19: The Way to Death

Facing Chen Xu's eyes, which seemed to see through people's hearts, Li Shichang's forehead broke out in a cold sweat.

He knew that if he didn't explain things clearly today, let alone invite this newly Advanced Foundation Establishment Fellow Daoist!

The middle-aged man behind him, who was Li Wenbo, the current Family Head of the Li Family, didn't even dare to breathe loudly.

The atmosphere in the hall instantly became extremely heavy.

Bu Yifan and Sun Xiaoyue exchanged glances, tacitly remaining silent.

They knew this was a matter between men, and Chen Xu had his own judgment.

In the corner, Chen Qingqing, sitting in a wheelchair, paused slightly with the hand holding her teacup.

She looked at the calm and composed man in the main seat, and a strange feeling surged within her again.

Once upon a time, Chen Xu in her eyes was merely a mediocre person with ordinary Aptitude, who had given up on the Immortal Dao early and indulged in Mortal pleasures.

But now, he just sat there, saying nothing.

Yet he made the Old Ancestor of a cultivation Family with a hundred-year Legacy as nervous as a prisoner awaiting judgment.

This invisible Aura had nothing to do with cultivation!

Instead, it was a confidence and assurance of being in control of the overall situation.

Chen Qingqing suddenly realized that Chen Xu had not only been having children and making money all these years.

"It seems Fellow Daoist Li thinks the two Flying Swords I received aren't sharp enough?"

Chen Xu's voice was very calm, showing no emotion, but to Li Shichang's ears, it was no less than a clap of thunder.

Li Shichang's body trembled, and he quickly bowed, saying, "Fellow Daoist Chen misunderstood! This old man absolutely has no such intention!"

He gritted his teeth, his Face full of shame and regret, and finally stopped hiding: "Alas, misfortune has befallen our Family. It's all because this old man was not strict enough in his discipline, which led to this disaster."

"The cause of the incident was my unworthy grandson, Li Wei."

Li Shichang's voice was full of bitterness: "Half a year ago, I asked him to take that batch of Magical Artifacts to the Taiyi Merchant Alliance to negotiate. Who knew... who knew that beast actually publicly flirted with Supervisor Xu in the Merchant Alliance hall."

"Flirted?"

Chen Xu's eyebrows raised slightly.

"It was a verbal offense."

Li Shichang's old Face flushed red, as if it was difficult to speak: "That beast saw Supervisor Xu's exquisite beauty, and then... then spoke wildly, saying some... indecent and frivolous words."

"Although he didn't lay a hand on her, what kind of status does Supervisor Xu have? She was immediately genuinely angered."

Chen Xu's gaze turned cold.

He could probably guess what happened. Xu Zhengyue of the Taiyi Merchant Alliance was indeed a rare beauty, with a capable temperament and graceful figure.

But she was also a shrewd and strong businesswoman.

That junior of the Li Family named Li Wei had most likely been accustomed to throwing his weight around in the prefecture city, and upon seeing a beautiful woman, he lost his head, treating a powerful Cultivator of the cultivation world as a Mortal woman who could be casually approached.

This was a path to death.

"Just because of a few words, the Taiyi Merchant Alliance blacklisted your entire Family?"

Chen Xu asked, feeling that things might not be that simple.

Li Shichang's head hung even lower, his voice almost a whisper: "That beast... he didn't know Supervisor Xu's true identity. Supervisor Xu, she... she is a Golden Core True Person."

Boom!

As soon as the words "Golden Core" were uttered, the air in the entire hall seemed to solidify.

Bu Yifan and Sun Xiaoyue covered their mouths, their eyes full of shock.

They only knew that Foundation Establishment was difficult; a Golden Core True Person was a figure that only existed in legends to them!

They were existences of the same Rank as the Qingyun Sect Leader and Elders!

The people of the Li Family actually dared to flirt with a Golden Core True Person?

Chen Xu's Face, however, didn't show much surprise.

He had vaguely suspected it before; Xu Zhengyue gave him a unfathomable feeling, definitely not an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Now that it was confirmed, it only made his plan clearer.

He finally understood why the Li Family was willing to pay such a high price to ask for his help.

Offending a Golden Core True Person, let alone having their business blacklisted!

It was already an act of mercy that she didn't directly come to exterminate the entire Li Family.

"Since it's a Golden Core True Person, what use is it for you to come to me, a Cultivator who just reached Foundation Establishment?"

Chen Xu leaned back in his chair, his fingers gently tapping the table.

"Because... because we heard that Immortal Master Xu has praised Fellow Daoist Chen multiple times within the Merchant Alliance."

Li Shichang hurriedly said: "She said that you are a true Talisman Dao Genius, with limitless prospects. Moreover, your Fire Phoenix Talisman business with Immortal Master Xu is the most profitable and most valued cooperation in the entire Shangya Prefecture City branch."

"We truly have no other choice. In the entire Shangya Prefecture, only Fellow Daoist Chen can speak to Immortal Master Xu and make her give some Face."

Li Shichang's posture was almost begging.

Chen Xu fell silent.

He was weighing the pros and cons.

The risk was that his relationship with Xu Zhengyue might be affected because of the Li Family.

But this risk was small!

Because he knew very well that the relationship between him and Xu Zhengyue was purely one of mutual benefit.

As long as he could continuously provide High Grade Fire Phoenix Talismans.

And even more Advanced Spirit Talismans in the future, Xu Zhengyue would not easily become hostile to him.

And the benefits were tangible.

Those two High Grade Flying Swords perfectly matched the Azure Heaven Nine Revolutions Sword Art, allowing his combat power to immediately rise a level.

That large bag of second-order Yao Beast Materials was enough to support him in increasing the success rate of the Fire Phoenix Talisman to over fifty percent.

Bringing him a continuous flow of Spirit Stones.

More importantly, as long as he accomplished this, the entire Li Family would completely become his vassal.

A two-hundred-year-old Artifact Refining Family would have immeasurable benefits for the future development of the Chen Family.

This deal was worthwhile.

"Where is that Li Wei now?"

Chen Xu finally spoke.

Li Shichang was overjoyed, knowing that there was a turn for the better, and quickly said: "That beast has already been confined by me, waiting outside the mansion, ready to be dealt with by Fellow Daoist Chen at any time!"

"Prepare, we are going to the prefecture city."

Chen Xu stood up, his tone unquestionable.

"Yes! Yes!"

Li Shichang was so excited that old tears streamed down his Face, repeatedly bowing... Shangya Prefecture City, with its towering city walls and bustling streets, was filled with both Mortals and Cultivators with cultivation, presenting a prosperous scene.

The branch of the Taiyi Merchant Alliance was located in the very center of the prefecture city.

It was a magnificent seven-story pavilion, covering a vast area, truly grand.

Chen Xu and his party of three had just reached the entrance of the Merchant Alliance.

They were stopped by two Qi Refining Late Stage guards.

Li Shichang and Li Wenbo could not even raise their heads in front of these two guards.

But when the guards' gaze fell on Chen Xu, their attitude immediately became respectful.

"It turns out to be Fellow Daoist Chen. Please come in. Supervisor Xu has instructed that you do not need to be announced when you arrive and can go directly to the ninth floor."

One of the guards said politely.

Chen Xu's name was no longer a secret within the Taiyi Merchant Alliance.

A Foundation Establishment Stage Talisman Master who could consistently provide Intermediate Spirit Talismans.

And had deep cooperation with Supervisor Xu, no one dared to neglect him.

"Thank you."

Chen Xu nodded, leading the Li Family father and son, who were like quails behind him, into the Merchant Alliance hall.

At the same time, inside an elegant and luxurious quiet room on the seventh floor.

A woman dressed in a purple palace dress, with a beautiful Face but a cold and arrogant temperament like an iceberg.

Was quietly listening to the maid's report.

It was Xu Zhengyue, the Supervisor of the Taiyi Merchant Alliance's Shangya Prefecture branch.

"Fellow Daoist Chen has already brought the Li Family people in and is waiting downstairs."

The maid said respectfully.

"I know. Let him come up."

Xu Zhengyue waved her hand, and the maid quietly withdrew.

She walked to the window, overlooking the bustling street below!

"Chen Xu... Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, Intermediate Talisman Master... truly interesting."

She murmured to herself.

Although the Heaven and Earth phenomena caused by Chen Xu's Foundation Establishment were largely obscured by the Inverting Five Elements Array, how could they escape her Divine Sense as a Golden Core True Person?

She immediately concluded that this person's Foundation Establishment was no small matter, and his Foundation was far more profound than ordinary people.

Later, he produced High Grade Fire Phoenix Talismans within just half a year.

This made her look at him with even more admiration.

She knew that Chen Xu was an ambitious person, and such a person would not be content to stay in one corner.

And this matter of the Li Family just gave her a logical opportunity.

To completely tie Chen Xu to her chariot.

Soon, a knock on the door sounded.

"Come in."

Chen Xu pushed the door open and immediately saw Xu Zhengyue by the window.

He cupped his hands to Xu Zhengyue, saying neither subserviently nor arrogantly: "Supervisor Xu, I apologize for my sudden visit."

Xu Zhengyue turned around, her gaze passing over Chen Xu.

And landed on Li Shichang, who was as silent as a cicada in winter behind him.

Her eyes instantly turned cold.

Li Shichang felt a terrifying pressure descend upon him.

His legs went weak, and he almost knelt directly to the ground.

The Aura of a Golden Core True Person was simply something he, a Foundation Establishment Mid Stage Cultivator, could not resist.

"The Li Family people, quite bold."

Xu Zhengyue's voice was devoid of emotion.

"Immortal Master Xu, please calm your anger! It is this old man's failure to properly educate his son, a crime worthy of death!"

Li Shichang plopped down, truly kneeling.

Xu Zhengyue didn't even bother to look at him again.

Her gaze returned to Chen Xu, and the faint smile returned to her Face.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, are you here to intercede for them?"

"I wouldn't dare."

Chen Xu calmly met her gaze: "I am only here to tell Supervisor Xu that the Li Family is willing to pay any price for their foolishness."

"Any price?"

Xu Zhengyue chuckled softly, slowly walking to the main purple sandalwood chair and sitting down: "The price is not for them to decide."

She picked up her teacup, gently blew on the hot steam, and slowly said: "However, I can give you some Face. If you want me to let bygones be bygones, that's also possible."

"But before we discuss terms, I need to see the Li Family's sincerity first."

Her gaze fell on Li Shichang, who was kneeling on the ground, and the young man behind him who had been trembling and pale from beginning to end—Li Wei.

"That beast, you deal with him yourself. If I'm satisfied, then we'll talk about the rest."

Li Shichang trembled all over. He knew that the moment to decide the Family's fate had arrived.

He suddenly stood up, a resolute glint in his eyes.

He turned and stared at his own grandson, Li Wei.

"Grandpa... I... I was wrong... I won't dare again..."

Li Wei was so scared that he was practically wetting himself, begging for mercy incoherently.

"You know you're wrong now? Too late!"

Li Shichang roared, without the slightest hesitation.

He pointed his fingers like a sword, and his formidable magical power instantly erupted.

He pointed a finger at Li Wei's Dantian!

"Pfft!"

With a muffled sound, Li Wei's body was like being struck by a heavy hammer, instantly arching into a shrimp shape.

A mouthful of fresh blood spurted out.

The Qi Sea in his Dantian was completely shattered by that one finger.

But that wasn't all.

Li Shichang, with a backhand, struck another palm heavily on Li Wei's back.

"Crack!"

A series of crisp sounds of bones breaking came, and all of Li Wei's Meridians were completely severed by this overbearing palm force.

"Ah—!"

A mournful scream erupted from Li Wei's throat.

He collapsed to the ground like a pile of mud.

Convulsing violently, it was clear he wouldn't survive.

From a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to a crippled person with completely destroyed cultivation.

And severed Meridians, all in the blink of an eye.

A strong smell of blood permeated the entire quiet room.

Li Shichang expressionlessly withdrew his hand, as if he had only done a trivial matter.

He turned around, knelt before Xu Zhengyue again, and said in a hoarse voice: "Immortal Master Xu, are you satisfied with this handling?"

Xu Zhengyue didn't even lift an eyelid, merely giving a faint hum.

"Take your trash and get out. From today onwards, the Taiyi Merchant Alliance will once again accept your Li Family's business."

"Thank you, Immortal Master Xu! Thank you, Immortal Master Xu!"

Li Shichang felt as if he had received a great pardon, kowtowed several times, and frantically dragged the half-dead Li Wei on the ground.

Scrambling out of the room.

When the door of the quiet room was closed again, only Chen Xu and Xu Zhengyue remained in the room.

The smell of blood had not yet dissipated, but the atmosphere had become somewhat subtle.