Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 314 - 300: Don’t Make a Move Yet, Let Me Reap Some Benefits First!

Chapter 314: Chapter 300: Don’t Make a Move Yet, Let Me Reap Some Benefits First!

The first reaction of the seven officers was to realize that Zhang San intended to entice them into in-fighting, to kill each other off, and then agree to Zhang San’s plan.

But those who could only get three shares in the past now indeed saw the possibility of obtaining four shares.

And those who got four shares in the past now only wanted to secure this year’s four shares, possibly relying on Zhang San for their fourth share.

Whereas those who could get five shares wanted to oppose it, they still found themselves isolated and powerless.

For a moment, the seven officers fell into a silence filled with contemplation.

Everyone wanted to benefit themselves, but they felt that Zhang San, both with the momentum he had just now and his reasoning, had fully convinced the principal officers to agree.

At this moment, a hearty laughter came from behind the Council Hall.

"Hahahahaha..."

Zhang San curiously asked, "Is that a Qiongqi flying in from somewhere?"

The big-bearded man beside him gently nudged Zhang San, signaling him not to speak out of turn, and then whispered softly as a reminder, "It’s the Chief."

At the same time, all the officers and principal officers present stood up.

Zhang San, however, noticed the beautiful woman accompanying Li Moxian, the Chief of the Town Martial Office, who had just come out from the back. It was none other than the Big Sister, Third Miss Gan.

"Chuan-Yu Road will have nine parts of resources to itself, while the other seven roads will only have three parts each. Let that be settled."

As soon as Li Moxian made this declaration, there were officers among them who were not satisfied, but they could only nod in agreement.

"Remember, this is not a punishment for you all, but a lesson. Just now, the seven of you officers could have joined forces and left Chuan-Yu Road with only two parts of this year’s resources. After all, one officer died, and the one who came is only the Acting Military Chief. What are you afraid of? You got scared by a few words? Or is it that as soon as matters regarding the principal officers are involved, you dare not speak out?"

Li Moxian’s words made the seven officers hang their heads in silence.

"Zhang San, right? You did well. The atmosphere of the Town Martial Office has been getting too soft these years. Martial artists should have backbone, should be tough. Although what you said wasn’t really rational, mainly you just had no shame. But sometimes, that can be very useful."

Zhang San gave an awkward smile, feeling as if he was being praised, yet not quite.

"If there’s anything else in your meeting, please continue. I’ll take Zhang San out for a walk."

Zhang San nearly choked.

Am I a pet?

To be taken out for a walk?

"Additionally, the matter of Bai Yucheng dying at the hands of Zhang San, let’s keep it within our circles and not speak of it outside."

Upon hearing this, Zhang San was utterly dumbfounded.

Chief, is it possible that no one else would have known about this if you hadn’t mentioned it?

Principal Officer Sun, standing behind the Chief, couldn’t help but feel elated upon hearing this.

Zhang San, you killed your own superior, that’s a criminal offense!

Li Moxian continued, "However, considering Bai Yucheng’s previous actions indeed warranted death, and the principal officer who dealt with him has already been rewarded, we won’t give you an additional reward. Even though this is a great merit, everyone should not discuss it outside. Changsun, you come here too."

Li Moxian walked outside, with Third Miss Gan following by his side.

Zhang San and Principal Officer Changsun hastily followed behind.

After three turns and two bends, Li Moxian led the group to a courtyard filled with apricot blossoms.

From the outside, the pinkish apricot blossoms seemed bright and charming, but once Zhang San followed Li Moxian inside, he was astonished to find that everything around him had turned black and white.

The originally tender pistils had all turned black.

All around, it seemed like one was part of a vast monochrome landscape painting.

With a raise of his hand, Li Moxian transformed the trickling stream beside him into a series of mats that laid themselves on the ground.

"Please, have a seat."

Zhang San noticed that Li Moxian was sitting on a rock, and on the ground, only two mats had appeared.

One was placed closer to Third Miss Gan, and the other was right in the middle of himself and Principal Officer Changsun.

Not sure of the implication, but seeing that Li Moxian had taken a seat, Zhang San thought that not doing the same would be disregarding the leader’s directive, which wouldn’t be good.

So, Zhang San hurried to sit down on one of the black mats on the ground.

Just as Principal Officer Changsun was about to step forward, he saw Zhang San already sitting down, so he just continued to stand quietly beside him.

Li Moxian cast a glance at Principal Officer Changsun and said with a cold voice, "Changsun Buxing, why is your personality still the same after all these years? Can’t you make even a slight change?"

Principal Officer Changsun smiled awkwardly and said in a low voice, "Chief, I am quite content with how I am."

Li Moxian retorted, "You may be content, but why have you withheld Zhang San’s resources for such a long time without giving them to him?"

Zhang San was startled. What resources of his were being withheld?

Principal Officer Changsun clasped his hands together and said, "That matter was stalled by Principal Officer Sun, it has nothing to do with me."

"So it has nothing to do with you and you just let it happen? You just let Principal Officer Sun muck things up?"

Principal Officer Changsun clasped his hands together again, his expression unchanged as he said, "I and Principal Officer Sun have not been mucking anything up."

Li Moxian furrowed his brow, at a loss for words to describe Changsun Buxing.

This man had abilities, but he just didn’t like to work hard. He did well when he actually focused on his tasks, but most of the time he was satisfied with just barely enough. He didn’t offend anyone, nor did he vie for credit. He was indeed popular, but what use was that to me as the Principal Officer of the Town Martial Office!

"As for Zhang San’s resources, go approve them now. Then, dock Principal Officer Sun a year’s salary; he knows why. If he’s unsatisfied, tell him to come argue with me. And you... never mind, just stay as you are."

Li Moxian waved a hand, signaling for Changsun Buxing to leave.

After Principal Officer Changsun left, Li Moxian turned his gaze to Zhang San.

At that moment, Third Miss Gan spoke up, "Zhang San, the resources that have been held up include rewards you should have received for your achievements on Chuan-Yu Road, such as the body of Leng Danmo, the properties of the Mysterious Soldiers Sect, and the incorporation of a large number of martial artists into the Town Martial Office. With this batch of resources, you’ll have enough to complete at least another one hundred and eight Qi Acupoints in your body refinement."

Zhang San immediately clasped his hands in thanks.

"Thank you, Chief, thank you, Officer."

Li Moxian smiled, just as he was about to say something, he saw Zhang San take out an object from within his robe and hand it over to Li Moxian with both hands.

"Chief, this is a new merit report. Could you approve a special dispensation so the rewards for this merit can be issued together?"

Li Moxian took the scroll that Zhang San handed over and opened it to see that it was the scroll of the Whirlwind Attire, with a page for each person’s information.

"Is this the complete list of every Heavenly Punishment Sect member in the Capital?"

Zhang San nodded and said, "Indeed, this is the first merit I gained after infiltrating the Heavenly Punishment Sect."

"Very well, this achievement is significant enough to attract the attention of Kaihuang. Besides the standard rewards, Kaihuang will likely bestow additional honors. Consider in advance what you’ll ask for when the time comes, so you won’t be hesitating."

Zhang San hadn’t expected the Chief to be so decent, not coveting the significant merit for himself.

Instead, he was advising Zhang San to ponder what he would ask for as a reward from Kaihuang.

"Chief Li, there’s another matter I wish to discuss," said Zhang San.

"Speak."

"The members of the Heavenly Punishment Sect in the Capital, can we not round them up just yet? Allow me to benefit from them first! After all, they will be caught eventually, so let me gain something before we act. I assure you, it won’t interfere with the Town Martial Office’s operations."

Li Moxian couldn’t help but laugh upon hearing this.

"Third Miss Gan was right, this Zhang San truly is a talent. As soon as he sees an opportunity, he definitely has to take a bite. Agreed. But..."

Li Moxian’s previously cheerful face suddenly turned serious as he leaned forward to look at Zhang San and asked in a low voice, "Do you intend to keep your cultivation resources in the Town Martial Office for now, or do you want to take them with you?"

Zhang San said, "I’ll take them with me now; after all, I need to continue improving my strength."

"Zhang San, you may not realize, but there are countless people in the Capital who want you dead right now. The Crown Prince holds a grudge against you, and his close retainer, the Horse Washer of the Eastern Palace, has been eyeing your head for a long time."

"You killed the second son of the Han Family. Han Yanxia was one of the better ones among the Han Family’s younger generation; it won’t be easy for them to let this go."

"Although Zheng Zaisuang of the Zheng Family is not a core member, the Zheng Family has long since sided with the Crown Prince, they will not miss this chance to go after you."

"The Town Demon Office doesn’t get along with our Town Martial Office, and someone there might want you dead. Besides, Wen Ruyu of the Wen Family has joined the Town Demon Office, clearly to use their power to bring you down."

"Moreover, I have this nagging feeling that there are others out to kill you; I just haven’t figured out who yet."

Zhang San knew he was in danger, but had been too preoccupied with improving his strength to give it much thought. Now, with Li Moxian laying it out, Zhang San felt even worse.

"That’s precisely why I need the cultivation resources to quickly increase my power," retorted Zhang San.

Li Moxian waved a hand and said, "My point is, if you die the moment you step out the door, your cultivation resources will just benefit someone else. But if you leave them with the Town Martial Office, should you die, we get to keep them."

Zhang San realized that some people really had a way with words.

But what could he do?

The speaker was his superior’s superior’s superior. Smile and face life, that’s all.