Fu Junling was pacing back and forth in front of Fang Liās door bright and early the next morning.
The sun was already high in the sky, so how come they hadnāt gotten up yet?
It couldnāt be that something really had happenedā¦ā¦
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 beā¦ā¦ If the devil really did that, then yesterday should be even more impossibleā¦ā¦
But why werenāt they coming out?
Had there been an accident?
Fu Junling couldnāt 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 openedā¦ā¦
His expression immediately froze on his face.
The one whoād 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 stateā¦ā¦
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 eyesā¦ā¦
Fu Junling gasped, a bit afraid to imagine exactly what had happenedā¦ā¦
He was the one whoād been narrow-minded. Heād only been thinking that Xie Huai couldnāt possibly be willing, by a man, toā¦ā¦ But he had never thought about whether he would be willing, to a man, toā¦ā¦
No wonder yesterday was like that.
Cough cough, stop, stopā¦ā¦
He couldnāt go on thinking about it.
Fang Li hadnāt 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, wasnāt heā¦ā¦
But back then, heād 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 heād wanted to eat him aliveā¦ā¦ If not for the fact that Fang Li was in the wrong, he definitely wouldnāt have let Xie Huai do as he pleased!
His mood had been poor to start with, and meeting Fu Junlingās 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, Iāll dig out your eyeballs!
Being looked upon by Fang Liās 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, āWould Your Excellency like to take a stroll outside today?ā
He sure would. Of course he had to take a nice, long stroll.
Fang Liās expression shifted. Now that heād lost the first battle, it looked like Fu Junling couldnāt be counted on anymore. Luckily, Fu Junling hadnāt been the most important point of this trip to Cinnabar Gate from the outsetā¦ā¦
Although Fu Junling, as Xie Huaiās good friend, had had a good amount of description in the book, in the grand scheme of things, he didnāt 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 Huaiās changes, Black Star Towerās entry into the Thousand Immortalsā 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.
āThis lord has heard much about the famous Mountainview City. Naturally, this lord must take a proper look,ā Fang Li raised an eyebrow and said slowly.
Fu Junling nodded with a smile, āThis one is fairly familiar with Mountainview City. Please allow this one to show Your Excellency around.ā
This meant that he was going to follow Fang Li the whole way to prevent him from causing a stir.
The corners of Fang Liās lips hooked up slowly. āAlright.ā
ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦
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 itemsā¦ā¦
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, āGuest, this jasper hairpin youāre looking at was created five hundred years ago by the great craftsman, Daoist Lian Hu, and itās one of the finest defensive spiritual devices in existence.ā
Spiritual device or whatever, that wasnāt important, but it did look rather pretty.
Fang Li picked up the hairpin and compared it against Xie Huai, smiling faintly. āWife, it suits you very well.ā
Xie Huai gave him a deep look, not making a sound. Fang Li sure wasnāt asking him.
Fang Li said to the shop assistant, āSet it aside.ā
The shop assistant was overjoyed. Heād originally thought that the guest was only casually taking a look and hadnāt thought heād actually want it. He quickly smiled and said, āYes, sir.ā
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, āGuest, you have good taste. This pair of bracelets is a set of first-rate storage devices. Most importantly, theyāre a set, so they couldnāt be more suitable for you to wear as a matching set with your wife.ā
Fang Li waved his hand. āSet it aside.ā
The shop assistant was immediately beaming with joy.
Following that, he looked at some robes, shoes, belts, and so on. He didnāt 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, āJust these, then. Letās go.ā
The shop assistant was so delighted he couldnāt even close his mouth. In all these years, heād 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, āIn total, that will be seventy thousand spirit stones.ā
Fang Li glanced at the shop assistant impassively, the corners of his mouth hooking up. āI only said I wanted these. When did I say I would pay?ā
The shop assistant: ā???ā
So that feeling that you took whatever you wanted as if the price didnāt matter, was because you didnāt plan on paying?
Do you know where this is?
The clerkās 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 Junlingās face was expressionless as he said slowly, āSeventy thousand spirit stones, take a look.ā
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 heād intentionally come to the Tower of Ten Thousand Treasures and grabbed nearly a hundred thousand spirit stonesā worth of goods was because heād wanted to see how Fu Junling intended to deal with himā¦ā¦
He hadnāt thought that Fu Junling would be such an impressive spender and had actually handed over seventy thousand spirit stones in one goā¦ā¦
Fu Junlingās heart throbbed with pain, but he still had a smile on his face, saying warmly to Fang Li, āWhere does Your Excellency want to go next?ā
Fang Li gave Fu Junling a profound look. No rush, this was only the beginningā¦ā¦ He said slowly, āItās about time, I believe the next stop is to have a meal.ā
Fu Junling let out a slight breath of relief and said, āThis one knows a decent restaurant thatās very well-known in Mountainview City.ā
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: Iāll return the spirit stones to you.
The stifled feeling in Fu Junlingās 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. āIāve already prepared the best seat for Your Excellency. Your Excellency, please.ā
But Fang Liās gaze swept around, toward a seat on the second floor near the windows. He raised his eyebrows and said, āNo need, that spot looks pretty good.ā
Fu Junlingās 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? Youāre 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 couldnāt do anything about it.
Seeing that Xie Huai couldnāt be counted upon, Fu Junling took a deep breath and smiled at Fang Li. āYour Excellency, please wait a moment.ā
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. āForget it, that seat isnāt anything special either. Letās go to the seat that Tower Master Fu arranged, after all.ā
Fu Junling: āā¦ā¦ā
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 hadnāt 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, heā¦ā¦
Really had been a little fierce.
Fang Li was no longer counting on being able to infuriate Fu Junling, but he wanted to seeāfor how long can you help Chong Wanshan suppress the fact that Iām 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 Huaiās identity? With how big Mountainview City was, for there to be someone whoād seen Xie Huai before wasnāt strange.
Fang Li suddenly turned his head, his gaze falling on that person, and said coolly, āIs my person someone you can look at?ā
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 disciplesā expressions were extremely unsightly. Yesterday, theyād 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 shouldnāt they take actionā¦ā¦?
Even if this person was a powerful expert who they couldnāt 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 hadnāt stepped forward, Fang Li didnāt 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. āIt looks to me like thatās all there is to Cinnabar Gateās ironclad lawā¦ā¦ā
This sentence was light and breezy, yet insulting to the extreme.
Those law enforcement disciplesā faces immediately flushed thoroughly red. Ever since entering Cinnabar Gate and becoming outer disciples, theyād 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 Gateās 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 troubleā¦ā¦ Watching with eyes wide open as this madman did as he pleased, yet still having to be disgraced by his words like thisā¦ā¦
Why had they gotten orders like this from above? Just who was this person? Why couldnāt they punish him? It couldnāt 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 Junlingās expression became grave. He finally stood up and said to those disciples in a heavy voice, āYou all go back first. Iāll personally explain this matter to the gate master.ā
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, āThe mood is ruined, itās hard to keep eating.ā
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 Junlingās 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 couldnāt wipe it all away, and the worst part was, the rumors were nearly impossible to suppress at this pointā¦ā¦
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 hadnāt gone to Cinnabar Gate to apologize at all, but was instead wreaking havoc all over Mountainview City. Fu Junlingās words that day had only been for fooling themā¦ā¦
Moreover, the devil was making trouble in Mountainview City, yet the law enforcement disciples actually werenāt enforcing the law, but allowing the devil to do as he pleased. It looked like that was all there was to Cinnabar Gateās 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 didnāt know, so why hadnāt he appeared? It couldnāt 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. Theyād received orders that they werenāt allowed to take action against the person stirring up trouble, but the higher-ups hadnāt said just who that person was, nor had they given a clear explanation. Wasnāt 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 Junlingās mood was heavy.
If things went on like this, it would shake the very foundations of Cinnabar Gate. When that time cameā¦ā¦ 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, āIf youāve made enough trouble, letās go back.ā
Fang Li turned to look at Xie Huai.
Under the night sky, Xie Huaiās brow was slightly furrowed, seeming to contain a trace of worry.
Fang Li thought, sure enough, Xie Huaiās 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 donāt worry, I wonāt harm any innocents. I only want to force that old turtle to show his face, nothing moreā¦ā¦
Fang Li gave a faint smile. āNo need to worry, wife, I have matters well in hand.ā
Well in hand.
Last time, you also said that, but as I see it, you donāt 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 wasnāt even willing to speak a single honest word. Why would he be willing to listen to Xie Huai?
ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦
Early morning the next day, Fu Junling came to knock on Fang Liās door.
Fang Li glanced at him lazily, smiling, āWhat business does Tower Master Fu have?ā
This time, Fu Junling didnāt smile. He gave him a complicated look, then said, āGate Master Chong would like to meet with Your Excellency.ā
Fang Li raised his eyebrows.
The person heād been waiting for had finally come.
Fang Li gave a cheerful laugh. āAlright.ā
Xie Huai finally couldnāt bear it anymore. He grabbed Fang Liās hand and slowly shook his head, his eyes deep and dark.
But Fang Ly only laughed. āNo need to worry, wife.ā
Having said that, he shook off Xie Huaiās 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 didnāt intend to rip off the faƧade of peace for the moment, so heād 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. āYour Excellency has come a long way to be our guest. This one missed out on welcoming you.ā
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 wasnāt the least bit afraid. He leaned back lazily in his seat and glanced sideways at him with a shallow smile. āThe Gate Master is too polite. What was the reason for inviting this lord here today?ā
Seeing Fang Liās 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, āNot at all, it was this one who wanted to ask Your Excellency exactly what your purpose was for coming to my Cinnabar Gate?ā
Fang Li said blandly, āThis lord has merely heard much about Mountainview City and wanted to come take a tour, nothing more.ā
Chong Wanshan sneered inwardly. Is this what you call taking a tour?
He gave Fang Li a deep look. āIf Your Excellency has anything to say, please say it straight.ā
Fang Li slowly twisted the wine cup in his hand and laughed. āThis lord has always been a blunt person with no fondness for useless pleasantries. What Iāve said is straight talk.ā
Chong Wanshanās 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 Liās eyes and slowly opened his mouth. āThen this one would like to know how long Your Excellency intends to continue touring?ā
Fang Li said, āThat would depend on the Gate Master.ā
Chong Wanshan narrowed his eyes. āOh?ā
Fang Li gave a faint smile. āIf the Gate master shows enough sincerity, itās not out of the question for this lord to find another place to go touring.ā
Chong Wanshan thought, as expected.
Heād previously guessed that Fang Li was scheming something. This devil was excessively greedy and couldnāt possibly be willing to leave easily. If things could be handled with money, it was still an acceptable solutionā¦ā¦
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, āThese twenty-thousand top-grade spirit stones are a gift for Your Excellency. Your Excellency can say that this was not a wasted trip.ā
Two million spirit stones, at the drop of a hat.
How generous.
The corners of Fang Liās 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 wouldnāt 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 unfortunatelyā¦ā¦
Fang Li withdrew his gaze as if nothing had happened and laughed mockingly, saying coolly, āWhat, is the Gate Master trying to send away a beggar?ā
Chong Wanshanās smile froze on his face, and his expression suddenly became cold.
Fu Junling was a little uneasy. Fang Liās attitude gave him the sense that what would happen next might far exceed his expectationsā¦ā¦
Xie Huai stared fixedly at Fang Li, his hands clenching inside his sleeves. Exactly what do you want to doā¦ā¦
Fang Li ignored the grave and somber atmosphere inside the room and laughed casually, looking straight at Chong Wanshan as he said, āThis lord wants half of Cinnabar Gateās revenue in taxes, paid in tribute annually. What does the Gate Master think?ā
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!
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The Author Has Something to Say:
Xie Huai: In the future, if thereās anyone still saying that I donāt have unparalleled willpower : )
Fang Li: Nothing you see is true
Fu Junling: ā¦ā¦
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TL Note: Iāll be switching to Sundays for the second update day from now on (instead Saturday)