“Chapter 49”

"Chapter 49"

"Unaware of the thoughts in the man in black’s mind, Shen Wang waved, 'Xiao Hei Ge, come down and play~~'"

"Whether it was what he said or the playful tone of his voice, it sounded rather unserious."

"The man in black twitched at the corner of his eye and muttered under his breath, 'Frivolous and flippant.'"

"Saying this, he leapt down from the wall, landing in front of Shen Wang."

"'What are you doing here?' Shen Wang asked curiously."

"'I saw the gathering of spiritual energy and came to check it out.' The moment the man in black landed, he felt the unusually dense spiritual energy of the place, his eyes flickering uncertainly."

"Shen Wang leaned lazily against the massive Qinghan Stone, 'Just a simple, small formation.'"

"Simple, small formation? The man in black seemed to chuckle, 'Hardly, I'd say.'"

"Shen Wang pretended not to hear the probing in his words, suddenly remembering something, casually thanked him with a hand gesture, 'Thanks for the dagger, it's really handy.'"

"The man in black looked up at him, the night deepening, as Shen Wang yawned softly."

"The man in black was not oblivious to such an obvious hint to leave. He smiled, 'It's quite late, I won't disturb your rest any longer.'"

"‘Alright, let’s chat another time,’ Shen Wang readily waved goodbye, like a beckoning cat, bidding him farewell."

"Just like his arrival, the man in black vanished into the night in an instant."

"Watching him leave, Shen Wang stroked the giant rock he leaned on, the smile fading from his face."

"Uncharacteristically, he seemed serious and somber."

"Trouble, such trouble indeed."

"Twice now this man had stumbled upon him setting up formations, unsure if it was a twist of fate or a nemesis."

"'What’s the story with this guy...' Shen Wang muttered to himself."

"Of the notable figures in the original story, he had a rough idea, but the man in black was certainly not among them."

"The only one who matched him was Gu Dongting, the antagonist who turns evil later in the story."

"The darkened Gu Dongting was ruthless and vengeful, his personality becoming extreme and radical, always dressed in black, stirring up the mystical world, determined to oppose the protagonist."

"But the current Gu Dongting was still the upright and kind 'White Gu', not the later 'Black Gu'..."

"With a thought, Shen Wang sent a message to Qin Yourong, 'Hey, are you there, back in town yet?'"

"Unsure of what Qin Yourong was doing, he quickly replied, 'Yes, dear, what’s up? I assure you of my service, to leave you satisfied, dear.'"

"It was the height of flattery."

"Three black lines slid down Shen Wang's forehead as he went straight to the point, 'Do you know what Gu Dongting has been up to recently?'"

"The response came quickly: 'He's in C City, helping someone out.'"

"Gu Dongting is known for his integrity and kindness; he rarely refuses to help those who seek his assistance."

"As a result, Gu Dongting enjoys an excellent reputation in the mystical world, especially among the younger generation, who regard him as a paragon of virtue, unmatched and revered."

"However, Qin Yourong couldn't help but criticize, 'He always helps others without complaint, like an old workhorse, and never charges a fee... I can’t decide whether to call him kind or old-fashioned.'"

"It’s known that even ordinary cultivators can earn thousands to tens of thousands for a single act of assistance."

"Gu Dongting, on the other hand, works purely for free."

"Some even criticize him behind his back for not charging fees, disrupting market prices, and making others uncomfortable by setting himself up as a saint."

"Seeing Qin Yourong’s complaints, Shen Wang was certain; Gu Dongting, always willing to be taken advantage of, could not be the man in black, who seemed far from benevolent at first glance."

"Shen Wang couldn't help but feel poignant, knowing that such a Gu Dongting would eventually be driven by the protagonist and the mystical world into becoming the 'Dark Gu' later on."

"Good people not receiving good rewards, he thought, was a bitter irony."

"Not dwelling on the topic, Shen Wang casually typed, 'Ask the Ghost Dominating Sect when they can pay back the money they owe me.'"

"Qin Yourong typed back furiously, 'Why should I deal with the Ghost Dominating Sect’s debt to you! Go ask them yourself!'"

"Shen Wang declared confidently, 'I forgot to save their contact information.'"

"Qin Yourong: '...'"

"Shen Wang: 'I’m broke now, penniless. Tell them to contact me quickly to repay the debt.'"

"Qin Yourong typed a few characters, then deleted them, feeling aggrieved, but replied with restraint, 'Alright, dear, I will urge them, dear.'"

"Shen Wang: 'Keep it up, try a bit harder, and I can block you soon.'"

"Putting away his phone, Shen Wang looked up and lovingly patted the big rock again, then staggered back to his room."

"Passing the living room sofa, Xiao Kong was still sound asleep, his chubby body slightly smaller, but still plump. Shen Wang chuckled and folded the blanket on the sofa several times to cover the sprawling Xiao Kong."

"If Xiao Kong were a human, in this hot summer, he’d wake up from the heat in a few minutes."

"Pinching Xiao Kong’s chubby face, Shen Wang also felt sleepy, barely able to keep his eyes open, and stumbled back to his room to sleep."

"As Shen Wang fell asleep as soon as he hit the bed, Qin Yourong looked at his reply, grinding his teeth, 'If not for the need of the purification array, would I let you be so arrogant?'"

"Nobody could make Lord Qin act so obligingly."

"And Shen Wang didn’t even appreciate it!"

"'What’s going on?' A cold voice sounded beside him."

"Qin Yourong looked up to see Gu Dongting walking in from outside the door and immediately complained, 'It’s that Shen Wang, too arrogant, saying he’ll block me!'"

"Glancing briefly at the chat history, a flicker of light passed through Gu Dongting's eyes, 'Why is he asking about my whereabouts?'"

"Qin Yourong replied nonchalantly, 'I don't know, maybe just a casual question?'"

"'A casual question...' Gu Dongting chuckled lightly, neither confirming nor denying."

"Seeing the light smile on Gu Dongting's face, Qin Yourong felt an inexplicable shiver, sensing something odd but couldn't quite put his finger on it."

"'Ting Ge, is your mission going smoothly?' Qin Yourong asked cautiously."

"'Smoothly, very smoothly,' Gu Dongting replied, 'Even more smoothly than I anticipated.'"

"After saying this, Gu Dongting left."

"Watching his retreating figure, Qin Yourong scratched his blond hair, wondering if it was just his imagination. Gu Dongting was still dressed in white, looking no different than before."

"But he couldn’t shake off the feeling... that Gu Dongting's face carried a hint of demonic charm."

"That perfectly sculpted face, still cold and unapproachable, yet the corners of his eyes and lips revealed a mocking, almost sinister air. This barely noticeable trace of malice transformed him from an unattainable saint."

"Into a bewitching specter draped in sanctity."

"No matter how much he feigned purity, something seemed off."

"Qin Yourong shuddered, deeply introspective and repentant, 'It's a sin to think this way, how could I... He is Gu Dongting after all...'"

"It must be a delusion."

"When Gu Dongting returned to his room and closed the door, a moment later, he revealed an interested smile, 'Shen Wang...'"

"After he left, Shen Wang immediately inquired about Gu Dongting’s whereabouts. Could it be a coincidence?"

"Gu Dongting believed that his disguise in a cloak and mask, his mannerisms, and even his way of speaking, bore no resemblance to his usual self."

"Even his own parents would not associate the man in black with Gu Dongting."

"So, why would Shen Wang link these two utterly unrelated individuals?"

"While the man in black moved in mystery, Gu Dongting felt that Shen Wang was the truly elusive one."

"The elusive Shen Wang had a sound sleep, not willing to get out of bed even by midday."

"It was only when people from the Ghost Dominating Sect came to visit that he leaped out of bed, hurrying to greet them, 'Ah, you’ve come to repay so soon? I'm not in a hurry, not at all…'"

"With the visitors from the Ghost Dominating Sect was Qin Yourong: '...'"

"Yes, you're not in a hurry, asking me to chase debts in the middle of the night. You’re definitely not in a hurry."

"Redefining: not in a hurry."

"The leader of the Ghost Dominating Sect, expression unchanging, handed over a bank card, 'Daoist Shen, the promised five million is all in this card.'"

"'Oh, thank you, thank you!' Shen Wang's eyes lit up as he took the card, pulling at it vigorously but unable to extract it."

"It wasn’t until the third try that the bank card finally transferred to his hand."

"The leader of the Ghost Dominating Sect smiled outwardly but was bleeding internally. In the midst of his pain, he suddenly heard Shen Wang say."

"'Did you pay taxes on this money?'"

"The leader of the Ghost Dominating Sect: '???'"

"Qin Yourong: '???'"

"Shen Wang, in shock, exclaimed, 'You’re not going to make me pay the taxes, are you!'"

"'A sudden windfall like this is taxed at twenty percent, that’s a whole million! You’re not expecting me to pay this million, right?'"

"'...Surely not?'"

"Clutching the card, Shen Wang realized that out of the money now in his hands, a million would have to be scraped off. Tears nearly welled up in his eyes."

"The leader of the Ghost Dominating Sect, trembling slightly, managed a smile, 'Of course, I wouldn’t make you pay that.'"

"Relieved, Shen Wang's face broke into a smile, 'The Sect Leader is truly noble and upright, a model of integrity and law-abiding...'"

"Qin Yourong was dumbfounded."

"In a sense, the mystical world operates in a gray area. Usually, during missions, aside from some large companies that pay taxes through corporate accounts, private transfers rarely involve taxes."

"No one had ever mentioned it before... until Shen Wang suddenly brought it up."

"Qin Yourong thought, 'This is indeed a topic worth exploring.'"

"Unaware that his casual remark could potentially alter the entire mystical world's dynamics, Shen Wang carefully stored the bank card, thoroughly pleased."

"Who would have thought that jade could be so costly, exhausting all his savings. Thankfully, the leader of the Ghost Dominating Sect came to his rescue."

"Delighted, Shen Wang gently spoke, 'I’ve already written down the principles for the purification array.'"

"Qin Yourong, instantly forgetting everything else and invigorated, said, 'Daoist Shen's generosity is commendable! With this array, our ghost capturing missions will be much more effective, reducing countless casualties. This is all thanks to your great merit, Daoist Shen!'"

"'Don’t flatter me,' Shen Wang remained unmoved, 'Has your special department figured out what to exchange for it?'"

"The constantly flattered leader of the Ghost Dominating Sect: '...'"

"Shen Wang couldn't shake the feeling that he was being treated like a sucker, but he had no evidence."

"Qin Yourong’s face stiffened as he chuckled, 'I’ve reported the situation to our leadership. Our special department's funds are limited; we can’t afford tens of millions. The most we can offer is five million...'"

"Shen Wang’s mouth twitched, about to see the visitor out."

"Qin Yourong continued, 'However, you can choose three treasures from our special department’s treasure vault.'"

"His downturned lips immediately turned upward. Shen Wang spoke with a beaming smile, 'Treasures have their value, but goodwill is priceless. Since you insist, I’d be ungracious to refuse.'"

"He decided to check it out first. If the special department’s vault was anything like the Mystical Association’s, lacking anything worthwhile, he would find a way to decline."

"Shen Wang’s mind buzzed with calculations."