Shen Muzhi listened to the question and shook his head. He said, "I did consider getting rid of them, but then I thought they might have other uses, so I've kept them for now. Hearing Daoist Liu ask, do you have a use for those ghost tribes?"
Liu Buli nodded. He smiled and said, "As long as Physician Shen doesn't find my methods inappropriate, then I can be of some use."
Speaking of this, Shen Muzhi felt a headache coming on. He sighed deeply and said, "Actually, I feel like these ghost tribes surrendered back then just to cause me trouble. They couldn't communicate, couldn't obey, and most importantly, they treated humans as food. Such prisoners are a menace to keep. But do you know what? When I said I wanted to deal with them, a group of people jumped out, saying I was unrighteous and would lose merit."
These words came not only from the cultivators outside but also from elders and hall masters within Medicine Master Valley.
Although Shen Muzhi was kind, he also knew the difference between true kindness and foolish benevolence. Blindly protecting monsters that treated humans as food and had little to no reason was definitely not something a normal person would do.
But with so many people disagreeing, he naturally couldn't deal with the ghost tribes. This had become a hot potato, left in the dungeons of Medicine Master Valley for so many days, and he still hadn't figured out a solution.
His reason for leaving the valley this time was partly to avoid dealing with interpersonal matters, and partly because this issue had made him very agitated. Since he couldn't find a suitable solution, he might as well lie low for a while. When the elders and hall masters finally came to their senses, he could return and resolve it then.
This was Shen Muzhi's original plan, but he never expected Liu Buli to extend an olive branch so quickly. He was overjoyed and couldn't help but ask Liu Buli, "By the way, Daoist Liu, how do you plan to deal with those ghost tribes? Are you going to keep them around?"
Liu Buli smiled and shook his head. He said, "Although I have a habit of keeping things, I don't like keeping everything. I did have plans for them. Wuming can communicate with them, so I thought maybe Wuming could try. If he can control them, then it's like having a few more subordinates, which wouldn't hurt."
Before others could comment, Lu Wuming had already fiercely refused, "I don't need any more subordinates, and I don't need anyone else around me. I only need Master. Nothing else matters."
"I know what you mean, but they still have their uses now." Liu Buli raised his hand and tapped Lu Wuming's head, signaling him to be a little more obedient. Then he spoke, slowly explaining, "After all, the ghost tribes can hide in darkness, making them quite useful for surveillance. Besides, they could also be sent to the ghost realm to scout the Ghost King's movements. Of course, all of this is on the condition that they are willing to obey. If not, then using them as your nourishment to help you improve is also not a bad thing."
Liu Buli was always like this, able to arrange everything perfectly.
Lu Wuming listened, and although he was unhappy that his Master was trying to bring more people around him, he had to admit that Liu Buli had a point.
In the end, he pouted. Lu Wuming conceded, "I'll listen to Master's arrangements."
"You should be listening to my arrangements anyway," Liu Buli said with a smile, rubbing Lu Wuming's head. Then he continued to discuss with Shen Muzhi when they should go to Medicine Master Valley to pick up the ghost tribes.
Shen Muzhi hadn't lied to them. For him, those ghost tribes were indeed a hot potato. Since Liu Buli wanted them, Shen Muzhi arranged for people that very day. On the third morning, the Grand Elder of Medicine Master Valley had already sent all the ghost tribe captives to Pill Sect.
When handing over the ghost tribes to Liu Buli, the Grand Elder of Medicine Master Valley was still a little worried. He looked at Shen Muzhi and lowered his voice to remind him, "Valley Master, these ghost tribes are not easy to deal with. Are you sure it won't cause any trouble for our Medicine Master Valley to just hand them over like this?"
"If there's trouble, it will be Liu Buli and his people who have trouble first," Shen Muzhi replied with a smile. "Besides, if we don't give them to him, do you plan to keep all those monsters in our Medicine Master Valley? What will they eat when they're hungry? Are you planning to feed them with your own flesh?"
That was certainly impossible.
Hearing this, the Grand Elder immediately gave an awkward smile. He then stated that he had unfinished business to attend to, said a few words to Shen Muzhi, expressing his hope that he would return to Medicine Master Valley soon, and then bid farewell to everyone, leaving as if fleeing.
Watching the Grand Elder's retreating back, Shen Muzhi couldn't help but shake his head and mutter, "Look at him. Does he really think I'd feed him to the ghost tribes?"
"That's not entirely impossible, you do have a history," You Siqi said, standing beside Shen Muzhi. He smiled and continued, "I don't know if you've heard, but I've occasionally overheard their discussions. Many people in Medicine Master Valley still believe that you killed the former Valley Master and the others. While their feelings aren't entirely wrong, with such internal discord, our situation and Liu Buli's seem to be not much different."
"Every sect is like this. On the surface, they appear harmonious and united, but in reality, they all have their own problems. As long as these problems aren't severe enough to undermine the foundation, they can maintain stability."
Shen Muzhi smiled, seemingly unconcerned by these matters. He patted You Siqi's shoulder, then moved a little closer to him, lowering his voice and asking somewhat ambiguously, "Siqi, are you worried about me?"
"Of course, I'm worried. If something happens to you, how will you go back with me?" You Siqi answered instinctively.
Shen Muzhi froze.
Although he knew that You Siqi tended to speak without thinking when he was anxious, expressing his affection so directly was truly hard to resist.
Taking a few deep breaths, he tried to keep his expression calm and normal. Shen Muzhi continued, "Siqi, Daoist Liu gave me the thank-you gift we agreed on a few days ago. Do you want to see what it is?"
You Siqi didn't understand why the topic had shifted so quickly.
But since his curiosity was piqued, he immediately nodded.
Shen Muzhi's eyes narrowed into a smile. He said, "I'll take you back to my room. The item is in the room. Ao Lie's physical examination is also complete for today. Since there's nothing else, we have time to study it together properly."