My Apprentice Is Too Diligent

Chapter 5: Bearing Witness

White Water County, after midnight.

The streets were empty, without a single soul.

The silver moon hung high in the sky, casting a cold beam of moonlight, shrouding the earth in a hazy veil.

The night wind blew, stirring up sand, stones, and fallen leaves, swirling in the streets, alleys, and corners.

Chen Lindong shrank his neck, looking around, running through one alley after another.

Soon, he entered a market and stopped at the entrance of a courtyard.

Knock, knock~

A rhythmic knocking on the door.

After a while, footsteps sounded from the yard.

"Squeak!"

The door opened, revealing a round-faced young man who, upon seeing Chen Lindong, cursed, "You damn dog, why did you take so long?"

As he spoke, he stuck his head out and looked around.

"Hehe, don't worry, Wang Ge. No one is following me. It's the middle of the night, you can't even see a ghost, let alone a person," Chen Lindong said with a smile.

"A ghost? You really want to see a ghost?" The round-faced young man sneered, beckoning, "Come in, the boss has been waiting impatiently."

"Well, I had no choice," Chen Lindong sighed, walking into the courtyard. "I haven't dared to go out these past few days, just in case."

"No need to tell me, go explain to the boss," the round-faced young man closed the door and followed behind.

Upon hearing this, Chen Lindong fell silent and quickly entered the brightly lit hall.

Inside the room.

Xiong Zengming leaned back on a recliner, eating a plate of fried peanuts and drinking some wine.

Chen Lindong entered without greeting.

"Boss!"

Chen Lindong respectfully saluted and quickly said, "Sorry for keeping the boss waiting..."

"Enough with the nonsense," Xiong Zengming impatiently interrupted. "Just tell me, did Chen Wuji come up with the money? And if he did, where did he get it from?"

"No," Chen Lindong's face was gloomy. "Chen Wuji didn't come up with any money!"

"No money?" Xiong Zengming was stunned for a moment. "Are you saying that Chen Wuji hasn't made any moves these past few days?"

"Yes," Chen Lindong also felt puzzled. "Chen Wuji has been practicing in his room these past few days and hasn't left the house."

"Then how did he compensate for the money?" Xiong Zengming pondered. "Or is it that Chen Family still has a lot of money saved?"

"Well..." Chen Lindong frowned. "As far as I know, Chen Family is only making money from Chen Ji now. All their other industries are losing money or have already closed down."

"And Chen Ji's circulating funds are at most five hundred taels. Within five days, they can't come up with three thousand taels."

"That's strange," Xiong Zengming's eyes flickered. "No action, no money from Chen Ji. Two days later, what will Chen Wuji use to compensate?"

"Could it be that Chen Wuji doesn't intend to compensate?" the round-faced young man who followed in speculated, rubbing his chin. "Is Chen Wuji planning to go back on his word in two days?"

"Impossible!" Chen Lindong immediately refuted. "Chen Wuji may be stubborn, and although there may be reasons behind my accident, he would never ignore it!"

"Savings? Yes, he definitely still has savings!" Chen Lindong said firmly. "Chen Family has been in White Water County for fifty years. Over the years, there must be hidden wealth, like family heirlooms! Yes, family heirlooms!"

"Haha, is Chen Wuji planning to use the family heirlooms to pay off the debt?" Xiong Zengming laughed heartily. "But I am indeed interested. I have some expectations for family heirlooms. Of course, it doesn't matter if there are no family heirlooms. Having the recipe for 'Drunk Spring Breeze' will do! Hahaha..."

"Hehe, I think the recipe for 'Drunk Spring Breeze' is the biggest family heirloom of the Chen Family!" Chen Lindong chimed in with a smile.

"'Drunk Spring Breeze' is the biggest family heirloom?" The round-faced young man was momentarily stunned, then nodded in agreement. "Indeed, 'Drunk Spring Breeze' is so profitable. With it, you can just lie down and count money every day!"

"After all, it's a pure profit of over ten thousand taels of silver every year." Chen Lindong's face showed longing as he swallowed his saliva.

"What's wrong, are you envious?" Xiong Zengming narrowed his eyes.

"Well, hehe." Chen Lindong recovered with a forced smile, rubbing his hands and said, "So, Boss, how much of the three thousand taels of silver can I get this time?"

"It's not the same as before, I'll give you thirty percent..."

Crack!

A strange sound came from outside the house.

"What's that sound!"

Xiong Zengming's gaze froze, and he suddenly stood up.

The round-faced youth didn't say a word and quickly rushed out.

"Meow~"

On the wall, a black cat stepped on a piece of tile and gently meowed.

Seeing someone rushing out of the house quickly, it hurriedly wagged its tail and ran along the roof.

"It's just a cat."

The round-faced youth withdrew his gaze and turned back, "Boss, it's just a cat."

"It turns out to be just a cat, scared me."

Chen Lindong exhaled and clasped his fists, "Boss, just in case, I'll go back first!"

"Go ahead."

Xiong Zengming sat back in his seat lazily, "Find out how many treasures the Chen Family has, and in the next two days, try to find out if there's more than just the 'Drunk Spring Breeze' wine recipe."

"Understood!"

...

In a small alley.

"Bang! Bang!"

Han Ying vented his anger by punching the wall, his face full of anger, and he shouted, "Bastard! Ungrateful wolf! Beast! Master treated him so well, but this Chen Lindong, this bastard, betrayed the master and joined the Xiong Gang! Beast, I'm going to kill him!"

"How could this happen? How could this happen?" Su Dayong muttered in confusion, anger, and disbelief, "Master treated us so well, why did Xiaoqi betray us?"

"Didn't you hear what he said at the end? Why? For money!"

"As early as two years ago, Qi... Chen Lindong started borrowing money from us. Every time at the beginning of the month, when Grandpa Ge gave us money, Chen Lindong would spend it all in less than three days!"

"No money, what can you do? Besides borrowing, naturally you have to find ways to make money. Master doesn't allow us to steal, gamble, or go on credit at Chen Ji."

"You can't get it here, and you can't get it there. In the end, you naturally take a risk, conspire with outsiders, and cheat money from the master!"

Duan Zhen, who usually didn't speak much, kept muttering at this moment, his anger barely concealed in his eyes, "I said why we've been so unlucky these years when we're outside. It turns out there's a traitor cooperating. Chen Lindong, this ungrateful wolf, has been conspiring with outsiders to cheat money from the master!"

"Beast! I'm going to kill this beast!" Han Ying trembled with anger.

"Let's go home first."

Chen Wuji remained calm and said calmly, "We'll talk about it when we get back."

"Yes, Master!"

Duan Zhen and Han Ying gritted their teeth, pulled the dazed Su Dayong, and followed Chen Wuji, quickly walking towards the Chen Family compound.

...

Back at the Chen Family compound.

Chen Wuji led the three of them to the study, closed the door, and said, "Don't expose Chen Lindong's betrayal for now, wait for two more days."

"Huh?" Han Ying didn't understand, "Master..."

"I have already broken through to the Seventh Layer of Body Refining."

Chen Wuji decided to reveal a little, and said seriously, "I have reached the Body Refining Seventh Layer, but just stepping into it, I still have some shortcomings when facing Xiong Zengming. Wait for two more days to stabilize my realm, and even if I can't defeat him, I won't be defeated."

"Really?"

Han Ying widened his eyes, his face full of joy.

"Great!"

Duan Zhen's eyes also lit up, showing excitement.

"Master has reached the Body Refining Seventh Layer?" Su Dayong blinked his eyes, suddenly turned red, tears streaming down his face, choked up and said, "Great, great! It's been five years, Master, you finally made a breakthrough."

This guy...

Chen Wuji suppressed his embarrassment and whispered, "This is the result of accumulating strength. The subsequent improvement in cultivation will feel very fast. Just get used to it."

Let's give a heads-up first!

"I see." Han Ying half-believed.

"I knew Master would succeed!"

Su Dayong clenched his fist and admired, "The previous lack of breakthroughs were all accumulations. Now that you have made a breakthrough, you will soar to the sky!"

"Yes." Duan Zhen nodded in agreement.

"Cough~"

Chen Wuji interrupted, "In any case, don't tell anyone about my breakthrough and Chen Lindong's betrayal for now."

"Especially the eldest brother. For the next two days, focus on your own matters. If you encounter Chen Lindong, stay far away."

"Huh?" Su Dayong was taken aback, then blushed slightly and lowered his head, saying, "Disciple understands."

"Hehe~" Han Ying chuckled lightly, "It's really difficult for the eldest senior brother to act. Ignoring him completely wouldn't be good either. Not seeing him directly is the most secure way!"

Su Dayong's face turned even redder, "I... I..."

"That's enough."

Chen Wuji stopped him, "The eldest brother will avoid him, and you two should also be careful."

"Disciple understands!"

"Master, rest assured!"

Duan Zhen and Han Ying responded at the same time.

...

[Your eldest disciple, Su Dayong, has practiced the 'Earth Dragon Fist' with a proficiency increase of +1. Current loyalty is 92, receiving a reward of 92 times. Your proficiency in 'Earth Dragon Fist' increases by 92.]

[Your second disciple, Han Ying, has practiced the 'Earth Dragon Fist' with a proficiency increase of +2. Current loyalty is 79, receiving a reward of 79 times. Your proficiency in 'Earth Dragon Fist' increases by 158.]

[Your fifth disciple, Duan Zhen, has practiced the 'Winding Snake Steps' with a proficiency increase of +2. Current loyalty is 77, receiving a reward of 77 times. Your proficiency in 'Winding Snake Steps' increases by 154.]

...

As advised to his disciples, Chen Wuji continued to cultivate day and night in the remaining two days.

Under the complete refinement of the 'Fish Swallowing Technique' at the Ninth Layer, a large number of 'Blood Transformation Pills' were almost completely absorbed, pushing the progress of the Blood Transformation of the Seventh Layer of the Body Refining Realm to its limit.

Successfully achieving a perfect Blood Transformation!

With the assistance of his disciples, the 'Earth Dragon Fist' also reached perfection.

Both the 'Cloud Piercing Saber Technique' and the 'Winding Snake Steps' entered the state of great accomplishment.

When the sun rose on the sixth day, Chen Wuji took a deep breath and consolidated his realm.

At the right time, Xiong Zengming arrived at the Chen Family's courtyard with his men once again.

"Haha, Master Chen, it's been a few days, and you look even better." Xiong Zengming looked up in the spacious front yard, observing Chen Wuji who walked in, and warmly greeted, "Five days have passed, Master Chen, are you ready with the money?"

"I'm ready."

Bathing in the morning sunlight, Chen Wuji glanced at Su Dayong, Han Ying, Duan Zhen, and others who had rushed over, and finally fixed his gaze on Chen Lindong.

"Brother Xiong, before the handover, I have something to announce as the head of the Chen Family. I hope you can be a witness."

"What?" Xiong Zengming widened his eyes, tapped his ears, and looked incredulous, "Master Chen, you want me to be a witness? Witness what?"

"Witness the first disciplinary action against a disciple in our sect."

Without giving Xiong Zengming and Chen Lindong a chance to react, Chen Wuji loudly declared, "Our disciple, Chen Lindong, has been greedy for money, deceiving his superiors for many years, and plotting against his fellow disciples. Today, at this moment, I, as the head, announce the expulsion of Chen Lindong!"

"From this moment on, Chen Lindong is no longer a disciple of the 'Hidden Dragon Gate'!"

Silence.

In the courtyard, a sudden deathly silence fell, with no sound of birds or sparrows.

Everyone stared wide-eyed, their faces filled with astonishment and horror.

The astonished ones were Chen Yifan, Chen Qingning, Nan Jinyu, and others who were unaware of the situation.

The horrified ones were Chen Lindong and the Xiong Gang members who came with Xiong Zengming.

Xiong Zengming was more shocked and caught off guard.

Su Dayong, Han Ying, and Duan Zhen, as the ones who knew the truth, were relatively better prepared.

At this moment, looking at Chen Lindong's pale face and shaky figure, they couldn't express their satisfaction.

"Mas... Master, are you... joking?" After a while, Chen Lindong, in fear, regained his senses and trembled as he spoke, "When... when did I become greedy? When..."

"Two nights ago, what did you do? Do you want me to spell it out?" Han Ying, feeling indignant, interrupted mockingly, "Chen Lindong, oh Chen Lindong, I never thought you would be so greedy, ignorant, and heartless!"

"Lindong, Lindong!"

"Do you forget who saved you from freezing to death on the street five years ago?"

Swish~ Chen Lindong's face instantly turned red, but quickly turned pale and purple.

Shame, fear, terror, and disbelief.

"You... you slander..."

"Enough, you don't need to say more. No one here likes to listen to nonsense." Han Ying interrupted again, "Master shows mercy and saves face for you. Without exposing everything, I won't indulge you. Now you are no longer a member of our 'Hidden Dragon Gate,' so please roll out of the main gate."

"From now on, don't appear in front of us again!"

"You... I..." Chen Lindong's figure swayed, wanting to say something but unable to.

He only felt his face burning, as if all his clothes had been stripped off, and all his secrets were exposed under the sun.

"What, do you still want us to help you?" Han Ying sneered, preparing to take action.

"Hold on!"

Xiong Zengming, who reacted, had a gloomy face and lowly shouted, "Chen Wuji! What do you mean?"

"What do I mean?"

Chen Wuji was puzzled, "I just wanted the Xiong Gang leader to be a witness. Could it be that the Xiong Gang leader is unwilling..."

"That's enough!"

Xiong Zengming interrupted angrily, "Chen Wuji, stop pretending to be confused! At this time, what does it mean for you to exclude Chen Lindong? What do you want to do? Ah! Tell me, what do you want to do..."

"Do I even need to say it?"

Han Ying interjected, "Chen Lindong is no longer a member of our 'Hidden Dragon Gate.' If you want compensation, you naturally have to find him in person!"

"Right."

Saying that, Han Ying seemed to remember something, turned around, picked up a bag of broken plates from the corner, walked back, and placed it in front of Xiong Zengming and the others, clapping her hands, "The plates you left behind last time, not a single piece missing, they're all here. If you want to take them back, go ahead."

"..."

The atmosphere became tense and strange.

Han Ying, Duan Zhen, and Su Dayong held back and didn't let themselves laugh out loud.

Chen Lindong's head was dizzy, and his figure swayed.

Xiong Zengming's face gradually turned red, and the Xiong Gang members behind him were shocked and panicked, caught off guard.

Chen Wuji remained indifferent throughout.

"If the Xiong Gang leader really doesn't want to be a witness..."

"To hell with being a witness!"

With a roar, Xiong Zengming suddenly erupted, shouting, "Chen Wuji! If you dare to play me, I'll kill you!"

Boom!

Thanks to "虚空骆驼" for the 100 coins reward!

(End of this chapter)