"This method really works every time..."
Jiang Beiran had originally just wanted to find out whether the young leader's formation skills were self-taught or learned from a master. But not only did he reveal that he learned it from a book, he even let slip that the book was hidden in the back mountains.
'Truly, human nature is all about resisting when pushed and retreating when beaten.' As the young leader wailed in pain, Liu Ziqin approached Jiang Beiran and asked softly, "Senior Brother, what should we do next? Should we escort them to the authorities?"
"No need for such trouble. Just go report this to the nearest Northern Marsh Town and bring the constables back here."
"Yes!"
As Liu Ziqin was about to leave after responding, Jiang Beiran suddenly called out to her, "Do you know where Northern Marsh Town is?"
"Yes, I memorized it on our way here," Liu Ziqin nodded.
"Good, then go quickly."
Watching Liu Ziqin's figure swiftly disappear into the darkness, Jiang Beiran couldn't help feeling puzzled. 'This girl clearly has a good memory...so why does she always forget what I teach her?
How strange.'
With this thought, Jiang Beiran turned to the remaining junior sisters and said, "Keep an eye on these thieves. I'll be right back." Having said that, Jiang Beiran turned and re-entered the cave.
The four junior sisters responded with a "Yes" to Jiang Beiran's retreating figure, though they didn't understand what he was going to do. Not long after, a series of crying sounds suddenly came from the cave, and the four junior sisters immediately realized!
'The children!'
Earlier, they had been so caught up in the excitement of capturing thieves for the first time that they completely forgot to ask where the children were being hidden. Thinking of this, the four of them exchanged glances, their faces flushing red.
Their senior brother hadn't mentioned it earlier—he must have been waiting for them to ask, but they hadn't even realized. 'We're going to get scolded again...' The four sighed inwardly simultaneously.
After bringing all the children hidden in the cellar out, Jiang Beiran glanced at his four junior sisters, who were hanging their heads low, and said, "Next time before celebrating, think about whether you've completed all your tasks first."
"Yes..." the four junior sisters responded in unison.
"Dummies!"
"Ugh..."
The four immediately lowered their heads even further. As Jiang Beiran lectured his junior sisters, the young leader suddenly shouted, "How did you know where the children were hidden!?"
"Why should I tell you?"
Jiang Beiran replied, glancing at him.
"I..."
The young leader was dumbfounded. Normally, when people heard such a question, shouldn't they brag about how clever they were and how such a simple thing couldn't possibly stump them? 'But why does this guy never follow the script!?'
This time, Jiang Beiran rescued nine children from the cellar. None were injured, and they were now crying loudly for their mothers. This broke the hearts of the four junior sisters, who immediately crouched down and took out embroidered handkerchiefs to wipe the children's tears.
"Hey, leader guy, aren't you curious where I sold the other children?"
Seeing Jiang Beiran standing there expressionlessly, the young leader couldn't resist speaking up again.
"Sold?"
Jiang Beiran chuckled lightly.
"Shouldn't you use the word 'offered' instead?"
The young leader was shocked.
"Just who are you!?"
"Wang Laowu of the Heart Returning Sect," Jiang Beiran said with a cupped-hand salute.
"What a Wang Laowu of the Heart Returning Sect! Are you truly omniscient?"
"I'm not omniscient—I just happen to know this much."
'Such an ordinary phrase...yet why does it sound so profound?' Both the young leader and the four junior sisters thought the same thing.
"Since you know I work for the Asura Sect, do you still insist on muddying these waters?"
'So it's the Asura Sect...' Jiang Beiran had suspected this wasn't a simple case when he discovered the leader of these traffickers had cultivation. Logically, even a second-stage Qi Refining cultivator would be revered among ordinary people—there was no need to resort to child trafficking for money.
So Jiang Beiran decided to bluff the leader, and unexpectedly got something out of it. Having obtained the answer he wanted, Jiang Beiran gave the young leader a mysterious smile and said nothing more.
This made the young leader's gaze grow increasingly complicated as he thought to himself: 'This Wang Laowu of the Heart Returning Sect is truly formidable—he doesn't even fear offending the Asura Sect. How have I never heard of him before?' At the same time, three options appeared before Jiang Beiran: [Option 1: Continue investigating the Asura Sect.
Reward: Heavenly Ghost Seal (Mysterious Grade, Low Tier)] [Option 2: Report the Asura Sect to the constables. Reward: Heaven-Splitting Nail (Yellow Grade, Mid Tier)] [Option 3: Report the Asura Sect to the sect. Reward: Random Special Attribute Point +1] 'A special attribute point!
Perfect, this is a win.' Jiang Beiran called these options that rewarded special attribute points "hidden quests." Sometimes, if the system judged that he had triggered something extra through his own abilities, it would offer such choices.
Moreover, the difficulty of obtaining special attribute points was the same as that for basic attributes—making it an extremely good deal. Without hesitation, Jiang Beiran chose Option 3, a satisfied smile appearing on his face. At this moment, Fang Qiuyao quietly approached Jiang Beiran and asked, "Senior Brother, what is the Asura Sect?"
"A demonic sect."
Hearing the words "demonic sect," Fang Qiuyao's expression immediately changed. Biting her lip, she asked, "Those children were sent to a demonic sect!? Then their fate must be..."
Jiang Beiran shook his head.
"In your imagination, do demonic cultivators eat children for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?"
"Isn't that the case? Then why would they kidnap children?"
"To raise the next generation. Ordinary families won't willingly send their children to a demonic sect, so they resort to kidnapping."
"Ah?"
Fang Qiuyao was stunned—she had never considered this possibility.
"You'll understand once you've ventured out into the world more. Many things aren't as simple as they seem on the surface. The affairs of this world can't be neatly divided into just 'righteous' and 'evil.'"
"Qiuyao has learned much," Fang Qiuyao said with a cupped-hand salute.
Jiang Beiran replied, "Have you really understood anything? You'll need to reflect on it more." He then burst into laughter.
[Option mission completed. Reward: Agility +1] Fang Qiuyao gritted her teeth and huffed, "Fine!
I'm just not smart!"
"Good, it's excellent that you have this self-awareness."
Jiang Beiran nodded approvingly.
[Option mission completed. Reward: Cooking +1] 'This girl is way too easy to farm points from...'
In just those few sentences of conversation, Jiang Beiran had triggered two options. The trick was simple—never praise her, or an Earth-grade mission would immediately appear.
"The affairs of this world can't be neatly divided into just 'righteous' and 'evil'... Sigh, Brother Laowu, you truly see things clearly."
The young leader suddenly sighed emotionally.
"Would Brother Laowu be willing to hear a story?"
Jiang Beiran shook his head.
"Not interested. Save it for the magistrate."
"You—! I don't care, I'm telling it anyway!"
PS: Seeking recommendation votes~ Will strive for three chapters tomorrow!
(End of Chapter)