Translator: CinderTL
Xu Sanyan beckoned to a female disciple from Suspended Bitter Mountain. "Come here and massage my shoulders."
The disciple remained motionless, a stubborn set to her lips. Though she knew Xu Sanyan was a great cultivator of the Soul Refining Realm, she refused to humiliate herself.
Zhao Xunkong snapped, "Junior Sister Wang, didn't you hear the senior's command? Hurry over here!"
Reluctantly, the woman stood behind Xu Sanyan and began lightly pressing his shoulders with her fingertips.
Watching this scene unfold, Yang An nodded silently. His father's judgment of character was truly impeccable.
Xu Sanyan closed his eyes in contentment, casually asking, "How far is it to Suspended Bitter Mountain from here?"
Zhao Xunkong replied, "About a thousand miles. If there are no unforeseen circumstances, my master should arrive before nightfall."
"Hmm."
Ignoring the others around him, Xu Sanyan pulled out a soul crystal and focused on his cultivation. He sensed his divine soul power had reached a critical point; he should break through to the Mid Stage of Soul Refinement within the next few days.
Zhao Xunkong secretly breathed a sigh of relief, his life temporarily spared. He would just have to wait for his Master to come and retrieve him.
As time slowly passed, and dusk began to fall, Xu Sanyan opened his eyes and gazed into the depths of the dense forest. The soul crystal in his hand had crumbled into dust, scattering across the ground.
"Since you've come this far, why not show yourself and have a proper discussion?" Xu Sanyan called out loudly.
Upon hearing this, Yang An and the others swiftly rose to their feet, their eyes scanning the area warily. Yet they detected no sign of anyone.
"Hahaha, this humble daoist is Changku. Greetings, fellow cultivator."
A figure slowly emerged from the shadows: a man with a pale face, a long beard, and a Dust-Whisk in hand. Dressed in a light azure Daoist Robe, he exuded the aura of an enlightened master.
"Master!" Zhao Xunkong cried out urgently upon seeing the newcomer.
True Lord Changku ignored him, his gaze fixed intently on Xu Sanyan, a hint of wariness in his expression. He remained uncertain of this man's true intentions.
Xu Sanyan sized him up. "You're True Lord Changku?"
"I dare not claim the title of 'True Lord,' but yes, that is I."
"Do you have the authority to make decisions here?"
Changku nodded slowly. "This humble daoist, though lacking in talent, has earned the Sect Leader's favor and is responsible for managing various affairs within the mountain."
"Oh?" Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow. "So the strength of Suspended Bitter Mountain is merely average? A Perfected Dao of Bewilderment cultivator is in charge of affairs?"
Perhaps those with higher cultivation levels disdained such mundane matters, leaving them to him.
Xu Sanyan pointed at Zhao Xunkong. "Since that's the case, let's do it my way. One catty of pool milk for his life. What do you say?"
Zhao Xunkong froze. His master had come in person—was he really going to show no respect?
One catty of pool milk! Even if his master were captured, the Sect Leader might not agree to such an exchange.
As expected, True Lord Changku shook his head. "Fellow Daoist, you underestimate the value of pool milk. This substance is exceedingly precious. Not even my disciple's life—or even my own—is worth a catty of pool milk."
"Eight ounces."
True Lord Changku continued to shake his head. "Not even an ounce."
"Hmph," Xu Sanyan sneered, turning to Zhao Xunkong. "Don't blame me for this. Blame your master for being too attached to his treasures."
With that, Xu Sanyan gathered spiritual power in his hand, forming a swirling, milky-white aura. A surging wave of energy whipped his robes, and terror flooded Zhao Xunkong's face.
He knew his limitations well. Even a casual strike from a Soul Refining Realm cultivator would be impossible to withstand. He could only cry out in desperation, "Master, save me!"
Seeing that Xu Sanyan wasn't joking and truly intended to kill him, True Lord Changku frantically intervened, "Wait!"
Xu Sanyan ignored him, his spiritual power intensifying, as if about to erupt from his grasp.
"Fellow Daoist, hold!"
True Lord Changku's figure flickered, instantly appearing before Zhao Xunkong. He stared at the swirling mass of light, his own heart pounding with apprehension.
"What? Are you offering to die in his place?" Xu Sanyan's eyes were cold and indifferent. Killing one person or two made no difference to him.
Of course, killing wasn't his primary goal. His true objective remained the pool milk.
True Lord Changku sighed helplessly. "We can discuss this further."
He understood the Wang Family's motives perfectly: they simply wanted more pool milk.
"Very well. Speak your piece. I'm listening," Xu Sanyan offered him a chance.
"Fellow Daoist, please come with me."
True Lord Changku glanced around, signaling that they should move away from the crowd for a private discussion.
Xu Sanyan withdrew his spiritual power with a casual wave of his hand, erecting a shimmering barrier that isolated them from the others. No sound could escape their conversation.
"Sigh..."
True Lord Changku sighed. "Eight Ounces of pool milk is far too much. Even if I agreed, the Sect Leader would never approve."
In truth, the Sect Leader had instructed him before his departure that the Wang Family would inevitably seek excuses to request more pool milk recently, and that he could grant them a slightly larger amount than usual.
True Lord Changku had also heard about the Wang Family's devastating losses in the Qian Kingdom incident, including severe injuries to their great elder. Pool milk was highly effective in treating internal injuries, so the Wang Family would undoubtedly try every means to obtain some.
Meanwhile, Suspended Bitter Mountain was currently focused on other matters and wished to avoid unnecessary entanglements, making them willing to part with some pool milk for the sake of peace.
However, the Wang Family's greed far exceeded expectations. Demanding a full Catty right off the bat was utterly absurd. In previous years, the combined total of pool milk given out had never exceeded one Ounce, making this request ten times the usual amount.
Even Eight Ounces was out of the question.
True Lord Changku extended two fingers. "Two Ounces. Suspended Bitter Mountain will sell the Wang Family a maximum of Two Ounces of pool milk. Anything more is impossible."
"Hmph, Two Ounces?"
Xu Sanyan sneered, "Are you trying to fob off a beggar? At least half a jin!"
Then, his tone turned subtly threatening, "You'd better think this through carefully. I'm not the fourth elder. I've heard Suspended Bitter Mountain has quite a few properties in Thousand Autumns City..."
True Lord Changku remained unfazed by the threat, calmly waving his hand. "Fellow Daoist, hear me out. These two ounces are for the Wang Family. I'm offering you an additional ounce as a personal gift."
As he spoke, he flipped his hand and produced a pale blue porcelain bottle, handing it to Xu Sanyan.
Xu Sanyan stared at the bottle, his expression freezing for a moment. The icy detachment vanished, replaced by a warm, enthusiastic smile.
"This... isn't this a bit much?"
Seeing this reaction, True Lord Changku felt reassured. "Heh, Fellow Daoist, you've just assumed great power. How could Suspended Bitter Mountain not offer a token of respect? This matter is known only to heaven, earth, you, and me—no third party will ever learn of it. Please accept it without worry."
"Ah, then I shall humbly accept your offer, Daoist Brother. Many thanks," Xu Sanyan said, taking the gift with practiced ease, even changing his form of address.
"You're too kind," Changku Zhenren replied.
"Hahahaha..."
The two exchanged a knowing smile.
Xu Sanyan continued, "I feel an instant kinship with you, Daoist Brother. Rest assured, Thousand Autumns City will be under my care."
"Then I thank you in advance."
Xu Sanyan pointed to a distant low mountain. "Oh, I heard the disciples of Suspended Bitter Mountain were the first to discover this mineral vein, yet the Yang Family shamelessly tried to seize it. Leave this matter to me; I'll ensure justice is served for Suspended Bitter Mountain."
"Heh, then I'll trouble you with it, Daoist Brother."
"Eh, why 'Daoist Brother'? If you don't mind, let's just call each other brothers."
"Then this daoist will presume to call you 'Virtuous Younger Brother.'"
"Hahahaha..."
Outside the shimmering barrier, Yang An's expression grew increasingly uneasy. He watched Xu Sanyan's face shift from disdain to composure, then to warmth. The situation seemed to be spiraling further out of control.
(End of the Chapter)
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