The Final Reckoning and an Unexpected Windfall

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“Look there!”

“Is that…?”

“I can’t believe it!”

A pile of spirit herbs had suddenly appeared on the ground, and several sharp-eyed people cried out in shock.

The shouts immediately drew everyone else’s attention, including Li Shizu and Fu Yunzi. But when the two of them got a clear look at the herbs at Han Li’s feet, the Daoist’s triumphant grin froze solid. Li Shizu, after a moment of stunned disbelief, burst into loud, overjoyed laughter. This windfall from the heavens had made his heart bloom.

By the time Li Shizu realized he was losing his composure and stopped laughing, he was eyeing Han Li from head to toe with a beaming expression. No matter how he looked at him, everything seemed to click. The Daoist’s face was tight with rage, still unable to believe he had actually lost, and his gaze toward Han Li was far from friendly.

“Brother Dao, what is the meaning of this? Do you intend to trouble a junior?” Li Shizu snorted after catching Fu Yunzi’s expression, stepping forward to place himself in front of Han Li with a stern face.

Now that Han Li had just rendered him such a great service, he naturally would not let this junior be intimidated by Fu Yunzi in front of so many people. Otherwise, where would his own face be?

Fu Yunzi, upon hearing this, only then realized that glaring at a Qi Condensation disciple like this as a man of his status was highly improper—it could easily be misconstrued as seeking personal vengeance against a junior. He quickly averted his gaze and forced a smile at Li Shizu.

“Brother Li misunderstands. I only found it hard to believe that a junior with this one’s cultivation could gather so many herbs. Just a moment of curiosity.”

The Daoist tried his best to appear nonchalant, but the thought of that Bloodline Wyrm inner core still made his heart bleed. His complexion could not return to normal no matter what.

Li Shizu gave a cold “heh heh” and chose not to press further. After all, he had already won the bet decisively and had no desire to needle the other man with words.

Still, he was curious how Han Li had managed to collect so many herbs. But with so many people from other sects present, he refrained from asking and simply let the matter slide. Besides, his mind was burning with another thought—if he could just beat the Moon-Masking Sect too, this trip to the forbidden land would be a massive haul. So why bother with trifles? As long as he could win the bet, he did not care how Han Li had gotten the herbs.

Fu Yunzi understood perfectly what Li Shizu was thinking. Grieved and pained, he could only stand by as an eliminated party and watch the contest between Li Shizu and old man Qiong.

But old man Qiong’s expression was not much better than Fu Yunzi’s. The herbs submitted by the Moon-Masking Sect disciples before him had all been unremarkable, giving him nothing to smile about.

Just as Li Shizu was riding high, the situation took an abrupt turn. The last few Moon-Masking Sect disciples who turned in their herbs each produced more than ten stalks. In an instant, their total surpassed the combined haul of the Clear Void Sect and Yellow Maple Valley by five or six stalks, winning the final bet.

This blow hit Li Shizu like a club. Old man Qiong, on the other hand, let out a long breath and began to cackle.

“Hand it over, hand it over! Give me that Bloodline Wyrm inner core! I was just thinking about refining a good batch of medicine, and that core would make an excellent primer,” old man Qiong said bluntly, demanding the bet from Fu Yunzi on the spot.

Fu Yunzi gave a strained smile, opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, nothing came out.

Old man Qiong saw this, glared at him, and grew impatient.

“What is this? The famous Fu Yunzi of the Clear Void Sect thinking about welching?”

“Welching? Would I dare welch on a bet with you, old man Qiong?”

Fu Yunzi was not actually thinking of going back on the deal. It was just that such a precious item—parting with it hurt so much he unconsciously hesitated.

But now, with old man Qiong calling him out, his face flushed red and then white. Finally, he stomped his foot and tossed a small white orb to the other man, then turned his head away with a face full of heartache. That orb was the Bloodline Wyrm inner core.

Old man Qiong caught it in one hand, examined it closely, and grinned from ear to ear, though he muttered under his breath:

“The quality seems a bit off. The spiritual energy is not quite enough. I guess I’ll have to make do with it!”

Hearing this, the Daoist’s face flushed blood red; he nearly spat blood and died on the spot. Furious, he quickly moved far away to keep from losing his Dao heart entirely.

“Brother Li, you…”

“I will send two pieces of Iron Essence within twenty years,” Li Shizu said, cutting him off without waiting for old man Qiong to finish. He was straightforward about it.

“Heh heh! Brother Li is refreshingly direct. Then I have nothing more to say.” Old man Qiong nodded with satisfaction, then swayed his head and returned to the Moon-Masking Sect side.

The twists and turns of this bet had everyone from the other sects watching in sheer amazement. In the end, they all gloated privately at the fate of Li Shizu and Fu Yunzi—trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice. Who told them to bet with that old monster?

No matter how you looked at it, this expedition to the forbidden land was over.

Team leaders from each sect gathered their disciples’ herbs, had them checked by Scent-Sniffing Beasts, then took their leave one after another, leading their teams away.

The Moon-Masking Sect left first. When they greeted the others and boarded the Heavenly Moon Spirit Boat, Han Li could not help but look toward Nangong Wan. But from the moment she stepped onto the boat until it departed, she never once glanced his way. That left a bitter taste in his heart.

Still, Han Li had a strong will. Before long, he had pulled himself together and continued watching the other sects leave.

As Han Yunzhi left with the Spirit Beast Mountain people, she glanced back at Han Li and gave him a friendly smile. That warmed his heart a little.

As the semi-host, Yellow Maple Valley had to be the last to leave. So after the other seven sects had gone, only the Yellow Maple Valley group remained outside the forbidden land.

But Li Shizu did not immediately lead them away. Instead, he raised his head and gazed silently in the direction of the forbidden land. Everyone knew that the old ancestor had just lost a bet, so his mood was likely foul. No one was foolish enough to rush him, so they all waited behind him in silence.

Half a day passed. Li Shizu seemed to be in a slightly better mood. He still had not turned around, but at least he spoke. And his first words were aimed at Han Li.

“What is the name of the disciple who submitted the most herbs? How many years has he been in the valley?”

When the others heard this, envy flickered across their faces. To have the old ancestor know your name was bound to be beneficial in the future. Han Li was slightly taken aback but did not hesitate to answer respectfully:

“Disciple Han Li. I have been in the valley for nearly three years.”

“Han Li?”

Li Shizu repeated the name slowly under his breath, as if considering something. He did not respond immediately, leaving everyone behind him exchanging puzzled glances, wondering what the old ancestor had in mind. But his next words made Han Li’s heart tighten, and he immediately focused all his attention.

“Han Li, tell me how you came by these herbs. I would like to hear it,” Li Shizu asked casually.

Despite the wariness rising in his heart, Han Li had long anticipated that someone would press him on this matter. So he was not flustered. Composed, he replied:

“Yes, Ancestral Master.”

“As it happens, it was a stroke of luck. The day I infiltrated the Ring Mountain, I must admit, I had found nothing and was feeling quite ashamed. But on the afternoon of the fourth day, I discovered two people in a remote valley fighting over a few stalks of Jade Marrow Mushrooms. One was a Great Sword Gate disciple with a barefoot and a silver sword; the other was a Tianque Fortress man with a scarred face. I hid myself quietly and…”

And so, Han Li told a vivid tale of the fisherman who profited from a quarrel between the sandpiper and the clam, greatly exaggerating his own dumb luck. The Chen siblings and the other disciples listened with burning jealousy, their envy written plainly on their faces.

Li Shizu nodded inwardly as he listened. That made sense. Otherwise, how could a disciple with such low cultivation have gathered so many herbs? He really did seem to be blessed by fortune—pure coincidence.

Satisfied that he understood the matter, Li Shizu had no desire to press further. But after a moment of contemplation, his expression turned serious as he addressed Han Li:

“Han Li, you have rendered no small service to the sect this time. Though I did not win the bet, I still intend to reward you generously. I have decided to take you as a Disciple on Probation under my own tutelage. Are you willing?”

Han Li was stunned, momentarily at a loss for how to respond.

The other Yellow Maple Valley disciples were taken aback at first, then fixed their eyes on Han Li with expressions of pure disbelief.

Unbelievable! Had they heard correctly? This old ancestor was so casually taking this man as his disciple? This person’s cultivation and aptitude were utterly ordinary—nothing about him stood out at all. What could the old ancestor possibly see in him?

(End of chapter)

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Reading Guide Decoding

Who Profits at the End of the Hunt?

Cultural / Xianxia Notes

"Stealing a chicken only to lose the rice" (偷鸡不成蚀把米): This classic Chinese idiom perfectly encapsulates Li Shizu and Fu Yunzi’s fate this chapter. They tried to outmaneuver old man Qiong, thinking they had the win secured, only to end up losing their bets and their dignity. It’s a favorite narrative tool in xianxia—a sharp reminder that overconfidence and greed often lead to spectacular backfires.

The Scent-Sniffing Beast Audit: Before the sects depart, each team leader has the harvested herbs checked by Scent-Sniffing Beasts. This is the cultivation world’s equivalent of a customs inspection—a cold, bureaucratic mechanism designed to ensure no one smuggles extra resources. In a system built on scarcity and zero-sum competition, even the “winners” are not trusted without oversight.

The Weight of a Betting Loss: In the Mortal Stream, bets are not friendly wagers; they are binding contracts enforced by reputation and raw power. Fu Yunzi did not hand over the Bloodline Wyrm inner core because he was a good sport. He handed it over because welching in front of seven sects would destroy his credibility and invite devastating retaliation. Reputation is a currency here, and losing it can be fatal.

Chapter Overview

Reverse! Reverse! Reverse! This chapter is an absolute rollercoaster of fortunes. Just when Li Shizu thinks he’s won the grand prize with Han Li’s surprise haul of spirit herbs, the Moon-Masking Sect pulls off a last-minute comeback that completely flips the script. It’s a brutal lesson in the Mortal Stream: no victory is safe until the final tally is announced. And in the middle of all this chaos, Han Li finds himself the center of attention—not just for his loot, but for an unexpected offer that could fundamentally change his path in Yellow Maple Valley. Get ready, because the dust is settling, but the real game might just be beginning.

Key Plot Points

The Reversal Arc: Han Li drops his massive pile of spirit herbs, and Li Shizu is ecstatic. He genuinely believes he’s secured victory, and he even taunts Fu Yunzi over the lost Bloodline Wyrm inner core.
The Turn of the Tide: But the Moon-Masking Sect’s later disciples submit more than ten stalks each. Their total eclipses both Clear Void Sect and Yellow Maple Valley combined. The bet is lost.
The Cost of Defeat: Old man Qiong collects the Bloodline Wyrm inner core from a devastated Fu Yunzi. Li Shizu, in a rare moment of straightforwardness, promises to send two pieces of Iron Essence within twenty years.
Reactions and Department: Fu Yunzi nearly spits blood from frustration and shame, while the other sects watch with barely concealed Schadenfreude. The forbidden land expedition officially concludes.
Han Li Watches Nangong Wan: As the Moon-Masking Sect departs, Han Li looks for Nangong Wan but receives no acknowledgement, leaving him feeling a bitter pang that he eventually suppresses.
Li Shizu’s Inquiry: After the others leave, Li Shizu finally turns his attention to Han Li, asking how he gathered all those herbs. Han Li spins a well-rehearsed tale of a quarrel and a lucky strike.
An Unexpected Offer: Satisfied with the explanation, Li Shizu makes a shocking declaration: he intends to take Han Li on as a Disciple on Probation. The entire Yellow Maple Valley contingent is stunned with disbelief.

Reading Guide

Han Li’s “Fisherman” Narrative: The story Han Li tells—of hiding and profiting while two stronger cultivators kill each other—is a near-perfect Mortal Stream survival tactic. It checks all the boxes: no direct confrontation, exploitation of enemy conflict, and maximum gain for minimum risk. It’s also incredibly convenient and suspicious, but Li Shizu is too pleased with the outcome to press further. For now, Han Li’s gamble on the story has paid off.

The “Reward” That Is a Trap: Li Shizu’s offer to take Han Li as a Disciple on Probation sounds like a golden ticket. But any reader familiar with the Mortal Stream knows the truth: this could just as easily be a leash. A high-level cultivator taking an interest in a low-level nobody is rarely pure generosity. Han Li’s internal calculation should already be running—weighing the benefits of protection and resources against the costs of increased scrutiny and potential exploitation.

The Bitter Glance: Han Li’s disappointment at Nangong Wan’s cold departure is a rare moment of emotional vulnerability. It’s quickly suppressed, but it reveals that even in this calculating world, he is not immune to the sting of unreciprocated connection. For a character defined by ruthless pragmatism, this is a subtle crack in the armor.

What Comes Next? With the forbidden land expedition over, the real test begins. Han Li now has high-level attention, a possible new mentorship, and the envy of his peers. He is standing at a crossroads where every step must be measured, every word weighed. The game has changed, and the stakes have never been higher.