Chapter 49

Yunxiao was surprised, with a hint of annoyance, never expecting that a quasi-saint like her would be so despised.

Moreover, what gives this shopkeeper the nerve to speak to Master like that?

Whoever could make Xiao Kui willingly stay here must not be an ordinary person.

Yunxiao secretly circulated her magical power, wanting to test Chen Nuo's true depth.

Then, she was stunned.

Rejected outright by Chen Nuo, Tongtian grew anxious: "Then my ox..."

"He came voluntarily to work, lodging provided but not meals, though meal fees are halved!" Chen Nuo explained.

The Ox Demon King shuddered again—if the master learned he was speaking so humbly, he'd surely be whipped to death.

However, Tongtian didn't rise; instead, his eyes lit up—this move is impressive!

"Then let Yunxiao work here too, with the same treatment."

Chen Nuo glanced up and down at Yunxiao, who hadn't yet come to her senses, pursed his lips, and said disdainfully: "Around here we already have little oxen and little pengs—what could she possibly do here?"

This little shop is only so big—why do we need so many people?

"We pay full price for meals!" Tongtian slammed the table, extraordinarily bold—he has plenty of money!

"Fine, then let her try first." Chen Nuo nodded. Anyway, trying to get him to offer any discount is impossible!

"Yunxiao, come, place your hand here, feel it." Tongtian, familiar with the routine, pointed to the crystal ball on the counter.

Having come to her senses, Yunxiao's eyes withdrew shock and wariness—this shopkeeper's cultivation is truly terrifying, no wonder he can joke casually with Master.

Following Tongtian's words, Yunxiao gently raised her hand and placed her fair palm upon the crystal ball.

"How is it?" After a few breaths, Tongtian asked.

Yunxiao stared at the crystal ball, unable to suppress her curiosity: "Master, this thing actually wants my silver in thousands of taels."

Tongtian's face fell instantly—he wants money? Or is it mundane wealth of the mortal realm?

Then his spiritual treasures would be useless, wouldn't they?

Chen Nuo was also somewhat surprised—still, this might be his first time seeing a celestial being charge fees in mortal currency.

But this counts as either good luck or misfortune—in the mortal realm, silver in thousands of taels is no small matter.

Moreover, his crystal ball isn't some conjured gold or silver from minor spells; someone of such profound cultivation wouldn't carry such trinkets.

"Then it's settled: lodging included, meals not, one meal costs silver in thousands of taels, and no idling while there's work to do."

Chen Nuo said lazily, seated in his chair.

"Good!" Tongtian agreed instantly, without hesitation.

Though lacking gold and silver, such things aren't rare in the mortal realm either.

What situation?

Yunxiao hadn't even processed it—she was just sold by her master to become a menial worker at this small eatery?

Tongtian exhaled in relief—at last, arrangements were settled, though much remained, and there was no time left to make up for it all.

"Yunxiao, for your master's sake, take this." Tongtian spoke, producing from his bosom an exquisite, ancient jade tablet.

Yunxiao's pupils contracted—this is... the Shangqing Imperial Command, the Sect Leader's Token!

"Master, what is this?" Yunxiao stared at Tongtian, shocked.

"Take it if I say so!" Tongtian snapped.

He will not be able to appear in Honghuang for a long time; the sect's inheritance cannot just break like this.

"Shopkeeper Chen, Yunxiao is now entrusted to you—I hope you will protect her completely!" Tongtian said solemnly.

Uh...

Chen Nuo's mouth twitched—why does this sound so strange?

"Rest assured, you may go—this lifetime, I will protect her completely!" Chen Nuo said casually.

As long as Yunxiao works honestly, pays her meals, and stays within Chaos Residence, no one can help her!

Tongtian: "Shopkeeper, got it,

Do you still sell alcohol?"

Tongtian realized he had taken a liking to the feeling of this peach blossom brew.

"Buy it—so long as you pay, I'll sell as much as you have!"

"How much is left?"

"Ten vats!"

Not much, quite cheap.

Works out to about a hundred Taiyi Golden Immortal-level magic treasures—trifling.

Tongtian nodded and said: "Then it's good!"

Thus...

"Ding, congratulations host on obtaining innate..."

"Ding, congratulations host on obtaining innate treasure Purple Lightning Hammer, capable of offsetting a hundred consumptions—convert?"

A series of prompts followed—Tongtian's remaining uses had already reached five hundred—is this what legendary wealth looks like?

Chen Nuo was speechless.

"The excess—just treat it as my future meal money." Tongtian waved his hand nonchalantly, indicating it was mere pocket change.

Though he also doesn't know how long Master will keep him confined.

Chen Nuo felt that if Tianpeng's treasure-hunting duo were here now, they'd surely envy him to death—this wealth is something they dare not even dream of!

If converted to Golden Immortal-level magic treasures, it wouldn't just be a simple five hundred uses.

"Master, why did you also take out the Purple Gold Hammer..." Yunxiao couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

This is quite a powerful top-grade innate spiritual treasure!

Tongtian's tone was light, yet exceedingly arrogant: "From now on, I will only use the sword!"

The figure seen in Chen the shopkeeper's Peach Blossom Brew revealed to him a further possibility—his Sword Path had still not reached its end!

The Ox Demon King and Peng Demon King carefully carried out the wine jars; Tongtian's magic power drew them, pouring all the wine into his water-and-fire gourd treasure.

One hand held the gourd, the other held the Green Ping Sword.

Tongtian turned around, looking toward the door: "Yunxiao, Niu'er, take good care— the future of the Jie Sect lies beneath your feet!"

Yunxiao and the Ox Demon King knelt: "Seeing off the Master (Host)!"

Peng Demon King glanced at the composed Chen Nuo, then at the two kneeling ones—he himself had no standing to remain upright.

He hurriedly followed suit in kneeling: "Seeing off the Holy Person!"

But Tongtian merely raised his hand slightly, yet forced them to rise, unable to kneel even a fraction more.

Without turning back, he said casually: "Chen the shopkeeper, when you come next time, may we again discuss worldly affairs—no drunkenness, no return?"

Chen Nuo chuckled: "As long as the money is there, drinking you to death is no problem!"

Wait for me to draw out the distilled liquor, and let you see what is called the Wine God!

"Haha, then I shall await with bated breath!"

Tongtian's mouth corner twitched into a smirk, he lightly leapt straight into Yun Duan, lowered his head, and his Dragon King's Eyes swept over every part of Honghuang.

Upon seeing Jin Bi Dao, he unconsciously lingered for a few seconds—what a wonderful world, though he did not know when he would be able to return.

Standing on one leg, body leaning back, his whole form like a drawn bow.

The hand holding the water-and-fire gourd rose high, thumb pressing lightly against the gourd's mouth—the Peach Blossom Brew flowed down smoothly, the water column gradually narrowing, becoming a fine stream by the time it reached Tongtian's mouth.

His Adam's apple bobbed continuously as he swallowed the wine; after gulping down several large mouthfuls, the wine's strength from his earlier drinking match with Chen Nuo surged back up belatedly.

Truly fine wine!

Tongtian sighed inwardly, yet unwilling to dispel this wine-induced feeling, he grinned widely and unrestrainedly, letting this wine-inspired state guide him to freely roam Yun Jian with abandon.

"Sword, come!"

The Green Ping Sword trembled with Tongtian's cry, emitting a peculiar sword chime, as if in excitement.

With one hand he flourished a beautiful sword bloom—the Green Ping Sword, like a scholar wielding a brush, was swept horizontally by Tongtian in a carefree slash.

A shocking sword qi, rolling layers of cloud hues, swept toward the boundless horizon.