Zhao Ya had a good impression of Elder Shen.
It wasn’t just because he had spoken up for him before, forcing Xia Jiye to apologize to him in public.
More importantly, it was because of Shen Yunshen’s official manner.
For instance, when he first received a martial arts task, although Elder Shen’s attitude was not pleasant, he did everything that needed to be done, and even kindly reminded him.
This was truly commendable.
One could say that Zhao Ya didn’t expect everyone to take care of him like Guo Luming did, but if everyone handled things as officially as Shen Yunshen, the Azure Dragon Temple and even the entire world would be much more peaceful.
Unfortunately, this was destined to be just a wishful thinking.
After three cups of wine, the atmosphere grew increasingly lively.
Everyone present was a martial artist, at least at the Fifth Realm, so of course they didn’t have to worry about their alcohol tolerance.
However, no one would deliberately use Qi Blood to dispel the effects of the wine while drinking; even Zhao Ya would intentionally slow down his liver function to allow himself a hint of drunkenness.
After all, the purpose of drinking was to enjoy that intoxicating feeling, and if one remained sober after a thousand cups, it would be too dull.
After chatting for a while, Shen Yunshen suddenly asked, "Has Xia Jiye caused you any trouble since that day?"
Zhao Ya put down his cup, "He hasn’t caused any trouble, just told me not to go to the Martial Arts Hall anymore."
"I knew it, this Xia Jiye has been getting more and more outrageous over the years." Shen Yunshen said coldly.
However, he didn’t delve deeper into the topic, instead, he changed the subject.
"Zhao Ya, in fact, I didn’t just come here for the wine."
Zhao Ya nodded, "I understand, Elder Shen has something to ask, please go ahead."
Actually, from the beginning, Zhao Ya knew that Shen Yunshen must have a reason for coming here, and it certainly wasn’t just for the wine.
"Haha, speaking to a straightforward person is easy. Actually, there’s nothing big, just that the year-end is approaching, and there’s a sect task that no one has taken up, so I thought of you."
"Oh? What task?"
Zhao Ya’s curiosity was instantly piqued.
Originally, he planned to go to the Contribution Department these days to see if there were any tasks suitable for him.
After all, writing the Boxing Manual is not a task accomplished overnight, but his Sect Contribution points were already running low.
"Actually, this task isn’t difficult and doesn’t even require the use of martial force, yet the reward is very generous," Shen Yunshen said.
Zhao Ya remained silent because he knew there surely was more to the story.
If not, how could such a quality task remain unclaimed?
Sure enough.
After finishing a bowl of wine, Shen Yunshen sighed.
"The real tricky part of this task is that martial force cannot be used."
Saying this, he handed a list to Zhao Ya.
"Here, take a look for yourself."
Zhao Ya took it and opened it up. The task description was very long, taking up a full page.
This should be the longest sect task description Zhao Ya had ever seen.
He carefully read through it.
After a while, having finished reading, Shen Yunshen couldn’t help but smile and ask.
"What do you think?"
Zhao Ya nodded, "It’s indeed quite tricky."
Saying this, he placed the list on the table.
Beside him, Gui Xuanqing had been listening for a long time, feeling confused and finally, unable to hold back, asked.
"What on earth is going on, why don’t you tell us?"
"It’s actually quite simple. There’s a piece of property belonging to Azure Dragon Temple in the mountains, which has been rented out. In theory, rent should be paid every year, but for the past ten years, Azure Dragon Temple hasn’t received a single piece of silver as rent," Shen Yunshen explained.
Gui Xuanqing’s eyes widened, "How can this be? How bold must these people be to dare to defy Azure Dragon Temple in such a way? Aren’t they afraid of Azure Dragon Temple sending people to clear them out?"
"That’s the problem. If it were anyone else, Azure Dragon Temple would have acted long ago, but with this group, Azure Dragon Temple just can’t bring itself to do it," Zhao Ya said slowly.
"Why?"
"Because Azure Dragon Temple has to consider its reputation," Zhao Ya said, then handed the list to Gui Xuanqing.
After Gui Xuanqing finished reading, he was also speechless.
Just as Zhao Ya said, Azure Dragon Temple really couldn’t take action against these people.
Because those now occupying this property were a group of pitiable people, either disabled or orphaned and widowed.
Though Azure Dragon Temple was powerful and had reason, to act harshly against such people would undoubtedly invite external criticism.
By then, Azure Dragon Temple’s already declining reputation would surely suffer further.
"If it’s so difficult, why not just waive the rent as a charitable act? It might even earn a good name," Gui Xuanqing suggested.
Shen Yunshen sighed, "At first, we thought the same. Although the rent isn’t a small sum, it pales in comparison to the reputation of Azure Dragon Temple, so we didn’t plan to collect it. But then, the rent for other properties became increasingly hard to collect."
"As soon as rent is asked for, these people use their situation to argue, saying why do they not have to pay while we do? Now, this argument has spread, and up to eighty percent of the properties aren’t yielding rent."
Zhao Ya felt a slight stir in his heart.
With his keen perception, he immediately sensed that something was fishy here.
Azure Dragon Temple, after all, is one of the major sects Beyond the World; it’s unlikely that they can’t even collect rent.
Had they been a bit more assertive, when those people argued why don’t others have to pay, they could have been directly driven away.