Druid Fairy

Chapter 184 Refusal
Looking at this absurd scene before him, Li Mengjin could only find it amusing.

Human nature is truly fascinating.

One moment they were all treasuring their lives, afraid of being used as cannon fodder, and the next moment they were scrambling to jump into the fire pit for the vague title of "Wang family son-in-law".

He glanced at Wang Tianba in the main seat, and his understanding deepened.

Using a daughter as bait, he completely controlled this group of young geniuses.

"Brother Li, Brother Li! Quick, pinch me! Am I dreaming?"

Han Youwei shook Li Mengjin's arm violently, his face full of disbelief. "Are these people crazy? They'd risk their lives for a woman? Aren't all the maids in my Han family prettier than that Miss Wang? I'll give them one each, and that'll stop them from going to their deaths, okay?"

This young master Han's thought process is indeed unique and quite peculiar.

Li Mengjin ignored him, and instead slowly stood up, bowed, and said, "Lord Wang."

His voice, sharp as a sword's edge, instantly drowned out all the noise.

The entire room fell silent.

All eyes were focused on the boy.

Wang Tianba's hawk-like eyes narrowed slightly.

"What do you have to say?" His tone was unreadable.

Li Mengjin cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Wang Tianba and said loudly, "I am deeply grateful for Lord Wang's appreciation. To be granted a title and appointed general, and to marry a noble lady, is indeed an immense fortune. It's just a pity..."

He paused, then changed the subject, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"I am devoted to the sword and have no other desires. This incredible opportunity is beyond my reach."

Refused!
He actually refused in front of everyone!
Those young people who had just been so passionate and eager to die for their country now looked at Li Mengjin as if he were a fool.

"Has this kid gone mad? He won't take the way out that Lord Wang offered, and he actually dares to refuse in public?"

"That ignorant fool! Who does he think he is? So what if he has high talent in swordsmanship? He's offended Lord Wang, he'll suffer for it later!"

Han Youwei was so anxious he almost jumped off his chair. He grabbed Li Mengjin's clothes tightly and shouted in a low voice, "Brother Li! What are you doing! Are you out of your mind?!"

Wang Tianba's expression darkened visibly.

He stared at Li Mengjin, and a heavy, mountain-like pressure slowly rolled towards Li Mengjin.

The temperature in the entire banquet hall seemed to drop several degrees.

"You mean you don't approve of my arrangements?" Wang Tianba asked, enunciating each word clearly, his voice already tinged with coldness.

Han Youwei trembled with fright, but just then, he saw Li Mengjin turn around and give him a calm look.

There was no fear or retreat in those eyes, only complete composure.

For some reason, Han Youwei miraculously settled down.

He recalled the boy's composure on the Bridge of Inquiry, as if walking on flat ground, and his amazing feat of slaying the giant frog with a single sword strike in the Black Mist Forest.

This young man is a true swordsman of integrity!
Since I have already acknowledged him as a brother, how can I be a coward at this crucial moment?

Although Han Youwei was afraid of death, he valued loyalty even more!

"I'm sorry, Father! I'm afraid I'll have to be willful today!" Han Youwei cried out in his heart, then gritted his teeth, stomped his foot, and stood up as well.

At this moment, his bulky body even appeared somewhat imposing.

"Cough cough!"

Han Youwei cleared his throat, trying to make his voice sound less trembling. "Lord Wang, please don't be angry. I... I also think I'm not very suitable to be an undercover agent. Look at my physique, I'm too conspicuous just standing there, and I eat a lot, so I'm too easy to be exposed! Besides... besides, I'm timid, afraid of the dark, and can't stand the sight of blood. If I'm scared by those demons from the Blood Fiend Sect and they expose you, wouldn't that ruin your important plans?"

His half-serious, half-joking remark eased the tense atmosphere somewhat.

Wang Tianba's eye twitched. Of course he knew Han Youwei, the clown from Qinghe County.

With Han Youwei taking the lead, the cultivators who had been forced into a difficult situation by Wang Tianba's words and were already resistant now seemed to have found their backbone.

“Lord Wang, I…I also feel that this matter is somewhat inappropriate.” The Sun brothers exchanged a glance and stepped forward as well. “Our cultivation is shallow, and we are afraid that we are not up to the task and will fail your high expectations.”

"Yes, yes, the matter of infiltration is no small thing. It requires meticulous attention to detail and exceptional intelligence. We warriors only know how to charge into battle, and we might ruin Lord Wang's entire plan."

In a short while, another seven or eight people stepped forward and expressed their refusal.

Although they are still a minority, they have formed a force that cannot be ignored.

Wang Tianba's face was as black as the bottom of a pot.

The purpose of today's banquet is to screen suitable candidates. If we were to cause trouble on the spot, it would only discourage others and alienate them.

He clapped his hands heavily, a half-smile on his face, and exclaimed, "Truly, heroes emerge from among the young! Each and every one of them has great backbone!"

"As I said, I will not force anyone. Since you are unwilling to serve the country and are unwilling to accept this immense wealth, I... grant your request!"

"However..." He abruptly changed the subject, his voice turning chilling, "The matter of the Blood Fiend Sect is a top secret of our Demon Suppression Division. If even the slightest whisper of what happened today were to leak out..."

"My first suspicion will be that some treacherous individuals are secretly colluding with demonic cultivators to leak secrets! In that case, don't blame me for using the 'Demon-Suppressing Iron Token' without mercy!"

A naked threat!

Once this serious charge of "colluding with evil forces" is pinned on them, it will be a capital offense that leads to the confiscation of their property and the extermination of their entire clan!
Han Youwei and the others turned pale with fright. They never expected that Wang Tianba would be so shameless!
How can they be allowed to refuse?

It's as if a knife is being held to the neck of each of them!

If any problems arise with this undercover operation in the future, those who refused will be the perfect scapegoats!
Li Mengjin, however, sneered inwardly.

"A matter is accomplished in secrecy, and ruined by leaks."

He thought to himself, "Wang Tianba publicly announced such a confidential matter in front of such a large audience, and then so easily threatened them with words, without any concern that he might force someone to take the risk and actually leak the information. This behavior means either he is extremely confident and believes he can control everyone present, or... he simply doesn't care about the success or failure of this undercover operation."

If it's the former, then his methods of control must be overwhelming and leave no room for resistance. For example, he could use elixirs or restrictions to control the "undercover agents" who have agreed to his demands.

If it's the latter, then the situation is even worse.

Whichever possibility it is, it proves one thing—this is a mess you absolutely must not get involved in!

Just when everyone was silenced by Wang Tianba's intimidating presence, he suddenly dropped his fierce demeanor and smiled.

"Hehe, everyone, there's no need to be nervous. I'm just doing my duty and giving you a reminder." "Since you are unwilling to serve the country, I won't force you. You may leave now."

He actually... just let them go like that?
Han Youwei and the others looked at each other, hardly believing their ears.

Just when they thought the matter was over and were about to slip away, Wang Tianba slowly spoke again.

"Han Youwei," his gaze fell on Han Youwei, "you are the only son of the Han family of Qinghe. Your father, Han Wanshan, gives my Demon Suppression Division more silver every year than the state government's annual tax revenue. I have to give your father this face."

Han Youwei's chubby face stiffened. How could those words be so jarring? Did they think he was just a spoiled brat who relied solely on his father? He was clearly very talented and insightful!

Wang Tianba then looked at the Sun brothers: "You two can leave as well. Your father served under me and died for the country. He is a descendant of a martyr. I cannot let heroes shed blood and tears, nor can I let loyal and virtuous people die out."

Upon hearing this, the Sun brothers showed a hint of gratitude on their faces, but they also felt the pressure in those words.

"As for you... Li Jin."

A hint of undisguised contempt and amusement crept onto Wang Tianba's lips.

"They were able to leave because they had connections, backgrounds, and reasons that I, as an official, could not ignore."

"What about you?"

"What right do you, a rogue cultivator from some unknown corner of the world, have to say 'no' to me?"

As soon as the words were spoken, the atmosphere in the entire banquet hall instantly plummeted to freezing point.

Those young people who had been swayed by Li Mengjin's words lowered their heads and dared not look at him again.

Yes.

That's just how the world is.

Only those with connections have the right to negotiate terms and the right to say no.

People without connections have no choice but to accept their fate!
Han Youwei and the Sun brothers' expressions also changed. They wanted to say a few words for Li Mengjin, but under Wang Tianba's terrifying official authority, they opened their mouths but couldn't utter a single word.

At this moment, Li Mengjin was completely isolated.

He was like a fish on a chopping board, completely at Wang Tianba's mercy.

"It's over, it's over..." Han Youwei's heart sank to the bottom. "This time... we've really messed things up."

Despite the overwhelming pressure, Li Mengjin smiled.

"Lord Wang is right. I am indeed powerless, without influence, and without any affiliation."

"But the adults seem to have forgotten one thing."

"I am a sword cultivator."

"Sword cultivators cultivate an unwavering, indomitable sword heart. My sword will only be drawn according to my will. If the heart is unwilling, the sword will not obey; even if it goes, it will only be a burden. What use is a burden whose heart is not in it, sir?"

Wang Tianba's face turned cold, but a hint of interest arose in his heart.

This kid...

A greedy tongue!
What a courage!
Far from being angry, he felt a touch of admiration.

What kind of people does the Demon Suppression Division need?

They are henchmen and lackeys, but what is needed even more are capable generals who can stand alone!

He would naturally value a fool who only knows how to obey orders more than a smart person who knows how to assess the situation, dares to put forward his own ideas, and can do things well!
Li Mengjin's performance in today's test far exceeded his expectations.

This young man not only possesses exceptional talent in swordsmanship, but also has a resilient and calm temperament, and remarkable intelligence. He is a rare gem!

"You, I grant your request!" Wang Tianba waved his hand. "Your task is to stay in Songling Prefecture and cultivate diligently for me! When the time is right, I will have a great use for you! As for the others, those who are willing to come with me to seize that immense wealth may stay. Those who are unwilling..."

He glanced at Han Youwei and the others, "...I am also tired. Gentlemen, please make yourselves at home."

This is tantamount to issuing an eviction notice.

They actually released them just like that.

Li Mengjin's heart stirred slightly. He cupped his hands in greeting to Wang Tianba, said nothing more, and turned to walk out.

Han Youwei and the others felt as if they had been granted a pardon and hurriedly followed, running faster than rabbits, afraid that Wang Tianba would change his mind.

…………

Outside the Wang family mansion, the night was cool and still.

Han Youwei let out a long sigh of relief, plopped down on the stone lion at the entrance, touched his chest, and was still shaken.

"My goodness...that scared me to death! I thought none of us would ever leave this room today!"

The Sun brothers and the other young people who had withdrawn with them were also filled with lingering fear. They all surrounded Li Mengjin and solemnly bowed to him.

"Brother Li Jin, we owe you so much today! If you hadn't stepped forward, we would probably have become pawns of Lord Wang, and our future would be uncertain!" said the eldest brother of the Sun family sincerely.

"Yes! Brother Li is so kind! We will never forget this kindness!"

"If Brother Li ever needs anything in the future, just say the word, and we will do anything, even die a thousand deaths!"

They weren't fools; they could naturally see that if Li Mengjin hadn't engaged in a verbal battle with Wang Tianba tonight, these small fry would have been crushed by that overwhelming official power long ago.

It was Li Mengjin who single-handedly shouldered all the pressure for them.

Han Youwei leaned closer, put his arm around Li Mengjin's shoulder, and said with a face full of admiration, "Brother Li! You're like my own brother! From today onwards, you're my half-brother, Han Youwei's half-brother! From now on, your business is my business! If anyone dares to lay a finger on you, I, Han Youwei, will be the first to fight them to the death!"

Faced with everyone's gratitude, Li Mengjin nodded and said humbly, "You're all too kind. I just did what I wanted to do. As for Wang Tianba, you should all be careful in the future."

Having said that, he said no more, picked up his sword, turned and disappeared into the night.

Behind him, Han Youwei looked at the departing figure, scratched his head, and said to the Sun brothers, "My brother Li is good in every way, but he's too quiet and a bit too cold to be approachable."

The eldest brother of the Sun family shook his head and sighed, "This is the true demeanor of a master. A true swordsman's mind is entirely focused on the sword; what need is there for further words?"

Everyone agreed wholeheartedly and nodded in agreement.

After that night, Li Mengjin's silhouette left a deep and lasting impression on their hearts.

(End of this chapter)