Chapter 7

Qingyun City was far away, hidden behind the towering mountains.

Lin Xuan covered his chest, which was aching faintly, and stopped by a remote mountain stream. Forcibly rushing out of the city gate and resisting the attacks of the city guards, although he didn't suffer fatal injuries, his internal organs were shaken, and most of his spiritual power was consumed.

He checked the system rewards.

"Causality Escape Technique" (Fragment): A supreme divine ability involving the laws of causality. After learning it, one can distort causality within a small range and achieve a short-distance "effect without cause" teleportation (e. g., appearing directly at the destination without going through the middle process). Cultivation condition: Spiritual sense must reach Golden Core Stage. Note: The fragment effect is limited and consumes a lot.

"Causality Escape Technique! Awesome!" Lin Xuan was excited, but this Golden Core Stage spiritual sense requirement was out of the question for now.

Luck Plunder Talisman (Primary): Can briefly steal a small amount of luck from those favored by destiny, duration one stick of incense. Note: There is a very low probability of being detected by the other party.

"Good stuff! Essential for shady people!" Lin Xuan carefully put it away, this is a sharp weapon against Ye Chen.

The top priority is to find a place to heal and digest the cultivation that has just skyrocketed. He still needs time to completely control the power of Foundation Establishment Stage 7.

He scanned the surroundings, mountains high and forests dense, rarely visited by people.

"Need to find a place with people, ask about the situation, and by the way... farm some Emotional Value." Lin Xuan licked his lips, used to the days of harvesting a large amount of Emotional Value every day, suddenly becoming quiet, he felt a bit uncomfortable.

He walked downstream along the mountain stream and finally saw a wisp of cooking smoke before dark.

It was a stronghold built on the mountainside, surrounded by wooden fences, and some figures holding weapons and dressed in messy clothes could be vaguely seen patrolling.

Stronghold? Bandit den?

Lin Xuan's eyes lit up! This is a standard "novice supply point" and "experience pack"!

He tidied up his damaged purple robe, although embarrassed, the material was luxurious, looking rich or noble. He adjusted his expression, making himself look like a stranded young master who was injured and panicked, and then stumbled toward the stronghold gate.

"Stop! Who is it?!" The two bandits guarding the gate immediately raised their knives vigilantly.

"Two, two good men! Help!" Lin Xuan squeezed a terrified expression on his face, "I, I am a merchant passing by here, encountered monster beasts, the guards all died, only I escaped, beg good men to take me in, I will give money! I will give a lot of money!"

While speaking, he took out a handful of gold leaves from his bosom (actually from the system space, stuffed in earlier), which shimmered with attractive light in the sunset.

The eyes of the two bandits went straight instantly!

Fat sheep! A huge fat sheep!

The two looked at each other, seeing the greed in each other's eyes.

"Wait! I'll go report to the Big Boss!" A bandit ran into the stronghold quickly.

Before long, Lin Xuan was brought into the stronghold's assembly hall. The hall was brightly lit, and on the top seat sat a burly man with a face full of flesh, bare chest, and a hideous scar on his chest, with a cultivation base of about Foundation Establishment Stage 5. He was the Big Boss of the Black Wind Stronghold, Black Bear.

Below sat several heads, their auras hovering in the early Foundation Establishment Stage.

"Kid, you said you are a merchant?" Black Bear's voice was like a bell, his sharp gaze scanning Lin Xuan, especially lingering on the storage bag (empty, just for show) at his waist and the gold leaves in his hand.

"Yes, yes, Big Boss!" Lin Xuan acted timidly, "My family is in the medicinal herb business. This time I wanted to escort a batch of precious medicinal herbs to the Imperial Capital, didn't expect... wuwu..." He even squeezed out two tears.

【Ding! Detected disdain and greed from bandit A/B, Emotional Value +233!】

【Ding! Detected the Third Boss's recognition of the "fat sheep," Emotional Value +166!】

Black Bear stared at him, seemingly judging truth from falsehood. He couldn't see through Lin Xuan's cultivation (system cover + higher strength), but looking at this delicate and cowardly appearance, he estimated he was just a trash young master piled up by elixirs.

"Since you are stranded here, you are a guest of my Black Wind Stronghold." Black Bear showed a hideous smile, "However, the rules of my Black Wind Stronghold, entrance fee, must be paid."

"Should! Should!" Lin Xuan hurriedly handed over all the gold leaves in his hand, "These are for the Big Boss and everyone to drink!"

Black Bear nodded with satisfaction, gave a wink, and a thin, tall head (Second Boss) stepped forward to take the gold leaves.

"Take this... Young Master Lin down to rest, and 'take good care' of him." Black Bear specifically emphasized the words "take good care."

Lin Xuan was taken to a simple wooden house. He knew that the other party was treating him as a fish on the chopping block, preparing to slowly squeeze out the oil and water, and finally rip the ticket.

"Want to pit me?" Lin Xuan lay on the bed, the corners of his mouth curling into a bad smile, "Just right, I'm missing a temporary stronghold, missing some subordinates, and even more missing a lot of Emotional Value!"

Late at night, most of the stronghold was asleep, only the sound of patrolling footsteps occasionally sounded.

Lin Xuan slipped out of the room silently, shuttling through the stronghold like a ghost. His target was—the stronghold's warehouse and the residences of several bosses.

The lock on the warehouse was like a decoration to him. Entering, sure enough, it was poor, except for a small amount of gold and silver and ordinary medicinal herbs, there was nothing valuable.

"Truly a group of useless bandits." Lin Xuan curled his lips, stuffed the gold and silver into his pocket, and then his gaze fell on those medicinal herbs.

Although he was not an alchemist, the system mall had a 【Hundred Herb Identification (Introductory)】 skill that only required a few hundred Slacking Off Points to exchange.

After exchanging, he immediately recognized several medicinal herbs with the same medicinal properties.

A wonderful "rectification" plan surged in his mind.

He found the stronghold's kitchen and cleverly mixed several conflicting medicinal herbs into the rice and meat for breakfast the next day. The amount was not much, but enough to make those who ate it... have diarrhea and be weak all over.

"First give you a collective 'baptism'."

Then, he slipped into the Second Boss's (that thin, tall guy) room. This guy looked the most insidious. Lin Xuan touched a small account book from under his pillow, which recorded the gold and silver he had privately deducted.

"Yo, unexpected harvest."

Finally, he came to the outside of Big Boss Black Bear's room. Heavy snoring came from inside. Lin Xuan didn't go in, but used a dagger to carve a small, unique mark belonging to the Second Boss (which he just saw in the account book) in a conspicuous position at the door.

After doing all this, he returned to his room without anyone knowing.

The next morning.

"Time to eat! Time to eat!"

The bandits flocked to the cafeteria as usual.

However, before half the meal was eaten, strange things happened!

"Ouch! My stomach hurts!"

"Can't do it! Latrine! Where is the latrine?!"

"I... my legs are soft! Why is there no strength?!"

The entire cafeteria was instantly shrouded in a bizarre atmosphere. Wails, running sounds, and collisions sounded one after another. Over a hundred bandits, from small heads to minions, almost all were hit, one by one pale, clutching their stomachs and rushing to the latrine, some really couldn't hold it and...

The stench permeated, and the scene was out of control for a while.

Only Lin Xuan, holding a bowl of clear porridge, sat in the corner, drinking slowly, out of place with the chaos around him.

【Ding! Detected the pain, panic, and anger of the bandits, Emotional Value +6888!】

【Ding! Detected the collapse of small head A, Emotional Value +444!】

Big Boss Black Bear and several others with slightly higher cultivation, because they ate less, had milder symptoms, but also felt a faint pain in their stomachs and were weak all over. They looked at this bizarre scene with ugly expressions.

"What's going on?! Who moved their hands and feet in the food!" Black Bear roared, his gaze scanning everyone like a hawk, finally fixing on Lin Xuan, who was the only one safe and sound.

"Is it you?!" Killing intent appeared in Black Bear's eyes.

"Big Boss, please see clearly!" Lin Xuan immediately put down the bowl, standing up with a "panicked" look, "I, I slept like a dead pig last night, I don't know anything! And, I just arrived, how could I have the ability to poison the whole stronghold? This must be... someone inside playing tricks!"

"Inside?" Black Bear frowned tightly.

Just then, a confidant minion ran over, whispering in Black Bear's ear with a strange expression, which was exactly the discovery of the warehouse theft and the mark at the Second Boss's door.

Black Bear's expression instantly turned gloomy enough to drip water, and he looked at the Second Boss abruptly!

The Second Boss felt his heart go numb from being watched: "Big Brother, why are you looking at me?"

"Why am I looking at you?" Black Bear approached step by step, his voice cold, "The money in the warehouse is less! At my door, there is a mark you used to contact privately! Speak! Is it you playing tricks! Want to usurp the throne?!"

"What?! Big Brother! Wronged!" The Second Boss panicked, "How could I..."

"Impossible? Then how do you explain this mark? How do you explain this account book?!" Black Bear slammed the account book that Lin Xuan "accidentally" dropped nearby onto the Second Boss's face!

The Second Boss looked at the familiar account book and instantly turned ashen.

"Big Brother! Let me explain!"

"Explain my ass! Take him down!"

Immediately, several subordinates who were still loyal to the Second Boss wanted to resist, but because they were weak all over, they were easily subdued by Black Bear's people. The entire stronghold fell into infighting and chaos.

Lin Xuan stood in the corner, watching this good show he directed and acted himself, happy in his heart.

【Ding! Detected Black Bear's rage and suspicion, Emotional Value +999!】

【Ding! Detected the Second Boss's frustration and despair, Emotional Value +888!】

【Ding! Detected the confusion and panic of all the bandits, Emotional Value +7777!】

Awesome! Another big wave of income!

While Black Bear was dealing with the "internal ghost" and had no time to take care of other things, Lin Xuan cleared his throat, walked to the middle of the assembly hall, and said loudly:

"Big Boss! Good men! Please listen to me!"

The chaotic scene calmed down slightly, and everyone looked at this "culprit" (they thought).

Lin Xuan showed a compassionate expression on his face: "I see that all the good men are bloody men, and becoming bandits must be forced by life. But now, because of the villain's mischief, brothers are fighting each other, and their strength is greatly damaged. If this continues, I fear there is a danger of destruction!"

Black Bear's expression was ugly, but he had to admit that Lin Xuan's words made sense. After such a toss, the stronghold's hearts were scattered, and their strength fell to the bottom.

"What high opinion does Young Master Lin have?" Black Bear asked in a deep voice, his tone softening a lot.

"High opinion is not worth mentioning." Lin Xuan smiled slightly, his smile carrying a trace of unfathomable mystery, "I just feel that robbing houses is ultimately a lower way, with high risks, low returns, and easy to attract strong enemies."

"Oh? Then what is the upper way?"

"The upper way, naturally is... sustainable development, making a fortune in silence!" Lin Xuan walked to the stronghold's sand table and pointed to the terrain nearby, "We can transform!"

"Trans... transform?" All the bandits looked blank.

"That's right!" Lin Xuan waved his hand and began his "entrepreneurial plan" lecture:

"We can establish 'Black Wind Logistics', monopolizing the freight business in this mountain area, and collecting reasonable protection fees... oh no, logistics management fees!"

"We can develop 'Black Wind Featured Tourism', taking those rich young masters and ladies to experience 'Stronghold One-Day Tour', watching you perform chest-breaking stones, do you understand the charging items?"

"We can also engage in 'Black Wind Mercenary Group', taking some formal tasks like escorting and treasure hunting, and building the brand!"

Lin Xuan talked eloquently, bluffing the modern business model, making a group of bandits listen blankly, although most didn't understand, but felt... it seemed very powerful?

【Ding! Detected the collective confusion and "don't know why but feel very powerful" of the bandits, Emotional Value +5555!】

Black Bear was also dizzy by this set of unheard-of theories, and he felt that his bandit career had suffered a huge impact.

"This... can this work?"

"Why not?" Lin Xuan was full of confidence, "With me as the Chief Strategic Consultant of the stronghold, responsible for planning and operations, I guarantee that everyone will eat well and drink well, and you won't have to carry your heads on your pants!"

He looked at Black Bear, his eyes "sincere": "Big Boss, times have changed. Whether to continue being a bandit who doesn't know if you can survive tomorrow, or follow me, build a business empire, and reach the peak of life, is all in your thought!"

Black Bear looked at this mysterious "stranded young master" who could provoke the pursuit of the whole city and could almost paralyze his stronghold in a laugh, and looked at the messy and panicked subordinates, gritted his teeth:

"Good! Consultant Lin! From now on, the development of the stronghold will listen to you!"

【Ding! Detected the complex recognition of Black Wind Stronghold Big Boss Black Bear and the binding of the fate of all bandits, Emotional Value +8888! Achieved "Stronghold Rectifier" achievement!】

Lin Xuan smiled contentedly.

Very good, step one, dove occupying the magpie's nest, completed.

He patted Black Bear on the shoulder, earnestly: "Big Boss, believe me, this is the most 'slacking off'... oh no, the most sensible choice."

"Now, let's solve the first internal management problem—hygiene regulations. From now on, whoever urinates or defecates everywhere, fine! Serious cases, cancel the monthly dividend!"

All the bandits looked at this newly appointed "consultant" and wanted to cry.

Are we... inviting an ancestor back?

(Chapter 7 End)