Chapter 4629
Qiu Tu and his men kicked the door open, barging in to confront Qian Yue.
Qian Yue was stunned, his gaze shifting to the pile of fairy stones before him.
“How dare you trade fairy stones illegally in Beast City!” Qiu Tu shouted angrily, his eyes fixed on the incriminating evidence.
Qiu Tu deliberately refrained from mentioning Qian Yue’s identity as a human cultivator, fearing it might drive him to desperation and provoke a deadly fight.
Trading fairy stones privately wasn’t a grave offense in itself, but for a human cultivator to live secretly in Beast City and engage in such activities, it was unquestionably a capital crime.
“Mr. Qiu?” Qian Yue stammered, visibly startled to see Qiu Tu leading the charge in person.
Normally, such matters were handled by Beast City’s law enforcement team. It was unusual for someone of Qiu Tu’s stature to personally apprehend a trader of illegal fairy stones.
“Since you recognize me, this will be easier,” Qiu Tu said coldly. “Confess your crime and spare yourself unnecessary suffering.”
Realizing Qiu Tu hadn’t discovered his human identity, Qian Yue felt a surge of relief. Lowering his head, he said, “Mr. Qiu, I admit my guilt. I traded fairy stones privately and accept my punishment.”
Pleased with Qian Yue’s submissive attitude, Qiu Tu nodded. Such individuals were the easiest to control.
“Illegal trading of fairy stones warrants punishment,” Qiu Tu declared. “But since your attitude is commendable, you’ll be spared imprisonment. However, these fairy stones will be confiscated.”
Qian Yue stared at Qiu Tu in disbelief. “Mr. Qiu, are you serious? I truly won’t be jailed?”
“Of course,” Qiu Tu replied nonchalantly. “There are many others engaged in this kind of trade, and even some official purchase points are corrupt. These situations are widespread, and we often turn a blind eye.”
Qian Yue was dumbfounded. He couldn’t fathom that such words came from Qiu Tu, who represented the City Lord’s Mansion. Could it really be that the mansion was so lenient toward the illegal trade of fairy stones?
“Mr. Qiu, this…”
For a moment, Qian Yue was at a loss for words. Qiu Tu’s unexpected attitude made the situation feel almost surreal.
“You’re reselling fairy stones privately just to make a living. I can understand that,” Qiu Tu said calmly. “But this time, I caught you. If someone else from the General’s Mansion had found you, you might not have been so lucky.”
He continued, “Here’s what we’ll do: you can keep buying fairy stones, but from now on, you’ll deliver them directly to our mansion. Of course, we’ll ensure you still make a profit, so there’s no need to worry.”
Stepping forward, Qiu Tu patted Qian Yue on the shoulder.
Qian Yue’s eyes widened in disbelief. His face flushed with excitement, and his breathing quickened. “Mr. Qiu, are you serious?” he asked, his voice trembling.
“Of course I’m serious. From today, you’re part of the Qiu Mansion. No one will dare to investigate you anymore.”
Leaning in closer, Qiu Tu added in a low voice, “I know you’re human, but the Qiu Mansion doesn’t discriminate against other races. You have nothing to fear.”
Qiu Tu’s words hit Qian Yue like a bombshell, shaking him to his core.
He had never imagined that Beast City could tolerate other races. Did this mean the city now allowed non-beasts to live openly?
If so, what was the point of joining the resistance alliance? Why resist at all if coexistence was possible?
“Mr. Qiu, I, Qian Yue, pledge my loyalty to you. I will serve you without hesitation, even at the cost of my life!”
Overwhelmed with emotion, Qian Yue knelt at Qiu Tu’s feet.
Living in Beast City had always been a tense existence for him. He had lived in constant fear of being discovered, unable even to walk freely in the streets.
But now, as a member of the Qiu Mansion, all those fears would vanish. He could finally hold his head high and walk openly, no longer a fugitive in his own city.