Fairy, help me cultivate.

"You worthless bastard! You think you can extort money like this? Go ask around about the background of the Li family! Get out of here! Otherwise, I'll turn you all to ashes with one breath!"

Chen Yao narrowed his eyes, sizing up Jiang Baisha to see how he would respond.

Jiang Baisha smiled and took out a jade pendant, handing it to the man.

The man didn't even take it, letting the jade tablet fall to the ground.

“We are located at a restaurant in Xingmei Village, about ten miles away. If you change your mind and want to talk, you can find us there.”

After saying that, Jiang Baisha turned and left with Chen Yao and Qingfeng.

"Is this what you mean by having them serve it to us personally?"

Chen Yao found it quite boring.

Jiang Baisha smiled and said, "We are a large family, and we believe in courtesy before resorting to force. Besides, the eldest elder always gives people a chance first."

Chen Yao understood somewhat: "So, we won't need to handle the rest?"

"Not necessarily, let's wait and see."

As they spoke, the three of them arrived at Xingmei Village.

I had just entered the restaurant and had a drink when someone came in and called out, "Which one of you is the master of the Jiang family?"

"coming!"

Jiang Baisha glanced at Chen Yao and Qingfeng, gesturing for them to stand up.

"The Li family sent someone to invite the three gentlemen to come and be guests."

"lead the way."

Jiang Baisha gestured with his hand.

……

"Why didn't you say you were from the Jiang family? We have failed to greet you properly!"

The cultivator with fiery red beard and hair seemed like a completely different person, all smiles, leading Chen Yao and the other two through the peaks and tunnels.

“I gave you the jade token, but you didn’t see it.”

Jiang Baisha smiled even more amicably, and spoke with great consideration for the other party's feelings: "May I ask your esteemed name, friend?"

The fiery red-bearded cultivator laughed heartily: "Of course, the Li family's surname is Li, and their given name is Huo Nan."

"Oh? The name suits him perfectly, how interesting!"

Where, there!

Another round of awkward laughter erupted, a mixture of merriment and forced smiles. Not only Chen Yao, but even Qingfeng seemed to find their affectation unbearable. After a while, Li Huonan led the three to a dazzling pavilion and opened its doors. "Please!"

He waved his sleeve and said, "I know the three of you have come to our Li family wanting a treasure. Look, this treasure pavilion is filled with all sorts of treasures. Which one do you want?"

Pick whatever you like!

Qingfeng frowned, because what he wanted wouldn't be among this pile of things. Clearly, Li Huonan was just putting on a show of generosity. It seemed there were still twists and turns in this matter. Jiang Baisha and Chen Yao also noticed this, and their expressions immediately turned grim.

Chapter 118 First Courtesy, Then Force: A Mound of Jing as a Respectful Offering

At this moment, Qingfeng couldn't help but say, "Fellow Daoist Li, what we want to ask for is the secret treasure that your noble family just obtained from the Fire Serpent Cave."

Li Huonan glanced at him, looking completely bewildered, and asked, "Which one?"

"That fire serpent's snout scales were tempered by fire over hundreds of years."

The breeze seemed to carry a hidden anger.

"fart!"

Unexpectedly, the anger on Li Huonan's face became even more ferocious.

"Who said we got the Fire Serpent's Kiss Scale? That's utter nonsense! Such a thing is extremely rare, and this Fire Serpent has over four hundred years of cultivation. Not to mention me, even my ancestor would have to think twice before trying to get close to it."

"I clearly heard someone from the Li family admit it!"

Qingfeng wanted to persevere a little longer.

"Who? Name him and I'll make him offer you his so-called Fire Serpent Kiss Scales!"

Li Huonan raised his head, clearly indicating his unwillingness to cooperate.

Qingfeng wanted to argue further, but Jiang Baisha stopped him.

"You must be tired after traveling all this way. Go out and get some fresh air."

Qingfeng still wanted to insist: "But..."

"Go on!" Jiang Baisha gently patted his shoulder and saw him off.

Chen Yao could tell that Li Huonan really didn't want to cooperate, so he stood aside and quietly watched Jiang Baisha, wanting to see what he planned to do.

Jiang Baisha turned back from the doorway and put his arm around Li Huonan's shoulder in a more intimate way.

Li Huonan was somewhat resistant, but seemed unwilling to offend Jiang Baisha too much, so she awkwardly let him hug her.

“Fellow Daoist Li, I know that the Li family may be preparing for your ancestor’s coming-of-age ceremony recently, so many secret treasures will be very useful.”

Jiang Baisha's voice was very soft, and it seemed that he really wanted to have a good discussion with Li Huonan.

Li Huonan clapped his hands with delight and said, "It's wonderful that Fellow Daoist Jiang knows this! Moreover, I have also shown you all my sincerity..."

He swept the magical artifacts and other items in the treasure pavilion with a wave of his sleeve: "These treasures are for you to choose from."

Jiang Baisha patted his shoulder: "We know that Fellow Daoist Li is generous and chivalrous, and we are very grateful for your kindness. But we have no need for these treasures, and we will not shamelessly reach out and take them. I have already inquired and found out that your ancestor cultivates a metal-attribute technique, so he has no need for fire-attribute spiritual treasures at all, which is why we dared to come to your door to trade."

Li Huonan squinted at Jiang Baisha.

Ignoring the intimidation in his eyes, Jiang Baisha said calmly, "The price is negotiable. I've heard that the Li family wants to expand into a few markets recently, and the Jiang family can help with that."

Chen Yao thought to himself, a spiritual treasure that is almost useless is indeed very tempting compared to a piece of real, edible meat. No wonder Jiang Baisha came to negotiate with such confidence.

It seems this matter is coming to an end, so I really don't need to do anything.

I just couldn't see where it tested any kind of character.

To his surprise, despite such favorable conditions, Li Huonan abruptly shook off Jiang Baisha's arm.

"Fellow Daoist Jiang, since you won't listen no matter what, then I'll tell you a story!"

He glared at Jiang Baisha and then at Chen Yao, his resentment evident in his eyes.

“In Xingmei Village at the foot of the mountain, there lived a farmer named Wen who had a little girl with extraordinary intelligence. This girl could read and write at the age of three, and could recite Taoist poems at the age of six. After she turned sixteen, she developed a heart that yearned for the Tao. Such a talent is probably rare even for you two from prominent families, isn’t it?”

Jiang Baisha nodded: "According to what you say, fellow Daoist, he is indeed a rare and exceptional talent."

"The Li family is located near Xingmei Village. When we encountered a potential cultivator, it was our duty to help. Therefore, we provided Taoist scriptures and explanations whenever we had them, and explained the properties of elixirs whenever we had them. More than thirty years have passed, and this girl has successfully established her foundation. The expenses incurred during this period are not worth mentioning, but we have put in a lot of effort. I, being of humble talent, happened to have my Taoist partner die in the Demon Well. I fell in love with this girl and decided to remarry."

Hearing Li Huonan say this, Chen Yao frowned, feeling that this guy had been coveting a little girl from the very beginning, how despicable.

Jiang Baisha did not make any comments.

Li Huonan continued, "However, one day, this girl, feeling a sudden urge, went to the nearby Mingsong Mountain and encountered..."

He became agitated: "I met that beast! He seduced her in no time, ravaged her for several years, and then dumped her! By then, her virginity had been broken, and I...I! Even if I had the secret treasure he needed to heal and break through his cultivation realm, I would rather feed it to the dogs than give it to him!"

With that, he waved his sleeve at Chen Yao and Jiang Baisha: "You two get out of here! You're both beasts! Go back and tell your old man in the Jiang family that I'm not afraid of him! My ancestor is about to emerge from seclusion, and his head will soon fall off! A bunch of scoundrels, daring to act so arrogantly in my Li family! Get out!"

Jiang Baisha listened to him finish cursing with his head down, then looked up and said, "I hope Fellow Daoist Li has thought it through. Since that's the case, we won't bother you any longer."

After saying that, he left the Li family mansion with Chen Yao and Qingfeng.

Qingfeng looked utterly defeated. After hearing Jiang Baisha recount Li Huonan's words, he immediately blushed and said, "I... Xiaohong and I are in love... Maybe, this injury was inflicted by Li Huonan! That bastard!"

Chen Yao thought to himself, "This guy is such a fool, he doesn't even know who he's offended."

However, he was too lazy to care whether Qingfeng was confused or not, and asked Jiang Baisha in surprise, "Now, I'm afraid we'll have to steal it ourselves, right? Is this what you wanted to test me for? But, I'm telling you, coming here again and again like this will only alert the enemy, and it might not even be easy to steal it now."

Jiang Baisha simply smiled and said, "Opportunities should be given to others! Otherwise, how can the Jiang family gain the respect of the people in Jiujiang?"

"Then what should we do? Along the way, there are three high-level mountain protection formations that we can see, not to mention the Golden Core and Foundation Establishment cultivators patrolling back and forth. The Li family's mountain residence is as well-defended as a major sect. Don't even think about stealing anything, let alone sneaking into the outer wall. Anyone below the Golden Core stage shouldn't even dream of it."

Jiang Baisha didn't answer, but just smacked his lips: "I must say, after not tasting human flavors for over a hundred years, this fermented mandarin fish from Xingmei Village has really whetted my appetite. Let's go eat!"

Not only Chen Yao, but even Qingfeng was suspicious and puzzled. However, since Jiang Baisha was in charge this time, the two of them had no choice but to follow his arrangements.

……

As night fell, the Li family's mountain residence was utterly tranquil.

With the Li family patriarch about to emerge from seclusion, the entire mountain residence was outwardly relaxed but inwardly tense, with everyone on edge, not to mention the arrival of three uninvited guests today who wanted to claim the treasure.

After settling down at the entrance of the Immortal Abode Cave where the ancestor had gone into seclusion, Li Huonan returned to his nine-story building, still feeling somewhat resentful.

If it weren't for the fact that the patriarch was about to leave seclusion and it wasn't wise to cause trouble and offend the Jiang family, he would have killed those three scoundrels with a single set of Fire Fist today.

However, the patriarch may emerge from seclusion at any time, and his time to vent his anger is not far off. He may be able to escape the monk, but can he escape the temple?

Thinking of this, Li Huonan calmed down a bit, waved his hand to summon ten scantily clad female cultivators, and indulged in absurd acts before falling asleep with a sore back.

He had just finished a good dream when he felt something wet and sticky beneath him. He opened his sleepy eyes, sat up blankly, and didn't immediately realize what had happened.

When he finally saw the concubine he was holding in his arms, with her blank stare and bluish-purple face, he became suspicious. He slowly lifted her face, only to find that he had lifted her head as well.

Blood continued to gush from his severed neck, and a river of blood was surging beneath him. Nine severed heads were piled up like a mound of skulls right in his crotch!

"Ah ah ah ah ah!"

Chapter 119 Jiang Bailin, who is extremely interested in Chen Yao

Before dawn the next day, the Li family knocked on the door of the wine shop in Xingmei Village.

Li Huonan looked gloomy and personally paid a visit to Jiang Baisha.

After exchanging pleasantries, he took out an ice jade box with lingering fear. A fist-sized, bright red scale floated in the transparent box.

A misty haze surrounded the scales, and the ice jade melted from the heat emanating from them.

Jiang Baisha casually took the ice jade box and handed it to Qingfeng, who was beaming with delight. He then turned to Li Huonan and said, "I'm really sorry, but because I'm a day late, I'm afraid I can't agree to the conditions you offered before."

Li Huonan's gloomy face turned even more ashen. After pursing his lips, he said with a forced smile, "It's alright, it's alright. Actually, I don't need this thing. I thought about it all night and felt that I should help people if I could. I'm really sorry for my rude words yesterday. I hope you can forgive me."

Jiang Baisha laughed and said, "No problem," waving his hand to invite him to have a bowl of village wine.