Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan Chapter 1861: 1399: Cleared of Suspicion (Part 2)
Previously on Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan...
“We have to uncover the proof to lock him away in jail!”
“Absolutely!”
The five masters shared looks and responded together, clearly united in their resolve.
Deep down, each of them understood the situation and struggled to devise any method for jailing a Loose Cultivator, filling them with intense irritation.
…
Meanwhile.
Li Zhirui swiftly departed from the yamen and made his way back to the Five Blessings Tavern. Even with the Dragon Qi Jade Seal in his possession, the yamen's Daoist magic network still unsettled him deeply.
He required proper rest now, along with meditation to restore his energy.
Upon entering his room, he settled into a cross-legged position to draw in Spiritual Energy via breathing techniques.
Roughly two hours later, Li Zhirui gradually completed his session, rose to his feet, and exited the chamber.
“Shopkeeper.”
He entered the main hall, observed the Shopkeeper tallying the previous day's costs and earnings, and addressed him before adding,
“Due to my troubles, the tavern and that waiter suffered involvement, and I regret it sincerely. Though this silver isn't a large amount, kindly take it as my gesture of remorse.”
The Shopkeeper lifted an eyebrow and answered with a grin, “Given your effort here, I'll take it.”
“Where's that waiter? I want to offer my apologies directly.”
“Xiao Liu, get out here now!” the Shopkeeper called toward the rear yard.
The waiter dashed forward and inquired, “Shopkeeper, what's up?”
“This guest wishes to make amends to you.”
Li Zhirui interjected and stated, “My problems brought you hardship, and I'm genuinely apologetic. Please don't turn down this small compensation.”
With those words, he presented a modest bundle.
“This…”
“Take it.” The Shopkeeper's gaze sparkled with thrill as the bundle radiated a golden light, obviously holding significant worth, and he promptly urged Xiao Liu to receive it.
“Over the coming days, more troubles might arise. I hope you'll bear with it, Shopkeeper.” Li Zhirui figured the official wouldn't relent so easily.
“It's all right. I believe in your innocence,” the Shopkeeper responded smilingly.
He had previously applied the merchant's Secret Technique to assess Li Zhirui's value, yet astonishingly, it showed as empty to his view!
Only two explanations existed for such an outcome: the individual held no worth, or their value was so vast that his cultivation level couldn't perceive it.
Obviously, the first option was impossible!
Therefore, the Shopkeeper desired to forge a friendship with this figure, particularly after seeing his lavishness up close today, which intensified his wish to cultivate this tie.
Li Zhirui faintly detected the Shopkeeper's motives, yet he held no strong opinions on the matter. After all, he was merely a transient visitor and planned a short stay.
“I simply wish the official would confirm my clearance soon.” Saying that, he saluted the pair and departed.
“Shopkeeper, doesn't this compensation belong to you? I haven't contributed anything,” Xiao Liu remarked, reluctant to relinquish it yet offering the bundle hesitantly.
“Hold onto it tightly; what's inside could transform your fate,” the Shopkeeper dismissed him with a wave and directed him away.
He could already perceive Xiao Liu's fortune shifting profoundly, and he inwardly marveled; what fortune! One generous deed could redirect someone's entire path.
Xiao Liu went back to his modest quarters, opening the bundle with eager anticipation and a touch of anxiety. The contents were sparse: several dozen silver taels, a handful of gold coins, and a single book.
“‘Business’! Is this perhaps a merchant's cultivation technique?!”
He paid no mind to why a Cultivator like Li Zhirui possessed merchant Methods. His eyes bulged in astonishment, hands quivering as he seized the book, breath quickening, fingers unsteady while flipping the cover, focusing intently as he scanned each word.
“Across the realm, folks hustle for profit; scramble for benefits…The path of business: purchase cheap and vend dear…”
Fully engrossed, Xiao Liu forgot the passage of time, hunger building yet disregarded; it was only upon extreme starvation that he snapped out of his absorption.
However, he showed no signs of fatigue; rather, excitement and vigor surged through him, as he pictured a prosperous tomorrow in trade.
…
During the following days, Li Zhirui remained dutifully in his quarters, never venturing out.
This baffled the official on how to incriminate him, since every attempt failed to connect any proof to Li Zhirui.
Wang Jianyi’s body yielded no hints either, as though he had truly perished abruptly and in solitude, free from external interference.
Whispers started spreading across the city regarding the official, charging him with wielding authority for private grudges, forsaking the poise of a Legalist disciple and besmirching the faction's name!
Beginning with a mere handful, the talk soon swelled with more voices. Though not city-wide knowledge, at least half the residents had caught wind.
“Sir, we can't let this matter drag on further…” one day, a Master addressed the official.
“Yes, sir, no matter what, this investigation must wrap up,” several other masters chimed in.
The official scowled and questioned, “What's occurred?”
The masters paused, wary of voicing it.
“It's okay, speak your mind.”
“Folks outside are claiming you're extending this affair out of personal spite, damaging your standing by letting it linger.”
Crash—
Ceramics broke sharply in the space, then a voice, barely containing fury, declared, “What a devious Cultivator, as sly as any in our bureaucratic ranks!”
The study hung in quietude for an extended moment before a voice emerged once more, “Tomorrow, we close this case!”
“Understood!”
The masters breathed easier, aware that continued defiance from their superior might escalate into a disgrace, potentially wrecking his prospects even if the gossip proved baseless!
Fortune smiled that he clung to reason.
…
No further words passed that evening.
At dawn the next day, the yamen displayed an announcement stating Wang Jianyi’s demise was purely accidental, bearing no ties to anyone else.
Upon hearing the update, Xiao Liu hurried to inform Li Zhirui, “Brother Wang, you're free of suspicion now!”
“Appreciate you handling tasks for me lately.”
Naturally, the gossip didn't sprout from thin air; Li Zhirui had covertly instructed Xiao Liu to quietly assemble beggars and wanderers, compensating them to disseminate the fabricated tale.
Wasn't it the sort of juicy subject the masses adored?
“It's nothing, Brother Wang. If not for you, the Shopkeeper wouldn't have accepted me as an apprentice,” Xiao Liu beamed awkwardly.
Since acquiring the ‘Business’ book that day, he'd swiftly comprehended its lessons, and subtle traces of Copper Coin aura began to emanate from his form.
On that same day, the merchant disciple Shopkeeper spotted it and, after probing, discovered Xiao Liu had taught himself!
The Shopkeeper, mildly surprised, hadn't anticipated this lowly youth to possess business aptitude, even with notable skill, and after brief deliberation, accepted him as a disciple.
The Shopkeeper could well depend on this disciple to reach loftier peaks ahead.
Xiao Liu's aid to Li Zhirui stemmed not from the Shopkeeper's command but from his own willing choice.
“With my name cleared, I should depart,” Li Zhirui chose not to prolong his stay, suspecting the official might link him to the rumors.
It was wiser to exit promptly while the moment allowed, avoiding fresh schemes from the foes.
Legalist disciples were infamous for their grudges, and he had zero desire to tangle in an endless clash of spells, squandering his efforts.
Departure stood as the optimal path at present!