Chapter 533

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Protagonist:

Xu Zhangqing

Nervous?

Wang Han was truly nervous!

His ten fingers clenched tight, sweat seeping from his palms.

This group before him — they neither lusted after beauty nor coveted rare treasures; one look told him they came with ill intent, and would not be so easily fooled.

Still, a sliver of confidence remained in his heart.

He had lived in Fengrao Commandery for thirty years, from officials and aristocratic clans down to herb farmers, porters, and shop clerks at restaurants and teahouses — he had long woven an airtight network of connections.

With just a word passed along, every rustle of wind and stir of grass across the whole of Fengrao Commandery would reach his ears.

This was also why, not long after Xu Zhangqing and the others arrived, Wang Han was able to directly bring men and find them.

What's more... the more he thought, the calmer he became, and he promptly plopped down onto that already deformed cushion.

This was originally a half-chi-thick brocade cushion, stuffed with fluffy down; because his corpulent body had pressed on it year-round, the middle had thoroughly sunk in, even molding a perfect buttock-shaped imprint.

Seeing Xu Zhangqing not say a word, Hu Bugui could no longer contain his curiosity and moved in first; Zhao Ziyue followed close behind, and Lu Wu and Yu Shi tagged along for the excitement.

The several of them together probed their spiritual sense and divine sense into the interior of the "Account Book".

After scanning the account book's details and seeing those watered-down entries clearly, the other three were all shocked.

Only Yu Shi, widely experienced and knowledgeable, remained expressionless throughout, long since inured to such sights.

"Lao Xu, what do you think we should do?"

"This matter isn't easy to handle at all!"

"If you ask me, let's pretend we didn't see anything and call it a day!"

Hu Bugui and Zhao Ziyue, the two of them, couldn't help but transmit their voices.

Before this, they all thought it was merely going through the motions.

According to past rules, as long as the accounts had no major issues, they could be taken away and handed up to the Immortal Sect.

And when supplementing resources, the changes on the accounts were the room they could operate in.

For instance, the spirit plants and spirit beasts they had prepared in advance — as long as they were calculated according to the prices on the accounts, the price difference was everyone's tacitly understood hard-earned money.

This is the common subsidizing behavior of inspecting disciples; almost all do it this way.

But now, anyone who isn't a fool can see the problem inside.

Even a little extra wouldn't matter, the problem is this damn thing has doubled.

If they tacitly accept it, that's collusion.

Although they'd earn more, they'd be eating away at and even betraying the Immortal Sect.

【32】 If they choose to expose it on the spot, that equals tearing face with Wang Han.

If he chose to expose him on the spot, that was equal to tearing face with Wang Han.

Being able to operate in the mortal world for thirty years shows this person's connections run deep.

Who knows if this bastard has some Immortal Master from the Sect backing him behind the scenes?

Xu Zhangqing smiled bitterly in his heart: "Senior Brother Zhu, this isn't what was agreed upon!"

Clearly just coming to go through the motions, how did it turn into wading into muddy water?

This matter, one mishandling and it'll cause a major incident, and offend a great many people.

The more Xu Zhangqing and the others showed no reaction, the more radiant the smile on Wang Han's face became.

He even unhurriedly lifted his teacup, used the lid to lightly brush away the foam, took a sip, then smacked his lips — a picture of leisurely contentment.

Seeing this, even Hu Bugui frowned.

The other's smile was too glaring; clearly he had them pegged.

Xu Zhangqing placed the "Account Book" on the table to the side, and instructed the few beside him: "You all go out for a bit, I'll chat alone with Senior Brother Wang."

Hearing this, Lu Wu and Yu Shi stood up first and immediately walked outside.

Hu Bugui hesitated slightly, but was still forcibly dragged out by Zhao Ziyue.

Before long, only Xu Zhangqing and Wang Han remained in this room.

The two sat facing each other, and for a time no one spoke.

Xu Zhangqing's fingertips unconsciously rubbed the table's edge, his gaze calmly settling on Wang Han's face.

Wang Han meanwhile toyed with his teacup; a faint smile hung at the corner of his mouth, yet his eyes were sizing up Xu Zhangqing without showing a trace.

You look at me.

I size you up.

The air was full of the flavor of probing.

Xu Zhangqing raised his hand, then under Wang Han's startled and uncertain gaze, lifted the teacup to the side and lightly took a sip: "Good tea!"

Seeing this scene, Wang Han instead couldn't get a read on the other's current thoughts; the corner of his mouth twitched: "This is a top-grade mortal tea, named Cloud Mist Tea.

If Junior Brother Xu likes it, take a hundred catties back when you leave!"

Xu Zhangqing set down the teacup and said with a smile: "Though this tea is good, it ultimately belongs to the mortal world; this junior brother prefers the Jade Dew spirit buds grown on Qingmu Peak."

The three words "Qingmu Peak" made Wang Han's pupils shrink: "Xianfeng?"

Xu Zhangqing nodded lightly: "Yes, Qingmu Peak, one of the Seven Great Immortal Peaks."

Wang Han asked with a startled and uncertain expression: "But Junior Brother Xu, aren't you a Spirit Field Cultivator?"

Xu Zhangqing waved his hand: "That was before; now I've been valued by Qingmu Peak's current Peak Master, and have already become a Core Disciple."

Core Disciple.

And he was even a Disciple of the current Peak Master of Qingmu Peak.

Upon this, Wang Han could no longer sit still; his hand shook, and the water in his Tea Cup sloshed out. He hurriedly rose from his chair and cupped his hands: "So it is a Core Disciple before my eyes, Senior Brother was blind."

Xu Zhangqing saw this and chuckled, saying in a rather gentle Tone: "Senior Brother Wang is too courteous. We both possess Wood Spirit Roots; if we speak of seniority, you are ahead of me!"

Hearing this, Wang Han's gaze grew complex, and he murmured: "Yes, yes... thirty years ago, I was also one of the Spirit Farmers, spending all day farming, weeding, and Cultivating Lingti!"

Xu Zhangqing remained seated, then praised: "Senior Brother, these thirty years can be said to have been diligent and uncomplaining, hardworking and conscientious, handling everything inside and outside Fengrao Commandery very well."

The Immortal Sect was very Satisfied with this, and even made an evaluation."

Wang Han Recovered from Shock, feeling both surprised and delighted, and asked: "What evaluation?"

Xu Zhangqing said with a smiling face: "Small greed, no great fault!"

Upon hearing this, the smile on Wang Han's face froze, and he felt a chill surge through his entire body; his Whole person instantly felt a chill to the bone.

His pupils fluctuated even more violently, and even his fat and bloated body Twitched along with it, like a great worm wriggling.

The Tea Cup in his hand could not be held steady for a moment, and it fell directly to the ground, making a "Click" crisp sound.

Tea water spilled all over the ground.

Shards splashed everywhere.

He opened his mouth, and his Throat made a "huh huh" sound of leaking air, but he could not utter a single word.

The composure of thirty years of operating in the Mortal World, and the certainty of having a backer, before these six words, were like the Tea Cup already shattered on the ground, extremely fragile.

Tuo~

Tuo tuo~

Tuo tuo tuo~

Seeing this Scene, Xu Zhangqing lightly tapped the Tabletop with his Right Hand Index Finger, saying meaningfully: "This Account Book..."

Wang Han was like one returning to his soul; his Whole person suddenly woke up. Ignoring the cold sweat all over his body, he hurriedly took out another "Account Book" and handed it over: "Wrong, wrong. The one just now was from a few years ago; this one is the latest."

Xu Zhangqing picked up the two Account Books and compared them, discovering that the new one on the left had much more Normal content.

Even in terms of operational space, it was Thoroughly biased toward himself; it could be said to be full of Sincerity.

Now, it all depended on which one he would ultimately take away!