After wandering around the market, Qin Yu still couldn’t find a shop that sold fishing hooks.

However, he did manage to meet up with Li Zhengtong. After handing over the sausages, meat buns, and fried pork strips, Li Zhengtong’s eyes lit up. He quickly started devouring them.

"Yuge, I didn’t expect the market to have so much good food. I’ve never been here before, I’m totally missing out," Li Zhengtong said while stuffing his face.

Qin Yu nodded in agreement.

"By the way, what did those two inspectors say?"

Li Zhengtong replied, "They just asked about the missing leaves from the tree, didn’t ask about anything else."

Qin Yu smiled, "That’s good!"

Li Zhengtong then asked, "Did you get the fishing hooks?"

Qin Yu shook his head. "They don’t sell them here, but I bought a few embroidery needles. I’ll make do with that."

The two continued to chat and wander around. Suddenly, they heard some commotion ahead.

"Damn it, those bullies from the Beast Control Peak are here again, what bad luck."

"Let’s go, let’s go, don’t get into trouble with them," Qin Yu urged.

The disciples selling street food also grumbled, "Tonight’s business is going to be bad again!"

"I’ll pack up. There’s barely any business as it is, and when they show up, it gets worse."

"You should pack up too. Last time they forced me to sell a pill that was worth eight contribution points for just five, I couldn’t take it, so I had to step aside."

...

Qin Yu quickly stopped one of the packing-up disciples.

"Senior, what are you talking about?"

"Who else could it be, but those from the Beast Control Peak? You must be new, huh, don’t even know about them."

Qin Yu asked, "You mean the outer disciples who ride spirit beasts to go to classes at the Beast Control Peak?"

"Yes, them!"

Qin Yu, curious, asked, "Why does everyone leave when they show up? Do they dare to ride their beasts in the market?"

The disciple replied, "Not that. We just can’t stand them."

Qin Yu’s eyes lit up. There seemed to be a story here.

"Senior, I’m a new disciple, don’t know what’s going on, could you tell me more?"

"Sure, let me explain."

"It’s actually simple. The disciples from Beast Control Peak are arrogant because they have spirit beasts. They’ve been bullying people in the outer sect for a long time."

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"And because they all live together to care for their beasts, they have a good relationship and are tightly knit, which has formed a force in the outer sect."

"Other disciples are assigned their caves randomly, so you might have a neighbor from a different peak, like a Pill Refining Peak disciple living next to a Weapon Refining Peak disciple. This is to prevent peak disciples from grouping together and disturbing the peace of the outer sect."

"This gave the Beast Control Peak disciples the arrogance to act however they want."

"Before, they used to ride their spirit beasts everywhere, charging through the crowds without a care, and no one dared to stop them."

"Until one time, they rode their beasts into the market and demanded everyone to clear the way. That caused an uproar, and the Enforcement Team arrested them all for provoking the crowd."

"After that, the sect issued an order forbidding their beasts from appearing in public places."

‘That explains it. No wonder they only walk through Mingyue Square or Maple Leaf Square,’ Qin Yu thought.

"But now that they don’t ride their beasts, why is everyone still avoiding them?"

The disciple explained, "It’s not exactly avoiding them. First, after the past incidents, seeing them just disgusts people. Second, they’re simply low-class. Even without their beasts, they still go around causing trouble."

"Take me for example, I sell pills for eight contribution points each, but they insisted on buying one for just five. I couldn’t even cover my costs at that price."

"And if I refuse to sell, they crowd around my stall, making it impossible for anyone else to buy."

"And the worst part? The Enforcement Team can’t do anything about it."

"The sect rules don’t forbid bargaining!"

"A lot of people want to teach them a lesson, but because of the sect’s rules, no one can lay a finger on them. That’s why they’re so bold."

"They’re just idiots who piss everyone off. The scum of the outer sect."

The disciple began packing up his things. "I’ll stop here. They’re coming soon, I better get out of here."

"I suggest you leave too. If they set their sights on you, it’ll ruin your night."

"Thanks for the info!" Qin Yu said.

He quickly pulled Li Zhengtong away from the market.

"Those people from Beast Control Peak are really bullies, how despicable," Li Zhengtong complained.

"They think they’re some kind of bullies? They’re just too used to getting their way. They clearly haven’t had a good thrashing!" Qin Yu said with a smirk. "I’ve got a plan to deal with them."

"Really, Yuge? What’s the plan?" Li Zhengtong asked, his eyes wide.

Qin Yu whispered a plan into Li Zhengtong’s ear.

Li Zhengtong’s eyes went even wider, and he gave a thumbs up. "Yuge, this idea of using someone else’s hand to deal with them is brilliant. Evil needs to be met with evil!"

Slap!

"Who are you calling evil?"

Li Zhengtong quickly defended himself, "I didn’t mean it like that! I mean, you’re just... crafty... no, no... smart!"

Qin Yu laughed, "Shut up, just say 'awesome' next time. No need to pretend you’re all cultured!"

Li Zhengtong grinned sheepishly. "Yuge, you’re awesome!"

"This plan needs more people, I’ll contact some others. Tomorrow night, we put it into action. Got it?"

Li Zhengtong stood up straight and said seriously, "Got it!"

The next morning, Qin Yu found Xiao Zhi first.

After hearing the plan, Xiao Zhi enthusiastically agreed.

"Yuge, I’m in! Just tell me what to do, I’ve hated those guys from Beast Control Peak for a long time."

"Good, here’s what you need to do..." Qin Yu explained.

"Got it?" Qin Yu asked.

"Got it!" Xiao Zhi replied confidently.

"Keep it low-key, don’t let anyone find out. Let’s meet at the market at midnight."

"Got it!"

Qin Yu then found the other disciples who had also been tormented by the Beast Control Peak crew.

They were all eager to take revenge on those bullies.

After confirming the details with everyone, Qin Yu patiently waited for the night to fall.

‘You bullies from Beast Control Peak, you’ll never guess that the mess you left behind will be the ammunition used to strike you back tomorrow!’

At midnight!

The market was empty. All the shops had closed, and the lively marketplace had turned into a ghost town.

Ordinary cultivators didn’t need sleep; they could meditate or cultivate in place of sleep. So, by late night, everyone either returned to their own cave or went to someone else’s to cultivate.

At this hour, a few shadowy figures sneaked toward the market.

They wore masks, and each carried a large sack on their back.