CH 33
February 12th, 2023
Fu Junling was pacing back and forth in front of Fang Li’s door bright and early the next morning.
The sun was already high in the sky, so how come they hadn’t gotten up yet?
It couldn’t be that something really had happened……
N-n-n-n-n-no way, how proud and haughty of a person was Xie Huai? How could he be willing, by a man, to be…… If the devil really did that, then yesterday should be even more impossible……
But why weren’t they coming out?
Had there been an accident?
Fu Junling couldn’t help but worry a bit. He wavered for a while, then finally went to the door. Just when he was about to knock, the door suddenly opened……
His expression immediately froze on his face.
The one who’d opened the door was Xie Huai. Xie Huai still had that cool and tranquil appearance, looking about the same as last night, even his robes clean and spotless without a thread out of place. But the devil behind him was in a bit of a sorry state……
Although his black robes were wrapped tightly around him, there were green and purple traces where his neck was exposed. His sickly pale face looked a little weary, and there were faint shadows under his eyes……
Fu Junling gasped, a bit afraid to imagine exactly what had happened……
He was the one who’d been narrow-minded. He’d only been thinking that Xie Huai couldn’t possibly be willing, by a man, to…… But he had never thought about whether he would be willing, to a man, to……
No wonder yesterday was like that.
Cough cough, stop, stop……
He couldn’t go on thinking about it.
Fang Li hadn’t been able to get any proper rest all night, and his neck had been pinched purple. Xie Huai really had taken an eye for an eye. As expected, he was getting his revenge, wasn’t he……
But back then, he’d been so courteous and polite, okay? Putting aside how Xie Huai had gotten his clothes all scattered, Xie Huai had been so fierce it was like he’d wanted to eat him alive…… If not for the fact that Fang Li was in the wrong, he definitely wouldn’t have let Xie Huai do as he pleased!
His mood had been poor to start with, and meeting Fu Junling’s astonished, unsettled expression as soon as he went out the door, Fang Li immediately gave him a dark look. What are you looking at? If you keep looking, I’ll dig out your eyeballs!
Being looked upon by Fang Li’s murderous gaze, Fu Junling stiffened, and after a moment, he rigidly turned his eyes away. With a tone as if nothing had happened, he said, “Would Your Excellency like to take a stroll outside today?”
He sure would. Of course he had to take a nice, long stroll.
Fang Li’s expression shifted. Now that he’d lost the first battle, it looked like Fu Junling couldn’t be counted on anymore. Luckily, Fu Junling hadn’t been the most important point of this trip to Cinnabar Gate from the outset……
Although Fu Junling, as Xie Huai’s good friend, had had a good amount of description in the book, in the grand scheme of things, he didn’t truly have any conclusive purpose. Even if he was no longer in as much of a rush to go rescue Xie Huai because of Xie Huai’s changes, Black Star Tower’s entry into the Thousand Immortals’ Alliance was still inevitable.
But since they were short a Fu Junling, then matters on the other side were more pressing.
If another mistake happened with matters on that side, the development of the plot might really be affected.
“This lord has heard much about the famous Mountainview City. Naturally, this lord must take a proper look,” Fang Li raised an eyebrow and said slowly.
Fu Junling nodded with a smile, “This one is fairly familiar with Mountainview City. Please allow this one to show Your Excellency around.”
This meant that he was going to follow Fang Li the whole way to prevent him from causing a stir.
The corners of Fang Li’s lips hooked up slowly. “Alright.”
………………………
As one of the most prosperous great cities, all kinds of rare and precious treasures collected in Mountainview City. It could be said that anything one could want could be found here.
The Tower of Ten Thousand Treasures had a long-standing reputation throughout the world, with branch stores opening in tens of provinces, and its largest store was located precisely in Mountainview City.
Fang Li brought Xie Huai along and walked inside.
This Tower of Ten Thousand Treasures really was quite impressive. Because it had so many valuables, even the clerks and shop assistants running errands about the tower were cultivators of Foundation Building or above. Every floor had a Nascent Soul cultivator patrolling it, and the top floor even had Soul Formation cultivators keeping watch, the security extremely tight.
Not to mention that they were also located inside Mountainview City. They were even less afraid of any ordinary person raising a fuss.
Fang Li slowly looked over. The first floor had some fairly ordinary spiritual devices, the second floor had fairly expensive spiritual herbs, the third floor had all kinds of high-level spiritual devices, and the fourth floor held all kinds of precious items……
As soon as they walked in, a shop assistant began following them. No matter what Fang Li looked at or asked, he could accurately give an answer.
The shop assistant saw Fang Li standing in front of a hairpin to give it a look and smiled as he said, “Guest, this jasper hairpin you’re looking at was created five hundred years ago by the great craftsman, Daoist Lian Hu, and it’s one of the finest defensive spiritual devices in existence.”
Spiritual device or whatever, that wasn’t important, but it did look rather pretty.
Fang Li picked up the hairpin and compared it against Xie Huai, smiling faintly. “Wife, it suits you very well.”
Xie Huai gave him a deep look, not making a sound. Fang Li sure wasn’t asking him.
Fang Li said to the shop assistant, “Set it aside.”
The shop assistant was overjoyed. He’d originally thought that the guest was only casually taking a look and hadn’t thought he’d actually want it. He quickly smiled and said, “Yes, sir.”
Fang Li continued to stroll.
Because Fang Li seemed open and straightforward, the shop assistant also gave his explanations with ample enthusiasm. Seeing Fang Li pick up a pair of bracelets, he smiled and said, “Guest, you have good taste. This pair of bracelets is a set of first-rate storage devices. Most importantly, they’re a set, so they couldn’t be more suitable for you to wear as a matching set with your wife.”
Fang Li waved his hand. “Set it aside.”
The shop assistant was immediately beaming with joy.
Following that, he looked at some robes, shoes, belts, and so on. He didn’t look at the price or usage, only going by appearance, and anything that he thought suited Xie Huai, he would have the shop assistant set aside.
Not long after, Fang Li was done looking and said lazily, “Just these, then. Let’s go.”
The shop assistant was so delighted he couldn’t even close his mouth. In all these years, he’d never seen such a straightforward and impressive guest, coming into the Thousand Treasures Tower to shop like one would buy vegetables, not picking and choosing, not asking a word, simply picking whatever caught his eye.
The shop assistant tallied it up and said respectfully to Fang Li, “In total, that will be seventy thousand spirit stones.”
Fang Li glanced at the shop assistant impassively, the corners of his mouth hooking up. “I only said I wanted these. When did I say I would pay?”
The shop assistant: “???”
So that feeling that you took whatever you wanted as if the price didn’t matter, was because you didn’t plan on paying?
Do you know where this is?
The clerk’s expression immediately changed.
For someone to dare to make trouble at the Tower of Ten Thousand Treasures in Mountainview City, they must be tired of living!
He looked at Fang Li as if looking at a lunatic.
Just when the waiter was about to call for someone, a slender hand passed a purse over.
Fu Junling’s face was expressionless as he said slowly, “Seventy thousand spirit stones, take a look.”
The shop assistant startled briefly, taking the purse and counting. Sure enough, there were seventy thousand spirit stones, not a single piece missing. His expression finally became a little better. He had actually thought there really was a lunatic who had dared to come and make trouble, but it was only someone with a sharp tongue.
Fang Li glanced to the side briefly, watching Fu Junling with amusement.
He knew that Fu Junling was following him to clean up his messes. The reason why he’d intentionally come to the Tower of Ten Thousand Treasures and grabbed nearly a hundred thousand spirit stones’ worth of goods was because he’d wanted to see how Fu Junling intended to deal with him……
He hadn’t thought that Fu Junling would be such an impressive spender and had actually handed over seventy thousand spirit stones in one go……
Fu Junling’s heart throbbed with pain, but he still had a smile on his face, saying warmly to Fang Li, “Where does Your Excellency want to go next?”
Fang Li gave Fu Junling a profound look. No rush, this was only the beginning…… He said slowly, “It’s about time, I believe the next stop is to have a meal.”
Fu Junling let out a slight breath of relief and said, “This one knows a decent restaurant that’s very well-known in Mountainview City.”
Fang Li stepped outside first.
Fu Junling fell a few steps behind, his face a little heavy, when he suddenly saw Xie Huai turn around with a bland expression and open his mouth to mouth silently: I’ll return the spirit stones to you.
The stifled feeling in Fu Junling’s chest immediately disappeared, and his expression also cleared up. Now that was more like it. Since that devil is buying things for you, why should I pay? If anyone is going to pay, it should be you.
Not long after, they arrived at the biggest restaurant in Mountainview City.
This time, Fu Junling had prepared well ahead of time, and he smiled at Fang Li. “I’ve already prepared the best seat for Your Excellency. Your Excellency, please.”
But Fang Li’s gaze swept around, toward a seat on the second floor near the windows. He raised his eyebrows and said, “No need, that spot looks pretty good.”
Fu Junling’s expression stiffened. There was already someone sitting there!
Sure enough, this devil really had come out to make trouble!
Fu Junling gave Xie Huai a look that held no goodwill. Are you not going to look after your own person? You’re going to just let him cause trouble like this?
Xie Huai shifted his eyes away, pretending not to see.
Fang Li was still mad at him, he couldn’t do anything about it.
Seeing that Xie Huai couldn’t be counted upon, Fu Junling took a deep breath and smiled at Fang Li. “Your Excellency, please wait a moment.”
Having said that, he went over to that table, and who knew what he said, but those people quickly departed and left the table to them.
Fang Li waited until Fu Junling returned, then sighed with a bit of disappointment. “Forget it, that seat isn’t anything special either. Let’s go to the seat that Tower Master Fu arranged, after all.”
Fu Junling: “……”
He must have been blind yesterday to think that this devil was cute.
Fang Li leisurely started eating with satisfaction. Sure enough, the dishes here had a style all their own, and they hadn’t come for nothing. Only, today, he only paid attention to eating his fill, no longer trying to tease Xie Huai. There was no point in doing useless things. Anyways, neither of these two would get mad.
Xie Huai pressed his lips together and coughed lightly. Was he still unhappy?
Last night, he……
Really had been a little fierce.
Fang Li was no longer counting on being able to infuriate Fu Junling, but he wanted to see—for how long can you help Chong Wanshan suppress the fact that I’m in Mountainview City?
Fang Li held his wine cup, his gaze slowly sweeping around, and the corners of his lips suddenly hooked up.
To the side, there was someone sneakily stealing glances at Xie Huai. Had he recognized Xie Huai’s identity? With how big Mountainview City was, for there to be someone who’d seen Xie Huai before wasn’t strange.
Fang Li suddenly turned his head, his gaze falling on that person, and said coolly, “Is my person someone you can look at?”
That person startled, and before they could react, Fang Li sent them flying with a slap.
The restaurant fell silent in an instant.
Very quickly, law enforcement disciples charged over, about to make an arrest, but as soon as they saw Fu Junling, they immediately stopped where they stood.
Fu Junling slowly shook his head at them.
The law enforcement disciples’ expressions were extremely unsightly. Yesterday, they’d received orders from above that during this period of time, no matter what the person Tower Master Fu was accompanying did, they were not to take action.
But this person was clearly making trouble inside the city. Why shouldn’t they take action……?
Even if this person was a powerful expert who they couldn’t handle him, there were still the elders and the gate master. There was absolutely no reason in letting things be!
Although the law enforcement disciples hadn’t stepped forward, Fang Li didn’t intend to let things go just like this. He put on an expression of someone looking down from above, as if gazing contemptuously at a bunch of ants, looking at them indifferently and raising the corner of his mouth with amusement. “It looks to me like that’s all there is to Cinnabar Gate’s ironclad law……”
This sentence was light and breezy, yet insulting to the extreme.
Those law enforcement disciples’ faces immediately flushed thoroughly red. Ever since entering Cinnabar Gate and becoming outer disciples, they’d devoted themselves to strictly enforcing the law.
In Mountainview City, every single person had to abide by the rules. Only then could the city be neat and orderly. They held absolute loyalty toward Cinnabar Gate’s laws, and they felt pride in their own duties, yet today, they had been ordered not to action, unable to deliver punishment even though someone was clearly making trouble…… Watching with eyes wide open as this madman did as he pleased, yet still having to be disgraced by his words like this……
Why had they gotten orders like this from above? Just who was this person? Why couldn’t they punish him? It couldn’t be that the so-called law of Cinnabar Gate was also made to order based on the person?
Was everything that they believed in a joke?
Fu Junling’s expression became grave. He finally stood up and said to those disciples in a heavy voice, “You all go back first. I’ll personally explain this matter to the gate master.”
He spoke very slowly, but the look in his eyes was forceful.
Those law enforcement disciples took in a deep breath and left with dissatisfaction.
After this fuss, the atmosphere in the restaurant was utterly quiet and strange.
Fang Li said leisurely, “The mood is ruined, it’s hard to keep eating.”
Having said that, he got up and left.
Leaving behind a crowd of bewildered and unsettled spectators.
Fang Li played around for three days like this.
In these three days, Fu Junling’s expression became worse day by day.
This devil was obviously stirring up trouble on purpose. Even if Fu Junling followed along to wipe his ass, he couldn’t wipe it all away, and the worst part was, the rumors were nearly impossible to suppress at this point……
Some people had recognized Xie Huai.
Everyone was speculating that the person making trouble at Mountainview City was that devil from Hollow Ridge, and some had recognized that the person causing a stir at the Gilded Tower previously had also been that devil, saying that that devil hadn’t gone to Cinnabar Gate to apologize at all, but was instead wreaking havoc all over Mountainview City. Fu Junling’s words that day had only been for fooling them……
Moreover, the devil was making trouble in Mountainview City, yet the law enforcement disciples actually weren’t enforcing the law, but allowing the devil to do as he pleased. It looked like that was all there was to Cinnabar Gate’s law, just bullying the weak and fearing the strong.
There were also people saying, with this devil stirring up trouble like this, it was impossible that Chong Wanshan didn’t know, so why hadn’t he appeared? It couldn’t be that he was afraid of that devil?
Not only did these rumors spread like wildfire among the common folk, but even within Cinnabar Gate, more than a few disciples had started to harbor doubt and dissatisfaction. They’d received orders that they weren’t allowed to take action against the person stirring up trouble, but the higher-ups hadn’t said just who that person was, nor had they given a clear explanation. Wasn’t burying their heads in the sand and retreating over and over like this doing exactly as the rumors said, bullying the weak and fearing the strong, and cowering before that devil?
Was this the conduct of a righteous sect? How would they have the face to call themselves members of one of the five great sects in the future? They might as well call themselves turtles hiding in their shells!
For a while, the voices clamored.
Fu Junling’s mood was heavy.
If things went on like this, it would shake the very foundations of Cinnabar Gate. When that time came…… Chong Wanshan would have no choice but to show himself, and a battle would be difficult to avoid.
That night, Fang Li sat by the edge of the boat, enjoying the view.
Xie Huai was by his side. He gave Fang Li a deep look and said slowly, “If you’ve made enough trouble, let’s go back.”
Fang Li turned to look at Xie Huai.
Under the night sky, Xie Huai’s brow was slightly furrowed, seeming to contain a trace of worry.
Fang Li thought, sure enough, Xie Huai’s face was cold but his heart was warm, and he actually was worried about the people here, fearing that Fang Li would continue making trouble and end up fighting with Chong Wanshan, harming countless innocents. But don’t worry, I won’t harm any innocents. I only want to force that old turtle to show his face, nothing more……
Fang Li gave a faint smile. “No need to worry, wife, I have matters well in hand.”
Well in hand.
Last time, you also said that, but as I see it, you don’t have things in hand at all.
Coming all alone to Mountainview City and challenging Chong Wanshan, do you really think you can get out in one piece?
Xie Huai pressed his lips tightly together, but what else could he do?
This person wasn’t even willing to speak a single honest word. Why would he be willing to listen to Xie Huai?
…………………
Early morning the next day, Fu Junling came to knock on Fang Li’s door.
Fang Li glanced at him lazily, smiling, “What business does Tower Master Fu have?”
This time, Fu Junling didn’t smile. He gave him a complicated look, then said, “Gate Master Chong would like to meet with Your Excellency.”
Fang Li raised his eyebrows.
The person he’d been waiting for had finally come.
Fang Li gave a cheerful laugh. “Alright.”
Xie Huai finally couldn’t bear it anymore. He grabbed Fang Li’s hand and slowly shook his head, his eyes deep and dark.
But Fang Ly only laughed. “No need to worry, wife.”
Having said that, he shook off Xie Huai’s hand and left with Fu Junling.
Xie Huai pressed his lips together, but he could only follow along.
The location of the banquet was the Gilded Tower, not Cinnabar Gate.
It looked like Chong Wanshan still didn’t intend to rip off the façade of peace for the moment, so he’d specially chosen a place outside of Cinnabar Gate to meet with him. Of course, he might also have been afraid that Fang Li would be on guard and unwilling to attend the meeting.
Fang Li leisurely entered the hall.
Chong Wanshan had already prepared the feast, and he stood up from a distance aways and cupped his hands toward Fang Li, laughing heartily. “Your Excellency has come a long way to be our guest. This one missed out on welcoming you.”
Fang Li sized up the other person.
Chong Wanshan was a cultivator who had lived for over two hundred years. He looked to be middle-aged, with a long, scholarly beard, wearing red-bottomed white robes. As a sect master of one of the five great sects, his every move and action gave off an imposing air.
But Fang Li wasn’t the least bit afraid. He leaned back lazily in his seat and glanced sideways at him with a shallow smile. “The Gate Master is too polite. What was the reason for inviting this lord here today?”
Seeing Fang Li’s lazy and disrespectful attitude, not holding any regard for a great and mighty sect master, Chong Wanshan recalled his outrageous actions during this period of time, and anger surged into his heart, but his face remained warm and friendly as he said, “Not at all, it was this one who wanted to ask Your Excellency exactly what your purpose was for coming to my Cinnabar Gate?”
Fang Li said blandly, “This lord has merely heard much about Mountainview City and wanted to come take a tour, nothing more.”
Chong Wanshan sneered inwardly. Is this what you call taking a tour?
He gave Fang Li a deep look. “If Your Excellency has anything to say, please say it straight.”
Fang Li slowly twisted the wine cup in his hand and laughed. “This lord has always been a blunt person with no fondness for useless pleasantries. What I’ve said is straight talk.”
Chong Wanshan’s expression became slightly heavier.
Fu Junling and Xie Huai sat to one side, not speaking a word.
After a long time, Chong Wanshan fixed his eyes on Fang Li’s eyes and slowly opened his mouth. “Then this one would like to know how long Your Excellency intends to continue touring?”
Fang Li said, “That would depend on the Gate Master.”
Chong Wanshan narrowed his eyes. “Oh?”
Fang Li gave a faint smile. “If the Gate master shows enough sincerity, it’s not out of the question for this lord to find another place to go touring.”
Chong Wanshan thought, as expected.
He’d previously guessed that Fang Li was scheming something. This devil was excessively greedy and couldn’t possibly be willing to leave easily. If things could be handled with money, it was still an acceptable solution……
Chong Wanshan clapped his hands.
Immediately, some servants carried in two chests.
The servants opened the chests.
Immediately, the glimmer of glistening, crystal clear spirit stones lit up the entire hall.
All of these were top-grade spirit stones, and a single piece was worth a hundred times as much as a normal spirit stone. These two chests probably contained at least twenty thousand!
Chong Wanshan stroked his beard and smiled, saying, “These twenty-thousand top-grade spirit stones are a gift for Your Excellency. Your Excellency can say that this was not a wasted trip.”
Two million spirit stones, at the drop of a hat.
How generous.
The corners of Fang Li’s lips hooked up in amusement.
Chong Wanshan could be said to have paid out his sweat and tears in spending this money to send off the plague that Fang Li was. If he had come seeing wealth, it wouldn’t be a bad deal to take these spirit stones and go. After all, this kind of leeching could be done often. He was suffering no losses in this artless business deal, but unfortunately……
Fang Li withdrew his gaze as if nothing had happened and laughed mockingly, saying coolly, “What, is the Gate Master trying to send away a beggar?”
Chong Wanshan’s smile froze on his face, and his expression suddenly became cold.
Fu Junling was a little uneasy. Fang Li’s attitude gave him the sense that what would happen next might far exceed his expectations……
Xie Huai stared fixedly at Fang Li, his hands clenching inside his sleeves. Exactly what do you want to do……
Fang Li ignored the grave and somber atmosphere inside the room and laughed casually, looking straight at Chong Wanshan as he said, “This lord wants half of Cinnabar Gate’s revenue in taxes, paid in tribute annually. What does the Gate Master think?”
The surroundings immediately became dead silent, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.
Chong Wanshan looked at Fang Li in disbelief, his chest heaving, seething with rage.
Ridiculous!
Absurd!
…………………………………
The Author Has Something to Say:
Xie Huai: In the future, if there’s anyone still saying that I don’t have unparalleled willpower : )
Fang Li: Nothing you see is true
Fu Junling: ……
………………………………
TL Note: I’ll be switching to Sundays for the second update day from now on (instead Saturday)
Fu Junling was pacing back and forth in front of Fang Li’s door bright and early the next morning.
The sun was already high in the sky, so how come they hadn’t gotten up yet?
It couldn’t be that something really had happened……
N-n-n-n-n-no way, how proud and haughty of a person was Xie Huai? How could he be willing, by a man, to be…… If the devil really did that, then yesterday should be even more impossible……
But why weren’t they coming out?
Had there been an accident?
Fu Junling couldn’t help but worry a bit. He wavered for a while, then finally went to the door. Just when he was about to knock, the door suddenly opened……
His expression immediately froze on his face.
The one who’d opened the door was Xie Huai. Xie Huai still had that cool and tranquil appearance, looking about the same as last night, even his robes clean and spotless without a thread out of place. But the devil behind him was in a bit of a sorry state……
Although his black robes were wrapped tightly around him, there were green and purple traces where his neck was exposed. His sickly pale face looked a little weary, and there were faint shadows under his eyes……
Fu Junling gasped, a bit afraid to imagine exactly what had happened……
He was the one who’d been narrow-minded. He’d only been thinking that Xie Huai couldn’t possibly be willing, by a man, to…… But he had never thought about whether he would be willing, to a man, to……
No wonder yesterday was like that.
Cough cough, stop, stop……
He couldn’t go on thinking about it.
Fang Li hadn’t been able to get any proper rest all night, and his neck had been pinched purple. Xie Huai really had taken an eye for an eye. As expected, he was getting his revenge, wasn’t he……
But back then, he’d been so courteous and polite, okay? Putting aside how Xie Huai had gotten his clothes all scattered, Xie Huai had been so fierce it was like he’d wanted to eat him alive…… If not for the fact that Fang Li was in the wrong, he definitely wouldn’t have let Xie Huai do as he pleased!
His mood had been poor to start with, and meeting Fu Junling’s astonished, unsettled expression as soon as he went out the door, Fang Li immediately gave him a dark look. What are you looking at? If you keep looking, I’ll dig out your eyeballs!
Being looked upon by Fang Li’s murderous gaze, Fu Junling stiffened, and after a moment, he rigidly turned his eyes away. With a tone as if nothing had happened, he said, “Would Your Excellency like to take a stroll outside today?”
He sure would. Of course he had to take a nice, long stroll.
Fang Li’s expression shifted. Now that he’d lost the first battle, it looked like Fu Junling couldn’t be counted on anymore. Luckily, Fu Junling hadn’t been the most important point of this trip to Cinnabar Gate from the outset……
Although Fu Junling, as Xie Huai’s good friend, had had a good amount of description in the book, in the grand scheme of things, he didn’t truly have any conclusive purpose. Even if he was no longer in as much of a rush to go rescue Xie Huai because of Xie Huai’s changes, Black Star Tower’s entry into the Thousand Immortals’ Alliance was still inevitable.
But since they were short a Fu Junling, then matters on the other side were more pressing.
If another mistake happened with matters on that side, the development of the plot might really be affected.
“This lord has heard much about the famous Mountainview City. Naturally, this lord must take a proper look,” Fang Li raised an eyebrow and said slowly.
Fu Junling nodded with a smile, “This one is fairly familiar with Mountainview City. Please allow this one to show Your Excellency around.”
This meant that he was going to follow Fang Li the whole way to prevent him from causing a stir.
The corners of Fang Li’s lips hooked up slowly. “Alright.”
………………………
As one of the most prosperous great cities, all kinds of rare and precious treasures collected in Mountainview City. It could be said that anything one could want could be found here.
The Tower of Ten Thousand Treasures had a long-standing reputation throughout the world, with branch stores opening in tens of provinces, and its largest store was located precisely in Mountainview City.
Fang Li brought Xie Huai along and walked inside.
This Tower of Ten Thousand Treasures really was quite impressive. Because it had so many valuables, even the clerks and shop assistants running errands about the tower were cultivators of Foundation Building or above. Every floor had a Nascent Soul cultivator patrolling it, and the top floor even had Soul Formation cultivators keeping watch, the security extremely tight.
Not to mention that they were also located inside Mountainview City. They were even less afraid of any ordinary person raising a fuss.
Fang Li slowly looked over. The first floor had some fairly ordinary spiritual devices, the second floor had fairly expensive spiritual herbs, the third floor had all kinds of high-level spiritual devices, and the fourth floor held all kinds of precious items……
As soon as they walked in, a shop assistant began following them. No matter what Fang Li looked at or asked, he could accurately give an answer.
The shop assistant saw Fang Li standing in front of a hairpin to give it a look and smiled as he said, “Guest, this jasper hairpin you’re looking at was created five hundred years ago by the great craftsman, Daoist Lian Hu, and it’s one of the finest defensive spiritual devices in existence.”
Spiritual device or whatever, that wasn’t important, but it did look rather pretty.
Fang Li picked up the hairpin and compared it against Xie Huai, smiling faintly. “Wife, it suits you very well.”
Xie Huai gave him a deep look, not making a sound. Fang Li sure wasn’t asking him.
Fang Li said to the shop assistant, “Set it aside.”
The shop assistant was overjoyed. He’d originally thought that the guest was only casually taking a look and hadn’t thought he’d actually want it. He quickly smiled and said, “Yes, sir.”
Fang Li continued to stroll.
Because Fang Li seemed open and straightforward, the shop assistant also gave his explanations with ample enthusiasm. Seeing Fang Li pick up a pair of bracelets, he smiled and said, “Guest, you have good taste. This pair of bracelets is a set of first-rate storage devices. Most importantly, they’re a set, so they couldn’t be more suitable for you to wear as a matching set with your wife.”
Fang Li waved his hand. “Set it aside.”
The shop assistant was immediately beaming with joy.
Following that, he looked at some robes, shoes, belts, and so on. He didn’t look at the price or usage, only going by appearance, and anything that he thought suited Xie Huai, he would have the shop assistant set aside.
Not long after, Fang Li was done looking and said lazily, “Just these, then. Let’s go.”
The shop assistant was so delighted he couldn’t even close his mouth. In all these years, he’d never seen such a straightforward and impressive guest, coming into the Thousand Treasures Tower to shop like one would buy vegetables, not picking and choosing, not asking a word, simply picking whatever caught his eye.
The shop assistant tallied it up and said respectfully to Fang Li, “In total, that will be seventy thousand spirit stones.”
Fang Li glanced at the shop assistant impassively, the corners of his mouth hooking up. “I only said I wanted these. When did I say I would pay?”
The shop assistant: “???”
So that feeling that you took whatever you wanted as if the price didn’t matter, was because you didn’t plan on paying?
Do you know where this is?
The clerk’s expression immediately changed.
For someone to dare to make trouble at the Tower of Ten Thousand Treasures in Mountainview City, they must be tired of living!
He looked at Fang Li as if looking at a lunatic.
Just when the waiter was about to call for someone, a slender hand passed a purse over.
Fu Junling’s face was expressionless as he said slowly, “Seventy thousand spirit stones, take a look.”
The shop assistant startled briefly, taking the purse and counting. Sure enough, there were seventy thousand spirit stones, not a single piece missing. His expression finally became a little better. He had actually thought there really was a lunatic who had dared to come and make trouble, but it was only someone with a sharp tongue.
Fang Li glanced to the side briefly, watching Fu Junling with amusement.
He knew that Fu Junling was following him to clean up his messes. The reason why he’d intentionally come to the Tower of Ten Thousand Treasures and grabbed nearly a hundred thousand spirit stones’ worth of goods was because he’d wanted to see how Fu Junling intended to deal with him……
He hadn’t thought that Fu Junling would be such an impressive spender and had actually handed over seventy thousand spirit stones in one go……
Fu Junling’s heart throbbed with pain, but he still had a smile on his face, saying warmly to Fang Li, “Where does Your Excellency want to go next?”
Fang Li gave Fu Junling a profound look. No rush, this was only the beginning…… He said slowly, “It’s about time, I believe the next stop is to have a meal.”
Fu Junling let out a slight breath of relief and said, “This one knows a decent restaurant that’s very well-known in Mountainview City.”
Fang Li stepped outside first.
Fu Junling fell a few steps behind, his face a little heavy, when he suddenly saw Xie Huai turn around with a bland expression and open his mouth to mouth silently: I’ll return the spirit stones to you.
The stifled feeling in Fu Junling’s chest immediately disappeared, and his expression also cleared up. Now that was more like it. Since that devil is buying things for you, why should I pay? If anyone is going to pay, it should be you.
Not long after, they arrived at the biggest restaurant in Mountainview City.
This time, Fu Junling had prepared well ahead of time, and he smiled at Fang Li. “I’ve already prepared the best seat for Your Excellency. Your Excellency, please.”
But Fang Li’s gaze swept around, toward a seat on the second floor near the windows. He raised his eyebrows and said, “No need, that spot looks pretty good.”
Fu Junling’s expression stiffened. There was already someone sitting there!
Sure enough, this devil really had come out to make trouble!
Fu Junling gave Xie Huai a look that held no goodwill. Are you not going to look after your own person? You’re going to just let him cause trouble like this?
Xie Huai shifted his eyes away, pretending not to see.
Fang Li was still mad at him, he couldn’t do anything about it.
Seeing that Xie Huai couldn’t be counted upon, Fu Junling took a deep breath and smiled at Fang Li. “Your Excellency, please wait a moment.”
Having said that, he went over to that table, and who knew what he said, but those people quickly departed and left the table to them.
Fang Li waited until Fu Junling returned, then sighed with a bit of disappointment. “Forget it, that seat isn’t anything special either. Let’s go to the seat that Tower Master Fu arranged, after all.”
Fu Junling: “……”
He must have been blind yesterday to think that this devil was cute.
Fang Li leisurely started eating with satisfaction. Sure enough, the dishes here had a style all their own, and they hadn’t come for nothing. Only, today, he only paid attention to eating his fill, no longer trying to tease Xie Huai. There was no point in doing useless things. Anyways, neither of these two would get mad.
Xie Huai pressed his lips together and coughed lightly. Was he still unhappy?
Last night, he……
Really had been a little fierce.
Fang Li was no longer counting on being able to infuriate Fu Junling, but he wanted to see—for how long can you help Chong Wanshan suppress the fact that I’m in Mountainview City?
Fang Li held his wine cup, his gaze slowly sweeping around, and the corners of his lips suddenly hooked up.
To the side, there was someone sneakily stealing glances at Xie Huai. Had he recognized Xie Huai’s identity? With how big Mountainview City was, for there to be someone who’d seen Xie Huai before wasn’t strange.
Fang Li suddenly turned his head, his gaze falling on that person, and said coolly, “Is my person someone you can look at?”
That person startled, and before they could react, Fang Li sent them flying with a slap.
The restaurant fell silent in an instant.
Very quickly, law enforcement disciples charged over, about to make an arrest, but as soon as they saw Fu Junling, they immediately stopped where they stood.
Fu Junling slowly shook his head at them.
The law enforcement disciples’ expressions were extremely unsightly. Yesterday, they’d received orders from above that during this period of time, no matter what the person Tower Master Fu was accompanying did, they were not to take action.
But this person was clearly making trouble inside the city. Why shouldn’t they take action……?
Even if this person was a powerful expert who they couldn’t handle him, there were still the elders and the gate master. There was absolutely no reason in letting things be!
Although the law enforcement disciples hadn’t stepped forward, Fang Li didn’t intend to let things go just like this. He put on an expression of someone looking down from above, as if gazing contemptuously at a bunch of ants, looking at them indifferently and raising the corner of his mouth with amusement. “It looks to me like that’s all there is to Cinnabar Gate’s ironclad law……”
This sentence was light and breezy, yet insulting to the extreme.
Those law enforcement disciples’ faces immediately flushed thoroughly red. Ever since entering Cinnabar Gate and becoming outer disciples, they’d devoted themselves to strictly enforcing the law.
In Mountainview City, every single person had to abide by the rules. Only then could the city be neat and orderly. They held absolute loyalty toward Cinnabar Gate’s laws, and they felt pride in their own duties, yet today, they had been ordered not to action, unable to deliver punishment even though someone was clearly making trouble…… Watching with eyes wide open as this madman did as he pleased, yet still having to be disgraced by his words like this……
Why had they gotten orders like this from above? Just who was this person? Why couldn’t they punish him? It couldn’t be that the so-called law of Cinnabar Gate was also made to order based on the person?
Was everything that they believed in a joke?
Fu Junling’s expression became grave. He finally stood up and said to those disciples in a heavy voice, “You all go back first. I’ll personally explain this matter to the gate master.”
He spoke very slowly, but the look in his eyes was forceful.
Those law enforcement disciples took in a deep breath and left with dissatisfaction.
After this fuss, the atmosphere in the restaurant was utterly quiet and strange.
Fang Li said leisurely, “The mood is ruined, it’s hard to keep eating.”
Having said that, he got up and left.
Leaving behind a crowd of bewildered and unsettled spectators.
Fang Li played around for three days like this.
In these three days, Fu Junling’s expression became worse day by day.
This devil was obviously stirring up trouble on purpose. Even if Fu Junling followed along to wipe his ass, he couldn’t wipe it all away, and the worst part was, the rumors were nearly impossible to suppress at this point……
Some people had recognized Xie Huai.
Everyone was speculating that the person making trouble at Mountainview City was that devil from Hollow Ridge, and some had recognized that the person causing a stir at the Gilded Tower previously had also been that devil, saying that that devil hadn’t gone to Cinnabar Gate to apologize at all, but was instead wreaking havoc all over Mountainview City. Fu Junling’s words that day had only been for fooling them……
Moreover, the devil was making trouble in Mountainview City, yet the law enforcement disciples actually weren’t enforcing the law, but allowing the devil to do as he pleased. It looked like that was all there was to Cinnabar Gate’s law, just bullying the weak and fearing the strong.
There were also people saying, with this devil stirring up trouble like this, it was impossible that Chong Wanshan didn’t know, so why hadn’t he appeared? It couldn’t be that he was afraid of that devil?
Not only did these rumors spread like wildfire among the common folk, but even within Cinnabar Gate, more than a few disciples had started to harbor doubt and dissatisfaction. They’d received orders that they weren’t allowed to take action against the person stirring up trouble, but the higher-ups hadn’t said just who that person was, nor had they given a clear explanation. Wasn’t burying their heads in the sand and retreating over and over like this doing exactly as the rumors said, bullying the weak and fearing the strong, and cowering before that devil?
Was this the conduct of a righteous sect? How would they have the face to call themselves members of one of the five great sects in the future? They might as well call themselves turtles hiding in their shells!
For a while, the voices clamored.
Fu Junling’s mood was heavy.
If things went on like this, it would shake the very foundations of Cinnabar Gate. When that time came…… Chong Wanshan would have no choice but to show himself, and a battle would be difficult to avoid.
That night, Fang Li sat by the edge of the boat, enjoying the view.
Xie Huai was by his side. He gave Fang Li a deep look and said slowly, “If you’ve made enough trouble, let’s go back.”
Fang Li turned to look at Xie Huai.
Under the night sky, Xie Huai’s brow was slightly furrowed, seeming to contain a trace of worry.
Fang Li thought, sure enough, Xie Huai’s face was cold but his heart was warm, and he actually was worried about the people here, fearing that Fang Li would continue making trouble and end up fighting with Chong Wanshan, harming countless innocents. But don’t worry, I won’t harm any innocents. I only want to force that old turtle to show his face, nothing more……
Fang Li gave a faint smile. “No need to worry, wife, I have matters well in hand.”
Well in hand.
Last time, you also said that, but as I see it, you don’t have things in hand at all.
Coming all alone to Mountainview City and challenging Chong Wanshan, do you really think you can get out in one piece?
Xie Huai pressed his lips tightly together, but what else could he do?
This person wasn’t even willing to speak a single honest word. Why would he be willing to listen to Xie Huai?
…………………
Early morning the next day, Fu Junling came to knock on Fang Li’s door.
Fang Li glanced at him lazily, smiling, “What business does Tower Master Fu have?”
This time, Fu Junling didn’t smile. He gave him a complicated look, then said, “Gate Master Chong would like to meet with Your Excellency.”
Fang Li raised his eyebrows.
The person he’d been waiting for had finally come.
Fang Li gave a cheerful laugh. “Alright.”
Xie Huai finally couldn’t bear it anymore. He grabbed Fang Li’s hand and slowly shook his head, his eyes deep and dark.
But Fang Ly only laughed. “No need to worry, wife.”
Having said that, he shook off Xie Huai’s hand and left with Fu Junling.
Xie Huai pressed his lips together, but he could only follow along.
The location of the banquet was the Gilded Tower, not Cinnabar Gate.
It looked like Chong Wanshan still didn’t intend to rip off the façade of peace for the moment, so he’d specially chosen a place outside of Cinnabar Gate to meet with him. Of course, he might also have been afraid that Fang Li would be on guard and unwilling to attend the meeting.
Fang Li leisurely entered the hall.
Chong Wanshan had already prepared the feast, and he stood up from a distance aways and cupped his hands toward Fang Li, laughing heartily. “Your Excellency has come a long way to be our guest. This one missed out on welcoming you.”
Fang Li sized up the other person.
Chong Wanshan was a cultivator who had lived for over two hundred years. He looked to be middle-aged, with a long, scholarly beard, wearing red-bottomed white robes. As a sect master of one of the five great sects, his every move and action gave off an imposing air.
But Fang Li wasn’t the least bit afraid. He leaned back lazily in his seat and glanced sideways at him with a shallow smile. “The Gate Master is too polite. What was the reason for inviting this lord here today?”
Seeing Fang Li’s lazy and disrespectful attitude, not holding any regard for a great and mighty sect master, Chong Wanshan recalled his outrageous actions during this period of time, and anger surged into his heart, but his face remained warm and friendly as he said, “Not at all, it was this one who wanted to ask Your Excellency exactly what your purpose was for coming to my Cinnabar Gate?”
Fang Li said blandly, “This lord has merely heard much about Mountainview City and wanted to come take a tour, nothing more.”
Chong Wanshan sneered inwardly. Is this what you call taking a tour?
He gave Fang Li a deep look. “If Your Excellency has anything to say, please say it straight.”
Fang Li slowly twisted the wine cup in his hand and laughed. “This lord has always been a blunt person with no fondness for useless pleasantries. What I’ve said is straight talk.”
Chong Wanshan’s expression became slightly heavier.
Fu Junling and Xie Huai sat to one side, not speaking a word.
After a long time, Chong Wanshan fixed his eyes on Fang Li’s eyes and slowly opened his mouth. “Then this one would like to know how long Your Excellency intends to continue touring?”
Fang Li said, “That would depend on the Gate Master.”
Chong Wanshan narrowed his eyes. “Oh?”
Fang Li gave a faint smile. “If the Gate master shows enough sincerity, it’s not out of the question for this lord to find another place to go touring.”
Chong Wanshan thought, as expected.
He’d previously guessed that Fang Li was scheming something. This devil was excessively greedy and couldn’t possibly be willing to leave easily. If things could be handled with money, it was still an acceptable solution……
Chong Wanshan clapped his hands.
Immediately, some servants carried in two chests.
The servants opened the chests.
Immediately, the glimmer of glistening, crystal clear spirit stones lit up the entire hall.
All of these were top-grade spirit stones, and a single piece was worth a hundred times as much as a normal spirit stone. These two chests probably contained at least twenty thousand!
Chong Wanshan stroked his beard and smiled, saying, “These twenty-thousand top-grade spirit stones are a gift for Your Excellency. Your Excellency can say that this was not a wasted trip.”
Two million spirit stones, at the drop of a hat.
How generous.
The corners of Fang Li’s lips hooked up in amusement.
Chong Wanshan could be said to have paid out his sweat and tears in spending this money to send off the plague that Fang Li was. If he had come seeing wealth, it wouldn’t be a bad deal to take these spirit stones and go. After all, this kind of leeching could be done often. He was suffering no losses in this artless business deal, but unfortunately……
Fang Li withdrew his gaze as if nothing had happened and laughed mockingly, saying coolly, “What, is the Gate Master trying to send away a beggar?”
Chong Wanshan’s smile froze on his face, and his expression suddenly became cold.
Fu Junling was a little uneasy. Fang Li’s attitude gave him the sense that what would happen next might far exceed his expectations……
Xie Huai stared fixedly at Fang Li, his hands clenching inside his sleeves. Exactly what do you want to do……
Fang Li ignored the grave and somber atmosphere inside the room and laughed casually, looking straight at Chong Wanshan as he said, “This lord wants half of Cinnabar Gate’s revenue in taxes, paid in tribute annually. What does the Gate Master think?”
The surroundings immediately became dead silent, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.
Chong Wanshan looked at Fang Li in disbelief, his chest heaving, seething with rage.
Ridiculous!
Absurd!
…………………………………
The Author Has Something to Say:
Xie Huai: In the future, if there’s anyone still saying that I don’t have unparalleled willpower : )
Fang Li: Nothing you see is true
Fu Junling: ……
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TL Note: I’ll be switching to Sundays for the second update day from now on (instead Saturday)
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