Upon hearing these words.

Lu Ding felt an inexplicable tightness in his chest.

He explained: "He's an old man I knew as a child. Back then I..."

After explaining the whole story.

There was nothing shameful about it.

After listening.

Elder Deng remained silent for quite a while.

Only then did he smile again: "So that's how it is, I understand now."

"But Xiao Lu, don't follow his example. His methods are outdated, can't keep up with the times. Our Great Han is wonderful now - full benefits, excellent treatment..."

"Techniques, resources, all provided generously."

"And also..."

Elder Deng rambled on.

He was genuinely afraid Lu Ding might be lured away!

The Crooked-Mouth Old Man - he hadn't interacted much with him.

But back when the old Taoist's mouth wasn't crooked yet, when he still had that immortal demeanor, Elder Deng had heard of him, seen him, even met him.

How to put it.

Their personalities were too different.

Couldn't get along.

Originally there had been no connection between them in the past, nor would there be in the future.

But who would have thought.

Lu Ding would become the link between them.

Elder Deng knew about the Crooked-Mouth Old Man's style - not touching karma, not entering worldly affairs.

Now he's entering worldly affairs.

Isn't this clearly showing his intention to take Lu Ding as his disciple?

What if Lu Ding gets persuaded to leave the 749 Bureau?

No way!

This absolutely cannot happen!!

Lu Ding, having caught this implication, said:

"Hahahaha, don't worry Elder Deng, the 749 Bureau is like home to me."

He didn't finish his sentence.

But hearing this much was enough to reassure Elder Deng.

"No problem, no problem, old men tend to ramble, you see."

Lu Ding continued examining the detailed report.

From top to bottom.

Finally his gaze rested on the Corpse-Oil Ancient Tree, without the slightest hesitation.

He directly chose to buy it out.

Glancing at Yan Feifan, he saw he'd also chosen buyout.

Lu Ding said nothing - when someone's made their decision, you respect their choice.

After submitting the final report.

Lu Ding received a total of over 5,900 contribution points.

Yan Feifan received 1,000.

Afraid he might have doubts about the amount, Elder Deng quickly explained: "This includes rewards from your dragon-slaying mission, this current assignment's payment, plus the fish demon bounty."

"As for the reward for acquiring that enclave at Blackwater Market, that hasn't come through yet."

"There's paperwork to process, materials to submit - after all, that land wasn't originally under our jurisdiction, so the procedures take time."

"When it's done, you should receive quite a substantial reward."

After all, it's jurisdictional territory.

Not so easily transferred.

The delay is perfectly normal.

For now, this large sum of contribution points would suffice for Lu Ding.

Enough to significantly advance his cultivation level.

At least he wouldn't face awkward situations like that "4.5 layers" nonsense again.

With major matters settled.

It was time for Lu Ding to focus on his cultivation.

After all this effort, wasn't this the moment he'd been working toward?

"Elder Deng, if you'll excuse me, I'll go cultivate now?"

"Go ahead, go ahead, don't overwork yourself."

Elder Deng said kindly.

After Lu Ding left, he shook his head with a smile and added: "Ah, youth..."

Once outside.

Feifan could no longer contain his excitement.

"A thousand contribution points, Lu-ge! A thousand!!!"

"Hahahaha I'm rich, I'm rich! Never seen so many contribution points in my life!!!"

If he'd worked alone, who knows how long it would have taken to earn this much.

And doing missions alone was dangerous.

Full of unforeseen risks and unknown perils.

But following Brother Lu? In just these few days?

He'd already earned this much.

Yan Feifan's excitement was beyond words.

With these points, he could properly cultivate, improve his realm, and become more helpful to Lu Ding in the future.

"Time to spend, must spend!!"

Lu Ding played along:

"Absolutely necessary!!"

Yan Feifan responded.

After chatting awhile, Yan Feifan left first - he needed to file today's report.

What can be done today should be done today;

what can be done now should be done now.

No procrastination.

After Yan Feifan left, Lu Ding glanced back toward the logistics department.

The two elders hadn't even met yet and the atmosphere was already tense.

If the Crooked-Mouth Old Man and Elder Deng were to meet...

It would be like an only grandson deciding whether to spend vacation at grandpa's or grandma's place.

Lu Ding shook his head.

He dared not imagine how disastrous that encounter would be.

The gunpowder in the air would probably be suffocating.

And neither old man was exactly mild-tempered.

Each more explosive than the other.

The Crooked-Mouth Old Man - openly aggressive.

Elder Deng - secretly volatile.

Just thinking about it gave Lu Ding a headache.

They were bound to clash eventually.

"Better improve my cultivation quickly, so when these two start fighting, I can mediate."

But before cultivation, Lu Ding had other matters to attend to.

He waited outside the interrogation room.

About half an hour later.

Wutian emerged.

"Thank you for cooperating with our work."

"Amitabha, no need for thanks. Assisting the 749 Bureau is only right."

Wutian said politely.

Lu Ding stepped forward: "Monk, any plans now?"

Seeing Lu Ding appear, the interrogation officer quietly withdrew.

Wutian thought for a moment: "Nothing urgent. Might this humble monk linger in Yunhai for a few days?"

"I see you're still thinking about that golden pheasant Feifan mentioned."

Lu Ding saw right through him.

Wutian smiled without denial.

He was indeed craving it.

Not that he couldn't afford it.

His monastic rules forbade it.

If others ate, he could partake.

Bowl in hand, begging for alms.

But wanting it for himself? That wouldn't do.

"No problem, no shame in wanting good food. But I can't accompany you now. I'll arrange guest privileges for you - feel free to explore the bureau or go out."

"Once I finish my business, I'll find you. How's that?"

Wutian scratched his bald head sheepishly: "Alms, alms, just seeking alms. This monk hasn't eaten in so long, have mercy on me."

Lu Ding: "......"

This thick-browed, big-eyed monk.

Could go a year without eating and not starve.

Just admit you're craving it.

"Fine, noted. You'll get your share."

"Many thanks, benefactor. Attend to your affairs, don't mind this monk - I can entertain myself."

"Deal then. You have a phone? Let's exchange contacts - I'll message you when I'm done."

Wutian produced his phone while saying: "Yes, yes."

Lu Ding looked.

A latest model - better than his own.

After exchanging contacts.

Lu Ding headed straight for the cultivation chamber.