Please, Young Master, Slay the Demon!
Chapter 643 - 6: It’s Not That Great Either [Monthly Ticket Wanted!]_1

Chapter 643: Chapter 6: It’s Not That Great Either [Monthly Ticket Wanted!]_1

No sooner had the announcement been heard than a flurry of footsteps signaled the arrival of a man who ignored protocol and marched directly into the great hall.

The newcomer was a tall and hefty man, with a fierce look in his eyes that belied his forty-some years of age. He wore a red robe with a pure black cloak fastened to his back. His commanding presence quivered in the air as he moved.

Chu Liang immediately discerned that this man was indeed a powerful practitioner of the Seventh Realm, and subsequently, understood the subtle atmosphere in the hall.

No one in the Qi Feng Temple had time to inform him of the current state of the nation beforehand.

This Uncle Emperor of the Gao Yue Country was the brother of the previous Monarch, yet he was of similar age to the current Monarch. At the time of the struggle for the throne, the current Monarch was indeed stronger and had a higher cultivation level, hence he assumed the throne.

However, the Emperor might have neglected his cultivation because he was engrossed in governance. Or perhaps the Uncle Emperor had experienced an enlightenment after his fall from grace and surprisingly became the first in the kingdom to break through the Heaven’s Gate.

The Uncle Emperor became the only cultivator of the Seventh Realm in the nation, this made the Monarch’s position somewhat awkward.

While the Monarch himself had suggested abdication in favor of his uncle, the sincerity of this proposition is questionable. The Uncle Emperor, having attained the Seventh Realm, was more focused on his cultivation, and hence did not accept this proposal.

As a result, the prevailing arrangement was that the Monarch governed state affairs, while the Uncle Emperor managed Qi Feng Temple. Although both were royals, this arrangement was rather stable. However, the Uncle Emperor occasionally showed disrespect to the Monarch, creating inevitable friction over time.

"Your Majesty." The Uncle Emperor advanced, bowing slightly before declaring, "The emissary from Taotie City has arrived, so I took the liberty to bring him to meet you."

"Taotie City?" The Monarch furrowed his brow in response. "Didn’t the ministers agree during the previous court session that we’ll cooperate with the Shu Mountain Sect this year?"

"The emissary from Taotie City has traveled a long distance, and they offer quite favorable terms. Your Majesty, I suggest you at least discuss with them before deciding." Uncle Emperor replied.

"The Shu Mountain Sect, aside from the high cost, also allows us to select one disciple from the Qi Feng Temple to apprentice with them each year. This is an offer that Taotie City cannot match." The Monarch appeared rather displeased.

Listening from the side, Chu Liang couldn’t help but blink.

Shu Mountain receiving disciples from Qi Feng Temple.

That indeed was a shrewd move.

For a small nation like the Gao Yue Country, Spirit Stone Coins to purchase cultivation resources are certainly important, but it is also essential to have powerful cultivators. Those cultivators nurtured under their own environment would by no means be as strong as those from the Nine Heavens Immortal Sect.

In the past, neighboring small countries may not have valued Shu Mountain as much. But six years ago, Shu Mountain had overpoweringly taken the top spot at the Immortal Sect Conference, which had a profound impact.

This implied that the disciples of Shu Mountain are the strongest in this generation!

This influence was also an important factor in the readiness of the sect disciples to fight tooth and nail for it.

If the seedlings of the Gao Yue Country can practice and grow in Shu Mountain and later return to their homeland, it would entirely transform the state of affairs. And one disciple per year was not a small number. The Monarch could even send his descendants to Shu Mountain first. When they return, they will undoubtedly be stronger than their peers from Qi Feng Temple.

Even if the price of Cyan Moon Grass rose, it wouldn’t offset these benefits.

Shu Mountain, on the other hand, would not have to spend much money to offer this, and this was an advantage that Taotie City simply did not possess.

Therefore, during court deliberations, the civil and military ministers of Gao Yue Country had already decided to directly avoid contact with Taotie City this year, leaving a favorable impression on Shu Mountain.

Yet, at this moment, the Uncle Emperor interfered again.

In fact, the Monarch could almost guess that Taotie City, knowing that there was no way forward in the court, had privately offered benefits to the Uncle Emperor. Maybe they offered less to Gao Yue Country as a whole, but the bribes given to the Uncle Emperor would certainly be substantial.

The Uncle Emperor also argued, "In business, it is natural to compare offers. There’s no need to depend on one option solely, right? Even if Your Majesty meets with them, would the people of Shu Mountain know about it?"

"Hmmm" The Monarch glanced at Chu Liang on the side.

"I can pretend I know nothing." Chu Liang said with a serious face.

"You are from Shu Mountain?" The Uncle Emperor immediately turned to look at Chu.

"Huh." Chu Liang smiled, "I am just passing by this place and I don’t represent Red Cotton Peak. I have not returned to Shu Mountain for many years so it’s not important."

"I just thought..." Only then Uncle Emperor turned back, "If Jade Fan and Mountain Tiger themselves came, it would have been alright. Sending an unknown foot soldier to negotiate surely shows that they are looking down upon our Gao Yue Country!"

"Enough." The Emperor waved his hand, "Where is the emissary from Taotie City? Bring him in for a meeting."

...

Instantly, servants ushered in two individuals.

The one on the left was a middle-aged man, well dressed in a long robe and jade belt. An embroidered insignia on his left chest deemed him to be a second-rate executive of Taotie City.

However, in recent years, to compete with Red Cotton Peak and the Immortal District, Taotie City had ambitiously promoted its members, leading to an over inflation of executive positions, and thus their prestige had faded.

This middle-aged man with a white face and slight stubble had bright eyes, clearly indicating he was a shrewd old shopkeeper.

The young man to his side had a head full of fluffy long hair and black, alert eyes. He observed his surroundings in an odd manner.

"Taotie City’s Second-tier Executive, Tian Mingtai." The middle-aged man announced, "I pay my respects to the Monarch of Gao Yue Country."

"Manager Tian, there’s no need for further formalities." Although the Monarch was initially reluctant, he was quite courteous upon meeting him. "You have traveled a great distance, and for any neglect on our part due to our lack of a proper welcome, we hope you’ll understand."

"Ah," Manager Tian laughed, "Uncle Emperor, you have already hosted us generously. How can we speak of negligence? Today, meeting with the Monarch, the main topic is about the Cyan Moon Grass."

"Hmm..." the Monarch pondered, "Maybe you could tell us all, what does Taotie City think about this?"

"We know the price Red Cotton Peak offered you," said Manager Tian, "On this basis, Taotie City can increase the price by ten percent further. The condition remains the same: all of the Cyan Moon Grass harvested can only be provided to us."

"Alas," the Monarch sighed, "Both you and the Red Cotton Peak do not agree to share the Cyan Moon Grass. This makes it very difficult for us to decide. My humble kingdom in the Western Regions, dare not offend anyone from the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands."

"We have heard about the Shu Mountain Sect’s agreement to accept disciples from the Qi Feng Temple," continued Manager Tian, "To this end, we can promise that as long as Gaoyue Country cooperates with us, we can also accept one disciple from the Qi Feng Temple every year. However, we won’t send them to our Taotie City, but to... Penglai Upper Sect."

"Hmm?" At this statement, the Monarch’s eyebrows rose in surprise: "Are you serious about this?"

The others in the hall who heard this also revealed surprised expressions.

Despite the tremendous growth of the Shu Mountain Sect, largely thanks to Red Cotton Peak in recent years and the superior welfare of its disciples, the status of the Penglai Upper Sect as the Leader of the Righteous Path remains unshakeable.

If one could choose, Penglai Upper Sect would undoubtedly be several times better than Shu Mountain.

If any of the Western Countries could produce a disciple for Penglai Upper Sect, the whole country would benefit as he or she matures.

Although such occurrences are very rare.

Previously, the Monarch was merely appeasing them, but now he is truly tempted.

"The Penglai Upper Sect won’t agree without any gain, of course, but we, Taotie City, will bear the cost of this," said Tian Mingtai, "Moreover, I can tell you frankly that the strong position of Shu Mountain is only temporary, and Red Cotton Peak... won’t last much longer."

"Well..." the Monarch then chuckled heartily, "We naturally dare not meddle in the affairs of the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands. However, regarding the Cyan Moon Grass, it is indeed open for further discussion."

"I haven’t finished yet." Manager Tian continued: "When we arrived, we heard that your princess was missing. We are deeply concerned. We have specially brought with us our city’s third-rank offering, Han Lu. He is especially skilled in finding things and locating people. He can definitely assist you in finding your princess."

With that, he gestured to the young man beside him.

The young man named Han Lu glanced at the Monarch and nodded briefly, appearing quite aloof.

"But I have already given this task to Warrior Chu..." The Monarch turned to Chu Liang, looking somewhat distressed.

"Let this disciple of Shu Mountain leave," the Emperor’s Uncle spoke out with great assertiveness.

Hearing that Chu Liang was a disciple of Shu Mountain, Manager Tian’s eyes flashed with surprise. The news he received was that the people from Shu Mountain would arrive tomorrow. That there was already one here in the main hall of Gao Yue Country was unexpected.

If this information had been known to Shu Mountain earlier, the people of Red Cotton Peak might have had the opportunity to respond, which could result in complications.

Chu Liang already understood the situation clearly. The Monarch had let him, a disciple of Shu Mountain, listen to the conversation for so long for a reason. He probably wanted him to pass on the message so that when the people from Red Cotton Peak arrived tomorrow, they could be prepared with better conditions.

This was different from passing on the message of his own accord.

Chu Liang chuckled softly, but before he could speak, he heard Manager Tian suddenly say: "This disciple of Shu Mountain has only reached the fifth stage of cultivation. What use is he? Would you dare take on the task of finding the Princess? If the Princess were to suffer any harm, could you bear the responsibility?"

Even as he spoke, he exerted his overwhelming force on Chu Liang, as heavy as a mountain.

Chu Liang immediately understood his intent.

Such an old fox wouldn’t lose his temper so easily. He was probably trying to provoke resistance so that he could make a move against Chu Liang. He probably wouldn’t risk killing him, but at least injure him enough to knock him unconscious for a day or two. In this way, Chu Liang wouldn’t be able to steal the initiative before the people from Shu Mountain arrived tomorrow.

Being an old fox himself, Chu Liang wasn’t fooled.

Yet Chu Liang merely smiled faintly and retorted, "Manager Tian, at what stage is your cultivation?"

"Can’t you feel it?" Tian Mingtai growled again, imposing his force on Chu Liang like a tidal wave, "I am a humble man, but forty-odd years of cultivation has allowed me to reach the late stage of the Sixth Realm."

"I see," Chu Liang nodded.

Boom—

The next instant, he was standing where Manager Tian had once stood, drawing back his right foot.

Meanwhile, Tian Mingtai had been kicked away by Chu Liang’s swift attack in the blink of an eye, crashing through the palace wall, and then across several spacious corridors, into another palace on the other side.

The palace maids, servants startled, screamed in a fuss.

Everyone in the main hall looked in astonishment at Chu Liang, including the Monarch and Emperor’s Uncle of Gao Yue Country. None of them expected that he, being a fifth stage cultivator, would dare to make such a bold move against a late-stage sixth realm cultivator.

And... hitting and near-about killing with one strike.

Isn’t it a little unreasonable?

Under everyone’s gaze, Chu Liang casually drew his foot back and resumed his smiling face.

"Sixth Stage..." he shrugged, "Not that impressive then."