53: Mr. Cui is quite polite

The Head of the Cui Family murmured, “Heavenly Human Realm… Perfection?”

Xu Sanyan offered no explanation, and spoke again, “Old Mr. Cui, would you reconsider my proposal?”

The Head of the Cui Family tightened his grip on the rapier, his face grim. He wanted to fight to the death, but looking at his two sons and the younger generation of the family, he finally sighed deeply and said in a hoarse voice,

“You can have the items, just don’t harm anyone else.”

The Head of the Cui Family was forced to recognize the disparity between the two of them. Such a chasm could never be filled by numbers. If they were to fight, Xu Sanyan truly had the ability to slaughter everyone in the Cui Family.

Xu Sanyan nodded in satisfaction, “Old Mr. Cui, rest assured, I am naturally peaceful and not bloodthirsty; I just don’t like being bullied.”

After all, Cui Jie was the one who provoked him first, so Xu Sanyan’s actions were justified.

Of course, he would have acted even if there was no justification.

Yang Qizhu pursed her lips tightly, highly skeptical of his words.

The Head of the Cui Family looked at his Eldest Young Master, Cui Sheng, feeling very stifled. He sighed and said, “Sheng’er, go fetch the items.”

“Father!”

Cui Sheng eagerly stepped forward, glaring at Xu Sanyan with a face full of rage, clearly intending to draw his saber.

Xu Sanyan was unconcerned. He turned his head and glanced dismissively, his indifferent gaze as if looking at pigs or dogs.

Under that single glance, Cui Sheng regained his composure. He knew that the Cui Family had fallen today. Any further resistance at this moment would be nothing more than a fool’s bravery. He could only bury his resentment deep in his heart, hoping for revenge in the future.

“Heh heh… Listen to your father, go quickly.”

Xu Sanyan pulled at the corners of his mouth and smiled. If he hadn’t been wary of Cui Yousheng behind the Cui Family, why would he waste so much breath? He would have already started a massacre.

He was only taking some items; Cui Yousheng would most likely not care, and it wouldn’t be worth his while to make a special trip for it. But if he wiped out an entire family, it would be different.

He was only in the Heavenly Human Realm now, too weak. Once he achieved a Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, he would be able to act without restraint.

“Oh, right, also bring fifty more precious herbs as compensation for me. No problem, right?” Xu Sanyan said, looking at the Head of the Cui Family.

Since he had already offended them, he might as well fleece them clean.

Old Mr. Cui felt a tightness in his chest, his face grim. “Impossible. Do you think precious herbs are like street cabbages? Fifty? After giving you twenty last time, my Cui Family has less than thirty left.”

Xu Sanyan nodded, “Then thirty it is.”

Cui Sheng clenched his fists, his eyes bloodshot, and silently turned to leave.

What a great humiliation!

When had my Cui Family ever suffered such an insult!

Cui Sheng secretly vowed in his heart that once he had Cultivated to success, he would make Xu Sanyan pay the price!

He then obediently went to the Cui Family’s secret chamber to retrieve the treasures.

Xu Sanyan looked around, his gaze finally falling on Cui Jie. The Head of the Cui Family’s heart tightened, and he quickly spoke, “Young Master Xu, you promised to spare my son’s life.”

Xu Sanyan suddenly smiled, “Old Head of the Cui Family, rest assured, I always keep my word and have an excellent reputation.”

The Head of the Cui Family said no more, secretly glancing at Yang Qiyuan, resentment hidden in his heart.

The treasures Cui Yousheng had sent back were indeed meant to help Yang Qiyuan contend for the throne, but he had interfered and kept the items in the Cui Family.

He knew Yang Qiyuan harbored resentment, but she needed to rely on the Cui Family to compete for the throne, so she couldn’t openly break ties.

The Head of the Cui Family believed there was nothing wrong with his actions. After all, Cui Yousheng was a member of the Cui Family, so what was wrong with keeping the items in his own home?

If they had been given to Yang Qiyuan at that time, perhaps the items would have fallen into Prince Rui’s hands by now. He never expected that after all his efforts, he would end up benefiting someone else.

A moment later, Cui Sheng walked over from a distance with a cold face, carrying a large bag full of precious herbs in one hand and two booklets in the other.

“I’ve brought the items. Can I treat my brother’s injuries now?” Cui Sheng said coldly.

“Of course.”

As soon as Xu Sanyan finished speaking, he suddenly erupted, striking Cui Jie’s abdomen with a palm. With a muffled thud, Cui Jie lay motionless on the ground, his life unknown.

“Stop!”

Cui Sheng’s face changed drastically. He dropped the items in his hands and rushed over to embrace his brother, reaching out to check for breath under his nose. Seeing that there was still Qi, he finally felt a little relieved.

The sound of swords being drawn filled the surroundings. The Cui Family members thought Xu Sanyan was going to break his promise.

Xu Sanyan stepped forward and picked up the items on the ground. “Don’t worry, he’s not dead. I just crippled his Meridians. If he’s cared for properly, he might even live until he dies.”

The Head of the Cui Family’s old face darkened like water upon hearing his mockery. He said coldly, “Young Master Xu has taken the items. Are you satisfied?”

Xu Sanyan turned his head to look. “Of course. I won’t bother you any longer. Farewell.”

“Hmph, no need to see me out!”

The Head of the Cui Family’s tone was stiff, but Xu Sanyan didn’t care. After all, he had taken so many of his things; shouldn’t he be allowed a little temper?

Xu Sanyan walked out of the Cui Family mansion and suddenly turned his head to look behind him. There was only a long street, with occasional pedestrians passing by, nothing unusual.

Xu Sanyan’s eyes narrowed slightly, then he walked away.

He had just detected someone secretly observing him, but as soon as he turned his head, that feeling vanished.

Xu Sanyan knew this was definitely not an illusion. Someone had certainly been watching him just now, and their Cultivation was not beneath his own.

Who could it be?

Xu Sanyan frowned in thought. Was it Eldest Young Master’s people?

Or… Prince Rui’s people?

Xu Sanyan remembered the Princess Consort once saying that one of the three Immortal Cultivators had remained in Xiang City, and that person wasn’t seen accompanying Prince Rui during his last campaign, so it was very likely they were still in the city.

While he was thinking, he had already returned home. Yang Qiyuan was sitting at the gate, anxiously looking out, filled with worry, afraid that her husband had met with some accident.

Fortunately, Xu Sanyan returned unharmed, and he didn’t look injured, so she breathed a sigh of relief. She limped forward and said, “Husband, are you injured?”

Xu Sanyan smiled and raised his hand, displaying a large pile of precious herbs, and said with a chuckle,

“I’m fine. Old Mr. Cui is very reasonable. He knew his son made a mistake, and to show his apology, he sent these gifts. He insisted I accept them, and I couldn’t refuse, so I had no choice but to take them.”

“Old Mr. Cui is quite polite,” Yang Qiyuan said, covering her mouth with a light laugh.

“Indeed, the Cui Family members are truly good,” Xu Sanyan praised.

Saying that, he carried the items into the house and turned to Yang Qiyuan, saying, “Don’t let anyone disturb me.”

Yang Qiyuan nodded, not asking what he was doing, and obediently stood guard outside the door.

Xu Sanyan closed the door. First, he opened the wooden box and began swallowing the precious herbs in large gulps. His internal panel appeared in his eyes. With each herb he consumed, the “Qi” on his panel increased by one point.

As the thirty precious herbs were consumed, Xu Sanyan felt completely full.

With a thought, the panel appeared.

[Xu Sanyan]

[Age — 18 / 180]

[Realm — Heavenly Human Realm, Initial Stage]

[Cultivation Technique — “The Supreme Truth and Serenity Scripture of Eliminating Illusion and Attaining Reality” (Intermediate Stage)]

[Spell — “Blood Demon Corpse Refining Method” (Uninitiated)]

[Skills — Perfect Stance (Perfection). Three Tigers Subduing Dragon Saber (Perfection). Horse Appraisal Technique (Perfection). Excavator Repair and Maintenance (Initial Stage)…]

[Qi — 61]

Xu Sanyan was excited. His “Qi” had reached an unprecedented sixty-one points!

The plus sign after his Realm finally appeared.