Chapter 43: Dividing the Spoils on the Spot

Cloud Banner Guard Inspectorate.

Lu Qingqiu pressed his fingers to his brow, staring at the small, angry old man before him, who gulped down iced tea as if waiting for a reasonable explanation. This elder was none other than the manager of Wise Treasure Pavilion, known as Old Man Du.

He had been playing cards with a group of old-timers’ concubines when he received a jade token message from his shop assistant, prompting him to hurry to the Inspectorate.

Lu Qingqiu sat nearby in silence. Rumor had it that Old Man Du and Elder Wen from Valley Ghost Sect were old flames, which explained the thriving business of Wise Treasure Pavilion in Cloud Ghost City.

As for Shen Wan and his companions, their status mattered little to Lu Qingqiu, but once Gu Zhiping had announced his lineage, Lu Qingqiu knew the matter would be difficult to resolve.

He was merely a captain in the Cloud Banner Guard, tasked with handling a minor civil dispute. Yet, after years in office, he knew some matters required the presence of higher officials.

“My Wise Treasure Pavilion has been trading in Cloud Ghost City for ten thousand years. How could we possibly commit such fraud?” Old Man Du demanded, slamming his tea cup down.

Before Du’s arrival, Lu Qingqiu had already reviewed the case thoroughly. Moreover, he was at least a minor official—what right did this cranky old man have to question him?

Thus, Lu Qingqiu raised his voice slightly, replying with irritation, “Manager Du, the situation isn’t as you claim. Their actions in your shop were reasonable and lawful, with no violations.”

“Rubbish!” Old Man Du hurled his cup onto the table and roared, “You know well what goes on in the Origin Chamber of Wise Treasure Pavilion. Unless illegal means were used, how could all the enchanted treasures inside have been taken away?”

His words left Lu Qingqiu speechless. Indeed, what kind of person could make so many sentient treasures acknowledge them as master? It was completely illogical.

Thus, Old Man Du’s questioning was not without merit, and Lu Qingqiu’s temper evaporated. Still, he had never intended to handle this himself. The world of cultivation was full of the extraordinary; if someone had the ability to empty your Origin Chamber, what good was complaining here?

Having decided, Lu Qingqiu no longer wished to bicker and stood up, saying, “I need to report this to the magistrate. Manager Du, please wait here for a moment. I’ll return shortly.”

Without waiting for a reply, he hurried inside, leaving Old Man Du alone in the front hall.

Meanwhile, in the Inspectorate’s holding chambers.

Shen Wan and his companions, along with the shop assistant, had been placed in two adjacent cells. The rooms were not large, but there was ample space for everyone.

Once the guards departed, Shen Wan sat down and gathered his companions around him. “Brother Lin, take it out.”

As if previously agreed, Lin Bufan produced a storage pouch and casually pulled out a magical artifact. The group exchanged puzzled glances, uncertain what he intended.

The item was none other than a treasure taken from Wise Treasure Pavilion—an incomplete short blade, palm-length, with a dark green hilt set with seven red crystals, exquisitely crafted.

No sooner had the blade seen daylight than it emitted a shrill hum, the hilt trembling violently as if trying to break free from Lin Bufan’s grasp.

Seeing this, Shen Wan snatched the short blade and, turning to face the black wall behind him, began jabbing it forcefully.

Sparks flew from the wall, and the already battered blade soon bore even more scars, making the onlookers wince in distress.

Once the blade finally settled, Shen Wan turned back. “Come, all of you try to claim it. Whoever it acknowledges will be its master.”

Everyone was astonished.

“What… what kind of approach is this?” No one could fathom Shen Wan’s intent.

Seeing their confusion, Shen Wan scolded, “What are you looking at? Claim it! If the authorities confiscate these, you won’t get a single piece.”

The group glanced at each other, then at the blade, suddenly understanding.

“Damn! Elder Shen’s dividing the spoils!”

Realizing Shen Wan’s purpose, none held back. All sat upright and focused their intent on the blade.

After an incense stick’s time, sweat beaded on every forehead, yet the blade remained unmoved in Shen Wan’s hand.

“Whew! I can’t do it!” Gu Zhiping lay back on the cold floor, exhausted. He had worried someone else would get ahead and depleted his spiritual energy in the attempt.

With the spell broken, the others gradually regained their composure.

Lin Bufan wiped his brow and shook his head. “Impossible. This is a top-tier earth-grade artifact, and we are merely at the concentration stage. We can’t possibly claim it.”

Zhu Qianqing and Han Yuechan nodded in agreement.

Shen Wan, seeing this, rolled his eyes and, glancing down at the blade, turned back to the wall and resumed his relentless assault.

“I’ll teach you not to acknowledge a master! I’ll teach you not to acknowledge a master!”

He muttered, each strike heavier than the last.

Finally, the short blade could take no more. It let out a mournful hum, and a faint light drifted from its body, circling briefly before shooting straight toward Han Yuechan’s forehead.

Han Yuechan felt her spirit jolt, then sensed a presence establishing a connection with her. Delighted, she closed her eyes and spread her intent throughout her body.

Her intent found the light and enveloped it. Because the blade “willingly” chose Han Yuechan as master, there was no resistance, and in moments, its intelligence merged with her will, completing the ritual.

Han Yuechan exhaled deeply and opened her eyes. A gleaming short blade floated before her, now flawless, its edge shining coldly, as if it watched everyone present.

“Did… did it really work?” Gu Zhiping stared incredulously at the young woman before him—her cultivation only four stages into concentration, barely two ranks above his own.

Yet she had truly tamed a top-tier earth-grade artifact?

He swallowed hard, feeling renewed hope, and looked at Shen Wan with newfound awe—and a tinge of greed.

“Congratulations, Sister Han,” Zhu Qianqing said with a radiant smile, hugging Han Yuechan’s arm affectionately.

Han Yuechan blushed and smiled, casting a sidelong glance at Shen Wan, who, picking his nose, asked Lin Bufan to bring out another artifact.

Lin Bufan reached into his storage pouch and produced a second magical item.

“Yuechan, since you’ve already received one artifact, step back for now. Once everyone has one, we’ll start again.”

Fairness, openness, and justice were Shen Wan’s guiding principles; who knew if the next artifact would favor another beauty?

Han Yuechan nodded gratefully; she was content with her prize and retreated to a corner, sitting cross-legged to watch quietly.

Seeing the eagerness in the remaining faces, Shen Wan took the second artifact from Lin Bufan.

It was a small gourd, carved from jade, its red cord broken and the lid apparently missing.

Shen Wan cradled the gourd, glanced at the group, then turned to the wall and treated it like the previous blade, smashing it with equal vigor.

“Hurry up and acknowledge a master, or I’ll smash you to pieces!”

Bang, bang, bang, bang…!

After another pummeling, the gourd trembled and sent its intelligence into Lin Bufan’s forehead.

Using the same method, Lin Bufan swiftly established a connection with the jade gourd. This time, it went much more smoothly. Clearly, these artifacts, long confined to the Origin Chamber, had grown proud; without a show of force, none would pay heed.

Lin Bufan then produced a third artifact.

The same steps, the same violence—Shen Wan found endless amusement.

When the third artifact acknowledged Gu Zhiping, he erupted in joy, striking dramatic poses as if seized by some ailment.

Finally, the fourth artifact naturally formed a servant bond with Zhu Qianqing.

The first round complete, Shen Wan called everyone together for a second round of claiming rituals.

Next door, the shop assistant watched, mouth agape, muttering in disbelief, “Damn! Are they really here to divvy up the loot?!”

…

As time passed, when the last artifact was claimed by Gu Zhiping, the solemn division of spoils finally concluded.

Gu Zhiping had gained four artifacts, all top-tier earth-grade. He had never seen such treasures; his only artifact since childhood had been a dried wood branch cast off by his sister when she began cultivating—a mere third-grade mortal item, useful only for minor healing.

He had muddled through life, long resigned to the fact that his path of cultivation had ended before it began.

Now, with only the title of Young Sect Master, he spent his days idly drifting.

But today, Shen Wan’s arrival and the claiming of four earth-grade artifacts made him feel as though dawn had broken, and he could once again achieve greatness.

He threw his arms around Shen Wan’s neck, sobbing and sniffling, “Brother, from today, you are my brother, my real brother!”

He puckered his slobbery lips for a kiss, but Shen Wan recoiled several meters, kicking Gu Zhiping’s face away and cursing, “Get lost! Who’s your brother? Stay away from me!”

Gu Zhiping paid no heed; for just ten thousand spirit stones, he had gotten four artifacts—what a deal.

Yet, feeling he’d taken too much advantage, he hesitated. He weighed his pouch, still holding seventy thousand spirit stones. It was heavy.

Er…

Very heavy…

Gu Zhiping’s gaze flitted between Shen Wan and the pouch, and after much internal struggle, he quietly tucked the pouch away again.

His actions were blatant, leaving Shen Wan and the others speechless.

“Truly shameless! Don’t you feel any pangs of conscience?”