Chapter 41

Jiang Shaochuan stared intently at Xu Yi with his bloodshot eyes for quite some time. Suddenly, he raised his arm and waved it. His two teams of black armoured soldiers made their way out as noisily as they had entered.

The enormous beast stomped the yard before he leapt out through the door. It was as if it had no motivation to linger any longer in the courtyard.

Its hurry to make an exit enraged Jiang Shaochuan. He picked up a halberd and threw it at the tiger. The weapon brushed past its skin and wrecked the nerves of the beast.

Xu Yi was bored by the antics. He abruptly told the furious Jiang Shaochuan to wait for his return before he carried the sleeping Little Qiu to her room.

In a few minutes, Xu Yi returned and impolitely beckoned, “Follow me!”. He hastened his footsteps towards the penthouse.

Xu Yi sat himself on a bamboo chair in the penthouse and faced his visitor in a cross-legged position. An injured Jiang Shaochuan finally caught up. He had chipped his teeth and broken one of his fingers. Upon entering the room, he lashed out. “You killed my son. We are forever enemies. Young man, I’ve found out all about you. You are one lowly fellow. You’re nothing in the eyes of our Black Dragon Hall. We can easily get rid of you. Do you believe so?”

“I do!”

“You, you…”

Jiang Shaochuan had started to feel like he was suffocating. He felt that he had limited brain power to deal with Xu Yi. He had come prepared with lengthy scripts to help convince Xu Yi. However, he had no opportunity to present them. Xu Yi believed him easily.

How could Xu Yi have trusted his words so easily?

Xu Yi was anxious as he noticed how Jiang Shaochuan was flushed with anger. “I believe you! What do you expect me to do? Commit suicide to apologise to your dead child?”

Jiang Shaochuan felt like crying. The result was unexpected as it had deviated from his plan. All his plans were foiled.

“Young man, now I see it. You are quite ruthless and devious. Let me be honest. My silly son has made his own death bed for himself. This responsibility, I’m prepared to bear it. However, you’ve indeed taken something that does not belong to you. You have to return it. I can give you my word. If you are willing to return the item you’ve taken, we will call it quits. Otherwise, the formidable disciples of our Black Dragon Hall will hunt high and low for you in Guang’an City. There are hundreds and thousands of us, and there is only one of you. Tell me, what’s your decision?”

Jiang Shaochuan was indeed a smart man and a formidable leader.

Initially Jiang Shaochuan had thought Xu Yi must have been one reckless and impetuous chap who had slain his son. He had intended to coerce him into submission.

However, he had seen through Xu Yi’s gimmicks and ploys. He decided to be upfront and direct with him.

“I like this way of making a deal!”

Xu Yi shook his leg while he spoke. “You should have told me that you wished for me to return the item to you earlier. I’ve tried that fascinating item. After several attempts, it’s only so-so. If you want it back, I’ve no issue!”

“Oh!”

Jiang Shaochuan was flabberghasted.

He had thought it would have been a hard fight with Xu Yi.

In fact, when he had discovered that his son was the burglar of the Metal Spirit, he wanted to skin his son alive. The vengeance he had for Xu Yi was directed at the stolen Metal Spirit more so than any resentment he had for Xu Yi for killing his child.

At this moment, upon hearing that Xu Yi was willing to return the Metal Spirit, his mission could be deemed accomplished. He was finally relieved.

“I’m glad that you know what’s important!” Jiang Shaochuan extended his hand towards Xu Yi.

Xu Yi glared at him. “What do you mean by that? I can return the item to you. However, it must be a fair deal. You son deserved to be killed. What about my family member who has been injured? What about the Giant Green Carp that I painstakingly caught? And what about the destruction you’ve brought upon my house’s courtyard? How about the mental anguish we’ve suffered for offending you and your Black Dragon Hall…”

“Stop the bullshit. How much money are you asking for? Just name a price!”

Jiang Shaochuan managed to control his nausea. He cut Xu Yi out in a bellow.

He finally realised that Xu Yi was a hooligan. That rascal even had the gall to talk about his post-traumatic anguish. He did not display any fear for the Black Dragon Hall. He played it down right dirty.

“Great! I like it when you are direct. I will be just as upfront. I have wanted to ask for one thousand taels of gold. How about I give you a friendship discount? Eight hundred taels of gold!”

Xu Yi was smiling with elation.

Bang!

Jiang Shaochuan threw his fists wildly in the air. The rooftop above the penthouse was lifted up in a flash. He mustered his eloquence to shout, “Get out!”

He was infuriated. It felt like his anger had compressed all his internal organs. He had been around for many years, and he felt like he had just been taken for a ride by Xu Yi.

“Hall Master Jiang, though this small house is a public house, I’ll have to pay for all damages to it. However, since we are acquainted, I don’t mind paying for the repairs on your behalf. My final price: eight hundred taels of gold. If you agree, then we’ll have a deal. If you disagree, please leave immediately. I’ll accept the consequences for your vengeance.”

Xu Yi’s pockets were not deep, and he really needed money.

He had rushed back from the Linglong Hall to wait for opportunities with the wealthy folks like Jiang Shaochuan.

“I think you are extremely greedy! Do you believe that I can buy ten of your lives with those eight hundred taels of gold?”

Despite the embarrassment and anger he had to suffer in front of Xu Yi, he had no wish to leave. He knew that Xu Yi wanted to make a pile from him.

And yet, he was bent to get ahold of the Metal Spirit.

It would have been a more logical approach to kill Xu Yi in a duel. If Xu Yi were to be defeated, he could obtain the Metal Spirit. However, there was a risk. No one could have prevented Xu Yi from hiding the Metal Spirit in another place.

That consideration is what had brought Jiang Shaochuan to pay Xu Yi a visit.

He had wished to settle the matter quietly.

“Is eight hundred taels of gold expensive? Please don’t try to bully me, Hall Master Jiang. Since we’ve no deal, I’ll bring the item to an auction. Lets see if there is anyone who appreciates the item and pays a good price,” Xu Yi threatened.

“Don’t you dare!”

Jiang Shaochuan screamed upon hearing Xu Yi contemplating auctioning the item.

Early that morning, an amazing bit of news was received from the auction meeting conducted at the Linglong Hall. The elders from the Shui Clan had exchanged a Metal Spirit for a Divine Origin Qi Pill. The news became the sensational talk of the city.

Jiang Shaochuan had feared that his stolen Metal Spirit would be auctioned. That’s what called for his visit to Xu Yi.

At this instant, he heard that Xu Yi had tried out his Metal Spirit. He thought it was queer and mysterious.

That showed that Xu Yi did not realise the value of the Metal Spirit, and he still had possession of it. Perhaps it would be easier for him to force Xu Yi to return it.

But Xu Yi had the nerve to suggest that he’d take the treasure to an auction.

If his treasured Metal Spirit were to be auctioned, it would be a catastrophe. Despite its origin in Guang’an, few had seen the treasure. Once its presence was revealed, there would be a disaster.

When that time came, he would be denied a chance to possess the Metal Spirit. He would have paid with his life ten times over.