Chapter 139: Chapter 102: Human Heart and Human Nature [Subscribe Please]_2

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Moreover, these Spirit Meals might not do much for increasing one’s cultivation level, but they seemed to have a great effect on replenishing Qi and enriching the blood. After consuming it, Zhou Chun felt a warmth throughout his body, showing signs of being over-nourished.

Liu Qingshan quickly realized this as well and promptly shook his head, saying, “No, no, you cannot eat any more. If you do, you’ll vomit blood!”

Then he proceeded to drink with Zhou Chun.

The pot of Golden Liquid Jade Dew Wine, worthy of a gift from a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator, was not only excellent in taste, but also more beneficial for promoting cultivation than the Spirit Meals. With one sip, Zhou Chun felt as if it equaled days of meditative cultivation.

They took turns, you a cup and I a cup, and in less than two hours, they had finished a pot of Spiritual Wine, both leaning back in their chairs, faces full of satisfaction.

Looking at the two who didn’t want to move, Liu Shiyun couldn’t help but shake her head. She could only clean up the leftovers on the table and then brewed another pot of Spiritual Tea to sober them up.

After finishing another pot of Spiritual Tea, Zhou Chun seemed to remember something and suddenly asked Liu Shiyun, “May I ask Miss Liu a question? The seniors from Green Lotus Temple who went to Yunzhou to slay the Dark Flood Dragon that day, did they succeed in killing the Dark Flood Dragon?”

Upon hearing his question, Liu Shiyun couldn’t help but shake her head, answering, “No. It’s said that the uncles had only managed to sever a tail and two claws of the Dark Flood Dragon before it escaped into the depths of Dragon Abyss Marsh.”

Continuing, she also couldn’t help but sigh, “Because neither of the Flood Dragons was slain successfully, several of my uncles were injured. This caused quite a stir within the sect. As a result, those uncles who took part in the dragon slaying were scolded and punished by the Temple Master!”

After finishing, she looked at Zhou Chun with a hint of apology, saying, “I intended to ask for some Flood Dragon flesh and blood for Taoist Friend Zhou, but my Master forbade me from approaching them now because they were chastised by the Temple Master.”

Zhou Chun, hearing her words, hurriedly gave a bow of thanks, replying, “Miss Liu’s kind intentions are well received. However, there’s no need for Miss Liu to worry about this matter anymore. Thanks to the reminder from Miss Liu, I have already acquired some Dragon Blood Spirit Items from Yunzhou, which are sufficient for my needs.”

After saying that, he also took the opportunity to reveal his real purpose for the visit.

“Actually, my visit to Taoist Friend Liu and Miss Liu this time is firstly to express my gratitude for Miss Liu’s previous message and secondly, to present a gift to Taoist Friend Liu.”

Zhou Chun said this and reached for the Storage Pouch at his waist, retrieving the account books of the new members of the Dragon Transformation Sect and explained their origin.

Of course, in his account, the death of the man in black was not at his hands but at the hands of the Clan Leader, Zhou Daoyi.

After all, slaying a Foundation Establishment while only at the Qi Refinement stage was a matter too astonishing. Neither Zhou Daoyi nor Zhou Chun himself wanted outsiders to know about it.

After hearing Zhou Chun’s words, Liu Shiyun repeatedly tried to decline, saying, “How could this be possible! For the great life-saving debt you have forgiven our father and daughter, we have yet to repay you. How can we greedy accept the credit that rightfully belongs to the Clan Leader of your family!”

Liu Qingshan also chimed in from the side, “Exactly, exactly. Shiyun is now an Inner Sect Disciple of the Green Lotus Temple, and such credit is merely icing on the cake for her. Taoist Friend Zhou, there really is no need for you to do this.”

Seeing this, Zhou Chun could only clarify, “Things are not as simple as both of you think. The matter involves major powers like the Dragon Transformation Sect and the Green Lotus Temple. It’s not something our small family can meddle in. Therefore, our Zhou Family absolutely cannot be the ones to present this information to the Green Lotus Temple.”

Hearing this, Liu Qingshan immediately expressed concern, saying, “Wouldn’t Miss Liu draw the attention of the Dragon Transformation Sect if she hands over this information?”

Zhou Chun, firm in his conviction, replied, “Definitely not. Miss Liu is currently only at the eighth level of the Qi Refinement stage and has never left the Green Lotus Mountain Range. Even if the Dragon Transformation Sect learns that she handed over the items, they wouldn’t believe she was the one who killed the Black Dragon Envoy.”

He continued to say, “Moreover, as an Inner Sect Disciple of the Green Lotus Temple, the Green Lotus Temple will surely keep it confidential for her!”

“Then this matter should be handled by my Master. I will take it to my Master, explain its origin, and see what he has to say.”

Liu Shiyun, after a moment of thought, shared her own opinion.

Zhou Chun, surprised by her response, glanced at her and then nodded, “That sounds good.”

So, Liu Shiyun immediately took the items and left the residence to meet with her Master on the mountain.

After Liu Shiyun departed, Zhou Chun looked meaningfully at Liu Qingshan, remarking, “Miss Liu is astute and has a penetrating insight. Taoist Friend Liu can look forward to peaceful days ahead!”

He had realized from Liu Shiyun’s words that she might have understood the true intention of his visit.

So, by directly taking the matter to her Master, she was helping him to connect the dots.

Liu Qingshan, an experienced person in the ways of the world, caught on after Zhou Chun’s hint.

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He wore a bitter smile as his expression shifted and said to Zhou Chun, “Previously, Liu was slow-witted, consumed with worry for Shiyun’s safety, and failed to grasp Taoist Friend Zhou’s intentions.”

“Taoist Friend Liu’s concern for his beloved daughter is only natural.”

Zhou Chun shook his head slightly, signaling that he hadn’t taken it to heart.

But now Liu Qingshan seemed to have made up his mind, and soon looked at him with determination, saying, “Regardless, since Shiyun can be of assistance to Taoist Friend Zhou, Liu will definitely have her do her utmost to help you!”

The debt of a saved life, repaid sooner, is naturally better repaid sooner.

Otherwise, in the future, whether the father and daughter’s cultivation level and status rise or Zhou Chun’s does, the cost of repaying the favor won’t be as small as it is now.

This isn’t to say Liu Qingshan is a bad person, always thinking about quickly repaying the debt of gratitude to sever ties.

It’s that no one likes to remain indebted, and they fear that someone will use that debt to force them to do something against their will in the future.

Hence, Zhou Chun, although he had perceived Liu Qingshan’s thoughts and plans, took no offense. On the contrary, he admired the other’s character for being grateful and wanting to repay kindness.

This world has no shortage of ungrateful people!

The fact that Liu Qingshan and his daughter were still willing to repay their debts after rising to prominence spoke of significant moral conscience.

Moreover, Zhou Chun knew well that asking for help based on kindness is far less effective than seeking help based on interest.

Running around repaying a moral debt is draining for anyone. Whether they can persist depends entirely on their personal ethics.

But if they toil for their own benefit, no matter how hard it is, people feel pleased and satisfied, enduring any hardship with gritted teeth.

Human nature cannot withstand such tests!

Zhou Chun didn’t wish to use morality to test human nature.

A bond based on mutual benefit was more reliable and solid!

After waiting for about two hours with Liu Qingshan, Zhou Chun finally saw Liu Shiyun’s return.

“My master said she has accepted the things, and after a while, she will take Shiyun to visit the Zhou Family and express gratitude to the Supreme Elder for the gift from this time.”

In the living room, Liu Shiyun cheerfully relayed the outcome of her visit.

It was clear that she understood the significance of what her master was doing.

Upon hearing her words, Zhou Chun was also pleased and immediately said, “Then please convey to your esteemed master that the Zhou Family will clean the mats to welcome the honored guests.”

“Rest assured, Taoist Friend Zhou, I will definitely pass on your words,” Liu Shiyun nodded and agreed without hesitation.

Seeing this, Zhou Chun gave the Liu father and daughter a deep look, then spoke earnestly, “I must thank Miss Liu for this matter. In the future, there’s no need for you both to always think of me as some benefactor. It would be better if we simply treat each other as friends on the Taoist path.”

As he reached this point, regardless of how the expressions of the Liu father and daughter changed, he immediately cupped his hands together and said, “I have completed my mission and there are still many affairs to attend to back at the family, so I won’t trouble you both any longer.”

“I, I will see off Taoist Friend Zhou.”

Liu Shiyun opened her mouth as if to speak, but in the end, she couldn’t bring herself to utter words of retention.

Even though she was sharp-witted, she was, after all, not thick-skinned.

Now that Zhou Chun had almost pointedly revealed the thoughts of the father and daughter, she felt ashamed and could no longer find it within herself to ask him to stay.