Chapter 220: Greed for Small Gains Leads to the Loss of Great Righteousness

The only players listening in the hall were Deng Li Buduo and Baiyin. Having suffered from leaks during live streams, they opened a private stream accessible only to a few high-ranking members of the Beggar Sect during critical meetings to prevent Lin Bai from suddenly dropping a bombshell that would leave them unable to react.

"Patent Law? Is this something a native of a Xianxia World could think of? Lao Gu, do you still insist that the game is real?" asked Crazy Man.

"..." Gugao Laoren typed a string of ellipses.

To be honest.

He was also a bit bewildered. Patent Law, something purely modern, had absolutely nothing to do with a Xianxia World, yet Lin Bai spoke of it so convincingly that it truly left him puzzled. A complete set of laws was no longer something that could be brushed off by calling a Recording Pen a Dharma Treasure.

"Lao Gu, if you insist that the game world is real, then the only remaining possibility is that Lin Bai is a Jiusheng who returned from the future. Patent Law might have been created by players from the Real World!" said Bitter Melon Vine. "Shopkeeper Lin is just bringing things from the future out in advance. There has never been any Divination Technique; everything has already happened. The Recording Pen was made by players, and the printing press was also made by players..."

"How do you account for the space-time paradox? If Lin Bai brought things from the future to the present, does the future he came from still exist?" asked I Am Not A Smurf. "The theory of time travel is full of loopholes; don't bother showing it off. I am more inclined to believe there is no real world at all. This is just a game. Everything Lin Bai possesses was instilled in him by modern people. The Recording Pen and the printing press are backdoors opened for him by the Game Company. This explanation is more reliable than anything else."

"But what is the Game Company's purpose in doing this? To create a bug, disrupt the game's progress, and interfere with the players' experience? Why doesn't Shenmo Dalu have special NPCs like Lin Bai?" asked Xianxia's First Paparazzo. "This doesn't make sense. Clearly, Shopkeeper Lin has disrupted the game's balance. His existence does more harm than good for the Game Company."

"Is it possible that Lin Bai is also a player? His actions don't look like an NPC's at all..." Baiyin looked at the long stream of bullet comments before him and offered a point, but he quickly negated it himself. "No, if he were a player, the Recording Pen and the printing press would be completely unexplainable. Everyone, just pretend I didn't say anything..."

"At this stage, discussing Shopkeeper Lin's identity is meaningless. The appearance of Patent Law will surely cause a huge uproar among natives and players alike. We should be discussing how the Beggar Sect will deal with future variables. Also, we must find a way to handle the trouble we caused earlier for the sake of advertising. Given Lin Bai's personality, he will absolutely not let this go."

Gugao Laoren, who had been silent for a long time, finally posted a bullet comment. Offline, he looked somewhat haggard.

Lin Bai's increasingly abnormal behavior made him feel terrified.

He sensed a massive conspiracy that had dragged two worlds into it.

"That shouldn't matter, right!" said Bitter Melon Vine. "The Beggar Sect and the Justice Alliance have spread their operations so wide; unless Shopkeeper Lin stops expanding, he will definitely handle this lightly."

"I hope so. Let's wait and see what decision Lin Bai makes!" Gugao Laoren typed these words in low spirits and stopped speaking. In his mailbox was the final payment letter sent by the advertising company. The amount on it was enough to make anyone's heart race. The sponsors praised the job for being well done and looked forward to future cooperation.

On one side is an unknown conspiracy, and on the other is a huge profit. It is truly hard to choose!

Under the inspiration of Lin Bai's personal charisma, the members of the Justice Alliance voted unanimously to pass the Patent Law.

Following the Medicine King Valley, the Spirit Tool Pavilion brought out a large amount of rare metals as war reparations to compensate for the losses of the Justice Sect.

Next.

Lin Bai further discussed with the newly joined members many matters such as mutual exchange, reciprocity within the alliance, opening shops among the populace, and benefiting the people's livelihood.

The sect masters of each sect naturally agreed to everything.

After passing the Patent Law, the members of the Justice Alliance were now completely bound to Lin Bai.

Compared to the Patent Law that stirred the world's situation, other matters were mere trifles. Even if they lost some sect interests, it was fundamentally harmless; they could no longer see the future clearly.

Moreover, He Qin and the others knew clearly in their hearts that although they were nominally members of the Justice Alliance, in reality, they were subordinate sects to the Justice Sect, and the kind without any say...

"... That is about all for now. If anyone has anything to add, feel free to speak your mind." Lin Bai looked around at everyone, very satisfied with their cooperation. He had long known that as long as one finds the right methods and means, there is no collective that cannot be integrated.

"Alliance Leader, we previously sent people to the Seven Righteous Sects for help. To avoid complications, should we recall them?" asked Ma Changcheng.

Previously, he had thought about using the power of the Seven Righteous Sects to kill Lin Bai and let everything return to normal.

Now, he only wanted to buy more time for the Justice Alliance to develop.

"The people we sent to fetch reinforcements are accompanied by Heavenly Descended. They haven't reached the Seven Righteous Sects yet, so we should be able to intercept them in time through the Heavenly Descended," said He Qin.

"Alliance Leader, our Valley Master Tang Lanling also went to the Moon Spirit Sect to fetch reinforcements," Jiang Yuru said awkwardly.

"No need." Lin Bai shook his head decisively and said, "The next issue of Justice Weekly will report on the Patent Law and the grand occasion of this battle. With the circulation speed of Justice Weekly, the people of the Seven Righteous Sects will naturally know if they want to. Rather than passively waiting for them to send people and catch us off guard, it is better to lure them here so we can maintain the initiative. Perhaps the Justice Alliance might even gain a few new members!"

He always knew how to boost his teammates' confidence.

He had boasted so much earlier; if he showed even a hint of cowardice at this moment, it would likely make these people murmur in their hearts. One must be consistent in word and deed to achieve great things.

When everyone else cannot keep up with him, the rhythm can only be led by him.

Being content with small wealth was not his principle.

Sure enough.

As soon as these words were spoken.

The emotions of several sect masters had shifted from worry to excitement.

"Alliance Leader, are you confident?" He Qin asked tentatively.

"A person's potential is infinite. Cultivating the Fazhe Zhidao fears nothing more than peace. The more urgent the situation, the faster my cultivation progresses," Lin Bai smiled slightly. "Still the same saying: if I want the world to realize the power of the Law, I must constantly prove myself, and the only way to prove myself is through war and conquest. Why do you think I rarely use offensive techniques in every battle? Isn't it because I want you to witness the power of the Law?"

Aren't you just a psychopath?!

Everyone engaged in Belly-Defamation, but they had to wear insincere smiles on their faces and praised in unison: "The Alliance Leader is truly righteous."

Lin Bai waved his hand and said proudly: "Therefore, I must seize every opportunity. Let the storm come even more violently; I fear nothing."

"..." Everyone.

"Deng Li Buduo, Baiyin, you have seen the war, and you two have also listened in on the meeting. Notify the people of the Beggar Sect to hurry and publish the fourth issue of Justice Weekly," Lin Bai looked at the two and ordered.

"Yes, Master." Deng Li Buduo bowed and saluted.

"Also, notify the Heavenly Descended who followed me into battle to gather in front of the main hall." Lin Bai glanced at them and said coldly, "Not one can be missing. The Heavenly Descended from other sects will observe the ceremony..."

Chaoyuan Sword Sect.

Yanyinjianchang.

Many players were gathered together.

Everyone knew what was about to happen, but the chaotic and noisy private chat sounds indicated that no one took it seriously.

"How do you think Shopkeeper Lin will punish us?"

"At most a few scoldings, what else can he do? We are the ones he is focusing on cultivating; he has to rely on us to get things done! Besides, we can't be killed."

"Exactly, we did cause trouble, but it didn't affect the big picture. Advertising is a revenue-generating project for the Beggar Sect, and it was permitted by Shopkeeper Lin..."

"How much money has the Beggar Sect poured into the game? The official side won't allow Lin Bai to lay a hand on us. Players like us who spend money are treated like royalty in any game."

Lin Bai stood on the high platform, hearing all the private messages in his ears. He let out a hum, scanned the many players with his gaze, and said loudly, "I presume you all know why I have summoned you here? That's right, it is because of what happened on the battlefield. To be honest, I am very heartbroken..."

"Alliance Leader, we were wrong," a player shouted. "We won't dare to do it again in the future, please let us off this time!"

"Alliance Leader, we know we were wrong. Come to think of it, we were also doing it for the sake of the Beggar Sect's profits..."

"You are a magnanimous person who doesn't hold grudges against petty people, so please forgive us this one time. We guarantee there won't be a next time."

"Didn't you say that Law of Cultivation requires a Pure Heart? We were just following our own hearts when we did those things!"

"Shopkeeper Lin, you can't have double standards!"

Before Lin Bai could finish his words, he was interrupted. The players began to beg for mercy in a cacophony, and all sorts of voices turned into a mess.

Xiaobai looked at the many players with dissatisfaction, her gaze filled with anger. For the first time, she felt these players were too annoying.

He Qin and the others frowned and cast their gazes toward Lin Bai.

Once upon a time, they too had been harmed by these Heavenly Descended who knew nothing of status or etiquette.

It was unknown how much of a headache it was.

Let us see how Lin Bai handles them.

If he only applies high pressure to his own people and ignores the Heavenly Descended, the Justice Alliance might not last long...

"Quiet!"

Lin Bai used his Skill that doubles the volume of his voice.

A rolling thunderous sound echoed through the Yanyinjianchang, suppressing the voices of all the players.

The players were startled by the sudden roar and immediately fell silent.

"From this moment on, anyone who speaks while I am speaking will be expelled from the Beggar Sect and expelled from the Justice Alliance." Lin Bai scanned the crowd, his presence imposing without anger.

"Holy crap, he's getting serious!"

"Expelling us from the Beggar Sect is useless. We are earning money for the Beggar Sect. Even if we are really expelled from the Beggar Sect by Lin Bai, would 【Gugao Laoren】 dare to ignore us?"

"Exactly, if 【Gugao Laoren】 really ignores us because of this matter, the Beggar Sect's reputation will be completely ruined. Who would still be willing to work hard for the Beggar Sect?"

"Think about it, being kicked out doesn't matter. Players can teach each other Skills, continue to take the Beggar Sect's money, learn Skills when they should, and level up when they should. It might even be better than being in the Beggar Sect!"

"When the time comes, we'll just change our appearance and come back. With so many people, can Lin Bai even tell who is who?"

"Haha, expelled from the Beggar Sect, I'm so scared!"

"Lin Bai's mistake was letting players manage the Beggar Sect. His so-called deterrence has no effect on us at all. Now that he wants to take back power, it's already too late."

Listening to the players' private messages, Lin Bai was almost amused to the point of anger: "You are Undying and Indestructible, and your aptitude is excellent. You really think I have no way to deal with you, right?"

"We wouldn't dare!" the players said in a scattered manner.

"They say the Heavenly Descended are intelligent, but I see you are foolish and unaware of it!" Lin Bai shook his head, sighed, and asked, "Ask yourselves, since I founded the Beggar Sect, what have you done that was beneficial to me? Fighting Huilong Temple? Fighting the Evil Five Sects? Or this battle?"

The players were stunned.

The sound of private messages gradually disappeared.

【Deng Li Buduo】 sighed. Alright, this time he really made Lin Bai angry.

"You have done nothing. All this time, the most you have done is shout, cheer, and watch the excitement," Lin Bai said contemptuously. "I handled ninety percent of the matters by myself. You eat my food and use my resources, yet you don't even follow my rules. Do you not feel guilty? I can foster one Beggar Sect, and I can foster a Cow Sect or a Horse Sect all over again... Do you think others can't do what you do?"

"Holy crap, awesome!"

"Replace them! Shopkeeper Lin is mighty. He should definitely replace the whole Beggar Sect. Once I log in, I'll work for you."

"Greedy for small gains and losing the greater righteousness, the Beggar Sect is in trouble."

"Trying to hold Shopkeeper Lin hostage before they've even grown up, the Beggar Sect players are too naive."

"This is the drawback of a makeshift operation. No matter how capable Gugao Laoren is, if he doesn't establish a set of strict disciplines for the Beggar Sect, it will reach this point sooner or later. If it were a formal Group, such loopholes wouldn't appear. They have strong financial support and at least wouldn't offend Shopkeeper Lin over a little bit of advertising fees."

"Is Shopkeeper Lin really planning to replace the Beggar Sect?"

"Do you think there's anything Shopkeeper Lin wouldn't do? All the sects around Qian City are controlled by him. It might be hard to find other things, but is it hard to find players? In other cities, if players are expelled from their sect, they can change to another sect and start over. Around Qian City, unless they become life-profession players, they can't even learn Skills."

"They can't handle life-profession skills either. Don't forget the big projects the Justice Alliance is working on; the pill rooms and Weapon Refinement chains are all controlled by him! Moreover, Shopkeeper Lin has a very good relationship with the officials. With one order, all the players in the Beggar Sect will be crippled by him, and they won't be able to do anything but farm."

"Holy crap, a one-man show. Players are fought over by major sects because their aptitude is excellent, and there is full competition between sects, all wanting to utilize the Heavenly Descended. Lin Bai has integrated all the sects, invisibly wiping out the players' advantages. Players can grow infinitely, but Shopkeeper Lin simply doesn't give them the chance to grow!"

"Things have gotten big. Who still says the Beggar Sect is good now?"

"Doesn't that mean the Beggar Sect can only work for Shopkeeper Lin?"

"Work for him first, grow up, and then rebelling against Shopkeeper Lin will have a chance of success. They are being cocky too early. Besides, they've made Shopkeeper Lin vigilant. Lin Bai is right, they are just a bunch of idiots."

"How many resources has Shopkeeper Lin brought to the Beggar Sect? So many people are hoping to work for him!"

"Shopkeeper Lin is really destroying the game. Now his Justice Alliance only covers Qian City. Once he continues to expand, will there be any way for players to survive? All players will just work for him!"

"It won't go that far. Players grow fast. Over time, it's not certain who will be restricting whom!"

"If you want to deal with Shopkeeper Lin, first you must endure, and second, you must be diligent. You have to compete with Shopkeeper Lin on growth speed. This bunch of guys in the Beggar Sect are too comfortable."

"Shopkeeper Lin relies on Law Cultivation. You could totally cause trouble while he is practicing the Law of Cultivation!"

"Wouldn't causing trouble offend Shopkeeper Lin again?"

"Are you stupid? You definitely can't do it openly, but you can do it secretly! His 'word follows the law' should be easy to interfere with, right!"

(End of chapter)