Chapter 151

Chen Wuji and his companions had just stepped out of the tavern's front door when the Tavern Shopkeeper suddenly leapt from a pile of wooden planks and stood directly in front of them.

He looked somewhat disheveled, his clothes more ragged than a beggar's garb, and the exposed skin on his body was covered with wounds of various sizes.

Astonishingly, he still clutched those two large iron beads in his hand.

"Stop!" he shouted, panting heavily.

Chen Wuji not only stopped, but also obediently lowered the southwestern tribal leader he had been carrying on his shoulder.

He merely raised the Shocking Heaven Thunder.

He wanted to test the Tavern Shopkeeper's depth.

This guy looks like a master, though I don't know how many Shocking Heaven Thunders he could withstand.

"Gentlemen, name your price!" the Tavern Shopkeeper bellowed, "The Zhang Family wants what you hold in your hands; state any terms you like, and the Zhang Family will grant you riches and honor beyond your wildest dreams."

"You serve the Emperor, seeking only that bit of power and wealth—things the Zhang Family can provide. If you are willing to hand over the method of making this, everything can be negotiated."

It turns out they have changed their tactics.

Now they don't intend to fight to the death; they want to discuss cooperation.

But Chen Wuji wonders how the Zhang Family could give him the authority he desires.

Could they possibly influence their official careers while openly opposing the Court?

That sounds pretty impressive.

"How big an official post can you give me?" Chen Wuji asked.

As soon as he said that, Qin Zanghong, who was beside him, instantly grew nervous.

The Tavern Shopkeeper visibly grew excited and shouted, "What rank do you want? Anything up to prefect is possible, but only a local post or a military position—you cannot enter the Court."

"That sounds fairly reliable, but we have already betrayed the Court; how could we still serve as officials?" Chen Wuji asked,

The Tavern Shopkeeper chuckled, "That's because you underestimate the Zhang Family's strength—just a name change, that's easy. With a little disguise, as long as you don't constantly appear before the Emperor, you can hold that office securely."

"Alternatively, the Zhang Family could arrange for you to assume an identity among the southwestern tribes, making you kings of those foreign peoples; though your territory may be small, you would surely live more prosperously."

"Either option would be more comfortable than your current hand-to-mouth existence, wouldn't it?"

Chen Wuji snorted, nodded, and said, "You really shouldn't say that—these terms are indeed tempting, but what if I don't trust you? Stand there, don't move, or else the thing in my hand has no eyes, and if it accidentally blows you to smithereens, that would be awful."

"You can trust our sincerity!" the Tavern Shopkeeper declared loudly, his eyes fixed on the Shocking Heaven Thunder in Chen Wuji's hand.

He had just witnessed its power; saying he wasn't afraid would be impossible.

"That sounds nice, but do you actually have the sincerity for this thing?" Chen Wuji scornfully cursed, stepped forward, snatched the two large iron balls from the Tavern Shopkeeper's hand, and placed his knife against the Tavern Shopkeeper's neck.

Intimidated by the bamboo tube in Chen Wuji's hand, the Tavern Shopkeeper dared not move an inch, practically becoming Chen Wuji's captive without resistance.

Almost the instant Chen Wuji subdued the Tavern Shopkeeper, Yang Tiejiang silently released his captive and began calling out the survivors one by one.

Each flash of the sword's bright edge brought forth a spray of blood.

He calmly slew the Tavern Shopkeeper's sturdy-clad underlings, then, with a composed expression, lifted the captive and stood beside Chen Wuji, asking, "Is this woman from the Court?"

"……." Chen Wuji pondered briefly and gave Lao Yang an affirmative answer.

Lao Yang's fierce gaze fell on Qin Zanghong, and he calmly asked, "What you hold in your hand is far more dangerous than what we have done tonight; the Court will surely stop at nothing to obtain it. I suggest we kill her, then use what you hold to utterly crush the Zhang Family, eliminating all hidden threats in one fell swoop."

Because of what Yang Tiejiang had done tonight, she already felt some fear of him; hearing his words now, her heart shattered instantly.

"I will not report this to the Court; I saw nothing," Qin Zanghong said, forcing herself to stay calm.

After witnessing Yang Tiejiang's killing methods, she no longer dared to underestimate him in the slightest.

She also finally understood why Chen Wuji, who went out to seek help, had returned with only the two of them.

…… Indeed, it seems enough.

Yang Tiejiang stared coldly at Qin Zanghong and said, "You can't just say whatever you want; I can tell you now that I will not kill you—do you believe me?"

"I don't believe you!" Qin Zanghong looked at Chen Wuji and said, "What you say makes sense, but this person is my husband; I have no reason to harm him."

"Huh?" Yang Tiejiang jerked his head around, his big eyes full of bewilderment.

Weren't you just saying you liked him? How did he suddenly become your husband?

He suddenly found himself unable to understand the relationship between Chen Wuji and Qin Zanghong.

Chen Wuji raised his hand to interrupt them, saying, "Never mind that; the few sticks in my hand are the last ones. This item was exchanged by an alchemist of the Former Dynasty and came into my ancestor master's possession; the formula has long been lost. You should also know how tightly those alchemists guard their own lineage."

"Just these few?" Qin Zanghong exclaimed in shock.

"Yeah."

"Then could you leave me one?"

Yang Tiejiang suddenly let out a cold snort, "It seems your thoughts are not on your husband; just now you swore you wouldn't report to the Court, yet now you want to keep one—what would you use it for?"

"I……" Qin Zanghong was choked badly, "I merely want to try to restore the formula; these are the last few, and if we use them up, there will be none left in the world—I'm not as petty as you imagine."

"I dwell in darkness, so I cannot bear to see the light you speak of!" Yang Tiejiang said solemnly.

Qin Zanghong: ……

Holding great power, the usually domineering Qin Zanghong suddenly broke down.

She clenched her fists, feeling a strong urge to punch Yang Tiejiang's face flat.

How could there exist a man with such dark thoughts in this world?

"If you want to restore the formula, this should be left to Wuji; why are you in such a hurry? I advise you to put away these improper thoughts, lest…… I misunderstand!" Yang Tiejiang said in a gloomy tone.

Chen Wuji could see that Lao Yang truly harbored murderous intent toward Qin Zanghong.

Lao Yang's methods are as fierce as his appearance.

Actually, from a rational standpoint, his idea is not entirely wrong.

Nipping every possible danger in the bud is the safest course.

The Court would never let slip a weapon of mass destruction like the Shocking Heaven Thunder once it saw it.

But Chen Wuji still wanted to gamble on Qin Zanghong's conscience.

After all, we've been together for so long, he can't bring himself to deal a killing blow.