Chapter Two Hundred and Seventy-Four, Li Shanyan
The old man looked so ordinary, like a typical farmer.
His smile was pure and warm, and his presence was as inconspicuous as wild grass by the roadside.
But Sang Zhe slowly lowered the hand that had been holding the teacup.
At the same time, every nerve in his body was on high alert.
“…Why aren’t you drinking?”
The old man seemed a bit regretful and smacked his lips, “Don’t! This tea is precious; I don’t even let myself drink it usually.”
“Only today am I treating Young Friend Sang, otherwise I wouldn’t dare to take it out.”
As he spoke, he poured himself a cup, took a sip, and squinted his eyes in enjoyment.
“Ah, so refreshing at first, with a rich aftertaste. Truly good tea.”
“You’re really not going to drink, Young Friend Sang?”
“Were you waiting for me long?” Sang Zhe said calmly.
“Not really, just happened to pass by.”
The old man chuckled, “With fate, one naturally meets.”
Fate?
Pfft.
What a load of nonsense.
Sang Zhe knew full well that this old guy definitely wasn’t just passing by.
He had clearly been watching him for a long time.
“Stop hiding and show your true colors,” Sang Zhe sneered, “What’s your name?”
Although Sang Zhe had already guessed.
Sure enough, the old man let out a dry laugh and slowly rose, sweeping his sleeves. The coarse hemp robe of an ordinary family somehow gave him an air of ethereal elegance.
“National Master of the Holy Kingdom, Li Shanyan.”
He said, hands clasped behind his back, smiling, “Young Friend Sang, I have finally met you.”
The National Master of the Holy Kingdom. Also, one of the top three leaders in the Holy Kingdom’s Great Ascendance realm.
Even those in the same Great Ascendance realm from the Holy Kingdom, General Xu Yourong of Tianlang Wei and Grand Eunuch Qin Xiuyuan, had to respectfully call him ‘Master National Master.’
His presence was the fundamental reason the Holy Kingdom stood above the entire cultivation world.
There were rumors that Li Shanyan was the oldest living human in the current cultivation world, at over nine hundred seventy years old.
His existence was practically a living history book of nearly a thousand years in the cultivation world.
Sang Zhe had certainly heard this name from Nian Nian.
However, seeing him in person made him uneasy.
“The National Master has heard of someone like me, a nobody?”
“Ah, Young Friend Sang, you’re being too modest,” Li Shanyan slowly shook his head. “I’ve long heard of your deeds.”
“To make the Holy Kingdom so frazzled, even causing my dear disciple to stumble, your ability is certainly not as unremarkable as you say.”
Even though the old man was still smiling, Sang Zhe’s heart sank further.
It seemed the visitor was not here with good intentions.
He wasn’t here to help his disciple, was he?
“A Great Ascendance cultivator like you, and you come to bully a lowly Foundation Establishment realm like me? Aren’t you afraid of ruining your own reputation?”
“Young Friend Sang, you’ve misunderstood.”
Li Shanyan chuckled, “That kid Zimo is just starting out; encountering some setbacks is good for him. I have no intention of making things difficult for you.”
“I came here simply to propose a transaction with you.”
“Let’s hear it?” Sang Zhe calmly bought time.
“Have you ever heard of the name ‘Dizang Xianyu’?”
Sang Zhe’s face showed no reaction.
But inside, a storm was brewing.
…He’s here for the Dizang Xianyu?
So that’s it.
No wonder the Holy Kingdom’s Empress had made a move, specifically choosing the Floating Splendor Commerce.
Now that he thought about it, it wasn’t a coincidence; it was all premeditated.
The reason they were giving the Floating Splendor Commerce a hard time had nothing to do with Linzhou City.
It was all for the Dizang Xianyu.
That’s a problem.
According to Nian Nian, the Dizang Xianyu was the cornerstone of Bai Ming and the Floating Splendor Commerce. It was vital for their survival.
Bai Ming could create communication devices and other popular items across the continent, all thanks to the help of the Dizang Xianyu.
If the National Master of the Holy Kingdom had set his sights on them, the Demon Cult might not be able to provide protection anymore.
After all, this old fossil had lived so long, who knew what level he had reached?
“Nian Nian, what level is this old man in the Great Ascendance realm now?”
Nian Nian’s figure slowly manifested beside him. She was staring intently at the old man, her expression serious like a cat ready to pounce.
“…I don’t know.”
Sang Zhe looked at her, slightly astonished.
This seemed to be the first time he had ever heard Nian Nian say, “I don’t know.”
Having had his system following him for so long, Sang Zhe always thought the invincible Nian Nian was capable of everything.
But it turned out there were indeed things even she didn’t know.
“I can still check on this person’s status from two hundred years ago.”
“But since then, I’ve been unable to find any information.” Nian Nian adjusted her glasses solemnly.
“However, I can give you a rough idea.”
“…Pinnacle of the Great Ascendance, even close to stepping into another realm.”
Sang Zhe twitched the corner of his mouth.
Damn.
Is he trying to put pressure on me directly?
A pinnacle Great Ascendance boss, does he really think I’ve been living too smoothly lately?
Now that Li Shanyan was standing in front of him, it felt like he had wandered into the lair of a red-named boss in an RPG game, suddenly finding himself under pressure.
“The young friend actually doesn’t need to be so nervous.”
Li Shanyan’s voice was very gentle, “Old man only wants to invite you to my master’s residence for a couple of days, to have a chat.”
“I can guarantee. The Holy Kingdom won’t harm the Floating Splendor Commerce or the Demon Cult as long as we acquire the Dizang Xianyu.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Sang Zhe said coldly, “I’m not from the Floating Splendor Commerce, nor have I heard of the Dizang Xianyu.”
“It’s fine if you haven’t heard of it.”
Li Shanyan smiled, “As long as you’re my guest, that new girl from the Demon Cult won’t be able to protect the Floating Splendor Commerce.”
In other words.
Take me as a hostage and force the Demon Cult to withdraw their protection for the Floating Splendor Commerce, then send people to directly rob them?
What a classic robbery and extortion behavior.
“I don’t see why you need to call yourselves the Holy Kingdom. We might as well give the Demon Cult title to you,” Sang Zhe scoffed.
Li Shanyan shook his head nonchalantly, “Old age makes one care less about face.”
“A thick skin, let them curse if they want.”
“But don’t worry, Young Friend. While you visit my residence, there will be plenty of good food and wine. Just consider it a vacation. When it’s time, I will let you go.”
“Dream on.” Sang Zhe curled his lip, “Why would I want to go to your master’s residence when I have a warm home waiting for me?”
“Oh, I see.”
Li Shanyan sighed with apparent regret.
“In that case… please don’t blame this old man.”
In the next moment.
He stretched out his bony hand and slowly pointed forward.
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