Scum Of The Demonic Sect

Chapter Thirty-Five: A Courageous Man

Back in his stone chamber on the first floor of the market, Lin Haoming finally breathed a sigh of relief.

This operation was, in fact, extremely risky. If discovered, the resulting disaster would likely be difficult even for Xie Ruolan to withstand.

Of course, nothing unexpected happened. Looking at the talismanic treasure on his axe, Lin Haoming could already imagine himself receiving a reward from the sect.

With this trump card, Lin Haoming rested for two days before leaving the first floor of the market again.

This time, he didn't go to the lower two floors but went directly back to the Floating Pagoda Cave.

Two Qi Refining stage disciples guarded the entrance to the Floating Pagoda Cave.

The two men recognized Lin Haoming; after all, his killing of two managers was a major event in the Floating Pagoda Cave, especially since he had survived and even become the manager of a shop in the market – that made it even more legendary.

Ordinary people weren't allowed into the Floating Pagoda Cave, as it was a place for handling sect materials. However, Lin Haoming's token carried considerable power, and he simply showed it to the two men, granting them free passage.

Returning to this familiar place, Lin Haoming's feelings were completely different.

Now, even if Zhou Zhiye and Situ Ping appeared before him together, he felt no fear.

Having followed Xie Ruolan for so long, he had taken down many inner disciples far more powerful than them, so Lin Haoming's mindset had completely changed.

The Floating Pagoda Cave was still the same Floating Pagoda Cave, unchanged in appearance. Returning to his former residence, many scenes from when he first arrived flashed through his mind.

As Lin Haoming walked, he arrived at the familiar slaughterhouse. Even before entering, the familiar stench of blood filled the air.

Every day, dozens of pangolins were still being slaughtered here.

More than a year had passed since he left. Upon entering, Lin Haoming found that more than half of the people who had been there when he departed were still there, but some had left, replaced by new faces.

"Manager Lin!"

"Manager Lin!"

As Lin Haoming entered, some people recognized him and immediately greeted him.

Their eyes held a hint of awe and envy. After all, many had witnessed Lin Haoming's rise to power, and now, to them, he was an untouchable figure.

Lin Haoming looked at the crowd, a seemingly friendly smile on his face, but his gaze finally settled on Li Shuntian.

After he left, Bao Wenliang suffered a great misfortune, but unexpectedly, Li Shuntian remained unscathed. Although his cultivation was low and he wasn't yet in the position of the newly appointed manager, he was still the second-in-command here. Even when he came in earlier, he saw Li Shuntian sitting alone on a large rock, watching the others work.

"Senior Brother Lin!"

Upon seeing Lin Haoming, Li Shuntian immediately ran over, his face beaming with a smile, extremely respectful. However, the hint of fear in his eyes didn't escape Lin Haoming's notice.

"Junior Brother Li, I've been away for so long, why haven't you come to see me?" Lin Haoming asked deliberately, putting on airs. He knew that Li Shuntian had become Situ Ping's man after he disappeared, and Bao Wenliang had told him that Li Shuntian had even insulted him in front of others. Now, Li Shuntian was definitely afraid of retaliation.

"Isn't it because Junior Brother feels guilty? Senior Brother is now a high and mighty figure; Junior Brother is afraid he's not worthy of Senior Brother's attention!" Li Shuntian, despite his self-deprecation, still managed a forced smile, though it was somewhat awkward. Seeing his smile, Lin Haoming knew Li Shuntian was terrified. He was afraid Lin Haoming's return was to cause trouble. After all, Bao Wenliang worked under him, and everyone here probably knew. This kid had spoken ill of him in public before, and Bao Wenliang would definitely tell on it. Now that the real culprit had come, he wouldn't get away unscathed.

Lin Haoming looked at his fearful expression and smiled, saying, "Hehe, Junior Brother Li, do I look like that kind of person? I've been thinking of you. It's just that I'm temporarily leaving the sect and going to your old country. I thought of you and wanted to take you back to see your family!"

"This...this..."

Li Shuntian wanted to refuse, but noticing Lin Haoming's eyes fixed on him, the words stuck in his throat, and he couldn't bring himself to say them.

Li Shuntian didn't know why, but even after such a short time apart, Lin Haoming exerted so much pressure on him. Even when facing Situ Ping, he hadn't felt this kind of pressure.

Sweeping his divine sense over Lin Haoming, Li Shuntian was horrified to discover that in such a short time, Lin Haoming's cultivation had skyrocketed to the ninth level of the Qi Refining stage. He himself had been smug when he broke through to the seventh level not long ago, but now, compared to Lin Haoming, he was nothing.

"What? You're afraid Situ Ping won't release you? Don't worry, I'm taking you away; he won't dare refuse!" Lin Haoming said deliberately, seeing that Li Shuntian was speechless.

Hearing Lin Haoming's words, Li Shuntian understood that Lin Haoming had come specifically for him today and had no intention of letting him go.

"I'll do whatever you say, Senior Brother Lin!" Li Shuntian said helplessly, knowing that once he spoke, his life was in Lin Haoming's hands.

Seeing that he didn't refuse, Lin Haoming knew that this kid was a sensible person, understanding that refusing him wouldn't make a difference.

Sometimes, people like this are quite easy to manage; at least when they know they're no match for him, they behave obediently.

Lin Haoming wanted to take him away, so he simply informed Steward Ma, who immediately checked his name and took him away. As for Situ Ping, he didn't even show up.

Following behind Lin Haoming, as they exited the Floating Pagoda Cave, Li Shuntian suddenly knelt on the ground with a thud.

Lin Haoming looked at him kneeling before him, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He feigned surprise and asked, "Junior Brother Li, what do you mean by this?"

"Senior Brother Lin, I've endured hardship and humiliation in the Floating Pagoda Cave all these years, even saying many things against my conscience to save my life. I hope you, Senior Brother Lin, will forgive my past transgressions. I've always hoped to follow you, and now that we've left the Floating Pagoda Cave, I'm willing to swear a blood oath to obey you from now on!" Li Shuntian said, seemingly sincerely.

Lin Haoming hadn't expected this young man to be willing to swear a blood oath to save his life.

This blood oath is not something to be taken lightly. For a Qi Refining stage disciple, making a blood oath requires extremely strong conviction; otherwise, accidents can easily occur during the process.

In other words, for a Qi Refining stage disciple with a lower cultivation level, making a blood oath actually requires unwavering conviction; otherwise, the oath might backfire before it's even complete.

Lin Haoming could tell that Li Shuntian had made a great decision to do this. Perhaps he felt that bringing him out here wouldn't end well, so he hoped to save his life through this method.

In fact, a blood oath is a very effective way to control others, and Lin Haoming was happy to see him willing to make it.

Seeing that Lin Haoming remained silent, only looking at him, a resolute look flashed in Li Shuntian's eyes. He gritted his teeth, spat out a mouthful of blood essence, and then loudly proclaimed, "I, Li Shuntian, am willing to make this blood oath, to follow Senior Brother Lin Haoming from this day forward. If I have any disloyalty, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death!"