9: Chapter 9 Huang Laifu Suffers a Setback

Wang Ye did not reply.

Xu Changsheng did not make a sound either.

Suddenly.

The entire first floor of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion fell into a strange silence, the atmosphere tense and volatile.

Wu Laoxie looked left and right, feeling extremely anxious.

He walked up to Huang Laifu: "Deacon Huang, this matter started because of me and was truly an accident. I hope you can be magnanimous."

He quietly took out a small bag of Spirit Stones.

Huang Laifu glanced down, a flash of disdain in his eyes: "Get lost. You have no right to speak here. Besides, with just this many Spirit Stones, who are you trying to fool?"

Wu Laoxie smiled apologetically: "Deacon Huang, don't be angry. I'll bring some more later."

"I told you to get lost! Are you deaf?!"

*Smack!*

Huang Laifu slapped Wu Laoxie across the face.

*Thud.*

The power of the eighth level of Qi Refining was staggering, and with no intention of holding back, Wu Laoxie was sent flying, crashing directly into the wall.

"Father!"

Wu Qingqing hurriedly stepped forward to help him up.

"Cough, cough... It's nothing." Blood trickled from the corner of Wu Laoxie's mouth.

"As long as Deacon Huang is satisfied."

Seeing this scene.

Xu Changsheng's brow was frosty, and his hand was half-raised.

He hesitated inwardly.

If he acted now, he would be caught by Huang Laifu, who also served as a Market Guard, just like last time.

Wang Ye had no intention of intervening either. He would only help Xu Changsheng; he couldn't be bothered with a low-level Cultivator like Wu Laoxie, who had no value for networking.

Seeing that their side had the upper hand.

Zhao Wujiu felt vindicated and pointed at Xu Changsheng: "Weren't you acting all arrogant just now? Why aren't you acting tough anymore? Shrunk into your shell like a turtle, have you?"

Shangguan Feng patted his robe and assumed a self-righteous air: "Indeed, Fellow Daoist Xu. You must realize there is always someone better than you. It's best to keep a low profile in the future, lest you bring trouble upon your friends."

Wu Qingqing looked at the pretentiously solemn Shangguan Feng and felt a surge of regret at the thought that she had almost agreed to marry such a person.

*Clap, clap.*

A light sound of clapping came from the stairs.

Under everyone's watchful eyes.

"What a wonderful show."

Xie Wantang, dressed in an azure gown, walked down gracefully.

Upon seeing the Second Miss.

Everyone's eyes lit up at first, but then their reactions varied.

Wang Ye and Xu Changsheng, who already knew the truth, were naturally exceptionally calm.

The Wu father and daughter had looks of confusion in their eyes.

Huang Laifu and the other two began to feel a sense of unease.

Wang Ye stepped forward and cupped his hands: "Greetings, Second Miss."

"You may rise."

Xie Wantang waved her delicate hand.

Huang Laifu's heart skipped a beat, but he also stepped forward to bow, clinging to a sliver of hope: "This Huang greets the Second Miss. May I ask if the Second Miss has come to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion today for the Trade Fair in three days?"

In his view, even if Xu Changsheng possessed cultivation skills, he couldn't have formed a connection with Xie Wantang so quickly.

Compared to that.

It was more likely she was here to prepare for the Trade Fair.

But Xie Wantang's gentle voice was like a heavy hammer, shattering his hopes.

"No, I am here to find Xu Changsheng."

Hearing this.

The faces of Huang Laifu and the others turned pale instantly, unable to believe that Xu Changsheng actually knew Xie Wantang.

"Xu Changsheng is a Guest Elder of my Xie Family. If you have any grievances with him, you can come and discuss them with the Xie Family."

*Hiss!*

Huang Laifu sucked in a breath of cold air.

Discuss with the Xie Family? He didn't have the capability.

Not to mention that he was already serving the Xie Family in Liuyun Market as a hired hand.

Just looking at the scale of the Xie Family, it was not something he could afford to offend.

The Xie Family occupied the southeastern corner of the Chu State's cultivation world. They were a Foundation Establishment Family with a deep Legacy, boasting two Foundation Establishment Cultivators and dozens, if not hundreds, of Qi Refining Cultivators.

"I wouldn't dare."

Huang Laifu lowered his head, fine beads of cold sweat appearing on his forehead.

"Second Miss, I suspect there may be more to this matter than meets the eye. Please allow me to investigate."

Xie Wantang's brows furrowed as she said angrily, "What is there to investigate when the evidence is conclusive? Fellow Daoist Wang has already told me about the difficulties you caused for Fellow Daoist Xu downstairs."

Huang Laifu dared not reply, a chill rushing from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.

Xie Wantang was not only the manager of Liuyun Market but also one of the most talented disciples of the Xie Family's current generation, with the strength to vie for the position of the Family's next leader.

A single word from her could make it impossible for him to stay in the Chu State's cultivation world; there was no point in making excuses.

"Second Miss, Fellow Daoist Xu, I was wrong! I was wrong!"

He kept bowing to Xie Wantang and Xu Changsheng, looking quite comical with his potbelly.

Xie Wantang was satisfied with Huang Laifu's apologetic attitude.

"Since you failed to discipline your subordinates and this is your first offense, I will fine you five hundred Spirit Stones this time."

Hearing this.

Huang Laifu acted as if he had caught a lifeline, hurriedly patting his waist to take out a Storage Pouch and presenting it with both hands.

"Thank you for your magnanimity, Second Miss. This is my fine."

Taking the Storage Pouch, Xie Wantang looked at Shangguan Feng and Zhao Wujiu, who were trembling nearby.

"As a Market Guard, you should know exactly how to handle these two."

"Of course, of course."

Huang Laifu agreed repeatedly, then turned and gave them a fierce glare.

Xie Wantang handed the Storage Pouch to Xu Changsheng: "Fellow Daoist Xu, this is Deacon Huang's apology."

"You are all working for my Xie Family. I hope you can turn your swords into plowshares and avoid internal strife in the future."

Sensing that Xie Wantang was smoothing things over, Xu Changsheng gladly accepted the Spirit Stones.

"Of course."

Huang Laifu also agreed repeatedly: "Yes, yes, yes."

Xu Changsheng subconsciously glanced at Huang Laifu, thinking to himself: "If this person doesn't come looking for trouble again, then so be it. But if he does, don't blame This Xu for being ruthless."

"If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."

He wanted to inform Chen Xuan about this.

"Mhm," Xie Wantang permitted.

As if granted a great pardon, Huang Laifu took out two sets of silver handcuffs from his Storage Pouch and put them directly on Shangguan Feng and Zhao Wujiu. He then raised his hand to summon a grey light to collect the Spirit Wine.

"Follow me! You're going to suffer for this."

Shangguan Feng and Zhao Wujiu looked at each other, allowing Huang Laifu to handcuff them. They were still hoping that Huang Laifu was just putting on a show, unaware that they would soon be staying in the Liuyun Market jail, with room and board included.

The three of them walked further away, soon disappearing from Xu Changsheng's sight.

Xie Wantang left gracefully: "I have important matters to attend to and cannot talk in detail here. If you have any questions, Fellow Daoist Xu, you can come to the Prefects Mansion to find me at any time."

Wang Ye also cupped his hands and walked back to the rear chamber of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion: "Wang Ye takes his leave."

Only the Wu father and daughter and Xu Changsheng remained in the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

Xu Changsheng stepped forward to apologize: "Brother Wu, This Xu still ended up involving you."

Although Wu Laoxie had been slapped, his eyes were no longer as cloudy as before; they were exceptionally bright.

"No involvement at all. I didn't expect you, kid, to give me such a huge surprise."

Xu Changsheng took out one hundred Spirit Stones.

"Please take these Spirit Stones. Consider them an apology from This Xu."

"This? Alright then."

Wu Laoxie knew Xu Changsheng's temperament; if he didn't accept the Spirit Stones today, he likely wouldn't be able to leave, so he accepted them calmly.

Xu Changsheng looked at Wu Qingqing again.

Seeing him look at her, Wu Qingqing's cheeks flushed red, and she lowered her head.