Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8575: Bitter slave_1

An elderly figure stood before them, gaunt and wearing a sour grimace. No angle made him appear as one who'd savored joy in life. His spine curved humbly—not from innate flaw or sheer years, but a deliberate crouch of utter submission. Straight posture was within his power, yet he slouched like a spineless wretch.

Spotting Lu Buyu, the old man bowed low right away and proclaimed, “This slave greets Master!” His groveling drew contempt from the Corpse Demon Sect disciple who'd led him there. Lu Buyu creased his brow lightly. He puzzled over the Man in Black's choice to involve such a man with him. Could this sort deliver solid intel?

Yet in the disciple's presence, Lu Buyu held his tongue. He merely nodded, uttering, “Fine, enter.” The bitter slave acknowledged, lingering outside. Then Lu Buyu faced the Corpse Demon Sect disciple who'd delivered the bitter slave, bowing as he said, “Gratitude, Junior Brother. Senior Brother offers little, just this crystal stone for you. It's meager, so forgive its scant worth.” With that, he produced a crystal stone and handed it over.

The disciple brightened at the crystal stones, accepting them gladly while thanking Lu Buyu before departing the courtyard. Lu Buyu then ushered Ku Nu inside. A thorough discussion awaited Ku Nu. Though the Man in Black barred meddling in the intelligence network—still nominally his—he needed grasp of it.

Once in the living room, Ku Nu lingered with his grim visage and hunched stance. Lu Buyu eyed him gravely, demanding, “Did Daren send you to me? Is the shop up?” Lu Buyu skirted direct mention of the intelligence network, per the Man in Black's word on its autonomy. Instead, the shop drew his focus, half its earnings his due.

“Yes, my Lord dispatched me to reach you,” the bitter slave answered. “The shop stands ready. We've raised our own on every isle the Corpse Demon Sect opens to outsiders. Yet they bear no unified banner, nor link up, evading prying eyes. Your rank permits one or two shops in your name without issue. Excess would spark doubts.”

Lu Buyu nodded, gazing at Ku Nu. “Can your group gather intel for me now?” He knew full well an intelligence network lay under his banner. Tapping it would prove invaluable, smoothing his future moves immensely.

Ku Nu met Lu Buyu's eyes steadily. “Certainly. Name the intel desired, and I'll procure it. Note our reach remains narrow as yet. You're part of our network too. Should the Corpse Demon Sect launch actions you learn of, relay them. Rewards match your intel's worth.”

His 'Sir' carried scant deference. Lu Buyu grasped Ku Nu's independence, the Man in Black ranking higher in his esteem. No haughtiness here. Lu Buyu dipped his head. “Much obliged. Rest assured, I'll strive to feed you information.”

“I dare not presume,” Ku Nu replied. “Thanks, Sir.” His demeanor stayed constant, unaltered. This steadied Lu Buyu. Ku Nu's poise bespoke fine discipline—no grounds for concern.

Lu Buyu fixed Ku Nu with a stern look. “Daren bids me forge my own faction on this isle. But registered and formal disciples here mostly bow to the chief true disciples. Any schemes? I itch to strike those true disciples, yet dare not. Suspicion would follow, endangering you through me.”

“My Lord,” Ku Nu murmured low, “recruit men of sacrifice. Lowly in status, plentiful, and largely unclaimed. As true disciple, claim them outright—they'll cleave to you loyally. Train them well, and growth comes swiftly.”

Lu Buyu pondered briefly, then approved. “Sound plan. Slow, but workable. You know my feud with the Teng brothers though. Building power might provoke them. If they strike, what then? Slay them outright?”

Ku Nu paused thoughtfully before intoning deeply, “My Lord, station your men of sacrifice off-isle—the Sect permits it. Should Tengs assail you, summon them back. Dare they pursue off-isle? They'll never return.” His calm tone brimmed with ironclad assurance, startling Lu Buyu.

Lu Buyu shot Ku Nu a look, nodding. “Very well, so be it. But sending Sect men of sacrifice your way—won't they unearth our secrets? They're Sect members still.” Lu Buyu fretted this. As Corpse Demon Sect affiliates, discovery of their spying could prompt reports. Merits might elevate death warriors beyond their station to outer disciples, vastly improving lot and perks, freeing kin from faithful slave confines.

“Fret not, my Lord,” Ku Nu affirmed gravely. “Code phrases bind our contacts—undetectable. Easy exposure disqualifies any intelligence setup.” His conviction peaked here. Truth be told, his aim transcended mere secrecy: converting those death warriors. But Lu Buyu stayed in the dark.

True to Lu Buyu's hunch, Ku Nu and kin outranked him in the Man in Black's regard. Secrets Lu Buyu missed, Ku Nu guarded tight.

Lu Buyu pressed no further, nodding. “Agreed then. I'll muster death warriors soon and dispatch them your way. Watch them closely—not all run clean. The seven true disciples' sway looms large; spies among them lurk.”

“Yes,” Ku Nu assured. “Fear not, Sir. Vigilance is ours.” 'Sir' or 'Lord' flowed from him seamlessly, even publicly—a spy's camouflage veiling true intent.

Lu Buyu nodded firmly. “Good. Return now. I'll signal when set.” Ku Nu assented, proffering a jade slip. “Sir, herein lie shop sites and scales. Review them.” He extended it; Lu Buyu accepted silently, dismissing Ku Nu.

Ku Nu departed. Lu Buyu examined the jade slip. Detailed shop accounts filled it, complete with cover story. As mere outer disciple sans clan, a servant raised brows. Ku Nu supplied the alibi: past missions abroad yielded this deal. Their modest shop sought patronage, pledging service and annual cuts once Lu Buyu ascended true disciple, shops rechristened his.

Such tales abounded across great sects. Markets they flung open fell under their thumbs. Disciples seized chances, launching or leasing shops for steady coin.

Lone cultivators sans backing faced torment in those bazaars—overt bullying, sly tricks grinding endurance. Hence, many sought shields, ceding shares to true disciples' names. Power mattered less than the title; it warded off interlopers.

Every sect mirrored this, so Ku Nu's tale for Lu Buyu—riddled with holes—passed muster universally. None questioned it.

Reading the jade slip, Lu Buyu stirred faintly. Their foresight exceeded hopes, marking true professionals. Their might surpassed his estimates, demanding utmost caution.