Chapter 64: Not Even the Supreme Immortal Can Save You Now!

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"The Third Chief's distinguished presence graces us—your humble student failed to greet you from afar, please forgive me, please forgive..."

Li Yuanjing swiftly arrived at the northern gate of Quanzi Village with his entourage, smiling as he bowed to this Third Chief from Cold Mountain.

Unexpectedly, contrary to Li Yuanjing's expectations, the Third Chief of Cold Mountain was not a burly warrior, but rather an elderly scholar clad in elegant robes, sporting a refined goatee.

The old village chief and Li Yuanjing shared a tacit understanding; seeing Li Yuanjing's confusion, he quickly leaned in and whispered in his ear:

"Yuanjing, this Third Chief is also the advisor to Chief Ma. Rumor has it Chief Ma listens to him closely—he is Ma's confidant. But..."

"In the past, when they came to Quanzi Village, it was just minor leaders. Now, this..."

Clearly, the old village chief was as bewildered by today's events as Li Yuanjing.

Li Yuanjing signaled to the old chief that he understood and turned his smile to the Third Chief.

The Third Chief, evidently experienced, waited until Li Yuanjing finished his exchange with the village chief, then stroked his refined goatee and spoke deliberately:

"Scholar Li—no, now I ought to address you as Master Li. Our Chief has a matter to discuss with you. Why not, shall we sit in this shelter and drink some water as we talk?"

Li Yuanjing already sensed ill omens, yet his face betrayed nothing. He bowed with a smile:

"After you, Third Chief!"

"After you, Master Li!"

...

The two entered the thatched shelter by the northern gate, their men swiftly forming a perimeter to ensure absolute privacy.

The Third Chief stroked his goatee, smiling slyly as he addressed Li Yuanjing:

"Master Li, your methods are truly remarkable."

"In just a few days, you have not only won the favor of Mr. Murong and Young Master Murong, even the venerable Zhao speaks highly of you. And, without drawing attention, you’ve established such a grand enterprise."

Though the Third Chief spoke softly and seemed to praise Li Yuanjing, every hair on Li Yuanjing’s body stood on end.

He had met many of this sort—smooth talkers with sinister intent.

Surely, nothing good was brewing!

He hurriedly bowed, smiling humbly:

"Third Chief, you jest. I am but a frail scholar, incapable of tying up a chicken. It's all luck, that I drew the attention of distinguished gentlemen."

"And recently, when I managed to earn a little money by chance, I thought to help my fellow villagers."

The Third Chief, seeing Li Yuanjing’s display of ‘good sense’, laughed heartily:

"I've long heard you’re a wise man, Master Li. Now I see it’s true!"

"Master Li!"

"Do you know why I’ve come to see you today?"

The Third Chief looked down at Li Yuanjing with a posture of absolute control.

"This..."

"I do not know, Third Chief. Please, enlighten me..."

Since the Third Chief enjoyed posturing, Li Yuanjing, not yet clear on the situation, indulged him.

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After all,

Words cost nothing, and in a lifetime, one must speak many that go against the heart.

He bowed deeply again, acting frightened and indecisive.

The Third Chief, seeing Li Yuanjing’s act, grinned even wider and finally got to the point, speaking with a hint of amusement:

"Master Li, I heard that not long ago, a scoundrel named Hou Wu from your village, with several accomplices, robbed your home and made off with quite a sum?"

"Ah?"

"Yes, that happened."

Li Yuanjing feigned alarm:

"Third Chief, has Hou Wu been caught?"

"Third Chief, if you can apprehend that rascal, I—I'll take half the silver, and gladly offer the other half to you as a reward for your trouble..."

"Ha ha."

The Third Chief laughed, yet his gaze grew openly disdainful as he replied with pride:

"Master Li, if such good fortune existed and I could help you, I would. But do you realize the current situation?"

Seeing Li Yuanjing dumbfounded, the Third Chief scoffed, confident:

"Master Li, not only has Hou Wu not been caught, but one of his skilled companions has stirred up enormous trouble!"

"Do you know the name of Hou Wu’s companion?"

Li Yuanjing knew well enough, but kept his face stricken with fear, playing along.

The Third Chief grew more pleased and continued:

"That man is called 'Feng Er', the younger brother of Master Feng of the 'Golden Beam' from the northern Boshan Gang!"

"Master Li, guess what happened?"

"Since Feng Er visited your home, Master Feng has been unable to contact his brother. Enraged, Master Feng has issued a call to arms, seeking Feng Er with all his might! Whoever finds Feng Er will be richly rewarded!"

"But..."

Here, the Third Chief’s tone shifted as he fixed his gaze on Li Yuanjing:

"Master Li, recent rumors are most unfavorable to you."

"They say!"

"Word from Iron Ox Town claims that Feng Er and Hou Wu didn’t steal your silver, but instead met a violent end in your home!"

"Ah?"

"Impossible!"

"How could that be?"

"Third Chief, please see clearly. I am just a weak scholar, incapable of such lawlessness..."

With the Third Chief’s chain of intimidations, Li Yuanjing had finally grasped the core of the matter.

It was indeed that old fool Xue, the so-called Good Man!

But now was not the time to quibble. Li Yuanjing hurriedly stood up, feigning panic, intent on denying everything.

Seeing the Third Chief’s smug expression grow even more pronounced, Li Yuanjing was cold inside, but outwardly he dropped to his knees before the Third Chief.

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With tears and snot streaming, he pleaded:

"Third Chief, this is a grave injustice—snow in June, a tragedy for the ages..."

"Third Chief, you are a fellow disciple of the Bright Sect; we are kin. I beg you, please help me, please help me..."

On the other side,

The Third Chief sipped his warm water with satisfaction, seeing Li Yuanjing sufficiently worn down. He spoke with a half-smile:

"Master Li, what you say is true. We are both disciples of the Bright Sect; helping you is not impossible. But, this matter is indeed troublesome."

"I’ve heard—"

"Master Feng of the 'Golden Beam' has declared he will skin you alive to avenge his brother. It's not easy to resolve."

Li Yuanjing wished he could tear the Third Chief apart on the spot, but reason suppressed his rage.

He pressed his head to the ground, sobbing as he pleaded:

"Third Chief, I have struggled so much to get here. If you would help me, I will never forget your kindness as long as I live."

"And—"

"If you save my life, I am willing to give you half the fertile fields of Quanzi Village..."

"Heh."

The Third Chief sneered, standing up:

"It seems, Master Li, you still fail to grasp the situation. In that case, do as you wish. I take my leave."

With that,

The old fiend turned to go.

Li Yuanjing nearly cracked his teeth in anger, but could only feign terror as he rushed to clutch the Third Chief’s leg:

"Third Chief, it’s all my foolishness. Please, teach me..."

"You truly wish me to teach you, to spare your life?"

The Third Chief no longer bothered to hide his contempt, looking at Li Yuanjing as one would a dead dog.

Seeing Li Yuanjing unable to speak, nodding desperately, the Third Chief scoffed:

"Fine."

"Since you show such sincerity, I will point you to a clear path!"

"Hand over all the fields in Quanzi Village, and prepare one hundred taels of pure silver!"

"If you dare withhold even a single coin—"

"Heh."

"Then, I’m sorry. Not even the gods can save you!!!"

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