Chapter 805 - 242: [Reward] (6400)
After speaking, he intentionally paused: "I heard it reported that the thief was caught in your courtyard?"
"Indeed." Chen Yan replied with confidence: "I was fortunate enough to discover his tracks and managed to capture him in a bout of magic — there are traces in the courtyard from our encounter."
Elder Qian nodded, and after bringing Chen Yan into the main hall, just as he did the last time Chen Yan was there, he summoned the self-writing brush and paper.
Chen Yan was straightforward, elaborating on his battle with the East Sea with no reservations.
After listening, Elder Qian raised an eyebrow: "You said he once tried to entice you with great benefits to let him go? And you refused?"
"Not exactly refused; I did manage to trick some benefits out of him." Chen Yan admitted frankly: "During the previous incident when the cargo ship was ambushed and crashed into the forest, I encountered him and crossed paths with him — he possessed a Substitute Puppet, and I was very interested in this Magical Artifact.
So... after capturing him, I deliberately pretended to make a mistake, using the pretext of letting him escape to deceive him into revealing the method for crafting this Magical Artifact."
Elder Qian’s expression remained unchanged, he simply stared at Chen Yan: "Aren’t you afraid of being punished by the sect rules for doing such a thing and then confessing it to me directly?"
"As long as it doesn’t betray the sect or sabotage important matters, if there’s an opportunity to gain benefits, naturally one should seize it — this is one’s own Heart Demon.
As a disciple of the Celestial Demon Yin Yang Joyful Sect, one must face their Heart Demon directly!"
Elder Qian’s expression turned peculiar, but he eventually nodded: "You are correct. As long as you do not botch things up, and since it was you who caught him, doing small things in line with your Heart Demon isn’t a big deal. But remember, while you can face your Heart Demon, you must not go against the Heavenly Principle."
"Understood! Integrate and balance!" Chen Yan smiled politely.
He knew he had gambled correctly, as the sect indeed would not pursue such matters.
Then, Chen Yan further explained his past encounters with East Sea, having been neighbors in West Platform City, and meeting again on the Gu Family cargo ship.
"I have some thoughts. This thief named East Sea had offended many in West Platform City, and I’ve heard he owes a substantial amount of debt, fleeing aboard the Gu Family’s cargo ship... perhaps the ambush on the cargo ship en route is related to his external enemies."
"These matters we will naturally investigate— hmm, since it involves the Gu Family, we must also invite them to participate.
Coincidentally, the Town General from the Gu Family has not left yet and is currently a guest in the Inner Sect of the Immortal Mountain; once reported upwards, someone will likely be dispatched to interrogate him together."
Elder Qian contemplated for a moment, then shook his sleeves, nestling the brush in his hand, and pulled out a paper, skillfully jotting down several lines:
"Outer Sect Artifact Refining Hall Traveling Disciple Zhao Shanhe, valorously captured the infiltrator of the sect, commendable character, to be awarded five hundred Jade Coins, a Water and Fire Yin Yang Magic Robe, and to record a Third-Class contribution."
After writing, he waved his hand, conjured a small golden seal in his palm, lightly stamped the paper, leaving a glowing seal.
"Take it and go to the Artifact Hall to claim your reward."
Chen Yan smiled, receiving it with both hands: "Thank you, Elder Qian."
"No need to thank me, what you deserve. I, who manage the Outer Sect rewards and punishments in Jing’an Hall, must act impartially."
Elder Qian waved his hand at Chen Yan: "You may go now."
Chen Yan took the paper and was about to leave, just stepping outside the main door when he saw a broad and burly fat man striding down the corridor, clad in the leather armor of a military general from Snow Cliff Pass, walking swiftly.
It was that same Gu Jiu who had previously questioned Chen Yan.
Seeing the fat man approaching, Chen Yan immediately stepped aside, bowed in greeting, and watched as the fat man entered the room before turning to leave.
·
This was Chen Yan’s second time at the Artifact Hall, having previously come to collect his Outer Disciple robes.
But this time, coming to claim his reward, after presenting Elder Qian’s personally signed reward slip, the steward responsible for reception was noticeably more enthusiastic.
Five hundred Jade Coins were packaged in a wooden box for Chen Yan to take.
And the Water and Fire Yin Yang Magic Robe turned out to be quite a decent Magical Artifact!
Though not of high level, it was woven from a kind of spider silk native to the Domain Realm, durable and strong. It bore a special attribute: impervious to water and fire.
In water, it can part waters, and in fire, it can avoid flames.
Of course, only against mundane water and fire.
If you insist on confronting Samadhi True Fire or the like, it would still turn to ashes.
But... it was still quite good.
Chen Yan accepted it, but did not immediately wear it, storing it along with the Jade Coins inside the Storage Jade Pendant.
Just as Chen Yan was about to leave, the steward smiled and said: "This Junior Brother, as you are now a Traveling Disciple of the Outer Sect Artifact Refining Hall, it’s not appropriate for you to continue residing in the prep disciple’s quarters in the Outer Yard.
A residence should be arranged for you; do you have any specific preferences for your accommodations?"
Chen Yan was momentarily taken aback.
He hadn’t thought about changing residences — he originally planned to leave the Celestial Demon Yin Yang Joyful Sect once these matters were resolved to go to the Southern Border City of No Return in search of the Ghost Race.
Thus, he continued living in the prep disciples’ quarters in the Outer Yard, not considering moving.
However, now having earned a merit, and with the Artifact Hall personnel proactively bringing it up...
Considering the issue with the Beautiful Glow Flower Demon, and that he would inevitably return to the Celestial Demon Yin Yang Joyful Sect in the future.
Having a place to call his own wouldn’t be bad.
"Hmm... just a bit more spacious, a bit more secluded, without disturbance."
The steward laughed: "That’s a playful remark, for all cultivators prefer quiet in their residences. Spaciousness isn’t hard, the Outer Sect has ample land, there’s no shortage of space.