The Legend of the Netherworld

Chapter 129 Transaction!

At the same time, Lin Xiao had already returned to the back mountain.

In front of the thatched cottage, he met Yu Fei who was carrying two buckets of water on his shoulders. He walked unsteadily, obviously exhausted.

"How many times have you picked it?" Lin Xiao looked at him sweating profusely, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise, with a hint of teasing in his tone.

Yu Fei panted heavily, placed the bucket by the well, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and replied helplessly, "This is already the 25th trip. This job is endless! I'm almost dehydrated."

He simply sat down by the well, fanning himself with his Taoist robe, and complained, "Every time I carry water, I have to drink a large bowl of water, but it all evaporates. I can't even pee."

Lin Xiao looked at Yu Fei's embarrassed look, a sly look flashed in his eyes, and he suddenly said, "If there is an easier job, would you be willing to change?"

Yu Fei's eyes suddenly lit up, and he immediately stopped fanning himself. He asked expectantly, "What kind of work? As long as I don't have to carry water, I'm willing to do anything!"

Lin Xiao's expression straightened, and he whispered, "Help me keep an eye on Zhang Ning, your senior brother from the Tianji Pavilion."

Yu Fei was stunned when he heard this, then his eyes widened, as if he couldn't believe his ears: "Surveillance on Senior Brother? Are you kidding?" His voice trembled slightly with shock, and he was obviously a little embarrassed.

Lin Xiao's expression suddenly turned cold, and a hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes. "I'm not kidding. You just need to tell me everything Zhang Ning does. If there is any unusual movement, report it immediately."

Yu Fei's lips trembled slightly, and he responded in a trembling voice: "Lin Xiao, this is a huge matter! If the eldest brother finds out that I'm spying on him, he will kill me!"

He cursed in his heart: I was originally arranged by Senior Brother Zhang Ning to monitor you, but now you want me to monitor him instead, what is this?

Lin Xiao seemed to have seen through Yu Fei's thoughts. He smiled coldly, his tone carrying unquestionable authority: "I don't need you to keep an eye on him all day, just report his important whereabouts to me. You should know that this is also a chance for you to escape from suffering."

Yu Fei was speechless for a moment, weighing the dilemma in his mind. If he refused Lin Xiao, he would inevitably be forced to continue carrying water, or even suffer a worse fate.

But if he agreed, he was afraid that his eldest brother would find out, and then he might even lose his life. After some painful thought, Yu Fei finally gritted his teeth and shook his head: "No, I can't do it! The risk is too great."

Lin Xiao's expression suddenly turned cold, his eyes as sharp as knives, and he threatened fiercely, "Well, then, just keep carrying water. If you dare to miss even one trip, I'll carry you and the IOU you wrote to your Xuantian Elder to ask for the immortal jade. Think carefully about the consequences."

Yu Fei's heart tightened, and his face turned pale. He wanted to point at Lin Xiao and curse, but under the other party's razor-sharp gaze, he finally retracted his finger.

He knew that the man in front of him was not someone to be trifled with. Moreover, he was not as strong as him and was in the wrong, so he had no way to resist.

"You...you are going too far!" Yu Fei gritted his teeth, tears in his eyes, and his voice was filled with anger and humiliation.

Lin Xiao sneered, his tone indifferent: "What? Want to fight? Your senior brother Zhang Ning is not my opponent, let alone you. Don't force me to use force."

Yu Fei completely gave up resistance, finally lowering his head helplessly, and said in a trembling voice, "Okay, I promise you. But I have to extend my surveillance to five years, and after five years this matter will be over."

Lin Xiao was slightly stunned, then readily agreed: "Deal! Five years later, you and I will owe each other nothing." He secretly calculated in his heart: Five years later, he might no longer be in Feng Shui Academy.

Yu Fei felt a wave of relief when he saw the deal was done. He stood up abruptly, stretched his muscles, and then quickly headed down the mountain.

Along the way, he kept thinking about how to explain this "new mission" to Senior Brother Zhang Ning.

At this moment, Zhang Ning was sitting upright in his own Zen temple, meditating with his eyes closed. Spiritual energy was flowing around his body, and he looked calm and relaxed.

Zheng Ziyi from the Zen Hall stood aside and reported to him the details of the "energy filling" ceremony that had just taken place in the hall.

Zhang Ning listened quietly, pondered for a moment, slowly opened her eyes, and looked at Zheng Ziyi: "It seems that our school will not be able to get a place in Tianshu Academy next year."

"Why is that?" Zheng Ziyi, bewildered, couldn't help but ask, "Master Siqi clearly promised us in the main hall and even gave us an 'internal referral' spot. How come we don't have one?"

Zhang Ning sneered, his tone tinged with sarcasm. "Originally, I was just speculating, but now it seems that your Senior Brother Li Qing and I were right. The Sect Master and Tianshu Academy have already reached some kind of deal."

"Trade?" Zheng Ziyi was horrified, his face filled with confusion and anger. "What could our academy possibly have that Tianshu Academy would be interested in? They have everything they need!"

Zhang Ning slowly stood up and calmly revealed the truth: "These are our academy's two secret techniques—'Twin Mirror Images: Martial Arts Reflection' and 'Illusionary Body Technique: Imitating Moves'."

"What! The master is actually willing to sell out our academy's unique secret skills!" Zheng Ziyi was completely shocked and stood there in a daze.

"It was your Senior Brother Li Qing who first noticed this," Zhang Ning said in a low voice. "Your recounting of everything that happened in the hall today just confirms our suspicions. But remember, this matter is between you and me. Otherwise, not even Elder Chanxin can protect you."

Zheng Ziyi broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing this and nodded quickly: "I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother."

"Alright, that's all for today." Zhang Ning waved his hand, signaling Zheng Ziyi to leave. "If you have any news about Lin Xiao in the future, report it to me immediately."

"What about my senior brother Li Qing?" Zheng Ziyi asked worriedly.

"Don't worry, as long as you help me get rid of Lin Xiao, when I become the head of the sect, I will release Li Qing from the "Shenluo Tian Tower," Zhang Ning replied comfortingly.

"Yes, Junior Brother, I'll take my leave." Zheng Ziyi bowed respectfully and turned to leave.

With Zheng Ziyi's departure, Zhang Ning was the only one left in the Zen temple.

He slowly closed his eyes, a cruel smile appeared on his face, and he whispered to himself: "All of you are trying your best to protect Lin Xiao's safety, but I want him to die at the hands of Tianshu Academy." There was a strong murderous intent in his tone.

At this moment, Yu Fei finally arrived at Zhang Ning's Zen temple panting.

He pushed open the courtyard door, knelt on the ground in a state of utter embarrassment, and said in a trembling voice: "Big Brother, Lin Xiao doesn't treat me as a human being at all. He even forced me to monitor you, otherwise he would have killed me!"

Zhang Ning's expression shifted, his eyes sharpening instantly. He looked down at Yu Fei and asked coldly, "You agree?"