Chapter Ninety-One [Cultivation]

Chapter Ninety-One [Cultivation]

Right after Shen Wang finished speaking, he saw Shi Yan and felt a bit guilty: Hopefully, he didn't hear what I just said. That would really draw hatred.

Pausing for a moment, Shen Wang casually greeted Shi Yan, offering a small compliment: "Minister Shi, you arrived so quickly. Truly diligent and dedicated."

Just a moment ago, you were saying I'm your best friend in the special department, and now you turn your back on me. Shi Yan's eye twitched, his smile forced, "Being your best friend, how could I not hurry? I have to live up to those two words, right?"

Shen Wang blinked, did he really say that? It felt like his original words were different.

Noticing Shi Yan's less than pleased expression, Shen Wang wisely swallowed his words and changed the subject, "This is the man I was telling you about."

"Learned a little bit about controlling ghosts and started bullying ordinary people, thinking no one could handle him."

Hearing Shen Wang's words, the man realized something was amiss and stopped being stubborn, pleading, "I was wrong, big brother. I didn't mean to harm anyone. I was just... just playing a joke on him!"

Terrified, the man looked at Shen Wang and Shi Yan, filled with regret. If he had known it would come to this, he never would have come up with such a bad idea. But now it was too late for regrets.

"We will investigate the truth of the matter," Shi Yan said coldly, glancing at the man and signaling the special department members behind him to take him away.

Watching the man being led away dejectedly, Lu Yongjun felt a surge of elation and spat, "Serves you right! That's what you get for breaking the law!"

Having vented his frustration, Lu Yongjun was immensely grateful to Shen Wang and Shi Yan, "Thank you both so much. Without you, I might have really been deceived. That scammer was just too detestable!"

Shen Wang smiled and said nonchalantly, "Just doing my job for the payment."

Shi Yan glanced at Shen Wang but said nothing.

Regardless of what Shen Wang said, he had been a great help. Lu Yongjun was well aware of this and kept expressing his heartfelt thanks.

Shen Wang casually responded while sending his bank account details to Lu Yongjun, instructing him to register with the special department before transferring the money.

After getting a confirmation from Lu Yongjun, Shen Wang promptly left, handing Lu Yongjun a talisman for peace and cleansing the yin energy from his body as he went.

With that, the haunted villa issue was completely resolved.

Standing by the roadside, pondering how to get home, Shen Wang saw Shi Yan silently walk to his car, get in, and start it in one fluid motion.

Shen Wang's eyes lit up. He quickly opened the passenger door and hopped in, "You remember my address, right? Give me a lift, please."

Shi Yan: "..."

Seemingly coming to a decision, Shi Yan smoothly started the car, his face wearing a perfect smile, his voice gentle, "Fasten your seatbelt. I'll take you home."

Shen Wang was taken aback, beginning to wonder if he had gotten into the wrong car.

Clutching the seatbelt, he warily asked, "You’re taking me home? Right to my doorstep?"

Shi Yan's smile was tender, his voice even softer, "Of course. It's late, and it's not convenient for you to go back alone."

Shen Wang felt goosebumps all over, his eyes widening in alarm, "You've had your subordinates take that criminal away. Don't you need to go back to the special department for overtime work?"

Shi Yan casually remarked, "All he needs to do is take the person back, lock them up, and we will handle it when we resume work tomorrow."

Shen Wang's gaze rested on Shi Yan with a hint of suspicion. After a moment, he suddenly asked, "Are you asking for a favor from me?"

Otherwise, why would his attitude be so strange?

Shi Yan, focusing on the road ahead, maintained a composed demeanor, "How could that be? Am I the type to fawn over someone just because I need a favor?"

Shen Wang rolled his eyes: Why wouldn't you be?

Sensing Shen Wang's skepticism, Shi Yan hesitated before conceding, "...Alright, I admit I do need your help."

"I thought as much," Shen Wang replied with a cold chuckle, "So, what is it?"

After a brief silence, Shi Yan slowly said, "Have you heard of the National Metaphysical Competition?"

Shen Wang was puzzled, "What's that?"

Every four years, a World Metaphysical Competition is held where young cultivators under 35 from various countries compete. The top three teams win prizes provided by the host country.

Before the World Metaphysical Competition, a National Metaphysical Competition is held domestically to select the best and brightest talents.

After hearing Shi Yan's explanation, Shen Wang nodded and asked, "What does this have to do with me?"

"I'd like you to represent the special department and participate in the competition," Shi Yan sighed softly, his expression tinged with a hint of melancholy, "In the past, the competitors were always selected from the Metaphysical Association, and our special department..."

Compared to the well-established Metaphysical Association, the special department was far behind in strength and lacked talented individuals.

This situation led to the special department, despite government backing, being subtly overshadowed by the Metaphysical Association.

Seeing Shi Yan's hopeful gaze fixed on him, Shen Wang's initial reaction was, "Sounds troublesome, I don't want to go."

Such a thankless task that only earned reputation was not in line with Shen Wang's way of doing things.

He didn't want to be caught in the crossfire between the special department and the Metaphysical Association, akin to a small ghost suffering in a fight between kings of hell.

Especially since it wasn't just a national competition, but, as Shi Yan hinted, there was also a world competition... Shen Wang felt a deep aversion.

Unsurprised by Shen Wang's refusal, Shi Yan continued calmly, "The top ten participants in the competition will receive prizes, and the winners of the World Competition will be awarded the highest-level rewards."

"The winner of the last World Competition received a breakthrough pill."

A breakthrough pill? What's that? Pondering, Shen Wang tentatively asked, "Are there any spiritual plants?"

"A ten-thousand-year-old spiritual plant."

Shen Wang: "..."

In this barren world, even a spiritual grass surviving ten thousand years was impressive... Shen Wang was conflicted.

Shi Yan glanced at Shen Wang, revealing his final card, "If you win the championship, the main headquarters of the special department will open its treasury for you to choose three treasures."

After speaking, Shi Yan added, "The treasury you entered last time was just our branch's. The main headquarters' treasury has more and better items."

Shen Wang: "...I'll think about it."

Understanding, Shi Yan did not disturb Shen Wang's thoughts any further, quietly driving him home.

Upon returning home, Shen Wang immediately went to the backyard. He looked around, his gaze falling on the treasures he had collected recently, sighing deeply.

After two days of cultivating at home, Shi Yan brought news to Shen Wang.

The online incident had reached a conclusion.

The blogger known as 'Star Talk' was confirmed to have had relations with a minor, was arrested, and his reputation collapsed overnight. His account was banned by the live streaming platform, resulting in a total internet blackout.

Although the other culprits weren't involved in such severe malicious acts, they had still swindled a significant amount of money. They were arrested by the police, their accounts canceled, and they were no longer able to deceive others.

These individuals, who attempted to gain popularity by stepping on Shen Wang, ended up exposing their own illegal activities and were ultimately imprisoned. The irony of their situation was filled with dramatic contrast.

When the announcements of their arrests were published, the netizens who had been misled earlier started commenting.

[Serves them right!]

[Congratulations to @StarTalk, @WuZhouYi, @QingQingTarot, and @FortuneTeller, on receiving a pair of silver bracelets (handcuffs). Hopefully, you'll reform yourselves in prison and become better people.]

[My Shen Ge does have some metaphysical aura. How dare these nobodies try to challenge him? Too audacious.]

[Hahaha, they tried to debunk Shen Ge’s metaphysical persona, but ended up being debunked by Shen Ge himself. No one does it like Shen Ge, truly formidable.]

[Exploiting metaphysics to cheat people of money and affection, it's about time these frauds were arrested.]

Amidst the netizens' schadenfreude, various live streaming platforms conducted self-inspections and banned accounts promoting feudal superstitions, curbing the arrogance of online fraudsters.

This left the implicated fraudsters furious, cursing those few peers who had stirred up trouble.

However, no one dared to secretly curse Shen Wang anymore, fearing they too might be caught and end up in prison.

Amidst the chaos, few noticed that as some broadcasters were banned from the platforms, a new wave of broadcasters registered, taking the place of those banned frauds.

Shi Yan revealed a smile befitting a supreme villain, "Before, officials didn't have the resources to manage online affairs, so these people kept exploiting loopholes. Now I've decided to let professionals handle it."

Shen Wang curiously asked, "What do you mean?"

A glint appeared in Shi Yan's eyes, his tone calm, "I've arranged for our professionals to conduct metaphysical education!"

If practitioners of the metaphysical world don't seize the narrative on online platforms, there will always be people misusing the guise of metaphysics to deceive others.

Professional matters should be handled by professionals.

Hearing Shi Yan’s plan, Shen Wang was impressed, "That's a great idea. I support you in spirit."

This plan was indeed well-suited to the circumstances and perfectly aligned with the rules of this world.

After discussing this matter, Shi Yan turned to Shen Wang, "So, have you made your decision?"

Shen Wang, still marveling at Shi Yan's initiative and ambition, was taken aback, "So, this was your main purpose for coming today, and passing on the news was just incidental?"

Shi Yan nodded readily, matter-of-factly stating, "You've been considering it for several days now."

Shen Wang, feeling the pressure from Shi Yan's expectant gaze, pondered for a few seconds, "I have a few conditions."

"Okay, state them," Shi Yan responded immediately, his eyes lighting up as Shen Wang showed willingness to negotiate.

"First, I want decision-making power over the team," to avoid being held back by incompetent teammates.

Shi Yan agreed without hesitation, "No problem."

"Second, you can't interfere with any of my actions."

Shi Yan's brow furrowed slightly, but he still nodded, "Agreed."

"Third," Shen Wang looked straight at Shi Yan, "I want another visit to the treasury to pick three items."

Shi Yan's mouth twitched, "You'll get victory rewards and access to the main headquarters' treasury to choose three items if you win."

"That's all after the competition, a promissory note from you," Shen Wang grinned, "What I want now is your earnest money and sincerity."

"Just say whether you'll give it or not."

What could Shi Yan do but agree, "Deal."

After all, treasures, although rare, were not as exceptional as an overwhelmingly powerful ace like Shen Wang.