Pill Saint, Weapon Emperor, Array God, Unparalleled in the World

Luo Chen glanced at him, his voice neither hurried nor slow.

"When it comes to resources, it doesn't matter whose way you want them. Ding Buqun wants to use someone else to do his dirty work, but if he hands us the knife, wouldn't it be a waste not to take it?"

Liu Feng blinked twice, his mind raced, and then he suddenly slapped his thigh.

"I understand! Ding Buqun has admitted that the Gu family was the mastermind, so they're witnesses. With witnesses, we can go to the Gu family; they won't be able to deny it!"

Wang Tie also realized what was going on and grinned.

"Master, you're brilliant! Ding Buqun wants to borrow a knife, so let's take this knife and slaughter the Gu family. If they dare to deny it, the witnesses are right there; they won't be able to renege on their debt!"

Luo Chen didn't reply, but quickened his pace.

The three of them turned two corners, and the Gu family's house was just ahead.

With its gray walls and black tiles, the words "Gu Mansion" on the lintel are written in a grand manner, and two stone lions squat at the entrance, making it look even more luxurious than the Ding family.

As Luo Chen was walking forward, the gatekeeper saw the three of them from afar, his face changed instantly, and he turned around and ran into the mansion, scrambling to report the news.

Luo Chen stood at the doorway, hands behind his back, waiting.

Not long after, the door opened from the inside, and Gu Dingshan walked out with a big smile on his face.

He wore a dark green brocade robe, had fair skin, and a short beard, making him look like a scholar.

He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, bending his waist just right, adopting a very humble posture.

"Master Luo has come from afar; I have failed to greet you properly. My apologies."

Luo Chen glanced at him but did not return the greeting.

"You are the head of the Gu family?"

Gu Dingshan's smile remained unchanged: "It is indeed I, Patriarch Luo. How can I stand outside? Please come in, please come in."

He stepped aside, made a "please" gesture, and smiled as sincerely as a father seeing his son.

Luo Chen didn't take a step; he just stood at the door and watched him.

"I'm somewhat surprised by the Gu family head's magnanimity. In that case, surely there's already a resolution regarding your Gu family's theft of my spirit mine?"

Gu Dingshan's smile froze for a moment, then returned to normal, and he nodded repeatedly.

"Yes, yes, yes! Patriarch Luo speaks frankly, and I won't mince words either. It's true that my Gu family was wrong in this matter, and I admit it."

He took a storage bag out of his sleeve, held it in his hands, and handed it over.

"This is 120,000 spirit stones; the extra is a small token of the Gu family's appreciation. Patriarch Luo, how about we just let this matter drop?"

Luo Chen glanced down at the storage bag but didn't take it.

"120,000? The Gu family head can afford that?"

Gu Dingshan's smile faded, his eyelids drooped slightly, and his voice deepened.

"How much does Patriarch Luo want?"

Luo Chen stretched out one hand, his five fingers spread wide.

"The Ding family stole 30,000 spirit stones and paid out 3 million in compensation. Your Gu family took 60,000 and was the mastermind. According to the rules, it's 6 million spirit stones, not a single one less."

The last bit of smile on Gu Dingshan's face froze, his lips twitched, and he squinted at Luo Chen.

"Six million? You really dare to ask for such an outrageous amount?"

"Don't you think this is a bit excessive? Didn't you think it was excessive when you stole my family's spirit mine?"

"Luo Chen, do you really think my Gu family is easy to bully?"

Luo Chen chuckled lightly, crossed his arms, and remained calm.

"Whether someone is easy to bully or not, you'll only know after you've bullied them. Are you implying you're not giving it to them?"

Gu Dingshan stared at him, his lips pressed into a thin line.

The wind in the alley swept up a few fallen leaves, which drifted between the two of them, but neither of them moved.

Give it to? Who wants to give it to?

Behind the Gu family's gate, several servants and guards peeked out furtively, not daring to breathe.

Six million spirit stones? Are you kidding me?

Even if you demolish the Gu family's house, you still can't get it out!

Just as Gu Dingshan was about to refuse, a voice suddenly came from behind him.

"Here, the Gu family accepts this."

Gu Dingshan's expression changed, and he turned around abruptly. Luo Chen also looked up and gazed into the gate of the Gu residence.

A figure stepped out from the shadows inside the door.

Upon seeing who it was, Gu Dingshan's expression changed slightly, and he subconsciously took a half-step to the side.

An old woman stepped out from behind the threshold. Her hair was white but neatly combed. She wore a dark blue robe, was thin, and stood ramrod straight.

His old eyes showed no sign of dimming, his gaze fixed intently on Luo Chen.

Gu Dingshan quickly stepped forward and whispered:

"Mother, why did you come out? I can handle this little thing..."

The old woman ignored him and walked straight up to Luo Chen, giving a slight bow.

"I am Gu Zhou, the widow of the Gu family, and I greet Patriarch Luo."

Luo Chen glanced at her from head to toe and understood what was going on.

These old fogies in Luosha City are all incredibly shrewd. Although Gu Dingshan is the head of the family, the one who truly holds the reins is probably this old lady.

"The old lady is quite reasonable."

Luo Chen nodded and stood up straight.

"Since you've admitted it, then hand over the six million spirit stones."

Gu Zhou sighed slowly, her face showing a hint of apology.

"Patriarch Luo, it's true that I took on this responsibility. But as you know, the Ding family just ransacked Luosha City. Ding Buqun went door-to-door begging for money, borrowing from the Chen, Wang, and Zhao families."

She looked up at Luo Chen, her tone sincere and impeccable.

"The warehouses of all the households are empty now, and we simply cannot gather this much in such a short time. I humbly request that Patriarch Luo grant us a few more days, would that be alright?"

Luo Chen crossed his arms and tapped his fingers lightly on the crook of his elbow twice.

He had anticipated this turn of events. The old lady readily agreed, but in her heart, she was planning to stall for time.

Once the people from the Fierce Blade Sect arrive, whether they give him spirit stones or take his life will be beyond Luo Chen's control.

However, Luo Chen didn't care.

Although the old lady was stalling, what she said was true.

Then let's wait!

He was just hoping the old woman would come up with something funny so he could take the opportunity to wipe out the Gu family as well.

"Since the old lady has spoken, would you like to grant her a few more days?"

A look of gratitude appeared on Gu Zhou's face as she bowed slightly.

"Thank you for your understanding, Patriarch Luo. How about half a month? After half a month, I will have my son personally deliver the spirit stones to your residence, without any objection."

Luo Chen shook his head, his tone indifferent.

"Half a month is too long. I don't have much patience. Ten days at most, not a single day more."

Gu Zhou's face twitched, and she pursed her lips.

After a few breaths, she nodded emphatically.

"Alright! Ten days it is. After ten days, every single spirit stone will be delivered to the Luo residence."

Luo Chen stared at her for two seconds, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Then I will wait at the manor. I hope the old lady won't act rashly and do something she'll regret."

After saying that, he turned around and waved to Liu Feng and Wang Tie.

"Let's go."

After the three left the Gu residence, the Gu family's servants finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Someone's legs went weak and they leaned against the door frame, secretly wiping away a cold sweat.

"Mother, even ten days wouldn't be enough to gather so many spirit stones!"

Gu Dingshan looked at his mother with a bitter expression, and Gu Zhoushi glared at him.

"There's always a way out. You should immediately send someone to inform Yuanjie and tell him to bring his men back within ten days."

"Yes, I will take care of it right away."

Gu Dingshan nodded, gave a few instructions to a trusted guard, and the guard left immediately.