Chapter 52: Pity

Shan Ye is a local student from Linjiangzhou.

She has an extremely high sense of self-worth.

Her innate talent, “Endless Vitality.”

Greatly aids her Qi cultivation.

Until now,

she believed Jiang Jian had only secured the top rank in the cultivation class competition through his “Technique” talent.

He just earned first place in the ranking match for the cultivation class.

she witnessed Jiang Jian’s battle with Shi Luohua with her own eyes.

And just now, she had brief contact with Jiang Jian.

It deeply shook Shan Ye’s heart.

“Time meant for entertainment, used for cultivation.”

“Time meant for play, used for cultivation.”

“Time meant for daydreaming, used for cultivation.”

“Time spent on the vehicle, used for cultivation.”

“Can I do this?”

Shan Ye silently shook her head.

“I simply cannot.”

“I am human.”

“I have seven emotions and six desires.”

“I have countless needs.”

“Cultivation is only one part of my life.”

“Not the whole of it.”

“I simply cannot be like him…”

Shan Ye gazed out the window.

Countless thoughts swirled within her.

“I am not his equal.”

Thinking this,

Shan Ye suddenly exhaled, relieved.

All the minor prejudices she had held before

collapsed completely.

Without realizing it,

fine beads of sweat had formed on her pale forehead.

The airship halted.

Shan Ye took a deep breath.

The next instant,

she picked up her bag, walked up to Jiang Jian, and said seriously: “Jiang Jian, my name is Shan Ye.”

Jiang Jian gave her a strange look but replied: “Alright.”

Shi Xuan was also surprised and added from beside: “We already know that—why repeat it?”

Shan Ye smiled without answering and stepped off the airship first.

“Shan Ye is always so thoughtful—I wonder what she’s thinking now.”

Liu Tiezhu watched her back and changed the subject.

“The meals here are expensive—don’t overcharge me.”

Inside the restaurant,

the group took their seats.

“Clear-simmered bird’s nest, 11 Alliance coins.”

“Lemon cod, 9 Alliance coins.”

“Curry crab, 6 Alliance coins.”

“Caramelized fruit custard, 7 Alliance coins.”

Exquisite dishes arrived one after another.

Compared to their usual meals,

the cost here was clearly much higher.

Liu Tiezhu picked up a piece of cod and said: “What are your thoughts on the study mission?”

Jiang Jian said softly: “I need a large amount of credits.”

Liu Tiezhu replied: “The reward must be good.”

Shi Xuan said gravely: “I agree with Jiang Jian—ideally, it should also refine our combat skills.”

Liu Tiezhu said: “It must help us grow.”

Here, he turned to Shan Ye: “Shan Ye, what about you?”

She was eating heartily, a spoonful of soup still in her spoon; after swallowing, she said: “I’m fine with anything.”

Liu Tiezhu nodded, opened his identity device, and swiped rapidly: “I found a study mission that roughly fits our needs.”

She was eating heartily, a spoonful of soup still on her spoon; hearing the question, she swallowed the food and said, “I’m fine with anything.”

Jiang Jian opened his identity device and viewed the mission Liu Tiezhu had forwarded.

“Study Mission: Silt Removal from the Grey River.”

“Credit Reward: 800.”

“Mission Brief: The Grey River, a tributary of Shaoshui, runs through Shaoshuizhou. Shadow zones have lax enforcement and weak patrols; non-citizens dominate the river, using its water veins for cultivation. Silt has clogged the riverbed, blocking water flow.”

“Mission Details: Drive out non-citizens from the river.”

“Mission Note: Those who defy regulations will be arrested on the spot and sent to First-Weight Jiangcheng. Those who actively resist will have their actions recorded immediately and executed on the spot for resisting patrol officers.”

“Mission Basis: Linjiang Prefecture Patrol Order, River Management Law, Non-Citizen Protection Law.”

“Additional Reward: For each non-citizen criminal arrested and sent to First-Weight Jiangcheng, 100 credits.”

“Task basis: Linjiang Prefecture Inspection Order, River Management Law, Non-Citizen Protection Act.”

“Bonus reward: Arresting non-citizen lawbreakers and escorting them to Chongjiang City. 100 credits per non-citizen criminal.”

Shi Xuan frowned and said: “I know Shaoshuizhou well.”

“The Grey River flows through seven shadow districts.”

“It’s filled with spirits, ghosts, and demons.”

“Some are powerful—some have cultivated for over a hundred years.”

“We couldn’t defeat them.”

Liu Tiezhu shook his head and pointed at the device: “Look closely—you only need to clear silt in one district to get 800 credits.”

He swiped the screen, pulling up a map of Shaoshuizhou.

“Of these seven districts, we only need to pick one.”

“Shishan County is perfect.”

Shi Xuan thought for a moment: “Shishan County is indeed remote—likely no strong figures there.”

Shan Ye shook her head beside him: “But 800 credits is far too little.”

Liu Tiezhu laughed: “That’s where you’re wrong—this kind of mission’s real reward lies in the bonus.”

Shi Xuan asked: “What do you mean?”

“These non-citizens are cunning,”

Liu Tiezhu continued. “They know,”

“that every so often, someone comes to clear the river.”

“So no matter if they can fight or not,”

“they hide away.”

“Letting us complete the silt removal easily.”

“But our real goal isn’t silt removal at all!”

Liu Tiezhu tapped the table, turning to Jiang Jian: “If this mission is handled well, we can earn massive credits!”

Jiang Jian, after studying the Shaoshuizhou map, nodded slightly: “I understand your idea.”

Liu Tiezhu’s eyes gleamed with anticipation: “Go on.”

Jiang Jian smiled faintly: “First—set a trap.”

Shi Xuan asked: “What trap? Are you going fishing?”

Jiang Jian shook his head: “Setting a trap means gathering them together.”

Shi Xuan asked, “What are you baiting for? Are you going to fish?”

“make these spirits and demons break the law.”

Then.

Let these spirit and ghost creatures violate the laws.

At this moment.

Only then can we act and arrest him.

Deliver him to First River City to earn credit points.

Jiang Jian’s expression turned thoughtful. “I even suspect.”

“This learning task was invented by Linjiang Academy just to fill up First River City.”

With that said.

Liu Tiezhu turned to look at him; their eyes met, and he smiled with a simple, earnest expression.

First River City holds non-citizens who have committed capital crimes.

But.

Non-citizens who violate the laws are growing fewer.

The number of non-citizens sent from the seventeen prefectures of Linjiang Province is also declining year by year.

The gods, in their mercy, permit all living beings to exist.

Whether the Solar System Code or the Earth Alliance Law.

Both clearly stipulate.

No living being may be discriminated against.

The Earth Alliance explicitly forbids the buying, enslaving, imprisoning, or abusing of non-citizens.

So in recent years,

Tianzhu Mountain’s Linjiang Prefecture has exhausted its efforts.

Yet still found no way to fill the increasingly empty First River City.

Although the Earth Alliance is predominantly human,

with the Prayer Hall in place, no one dares openly violate the laws.

Shan Ye continued eating, head down.

Shi Xuan thought for a moment, then came to his senses and said, “I understand, but we’re still new students—we don’t have Xu Kequan to accept learning tasks.”

Liu Tiezhu nodded: “So this is only a temporary plan.”

“On Saturday night.”

“We’ll exit the new student phase and gain full student Xu Kequan.”

“At that time,”

“we’ll not only be able to accept learning tasks, but also join the Ladder Rankings.”

Shi Xuan asked: “Only the Hui River dredging? Do you have any other options?”

Liu Tiezhu shook his head. “No rush—we still have several days. We’ll take our time.”

“There are many learning tasks.”

“Hui River dredging isn’t the only choice.”

(End of Chapter)