Chapter 704: The Impulse for Revenge

Li Yi saw Xiu Xiang again; the merchant lord was unchanged from before, but Li Yi himself had transformed greatly—he had been far below the Soul Realm when he first arrived in the Wilderness World, with no Divine Blood, utterly weak.

Any warrior could have defeated him.

So after witnessing the world's power, he dared not stay long and hastily crossed over back to Earth.

But now, he was no longer the same; his strength, while not top-tier in this world, was at least that of a minor expert in Beihuang City—he no longer needed to live in fear.

"Merchant Lord, long time no see. You remain as robust as ever," Li Yi said with a smile.

Xiu Xiang snapped back to awareness; had it not been for the familiar face, he might not have recognized this powerful Divine Blood warrior as the former Da Yi. Instantly, he stepped forward with excitement and delight, smiling: "Da Yi, you've finally returned to Beihuang City! Ever since you left last time, I've missed you deeply."

"I apologize for leaving so abruptly last time due to urgent matters—I failed to bid you farewell. That was my fault; please forgive me," Li Yi said.

"Da Yi, you're too polite. How could I ever blame you?" Xiu Xiang said, then added with sincere regret: "This time it was my fault—you were attacked. But Da Yi, rest assured, I will cleanse this humiliation from you. Please give me this chance."

Li Yi said: "Is this about the Lie Hou? I've already forgiven them, and they paid me eighty thousand taels in compensation."

"No, Da Yi. Eighty thousand taels can buy their lives, but not my dignity. I know you're a man of your word—you chose to spare them, so you won't strike again. But I haven't forgiven them. Please wait a few days. I promise you: I will hang the Lie Hou's head on my gate, so everyone in my household can see it."

Xiu Xiang pointed to the stone gate and made this solemn promise before Li Yi's eyes.

Li Yi said: "If you need help, don't hesitate—let me assist you. Though I cannot break my promise, I can help you in other ways."

"Thank you for your kindness, Da Yi. I'll handle this myself. In the meantime, I hope you stay at home, enjoy fine meats and fine wines—and the maidens. I've already gifted them both to you. Please don't refuse."

Xiu Xiang said: "But two maidens cannot make up for my debt. Believe me—I will make you satisfied."

He intended to use this opportunity to mend his relationship with Da Yi.

And to reclaim the dignity he had lost.

He must ensure this honored guest received the finest treatment, so others would know: no one who served as Xiu Xiang's guest would ever be humiliated.

"Thank you for your generosity, Merchant Lord. I greatly admire E Ji and Su Ji—they are beautiful and wise, precious gifts," Li Yi said, accepting without refusal, adapting to local custom.

Hearing this, Xiu Xiang finally smiled: "Da Yi, you are a Divine Blood warrior. Only maidens like E and Su are worthy of you. Only the meat of mighty beasts can feed you. As my honored guest, you deserve all this."

He turned to the others again: "Listen well. In this house, treat Da Yi as you treat me. His words are my words. Do not defy him."

"Yes," all guests, guards, and servants replied in unison.

None dared resist—they had witnessed Li Yi's strength and extraordinary abilities.

Satisfied, Xiu Xiang nodded, then added: "Da Yi, wait a few days. When I bring back the Lie Hou's head, I will host a feast to announce to all: you are my guest, Xiu Xiang's honored guest. I will make everyone respect you. Anyone who dares humiliate you is my enemy."

"E Ji, Su Ji, you are now Da Yi's maidens. Serve him well. Whatever he desires from you, you must fulfill."

"Yes," E Ji and Su Ji pledged.

After speaking, Xiu Xiang called several guests and guards, then left the house, his anger evident.

Li Yi watched him go. He knew Xiu Xiang was going to seek revenge on the Lie Hou.

People in this world truly had blood in their veins—when they swore revenge, they acted immediately.

But Li Yi worried: was Xiu Xiang too hasty? Could he truly defeat the Lie Hou? The Lie Hou still had Dong Chong, a formidable Divine Blood warrior, by his side—and Xiu Xiang had come without his strongest guards.

Without sufficient force, taking the Lie Hou's head would be extremely difficult.

Of course, Li Yi knew Xiu Xiang, as Merchant Lord of Beihuang City, surely had hidden networks and power—not all was as it appeared.

"I hope he succeeds," he thought silently.

He would not interfere. Xiu Xiang didn't want him to—asking a guest for help would prove the Merchant Lord powerless.

Li Yi decided to stay a few more days and wait for news from Xiu Xiang.

"From now on, lock the main gate. Assign patrols day and night. Avoid contact with outsiders. Unless buying food, do not leave the house. If anything happens, notify me immediately—I will handle it. This state continues until the Merchant Lord returns."

He spoke to the remaining servants and guards.

"Yes," they obeyed without defiance.

Because Xiu Xiang had declared: Li Yi's words were his words. And in this world, no one dared pretend obedience while secretly resisting.

After giving his orders, Li Yi turned and returned to his courtyard.

E Ji and Su Ji followed closely behind, their moods light—now that Xiu Xiang was no longer their master, his disgrace was no longer theirs. They felt no anger.

"Master, is there battle?" said Long Yu, standing nearly three meters tall, muscular, his body covered in dragon scales like a beast, his voice deep.

Though unaware of what had just transpired, he was already prepared for combat.

Beside him, the Grand Priest Dou Kun sat on a stone bench, eyes half-closed. Around him, terrifying cosmic energies gathered. Though aged, he could still wield powerful spells.

"No battle. The Merchant Lord has returned. He has a feud with another merchant lord—he's gone to seek revenge," Li Yi said. "We are guests. Ignore it. Rest well here. If battle comes, I will call you."

Long Yu nodded.

Li Yi then glanced around—but did not see Shan Guo.

Yet he sensed her presence in a stone chamber, along with a faint scent of blood.

"I'll check on Shan Guo. You all rest," Li Yi said.

"Yes," they replied.

Li Yi entered the chamber and found broken armor and bloodstained rags scattered on the floor. Shan Guo lay face-down on a stone bed, her back covered in wounds—some bleeding, others pus-filled.

She was trying to squeeze out the pus and blood to hasten healing.

Fortunately, the people of this world possessed astonishing physiques—otherwise, she would have died of sepsis long ago.

"Da Yi… no, Master, why are you here?" Shan Guo panicked, quickly grabbing a rag to cover her wounds.

Li Yi glanced at her: "Your wounds are worse."

"Not serious. Just clean them, drain the poisoned blood, eat meat daily—I'll heal quickly," Shan Guo hurried to say.

"Don't worry. This method heals too slowly and leaves scars. As a female warrior, scars don't signify honor—they're a disgrace."

Li Yi reached into his Five Elements Bracelet and pulled out a Life Restoration Chamber: "Lie down. It will heal all your ailments."

Shan Guo stared at the high-tech device in surprise—she didn't recognize it—but obeyed Li Yi's command, stepping inside and lying down.

"Close your eyes. Healing will be swift. Don't move," Li Yi said.

"Yes," Shan Guo replied.

Instantly, as the Life Restoration Chamber activated, her wounds healed at an astonishing rate. Scars vanished from her skin. Pathogens inside and out were purged.

"Enough. Stand up," Li Yi said.

Shan Guo opened her eyes.

She felt better than ever—every ache gone, every scar vanished.

She touched her smooth skin, unable to believe it had changed so completely in moments.

"Rest well during this time. Rebuild your strength. I won't stay here long."

Li Yi ignored her astonishment, returned the Life Restoration Chamber to his Five Elements Bracelet, and walked out of the stone chamber.

(End of Chapter)