Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 343 - 343 342 The Late Penalty 4

343: Chapter 342 The Late Penalty 4 343: Chapter 342 The Late Penalty 4 Bai Qingqian sat dejectedly, wounded in spirit, yet in the grand hall, amidst the hearty drinking and singing, a group of merchants reveled with great enthusiasm.

Zeng Ji knew exactly how to behave; he was well aware that if he kept all the spoils to himself, even so-called friends with interests would stand up and cry foul—not because it was unfair, but because you didn’t understand the concept of sharing the profits.

Therefore, Bai’s Trading Company, this chunk of fat meat, was to be shared by everyone present.

This included Artifacts, as well as many other things like Talismans, Elixirs, materials, and so on, even including Bai’s channels, which were all part of the spoils to be divided.

In the Cultivation Business World, such situations were inevitable.

There would always be businesses falling behind, completely devoured in the competition—this was the natural ecology of the Cultivation Business World.

When your power was sufficient to protect your interests, no one would come after you, and everyone would live in harmony, sharing the benefits and remaining good friends.

But when your backing collapsed and you were left drifting in the storm, that was the moment when everyone would turn on you.

No one could resist such a temptation; only by constantly growing stronger could you ensure everlasting prosperity.

Desolation and triumph coexisted in the grand hall of Zhaoyang Palace, presenting a poignant contrast that seemed so naturally occurring; just as a red flower needs green leaves for contrast, beauty comes from comparison.

Unfortunately, this time Bai Qingqian had become the green leaves, and weren’t there a bit too many red flowers?

She didn’t turn and leave—that was her final pride.

They could crush the Bai Family’s business, but they couldn’t crush her as a person.

She wanted to get a good look at these people, to remember everything they had bestowed upon her today; humiliation was also a form of motivation, and she wanted more of that motivation!

She would never flee like a dog that had lost its home.

The night banquet steadily reached its climax, and seeing such a beautiful woman looking like a lamb ready for slaughter, so panicked and helpless, gave everyone a special sense of satisfaction in their hearts.

If a man and woman were alone together, perhaps someone would covet her person and make a special request for leniency on the debt, but with dozens of people present, they could only express another facet of human nature—cruelty.

The various verbal attacks, the so-called terms of repayment, started out veiled but became more blatant as time went on.

With a slight smile, Zeng Ji, as the host, was pleased to see such a scene unfold.

It was not because he wanted to satisfy some sadistic whim, but because he was well aware that only when this woman was truly enraged, ready to act recklessly without regard for the consequences, would he have the chance to completely erase the Bai Family’s business and this person.

A business dispute was a matter of life and death, and it was important to cut the weeds and dig up the roots.

After all, the Bai Family still had strong foundations spread across the Southwest nations and possessed a certain level of power.

He couldn’t make a move himself.

If he did, at least half of these so-called friends would expose him.

That was the reality of the business circle.

He just had to wait for the woman to lose control of her emotions and do something foolish—that would be the perfect opportunity for him to strike.

Not only did he understand this principle, but everyone present did too, which was why they were so unrestrained in provoking her with their words.

They were all very experienced.

To spice things up, Zeng Ji activated a lever, and one wall of the grand hall began to slide open to reveal the seascape outside.

The sea breeze blew in, but far from calming the atmosphere in the hall, it only made it more heated.

This was a common architectural design in affluent homes, currently quite popular in Mirage.

Zhaoyang Palace was close to the coast and situated on elevated land, making it an ideal location for such a design.

Zeng Ji had also modified his Zhaoyang Palace somewhat, with an entire wall automatically sliding open to reveal the sea panorama to everyone, an action that could only be described as grand.

Yet his true intention was to create an opportunity for this woman, an opportunity where she might do something in the hopes of escaping.

But nobody was foolish.

Just as everyone present clearly understood Zeng Ji’s intentions, Bai Qingqian also knew full well that this was a game—an endurance test of patience, of face, of a heart capable of bearing humiliation.

Lu Shilun approached Zeng Ji, slightly dissatisfied, “Zeng Daoist, you’ve gone a bit too far today.

With Jiedu Mansion around, her little Anhe business can’t stir up any waves.

Why bother provoking her, inviting all sorts of unforeseen trouble?”

Zeng Ji transmitted his thoughts, “What can I do?

She’s using the incident from three years ago at Crab Claw Island to threaten me.

Can I really let her continue causing trouble outside?

Once the dog is driven to jump over the wall, it will bark uncontrollably.

Let her create a storm; it doesn’t matter to me, a businessman, but Daoist Brother, you in Jiedu Mansion can easily be criticized…”

Lu Shilun paused, “Did she really say that?”

Zeng Ji gave a bitter smile, “You and I are one in this matter.

How could I joke about such a thing?

Daoist knows I am not a frivolous person.

I understand the principle of sparing others when possible, but the problem is there is no room for clemency now.

Once Bai’s Trading Company is disqualified by Jiedu Mansion, I fear she will desperately say anything!”

Lu Shilun felt agitated.

He knew more insider details than Zeng Ji and also understood the true relationship between the woman and the deceased sword cultivator, so he realized it was imperative to be cautious.

Compared to appearing unsightly in front of everyone, he valued the power behind the sword cultivator even more – it was something he could not afford to provoke, and even Jiedu Mansion wouldn’t assist him.

“In that case, since the action has been taken, there is no point in being timid.

Better to aim for a permanent resolution,” he said.

Zeng Ji nodded, emboldened by Lu Shilun’s approval.

Seeing that the atmosphere was fervid, he pointed outside the curtain,

“Gentlemen, the seascape is so charming, with sails and mast lights competing in leisurely roam.

In light of this splendid view, we should have a song; but our forms are crude, our grace gone, our prime is past.

Singing would be inappropriate for us.

Wouldn’t it be better to ask Fairy Bai to bless us with a song, to augment our festivity?”

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Except for a few quick-witted individuals who sensed something off, the others were all adding fuel to the flames.

Bai Qingqian’s gaze was like water, yet in the depth of those tranquil waters, there seemed to be a blaze.

She knew she was being pressured by the others and also knew it would be best to neither accept nor refuse, but simply leave.

Yet she couldn’t take that step!

She was unwilling to back down in front of these people!

Turning her head, she looked at the numerous sailboat silhouettes on the sea — clearly visible even in the darkness, the brightly hanging lanterns atop their masts glittered like stars, shimmering spectacularly.

Among them, one appeared different, not bobbing in the sea like the other specks of light, but rapidly approaching!

No, it wasn’t a lantern light, it was a sword light!

…Without setting sail, the flat boat leaves, the Cang Sea’s tides sounding like sword strikes.

In the midst of the astonished gazes, without allowing the cultivators present to react, the sword light passed through the curtain, heading straight for the host of the night banquet!

Zeng Ji turned pale with fright.

Too late to dodge or defend, he, a merchant, revealed his cowardly nature in his moment of desperation.

Under such fierce sword light, he was like a flayed sheep waiting on the chopping block, and was pierced through, sending up a sky full of blood!

Only then did everyone react, each using their means to protect themselves, with magical treasures and talismans springing forth; yet no one wished to rush out to investigate, for sticking together was safer, wasn’t it, with everyone watching each other’s backs?

After the sword light slayed its target, its momentum was still unspent, accompanied by a faint rumbling like thunder.

Then, the next moment, the senior official of Jiedu Mansion, the venerable Lu Shilun, stood with lifeless eyes, slowly collapsing to the ground under the pressure of a flying sword at his forehead!

A cultivator in green appeared outside the curtain, his voice cold,

“Didn’t they ask you to sing?

Then sing for them!”

Bai Qingqian’s eyes were brimming with clear tears, yet they couldn’t hide the joy coming from her heart.

She sang in a clear voice,

“…As young men meet over wine, precious swords demand a hefty price.

The wind unsettles the willow’s strands, rain shadows the flower’s scent like an early autumn.

A poem forms like a myriad of jumbled brocade; a man stands in the delicate twelve-storied pavilion.

Without considering such a gathering’s delights, just watching him wield the sword, he is already so elegant.”

This scene would remain unforgettable to the hosts; against the vast backdrop of the sea, a woman’s moving, soft singing, and a bold intruder wielding his sword!

No one dared to move!

…With colorful clothes the songs pass, the man in green brandishes a sword – who in the curtain dares to look up?