter is over, so there is no need to speak of it again.”

Chen Qing’s gaze swept over the group. “All of you, return to your posts and do your jobs.”

“Yes! We will obey the Steward’s orders!”

As if granted a pardon, the crowd dispersed.

The storm had passed, the hidden dangers were eliminated, and he had even profited.

In high spirits, Chen Qing returned to his Quiet Chamber and immediately took out the piece of Jade Marrow Lotus that was as white and brilliant as jade.

A refreshing, fragrant aroma filled the air.

Inside the box, the half-foot-long Jade Marrow Lotus lay quietly. It was flawless and brilliantly white, as if carved from the finest mutton-fat jade. A milky white halo flowed from its holes, containing the gentle Earth Vein Jade Marrow Essence.

According to the description in the Booklet, Root Bone Transformation becomes progressively more difficult.

This fifteen-year-old Jade Marrow Lotus was highly beneficial for those below the Five Elements Root Bone level, but its effects were minimal for those at or above it.

To improve a Five Elements Root Bone, one would need either an older Jade Marrow Lotus or other types of Treasure Medicine or Treasure Fish.

Wang Hai’s Root Bone must have been above the Five Elements level, which was why he had never consumed the Jade Marrow Lotus.

Perhaps he was saving it to pay off a debt, or perhaps he wanted to leave it for a descendant. He never would have expected it to fall into Chen Qing’s hands.

’A Root Bone Treasure Medicine… I hope its effects don’t disappoint me.’ Chen Qing took a deep breath.

He currently had a Four Forms Root Bone, so consuming this fifteen-year-old Jade Marrow Lotus should be enough to improve it.

He carefully took out the Jade Marrow Lotus.

Without hesitation, Chen Qing sat cross-legged and began to circulate the Cyan Wood Eternal Spring Technique. Once the Cyan Wood True Qi was flowing smoothly within him, he opened his mouth and bit off a small piece of the Jade Marrow Lotus.

The flesh of the lotus melted the moment it entered his mouth, transforming into a gentle yet powerful warm current that instantly surged through his limbs and bones.

This power wasn’t violent. Instead, it was like the purest spring water, gently washing over and permeating every inch of his muscles and bones, every meridian, and every acupoint.

BZZZ—!

A fine, dense hum emanated from within Chen Qing’s body, as if a dormant potential had been awakened.

He could clearly feel subtle parts of his body quietly undergoing a transformation, nourished by this gentle power.

His muscles and bones grew tougher and more transparent. His meridians, like riverbeds that had been widened and reinforced, became broader and more resilient, able to contain and circulate a greater volume of purer True Qi.

His Dantian’s Sea of Qi also seemed to grow more stable, and the flickering of the Cyan Wood Fire Seed felt more agile and powerful.

An indescribable feeling of lightness and clarity spread throughout his entire body.

It was as if he had shed countless invisible shackles.

He didn’t dare to be careless. He immediately guided the gentle medicinal power, coordinating it with his Cyan Wood True Qi, and performed one Circulation after another to completely refine and absorb the essence of the Jade Marrow Lotus.

This process lasted for several full hours.

When the last wisp of medicinal power was completely absorbed, Chen Qing slowly opened his eyes.

…

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep