Translator: CinderTL
Seeing Song Wen's cooperation, the dark clouds on Jin Kaicheng's face instantly dissipated, replaced by a smug grin.
"That's more like it! I'll arrange for the Demon Souls to be retrieved immediately. You'll receive the exact number you requested, fellow daoist."
"Thank you for your trouble, fellow daoist," Song Wen replied politely, then continued, "In addition to the Demon Souls, I also require thirty stalks of Star Transformation Grass, each over five hundred years old. Please have your men retrieve those as well."
The Star Transformation Grass was for his three Shadow Gu, to help them advance to the fourth-tier.
"Star Transformation Grass?" Jin Kaicheng raised an eyebrow, his smile widening. "You're well-informed, fellow daoist. In the entire western Qicang Domain, only my Jin Family cultivates this Spirit Herb on a large scale. We're likely the only ones who can provide such a quantity of high-grade Star Transformation Grass in one go. Each stalk will cost four hundred high-grade spirit stones. What do you say?"
"Agreed."
Although the price was several times higher than the market rate, Song Wen accepted without hesitation.
Jin Kaicheng, however, grew wary.
"The Demon Souls and Star Transformation Grass will cost a total of thirty-two thousand four hundred high-grade spirit stones. Can you truly afford such a sum?"
Even a wealthy Divine Transformation Stage cultivator would consider possessing a few thousand high-grade spirit stones to be quite substantial wealth.
Although Song Wen had been aggressively purchasing Demon Souls throughout the city, Jin Kaicheng was certain he possessed a substantial number of spirit stones, likely acting on behalf of some faction. However, the prospect of over thirty thousand high-grade spirit stones still made Jin Kaicheng doubt whether the man could truly deliver.
This was wealth that could tempt even a Void Refinement Stage cultivator.
Song Wen replied, "Fellow Daoist, rest assured. While I don't have the full amount on me, someone will be delivering it shortly. Perhaps you could prepare the Demon Souls and spirit grass in the meantime?"
With that, he flipped his hand and produced a Communication Jade Slip, channeling his divine sense to send a message.
Jin Kaicheng watched Song Wen transmit the message, but he couldn't discern its contents.
He didn't dwell on it, instead summoning a golden core cultivator from the shop to retrieve the Demon Souls and spirit grass from the vault.
Regardless of which faction backed Song Wen, their influence must be limited if they still needed to procure souls in the market. Jin Kaicheng wasn't worried about them causing any trouble.
Soon, the golden core cultivator returned with a storage pouch and handed it to Jin Kaicheng.
"Fellow Daoist, your items are ready. Where's the person bringing the spirit stones?"
Song Wen replied, "Fellow Daoist, please be patient. They should arrive soon. May I inspect the storage pouch first?"
Jin Kaicheng promptly handed over the pouch.
After Song Wen had examined it thoroughly, Jin Kaicheng asked,
"Is everything in order?" Song Wen asked.
"Everything is fine," Song Wen replied.
"Then what about the spirit stones? If you can't produce them, you won't be leaving Phoenix Feather City today." Jin Kaicheng's voice carried a veiled threat.
"Patience... they're almost here..." Song Wen's expression suddenly shifted, a smile spreading across his face. "Speak of the devil?"
Jin Kaicheng's brow furrowed in confusion. His gaze flicked toward the entrance of the shop.
A man flew in, his expression a mix of urgency and elation, radiating impatience.
"Young Master, what brings you here?" Jin Kaicheng asked, puzzled.
The newcomer was none other than Jin Xiuqi.
Ignoring Jin Kaicheng, Jin Xiuqi's eyes swept the shop before settling on Song Wen.
"Are you Fang Pengyi?" Jin Xiuqi demanded.
Years ago, when they first met, Song Wen had used the alias "Fang Pengyi." However, his current appearance and aura had changed so drastically that Jin Xiuqi hesitated to recognize him.
"It's been many years, Young Master, but your grace remains undiminished." Song Wen clasped his hands in a respectful bow, his smile unwavering. "I am indeed Fang Pengyi. I used a disguise back then. I hope you won't hold it against me."
Jin Xiuqi didn't question Song Wen's explanation. Instead, he asked,
"You sent a message earlier claiming to know Li Yue's whereabouts. Is this true?"
"Absolutely true," Song Wen replied. "Not a word of it is false!"
Jin Xiuqi pressed further, "Is she really still alive?"
"Li Yue is safe and unharmed," Song Wen assured him.
"Good, good, good..." Jin Xiuqi's face lit up with joy. "Where is she?"
Song Wen's lips twitched slightly, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes.
Before Jin Xiuqi's arrival, Song Wen had already prepared a detailed explanation for the Communication Jade Slip in his possession.
This jade slip had been given to him by Ye Bing years ago.
Back then, the two had conspired to exploit Jin Xiuqi's trade with Yun Xinghai, securing the crucial Spirit Herbs needed to refine the Void Union Primordial Breakthrough Pill: Purple Spirit Ginseng and Celestial Star Grass.
Song Wen had disguised himself as a robber cultivator, claiming to have planted the Soul Burial Curse within Ye Bing's Sea of Consciousness. He then used this threat to coerce Jin Xiuqi into making the trade. The Communication Jade Slip he used to contact Jin Xiuqi at the time was this very same one.
Song Wen had expected Jin Xiuqi to question his identity and the jade slip's origins. After all, it should rightfully belong to the robber cultivator.
Yet Jin Xiuqi showed no concern whatsoever for these matters that could jeopardize his own safety. His sole focus remained on Ye Bing's whereabouts.
"Li Yue is just outside the city," Song Wen said.
Jin Xiuqi's expression brightened, and he hurriedly said, "Quick, take me to her!"
"Rest assured, Young Master, I can take you to her right away. However..." Song Wen's tone shifted, and a troubled look crossed his face. "I purchased some spiritual objects from this shop, but I don't have enough spirit stones to cover the cost..."
"How many spirit stones in total? I'll pay," Jin Xiuqi replied without hesitation.
"Thirty-two thousand four hundred high-grade spirit stones," Song Wen stated.
Jin Xiuqi's face stiffened. "What did Fellow Daoist Fang buy? How could it be so expensive?"
Though he was the most talented member of the Jin Family's direct lineage and deeply valued by the clan, even he couldn't produce such a vast sum of spirit stones on short notice.
Song Wen extended his hand, offering the storage pouch to Jin Xiuqi.
Jin Xiuqi accepted the pouch and examined its contents. His brow furrowed slightly.
"The treasures inside are worth only about fifteen thousand high-grade spirit stones. Why is the total cost thirty-two thousand?"
Song Wen smiled knowingly at Jin Kaicheng. "You'll have to ask Manager Jin about that."
Jin Xiuqi's expression darkened abruptly. He turned to Jin Kaicheng and demanded coldly, "Why are these treasures priced more than double the family's standard rates? Is someone trying to line their own pockets?"
Jin Kaicheng's expression turned to utter panic. He had only intended to seize the opportunity to earn some spirit stones, never imagining that Song Wen would know Jin Xiuqi and even summon him here.
"Young master, this..." Jin Kaicheng stammered, his words failing him as he struggled to offer a plausible explanation.
Jin Xiuqi's gaze was icy, his eyes fixed on Jin Kaicheng like a hawk eyeing its prey.
"Jin Kaicheng, the family entrusted you with managing all the shops in the city. Yet you dare to tarnish our reputation with such schemes? Don't expect me to show any leniency based on kinship!"
Jin Xiuqi understood perfectly why "Fang Pengyi" had contacted him: to use his authority to punish Jin Kaicheng. If he failed to satisfy "Fang Pengyi" with his handling of the matter, the man might refuse to reveal Li Yue's whereabouts. To see Li Yue again, Jin Xiuqi had no choice but to severely punish Jin Kaicheng.
"Jin Kaicheng, you have betrayed the family's trust. Effective immediately, you are stripped of your position as steward. Furthermore, report to the Law Enforcement Hall to receive your punishment."
A flicker of resentment flashed in Jin Kaicheng's eyes. He opened his mouth several times, as if wanting to argue, but ultimately couldn't utter a single word.
He finally sighed deeply and bowed.
"Yes, Young Master."
Jin Xiuqi nodded and turned to Song Wen, handing back the storage pouch.
"Fellow Daoist Fang, are you satisfied with this resolution? Furthermore, I offer all the treasures within this storage pouch as compensation for the offense."
"Isn't this a bit much?" Song Wen asked, though he accepted the pouch without hesitation and tucked it into his robes. "These spiritual objects are quite valuable. If you give them away so freely, won't the Jin Family elders punish you, Young Master?"
Seeing Song Wen accept the items, Jin Xiuqi visibly relaxed.
"Don't worry, I'll find a way to replenish the spirit stones myself. Fellow Daoist Fang, would you be willing to take me to see Fellow Daoist Li Yue?"
"No rush!" Song Wen replied. "But simply handing Fellow Daoist Jin Kaicheng over to the Jin Family Enforcement Team seems letting him off too easily."
Jin Kaicheng's face flushed with anger.
"What more do you want?"
"To cripple his cultivation," Song Wen said with a faint smile. "Young Master Jin, if you wish to see Li Yue, cripple his cultivation."
With that, Song Wen turned and strode out of the shop, leaving the two men to their reactions.
(End of the Chapter)
--------------------------------
Translator's Corner
📔 Read 74 FREE Chapters of [RDC]. Upto Chapter 1238. Visit the site now!
𝟏𝟒 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐬 | 𝟖.𝟒𝐤 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 | 𝟏𝟒.3𝐌 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 [𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝐦]