Chapter 74: How Will You Reward Me

The hillside was in chaos as the fleeing experts of the Incense Tower were captured one by one by disciples of the Heaven Traveling Sword Sect, each looking downcast at the sight of their own Grand Elder being beaten.

Zhang Shaoyou glanced and saw many others had escaped capture... He knew it wasn't that the Heaven Traveling Sword Sect couldn't catch them, but that they were deliberately let go.

Once these people returned to their sect and spoke of this battle, they truly could not go back... at least he, Zhang Shaoyou, could not.

An hour ago, no one would have thought that a battle which looked like a slaughter on paper would end up in this situation.

The Heaven Traveling Sword Sect suffered zero casualties... even the Incense Tower had few casualties; only three extremely core members of the Incense Tower, Chang Qing, Zhu Lianfeng, and Cao Qiang, died. Other disciples were injured in the chaos, but none died; the majority were captured, and a minority escaped.

Sheng Yuanyao's request to "not be too vicious" was also executed perfectly.

In fact, defeating the Incense Tower while being weaker was already a terrifying display of authority; there was no need to prove it with excessive killing. Instead, spreading a reputation for fairness and balance would benefit Shen Tang, benefit the subjugation of these experts, and benefit even more what Shen Tang intends to do in the future.

So there was no need for Sheng Yuanyao to instruct; this time Lu Xingzhou would not be too ruthless anyway.

Zhang Shaoyou naturally didn't understand these things. Looking at the core of the Heaven Traveling Sword Sect... three young people plus a child, such vitality... Zhang Shaoyou almost felt he had cultivated his whole life into a dog's belly. The alchemists of the Incense Tower were even more lifeless; the styles of the two sects were almost opposite.

Qin Buwang, Zhao Guishan, and others led dozens of people out of the courtyard slowly.

Actually, just these people suddenly exploding could have caused Shen Tang a great loss, but Shen Tang seemed completely unaware, instead smiling gently: "If any of you are unwilling to join the sect, I will not force you; you may leave on your own."

No one moved.

After a long while, it was still Zhang Shaoyou who spoke for everyone: "How does Sect Master Shen intend to deal with us?"

"Deal with?" Shen Tang asked in surprise: "Why say that? It should be 'accommodate'."

She paused, then smiled again: "The time left for us to find you all and talk was really too tight; we only had time to find Protector Zhang and Protector Qin separately. We originally wanted to find Protector Zhao, but there simply wasn't enough time. Do you know why we specifically chose you to find?"

Zhang Shaoyou said: "Because among the externally hired protectors of the Incense Tower, we are the strongest?"

"No, it is because your characters are all quite good," Shen Tang said seriously: "Perhaps you still cannot believe it; we are sincerely inviting you all to develop the sect together, not merely to sway your inclinations due to the outcome of the Incense Tower battle."

Everyone was stunned.

Lu Xingzhou suddenly turned to the body-cultivating Wu Xiu, Zhao Guishan: "Brother Zhao, right? I originally wanted to find you, but didn't have time. It's not too late to tell you now."

Everyone was even more stunned. The Sect Master was talking to someone else, and you, a guest scholar, are interrupting; what's even more outrageous is that the Sect Master actually obediently closed her mouth and looked at him with bright, beautiful eyes while he spoke.

Zhao Guishan, full of ellipses in his heart, clasped his hands and said: "Mr. Lu, please speak."

Lu Xingzhou, having confiscated Chang Qing's ring, took out a pill and shook it: "This is the third-grade breakthrough pill you very much want. Chang Qing had it on hand, but wouldn't give it to you because he needed to use it to keep you working. Do you feel what the Incense Tower did was quite normal?"

Zhao Guishan was silent. Putting aside his feelings, he also thought this operation was quite normal; if you gave someone exactly what they wanted most, what if they turned around and didn't recognize you? If he were the manager of the Incense Tower, he wouldn't give it directly either.

Lu Xingzhou smiled: "This approach, at first glance reasonable, is actually very vicious. Because the Incense Tower didn't set standards for you, like a carrot tied in front of a donkey... The proper approach should be to state clearly in advance what tasks completed would earn it; if there are no tasks of the appropriate level for a long time, then a certain number of lower-level tasks accumulated could also earn it. Once the standard is set, Brother Zhao would have a goal and hope, and wouldn't be suffering day after day like this, not knowing when it would end."

A sudden light sparked in Zhao Guishan's eyes.

Lu Xingzhou said: "When I found Brother Qin Buwang, I told him these things clearly. If there had been time to find Brother Zhao back then, I would have said the same thing."

Zhao Guishan looked at Qin Buwang, and Qin Buwang nodded, indicating he had indeed said so.

Lu Xingzhou said: "So we have a gentleman's agreement... Next, we will inevitably counterattack the Incense Tower. If Brother Qin and Brother Zhao can have a standout performance in this battle... hmm, saying 'standout' is not good; there's no standard for 'standout'... Let's put it this way: if the two of you can kill experts of equal cultivation in this battle, then after this battle, the third-grade breakthrough pill will be offered to you with both hands. For the needs of the others, apply this by analogy."

Zhao Guishan's heart jumped: "What if we take it and leave?"

"Then the transaction is settled for both sides, and I haven't lost anything either," Lu Xingzhou smiled: "Of course, it's still the Sect Master's words from just now; we sincerely invite you all to join the Heaven Traveling Sword Sect. Such matters must always be voluntary; forcing them is meaningless... We also believe the Heaven Traveling Sword Sect will be a very good home for you all."

Everyone looked at each other, their expressions somewhat strange.

If they really fought the Incense Tower with you, then besides you, who else would dare to accept such traitors who betrayed their masters? Either they would hide their names and flee far away, or they would be tied down tightly by your Heaven Traveling Sword Sect.

But the fact that Lu Xingzhou could say this still made everyone feel very comfortable in their hearts.

Because they felt respect, rather than the "outsider" status displayed on the surface by the Incense Tower.

Even though they clearly knew he was just being generous with the Incense Tower's spoils...

Zhang Shaoyou finally spoke: "Anyway, if you can let me study your sect's first-grade sword technique, this old man is willing to be a guest scholar of your sect."

"Not a guest scholar," Shen Tang smiled slightly: "Once you learn our sect's sword technique, you are a person of our sect. Hmm... I wonder if you are interested in the position of Head of the Sword Edge Hall?"

Zhang Shaoyou's heart jumped violently; he could hardly believe it.

Truly so generous?

Looking around at the others, their faces also showed uncontrollable emotion. Although Zhang Shaoyou was not the leader of these "externally hired" people, and many were merely acquaintances, his flag effect was very obvious. If Zhang Shaoyou could directly enter the core of the Heaven Traveling Sword Sect, how would the others fear exclusion or discrimination?

And this also meant Zhang Shaoyou entering the sect would bring a very strong faction with him... Was Shen Tang really not afraid that at a certain time, Zhang Shaoyou would turn the tables and rebel against her?

Shen Tang said very calmly: "Use people without doubting them; if you doubt them, don't use them. Everyone need not suspect. If everyone is willing to join the sect, everyone will be appointed to a position."

Zhang Shaoyou took a deep breath and knelt on one knee: "Meeting the Sect Master, I realize how many years I wasted in the Incense Tower. I, Zhang, am willing to be driven."

Shen Tang pretended to be humble and supportive as she helped him up, but actually hid more excitement in her heart than he did.

This was a third-grade sword cultivator! There were also fourth-grade upper-stage Dao cultivators and body cultivators! The others were all fifth or sixth grade. If this force truly joined, the Heaven Traveling Sword Sect would completely become a dragon coiled around Xiazhou.

Before obtaining Lu Xingzhou, Shen Tang thought it would take at least ten years of effort for the Heaven Traveling Sword Sect to reach this strength; unexpectedly, the world turned upside down in just two short months.

Gain one Lu Xingzhou, save ten years of struggle...

Du Gu Qingli's eyes were also complex; she had watched Shen Tang go from a destitute state where even hiring an alchemist resulted in being poached, all the way to the present; it could truly be said she had been reborn.

"Let's arrange accommodation for everyone first," Lu Xingzhou gave Shen Tang a look: "Sect Master, I... hmm, I have something to say to you."

Naturally, Tang Yunzhong and others of the Heaven Traveling Sword Sect were responsible for settling the newcomers, while Shen Tang took Lu Xingzhou back to the bedroom.

Neither felt anything wrong about entering the bedroom; after all, they had been there many times. Du Gu Qingli stood outside, eyes bewildered.

Back then I pushed you through the door, and you scolded me; now?

Wait, why am I standing outside?

A small head of A Nuo poked out from the side, pressed against the door to listen; Du Gu Qingli twitched her mouth, expressionless.

Forget it, this scene is more familiar.

Inside, Lu Xingzhou was saying to Shen Tang: "Elder Tang and others, though they said nothing, had worried expressions. Your next move is to upgrade your original Heaven Traveling Sword Sect core layer."

Shen Tang rubbed her temples: "I have also realized this, but upgrading is not a matter of a day or two."

"Upgrading is not a matter of a day or two, but confidence is," Lu Xingzhou smiled: "The secret realm can be opened to them now, only to them."

A light flashed in Shen Tang's eyes.

So that's how it is, so simple. Letting Uncle Zhong and others feel the maximum trust naturally removes their worry, and the abundant spiritual energy of the secret realm is also beneficial for their breakthroughs; it won't take long to pull their cultivation up, and it can also balance the forces under their command.

"If we truly succeed in counterattacking the Incense Pavilion, the pills stored there can be distributed to them. Don't say the Sword Sect dislikes taking pills—when breaking through the realm, it's worth taking them for assistance."

"Mm, I understand." Shen Tang bit her lower lip, her beautiful eyes shimmering like autumn water: "Don't you have anything to ask me?"

Lu Xingzhou chuckled: "Your hidden strength?"

"Mm." Shen Tang lowered her gaze slightly. This could be considered the one thing she kept from Lu Xingzhou—if she revealed all her hidden cards, she would have no secrets left from him.

For some reason, it wasn't a lack of trust in him, but an inexplicable shame, as if she'd been stripped bare.

Yet Lu Xingzhou acted as if nothing were amiss: "You already told me you have death warriors. As for their exact strength or how many there are... everyone deserves a bit of privacy. I don't pry."

Shen Tang's heart stirred slightly; she lifted her head to look into his eyes.

Lu Xingzhou blinked twice: "But sister... such a great achievement—how will you reward me?"

Shen Tang's heart pounded wildly; her voice stumbled: "A guest elder who does a little work dares to ask for a reward? Want a slap on the face?"

She raised her hand, pretending to strike.

But her motion was soft and weak; Lu Xingzhou caught her wrist effortlessly.

Their eyes met; the air grew still.

Shen Tang's heartbeat quickened further; suddenly, she felt grateful for their wheelchairs.

If not for this miserable barrier—if they stood face to face like ordinary people—Shen Tang couldn't imagine how unbearable the atmosphere would be.

Just as she thought this, Lu Xingzhou stood up.

(End of Chapter)