Chapter 278, Back to Square One in One Night
In Li Shanyan’s eyes, the blood rain falling in front of him looked somewhat eerie and sinister.
But in Sang Zhe’s eyes…
Walking out in the drizzle, their Sect Leader seemed like a savior riding a rainbow, radiating with holy light.
So moved that tears nearly rolled down.
“Sect Leader!” Sang Zhe shouted hoarsely, almost rushing in for a bear hug.
“It must be our psychic connection that alerted her to my danger and brought her here to save me!”
“…Are you an idiot?” Hua Jianglian shot him a bemused glance. “Do you have any misconceptions about battles between high cultivators?”
“Forget about Linzhou City, even in your backyard, the commotion from your fight could be heard from a distance.”
Only then did Sang Zhe turn his head and look around.
Indeed.
He had been so focused on Li Shanyan that he hadn’t noticed his surroundings had completely turned into a wasteland.
Not a blade of grass could be seen; everywhere were shattered pits and craters, all affected by the residual shockwaves.
The mountains on either side had all vanished, as if they had never existed.
No wonder high cultivators are reluctant to intervene easily. This was a pure nuclear explosion scene!
If the fighting continued, this area could practically be removed from the map.
However, with their Sect Leader backing him up, Sang Zhe felt emboldened and boastfully shouted at Li Shanyan, “Hmph, old dog, are you stunned? With the two of us high cultivators fighting you, let’s see how you can still pretend! I won’t let you off without beating you to kingdom come—”
“Actually, we might really not win.” Hua Jianglian immediately poured cold water on him.
“…Huh?” Sang Zhe deflated instantly, turning to her in shock.
“Don’t be foolish. Your Sect Leader has just stepped into high cultivation not long ago. If this old dog truly gets serious, we might not even be able to escape.”
Hua Jianglian stared intently at Li Shanyan, murmuring, “However, I’ve already contacted Gu Yingmian. If we wait a little longer for her to arrive, then we can really put up a fight.”
As soon as he heard Gu Yingmian was coming too, Sang Zhe perked up again, hands on his hips pointing at Li Shanyan confidently, “Ha, with three high cultivators, I refuse to believe we can’t beat you!”
Li Shanyan’s murky eyes swept over the two, his aged face briefly showing a hint of regret.
“…Sigh.”
“I’m getting old. I’m becoming more careless.” He seemed to chuckle self-deprecatingly.
“Forget it. This old man has no intention of escalating this matter further. Let the immortal jade remain with the young friend for now.”
“However…”
He glanced meaningfully at Sang Zhe, “Later, even if this old man doesn’t want it, someone will come to ask the young friend for it.”
Having said that, Li Shanyan slowly shook his head, turned around, and waved his hand, walking away with a hunch just like an old man nearing the end of his life.
Once Li Shanyan completely disappeared from sight, Hua Jianglian breathed a sigh of relief, a hint of lingering fear in her eyes.
“Scared me to death.” She patted her chest, then turned to squeeze Sang Zhe’s cheeks, checking he was okay before anxiously saying,
“When I heard the commotion in Linzhou City, I thought you were a goner.”
“…Can you say something good for a change?”
Sang Zhe stretched out, relieved to be alive, “But I guess I’m lucky. If even one part of this had gone wrong, I would have ended up as a prisoner.”
“So, what exactly happened?”
Hua Jianglian frowned slightly, “Why did the Holy Kingdom have the audacity to personally send a high cultivator? How were you able to hold on for so long under their grasp?”
“Uh, it’s a bit complicated.”
Sang Zhe didn’t know where to start and could only shake his head wearily, “Let’s go back, and I’ll tell you slowly.”
Hua Jianglian pouted but soon her eyes dropped, softly mumbling to herself:
“Seriously… I was so worried. Thank goodness you’re fine, or I would’ve taken them down myself.”
Sang Zhe’s gaze softened.
He pulled Hua Jianglian into an embrace, petting her head like a little pet.
“Don’t worry.”
“…I really can’t bear to die.”
——
——
Linzhou City. Fusa Pavilion.
“What?!”
“Three… three billion spirit stones,” Hua Jianglian slammed the table, standing up with wide eyes, stammering, “All… all gone?!”
“I had no choice,” Sang Zhe awkwardly chuckled. “The situation was urgent. If I didn’t use the three billion spirit stones, that old man from the Holy Kingdom would have caught me, and I would have lost everything!”
“But that’s three billion spirit stones!”
Hua Jianglian’s face visibly crumpled, tears welling in her eyes: “I already promised everyone a raise, especially those participating in the cargo team, and now they’re expecting bonuses!”
“I… I had it all planned out, the extra money could buy so many goodies, even the latest PS5 console…”
As she spoke, the little girl grew more and more aggrieved and burst into tears.
Sang Zhe could only console her with guilt: “Sect Leader, don’t be sad; it’s all my fault.”
“Honestly, I’ve been looking forward to that bonus for so long, planning to use it for a dowry and proposing, and to make up for the wedding debts for Little Ying. Once the money is in hand, I wouldn’t have to worry about a house for the kid…”
“I’ve worked so hard saving money, now it’s all gone, and I’m left with three billion in debt… Three billion! How will I ever pay that back?! Wah!”
As he spoke, Sang Zhe’s own sadness caught up to him, and he started crying alongside Hua Jianglian.
The sounds of two grown toddlers wailing filled Fusa Pavilion, leaving Bai Ming exasperated as he rubbed his forehead.
…Are you two from a kindergarten for demon cultists?
“Alright, Sect Leader Hua, Brother Sang, there’s no need to feel too bad.”
Bai Ming tried to soothe them, “Wealth is ultimately external; it’s the safety of our lives that matters most.”
“Do you need money?” Hua Jianglian suddenly asked.
Bai Ming was taken aback and stuttered, “N-No, I don’t need any.”
“Well then, money is obviously external for you!” Hua Jianglian resumed her wails, “For us poor folks, money is everything!”
Bai Ming: “…”
Unable to endure the cycle of crying any longer, Bai Ming could only sigh and say,
“Brother Sang, I have a proposal.”
“If the Demon Cult needs funds to circulate, our Floating Splendor Commerce would be willing to offer assistance.”
Sang Zhe stopped crying, looking at her with hopeful eyes.
“Commercial loan. You should be familiar with it.”
“Uh? Can’t it just be a gift?”
“…Brother Sang, you’re joking.”
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