Dual Cultivation God Returns

Chapter 721  Loyalty is a two-way street

"The whole Silver Wing City's abuzz with the news. Not only did a Demonic Beast Wave form in a distant region, rushing toward that barren and desolate plateau, causing chaos on its way, but it disappeared with little traces. Some signs of battle is everything anyone could find", Old Yen excitedly rattled off the gossip and word-of-the-mouth that passed through the streets.

From his words it became also apparent that while people have been snooping around that plateau in search of a natural treasure, those were mostly rogue cultivators.

Thanks to that, Old Yen could leave and enter the city without causing suspicion.

Major forces didn't hold much hope to find anything there because it was obvious to them that the ones who vanquished the Demonic Beast Wave took hold of anything valuable there.

However, the existence of the natural treasure itself has been accepted as fact, since there is that Spiritual Qi spring that Wu Long created. Many people assume that was the place where the natural treasure grew for a long time, nourished by that invisible up to now, naturally formed concentration of Spiritual Qi. But while Old Yen was rattling off this information, as he looked at Wu Long's expression, his voice trailed off before completely stopping, as a drop of cold sweat dripped down the side of his face.

Wu Long sighed, inwardly grumbling 'I swear, he's good at almost everything, but sometimes reporting is definitely not his strongest suit. A bit of time away on a mission and he forgets to keep his reports clean. Honestly, at this point, his tendency of rambling on about any information even remotely related to the subject I'm asking about and getting sidetracked explaining some details, as well as delving into gossip is even admirable, in that it's so consistent'

Among the news Old Yen brought, he only needed a few key details, along with the fact that, as Wu Long expected, both the Crystal Wood Sect and Silver Wing City did everything they could to prevent what happened that day to spread.

There was quiet talk of course, but it was still mostly kept under wraps.

"Alright, what about your overall status?", he decided not to grill Old Yen about the flood-like stream of information, since he seemed to understand even without voicing it this time, and what Wu Long needed to hear was ultimately included.

"Yes, I was finally able to shed some of the scrutiny of being a newcomer and became somewhat 'local'. Though there's still a lot to be desired in terms of connections. This town's underground society is a lot more close-knit than I am used to, and even more suspicious to outsiders than I thought", Old Yen nodded.

This was something Wu Long expected, and what Old Yen would have to get used to from now on.

What mostly helped him this time was the flood of similar 'free-spirited opportunists without allegiance' and outright henchmen of outside forces coming into the continent and filling both the Iron Claw City and Silver Wing City. It not only overwhelmed the local underground community, as there were just too many newcomers to keep an eye on, but also lowered the wariness of locals toward those who came into the city before this wave of outsiders arrived, like Old Yen.

There was a rift between the outsiders, who came from more 'important' places than this 'countryside', and locals, that did not like that arrogant attitude one bit. So, Old Yen could and did take advantage of it to get closer to locals.

"As you've instructed, I stayed away from the City Manor. But I did learn who the City Lord is keeping around in the shady part of town as a hound on a leash. It turned out not to be the most powerful figure in the underworld of this town though"

"Not the most powerful…" Wu Long muttered putting a finger to his mouth in a thinking pose, and then turned back to Old Yen, "is the one ruling the backstreets equal to the City Lord then? One ruling the upside and the other ruling the shadows?", "Yes, exactly. The one ruling the backstreets is the Owner of the Obsidian Moon Parlor. They don't interfere in each other's business unless there's conflict, but like I said before, City Lord keeps a hound on that side, and the Obsidian Moon Parlor Owner keeps around a few on this one-…", Old Yen nodded, and enthusiastically spoke until he saw Wu Long's face, reading surprise on it for the first time in a while.

"Obsidian Moon Parlor? There's a branch of Obsidian Moon Palace here?", Wu Long's question told Old Yen that it was not an unfamiliar name, and as he expected, Fen Baihu in his peripheral vision was also taken by surprise.

"Indeed, they don't really show up, mostly operating lesser organizations to do their work. In fact, they seem particularly meticulous about being inconspicuous. There's not even people gossiping about them anywhere. Despite them being rulers of the underground community, I only learned that name very recently and it was treated as a sort of initiation into the ranks of locals. I also received a warning about speaking that name out loud", seeing their reactions Old Yen immediately recalled what little information he knew about them.

"I see…", Wu Long nodded with a pondering look.

'Just as I thought, the behavior he described fits the Obsidian Moon Palace's MO. I thought this region was supposed to be the territory of the Palace of Secrets… it certainly was so before Battle God's Cradle became a Fractured World, since Madam Liang had a connection with them', Wu Long recalled his conversation by the pond at night with Liang Yuhan back in the Fantian Kingdom mansion.

'The Three Divine Palaces, Four Pavilions and Seven Families of the Seven Boundless Worlds' underground community never share territory among palaces, pavilions, or families… unless they're fighting for it. It would make sense for one of pavilions or families to be here, but not another palace. Either this territory changed hands and is now under the Obsidian Moon Palace, or it is disputed between the two…', he narrowed his eyes.

"Go on", he then shook off questions that he did not have the ability to get answers to for now, and signaled Old Yen to continue.

"For my current affiliation, I of course made sure to keep it ambiguous, but got close with three small time organizations, by running small errands for them", Old Yen nodded.

He carefully navigated between two rival groups, using a neutral and slightly bigger group as a buffer to not get squeezed between them, while making himself useful, but not outstanding enough to be threatening in the eyes of all three. Posing as a 'lackey that is helpful to have around'. And after a bit, one of the rivals took the bait. They were the ones that shared some insider information about the city and crucially about the existence of the Obsidian Moon Parlor in a bid to lure him in to their side. Of course, they made this approach secretly since they hoped he would continue to pose being neutral 'free agent' while actually working for them.

"...while I did work for them, I've also took in about a dozen orphans from the slums under my wing", Old Yen nodded.

'As quick as ever…', a satisfied smile appeared on Wu Long's lips, '...really, apart from occasional long winded reports, he's really outstanding' n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Good work", he then noted and patted him on the shoulder, making Old Yen's eyes brighten up at the words that always followed if he worked hard. "Still, I'm surprised you managed to get your hands into slums… especially with the Obsidian Moon in the sky of this city's nighttown", he then expressed genuine surprise.

Life in the slums of big cities in the cultivation world was a cutthroat battle for survival. Old Yen wasn't the only one who thought of earning loyalty by giving someone who struggled in that dark place a chance.

On the contrary, slums and impoverished regions were always under the supervision of the underground community.

They were oftentimes intentionally created or expanded, and the living conditions there were artificially made harsher, since they were a breeding ground of those desperate enough to do dangerous work for the various groups of the underworld, just to escape that hell.

"Yes, it was a bit tricky, but the bigger group I mentioned before has a hand in operating the slums", Old Yen nodded as it wasn't easy to pull off for him either

"Just remember that I don't use the lizard's tail tactic to those who are truly loyal, and will not tolerate those following me using it either. Anyone you take in, you have to take responsibility for, and provide for, no throwaway pawns or pawns just to be used in general. We might not be kind and just people, and we might operate in our own interests, but there's no need to lower ourselves to the level of vile scum. Those who are loyal to us shall be treated as our own", Wu Long's tone was still calm and collected, but the sharp look in his eyes told Old Yen that those were not casual words.

It was a warning to not carelessly take in someone he could not protect as the one taking responsibility for them. And to treat those he did take in with sincerity. If Old Yen promised someone an opportunity, he had to deliver on that promise rather than using the desperation of those he made that promise to as means to manipulate them.

"Not to mention, it's in our own interests. Loyalty is a two-way street, those who are treated better at all times, even if they are in a weaker position, would be less swayed when faced with temptation to betray when they grow stronger", he then added in his usual honest manner.

After all, Wu Long didn't like acting like he didn't have a pragmatic reason for doing something when he took that reason into consideration.

It did not mean that his earlier sentiment was false, but rather, both reasons for this policy were his sincere thoughts.

"And...", Wu Long added as Old Yen was already opening his mouth to reply, "The same goes for allies"

Seeing Old Yen's surprised expression that was silently asking for a bit more explanation, he continued, "You're using those groups because they're also not sincere in their approach to you. You are simply mutually using each other. It is the same for how I am currently approaching the Three Pillars Sect or any group"

"From here on out we have to be even more careful with who we trust, and might need to cooperate with someone we don't trust. We might make alliances of convenience that last only limited time. We might approach someone with specific intentions while acting innocent, and outwardly work with enemies while working against them. It is not going to be pretty, there will be suspicion and scheming, and the need to exercise caution will only continue to rise", Wu Long didn't sugarcoat, blatantly laying out the reality of the road ahead of them.

 "But, don't ever forget in all that mud and dirt, that trust and sincerity do exist.  Do not let the harsh realities of such conditions cloud your judgement and make you see everything through one single lens. Keep an open mind. Strategy should be flexible enough to adapt to changes in situation, if a strategy cannot adapt it is not a strategy. If in the process, you do find a sincere ally or someone who could become one if treated right, make sure to take it into consideration when planning future moves. And if you're not sure you can always ask for my help in making a decision"

"Yes, Boss", Old Yen lowered his head, taking this instruction to heart while inwardly re-confirming his admiration for this man. Meanwhile, Hong Yue who was listening to the conversation from the side had a strange look in her eyes that reflected Wu Long's side profile.