Super Invincible Immortal Doctor
Chapter 707: Combining Kindness and Severity_1

Chapter 707: Chapter 707: Combining Kindness and Severity_1

Su Chengyu once again found himself in the courtyard where He Lian Xuan resided. As soon as Su Chengyu walked in, He Lian Xuan, who had brewed another pot of tea, gestured for him to sit.

"Your victory was quite unexpected, even for me. It seems my previous estimation of your abilities was slightly off," He Lian Xuan said, taking a sip from his tea cup.

"A cultivator should always strive to rise to the occasion. The opportunity to compete against a worthy opponent like Lee Longqing truly fueled my fighting spirit," Su Chengyu responded modestly.

He Lian Xuan nodded in approval at Su Chengyu’s humility. "Indeed. Remain humble in victory and do not be disheartened in defeat. However, you should take into account that your defeat has struck a significant blow to Lee Longqing. If he cannot overcome the shadow of this defeat, it could have long-lasting implications on his cultivation. You must understand that Lee Longqing is the highly-regarded heir to the Lee family. If he falls short due to your actions, they will undoubtedly hold you responsible."

"And why should I be concerned? His inability to accept defeat is a reflection of his own flawed mental state. Much like a flower raised in a greenhouse, a person who cannot accept failure and setbacks will crumble at the slightest adversity. Regardless of how beautiful the flower appears, it is merely an illusion."

"If Lee Longqing cannot emerge from this small setback, then he is ultimately doomed to fail. The Lee family should be thanking me," Su Chengyu stated.

Upon setting his tea cup down, He Lian Xuan smiled faintly and said, "While your words hold some truth, the Lee family certainly wouldn’t see it that way. As the foremost aristocratic family in the East with a Martial Saint at their helm, even I might struggle to protect you against them. You already have numerous enemies, including the formidable Black Dragon Commerce Association. If you also offend the Lee family, you would find it extremely difficult to maintain a foothold in the East."

After taking a sip of his tea, Su Chengyu responded, "I appreciate your advice, Grand Minister. However, what has happened has happened. Are you suggesting I should apologize to Lee Longqing?"

He Lian Xuan laughed heartily, "And even if I asked you to do so, you wouldn’t, would you?"

Su Chengyu smiled in response but did not reply. He Lian Xuan continued, "You are quite promising, and I hold you in high regard. After the conclusion of the Dragon Lake Tournament, I plan to assign you directly to the Eastern Dragon Soul Department, removing you from the sphere of influence of the Black Dragon Commerce Association. Xiang Yuesheng will no longer be a threat. However, you will need to find a way to make amends with the Lee family. In fact, I have a suggestion that might help you appease them."

"I am deeply grateful for your consideration, Grand Minister. Please, enlighten me."

Su Chengyu was well aware that offending the Lee family, the top family in the East with a Martial Saint at the helm, was unwise. If he could prevent the situation from escalating, he would prefer to avoid further complications.

"The Lee family’s unparalleled Seven Kills Sword technique is incredibly powerful, but also steeped in a malevolent aura of bloodshed. This causes practitioners to be particularly prone to losing their way. As such, only those with the most exceptional talent and unwavering determination are permitted to learn the technique within the Lee family. Lee Longqing’s failure has sent him into a bout of madness because he not only couldn’t accept the setback but also suffered a backlash from the Seven Kills Sword technique."

"However, the South Sea Mermaid Pearl, which is part of the championship prize, has the miraculous effect of cleansing one’s body and clarifying one’s Dao Heart. This would be immensely beneficial to Lee Longqing’s cultivation of the Seven Kills Sword technique. If you offer him the South Sea Mermaid Pearl, it would help him overcome his inner demons and move past this setback. He and the Lee family would appreciate your kindness and would most likely drop their grievances with you."

Having listened to He Lian Xuan’s explanation, Su Chengyu immediately grasped the situation.

"I see what you’re getting at. You’re suggesting I offer the championship prize to Lee Longqing as a peace offering," Su Chengyu stated impassively.

"Exactly. Although you’d be giving away the prize, the championship title still rests with you. This is the best solution I could come up with for you. I don’t believe any loss falls upon you," He Lian Xuan added.

"I appreciate your concern, Grand Minister. However, the South Sea Mermaid Pearl holds great importance to me. To be frank, I had no intention of participating, let alone winning the competition. The fact that the South Sea Mermaid Pearl was to be the championship prize was my sole motivation for competing. Now that I’ve finally won the South Sea Mermaid Pearl, how could I simply hand it over? What would have been the point of my participation?"

He Lian Xuan’s eyebrows knitted together in slight consternation. "I see. Even so, I still wish for you to reconsider. Although the South Sea Mermaid Pearl is valuable, it pales in comparison to the value of your life."

"Su Cheng, you’re young and a cultivator. I’ll do my utmost to nurture your growth. There’s no need to offend the Lee family over a single South Sea Mermaid Pearl. Looking ahead, you should consider the long-term repercussions."

He Lian Xuan continued to advice earnestly, exuding an air of concern and thoughtfulness towards Su Chengyu.

The South Sea Mermaid Pearl wasn’t particularly useful to Su Chengyu, but it was of great importance to Yu Yanshu. Furthermore, Yu Yanshu was key in tracking down Su Xiaoxiao and Lin Chuxue in the future – a fact that prevented Su Chengyu from parting with the South Sea Mermaid Pearl under any circumstances.

Seeing that Su Chengyu had fallen silent – seemingly weighing the pros and cons – He Lian Xuan pressed on. "How about this: present the South Sea Mermaid Pearl to Lee Longqing and I will offer you additional compensation. Be it a spirit pill, a miraculous medicine, or a Divine Weapon Law Device; you name it, I’ll do my best to provide."

"Grand Minister, you seem quite eager to have me give the South Sea Mermaid Pearl to Lee Longqing?"

From He Lian Xuan’s words and actions today, Su Chengyu sensed that He Lian Xuan’s concern might not be entirely genuine. Taking into account the extreme importance of the South Sea Mermaid Pearl to Lee Longqing, and the Pearl being offered as the championship prize, Su Chengyu began to suspect that He Lian Xuan had originally intended to reserve the South Sea Mermaid Pearl for Lee Longqing.

A twist of fate had now placed the Pearl in his hands.

"I’m just trying to help you," He Lian Xuan responded.

"I refuse to trade. I will not hand the South Sea Mermaid Pearl to anyone," stated Su Chengyu, categorically denying He Lian Xuan’s proposal.

The teacup in He Lian Xuan’s hand shattered with a crack. He promptly took out a towel to wipe his hand. His demeanor had changed significantly, his brow emanating an aura of stern authority.

"And what if I order you to give the South Sea Mermaid Pearl to Lee Longqing? Would you refuse then?" He Lian Xuan asked sternly, his words carrying an implied threat in line with his position as the Grand Minister.

Su Chengyu confirmed his suspicions from He Lian Xuan’s assertive stance. The South Sea Mermaid Pearl was indeed part of a deal between He Lian Xuan and the Lee family. As for how genuine or deceptive He Lian Xuan’s words of concern were, that was difficult to determine.

While Su Chengyu did not immediately respond, He Lian Xuan further pressed. "Su Cheng, you’re an intelligent man. You should know the implications of what I’m suggesting without me spelling it out. Giving Lee Longqing the South Sea Mermaid Pearl benefits you and spares me some dignity. If you refuse, you’ll be offending more than just the Lee family. Do you understand what’s at stake here? Young man, it’s best not to be so obstinate."

He Lian Xuan’s threat was now evident. No doubt, he was an astute manipulator, capable of blending coercion with persuasion, power with benevolence. His words were pressurizing enough to make most bow down, unhesitatingly agreeing without daring to defy.