Chapter 52: Who are You Calling a Good Person!

Inside the tavern, a customer was talking grandly, drawing the attention of quite a few people.

"Have you heard? Our county has birthed a righteous knight-errant named Qin Yuanhao, whose deeds have earned the admiration of even the members of the five great immortal sects!" Lu Yang's eyebrows arched and the corners of his mouth turned upward, looking exceptionally excited, as if he had caught wind of some intriguing rumor to share with everyone.

"Is that true or false? How come I've never heard of such a figure in our Yanjiang County?"

"I sort of remember that name; it doesn't seem like a good person."

"Stop arguing, let this little brother tell us, what happened to Qin Yuanhao?"

Lu Yang paused before continuing, "This knight-errant named Qin Yuanhao possesses a cultivation level that is not low, at the Foundation Establishment stage. He is righteous, has a wide circle of friends, and everyone who knows him is willing to call him big brother."

Hearing that Qin Yuanhao actually had a Foundation Establishment stage cultivation, the patrons' eyes lit up; this was truly fresh news.

In the past, the martial arts world rumors they discussed, about how first-rate martial arts masters did this or that, and what thrilling experiences they had, sounded very impressive and exciting to hear, but once they calmed down, they knew that the strength of a first-rate martial arts master was not particularly high.

It was universally acknowledged that a first-rate master in the martial arts world corresponded to the eighth to ninth layers of Qi Refining, which was the limit of a martial arts master.

Now that a rumor about a Foundation Establishment master had emerged, they naturally had to listen closely, as it would serve as boasting material in the future.

"So, it is said that one day, Qin Yuanhao and a close, lifelong friend went to attend an auction. The friend took a fancy to a treasure and asked to borrow several thousand low-grade spirit stones from Qin Yuanhao. Qin Yuanhao laughed heartily and said that given their friendship, talking about money would be vulgar. He gave him these eight thousand low-grade spirit stones without needing to be repaid, and the friend was deeply moved."

"Eight thousand low-grade spirit stones?!" exclaimed the passerby, Meng Jingzhou. "Spirit stones are the hard currency of the cultivation world. Eight thousand low-grade spirit stones are enough to buy a grand mansion in the center of the county seat and beautiful maids to serve for a lifetime!"

With Meng Jingzhou's explanation, the patrons finally understood the concept of eight thousand low-grade spirit stones.

This man named Qin Yuanhao was incredibly generous, giving away eight thousand spirit stones just like that!

"After the friend successfully bid on the treasure, he was targeted by a demonic cultivator who was also bidding. With premeditation against the unsuspecting, the demonic cultivator successfully launched a sneak attack on the friend and Qin Yuanhao. The friend was unwilling to give up the treasure and resisted most fiercely, so he was killed by the demonic cultivator who then seized the treasure. Qin Yuanhao wanted to pursue, but unfortunately, the demonic cultivator had already fled without a trace."

Having spoken to this point, Lu Yang pointed to his throat. Seeing this, how could the patrons not understand his meaning? They all vied to buy him a drink.

Lu Yang called for a cup of grain liquor, took a sip to clear his throat, and continued his tale.

"On his deathbed, the friend entrusted his wife and daughter to Qin Yuanhao. With tears in his eyes, Qin Yuanhao swore he would take good care of the mother and daughter."

"That mother and daughter were also rare, peerless beauties of the human world. The wife retained her youthful looks through skilled methods and possessed a charming demeanor, while the daughter was lively, lovely, playful, and delightful. Facing such a stunningly beautiful pair, Qin Yuanhao was not moved in the slightest."

"Having lost their reliance, the mother and daughter felt that Qin Yuanhao was someone they could entrust their lives to, so they attempted to entice him with their charms. Qin Yuanhao stated directly that he practiced the Virgin Boy Technique and could not break his celibacy."

"Qin Yuanhao kept his promise, caring for the mother and daughter without ever breaching propriety, and finally found a good man to whom he entrusted the two of them."

"To think there is such a righteous knight-errant in the world, wealthy yet not loving money, encountering beauty yet unmoved!" Meng Jingzhou's lamentation drew the agreement of those around him.

"Qin Yuanhao truly is a grand, good man."

"It's a pity I don't know Qin Yuanhao, otherwise I would definitely borrow some spirit stones no matter what!"

"Who says heroes cannot pass the barrier of beautiful women? Didn't this Qin Yuanhao just pass it?"

In the corner, Mangu looked at Lu Yang, who was the main speaker, and Meng Jingzhou, who was the foil, thinking they were remarkably clever, weaving a story out of thin air without needing a script.

When would he ever possess this kind of talent?

The patrons loved to show off, boasting about things that others did not know.

They had drunk quite a bit while listening to Lu Yang's story, so they did not remember some details clearly, a fact they discovered later when bragging after drinking.

Since the story was already halfway told, they could not very well admit they forgot the rest; they could not lose face like that, so they began to make things up according to their own imaginations.

Everyone forgot different parts and fabricated different contents, which led to all kinds of varied rumors regarding Qin Yuanhao.

……

"Have you heard about that great philanthropist named Qin Yuanhao?"

"You mean the Qin Yuanhao who secretly discovered a spirit stone mine, suddenly became the wealthiest local cultivator, and lends money without requiring repayment?"

"Should be him, but the news I heard is that Qin Yuanhao avoids women and prefers the company of men?"

"Yes, yes, yes, I heard that Qin Yuanhao practices the Virgin Boy Technique and likes young boys the most!"

"Is that true or false? Is that how the Virgin Boy Technique is practiced? Didn't they say practicing it requires eating virgin chickens?"

"None of what you say is correct. I heard that Qin Yuanhao accidentally obtained the legendary immortal artifact, the Book of Merit. By binding it with his blood, he became its true master. The more good deeds he performs, the more merit he gains. Merit can be exchanged for prizes, and spirit treasures, immortal artifacts, and cultivation levels can all be redeemed!"

"I also heard that he is the destined Lord of the Nine Netherworlds, in charge of life, death, and merit. Don't look at his low strength now; he is currently gathering power and developing in secret. Once he gets the opportunity, he will soar like a dragon to the highest heavens, becoming an immortal and an ancestor!"

"He endured humiliation and heavy burdens to join the Demonic Cult just because he wants to blend into the high ranks, wipe out the Demonic Cult, and view the Demonic Cult as his own merit!"

"Viewing the Demonic Cult as something already in his pocket, what a powerful grandeur!"

……

The regular meeting of the Yanjiang Branch of the Demonic Cult.

The fiends stood respectfully in two lines. The branch master sat on a chair carved from a single piece of crimson agate, its armrests sculpted into dragon and tiger heads, symbolizing his authority as the branch master.

This chair was presented to him by Qin Yuanhao to show filial respect.

Qin Yuanhao was in a very foul mood, his forehead darkened, and the corners of his mouth twitched from time to time, revealing beast-like teeth.

Seeing him like this, his colleagues did not care. Everyone's cultivation and status were roughly equal; no matter how furious you were, it was impossible to take it out on them.

People of the Demonic Cult were just like this: what does the life or death of others have to do with me? The unlucky one isn't me anyway.

It was no wonder Qin Yuanhao was in a bad mood; before the meeting started, he had already been asked by others:

"Can you lend me some spirit stones? Is it fine not to return them? Anyway, you own a spirit stone mine."

"Do you know a pair of sisters or a mother and daughter? Introduce a pair to me."

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have taken you to the brothels to listen to music before. It must have been very painful for you to go to such places, right?"

"Big Brother Qin, I will follow you from now on. The Book of Merit or whatever isn't important; it's mainly that I admire you as a person."

"Generous with money and keeping away from women, Qin Yuanhao, you are truly losing face for our Demonic Cult. You couldn't possibly be an undercover agent sent by the righteous path, could you?"

Qin Yuanhao clenched his fists in secret, determined to mince whoever started these rumors and slanders into pieces to feed the dogs!

He was a dignified, grand villain, so how on earth did he turn into a good person!

Who are you calling a good person?