Chapter 411

Chapter 411: Eradication of Bandits (Part 1)

“The current situation is essentially like this.”

In the teahouse, Wang Chen said to Zuo Xiaomo, “I must leave today and cannot guarantee I’ll return by April 1.”

Zuo Xiaomo forced a bitter smile and replied, “Brother Wang, it’s my fault for dragging you into this.”

He understood perfectly well that if it weren’t for him, Wang Chen would never have been assigned such a task.

“Who exactly did you offend?”

Wang Chen asked, puzzled. “This isn’t even the assessment for entering the inner sect. Why go to such lengths to scheme against you?”

Currently, Zuo Xiaomo was a preparatory disciple of the West Sea Sect, and passing this assessment would merely allow him to become an official disciple. In the grand scheme of things, it wasn’t a particularly significant matter.

Becoming an inner sect disciple from being a loose cultivator was an entirely different story.

It’s worth noting that the West Sea Sect has over a hundred thousand Outer Sect Disciples. Even though official disciples hold a higher status than preparatory disciples, it shouldn’t warrant such elaborate schemes or the use of high-level connections to hinder someone, right?

In response to Wang Chen’s question, Zuo Xiaomo looked deeply troubled and hesitated before finally revealing the truth.

It turned out he was in love with a female cultivator from the Wailing City’s Lu family. Although she wasn’t a direct descendant of the Lu family, she possessed remarkable cultivation talent and was regarded as a Golden Core seed.

Moreover, she had already caught the attention of a Golden Core true master from the West Sea Sect, giving her a strong chance of becoming his disciple.

However, this meant that Zuo Xiaomo was no match for her in status.

Thus, his goal was to first become an official disciple in the outer sect, then work diligently to improve his cultivation level, breaking through to open a house, and eventually enter the inner sect.

Even if there was still a gap between them, it wouldn’t be insurmountable.

The problem was that the Lu family disapproved of their relationship, and this female cultivator had other suitors.

These suitors were of higher status than Zuo Xiaomo.

Additionally, within the Zuo family, there were those who envied Zuo Xiaomo and sought to sabotage him.

These individuals aimed to undermine Zuo Xiaomo, even to the point of ensuring he failed the inner sect assessment or perished in the Nine Dragons underground palace, which would undoubtedly serve their purposes well.

“Brother Wang, it’s fine; I’ll find another guardian!”

Zuo Xiaomo declared resolutely, “This time, it’s my fault for letting you down. I’ll find a way to make it up to you in the future.”

He truly hadn’t expected those individuals to act so despicably, resorting to such underhanded tactics to trouble him.

They had dragged Wang Chen into this mess!

Wang Chen smiled and asked, “Who do you plan to find? Can you really find a trustworthy guardian at this point?”

Zuo Xiaomo fell silent.

He genuinely didn’t know who else to turn to, and even if he did, could he truly entrust his life to them?

Zuo Xiaomo had no confidence whatsoever!

“Perhaps you could ask Uncle Zhong.”

Wang Chen thought for a moment and said, “He would certainly be willing.”

Although Zuo Xiaomo hadn’t attended Qiu Zhong’s House Ascension Banquet due to his closed-door cultivation, he was already aware of Uncle Zhong’s advancement to the Purple Palace.

“No way!”

Zuo Xiaomo immediately shook his head like a rattle drum. “I can’t drag my cousin down with me again.”

He knew very well how important Uncle Zhong was to the Xu family.

Xu Xinlan had finally managed to escape her troubles; he couldn’t let her fall back into the mire because of him.

If they dared to target Wang Chen, an inner sect disciple of the West Sea Sect, then how could they not deal with an old cultivator just entering the Purple Palace?

Zuo Xiaomo absolutely didn’t want to take that risk!

“Forget it.”

Zuo Xiaomo gritted his teeth and said, “I’ll give up on this assessment.”

He had already thought it over. Even if he managed to pass this assessment by chance, what would it matter?

The number of Outer Sect Disciples in the West Sea Sect was as numerous as the hairs on a cow; it was nothing significant and could not compare to a Golden Core seed.

The distance between him and the female cultivator he liked would only continue to grow.

As the saying goes, it is better to endure a short pain than a long one; instead of struggling in vain, it’s better to let go decisively!

“A man should not easily say he gives up.”

Wang Chen noticed the pain in Zuo Xiaomo’s eyes and patted his shoulder. “How about this: if I can return before April 1, I’ll join you for the assessment.”

“If I can’t come back, then you can give up.”

Though he had suffered an unexpected calamity and felt very angry, Wang Chen would never blame Zuo Xiaomo for it.

On the contrary, he was determined to help him pass the assessment!

“Thank you.”

Zuo Xiaomo showed a grateful expression.

Even though he had lost hope for this assessment, Wang Chen’s righteousness still deeply moved him.

“Why don’t you come with me to eradicate bandits?”

Wang Chen suggested. “You won’t need to fight directly; just help me with some supportive work.”

He planned to eradicate bandits along the borders of Central State and Northern State, which would require interactions with the local besieger. There were some tasks that could be completely assigned to Zuo Xiaomo to save his own time and energy.

Moreover, taking Zuo Xiaomo away from Wailing City before the outer sect assessment started was actually a very good choice.

If he wasn’t present, others wouldn’t have a target to act against.

Additionally, it could mislead the mastermind behind the scenes into thinking Zuo Xiaomo had given up.

“Great!”

Zuo Xiaomo’s eyes lit up as he clapped his hands and said, “It’s my fortune to fight alongside my brother!”

He was a smart person and quickly recognized the benefits of going to eradicate bandits with Wang Chen.

Currently, Wailing City had become a massive whirlpool; if small characters like him floundered within it, the chances of drowning were very high.

“Then you should prepare now.”

Wang Chen raised his teacup and drank it all in one go. “Let’s meet at the North city gate in one hour!”

He was already prepared, but Zuo Xiaomo certainly was not.

The two temporarily parted ways.

An hour later, waiting outside the North city gate, Wang Chen saw Zuo Xiaomo rushing over.

He asked, “Are you ready?”

“I’ve explained everything clearly to my family.”

Zuo Xiaomo wore a new robe, had a talisman bag at his waist, and carried a long sword on his back, fully dressed for a battle cultivator.

Although his cultivation level wasn’t very high, he wasn’t the kind of spoiled youth who indulged in pleasure.

“Good.”

Wang Chen nodded. “Then let’s set off now!”

There was no time to waste; the sooner they completed this mission, the greater Zuo Xiaomo’s chances would be to return and participate in the outer sect assessment.

“Wait.”

Zuo Xiaomo wiped the sweat from his forehead and then took an item out of his storage bag.

He raised his hand and tossed it up; a pure white flying boat instantly appeared, hovering above their heads.

“This is Yurong, uh, a thousand-feather spirit boat my friend lent me.”

Zuo Xiaomo explained, “It flies as fast as a regular flying sword, which can save us time traveling back and forth.”

“Yurong must be your beloved, right?”

Wang Chen teased. “That’s right.”

This flying boat was clearly not ordinary; its speed could rival that of a flying sword, which meant its value was great.

Zuo Xiaomo’s “friend” must also be exceptional!

Zuo Xiaomo’s face turned red. “Her name is Kong Yurong.”

May all lovers in the world find happiness together!

Wang Chen silently sighed in his heart.