Strategy was crucial in battles between friars and their pet beasts.
The many variants of spells include enhancements, attacks, and negation. When used effectively, situations where the seemingly weaker faction coming out on top was all too common.
Of course, in most cases, the friar’s blood contract cultivation and their pet beast’s level were still essential for victory.
Although Spell Negation was incredible, it wasn’t difficult to counter.
The opponent only had to cast more variants of enhancement spells to make it difficult for Spell Negation to lock onto a target. For example, when enhancement skills like Thirst for Blood, Berserk, Wind Blast, and others were active at once, using Spell Negation would be a waste. After all, the spirit energy consumption for Spell Negation was quite hefty.
All in all, this called for meticulous planning.
Those who possessed more spirit energy naturally had a greater advantage.
Looking up to check the time outside, Lin Jin planned to stop here. He still had to head to Mount Zoroku to teach Shang’er and the others later.
Just then, he heard a commotion outside his hall.
“Appraiser Jia, I heard that you’re here. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
As the voice spoke, someone entered the premises.
At a glance, this man was strikingly tall and donned exquisite clothing. He could be considered good-looking despite being slightly older. He should be about thirty years old but that just gave him an air of maturity.
Lin Jin didn’t know this guy and his surname wasn’t ‘Jia’ either.
From a corner, Jia Qian immediately came over and said, “Mr. Wu, I don’t take consultations anymore. You may seek out other beast appraisers from now on. There’s no need to come to me.”
Jia Qian?
Lin Jin was surprised to find out that Jia Qian was still here.
He had been too focused on researching spells earlier that he only had vague memories of Jia Qian showing up. What happened after that? After digging into his memories, Lin Jin remembered.
Jia Qian seemed to have said something about wanting to be affiliated with him and learn under his guidance.
Did he agree?
Lin Jin didn’t remember.
He felt countless alpacas racing through his mind. Come to think of it, although he didn’t hold a grudge against Jia Qian’s previous conduct, he didn’t plan on teaching her. However, he had been too focused on practicing spells today that he inexplicably agreed to it.
But after giving it further thought, he wasn’t that petty a man so why should he mull over something like this?
His student she is!
Jia Qian was currently talking to the other man.
“Appraiser Jia, you’re the Beast Appraisal Association’s number one apprentice so why would you need to learn under a mentor? Is something troubling you? You can tell me about it. I’ll definitely help out however I can,” that Mr. Wu said smilingly. It didn’t take a genius to figure out how the guy had ulterior motives.
And what was he seeking?
Jia Qian’s beauty, of course.
Having said that, he eyed Lin Jin before shaking his head. “This person is so young, I don’t think he’s even mature yet. What can you possibly learn from him? I heard that a new chief has taken office in the Beast Appraisal Association. Is that new chief giving you trouble? Don’t you worry, I will help you reclaim justice.”
Zhao Ying, Lu Xiaoyun, and Han Dong’s jaws were agape, wondering if this guy was an idiot and how dare he spout shameless nonsense here. Lin Jin was shaking his head helplessly, thinking, ‘If you want to chase skirts, go ahead, flaunt whatever capabilities you have. But do you have to go around biting other people like a mad dog? Those who tend to depreciate others to raise themselves never succeed.’
Jia Qian, of course, was pissed by the man’s attitude.
“Mr. Wu, please be mindful of your conduct. If there’s nothing else, please leave.”
Perhaps the man felt humiliated, his expression darkened at once. “Jia Qian, I, Wu Chenwei, am only trying to help you out of goodwill. Why do you have to reject me so? It’s been so long but you couldn’t pass the beast appraiser’s certification so it’s time you think about your future. I’m here to help you because I heard Wang Ji has fallen and you no longer have any support. You should know what’s good for you. Oh, right. I’m also here for a beast appraisal. I recently found a rare beast. Come and help me appraise it, and help me form a blood pact with it too.”
Having said that, he was about to take Jia Qian’s hand.
Jia Qian’s face was completely red with rage. However, she was aware of Wu Chenwei’s unique identity and influence within Maple City. Had it been before, she wouldn’t have feared him. But now that she had no one backing her up, she couldn’t simply offend him.
If she did, there would only be trouble in the future.
But all of a sudden, a hand reached out to grip Wu Chenwei’s wrist.
“Ouch, let go!” Wu Chenwei’s expression immediately faltered.
Surprisingly, the person who gripped his wrist was Lu Xiaoyun.
She despised injustice like poison and had a straightforward personality. She had always been this way and would continue to be. Although she wasn’t fond of Jia Qian, she couldn’t bear to watch her be coerced like this so she decided to give her a hand.
“This isn’t the place for you to do as you please. Now beat it!” Lu Xiaoyun simply flung his arm away and Wu Chenwei took a few steps back while holding onto his wrist.
Although Lu Xiaoyung was a girl and had a slim figure, her strength was above average. She had been learning martial arts and had received physical training with Lu Yunhe since a young age so an average man couldn’t even compete with her.
Wu Chenwei looked grim. The grace of a gentleman he had shown earlier was gone without a trace.
“Is this how your Beast Appraisal Association treats its customers?”
Wu Chenwei gritted his teeth. “Call your chief over. I’d like to have a word with them on how this establishment is abusing its authority and bullying its customers. Let me tell you. Things won’t just end like this.”
Perhaps he realized that staying here wouldn’t merit him in any way so after running his mouth for a bit, Wu Chenwei left with an irritated expression.
He was probably going to tell on them.
If he told the chief about this and turned the story around, things might get messy.
Jia Qian looked worried. This happened because of her after all, and it was causing Lin Jin and the others trouble. Surprisingly, Lu Xiaoyun didn’t seem to care.
“Jia Qian, since you’re affiliated with Master Lin, you’re one of us. We can bully you but everyone else cannot. Don’t you worry. Just let that Wu guy tell on us. I, Lu Xiaoyun, will take him on.”
Lin Jin shot her a worried look. “Xiaoyun, even if something happens, I’ll be the one to take care of it. I’ll be grateful if you don’t cause me any trouble.”
Lu Xiaoyun stuck her tongue out playfully and said nothing more.
Then, Lin Jin turned to Jia Qian. “But Xiaoyun is right. Since you’re now affiliated with me, you don’t have to worry about anyone bullying you. Even if something happens, I’ll shoulder it for you.”
That was a simple promise but it made tears well up in Jia Qian’s reddened eyes.
Lin Jin and the others later learned about Wu Chenwei’s identity from Jia Qian.
The man was a live-in son-in-law of one of Maple City’s three most prominent families, the Shi family. Back in the day, the Shi family was undoubtedly Maple City’s number one family. Even the Gao and Zu family had to be wary of them and tread carefully.
The Shi family had been dealing in medicine for generations, and that wasn’t the best part. They were most renowned for their ‘pelletization’ skills.
Not only were they unique in Maple City, but even in the entire Jade Dragon Kingdom, the Shi family was ranked highly in terms of pelletization. During the height of their prominence, even the City Lord Manor treated them respectfully and many nobles and prominent figures would frequently pay them visits.
However, several years ago, ever since the Shi family’s old master passed away, their family had been on a steady decline.
There had been no improvements in terms of pelletization skills because no one inherited Old Master Shi’s amazing skills after that.
In addition, the medical industry they were supposed to have a monopoly over was also gradually divided and conquered by the Chen family. Although they still dominated a significant portion of the market, everyone could tell that in a year or so, the Chen family would overtake them, seizing control of the medicine industry within Maple City.
The Shi family’s current patriarch, Shi Wenjun, was Wu Chenwei’s wife.
This became the source of Wu Chenwei’s confidence.
Still, he was a live-in son-in-law no matter what. When his father-in-law was still around, the man was obedient as a puppet. But when his father-in-law died, Wu Chenwei’s arrogance began to show itself. There were even rumors about him frolicking and engaging in lascivious activities with other women behind Shi Wenjun’s back.
“So he’s just living off a rich woman. And here I thought how capable of a man he was. If he dares to cause trouble again, I’ll just tell the Shi family’s patriarch on him,” Lu Xiaoyun commented.
Jia Qian smiled. “It won’t be that easy. Although Shi Wenjun’s a woman, she’s a fairly capable individual as well. Had it not been for her, the Shi family would have been worse off. Chances are, she already knows about Wu Chenwei’s indecent behaviors outside but she’s just turning a blind eye to it. If you really go looking for her, things might not turn out as you wished.”
“Still, there’s nothing to be afraid of. The Shi family’s glory days are over and they’re busy enough trying to save themselves. Anyway, if that Wu Chenwei ever falls into my hands, I guarantee he won’t get away unscathed.” Lu Xiaoyun was determined.
Lin Jin had been silent the entire time as if in deep thought. He was also mumbling to himself, “That’s odd. Why do I sense a familiar aura from that Wu Chenwei?”
After the longest time, Lin Jin finally got it.
It was the deer’s aura.
Lin Jin had scanned Wu Chenwei earlier with his spiritual eye and noticed how the man’s vigor was damaged. He had clearly broken off his blood contract not too long ago.
On average, it would take a couple of months to a year for someone to get into another blood pact after breaking off a blood contract. In other words, his showing up to request that Jia Qian help him form a blood contract was only an excuse to see her.
He’s incapable of forming a blood contract right now.
Lin Jin’s previous deduction led to the conclusion that it was the deer’s owner who abused it, which further fuelled his resentment for Wu Chenwei.
“Jia Qian, let me ask you something,” Lin Jin said in a serious manner.
Seeing the stern look on his face, Jia Qian immediately replied, “Ask away, Appraiser Lin.”
“Have you seen Wu Chenwei’s previous pet beast?” Lin Jin stared straight at Jia Qian. The latter shook her head and answered how Wu Chenwei would never bring his pet beast along whenever he went out so she had never seen it before.
Lin Jin nodded.
That should be the case. If Jia Qian had seen it before, being the first person to diagnose the deer, she could definitely recognize it.
This was interesting.
This Wu Chenwei refuses to reveal his pet beast and even abused the creature before breaking their blood pact, abandoning it to die outside. He was either a mental case or he had some unspeakable motive.
Due to his occupation, Lin Jin was naturally fond of beasts and despised those who mistreated their own pets. However, even if they could prove that it was Wu Chenwei who harmed the deer, they couldn’t report this to the authorities.
The authorities would never care for such cases.
Sure enough, that kept man, Wu Chenwei had gone to tell Tan Lin on them. After Tan Lin called Lin Jin over and understood his side of the story, her response was simply, “If that Wu guy shows up again, inform me. I’ll have someone kick him out.”
Lin Jin grinned. Now that was how Tan Lin took care of things.