Chapter 415 - 377: Subdue (3)

Chapter 415: Chapter 377: Subdue (3)

"Deposit it in a bank?"

Qian Laibao said, stunned, "Although banks are safe, there’s a daily withdrawal limit, and you have to pay a hefty storage fee each year. It’s quite inconvenient!"

Luo Pingyuan sighed. "I plan to travel to the capital this time, and it’s uncertain if I’ll make it back alive. This is to provide for my son. Depositing it in a bank, while inconvenient for withdrawals, is relatively safe. At least, it won’t be easily coveted by others. Having him withdraw a fixed amount each year with the golden contract will be enough for him to live a stable life."

Qian Laibao understood instantly.

’It seems this Magistrate Luo has already resolved to die.’

Qian Laibao comforted him, "County Magistrate, you needn’t be so disheartened. A damaged Dantian Qi Sea is certainly a grave matter for a cultivator, but it’s not entirely impossible to recover from."

Luo Pingyuan gave a bitter smile. "I appreciate your kind intentions, Shopkeeper Qian. But elixirs that can repair the Dantian and reconnect meridians are treasures one can only stumble upon, not actively seek. And let’s say, by some miracle, I was lucky enough to find a Spirit Medicine and repair my Dantian, how difficult would it be to start my cultivation all over again? They... they won’t give me that kind of time."

A thought suddenly struck Qian Laibao. His small eyes darted about, and he lowered his voice, smiling. "County Magistrate, have you ever considered seeking help from my Patriarch?"

Luo Pingyuan was slightly stunned, then slowly shook his head. "I am well aware that Patriarch Chen possesses vast Divine Abilities. But the path of cultivation ultimately depends on oneself. As powerful as Patriarch Chen is, I’m afraid even he can’t make bricks without straw."

But Qian Laibao just smiled. "County Magistrate, don’t be so quick to speak in absolutes. While I was recuperating at the Chen Mansion, I happened to learn something. Just last year, there was a woman of special status in the Chen Family who had her entire Spirit Realm Cultivation dissipated. And now, she has already returned to the Spirit Realm."

"What?!"

Luo Pingyuan shot up from his chair, an excited flush instantly coloring his face. "Is that... true?!"

"Absolutely true!"

Qian Laibao nodded affirmatively. "This matter is hardly a top secret in the Chen Mansion. If you don’t believe me, County Magistrate, you can find out with just a few inquiries. The woman is at the Chen Mansion right now. It can’t be faked."

This news struck Luo Pingyuan’s despairing heart like a bolt of lightning, stirring up a tidal wave of emotion.

From a son of a humble family, he had abandoned the path of a scholar for that of a warrior, struggling and fighting his way to the present day. The hardships involved were something an outsider could never know.

For it all to come to nothing now was a blow sufficient to shatter the will of most people.

The reason he had resolved to die was not only due to the unquenchable indignation burning in his chest, but also because he saw no hope of repairing his cultivation and staging a comeback.

But how could he truly be willing to be reduced to a cripple?

But now, Qian Laibao was telling him that there might still be a glimmer of hope on this path.

Even the slightest possibility was enough to reignite a raging flame in his dormant heart.

"Thank you... Shopkeeper Qian, for telling me this!"

Luo Pingyuan took several deep breaths and gave a deep bow to Qian Laibao, who was sitting in his wheelchair.

...

「Lingxi, Chen Mansion.」

In the study, Chen Li sat cross-legged on a cushion, his brow slightly furrowed.

The Primordial Qi Flame refined the Second Primordial Spirit with astonishing efficiency, and he soon condensed the Divine Embryo.

However, at this step, a thorny problem lay before Chen Li like an insurmountable chasm.

The Divine Embryo was formed, but it lacked its most crucial component: Spirituality.

Chen Li tried to inject the Qiankun Qi Roaming Dragon True Intent into the Divine Embryo.

At first, as the True Intent flowed in, the Divine Embryo trembled slightly, seemingly reacting.

But Chen Li soon realized something was wrong.

After entering the Divine Embryo, the True Intent didn’t disperse, merge, and nurture Spirituality as expected. Instead, it was utterly incompatible.

’This isn’t working... This method is a dead end.’

Chen Li fell into deep thought.

’Do I need to refine a whole new True Intent?’

’A True Intent Map...’

The thought gave Chen Li a headache.

True Intent Maps were incredibly precious.

Where was he supposed to find one now?

Unless the System rewarded him with one, it would be harder than finding a needle in a haystack.

Just as he was deep in concentration...

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.

Three soft yet distinct knocks came from outside the private chamber.

Chen Li slowly opened his eyes, the look of contemplation fading from them.

A brief use of his perception told him who was outside the door.

"Come in," he said calmly.

The study door was gently pushed open, and Luo Pingyuan’s figure appeared.

He had bid farewell to Qian Laibao at noon, arranged for the merchant caravan to return on its own, and with his heart in turmoil, had immediately rushed to the Chen Mansion without stopping.

Entering the study, he gently closed the door behind him and, facing Chen Li on the cushion, knelt down directly. "Pingyuan has presumptuously disturbed Senior’s tranquil cultivation late at night, a crime worthy of ten thousand deaths. But this junior has reached a dead end. I beg Senior to show mercy and save my life!"

Chen Li watched him with a calm gaze and said lightly, "If you have something to say, get up and say it."

But Luo Pingyuan did not rise. Speaking with extreme speed, he laid bare his entire situation after his cultivation was destroyed.

Finally, he raised his head, his gaze burning with desire. "Pingyuan is well aware of my many past offenses and dare not hope for forgiveness. But now, Pingyuan is at the end of his rope. I only beg Senior to use your miraculous skills to help me repair my Dantian and restore my cultivation. Whatever conditions Senior has, whatever price Pingyuan must pay, Pingyuan will not have a second word of complaint and would not shrink from ten thousand deaths."

A brief silence fell over the study, broken only by the soft crackle of the lamp’s wick.

Chen Li stared at Luo Pingyuan.

Having one’s Dantian Qi Sea crippled was indeed a dead end for an ordinary person.

But for him, Chen Li, it was not a difficult matter.

The System’s description of the Sweet Wind Jade Dew Heaven-Repairing Creation Pill stated that its primary effect was to repair damaged or even severed meridians and acupoints, and to nourish and revitalize the Dantian.

It was just that Chen Li had been using it for a lesser purpose—mostly to neutralize Fire Poison.

’But, should I save him?’

Chen Li rapidly weighed the pros and cons in his mind.

This Luo Pingyuan was a deeply scheming and ruthless man, extremely skilled at enduring and putting on a facade—an out-and-out double-edged sword.

Saving him could certainly gain him a powerful ally, but a single misstep could lead to being bitten back.

But in the next instant, another thought surfaced.

’If I were to teach him the Righteous Wealth Cultivation Method, it would undoubtedly give me effective control over the man, removing any need to worry about betrayal.’

’Besides, at this very moment, I have a use for him.’

After a moment, Chen Li slowly spoke, breaking the silence. "I can save your Dantian. And I can also help you recover your cultivation."

Hearing this, Luo Pingyuan’s body trembled violently, and an indescribable, ecstatic light erupted in his eyes.

"However, I can save you. But first, I need to see your sincerity."

Luo Pingyuan suppressed his excitement, took a deep breath, and said resolutely, "Please give me your instructions, Senior. Pingyuan will obey without question."

A sharp glint flashed in Chen Li’s eyes as he said, word by word, "I want you to go back and immediately, by any means necessary, publicize the matter of your cultivation being crippled and your determination to go to the capital to file an imperial petition.

Not only must every official in Liyang County know, but the news must also spread throughout Jiangzhou at the fastest possible speed. As for the main city of Jiangzhou, I will also arrange for people to help fan the flames. You must make everyone know that you, Luo Pingyuan, are going to the capital to strike the Petition Drum and file an imperial grievance."

Luo Pingyuan was stunned, almost suspecting he had misheard. "Senior... what do you mean by this?!"

He couldn’t comprehend Chen Li’s intentions at all.

Filing an imperial petition was already an extremely perilous matter. Success depended on a lightning-fast strike that caught the other party completely off guard; only then might there be a slim chance of survival.

But now Chen Li wanted him to broadcast it, making it known to the entire world?

Wasn’t this just sealing his own doom?!

Once the news spread, forget about Gao Changhe and the Duke of England; even the local officials of Jiangzhou, simply to save face for the bureaucracy and avoid being investigated by the Court, would never allow him to leave the borders of Jiangzhou alive.

"Senior!"

Cold sweat was already beading on Luo Pingyuan’s forehead. "If I do this, let’s not even talk about whether Pingyuan can make it to the Capital City alive. I’m afraid that as soon as the news gets out, the Jiang Family will immediately learn that my cultivation is gone. Things will surely change then, and the Jiang Family’s vast enterprise..."

He didn’t finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear. He was worried about the Jiang Family slipping from his control.

Chen Li looked at his anxious expression and smiled, but he didn’t explain his reasoning. He simply asked faintly, "You only need to answer me: will you do it, or not?"

Luo Pingyuan’s mind was in chaos.

He couldn’t guess what Chen Li was up to.

But he knew he had no capital to bargain with.

Finally, he gritted his teeth, a fierce look of someone risking it all flashing in his eyes. "Pingyuan will follow Senior’s command."

...