The paths were cleaner. The buildings were sturdier. Even the air felt different—less stale, less heavy with exhaustion.
Li Ren walked beside Zhou Ke along a narrow stone path. Mei Lin trailed several steps behind, carrying a small bundle of tools to make their presence look more natural.
Servants occasionally entered the outer grounds for errands. As long as they didn’t wander too far, no one paid much attention.
Still, the atmosphere here was different.
Servants in the courtyard worried about food and punishment.
Outer disciples worried about status, resources, and advancement.
And where resources were involved…
Debts followed.
Zhou Ke stopped near a small training field.
Several outer disciples were gathered there, either sparring or meditating. The sound of clashing wooden swords echoed through the air.
“There,” Zhou Ke said quietly.
Li Ren followed his gaze.
Gao Ming stood near the edge of the field, talking loudly to two other disciples. He looked much the same as before—confident, slightly arrogant, and completely at ease.
But Li Ren saw something different.
Above Gao Ming’s head, the text flickered into view.
Target: Gao Ming
Debt: Owed share of hunting reward
Creditor: Zhou Ke
Total: 30 spirit stones equivalent
Status: Overdue
The number felt heavier than the servant debts.
Not overwhelming like the steward’s, but solid. Dense. Valuable.
Li Ren could almost feel the weight of it pressing against his senses.
He exhaled slowly.
Thirty stones. Enough to move me forward a whole stage if handled correctly.
Zhou Ke crossed his arms.
“That’s him.”
Li Ren studied Gao Ming for a few seconds.
“Tell me something,” he said. “If this becomes public, what happens?”
Zhou Ke frowned. “Depends. If the elders believe me, he’ll be punished. But without proof, I’ll just look like I’m stirring trouble.”
“So you’d rather settle it quietly.”
“Yes.”
That suited Li Ren just fine.
Quiet collections were always the cleanest.
Gao Ming noticed them after a moment.
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His eyes narrowed when he saw Li Ren.
“You again?” he said, stepping forward. “What are you doing in the outer grounds?”
Li Ren didn’t react.
Zhou Ke spoke first. “We need to talk.”
Gao Ming snorted.
“I already told you. You’re not getting a single stone.”
Li Ren stepped forward.
“That’s not how debts work.”
Gao Ming’s eyes flicked to him.
“And since when do servants lecture outer disciples?”
Li Ren met his gaze calmly.
“Since the debt became overdue.”
The air between them grew tense.
The two disciples behind Gao Ming watched with interest.
“Overdue?” Gao Ming repeated. “What nonsense are you—”
Before he could finish, the system stirred.
Lawful Collection Opportunity Detected
Major Debt: Gao Ming → Zhou Ke
Value: 30 spirit stones equivalent
Li Ren stepped closer.
“You owe Zhou Ke thirty spirit stones,” he said quietly. “It’s time to settle it.”
Gao Ming laughed.
“Or what? You’ll slap me again?”
But the moment he said it, his expression shifted.
A faint pressure settled over his chest.
Not painful.
Just… uncomfortable.
He frowned.
“What is this feeling?”
Li Ren didn’t answer.
He simply focused on the system.
Debt Collection Initiated: Gao Ming
Available Collateral:
-
Qi reserves
-
Weapon technique fragment
-
3 years lifespan
Gao Ming’s eyes widened slightly.
“What are you doing?” he demanded.
The pressure grew stronger.
He tried to circulate his qi.
It moved sluggishly, as if weighed down by something invisible.
“You… you again…” he muttered, remembering the last time.
Li Ren spoke calmly.
“Thirty spirit stones,” he said. “You can pay in stones, techniques, or cultivation. Your choice.”
The two disciples behind Gao Ming exchanged uneasy glances.
“What is he talking about?” one whispered.
Gao Ming’s jaw tightened.
“You think you can threaten me in my own territory?”
Killing intent flickered in his eyes.
The moment it did, his meridians spasmed.
He coughed, stumbling back a step.
The pressure on his chest doubled.
“What—”
Lawful Collection in Progress
Karmic Protection Active
Li Ren’s expression didn’t change.
“You can’t attack me while the debt stands,” he said. “That’s how karmic law works.”
Gao Ming’s breathing grew heavier.
He didn’t understand what was happening.
But he knew one thing.
This servant was dangerous.
Zhou Ke watched the scene with wide eyes.
He hadn’t expected it to escalate so quickly.
Gao Ming clenched his fists.
“…Fine,” he said through gritted teeth. “I’ll pay.”
The pressure didn’t disappear.
“How?” Li Ren asked.
Gao Ming reached into his robe and pulled out a small pouch.
He tossed it at Zhou Ke.
Inside were spirit stones—dull, faintly glowing crystals.
Zhou Ke opened the pouch and counted quickly.
“Twenty-five,” he said. “You still owe five.”
Gao Ming’s face darkened.
“That’s all I have on me.”
Li Ren watched him carefully.
The system confirmed it.
Direct Payment Detected: 25 spirit stones
Remaining Debt: 5 spirit stones equivalent
“Then we settle the rest through collateral,” Li Ren said.
Gao Ming’s eyes flashed with anger.
But he didn’t attack.
He couldn’t.
Li Ren focused on the system.
Partial Collection Initiated
Remaining Value: 5 spirit stones equivalent
Selected Collateral: Minor qi reserve
A golden chain appeared, linking them.
Gao Ming staggered.
His aura flickered slightly as a portion of his qi drained away.
Warm energy flowed into Li Ren.
Collection Successful
Debt Qi Gained: +20
The pressure vanished.
The chain disappeared.
Gao Ming took a deep breath, the tension in his chest finally gone.
“It’s settled,” Li Ren said.
Zhou Ke looked at the pouch in his hand.
For the first time in weeks, his shoulders relaxed.
“…Thank you,” he said quietly.
Li Ren shrugged.
“Five stones,” he reminded him.
Zhou Ke nodded and handed him a smaller pouch.
Inside were five spirit stones.
Li Ren felt the faint energy within them.
Solid.
Useful.
Real.
As they turned to leave, the two observing disciples watched them with uneasy expressions.
“Who is that servant?” one whispered.
“I don’t know,” the other replied. “But I’m not borrowing anything from him.”
Back on the path to the servant courtyard, Mei Lin spoke.
“That went smoother than I expected,” she said.
Li Ren nodded.
“Outer disciples care about their cultivation. The pressure was enough.”
Zhou Ke walked beside them in silence for a while.
Then he said, “If you ever need information about the outer grounds… I can provide it.”
Li Ren glanced at him.
“Consider that part of the transaction?” he asked.
Zhou Ke gave a faint nod.