Chapter 368: Cost Transfer

Hua Changxi did not go to meet the Duke of Liang herself; instead, she sent Hua Sanlang to negotiate with him.

Holding the Cocoon-Forming Pill, Hua Sanlang followed Alchemist Xu back to the Personnel Department at the foot of Danyuan Peak, his expression grave.

Nowadays, the Personnel Department was responsible not only for recruiting apprentices but also for receiving outside guests.

In the reception hall, Wan Feng had already accompanied the Duke of Liang and Chu Junhao in drinking several cups of spirit tea; just as he was about to pour another round, Hua Sanlang and Alchemist Xu returned.

Seeing that Hua Changxi was absent, the eyes of Wan Feng, the Duke of Liang, and Chu Junhao all flickered simultaneously.

Hua Sanlang looked at the Duke of Liang and, at Alchemist Xu's signal, took out the Cocoon-Forming Pill and handed it over: "This is the Cocoon-Forming Pill. After ingestion, one's physical body will feel restricted and bound; the effect lasts for three years."

"The pill will cause no other harm to Your Grace. Once you take it, all grievances between Ninth Lady and you will be settled."

The Duke of Liang stared at the pill before him, unable to fully suppress the anger on his face.

He, a dignified Duke, had personally visited to apologize; not only did Hua Changxi refuse to show herself, but she also forced him to swallow some Cocoon-Forming Pill—it was simply an unbearable insult.

Chu Junhao had guessed that Hua Changxi would not let matters rest easily, but he had not expected her counterattack to be so severe.

The Duke of Liang glanced at Chu Junhao; initially, his move against Hua Changxi had been ordered by the imperial clan elder Chu Tianxun. Now that Hua Changxi was humiliating him so thoroughly, how could the imperial house sit idly by?

Unfortunately, Chu Junhao showed no reaction to the look the Duke of Liang cast his way.

Seeing this, the Duke of Liang immediately understood the imperial house's stance; having the Seventh Imperial Prince accompany him to Danyuan Peak was likely the greatest favor the imperial house could bestow upon him.

At this moment, the Duke of Liang's heart was filled with both grief and humiliation; he dared not question Chu Junhao and could only gaze chillingly at Hua Sanlang: "What if this Duke refuses to take this pill?"

Overawed by the murderous aura radiating from the Duke of Liang, Hua Sanlang momentarily did not know how to respond.

Seeing this, Wan Feng frowned and could not help but speak up: "Duke of Liang, the Peak Master has already made a concession; I believe you should know when to stop."

Hearing these words, the Duke of Liang grew even angrier; instinctively releasing his spiritual pressure to intimidate Wan Feng for his insolence, he found that the moment his pressure emerged, it was forced back by a terrifying power.

A mountain-like oppressive force suddenly descended and then just as suddenly vanished, causing everyone in the reception hall to turn pale with shock.

Feeling his heart nearly stop, Chu Junhao truly wanted to stand up and curse the Duke of Liang loudly; did this man have no brain, daring to make a move within Danyuan Peak? Did he think Hua Changxi was dead?

The Duke of Liang, who had been furious moments before, now looked as pale as paper, yet he still stiffened his neck and shouted: "This Duke has personally visited, showing utmost sincerity; exactly who should know when to stop?"

Wan Feng knew these words were not directed at him but at the Peak Master; he also knew that when the Duke of Liang had attempted to strike him just now, it was the Peak Master who had forced him back.

The Peak Master was monitoring the Personnel Department yet refused to appear and meet the Duke of Liang; this was undoubtedly a form of contempt toward him.

Steadying his pounding heart, Wan Feng looked at the Duke of Liang: "Duke of Liang, the grievance between you and the Peak Master is quite clear."

"Initially, you failed to hunt down the Peak Master and were instead severely injured by her; this matter originally concerned only the two of you. Yet afterward, you dragged the Peak Master's family into it and, leveraging the power of the Duke of Liang's residence, besieged the Hua family for three years."

"The Peak Master did not involve others from the Duke of Liang's residence because of you; how can this not be considered a concession?"

"If you are unwilling to let matters end here, are you trying to force the Peak Master to repay you in your own coin?"

Wan Feng's words were quite blunt: "If I were you, I would obediently swallow the Cocoon-Forming Pill. I imagine you do not wish for the people of the Duke of Liang's residence to cower inside, daring not to step out even a single pace, do you?"

The Duke of Liang was furious, enraged to the point of death, yet he dared not do anything.

Hua Changxi was even stronger than she had been three years ago!

That oppressive force just now had made his heart pound with extreme fear.

Even though his physical body was weak, his cultivation realm was genuinely that of a Spirit Platform expert; yet he had felt the threat of death!

The Duke of Liang looked at the pill on the table, his heart filled with sorrow; if Hua Changxi truly made a move against the Yin family, he would be utterly unable to stop her, and the imperial house, whom he served as master, would likely not intervene on his behalf.

"Very well, I will take it; I hope Peak Master Hua keeps her word."

With that, the Duke of Liang swallowed the Cocoon-Forming Pill like a warrior severing his own wrist.

Seeing the Duke of Liang in such a state, Chu Junhao also felt deeply uncomfortable; he had not expected Hua Changxi to be even more ruthless than he had imagined.

Hua Changxi's counterattack was a naked humiliation!

Seeing the Duke of Liang swallow the pill, Hua Sanlang immediately breathed a sigh of relief: "Rest assured, Duke of Liang; as long as you do not provoke the Hua family again, the Hua family will stay far away from you."

Chu Junhao glanced at Hua Sanlang; knowing that the Duke of Liang was overwhelmed with shame and rage, he turned to Wan Feng: "Since matters are settled, may the Duke of Liang depart now?"

Wan Feng nodded: "Certainly; the Duke of Liang may leave at his convenience."

Subsequently, the Duke of Liang left Danyuan Peak without looking back.

Chu Junhao hesitated for a moment but ultimately followed; regardless, the Duke of Liang belonged to the imperial house, and some consolation was necessary.

After catching up to the Duke of Liang, Chu Junhao asked with great concern: "After taking the pill, do you feel any discomfort?"

The Duke of Liang had not intended to pay Chu Junhao any mind, but he was also concerned about the effects of the Cocoon-Forming Pill, so he carefully sensed his body's condition; soon, his face turned dark and gloomy.

Seeing this, Chu Junhao asked anxiously: "What is it? Is the pill harmful to you?"

The Duke of Liang sneered: "How could it not be harmful?"

Whenever he utilized spiritual energy, that energy would wrap around and bind him like a cicada's cocoon.

Hua Changxi—so ruthless; it was truly difficult for her to refine such a tricky pill specifically to deal with him.

Chu Junhao wanted to say something, but the Duke of Liang was too lazy to listen to his nonsense; with a flash, he departed from the Medical Bureau.

The arrival and departure of the Duke of Liang caused no stir on Danyuan Peak; shortly after he left, Yu Fu returned with Dugu Lie.

"Master, this is the 'One Thought Connect' specially crafted for you by Artisan Tong; he said it requires a dual imprint of divine sense and essence blood to activate."

Hua Changxi looked at the exclusive 'mobile phone' in her hand, then glanced at the other standard models: "There doesn't seem to be any difference?"

Yu Fu replied: "There is no difference in appearance, but the functions differ. Artisan Tong said that the 'One Thought Connect' in your hand can transmit messages even if you descend into the Nine Netherworlds, as long as you remain within the range of the Nine Passes."

"Other 'One Thought Connect' devices cease to function once one descends into the Nine Netherworlds; they can only be used within the territories of Great Jin."

Hua Changxi showed surprise: "The Artisan Sage Palace is impressive; they can actually cover the signal range to the Nine Netherworlds—remarkable." She paused, then added, "By the way, how many spirit stones does this kind of 'One Thought Connect' sell for?"

Yu Fu sighed: "Artisan Tong said that the materials required to refine this type of 'One Thought Connect' are quite scarce, so the Artisan Sage Palace is not currently selling them externally. This one was specially reserved for you by Artisan Tong."

Hua Changxi smiled: "It seems Tong Yao still has a conscience and hasn't forgotten me, the one who provided the inspiration. Very well, I have no further matters here; you may attend to your duties."

Afterwards, Yu Fu returned to the Logistics Department; not long after, the steward of Danyuan Peak and the outstanding disciples all received the rewarded 'One Thought Connect' devices.

At the same time, the exchange catalog of the Logistics Department also added the 'One Thought Connect' as an option.

The commotion caused by this matter was far greater than that caused by the Duke of Liang's arrival.

Just as Hua Changxi used her divine sense and essence blood to activate the 'One Thought Connect' and was familiarizing herself with the functions of this cultivation-style mobile phone, Hua Sanlang stormed angrily into the bamboo hut where she was located.

Hua Changxi deeply disliked such behavior of barging in without knocking, even from family members: "Third Brother, next time you come to see me, announce yourself before entering."

Hua Sanlang, harboring resentment, snorted coldly, "What, do you really intend to put on the airs of a Peak Master right in front of your elder brother?"

Hua Changxi's face immediately darkened: "What do you want from me?"

Hua Sanlang fell silent for a moment before saying, "During the three years you were away, I drew a batch of pills from the Logistics Department for the family to use in their cultivation."

Hua Changxi replied, "Yu Fu already told me about this matter. What of it?"

Hua Sanlang hurriedly said, "The pills were for the family; why did you have Yu Fu deduct the cost from my monthly allowance?"

Hua Changxi looked at him and said, "Wanting to help the family is your sentiment, so naturally, you should be the one to pay for it." She then gave a cold laugh. "You came storming here in such anger. Could it be that in your heart, you feel your sentiment requires me to bear the cost?"

Hua Sanlang was choked up. "I... yes, it is my sentiment, but they are your family too. Are you really going to be so stingy? Besides, those pills mean nothing to you. Why must you haggle over them with me?"

Hua Changxi looked at Hua Sanlang, feeling an indescribable disappointment in her heart.

After three years apart, her elder brother had not improved one bit.

"Third Brother, remember one thing: at Danyuan Peak, I am the Peak Master, and you are a disciple. As a disciple, you simply obey orders."

"You have no right to question me."

"I have matters to attend to. You may leave now."

Hua Sanlang stared blankly at Hua Changxi, completely unexpected that she would speak such words to him. Then, his vision blurred, and when his sight cleared again, he found himself standing halfway up the mountain.

He had been thrown out directly by his own younger sister!

Realizing this, Hua Sanlang immediately became so angry that his face turned red and his neck thickened.

"Senior Brother Hua."

Zhu Qinghuan happened to pass by: "Senior Brother Hua, what is wrong?"

Seeing it was Zhu Qinghuan, Hua Sanlang felt as though he had encountered kin and immediately began pouring out his grievances to her.

"My Ninth Sister has become quite formidable now; she is the Peak Master and does not even acknowledge me, her elder brother."

"Over a mere handful of pills, she actually threw me out."

"Ninth Sister's heart is truly so hard and so cold."

After listening, Zhu Qinghuan fell silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Have the Peak Master's injuries fully healed?"

Hua Sanlang paused; after Ninth Sister returned, he realized he had never once asked about her injuries.

Seeing his reaction, Zhu Qinghuan sighed helplessly: "The Peak Master has not returned for three years; her injuries must have been severe. You ought to show more concern for her."

Unable to save face and unwilling to admit his mistake, Hua Sanlang stubbornly insisted, "Ninth Sister is fine; she shows no signs of someone who suffered heavy injuries."

Zhu Qinghuan smiled and said, "That is good to hear. During the three years the Peak Master was absent, the hearts of the Danyuan Peak disciples were filled with unease."

Hua Sanlang replied, "It is not as serious as you say. Even without her, Danyuan Peak continued to operate as usual."

Zhu Qinghuan did not dwell on this issue with Hua Sanlang but instead brought up the matter of Yu Fu deducting his monthly allowance.

"Without rules, there can be no order. I imagine the Peak Master feels that if she allows you to draw freely from Danyuan Peak's resources, then whenever the Hua family faces trouble in the future, you will do the same, turning Danyuan Peak into your personal storehouse. That would give others cause for gossip."

"The Peak Master certainly considers matters from the broader perspective. As her elder brother, you should strive to understand her."

Hua Sanlang looked at Zhu Qinghuan and asked, "Whose side are you on, exactly?"

Zhu Qinghuan chuckled lightly: "Naturally, I am on your side." Then, restraining her smile, she spoke with a serious expression: "Senior Brother Hua, saying this might make you uncomfortable, but at Danyuan Peak, only when the Peak Master fares well can you fare well."

Hearing this, Hua Sanlang grew even angrier: "Without her, am I unable to survive?" With that, he turned and left without looking back.

Zhu Qinghuan watched his retreating figure but did not pursue him.

"Sigh..."

"He sees only trivial gains yet turns a blind eye to the Peak Master's heavy reliance on people like Ye Lingxuan. Truly, he cannot distinguish between major and minor matters."