Old Ancestor, You've Worked Hard

"Ahahaha, it's been ages since this deity met someone so honest!"

Lu Benwei walked toward Zheng Wu, helping him up with both hands, his face full of admiration.

"Since you're so sincere, why don't you stay here from now on and work for me?"

"Thank you, esteemed lord."

Zheng Wu hurriedly bowed.

Secretly relieved that his life was probably spared today.

But working for Lu Benwei?

He shook his head vehemently in his mind.

Sure, Lu Benwei was undeniably powerful, but what good did that do him? Wasn’t it far more comfortable being the revered ancestor of his Three Lives Sect?

Who in their right mind would willingly become someone else’s lackey?

For now, he was just playing along—his best bet was to find a way to slip away later.

"What about these people?"

Lu Benwei turned his gaze toward Sun Li and the others.

"Lord, deal with them as you please!"

Zheng Wu chuckled obsequiously.

"Excellent."

Lu Benwei nodded approvingly before casting a cold, eerie look at Sun Li and his group.

At the sight of it, Sun Li and the others went limp, collapsing to the ground.

Their faces turned ashen.

Lu Benwei gave them a disinterested glance, barely sparing them any attention.

With a mere wave of his hand, terrified screams erupted from the side.

Sun Li and his men visibly aged at an alarming rate, as if thousands of years had passed in the blink of an eye.

Within moments, their bodies withered into skeletal remains before crumbling into dust.

The entire process took no more than a few breaths.

Zheng Wu, watching from the side, felt his legs turn to jelly.

What kind of terrifying power was this? He had initially assumed Lu Benwei was at the Harmony Dao Realm, or at most the Proof Dao Realm. But now, it was clear—no ordinary Dao Realm cultivator could wield such heaven-defying abilities.

Undoubtedly, this skeletal figure before him was a transcendent existence beyond the Dao Realm.

Thank goodness, thank goodness.

He patted his chest in relief.

Thankfully, he had licked his way to survival—flattery had saved his hide.

Truly, a well-timed lick was a lifesaver.

However, not everyone had turned to dust. A few unremarkable men had also survived the ordeal.

Having witnessed Sun Li’s gruesome fate, they trembled in fear but also silently thanked their lucky stars.

They had retained a shred of conscience, having spoken out against Sun Li’s attack on Lu Benwei.

And that tiny bit of integrity had spared their lives.

"All of you, come with me."

Lu Benwei puffed out his chest, clearly in high spirits.

Well, the money was safely secured.

And he had even stumbled upon a few honest, smooth-talking talents.

With a wave of his hand, he transported them all to Dark Shadow Island.

"Yes, yes, my lord."

Zheng Wu and the others followed respectfully behind Lu Benwei.

After witnessing his terrifying power, they weren’t even surprised when he whisked them away to a new location in an instant.

Strolling ahead with his hands behind his back, Lu Benwei beckoned toward someone in the distance.

"You there, come here."

"Coming!"

Lu DaSheng, carrying a pair of manure buckets, scurried over eagerly.

"Take charge of these men. Find some work for them."

Lu Benwei instructed.

"As you command, Lord Lu."

Lu DaSheng bowed respectfully.

"Good. You all stay here and work hard."

Lu Benwei patted Zheng Wu’s shoulder before turning and leaving.

"Follow me."

Once Lu Benwei was gone, Lu DaSheng motioned for Zheng Wu and the others to come along.

Internally, he mused—since these men were personally introduced by Lord Lu, they deserved some special treatment.

In his domain, those who weren’t favored rarely got the chance to carry manure. And without manure duty, how could one truly comprehend the Dao of Manure?

Coincidentally, he had been planning to expand the manure pit.

He had been wondering who to assign this glorious task to—now, the answer was clear.

Soon after, under Lu DaSheng’s guidance, the group arrived before a massive manure pit.

A pungent stench assaulted their senses.

Zheng Wu and the others pinched their noses, holding their breath.

"Let me introduce myself—I am the Grand Manure Steward of Dark Shadow Island. Since Lord Lu has entrusted you to me, you will follow my orders. Of course, given Lord Lu’s instructions, I’ll make sure you’re well taken care of."

"Your task is to expand this ten-zhang-wide manure pit to thirty zhang."

"Tools are in the storage shed over there—help yourselves."

"Remember, work hard. Many would kill for this opportunity."

"How much you comprehend from this is up to you."

With that, Lu DaSheng turned and left.

Zheng Wu and the others stood there, utterly baffled.

Digging a manure pit?

He, the exalted ancestor of the Three Lives Sect, was being made to dig a manure pit?

Was this a joke?

Instantly, he developed a deep resentment toward Lu DaSheng.

What a blatant power move!

Zheng Wu gritted his teeth.

"Ancestor, what do we do? Are we really staying here?"

The others huddled around him, unable to hide their dismay.

"Of course not!"

"How can I, the ancestor of the Three Lives Sect, tolerate this humiliation?"

Zheng Wu hissed through clenched teeth. "But right now, we have no choice. That skeleton’s power is beyond comprehension. For now, we’ll play along. Once we’ve buttered him up enough, we’ll find a way to leave."

Yet the others exchanged odd glances, their expressions turning peculiar as they studied Zheng Wu.

"What? What is it?"

Zheng Wu glared at them. "You think your ancestor is shameless?"

"Hmph! Do you think I’m doing this for myself?"

"Do you truly believe I, your ancestor, fear death?"

"Wrong! Let me tell you—a man’s death may be as light as a feather or as heavy as Mount Tai. Your ancestor refuses to die like a feather!"

"Besides, have you considered what would happen to the Three Lives Sect if I died? What about our countless disciples?"

"You think I enjoy licking boots?"

"I endure this humiliation for the sake of our sect!"

"If not for you, I, a man of unyielding integrity, would have fought that skeleton long ago! But for your sake, I bear this burden. My soul is already dead—only my body remains."

As he spoke, Zheng Wu struck a tragic pose—hands clasped behind his back, head tilted at a forty-five-degree angle, eyes glistening with unshed tears, his expression a mix of sorrow, indignation, and resignation.

But the moment he finished, his legs gave way, and he dropped to his knees.

"Oh heavens! Greetings, esteemed lord!"

Unbeknownst to him, Lu Benwei had suddenly returned. Spotting him from afar, Zheng Wu instantly transformed into a fawning sycophant, kneeling to dust off Lu Benwei’s bean shoes.

"Hmm, just passing by. Keep up the good work."

Lu Benwei patted his shoulder approvingly before leaving again.

"Take care, my lord!"

Zheng Wu watched him depart with worshipful eyes, only rising once Lu Benwei was out of sight.

The others stared, dumbfounded.

"Our ancestor… truly suffers for us!"

"Yes, for the Three Lives Sect, he sacrifices so much."

"I could never do what he does."

"That’s our ancestor for you."

They sighed emotionally, moved to tears.