Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

His words were half true and half false. The truth lay in pointing out Steward Wang's injuries and the attributes of his martial arts technique, while the falsehood lay in the power of the stone lion. But combined with Shen Mo's confident gaze and mysterious atmosphere, it was incredibly effective.

The burly men behind Manager Wang exchanged glances. They were just low-level thugs in Black Wind Stronghold and didn't want to get into any trouble.

"You...you're trying to scare me?!" Manager Wang roared, his voice trembling with fear, but he involuntarily took a half step back and instinctively clutched his chest.

He did feel a slight discomfort in his lungs after getting close to the stone lion. Could it really be some kind of sword energy sensation?

Shen Mo stood with his hands behind his back, no longer speaking, just looking at the other person indifferently, with an attitude of "go ahead and try." In reality, his back was already soaked with cold sweat.

That was such a damn cool act!

The air seemed to freeze. Shi Tie, Su Xiao, and A Yuan all held their breath, watching the two sides locked in a tense standoff.

After a long silence, Steward Wang's expression changed several times before he finally glared at Shen Mo and said unwillingly:

"Fine! Shen Mo, you've got guts! I'll give you face today! I'll extend your time by... one more month! If you still can't produce the spirit stones by then, hmph! I'll raze this Qingyun Mountain to the ground!"

After saying that, as if afraid that Shen Mo would go back on his word, he led a few of his men and left quickly and sheepishly, not daring to utter another harsh word.

Only after the group of people disappeared outside the mountain gate did Shen Mo finally breathe a long sigh of relief. His legs went weak, and he almost collapsed to the ground, but fortunately, Shi Tie next to him caught him.

"Sect Leader! Are you alright?" Shi Tie asked with concern, his face filled with admiration and excitement. The Sect Leader had scared away the villains of Black Wind Stronghold with just a few words! Amazing!

Su Xiao and A Yuan also gathered around, their eyes sparkling as they looked at Shen Mo as if he were a great hero. Especially the junior sister A Yuan, whose gaze towards Shen Mo was filled with dependence and admiration.

Shen Mo waved his hand, indicating that he was fine, but he was still terrified. Fortunately, this Steward Wang was both afraid of death and suspicious; if it had been a reckless man, he would have really been dead today.

"Sect Leader, that stone lion..." Su Xiao, quick-witted, looked at the stone lion with curiosity and asked.

Shen Mo glanced at the still dilapidated stone lion. The words "Temporary Causal Attachment" marked by the system had become extremely dim, as if they would disappear at any moment.

He shook his head and smiled mysteriously, saying, "It's all thanks to the protection of the patriarch. There's no need to mention this matter again."

He has to maintain this mystique! It's his only "capital" right now.

Seeing the flames of hope burning in the eyes of his three junior brothers and sisters, Shen Mo felt anything but at ease.

One month... there's only one month left.

Eight hundred spirit stones, and this dilapidated sect that is starving and in dire need.

The future remains uncertain.

But at least he survived to this day, and he has a system that seems unreliable but could potentially create miracles.

"Let's go back first." Shen Mo took a deep breath of the cold yet refreshing air of this other world and said to his junior brothers and sisters, "From today onwards, Qingyun Sect will no longer be bullied by anyone (also to encourage himself)."

Scaring away the Black Wind Stronghold only gave them a chance to catch their breath.

Returning to the Sect Leader's Hall, which was even cleaner than his own home, Shen Mo looked at the three young faces before him, filled with anticipation yet unable to hide their paleness, and at the resource bar in his mind that only contained "1 worn-out Sect Leader's Jade Pendant," and felt immense pressure.

"System, retrieve the sect's existing assets...and liabilities," Shen Mo ordered, clinging to his last glimmer of hope.

Perhaps there's something missing from the original owner's memories? Like, maybe some treasure left behind by the founder is hidden in some nook or cranny?

[Command received. Search target: Qingyun Sect assets/liabilities. No cost required.]

[Asset List:]

One damaged main hall (estimated value: none)

Two dilapidated side halls (estimated value: none)

Three acres of abandoned medicinal herb fields (99% weed coverage)

Low-level spiritual vein (depleted state, spiritual energy concentration: negligible)

Disciples: 3 (Shi Tie: Body Refinement Beginner, Su Xiao: Qi Refinement Level 1, A Yuan: Not yet a beginner)

Miscellaneous items: a number (old furniture, rusty weapons, blank talisman paper, etc.)

Special Item: One worn-out jade pendant belonging to the sect leader (Possibly a special item, requires further identification)

[List of Liabilities:]

Black Wind Stronghold: Principal 500 low-grade spirit stones, interest 300, total 800. (Repayment period: within 30 days)

Hundred Treasures Pavilion: Overdue payment for pills, talisman materials, etc., totaling 150 low-grade spirit stones. (Overdue)

Liu Yishou, a rogue cultivator: Repairing houses, 20 low-grade spirit stones. (Expired)

Spirit Valley supplier: Overdue payment of 50 low-grade spirit stones.

……

(The list is two pages long...)

Shen Mo stared at the long list of debts on the light screen, totaling more than 1,200 low-grade spirit stones, and felt dizzy.

This isn't a sect, it's a bottomless pit!

The original owner's master, Mo Yuan, was truly a "talent"! His cultivation was mediocre, but his ability to rack up debts was first-rate! Then he just packed his bags and ran away, leaving behind this mess and three followers.

"Sect Leader... are you... are you alright?" Su Xiao, being perceptive, noticed Shen Mo's extremely pale face and asked cautiously.

Shen Mo rubbed his temples, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace: "It's nothing, I just... took stock of our assets."

He paused, deciding to put some pressure on his disciples, but not to completely dissuade them. "The situation is... a little bit more difficult than we imagined."

Shi Tie clenched his fists and said in a muffled voice, "Sect Leader, I'm strong! I can hunt in the mountains or work in the mines! I'll definitely be able to pay off my debts!"

Ah Yuan whispered, "I...I can do laundry and mend clothes..."

Su Xiao didn't speak, but her big eyes were fixed on Shen Mo, as if waiting for him to make a decision.

Looking at his three disciples who hadn't given up despite their dire situation, Shen Mo felt a warmth in his heart. At least, the start wasn't too bad; there were still a few people willing to stand with him through thick and thin.

"Hunting and manual labor are just a drop in the ocean," Shen Mo shook his head. "What we need is a sustainable way to make money."

He habitually used business jargon from his previous life.

"A way to make money?" Su Xiao's eyes lit up. "Sect Leader, you have a plan?"

Solution? Shen Mo has no solution whatsoever! The most valuable things he owns right now are that jade pendant and this damn system.

However, as a leader, especially when team morale is low, you must never say that you have no solution.

He once again adopted that inscrutable demeanor, his gaze sweeping over the three men, and slowly said, "There's always a way. If my Qingyun Sect's ancestors could leave behind such a contingency plan as the Demon-Slaying Stone Lion, how could we lack the foundation for a comeback?"

His words were purely a case of using someone else's name to justify his actions, but combined with the lingering effect of his earlier "scare away" of a powerful enemy, the effect was remarkable.

Shi Tie and A Yuan immediately showed expressions of deep belief, and even Su Xiao's eyes showed a hint of anticipation.

"Our most pressing issue is survival." Shen Mo began assigning tasks, demonstrating his leadership. "Junior Brother Tie, you're in charge of checking how many intact areas the sect still has, especially the kitchen and living quarters, and seeing if they can be repaired."

"A-Yuan, you're young but meticulous. Go and tidy up the warehouse and see if there's anything usable left. Junior Sister Xiao, you're quick-witted. Come with me and tell me in detail about these debts, as well as the situation in the nearby markets and other sects."

"Yes, Sect Leader!" the three replied in unison, as if they had found their leader, and immediately began to act.

After Shi Tie and A Yuan left, Shen Mo led Su Xiao back to the dilapidated main hall.

He found a slightly more stable chair and sat down, gesturing for Su Xiao to sit down as well so they could talk.