Ten Thousand Years in Seclusion
Chapter 13:I think it’s terrible

Chapter 13: Chapter 13:I think it’s terrible

Zhou Shen stared at Qi Tian for two breaths of silence.

Then he suddenly laughed.

"Brother Qi, you truly know how to joke."

The expression on Qi Tian’s face did not change in the slightest.

He opened his mouth and forced out a dry laugh.

"Ha... ha. Yes. Exactly. Just a joke."

Those were the words he spoke.

But inside, he was cursing.

A joke?

Who the hell was joking?

Thirty-one middle-grade spirit stones would be much safer with me. Convenient, secure, and I could even borrow a little for daily expenses.

It was obviously the perfect solution.

Zhou Shen only smiled and said nothing.

His gaze moved away from Qi Tian’s face and fell upon the ragged man.

After a brief moment of thought, he reached into his sleeve and took out another storage pouch.

This one was smaller than the previous one, far simpler in appearance, with a plain gray surface.

Zhou Shen handed it to the man.

"This contains one hundred low-grade spirit stones. Take them for now."

The man’s hands trembled slightly as he accepted the pouch.

Yet compared to when he had received the middle-grade spirit stones earlier, he was far calmer now.

One hundred low-grade spirit stones was still an enormous fortune to a second-layer Qi Refining cultivator.

But at least...

It was something he could actually carry.

He gripped the pouch tightly, afraid to loosen his hold, and remained silent.

He waited for Zhou Shen’s next instruction.

Zhou Shen looked at him.

"What is your name?"

"Reporting to Master... this humble one is called Wang Fuqiang."

"Wang Fuqiang."

Zhou Shen nodded, committing the name to memory.

"Very well. I will visit the city lord shortly and explain the entire matter. I will ask the City Lord’s Manor to keep the remaining spirit stones for you. As for how much you withdraw each time and how they are distributed in the future, the City Lord’s Manor can make the arrangements."

He looked at Wang Fuqiang.

"What do you think?"

A smile slowly appeared on Wang Fuqiang’s face.

"That would be perfect! Truly perfect! Thank you, Master Zhou!"

The city lord of Zhenyuan City had long enjoyed an excellent reputation throughout the region, with the trust and respect of the people.

Zhou Shen smiled faintly.

Then he turned toward Qi Tian.

"Brother Qi, what do you think of this arrangement?"

Qi Tian thought to himself:

What do I think?

I think it’s terrible.

The spirit stones would be much more convenient in my hands. And if they go to the City Lord’s Manor, I won’t even be able to touch them.

Of course, those words could only remain buried in his heart.

He nodded.

"I have no objections."

Seeing that Qi Tian had no further concerns, Zhou Shen turned back to Wang Fuqiang.

"You mentioned earlier that your wife is seriously ill. Time is of the essence. Take these spirit stones and find a physician immediately."

"As for the rest, I will leave now and speak with the City Lord. The arrangements should be completed soon. There is no need for you to worry."

Hearing this, Wang Fuqiang could no longer hold himself back.

He fell to his knees with a thud and bowed deeply three times.

His voice trembled with emotion.

"This humble one... this humble one thanks Master Zhou!"

"Thank you not only for purchasing my Soul-Stilling Bell at such a generous price, but also for thinking through everything for my sake."

Zhou Shen waved his hand.

"Enough. Go quickly."

Only then did Wang Fuqiang slowly rise.

He wiped his face.

Then, as though remembering something, he suddenly turned around and walked step by step toward Qi Tian.

"Qi... Benefactor Qi..."

His knees bent again.

He was about to kneel.

Qi Tian reacted instantly. He reached out and grabbed Wang Fuqiang’s arm, stopping him in mid-motion.

Wang Fuqiang pushed downward with all his strength.

But Qi Tian’s hand did not move even slightly.

No matter how hard he tried, he simply could not kneel.

"Benefactor Qi..."

Wang Fuqiang’s voice choked.

"If you had not recognized that bell, everyone would have thought it was nothing but broken scrap metal."

"So please, allow me to bow to you."

"No."

Qi Tian shook his head.

"I don’t need that sort of thing."

"It was nothing more than a small favor. You should hurry and find a physician."

He released his grip.

Wang Fuqiang stumbled back a step.

Then he bowed deeply from the waist.

His voice caught in his throat, his nose stinging.

"This humble one’s home is the third house in Willow Lane on the western side of the city. There is a crooked jujube tree at the entrance."

"If Benefactor ever has need of me, just come find me."

"Even if I must climb a mountain of blades or descend into a sea of fire, I will never refuse."

Qi Tian nodded.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"We’ll talk about that another time. Go."

Wang Fuqiang straightened.

He looked at Qi Tian once more, as though trying to carve his face into his memory.

Then he turned and ran toward the end of the alley, clutching the storage pouch tightly.

After running several steps, he suddenly turned back and shouted:

"Benefactor! The third house in Willow Lane! The one with the jujube tree at the door!"