C17 – One Chance
“Do you really think I’m someone who covets material possessions? Let’s drop the subject and you all should head back,” Tang Guo said, effectively dismissing them. “Tian, see our guests out.”
“This way, please,” Tang Tian gestured politely.
“City Lord, is there absolutely no chance for negotiation? Whatever your conditions may be, please state them. I will fulfill them without fail,” Min Qi pleaded, unwilling to give up.
“Very well, I’ll offer you an opportunity. Tian mentioned that you had a run-in with bandits outside the city a few days ago. Is that so?”
“Yes, City Lord, that’s correct. Had it not been for the young lady’s timely intervention, we would have perished right there and then.”
“In that case, here’s your chance. I’m not concerned with how you do it, but if you manage to wipe out those bandits, I’ll write you a letter of recommendation. But be warned, I’ll only vouch for one of you. Whether the Fang Sect decides to give you a break because of my influence is not my concern.”
Min Qi was momentarily at a loss. “But...”
“Is there a problem? If it’s too difficult, don’t bother. And don’t risk your lives needlessly. Let’s not bring this up again.”
“There’s no issue. I was just wondering if there’s a deadline, City Lord,” Min Qi said, hesitating. Min Zhenkang stepped forward to speak.
“The deadline is set before the Fang Sect begins its disciple recruitment. If you haven’t succeeded by then, consider the mission failed, and there’s no need to return—just go back home.”
“Agreed, we’ll adhere to that timeframe,” Min Zhenkang asserted.
Tang Tian shook his head in disbelief on the sidelines. If it weren’t for his intervention last time, they would have surely met their end. What could possibly change in a month’s time for another attempt at taking down the bandits? Was this kid foolish?
“Enough, you’re all dismissed,” Tang Guo declared.
“Yes, but... this...” Min Qi hesitated, holding the Blood Lingzhi in his hands.
“Take it with you. I have no interest in such trinkets,” Tang Guo said with a dismissive wave of his hand.
“Absolutely, I won’t bother the castellan any longer.” With that, he led Min Zhenkang away.
Once Tang Tian and Min Zhenkang had departed, Tang Li made her way back to the courtyard.
“Father, do you think they’re up to the task?”
“Whether they can handle the mission is now up to them; I’ve given them the chance. And that young man who just spoke—he’s quite intriguing.”
“You’re talking about him? He’s nothing but a hotheaded brute.”
“Really? You know him well?”
“Not at all, I’ve only encountered him a couple of times.”
“Tian, never underestimate anyone. That young man’s willingness to take on this challenge suggests he’s either a foolhardy brute, as you say, or someone of considerable wisdom. And those with wisdom often achieve great things. But in this dog-eat-dog world, how long can a brute truly last?” Tang Guo spoke with a hint of profundity.
“So, Father, are you suggesting he’s actually a man of wisdom?” Tang Tian couldn’t hide her skepticism, as she couldn’t shake the impression of him being nothing more than a brute.
Tang Guo just chuckled in response, leaving her question hanging in the air.
“By the way, how’s the task I assigned you coming along?”
“Father, it’s nearly complete. The bandits around here have been mostly dealt with, and the few that remain are unlikely to cause trouble for a good while.”
“Well done, but don’t let it go to your head. This was a minor issue. There are far bigger challenges ahead that will require your attention.”
“I will heed your advice, Father.”
“Good, you may leave now.”
“Yes, Father.” With that, Tang Tian excused herself.
“That’s fine, tomorrow it is.”
“Great. Is there anything else I can assist you with?”
“Who here appraises weapons?” Min Zhenkang inquired, intending to auction the Overlord Spear he had also received from Guo Tao.
“If the weapon’s grade isn’t too high, I can take a preliminary look for you. For higher-grade items, I’ll arrange for an expert to appraise it.”
“Please, have a look then,” he said, casually producing the Overlord Spear from his Bag of Heaven and Earth.
“An intermediate Yellow-rank treasure artifact, the Overlord Spear. A formidable weapon indeed.”
“That will be all. Please include it in the auction arrangements.”
“Certainly.”
In Suanikos, weapons are categorized as Yellow-rank treasure artifacts, Black-rank spirit artifacts, Earth-rank immortal artifacts, and Sky-rank Divine Instruments, each divided into four quality grades: top, high, medium, and low.
After the appraisal, Min Zhenkang exited the auction house, leaving his items in their care to be auctioned off the following day.
Finally, he had taken care of everything. Now, Min Zhenkang’s Bag of Heaven and Earth contained only a few dozen Pills and a book on the Shocking Palm technique, with a map tucked away in one corner.
After leaving the auction house, Min Zhenkang intended to head straight back to the inn. But as he neared his destination, he encountered Tang Tian, who was leading a patrol down the streets of Steelgrave with the city’s soldiers.
“Hi, we meet again.”
“Why do I run into you everywhere?” Tang Tian couldn’t help but feel exasperated. It seemed like she had been bumping into Min Zhenkang constantly over the past few days, regardless of time or place.
“It’s fate,” Min Zhenkang replied, grinning.
“Pfft, you’ve got some nerve. Instead of figuring out how to deal with the bandits or focusing on your cultivation, what are you doing wandering around here?”
“These things take time, and we’ve got plenty of it.”
“Plenty of time? Just don’t end up needing to be rescued when you fail to deal with the bandits. There might not be anyone to save you then.”
“Well, you never know. Maybe you’ll come to my rescue once more.”
“Don’t count on it. I wouldn’t step foot outside even if it killed me, so you can forget about that idea.”
“If it killed you, you’d definitely leave the house, wouldn’t you?”
“You...” Tang Tian was so frustrated by Min Zhenkang’s remarks that her chest heaved with indignation. She couldn’t recall the last time she had encountered such an infuriating person.
Seeing Tang Tian at a loss for words, Min Zhenkang decided to stop teasing her.
“I won’t keep you from your duties any longer. I’m off.” With a nonchalant spin, he strode away.
Tang Tian watched his retreating figure, momentarily lost in thought.
“Miss?” It took a soldier’s call to snap her back to reality.
Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she wondered what had come over her, staring after a man—especially one so conceited.
“Let’s continue the patrol.” Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she resumed her duties.
Truth be told, patrolling Steelgrave was mostly a formality. No one within the city’s walls dared to challenge its authority. Even the Jee family had to strictly follow Steelgrave’s laws. The patrols were really just for those who overestimated their own importance.
Upon returning to the inn, Min Zhenkang wasted no time and headed straight to his room to resume his cultivation. His goal for the upcoming month was to solidify the rapid increase in his cultivation base and to condense his Martial Spirit, fully stepping into the Martial Spirit Stage. This was a crucial step to better execute his plan.
Advancing to the Martial Spirit Stage within a month required not only meeting the Profound Qi storage threshold but also the crucial task of condensing his Martial Spirit. The power of one’s Martial Spirit not only influences the Martial Spirit Stage but also affects the strength of subsequent stages.
Possessing a formidable Martial Spirit could even enable one to battle opponents of higher levels. Currently, Min Zhenkang’s ability to fight above his level was solely dependent on his extensive experience.