Fantasy: Immortality Begins with Absorbing Demons

Chapter 491 Aftermath (Part 3)

The person who came to visit was none other than Chen Jiuli, the inspector dispatched by the Yangzhi Academy.

"Brother Chen, you're too kind. We are both patrol officers stationed outside Jingtian Manor, and our jurisdictions are adjacent. We should visit each other more often and help each other out," Han Yi said with a slight smile.

“Brother Han is right. It’s just that my tea garden had a bumper harvest a while ago, which delayed things a bit. I’ve long heard that a highly skilled talent has emerged from Jiuqu Academy. Now that I see him, he is indeed exceptional. Not only is his martial arts superb, but his management skills are also outstanding.”

Chen Jiuli laughed heartily, but his words were somewhat sarcastic.

As an inspector of Jingtian Village, he naturally also oversaw a considerable amount of property. A large tea plantation located southwest of Qiyun Mountain was his main core business.

Previously, the industries that Zhong Yunxiu had to abandon in Qiyun Mountain, especially the tea gardens that produced the precious "Yunqing Tea", were taken over and occupied by this person.

He had also considered discussing with Han Yi the idea of ​​acquiring the remaining scattered tea gardens at a high price to monopolize the trade of Yunqing tea.

However, Han Yi's decisive rejection led to their relationship being far from friendly, and even contained some resentment.

Upon hearing this, Han Yi didn't bother with formalities and said directly, "Brother Chen is a very busy man. He doesn't come here unless he has something important to say. Please speak frankly."

If Brother Chen is here to offer advice on management methods or with a condescending attitude, then please leave. I have many things to do and am very busy.”

"Oh, by the way, if Brother Chen wants to bring up those tea gardens again, unless you come up with the price I initially set, there's no point in discussing it," he added.

"You...?!" Upon hearing this, Chen Jiuli's face immediately turned ugly, and he slammed his hand on the armrest of the chair, about to explode in anger.

It would have been better if Han Yi hadn't brought up the tea plantation; the moment he did, Chen Jiuli became extremely displeased.

It's just a tea plantation, yet this guy surnamed Han is asking for 100,000 taels of gold for just one tea plantation. If he were to buy the whole thing, it would probably cost 300,000 to 400,000 gold notes.

To put that into perspective, even if he sold all his territory, he still wouldn't have that much money.

This isn't even an exorbitant demand; it's outright blackmail.

He was about to get angry, but then, remembering why he had come today, he suppressed his resentment.

He didn't come here because of his own business; if he messes up this job, he'll be punished when he gets back.

"Brother Han is truly gifted with a silver tongue. No wonder he is valued by the head of the Nine-Bend Academy. In terms of verbal skills alone, I, Chen, am completely outmatched," Chen Jiuli said with a forced smile.

"Brother Chen, what do you mean by this?" Han Yi asked, puzzled. "Are you alright? If not, please go back. I won't keep you company any longer."

He immediately started telling people to leave.

"Heh, Brother Han, why are you in such a hurry for me to leave? Did you do something wrong that makes you feel guilty?" Chen Jiuli sneered.

He was already a lean, tall man with dark skin, and his cold laugh made him appear even more sinister, as if he were being interrogated.

"A guilty conscience?" Han Yi chuckled. "I, Han, have always been upright and honest in my conduct. What could I possibly have done wrong? If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear."

"Is that so..." Chen Jiuli sighed softly, "But if you didn't do anything, how come there are only two of your three hall masters left?!" Han Yi had long been wary of Chen Jiuli's purpose in coming. Although he was somewhat unsettled, he remained outwardly calm: "Only two left...?! What do you mean, Brother Chen?"

My three chief advisors are all diligent, hardworking, and honest men. Why would Brother Chen attack them for no reason?

"Brother Han, why pretend to be stupid? Isn't Luo Meiwei, the head of your Lotus Hall, already dead? If it wasn't you who did it, then who was? Why ask such a question when you already know the answer!" Chen Jiuli said impatiently, revealing the truth in one sentence.

Although his behavior and words seemed reckless, he was actually carefully watching Han Yi's expression.

"What?! Luo Meiwei is dead?!?!" Han Yi slammed his hand on the table, his expression shocked. He stood up and asked, "Brother Chen, where did you get this news? Wasn't Luo Meiwei at home resting?"

Dead? What happened? She was perfectly healthy, how could she be dead?

"Hmm?" Chen Jiuli narrowed his eyes slightly. "Brother Han, you really don't know about this? Luo Meiwei died a few days ago, didn't she?"

"How could I possibly know about this?" Han Yi still looked incredulous. "Luo Meiwei sent someone with a letter saying she was asking for leave to go home and rest for a few days. I thought something had happened at home and didn't pay much attention. Who knew I would receive such terrible news..."

"Life is truly unpredictable, and fate is beyond our control..." He looked somber, clearly deeply affected.

"Brother Han, please accept my condolences. It seems you were unaware of this matter..." Chen Jiuli observed Han Yi carefully for a while, and seeing that Han Yi's expression seemed genuine, he offered words of comfort at the opportune moment, "I wonder what happened when Luo Meiwei had her accident, Brother Han..."

It seems he still doubts Han Yi.

After all, no matter what, Luo Meiwei is Han Yi's subordinate. If something happens to her, Han Yi will be the first to be suspected.

“A few days ago, I went back to the inner courtyard and asked my master a few questions about cultivation.” Han Yi said decisively. “If Brother Chen doubts me, he can go to the Nine Bends Courtyard in person and ask my master directly.”

The first thing he did after returning that day was to write a letter to his master, Zhong Yunxiu, explaining the matter and sending half of the gold notes he had obtained from Luo Meiwei.

Because this matter involves too many people and has too many implications, it is necessary for a high-ranking figure like the Master to step in and take charge.

As for the half of the gold notes, although it amounted to tens of thousands of taels, he had originally intended to give them away, but the master refused to accept them. Giving them back to his master was only to be expected.

To his surprise, Zhong Yunxiu returned all the gold notes without taking a single penny.

In her reply, she told Han Yi to focus on his martial arts training and take good care of the territory, assuring him that she would look after him in other matters.

Therefore, even if Chen Jiuli finds Zhong Yunxiu, he won't discover anything.

Sure enough, upon hearing Han Yi's words, Chen Jiuli's suspicions lessened slightly. If someone could bring out a figure of the caliber of the head of the academy as a guarantor, then there shouldn't be any major problems.

His attitude immediately changed slightly: "It seems Brother Han truly doesn't know about this matter... then..."

"Wait a minute!"

Han Yi suddenly interrupted, "Brother Zhao, actually I've had a question from the beginning. Luo Meiwei is, after all, my subordinate. How come I didn't know about her accident, but you were the first to find out?"

And what right do you have to question me?