Chapter 84: Bargaining Chips

“Senior Brother Yuan, here are the high-grade spirit stones I’ve collected for you. You and the other senior brothers can use them to buy the finest pills or for your leisure. Consider this my apology for what happened earlier.”

As Zhang Hongwei produced the twenty high-grade spirit stones, a flash of intense desire passed through the eyes of Senior Brother Yuan and his companions.

Senior Brother Yuan waved his hand and accepted them.

His tone toward Zhang Hongwei softened, “So that’s how it is. Speak, what brings you here this time?”

“It’s like this, Senior Brother Yuan. Today, this Lin Hao, merely an outer sect disciple, dared to be so arrogant. I don’t believe you senior brothers will let him off so easily.

He and I are already mortal enemies. So, how about we cooperate?”

“Cooperate? Just you?” A mocking voice interrupted before Senior Brother Yuan could reply. The speaker eyed Zhang Hongwei with derision.

Though Zhang Hongwei was considered the foremost rogue cultivator at the foot of Qingfeng Sect’s mountain, within Qingcheng Sect he was just an outer disciple, hardly worthy of notice by the inner disciples.

Stung by the scorn, Zhang Hongwei lowered his gaze; a flash of anger passed through his eyes, but he quickly composed himself.

He looked at that senior brother and said, “Of course, the main force will be you senior brothers. But now, Lin Hao must already be wary of you. Some things need to be handled discreetly, and since I am usually close to him, I could take care of such matters.

If we succeed, I expect nothing in return. If we fail, you can always make me the scapegoat.”

Zhang Hongwei deliberately played down his own importance.

When he finished speaking, all four of them fell into thought, but none agreed outright.

Grinding his teeth, Zhang Hongwei produced a thousand-year-old spirit ginseng.

As soon as the ginseng appeared, the room was instantly suffused with radiant light, and everyone felt a surge of clarity and vigor from the abundant spiritual energy it emitted.

The four men’s eyes burned with greed as they stared at the ginseng in Zhang Hongwei’s hand.

Beneath his calm façade, Zhang Hongwei’s heart bled. He maintained an air of nonchalance as he handed the ginseng to Senior Brother Yuan, saying, “Senior Brother Yuan, let this be a token of my sincerity in our cooperation.

If you can drive Lin Hao out of Qingcheng Sect, I have even more treasures to offer.”

This was no small wager on Zhang Hongwei’s part.

A thousand-year-old spirit ginseng was not something money could buy; it required luck and fortune. Zhang Hongwei had found it only after braving countless perils as a rogue cultivator.

Originally, he had intended to save it for his own breakthrough.

But now, driven by both fear and hatred of Lin Hao, and desperate to enter the inner sect of Qingcheng, he offered this rare treasure.

Senior Brother Yuan was visibly tempted by the ginseng. Seeing Zhang Hongwei’s tact—pretending to be calm while actually quite agitated—he accepted it with feigned composure.

Before putting it away, he plucked a single root hair, placed it in his mouth, and immediately sat cross-legged to meditate and heal his inner injuries.

Zhang Hongwei, witnessing this, allowed himself a fleeting sneer before reverting to a flattering expression. Seeing Senior Brother Yuan accept the gift, he pressed, “So, you agree to cooperate with me?”

“Of course. We never intended to let him off anyway. After making us look bad, he cannot be allowed to remain in Qingcheng. If he rises any higher, what will become of us?” One of the others replied without pretense, his tone seething with hatred for Lin Hao.

In truth, Zhang Hongwei had always known they would not let Lin Hao go; that was why he came to propose a partnership.

The real reason he insisted on involving himself was that he wanted to personally see Lin Hao brought down.

By now, Lin Hao was a threat he could no longer ignore. He sensed that if Lin Hao remained in Qingcheng, he would become a formidable rival—especially when it came to the opportunity to join the inner sect.

Such an important matter had to be handled by Zhang Hongwei himself. That was why he sought out Senior Brother Yuan and his group.

After offering his gifts, the other two men looked on, their eyes equally aflame with desire.

The one who had spoken earlier cleared his throat, snapping the other two out of their reverie. Now, when they looked at Zhang Hongwei, their eyes no longer held disdain, but the greedy admiration reserved for priceless treasures.

Under such scrutiny, even Zhang Hongwei felt a twinge of unease.

The man who had mocked him earlier stepped forward and patted Zhang Hongwei’s shoulder, saying, “No need to worry. Lin Hao is nothing. Leave it to us—he won’t stay in Qingcheng for long. But you only have one thousand-year-old ginseng…”

Zhang Hongwei knew exactly what he meant and cursed their greed inwardly.

But, outclassed as he was, he could only swallow his frustration. Seeing that the two others clearly shared the same sentiment, he said, “Senior brothers, please don’t mind. I am but a humble rogue cultivator.”

At this, the three men’s eyes dimmed with disappointment.

But then, Zhang Hongwei added, “However, after so many years of cultivation, I have managed to collect a few items. Once this matter is resolved, there will be generous rewards for you all.”

Their eyes brightened at the promise. Judging by Zhang Hongwei’s age and long years as a cultivator, they assumed he must have some valuable possessions.

With that, their attitude towards him improved greatly. “Don’t worry, we’ve got this. Just wait for our good news,” they reassured him.

Meanwhile, Senior Brother Yuan, who had consumed the ginseng root and meditated to heal his internal injuries, now opened his eyes, his complexion noticeably improved by the power of the thousand-year ginseng. Satisfied, he assured Zhang Hongwei, “I promise you, I will deal with Lin Hao. Tell me now what outcome you hope for, and I’ll see it done.”

“Best would be to expel him from Qingcheng immediately,” Zhang Hongwei said eagerly.

“That’s not possible. I don’t have that kind of authority,” Senior Brother Yuan immediately refused, and the other three’s expressions also froze.

Zhang Hongwei inwardly cursed their uselessness. After all, they had accepted his ginseng and yet couldn’t even accomplish this.

Seeing Zhang Hongwei’s face turn grim, Senior Brother Yuan, feeling somewhat embarrassed after boasting and accepting such a gift, coughed awkwardly and said, “Though I can’t promise to expel Lin Hao right away, I can guarantee he’ll suffer. In time, we’ll find fault with him and drive him out.”

Zhang Hongwei’s expression softened, his anger subsiding. He thought to himself that it would suffice if Lin Hao suffered for now; immediate expulsion was not strictly necessary.

In truth, Zhang Hongwei’s demand stemmed from his desperation not to face Lin Hao as a rival any longer—having him around felt like living under a sword suspended above his head.

Reason told him that not even the sect leader had the authority to expel Lin Hao immediately. As a newly accepted outer disciple and an inner sect candidate, Lin Hao still had a real chance to advance. Unless he made a grave mistake, no one had the right to openly expel him.

In the end, Zhang Hongwei’s request was merely an expression of his anxiety.

He nodded at Senior Brother Yuan and said in compromise, “Very well. Let it be as you say. I await your good news, seniors.”

“Of course. Rest assured, you’ll see results tomorrow,” Senior Brother Yuan promised.

Zhang Hongwei nodded and returned to his own quarters.

Meanwhile, Lin Hao sat in his own room, frowning in deep thought.

Earlier, he had indeed felt great anger at Senior Brother Yuan’s disparagement. Yet that alone did not justify the sudden, uncontrollable fury that had threatened to overwhelm him—he could not understand why he’d suddenly wanted to kill.

The sensation was deeply unsettling, as if his body were being controlled by someone else.

Back in his room, Lin Hao immediately questioned the system, “System, what just happened to me?”

The system was silent for a moment before replying, “Host, you have fallen under a Heart Demon’s spell.”

“Heart Demon!” Lin Hao exclaimed in shock.

“Yes. Every cultivator must face their Heart Demon eventually, though the timing varies. Only after reaching a certain stage in cultivation does one encounter it.

In fact, the earlier you face your Heart Demon, the better. Overcoming it early allows for greater progress in the future,” the system explained with uncharacteristic patience.

Lin Hao frowned, asking, “So, you’re saying that experiencing my Heart Demon now is actually fortunate?”

“In theory, yes. But not everyone survives their Heart Demon ordeal. After this experience, you should have a clearer understanding of your own Heart Demon. I hope you will soon overcome it and reach a higher level,” the system replied.

Hearing this, Lin Hao fell into deep reflection.

What was his Heart Demon?

Of course, he knew: it was his deep-seated pain and resentment toward those who abused their power and arrogance, especially when he himself was humiliated by them.