Chapter Thirty-Seven: Taking Them by Surprise

The self is the most important.
In most cases, it's enough to manage oneself.
If it doesn't affect one's own safety, lending a hand to those closest is permissible.
But if one endangers themselves trying to play the saint, such cultivators rarely live long.
"Such is fate. If not for our caution, I fear I too would have perished in this calamity," He Song replied, his expression growing somber as he listened to Wei Fan's sigh.
Had he not been prudent, and had Wei Fan not offered his aid,
He Song would have had no choice but to leave the Immortal Market and become a wandering cultivator in the mundane world.
If he stayed,
He would share the same fate as those scattered cultivators on the market's outskirts.
After this ordeal, He Song became inwardly alert.
From now on, he must be even more cautious.
He must never grow careless, for in this ruthless world of cultivation, a single lapse could mean his own death.
"Brother Wei, after today, I shall return to the market's outskirts. It was only with your unwavering support that I survived this tribulation. I, He Song, will never forget this kindness."
As they walked toward the outer edge of the market, He Song saw his old house still intact and hurriedly cupped his hands in thanks to Wei Fan.
He had long prepared a backup plan, but gratitude is gratitude, and Wei Fan's favor was etched deeply into his heart.
He had already packed all his belongings when leaving Wei Fan's small courtyard.
With Master Chengshan's return and the market's crisis resolved, He Song naturally would not stay in Wei Fan's courtyard any longer.
It wasn't convenient.
Moreover, it gave He Song a sense of dependence,
A feeling he found somewhat uncomfortable.
Although Wei Fan was his good friend, and their time together was harmonious,
With the crisis over, He Song was eager to return to his own home.
Not for any other reason, but simply for the freedom.
"You need not stand on ceremony between us. Stay here for now. When the first of next month comes, I'll transfer the tenancy rights to your name, and from then we'll start counting the rent,"
Wei Fan shook his head, not trying to keep He Song,
But used his authority to save He Song a few spirit stones.
As a late-stage Qi cultivator and a steward of the Spirit Construction Pavilion,
Wei Fan held some sway there; a casual word could waive almost a month's rent for He Song.
Yet it was only because the market had suffered such a disaster, with most of the pavilion's houses destroyed and rebuilding taking time,
That he could say so.
On ordinary days, even as a steward, he would not have such power.
It was a small favor for He Song.
After seeing He Song home, Wei Fan excused himself and left.
As a steward of the Spirit Construction Pavilion, with most rental houses damaged, he would be busy for quite some time.
He had only made this trip to ensure He Song's safe return.
Otherwise, he would have rushed to the pavilion as soon as Master Chengshan appeared.
Returning home,
He Song opened his door,
Only to find his once tidy room in utter chaos.
He had organized everything before leaving, but now it was unrecognizable.
It seemed likely that evil cultivators or others had "visited" during his absence.
The mess was probably the result of someone rummaging through his belongings.
But He Song had taken all his valuables with him, leaving only worthless items,
So he suffered no real loss.
Still, despite the lack of loss, the disorder made He Song frown.
Helpless,
He began to tidy up.
As a cultivator, his physical strength far surpassed that of ordinary people.
With spiritual energy aiding his cleaning, He Song quickly restored order.
The once chaotic room soon became spotless.
He Song sat at the desk he had used for over five years,
Brewed himself a pot of tea,
And his mind began to replay the events of the past months.
Three months ago, out of caution, He Song moved to stay in Wei Fan's home.
Three months passed in a blink.
Only today did He Song move out and return to his own home.
Throughout these three months, He Song had felt nothing amiss,
But recalling the scene earlier today where Master Chengshan slaughtered evildoers outside the market,
Images flickered through He Song's mind, and the more he thought, the more uneasy he felt.

Master Chengshan.
From his title, one could guess his signature artifact was likely the Green Mountain Seal.
Yet today, the enormous seal in Master Chengshan's hand did not seem to display its true power.
Instead, he used a barely visible golden thread to ensnare and eradicate the evil cultivators.
By comparison,
He Song was inclined to believe the grand Green Mountain Seal was but a decoy,
Meant to draw everyone's attention.
He even went so far as to use his title as cover.
For those unfamiliar, his title would make them focus on the seal in his hand.
But the golden thread, held by Master Chengshan, was his true ace.
From the start, everyone—He Song, the other cultivators, and even the evil ones—had their attention on the Green Mountain Seal.
Only when the golden thread revealed its might did they marvel at Master Chengshan's strength, bewildered.
Yet, aside from He Song,
No one else seemed to realize what had slain the evil cultivators.
That slender golden thread artifact went unnoticed.
"Using one's title and its associated artifact as a cover, hiding an unexpected weapon as a trump card, striking without warning..."
He Song pondered for a moment, then suddenly understood Master Chengshan's strategy.
Only because He Song had noticed the barely visible golden thread could he deduce so much.
Had he missed it,
He would never have guessed how Master Chengshan dispatched the evil cultivators.
"Truly, one must not underestimate others. Even Foundation Establishment cultivators can lay traps step by step; how much more so those of higher rank." With new clarity, He Song's vigilance toward cultivators in this world soared to its peak.
In this ruthless realm, hiding trump cards and casting smokescreens seemed to be every cultivator's practice.
It not only increased one's chances of survival,
But also granted more means,
And even made killing easier.
As images of his recent experiences continued to flash through his mind, He Song's expression gradually calmed.