The Happy Farmer Wanderer-Chapter 892: The Issue of Distribution

Facing Jing Yan’s slightly dangerous gaze, Wu Shan shrunk his neck, which appeared extra long due to his disproportionately small head, and said with a sheepish smile, "Miss... no, senior, what you said is absolutely right, it’s not easy for someone with my strength to find this thing."

"But my master left me some books on identifying these special artifacts, and I can recognize them by simply looking at the pictures. As my lifespan is nearing its end, I had no choice but to travel far and wide, using the Technique of Auras to specifically search for such treasures."

"However, finding this spring was purely coincidental. I was passing by a village called Five Springs recently, and what actually caught my attention was the dense Spiritual Energy swirling in the mountains, much more intense than its surroundings. I originally planned to rest for a while and use some treasures I had saved up to try and succeed in Foundation Establishment here, but unexpectedly, I stumbled upon this. At that time, I was truly thrilled."

"I’m really not lying at all, not a single word is false."

"So, you mean to say that you are the fated person that the Tree King was waiting for?" Li Qing asked with a smile.

Wu Shan waved his hands repeatedly, "Not at all, the Hundred Trees Spirit Spring wasn’t purposely waiting for a fated person. Before the Hundred Trees Essence is used by the Tree King, anyone who discovers it is the fated person."

"He’s not wrong, the Tree King isn’t lying in wait for any particular person," Jing Yan said with a smile, and glanced at Huan Ling Ji, "What do you plan to do with this spring now?"

"Of course, senior will not be left out, or else senior can make a decision..." Huan Ling Ji said.

"Me, make a decision?" Jing Yan shook her head, "My husband asked me to come just in case something unexpected happened. However, I do need some Hundred Trees Essence to strengthen my position. If it’s convenient to offer me some, I will take it. If not, I’m willing to make an exchange."

Huan Ling Ji suddenly stood up straight with her chest so proudly arched it was almost startling, and lifted her head to say, "Senior, why don’t you just kill me instead?"

"An exchange is not acceptable?" Jing Yan’s smile faded slightly.

"No, how could that not be acceptable? I mean to say, if senior wants it, absolutely no one will stop you," Huan Ling Ji hurriedly explained, "When you talk about making an exchange, that’s really humbling me. Even if I wanted to stop you, I... I wouldn’t dare!"

"Before I came, the director’s intention was that those who find it get a share, with the premise of ensuring that the Hundred Trees Essence doesn’t disappear, we three factions will divide it up. Oh, and also this little old man, he’s the discoverer, and the director has agreed to his terms, but with a time limit of six months."

Upon hearing the term "little old man," Wu Shan’s expression instantly soured.

Sure enough, if you’re not part of the family, you don’t get through the door; listen to how they talk.

But once he heard that he could divide it over six months, his spirits lifted again.

The existence of Hundred Trees Spirit Spring wasn’t going to last long, at most about a year. Being able to get a share for six months was already better than he had imagined. Unless a powerful figure forcibly locked down the Tree King, forcing it to provide Essence over a long term, this period might extend to three to five years, but there were few on earth capable of this feat.

"Which three factions?" Jing Yan asked.

Huan Ling Ji pointed at Li Qing and said, "Naturally, it includes us three. Qingzi’s identity is quite special; he is connected to all three sides. Before someone else comes from Nine Truth Palace, he’ll be considered as part of the Nine Truth Palace for now. I represent the Ninth Bureau, and you, senior, represent yourself."

"This way, it seems like I’m gaining an advantage again," Li Qing said with a laugh.

"You rascal..." Huan Ling Ji’s eyes shimmered with a seductive light, and her habitual phrase almost slipped out again. However, she glanced at Jing Yan and stopped herself in time, clearing her throat and said seriously, "There’s no helping it then, since Qingzi you were also one of the first to discover it. The bureau will definitely not short-change you, and Nine Truth Palace will not leave you out either; you deserve it."

"Then I will not divide any for my husband," Jing Yan teased on purpose.

She rarely spoke in such a manner; it was probably because she found Li Qing’s current situation genuinely interesting that she made the remark.

"Mine will go to Yan’er, this is a small matter," Li Qing laughed.

"Then let’s divide it up in that order; we’ll first collect a portion of White Tree Spring Water," Huan Ling Ji forcefully interrupted the chatter that was about to start between Li Qing and Jing Yan, and spoke earnestly.

"Are you guys ignoring me again..." Zi Ling puffed up her cheeks like a goldfish, upset and said.

"We agreed that those who find it get a share; am I not visible to you people?"

"You’re like me, a member of the Ninth Bureau. As a discoverer, you definitely get a share, how could you be left out?" Huan Ling Ji said with a smile, "However, your sect can’t be included anymore; we can’t divide it any further. Otherwise, there’s really not enough spring water to go around."

"But, I can make some accommodations, give Qingzi a bit more, and you can distribute it later. As discoverers, the two of you do have certain privileges, but only this time."

"Ah, you people, that’s too much; why can Nine Truth Palace be included, and my sect cannot?" Zi Ling complained in dissatisfaction, her eyes widening in exasperation.

"This..." Huan Ling Ji was also somewhat troubled, "Your Sect has nearly become a complete part of the Ninth Bureau. If we’re to count it separately, it wouldn’t be fair to the other members and forces of the Ninth Bureau."

"With the small amount of essence we have right now, if everyone starts fighting over it, we won’t be able to handle the situation."

"I’m giving a bit more to Qingzi, which is the most I can offer within my authority. Previously, with the thin Spiritual Energy, treasures like these only existed in certain special places, we hadn’t encountered similar precedents. But the current scheme set by the bureau is to reward only the discoverers, along with some additional benefits; Sect affiliations are not considered."

"But why does Nine Truth Palace get a part?" Zi Ling continued to grumble, still looking dissatisfied.

"Zi Ling, this is the difference between the strong and the weak. The bureau doesn’t have a choice; Nine Truth Palace is different from other sects. Going forward, we will need Nine Truth Palace’s power to protect this place," Huan Ling Ji explained with slight distress, "While I know this seems somewhat unfair to you, in this matter, Nine Truth Palace is an exception that the bureau has made and cannot be viewed with common logic."

"If you had made that clear sooner, I would have accepted it. If we were the special case that gets nothing, that would be hard for me to accept. With three people from one sect, there could be reasons why we seem less valued," Zi Ling mumbled sulkily.

Li Qing gently wrapped his arm around her waist, "Rest assured, whether it’s me or the bureau, we will definitely not short-change you."

He could completely understand the Ninth Bureau’s approach.

The present situation was likely the first of its kind, but once a precedent like this was set, it would undoubtedly complicate future situations for the Ninth Bureau.