“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Zhang Zhi kept Nouveau Riche and his cultivation level returned to Intermediate Qi Refining.
Han Ling’er regained her senses from her shock. She might be curious but she dared not ask since Zhang Zhi must have his reason to conceal his cultivation level and flying sword’s tier.
In the end, Han Ling’er switched her attention to the dead Ma Brothers. If it was not for Zhang Zhi, she would be the one laying down there. She said emotionally, “Zhang Zhi, I did not expect you to be this strong.”
“Haha, it’s just killing people.”
Zhang Zhi laughed confidently but he suddenly turned around and threw up.
It was the first time Zhang Zhi killed someone. He already felt sick when he killed Big Brother Ma but he managed to hold his urge back because of the tension.
Now, after the dust had settled, his rumbling stomach caused him to throw up badly.
Han Ling’er felt bad for him. She put her hand on his back and tried to ease the sickness.
“When I first killed during my mission, I felt sick for a long time but if you look at it as the necessary evil, it won’t feel that bad.”
The cultivation world was a harsh one. If he refused to kill, others would kill him instead, he had to learn how to be strong.
Of course, it did not mean he was weak, it was actually common since a lot of people would throw up when they first saw a gory scene. He would get used to it once he got more exposure to blood and gore.
After a while later, Zhang Zhi thought of something. “Hold on a minute.”
Han Ling’er saw Zhang Zhi hold his urge back and looted the magic pouches from the two dead bodies. She found it confusing.
Zhang Zhi retched for a moment again before he said with a smile, “Here are the spoils. We’ll share it.”
Han Ling’er was speechless for a moment. As expected of a scrooge, no matter how sick Zhang Zhi felt, he ought to take the pouches from the enemy, but when she saw him giving her one, she shook her head.
“They are your kills, I don’t want them.”
Zhang Zhi thought about it and said, “If you didn’t stall the little brother, I won’t be that lucky to kill the two of them.”
He stuffed one of the pouches to her and said, “Well then, I’m going back. Bye.”
When he walked past Second Brother Ma, he picked up the broken shield. Even though it was broken, defensive artifacts were rare and if he could gain shield restoration skills in the future, he might be able to sell it for a good price.
As Zhang Zhi walked away happily, Han Ling’er suddenly realized that she knew almost nothing about the guy.
However, she quickly regained her senses and realized the situation. Invaders from the Blood God Cult came to Lingtai Sect’s territory at this sensitive timing, something must be happening in the dark and she must report this encounter to her superiors.
She absorbed the two bodies into her magic pouch and flew away on her sword.
On the second day, Zhang Zhi woke up slightly late but he opened shop as usual.
The moment he opened the door, he saw Han Ling’er.
“Immortal Han, why are you here again?”
After what happened last night, the two of them got closer and she even found out some of Zhang Zhi’s secrets like his epic-tier artifact and Foundation Building cultivation level.
However, she was still embarrassed when he talked to her. “There are a lot of damaged flying swords in the storeroom, I brought another three today.”
“Thank you for giving me business. I’ll take your swords first,” Zhang Zhi said as he took the sword from her.
Zhang Zhi thought that restoring three flying swords would not take too long, otherwise given Han Ling’er’s soft personality, she would wait in the blacksmith for a whole day again.
Han Ling’er shook her hand. “You don’t need to, they are here first. I can wait for my turn later, it’s fine.”
She felt a little happy because Zhang Zhi was concerned about her.
It was then several other female cultivators who looked rather beautiful expressed their dissatisfaction.
“Owner Zhang, I’ve been waiting for a whole morning, why are you allowing her to cut the line?”
“I only have one flying sword for restoration, I’ll leave after it’s done and it won’t take you a lot of time.”
“Yeah, we will follow the rules, unlike someone…”
Han Ling’er blushed when the other female cultivators ridiculed her. Just before she could say anything, Zhang Zhi forcefully took the magic pouch from her.
“Rules? What rules?” Zhang Zhi looked at the few of them and he saw their faces turn pale.
The female cultivators were persistent.
“The rule of first come first served!”
“Owner Zhang, aren’t you a man of principle, how can you treat us like that? I’ve admired you for so long!”
“This is my place and I make the rules and my principles are mine to follow.”
He was his own boss and not their employee, he had the right to choose his customers, so there was no need for him to feel guilty because of people’s comments. If others disliked his way of doing things, they could leave and he would enjoy some free time.
Moreover, Han Ling’er was his only friend in the cultivation world, if he could not even give her the convenience, he was not worthy of calling her a friend.
Zhang Zhi savagely silenced the girls and went to the rear to start his job.
The female cultivators were irritated by his savageness but they were here for his service, therefore they could not do anything to him.
As for the other cultivators, they looked at Han Ling’er with a curious gaze.
Zhang Zhi never bent his rules for anyone since he opened the shop but now, it seemed like he bent his own rules for Han Ling’er and granted her rear access. This would probably be the first for anyone.
Han Ling’er felt guilty when she noticed the unusual gaze on her but deep inside, she felt happy.
‘Hmph! Yeah, I’m that close with Zhang Zhi! Speaking of which, Zhang Zhi was so manly just now…’
Since Zhang Zhi had started his smithing trance, Han Ling’er had to wait outside. She got bored while waiting and she noticed the blacksmith had started to get dusty.
Maybe Zhang Zhi got so busy with his smithing and did not have time to clean the place.
She grabbed the broom and started cleaning up.
A lot of the cultivators in the blacksmith were shocked by what she did.
“What the heck? The top 10 Senior Sister Ling’er is cleaning the blacksmith for Zhang Zhi?”
If Zhang Zhi granted her exclusive convenience, it might be because Zhang Zhi wanted to gain her favor, but she did not have to lower herself to sweep the floor.
The male cultivators could not bear with the scene, some of them thought it was a good chance to flatter her.
They got to her and said, “Senior Sister Ling’er, let us help!”
“It’s fine, I can do it myself.” Han Ling’er rejected their offer but the cultivators took the broom from her nonetheless.
Several of them even fought for the broom as if it was some kind of treasure.
Zhang Zhi got distracted by the little commotion outside. He turned around and saw the few of them got tangled up together.
He bellowed, “if you people want to fight, please leave!”
Zhang Zhi’s bellow petrified them. Even though Zhang Zhi had the lowest cultivation level, no one dared to argue with him.
Han Ling’er looked at Zhang Zhi apologetically. “I’m sorry Zhang Zhi, it’s my fault.”
Zhang Zhi noticed the few of them were actually fighting for the broom and immediately knew what happened. He said, “You don’t need to do anything.”
“Okay.” Han Ling’er thought Zhang Zhi blamed her and felt bad, but Zhang Zhi did not notice her change of emotion and continued his work.
A while later, Zhang Zhi was done with Han Ling’er’s swords. He took it out for her, “They are done.”
Han Ling’er took the swords with a bitter look.
Zhang Zhi realized the situation when he finally got a clear look on her face. She must have thought that he was scolding her earlier.
He said, “I didn’t mean to blame you, I’m just thinking that you shouldn’t be doing this to help me.”
Aggrieved, Han Ling’er said, “You took good care of me, so I really wanted to help you…”
Han Ling’er had an honest personality and it was the reason why Zhang Zhi befriended her.
He wanted to say no but he suddenly thought of something. “Immortal Han, I actually do have something that you can help me with.”
Han Ling’er’s eyes glowed. “Really? I’ll do anything, I’ll climb the highest mountain and swim the deepest sea! I’ll do it for you!”
Zhang Zhi was good to her, so she was eager to repay him.
“Uh…It’s not that serious. I’m trying to hire an employee, I’m thinking that since your social circle is bigger, I want you to introduce someone with a good personality to work here.”
Before Han Ling’er could say anything, the other cultivators jumped in.
Their eyes glowed passionately when they heard it and a lot of them raised their hands.
“Owner Zhang! You are hiring? What about me?”
“Owner Zhang, I’m ready to follow you and do everything you tell me!”
A bunch of low-level cultivators voluntarily offered themselves. They looked like they were ready to call Zhang Zhi their daddy if he wanted it.
The higher level cultivators were a bit intrigued but they were able to hold their urge back. After all, as someone more powerful, they had the pride of the strong. Even if the blacksmith provided a handsome benefit, they would never lower themselves to work for a Qi Refining blacksmith.
As for the lower level cultivators, they were hopeless in achieving higher ranks, so if they were able to get some benefit from the blacksmith, they would be happy enough.
Zhang Zhi rolled his eyes white at the low-level cultivators who tried to flatter him. He was never in a hurry to recruit someone because he was afraid that people with ulterior intentions might try to take advantage of him.
Business in the blacksmith was great and its employee would certainly gain a lot from the customers.
Zhang Zhi did not care about the cultivators who offered themselves since he did not know them and did not want to know them. He only trusted Han Ling’er.
Han Ling’er was in deep thought. She might have a wider social circle but those with good personalities would never come to work for a blacksmith; she could never introduce those with poor personalities because it would only give Zhang Zhi trouble.
She frowned and he smiled.
“If you don’t have anyone in mind, that’s fine.”
Zhang Zhi wanted to return to his work.
Han Ling’er then called him. “Zhang Zhi, I do have someone in mind.”
Zhang Zhi was a little excited. After all, if the recruitment was successful, he would be able to complete the system mission. He asked, “Who is it?”
Han Ling’er cutely bit her tongue and pointed at herself.
All the cultivators present were stunned and realized what happened. They were devastated.
“Huh?! Are you joking? Senior Sister Ling’er is going to work for the blacksmith?”
“An expert of Late Foundation Building, the top 10 disciples of the sect lowering herself to work for a blacksmith?”
“Hey, slap me! I must be dreaming!”
…
A lot of cultivators were devastated by what Han Ling’er said, even Zhang Zhi was stunned for quite a while.
He then said, “Immortal Han, you must be joking.”
“I’m not! Are you worried about what I can do? Don’t let my looks fool you, I can do every filthy job around here…” Han Ling’er was anxious to prove herself.
She then said with a bitter tone, “Or… Is it because of my personality? I am not fit to work here?”
Han Ling’er wanted to work in the blacksmith because she wanted to repay Zhang Zhi for taking care of her. Even though Han Ling’er had a great personality, she was a popular figure in Lingtai Sect, and making her an employee would certainly attract hatred from all over the sect.
Even the cultivators present at the blacksmith started to hate Zhang Zhi, let alone the others in the sect. If Zhang Zhi really accepted Han Ling’er’s offer, it would be insulting everyone’s goddess, they would surely beat him up!
However, Zhang Zhi did not take the threats seriously. He thought about it before saying, “Okay, but let me tell you about the benefits and job scope first. If you cannot accept it, you don’t have to force yourself.”