Chapter Seventy-Three: Collusion with the Demonic Cultivators

Not only was there no great upheaval, but even Wei Fan, himself a high-level cultivator of the Immortal Market, had already started paving the way for his friend. It was clear, then, that the crimes committed by the steward of the Spirit Herb Pavilion and those two managers must have been significant—perhaps even enough to stir public outrage. Otherwise, such a situation could never have arisen. Fellow members of the Immortal Market leadership would never stand idly by and watch their own colleagues be executed.

"That man colluded with demonic cultivators, directing his subordinates to recruit them into the Immortal Market. With irrefutable evidence, he was summarily executed on the spot by the Immortal City Law Enforcement Team. His two accomplices were also executed then and there, and the hidden demonic cultivators in the market were all rounded up in one sweep."

As he spoke, a flash of killing intent passed through Wei Fan's eyes. As a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator and a senior member of the Immortal Market, he too was incensed at the betrayal of a colleague consorting with demonics. Having left the Thick Earth Courtyard, his loyalties lay firmly with the Sect of Thick Earth, and he harbored an abiding hatred for demonic cultivators, wishing nothing more than to eradicate them completely.

This, then, was the reason why the execution of the Spirit Herb Pavilion's steward by the Law Enforcement Team of Immortal City had raised so little commotion. In Bamboo Mountain's Immortal Market, in Azure Cliffs Immortal City, under the governance of the Sect of Thick Earth, there was only one fate for those who consorted with demonic cultivators: death!

"Colluding with demonic cultivators, recruiting them into the Immortal Market?" He Song repeated Wei Fan's words, raising his brows in surprise. He thought of Chen Zhou, who had also been recruited into the market six years prior. Could it be…?

A bold suspicion arose in He Song's mind, but he quickly dismissed it. If Chen Zhou truly was a demonic cultivator, when he had asked Wei Fan to kill Chen Zhou, the demonic faction would certainly have retaliated. Yet here, three years later, the demonic cultivators had been rooted out by the Law Enforcement Team, and there had been no move for revenge. It could be concluded that Chen Zhou had little to do with the hidden demonic cultivators within the market.

Of course, it was also possible the demonic cultivators had traced the matter back to Wei Fan and were unaware that He Song was the true instigator. Faced with a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, perhaps they simply dared not retaliate.

At the same time, He Song also thought of Zhao Lin.

If he remembered correctly, Zhao Lin had taken over Meng Guan’s position and, with his cultivation at the fourth level of Qi Refining, had become a manager of the Spirit Herb Pavilion. Chen Zhou had also been recruited by Zhao Lin. If Chen Zhou was suspect, Zhao Lin could hardly be blameless. But Wei Fan had already said that the demonic cultivators hiding in the Immortal Market had all been wiped out—there were no fish that slipped the net. As long as Zhao Lin was alive, there would be no problem.

"Brother Wei, do you have a list of those from the Spirit Herb Pavilion who died? I have a friend who is one of the managers there."

Though He Song knew Zhao Lin had already, like himself, fled the market to avoid trouble, he still asked, just to be sure. One can never be too careful—what if Zhao Lin had been caught and brought back?

At the same time, He Song felt a wave of relief for his own caution. Had he not left the Immortal Market before the Law Enforcement Team arrived, he would have been subject to their relentless scrutiny. Though he was not a demonic cultivator, who could say whether the Law Enforcement Team might arbitrarily accuse him of being one? In that case, he might not die, but he would certainly suffer terribly. After all, with the steward of the Spirit Herb Pavilion having colluded with demonics, every member would surely be thoroughly investigated. If innocent, one would pass inspection; if not, one would have been killed three days ago. Whether one was truly innocent or not was not for oneself to decide.

He Song had no intention of leaving his fate in the hands of others—this was why he had left the market.

"You must mean Zhao Lin from three years back. Old Meng mentioned him to me before he left. Half a month ago, Zhao Lin was also under suspicion. But after a thorough investigation, he was cleared. As a talisman master with a promising future, who made a point of not making enemies and was always cautious, he had nothing to do with the demonic cultivators."

Wei Fan paused, thoughtful, before continuing. "But, like you, he left the market to wander before the Law Enforcement Team arrived, and has not been heard from since. I have no idea where he is now." As he finished, Wei Fan seemed to recall something and looked at He Song. "You didn’t get your information from him, did you?"

His gaze grew a touch peculiar. He suddenly remembered six years earlier, before Master Chengshan left Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market, when He Song had sensed something amiss and predicted chaos ahead. As He Song’s friend, Wei Fan had believed him then, spending a fortune on protective equipment, talismans, and other life-saving items, always on guard for an attack by demonic cultivators. Events had proven He Song was right.

Now, before the Law Enforcement Team’s arrival, He Song had once again left the market in advance, wary of being caught up in the trouble. If He Song’s news came from Zhao Lin… it all made sense. No wonder both of them had vanished from the market at the same time. Clearly, He Song had sensed something and warned Zhao Lin, after which both had left separately, planning to hide out for a while before returning.

As these speculations flickered through Wei Fan’s mind, his expression toward He Song grew increasingly odd. This situation seemed all too familiar—he himself had experienced something similar, though last time it had been with He Song, and this time He Song and Zhao Lin had left together.

"Yes, that day he brought me a gift in person, and then…" He Song recounted the story of Zhao Lin coming to deliver a gift, sticking only to what could be said. He was candid—after all, he’d even sent a message to Wei Fan when he left. To think of Wei Fan at such a dangerous moment was proof of genuine friendship, and Wei Fan could not find fault with it.

However, after listening to He Song, Wei Fan’s gaze grew even more peculiar—such caution! At the slightest hint of trouble, He Song would avoid it as though he’d foreseen it. This level of prudence truly impressed him. Yet, it was precisely this caution that made Wei Fan think highly of He Song.

"Enough about him," Wei Fan said, "With two manager positions in the Spirit Herb Pavilion suddenly vacant, if you’re interested, I can recommend you for one. And if Zhao Lin returns, you can seek his help too. As a manager himself, he should have some influence in the pavilion and might be able to improve your chances."

Knowing He Song was asking after Zhao Lin, and that Zhao Lin was no accomplice of demonic cultivators, Wei Fan felt no concern. On the contrary, he was eager to help He Song secure some benefit.