Chapter 119: Chapter 119

Owen Bertram spoke again, indifferently saying, "I prefer peace and quiet and originally didn’t want to have any involvement with you all. But since you tried to manipulate me, my obedient children became angry and just went to scare you a bit."

Those powerful ghost spirits were actually his "children"!

What was this fellow’s background?

No wonder Abigail Turner had reported that the Repair Ghost was nothing but a child’s play in his hands. How ridiculous that the big-faced man had thought it was all due to his powerful magical instrument.

At this moment, York Gordon regretted their actions immensely. What was the point of provoking such a hidden demon? They had no idea that true calamity would strike .

They had thought he was just a minor character they could deal with as they pleased, but who would have thought that he could control their fate in return!

Among the seven present, they all had some trump card abilities, whether it was a desperate divine skill or a poisonous magical instrument. However, not one of them dared to use their courage to make a move against His Excellency.

Their recent experience had already frightened them out of their wits.

Not to mention that night, when they experienced fear under the control of the powerful ghost spirits time and time again. If they didn’t know their place now, this man’s "children" might not just be scaring them a little anymore.

York Gordon propped himself up and, trembling, knelt down, "We will kowtow to Your Excellency to apologize. Please dispose of us as you see fit."

The other six also knelt down, their heads touching the ground, not daring to move.

Owen Bertram had already punished them, and now it was time for business. He moved his palm slightly, condensing a spirit seed, "I can return these Dandelion Killers to you."

As the seven of them looked at the dandelion-like spirit seed, they faintly felt that once it was planted inside their bodies, their souls would be entangled for countless generations, making it nearly impossible to escape.

But they had no choice. They had to accept it.

Jim smirked, "A bunch of fools, hesitating when such a great opportunity presents itself!"

Owen Bertram spread his other hand, and the glowing merit exchange list appeared once again. Then, the scene of the Mysterious Mechanism Seed proving the authenticity and effectiveness of the list was reenacted.

The seven people were shocked by the Mysterious Mechanism Seed. Just as Owen Bertram had anticipated, this item did indeed pose a hidden danger, especially to him, but it was a bona fide pinnacle treasure that 99% of the cultivators in this world could not resist.

After a show of authority, he threw them a sweet date.

Old Fisher was the first to stand up, take the initiative to come forward, and merge the spirit seed into himself, "This old man is willing to be loyal to you, and will not hesitate to die at your command!"

York and the others cursed the shameless Old Fisher in their hearts but couldn’t lag behind. They quickly scurried up and took the spirit seed, voluntarily resigning it into their selves.

"We are willing to serve under you, sir!"

Owen Bertram snorted coldly, "Now you all owe me merit points. Once you’ve earned enough merit points to offset the Dandelion Killer points, you can exchange them for the rewards on this list."

The seven people hurriedly bowed, "We deserve it."

"Sir, we offended you first, and your willingness to take us in is a great kindness."

Now they were still wearing a guilty load, but they could also perform meritorious deeds. As long as they worked hard, they could eventually offset the balance and start accumulating merits.

What was Jim, just a mere Chief Flag? He simply joined the ranks of this man earlier. We are way more useful than Jim, and we’ll be rewarded with treasures someday.

Owen Bertram secretly observed their expressions and knew that the matter was settled.

Since ancient times, the way to subdue subordinates has always been a mix of rewards and punishments.

"You all continue to work dutifully in the Horizon Bureau and wait for my commands."

Old Fisher took the lead, "I will give my all to obey your commands, sir, and I won’t hesitate to die if necessary!"

York Gordon hastily added, "I’m the same!"

Damn it, always one step behind that old man.

Owen Bertram returned the Dandelion Killers to them, and the seven heaved a sigh of relief. Of course, he couldn’t give them all back; Owen Bertram found just the right amount to give them, enough for them to barely deal with the people behind them but not have any left for themselves.

"Remember: each of you owes me 150,000 merit points."

"Now go, I like peace and quiet, so don’t disturb me unless it’s necessary."

The seven people bowed and were about to leave when Bishop Bertram suddenly seemed to remember something, "Oh, by the way, that stuff isn’t Gold Soil."

The seven froze, and York Gordon secretly cursed his luck. He knew he should have confessed everything to the sir earlier. With his abilities, there was no way he wouldn’t have known about the deception. How ridiculous that he had still entertained a selfish streak of luck.

As York Gordon turned around, he found the sir looking at him with an amused expression. He immediately knelt down again, "We deserve to die!"

Owen Bertram continued to reinforce his image as a secretive expert in the hearts of the seven.

"It’s not a big deal, and even if it were really Gold Soil, it wouldn’t be anything remarkable."

York Gordon thought to himself that Gold Soil might not be considered valuable to you, but it’s different for us.

He cautiously asked, "Then...what exactly is that piece of soil?"

Owen Bertram waved his hand nonchalantly, "It’s just an experiment I did casually. If I were still there, the soil would be Gold Soil, but once I leave, it won’t take long for it to turn back into ordinary soil. You should find out soon enough."

The corners of the seven’s temples were soaked with cold sweat. What kind of powerful being was this! When he was around, ordinary soil would become Gold Soil, and when he left, it would change back!

Our Sir is truly extraordinary!

Owen Bertram seemed to be growing impatient, "Alright, now go."

"Yes, we won’t disturb you any further." York Gordon and the others left the Taoist temple, with Jim sending them out. Glancing back, York Gordon felt as if the whole thing had been a dream. Jim let out a chuckle, "Don’t be silly. You were all subdued by just the tip of the iceberg of the sir’s abilities. As you follow him in the future, you will discover that this is only a small part of what he can do."

York Gordon quickly added, "In the future, I hope you’ll put in a few good words for us in front of the sir. If you need anything, just give us an order, and we’ll definitely comply."

Jim nodded graciously, "Alright, I don’t have any commands either. We’re all here to serve the sir."

After sending York Gordon and the others away, Jim returned to the Taoist temple, plopped down, wiped the sweat off his back, and muttered, "Good fellow! Sir, you’re incredible~"

Owen Bertram pondered for a moment: He now had people in the Internal Canon and had also taken in three revered Lords and four Officiants. Even compared to the commanders of the Horizon Bureau who governed the different regions, he might have more direct control over their forces.

He recalled how, in the beginning, he had only wanted to reveal a bit of his "extraordinary" abilities to make some minor preparations for a future life with his sister outside of Extinct Village. How did he gradually turn into a hidden boss in the Horizon Bureau?