Chapter 225: Fellow Thieves

Translator: yikaii Editor: yikaii

The governor didn’t want to escalate the situation unnecessarily. If spirit stones could resolve the issue, he preferred to use them. As the governor of Luofeng County, which relied heavily on mining as its primary economic activity, he controlled a vast amount of spirit stones, practically an ocean of wealth.

He couldn’t believe that a mere Dao Seeking Sect Foundation Building Stage disciple could compare to him in terms of wealth. Now, he realized he had overestimated himself. Competing with the Meng family’s eldest son was out of his league.

It was better to steal it himself—cheaper and more efficient.

“Do you think offering ten million spirit stones would tempt the Meng family’s eldest son?” he asked.

The two golden core cultivators hesitated before shaking their heads. “No, it wouldn’t.”

“Fine, then I’ll make my move worth ten million spirit stones,” the governor declared, trying to motivate himself.

On the rooftop, Lu Yang turned to Meng Jingzhou and asked, “Would you sell it for ten million spirit stones?”

Meng Jingzhou rolled his eyes. “I’d sell it for fifty thousand. Why would I hold on to something meant for enhancing virility?”

“To train your willpower?”

“Shut up.”

…

Meanwhile, at the Mo family residence.

“Patriarch, the lower-ranked miners’ shop reported that a group came in today with a very unique Phoenix Blood Stone, asking if there were more like it,” an aide reported.

“From the description, it seems to be the kind of Phoenix Blood Stone we’ve been searching for.”

“Really?” The Mo family patriarch’s eyes lit up, pleased to have finally found this type of Phoenix Blood Stone.

It’s said that businesses can’t compete with officials. Despite the Mo family’s wealth and influence, they were still at a disadvantage against the governor. If they could get hold of this Phoenix Blood Stone, it would be evidence to use against the governor, giving them leverage.

“I plan to steal the Phoenix Blood Stone tonight,” the aide suggested.

“Tonight? Tell me, who bought the Phoenix Blood Stone? What’s their identity and cultivation level? What if they’re at the Spirit Transformation Stage?” the patriarch queried.

The aide stammered, realizing he was too eager to impress the patriarch and had rushed his plan.

The Mo family patriarch snorted, “This matter can’t be taken lightly. Find out who obtained the Phoenix Blood Stone tomorrow, and if all goes well, I’ll personally steal it tomorrow night!”

“You’ll do it yourself?” the aide was shocked. Was this task really worth the patriarch’s involvement?

“Of course. This could be the leverage we need against the governor. It’s worth my personal attention.” The patriarch smiled with excitement.

It was time to turn the tide in their battle against the governor.

…

“What’s different about this stone?” Back at Li Haoran’s house, Meng Jingzhou took out the Phoenix Blood Stone and examined it closely, finding nothing unusual.

“Senior Su, can you see anything wrong with it?”

Su Yiren shook her head. “I’m not very familiar with Phoenix Blood Stones. We might need a craftsman to identify any differences.”

Everyone turned their gaze to Li Haoran.

Li Haoran’s mouth twitched. “I think you’re overestimating me. My master might be able to figure it out, but not me.”

“Fairy, can you see anything?” Lu Yang asked the Everlasting Fairy.

The Everlasting Fairy frowned. “It has a bloody smell, and it’s very fresh. I don’t like it.”

“A bloody smell? Very fresh?” Lu Yang had a bad feeling.

Could this Phoenix Blood Stone be a clue left by a deceased person?

“Fairy, did a phoenix really die here in Luofeng County?”

The Everlasting Fairy nodded. “Yes, but it didn’t die around here as Haoran said. It’s right beneath our feet.”

The Everlasting Fairy pointed downward. “There’s a body of a phoenix at the Unity Stage under the entire Luofeng County.”

“What should we do?” Li Haoran asked, surprised that his visit home had caught the governor’s attention to the point where he’d act personally.

Luofeng County was a major county, and the governor was at the Spirit Transformation Stage.

“Should we just catch him?” Su Yiren, being the highest-ranking cultivator present, suggested simply capturing the troublemaker.

Lu Yang thought for a moment. “Without evidence, it wouldn’t be proper to act directly. We represent the Dao Seeking Sect and can’t misuse our authority. Let’s lay in wait. When the governor comes to steal the item tomorrow night, we’ll use a recording sphere to capture everything. Then, Senior Su can act. Catching him red-handed will make him confess.”

“At that point, he’ll have no choice but to admit it,” Lu Yang concluded.

“Alright,” Su Yiren agreed.

Lu Yang reminded everyone, “We should keep this to ourselves. Junior Brother Li, you wouldn’t want your parents involved, would you?”

Li Haoran nodded, a bit helplessly, as if recalling something. “It’s best if they don’t know about this.”

“I’ll also keep it from Yanyan,” Su Yiren added.

Li Haoran sighed with relief. “Luckily, Senior Su is here. Otherwise, we’d be in trouble tomorrow night.”

Meng Jingzhou chuckled, “Why worry? We have Lu Yang here. He defeated a Spirit Transformation Stage cultivator at the Foundation Building Stage. With him, we don’t need to fear the governor.”

Su Yiren, who was about to correct Li Haoran’s address for her, was stunned by this revelation.

A Foundation Building Stage cultivator defeating a Spirit Transformation Stage one? That’s unheard of. Was I being presumptuous in teaching him about core formation?

“Shut up!” Lu Yang glared at Meng Jingzhou, knowing he was getting back at him for mocking him earlier.

Curious, Su Yiren kept pressing for details about the battle, but Lu Yang refused to share, embarrassed by the whole affair. He warned Meng Jingzhou and Li Haoran with a glare not to say a word.

During the day, everyone acted as if nothing had happened the night before, enjoying their meals and leisure time.

Lu Yang took some time to inquire about any missing or deceased cultivators recently, but found none.

As the sun set and night deepened, a figure blended with the darkness, sneaking into Li Haoran’s house.

The governor was fully prepared, wearing a night suit and mask. His outfit could conceal his presence and change his voice and spiritual energy fluctuations, making even his wife unable to recognize him.

“Should be foolproof, right?” The governor, doing this for the first time, felt nervous. But thinking about the ten million spirit stones at stake, he steeled himself.

He spread his divine sense, locating the Phoenix Blood Stone by Meng Jingzhou’s bedside. Meng Jingzhou seemed to be sound asleep, completely unaware.

Meng Jingzhou was actually wide awake, frustrated that he had to play along. He couldn’t sleep elsewhere without raising suspicion, so he pretended to sleep, listening to Lu Yang’s live updates.

“Found it!”

Just as the governor was about to proceed, another figure climbed over the wall—it was the Mo family patriarch.

The patriarch was dressed similarly, fully disguised, unrecognizable to anyone.

Both froze, surprised to find a fellow thief. Was this place really that desirable?

No, I’m the governor/patriarch, just moonlighting as a thief temporarily.

(End of the chapter)