Chapter 44

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Chapter 44: The Celebration of Independent Cultivators

Wars are fought for money. This principle applies even in the cultivation world.

So, when most of the shops were restricted from operating, the independent cultivators had a great time during this war, starting with recruiting new members.

The Trident Fish Gang and the Giant Wave Fish Gang didn’t have many people. Normally, they only had a core group of two to three hundred members, plus four to five hundred peripheral members. It was difficult to join their core group because they had high requirements.

But once the war started, in less than seven days, both gangs grew into large factions of four to five thousand people each. This was because they kept spending money to recruit more peripheral members.

The required upfront payment for the Qi Refining Period increased from ten spirit stones per day to thirty spirit stones, depending on the person. There were also rewards for achievements in battle, so poor independent cultivators from Yunzhong City flocked to join them.

Another significant factor was the consumption of various resources. We don’t need to mention basic needs like food and shelter, but the resources for cultivation and combat were also rapidly depleted.

Although some small shops participated secretly, the main force consisted of a larger number of independent cultivators. Even Lin Jiang, the invisible man, benefited from this situation. Various spiritual talismans were selling well, just like during the Yunzhong City Centennial Celebration a few years ago.

“Why do I feel like it’s the two major sects clearing out the lower-class population in the city?”

Lin Jiang watched all sorts of bizarre events unfold in the war between the two gangs. He began to suspect that the two major sects were intentionally clearing out the population in Yunzhong City.

Yunzhong City had a population of one million, and ninety percent of them were Qi Refining Period independent cultivators. These cultivators were extremely impoverished.

Although the two major sects had always maintained strict rules to protect Yunzhong City, these rules weren’t always helpful to desperate cultivators. There were countless people willing to take risks for spirit stones.

So, from the perspective of the two major sects, it was normal to periodically clear out a group of lower-class populations. The gang war was a perfect method for this.

They could recruit many independent cultivators at low prices, especially those who were poor, inclined toward violence, and held a strong vengeful spirit.

“Liu Yuan disappeared.”

On the twenty-seventh day of the war between the two gangs, Liu Yuan didn’t show up at the East City Market.

Lin Jiang, being observant, sensed that something might have happened to the Trident Fish Gang.

As expected, in less than an hour, the cultivator responsible for purchasing supplies from the Giant Wave Fish Gang openly declared at the market:

“The Trident Fish Gang is no more. Yesterday, the Trident Fish Gang and our Giant Wave Fish Gang had a battle at the mouth of the Yuntuo River. Fuliu-jian, the leader of our Giant Wave Fish Gang, killed the leader of the Trident Fish Gang, Song Yi. More than seven hundred members of the Trident Fish Gang were killed…”

The news caused a commotion at the market.

The Trident Fish Gang and the Giant Wave Fish Gang had similar strength, and their leaders had similar cultivation levels. No one expected the Trident Fish Gang to lose and suffer such heavy casualties.

The end of the independent cultivators’ celebration was near.

In the afternoon, more news arrived.

It was confirmed—the Trident Fish Gang had been wiped out.

During the battle between the two gangs, their key members had been deployed. However, during the fight, the Grand Elder of the Giant Wave Fish Gang, who was originally thought to be at the Foundation Building Period, unexpectedly revealed his Golden Core cultivation level.

Along with their leader, Fuliu-jian, he killed the leader of the Trident Fish Gang, Song Yi.

With their leader dead, the remaining members of the Trident Fish Gang were no longer a threat. Most of their key members were killed, and the rest fled.

Now, the Giant Wave Fish Gang was expected to take over the territory of the Trident Fish Gang.

“I won’t eat fish from Yunzhong City for a year.”

Lin Jiang heard the details of the battle and learned that most of the casualties had been dumped into the Yuntuo River.

This thought disgusted him, and he decided to avoid eating demon fish from Yunzhong City for a year.

However, the next day, Lin Jiang unexpectedly saw the Liu Hui family at the East City Market.

Liu Hui, Liu Yuan, Liu Siyu, and Liu Jie’s son, Liu Dong, were there. There were a total of four of them, and they looked disheveled.

Liu Hui even had a broken arm, and Liu Yuan had a terrible wound on her face.

They were surrounded by about ten cultivators, who continuously insulted and provoked them but never took the initiative to attack.

It seemed that these cultivators were from the Giant Wave Fish Gang.

“Taoist Friend Wu, what’s going on?”

“Taoist Friend Lin, every time you come so late, you can’t even catch up to the melon eating.”

“Haha, that’s true. Taoist Friend Wu, why don’t you explain?”

**”What else could be happening? The Trident Fish Gang was defeated, most of them were killed, and Taoist Friend Liu’s family managed to survive for now.

They took refuge in Yunzhong City, where fighting is not allowed. They can temporarily avoid danger, but unfortunately, it’s only a matter of time before they meet their end.”**

“If they have money, maybe they can survive and stay outside the city.”

**”Taoist Friend Lin, you’re simplifying it. They’re not like you, who have skills to make a living in the city. What will they do when they run out of money?

Although Yunzhong City doesn’t have a curfew, can you keep wandering around on the streets forever? Can you go without eating and sleeping?

After a few months, a person will go crazy. And besides, can’t the Giant Wave Fish Gang hire a few mercenaries?”**

The vendor next to them commented that Yunzhong City could only provide them with a temporary hiding place.

For long-term survival, it was impossible.

Qi Refining Period cultivators needed to eat and sleep. Even if they could endure longer than ordinary people, there was still a limit.

Even if Liu Hui’s family is fully equipped with money, it won’t work.

The Giant Wave Fish Gang is not stupid. They can hire a few independent cultivators to fight them. As long as nobody dies, Yunzhong City won’t interfere, but the family will be expelled.

Once expelled outside the city, they will be in a lawless place.

So, Liu Hui’s family is doomed.

“What a pity.”

“Indeed, it is a pity. She was such a lovely young lady.”

Taoist Friend Wu looked at Liu Siyu and said, “It has been over ten years, but Liu Siyu is still as beautiful as ever. She even has more charm than when she was young.”

“Yes, beautiful women always make people feel sorry for them.”

“Taoist Friend Lin is wealthy. Maybe you can go and pay for a good night with the beautiful lady.”

“What can we do about it?”

**”Hmph, there are plenty of brothels outside the city. The men of the Trident Fish Gang die in battle, and women are just the same. Once their meridians are blocked and their cultivation is sealed, they are sold into the brothels.

With Liu Siyu’s looks, she can easily be sold for a few hundred spirit stones.”**

“That’s true.”

**”Taoist Friend Lin, I can see that you have a good relationship with the Liu family. Let me give you a piece of advice—Liu Hui will definitely come looking for you.

You must not be soft-hearted. If you shelter them, the Giant Wave Fish Gang will not spare you. The Liu family is a key part of the Trident Fish Gang.”**

“I know.”

Lin Jiang nodded.

The Giant Wave Fish Gang is very strong. They have at least ten people in the Foundation Building Period and hundreds of followers.

Lin Jiang is alone, so he won’t do such a foolish thing.

Taoist Friend Wu’s words made sense.

Liu Hui had already started asking for help at each stall, hoping someone would take them in.

As long as they had a place to stay, they could support themselves in Yunzhong City for a long time.

Maybe they could change their fate.

But the people from the Giant Wave Fish Gang were watching closely.

No one dared to help.

“Taoist Friend Lin…”

Finally, Liu Hui and his family arrived at Lin Jiang’s stall.

“Taoist Friend Lin, I…”

“I am just a cultivator who works alone.”

The people from the Giant Wave Fish Gang also greeted Lin Jiang.

The leader was the same person who had come to buy supplies before. He had already met Lin Jiang.

**”Taoist Friend Lin is a smart person. We won’t make things difficult for you.

The people from the Liu family are in big trouble. Taoist Friend Lin is really kind-hearted. If you’d like, you can come visit our Giant Wave Fish Gang, and maybe, with a little money, you can have a nice time.”**

That person pointed at Liu Siyu and said, “Liu Siyu is pretty. Many people are staring at her.”

The Giant Wave Fish Gang was happy about this because they could raise the price and sell Liu Siyu for a good amount.

**”Okay, let’s go see.

But, Taoist Friend, the Liu family and I have been neighbors for many years, and they have always treated me well.

Can I invite them for a meal?”**

“Please don’t make things difficult for me, Taoist Friend Lin.”

**”Everyone, if you know me, you should know my character.

I don’t like owing anyone favors. They helped me a lot when I went fishing outside the city. It was a kind of favor.

Look at them—won’t you let me do even this small thing?”**

“Okay, thank you very much, Taoist Friend Lin.”

The person nodded and thought that since everyone was watching, and they could get a free meal, it wasn’t a bad deal.

Lin Jiang nodded in gratitude.

Then, taking out a spiritual talisman, he led their group to a food stall.

The Liu family had one table, while the Giant Wave Fish Gang had two tables.

“Thank you very much, Taoist Friend Lin.”

Liu Hui didn’t know what to say.

Even though he had many friends on the street, only Lin Jiang was willing to help in even a small way.

**”Training is extremely difficult, as Taoist Friend Liu often says.

I, Lin Yu, don’t have great abilities, and I cannot save all of you.

The best I can do is repay the favor of Taoist Friend Liu by offering you a meal.”**

Lin Jiang spoke softly, but everyone nearby could hear him.

When the members of the Giant Wave Fish Gang heard these words, they were moved.

No one likes ungrateful people; they appreciate even small favors.

After all, anyone can fall on hard times, and everyone hopes that someone will lend a hand when they are in need.