SPMT : Chapter 50: Fined

Due to the urgency of Mu Shuyu’s wedding, Xiao Jingting and the others entered the jungle early.

Xiao Jingting had previously traversed the jungle, but only around the periphery. Now, venturing deeper, he couldn’t help but feel excited.

Xiao Jin Feng led the way, Xiao Jingting followed in the middle, and Xu Mu’an followed behind, keeping careful watch.

“We’re almost there, be careful,” Xiao Jin Feng said.

Xiao Jingting nodded. “Okay! I heard that precious herbs often grow near the lairs of demonic beasts.”

Xiao Jin Feng nodded in agreement. “Indeed.”

“We’re here.” Xiao Jin Feng leaped onto a tree to observe the surroundings.

“Let those bamboo rats out,” Xiao Jin Feng observed.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingting released several large bamboo rats.

As soon as the rats were released, they scattered and ran away.

Xiao Jingting and the others held their breath, observing the situation.

After a while, a demonic beast, two meters in length, covered in black fur with a horn on its head, emerged.

The Windchaser Beast cautiously circled around. Seeing the majestic beast, Xiao Jingting’s heart pounded.

Not only was the Windchaser Beast extremely agile, but also highly vigilant. Before entering the jungle, Xiao Jin Feng sprayed them with a concoction specifically designed to mask their scent from the Windchaser Beast’s keen senses. Otherwise, they might have been detected by now.

After a while, without noticing anything suspicious, the Windchaser Beast charged out and caught one of the bamboo rats, crunching it loudly.

Although the bamboo rats scattered upon release, the Windchaser Beast’s tracking ability was formidable, and none of them managed to escape.

Having eaten its fill, the Windchaser Beast leisurely returned.

“Brother, when should we make our move?” Xiao Jingting communicated with Xiao Jin Feng.

“The effects of the medicine will take another half an hour to fully take effect. Let’s wait a while longer before we act,” Xiao Jin Feng said.

Xiao Jingting nodded, trusting Xiao Jin Feng’s decision.

With patience, Xiao Jingting waited for a few more hours. Upon Xiao Jin Feng’s command, they descended from the tree.

Carefully, they entered the Windchaser Beast’s cave. The beast had been dozing inside, but upon sensing intruders, it immediately let out a roar.

Xiao Jingting first summoned countless vines to restrict the Windchaser Beast’s movements.

The Windchaser Beast swiped at the vines, tearing apart Xiao Jingting’s conjured vines. Xu Mu’an took advantage of the distraction caused by the Windchaser Beast’s struggle against the vines and launched his sleeve arrows. Xu Mu’an retrieved the lost sleeve arrow, which had been reforged, and now had much greater power.

Even though it was poisoned, the Windchaser Beast’s movements were still swift. Out of six sleeve arrows, four missed their mark.

Xiao Jin Feng conjured a fireball, igniting the black fur of the Windchaser Beast. Most beasts feared fire, and the Windchaser Beast was no exception. As its fur caught fire, the beast let out a pained cry and rolled on the ground.

Xiao Jin Feng and Xu Mu’an intensified their flame attacks. Xiao Jin Feng wielded a giant seal, smashing it fiercely onto the Windchaser Beast’s head.

Curious about the seal Xiao Jin Feng used, Xiao Jingting observed it. It was called the Python Seal, soaked in the blood of several sixth-level pythons, emitting a heavy aura of death. It was one of the few gifts given to Xiao Jin Feng by the original owner’s parents.

After the drug’s effects completely dissipated, the Windchaser Beast’s speed slowed considerably.

Xiao Jin Feng continued to wield the Python Seal, smashing it down repeatedly, causing the Windchaser Beast’s head to bleed profusely.

With the combined efforts of the three, the Windchaser Beast was soon killed.

With the death of the beast, the three felt relieved.

“Killing demonic beasts isn’t as difficult as I imagined!” Xiao Jingting exclaimed excitedly.

Xiao Jin Feng sighed. “Don’t be complacent. Many seasoned hunters have died due to arrogance. If we hadn’t been well-prepared this time, it wouldn’t have been so easy. The Windchaser Beast is extremely fast. If it had gotten close, it would have been very dangerous.”

Xiao Jingting nodded in acknowledgment. “I understand.”

The three walked around the Windchaser Beast’s cave. It was spacious, with a pond inside. Xu Mu’an discovered several stones emitting spiritual energy at the bottom of the pond. The stones, similar to spirit jade in texture, were given to Xiao Jingting by Xu Mu’an to store in his space.

After a brief exploration, they found no valuable spiritual plants.

“I thought there would be some good-quality spiritual plants in the Windchaser Beast’s lair,” Xiao Jingting said regretfully.

“Don’t be too greedy. The stones you obtained are of good quality. They could fetch three to four hundred taels if sold. Let’s go. It’s getting dark, and the path isn’t easy to traverse,” Xiao Jin Feng said.

Xiao Jingting nodded. “Okay.”

Xiao Jinfeng brought the Wind Chaser Beast back to the village, causing quite a stir. When people learned that Xiao Jinfeng and Mu Shuyu were going to get married, and that the Wind Chaser Beast was Xiao Jinfeng’s betrothal gift to Mu Shuyu, despite whatever thoughts the villagers had, many expressed their blessings. In the Savage Continent, many newlyweds would give their beloved hunting trophies as gifts, which not only represented wealth but also showcased the groom’s exceptional combat prowess.

Xiao Jinfeng had a very poor reputation in the village. Qiu Li spread rumors everywhere, saying that while Xiao Jinfeng was indeed powerful, he had been expelled from the Xiao family and even attempted to assault his cousin’s wife. With Xiao Jinfeng’s character being so poor, it was feared that no one would be willing to marry him.

When news of Xiao Jinfeng’s upcoming marriage spread, many in the village ridiculed Qiu Li’s nonsense, which made Qiu Li very disgruntled. Coincidentally, the wedding dates for the Qiu family and the Xiao family were set for the same day.

Qiu’s father boasted throughout the village that his son was marrying into a wealthy family and would become a person of high status. Many who heard the rumors were jealous of Qiu Bai. Upon hearing that Qiu Bai was marrying into a wealthy family, Xu Mu’an breathed a sigh of relief. Although Xu Mu’an understood that Xiao Jingting was no longer the same person he used to be and didn’t hold the same animosity towards Qiu Bai, there was still someone hovering in his mind. Xu Mu’an felt uncomfortable.

Xiao Jinfeng’s wedding was kept low-key, with only a few well-connected families invited by Xu Mu’an. During the wedding, officials from the Hou Mansion arrived to demand a fine for Xiao Jingting’s abandoned fields, totaling fifteen hundred taels for three months.

The hefty fine imposed on the Xiao family during the wedding shocked the guests who had come to attend. Most villagers were unaware of this rule, and some only felt sorry for Xiao Jinfeng’s abandoned fields, without realizing that leaving fields uncultivated could incur such a heavy penalty.

Xiao Jingting’s fields had actually been abandoned for two months and twenty-seven days. Xiao Jingting had consulted Xiao Jinfeng, who claimed that as long as it was less than three months, they would only need to pay a fine for two months. “The officials from the Hou Mansion insisted on three months,” Xiao Jingting could do nothing but comply. Xiao Jingting had already prepared for the fine, but he had only prepared one thousand taels. Xu Mu’an took out three hundred taels, and Xiao Jinfeng contributed two hundred taels, before they could send the officials away.

The incident of the Hou Mansion officials demanding a hefty fine at Xiao’s wedding became a hot topic among the villagers. “So, leaving fields uncultivated incurs fines. I’ve never heard of that before!” “There was no such rule before; it’s a new rule from the Hou Mansion.” “The Hou Mansion is too overbearing; the fine is so high.” “Why did they choose to come on this day, of all days, to demand the fine?”

At night, Xiao Jingting sat by the window, his brows furrowed. “Are you going to sleep?” Xu Mu’an asked. “I can’t sleep,” Xiao Jingting gritted his teeth. Thinking of the officials from the Hou Mansion, bursting into their home with such arrogance, Xiao Jingting felt stifled. The feeling of being at the mercy of others made him feel extremely frustrated.

“In this world, strength is respected. When your strength is enough to crush these people, they will naturally have to look at you differently,” Xu Mu’an said. The person leading this time was a cultivator of the sixth level of Qi Refining. Just standing there gave people a great deal of pressure.

Xiao Jingting squinted, “Why did they have to come on this day of all days?” Xu Mu’an lowered his head and said, “I think someone might be meddling with this matter.”

“Could it be someone from the Xiao family?” Xiao Jingting asked. Xu Mu’an nodded and said, “That’s possible, but I think it’s more likely someone from the village who’s envious. Xiao Ping sent me a letter again, saying that your eldest uncle has reached the seventh level, and your third uncle has also reached the seventh level. Your grandfather has come out of seclusion. Right now, your eldest uncle and third uncle are competing to show off in front of your grandfather. They probably haven’t paid attention to this side.” Xiao Jinfeng and Mu Shuyu’s wedding was hastily arranged, so they probably wouldn’t pay attention to this.

Xiao Jingting narrowed his eyes and said, “I see! Don’t let me find out who’s behind this.” “I think it might be Qiu Li,” Xu Mu’an said. Xiao Jingting asked curiously, “Why do you say that?” “There aren’t many people we’ve offended in this village, and not many who know the rules. Qiu Li often goes to the town and can be considered a cultured person there. Lately, you’ve been ignoring his younger brother, and he might hold a grudge because of that,” Xu Mu’an said. Xiao Jingting nodded and said, “That makes sense! Also, Qiu Li often loiters around my fields, seeming very dissatisfied.” “He used to be the talent of the village, and now you’ve overshadowed him,” Xu Mu’an said.

Rain : Sorry, Yesterday I got something so I couldn’t post. I’ll post 1 more chapter today ! See you on the next chapter ! ?

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