Be the Hardest Working Demon Cultivator!

"Not seen."

Due to the previous battle with that old man who was adept at serving as a lackey, Tan Shuchang had no choice but to suppress the idea of abducting and refining him.

The injury did not affect his movements, but it greatly affected his ability to act.

"However, this will inevitably cause General Huai to harbor displeasure towards the Lord of Qinghe City, and when the time comes, even his subordinates, the ghost messengers, will not heed the Lord’s commands," the fierce ghost scholar couldn’t help but remind.

In Lang Guard Ghost City, General Huai undeniably wielded sole dominance — without the title of City Lord, yet wielding the authority of one. It was only because of that nine-tenths rule of the ghost city that General Huai had not already become the Lord of Lang Guard Ghost City.

It was exactly because of this that the fierce ghost scholar, who had some old grievances with General Huai, immediately declared his allegiance to Tan Shuchang upon his arrival.

Therefore, this fierce ghost scholar was also the ghost least hoping for anything untoward to happen to Tan Shuchang right now.

"Disobey? Would they really disobey?" Upon hearing this, Tan Shuchang suddenly felt somewhat agitated inside — directly targeting the second-in-command of the ghost city was indeed a bit risky.

Nevertheless, if he were to approach the matter progressively and cautiously, it would undoubtedly be much safer.

The fierce ghost scholar also picked up on the change in Tan Shuchang’s tone, which left this dog-headed military adviser quite puzzled internally.

Although Tan Shuchang’s dog-headed military advisor was a powerful fierce ghost, he ultimately could not compare to a Yin God. Therefore, in terms of conscious thinking, he was somewhat inferior to a living person. Consequently, the fierce ghost scholar, who never managed to understand, simply recounted General Huai’s background in detail.

"Lord of the City, General Huai is a fierce ghost with years of malice, and there are even rumors that he could have already become a Yin God, only failing to form a true name due to the inconsistency of his killing patterns, which prevents him from achieving promotion."

"As such, General Huai, who considers himself half a Yin God, has never sworn allegiance to any Yin God. However, even without the backing of a Yin God, General Huai’s strength is enough to command respect among fierce ghosts, hence he has gathered a large number of fierce ghosts to serve him."

"With his power, General Huai could have directly taken the position of City Lord; it was only those regulations from above that rendered him still but a general," the fierce ghost scholar recounted.

Upon hearing this, Tan Shuchang was somewhat dismissive, as he still considered himself to be of scholarly lineage!

But now isn’t he still reduced to being a demon cultivator?

Hence, Tan Shuchang simply responded with a "I know" and had the fierce ghost scholar send General Huai away.

Before long, Tan Shuchang felt a surge of malice and hatred erupt outside the Lord’s mansion of Qinghe City, lingering and not dispersing, seemingly intent on assaulting the Lord’s mansion.

"Is this anger?"

Tan Shuchang smiled slightly, thinking anger was good; his second fierce ghost offering was likely settled. Moreover, with a bit of luck, he might even manage two offerings in one go!

Immediately thereafter, Tan Shuchang left the bizarre inner world of the game.

This time, leaving meant that the next entry would have to wait for his entrance into the instance of the eerie game. The previous privilege to enter had been shut off by the eerie game after he repaid the ghost debt.

Tan Shuchang, having left the eerie game, returned to Black Heart Mountain, where dawn was just beginning to break.

After a moment’s thought, he proceeded to descend the mountain.

By the time he reached Qinghe City, the sky was already bright. Seeing some shops still closed, Tan Shuchang patiently waited a while longer.

He had suffered a similar injury before, and this time the wound was even less severe, so Tan Shuchang was quite clear on how to take care of himself. It didn’t take long for him to purchase all the herbs he needed.

In Qinghe City, he could only buy herbs; such Immortal Elixirs were impossible to find for sale here.

The currency used in this place is a special item called the Upper Xuan Great Seal, crafted by the Zi Xuan dynasty and recognized and backed by the same dynasty.

It can be directly exchanged for silver and gold, and also for some other things.

If one has enough Upper Xuan Great Seals, it’s even possible to exchange them for Immortal Elixirs or clues to treasures imbued with spirit communication, such supreme treasures.

This is a currency exclusive to cultivators.

Because of its precise exchange value and the lack of any record of malign incidents, the Upper Xuan Great Seal circulates normally even in the states outside the Upper Xuan dynasty.

But the Upper Xuan Great Seal is not distributed to cultivators for free, it must be obtained through various methods.

Just like the work of ordinary people.

However, Tan Shuchang doesn’t need to worry about it—if he runs out of money, he simply writes a letter and sends it to his father’s former students and officials.

The Tan family’s influence is vast, with countless students and officials. Consequently, even though the emperor of the Upper Xuan dynasty executed many members of the Tan family, he did not touch those students and officials; to do so would mean the court losing at least half of its people.

An official’s background is seldom clean, and they’re typically caught when their backing collapses.

Thus, when a letter from Tan Shuchang is sent out, for the former students and officials of Minister Tan, it’s like a sword suddenly chopping down yet stopping midway through its descent.

Although Tan Shuchang does not know the particulars of these people’s dealings, if he were to roughly detail their actions to the emperor of the Upper Xuan dynasty, the emperor would certainly wish to behead a few.

Tan Shuchang is well aware of this, and so are his father’s former students and officials. So, no matter how much they curse internally, they must send money to this Demon Cultivator.

"Money’s gone again. This time, write a couple more letters..."

The medicinal herbs needed for his recovery are rare and thus more expensive. Tan Shuchang initially had seventy Upper Xuan Great Seals, but after this expenditure, only two remain.

But no matter, he, Tan Someone, never lacks money.

The Cultivation trend is widespread in Jiawu Realm, with many nobles and dignitaries also being cultivators. Various cultivation sects feature the presence of influential families’ offspring. Over time, to facilitate their travel and other activities, these cultivators personally took action, significantly boosting social productivity.

The common folk are still suffering, but, indeed, many aspects of life have become much more convenient.

Take, for instance, sending letters.

There’s a special type of magic artifact, modeled after Sword Cultivators, that, while not nearly as fast as real Sword Cultivators and having only a modest carrying capacity of under a hundred pounds, is just perfect for delivering letters.

...

Westward in Luo State, in Qinghe City.

The largest family here is undoubtedly the Ning family. The Ning family rose to prominence early on by aligning with the Tan family.

After the fall of the Tan family, the Ning family, thanks to their own son’s handsome looks and eloquence, managed to connect with a daughter of Tianjian Mansion of Chu State’s Dong family, thus not only avoiding decline due to the Tan family’s affair but even gaining more power, firmly dominating Qinghe City!

"Scoundrel! Scoundrel! Scoundrel!" the Ning family patriarch cursed, clutching a letter, thrice in anger.

For he was truly infuriated.

"Father, who has angered you like this? Tell me, and I’ll go kill him," a young man said, stepping into the room upon hearing the commotion.

"Jia Heng, you’ve returned from your cultivation journey?" The Ning family patriarch’s expression softened upon seeing this young man, for this was his beloved youngest son, and also the one he valued most—Ning Jiaheng!