601: Chapter 12 Jingtian's Admiration

Seeing Jing Tian fall to the ground, Tang Xuejian was startled.

She had barely used any force in that punch, and even if she had, it wouldn't have hurt anyone.

Not to mention, Jing Tian was also protected by a Kim Gang Talisman that made him impervious to blades and swords.

So, what was going on?

Was this Stinky Tofu trying to scam her on purpose?

Before she could figure it out, Tang Xuejian suddenly felt an unprecedented weakness and exhaustion wash over her, swiftly sweeping through her entire body. She couldn't muster any strength at all, couldn't even support herself to stand, and collapsed directly to the ground.

Xu Changqing, who had just finished contacting Shou Zhong, saw this and was alarmed. He hurriedly stepped forward to check.

"Brother Jing, Young Miss Xue Jian, what's wrong with you?"

Jing Tian replied weakly, "So tired. Feels like I haven't slept for days and nights."

Tang Xuejian followed up, "Me too. And I have no strength at all. It's as if all my energy has been drained away."

"How could this happen?" Xu Changqing was puzzled.

Meng Li walked over and explained, "This is the side effect of using the Kim Gang Talisman."

"That thing has side effects?" Jing Tian was greatly surprised.

Meng Li rolled his eyes. "Of course. Neither of you has ever Cultivated before. Becoming extraordinarily powerful like that—how could there be no price? But don't worry. This side effect is just your bodies struggling to adapt to the sudden change in strength. It will only leave you weak for a while. Get some good food, good drink, rest, and recuperate, and you'll be fine."

"It won't harm your foundations or shorten your lifespans."

"Besides, there are other ways to recover."

As he spoke, he pointed a finger, generating two Recovery Talismans which he sent flying onto Jing Tian and Tang Xuejian.

As the green light, brimming with vitality, flowed over them, their condition rapidly improved. In a short while, they were fully restored.

Jing Tian and Tang Xuejian stood up, clenching their fists, pleasantly surprised.

Xu Changqing couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "Brother Meng, your Talisman arts are truly miraculous."

Meng Li smiled faintly. "Just some minor tricks, not worth mentioning."

After adapting to his restored state, Jing Tian's eyes darted around. He opened his mouth with a roguish grin, "Grandmaster Meng, do you take Disciples?"

Meng Li was slightly taken aback, then shook his head without hesitation. "I do not."

Hearing this, Jing Tian was somewhat disappointed, but quickly asked again, "Then, what about a little brother?"

Upon hearing these words, Tang Xuejian said in astonishment, "You're actually willing to be someone's little brother?"

She hadn't known Jing Tian for very long, but she could sense that although he was annoyingly cheeky and often bowed and flattered, there was a pride in his bones. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to banter and scold her, the Tang Clan's Young Miss, so freely, or casually tease someone like Xu Changqing, a distinguished Disciple of Shushan.

Now, Jing Tian actually wanted to acknowledge Meng Li as his boss.

Although Meng Li was indeed powerful, undoubtedly a true expert, Jing Tian's behavior still surprised her.

Jing Tian explained with a serious face, "For ordinary people, of course I wouldn't be willing. But Grandmaster Meng is different. From our first meeting, I felt a connection. Not only is he immensely capable, he has saved me more than once, and even gave me a sum of silver, allowing me to buy back the freedom of myself, my nickname, Bi Ping, and Uncle Ding."

"Such great kindness and virtue is like being reborn."

"I acknowledge him as my boss, wholeheartedly and sincerely."

Actually, he had some more specific reasons for wanting to acknowledge Meng Li as his boss, which he didn't mention.

First, he envied how Meng Li could casually win tens of thousands of taels of silver and wanted to learn how to get rich.

Second, the power from the Kim Gang Talisman earlier had let him show off spectacularly. He had not only easily defeated those Pili Hall Disciples but also made Xu Changqing willingly admit defeat. It felt incredibly satisfying, so he wanted to continue that.

Third was to latch onto a powerful patron.

Getting rich and showing off.

These two points hit his weak spots perfectly.

As for latching onto a patron, that was actually secondary.

However, these things were easier done than said, so naturally, he wouldn't voice them.

After finishing his speech, Jing Tian Go with the flow took the opportunity to bow respectfully to Meng Li. "Boss above, please accept this bow from your little brother."

After hearing Jing Tian's words, Meng Li noticed a key point—buying back freedom!

He vaguely remembered that Jing Tian's father was not only the manager of Yongan Pawnshop but also had quite a friendship with Tang Kun.

The two of them were also connected through Tang Xuejian.

Tang Xuejian was not Tang Kun's biological granddaughter. She wasn't even of the Human Race. She was an Incarnation born from the Divine Realm goddess Xi Yao's longing for the Divine General Feipeng after his Reincarnation, combined with the fruit of the Divine Realm's sacred tree. Xi Yao had sent her to the mortal world to accompany Feipeng.

And the current Reincarnation of the Divine General Feipeng was Jing Tian.

Guided by Xi Yao's power of longing, Tang Xuejian landed directly at the entrance of Yongan Pawnshop and was found by Jing Tian's parents.

At that time, Yongan Pawnshop was not doing well. Jing Tian's parents not only had their son Jing Tian but had also taken in their late friend's son, Xu Maoshan, upon request, and were unable to raise Xue Jian as well.

Thus, Jing Tian's father had no choice but to give Tang Xuejian to Tang Kun to raise.

Coincidentally, the day Jing Tian's parents found Tang Xuejian was the very day Tang Kun's eldest son and daughter-in-law passed away.

Tang Kun felt Tang Xuejian was heaven's compensation to him and treated her as his own granddaughter. Because he met her on a snowy day, he named her "Tang Xuejian."

From this, it seemed Tang Kun and Jing Tian's father were very close.

Furthermore, Yongan Pawnshop was under the management of the Tang Clan.

Logically, even after Jing Tian's parents later died, Jing Tian shouldn't have had to sell himself into servitude.

But the fact was, Jing Tian really did sell himself. In the original storyline, it was only after accepting the mission to escort the Evil Sword Immortal that Xu Changqing paid to buy his freedom.

The same was true for Xu Maoshan, He Bi Ping, and Ding Shiyan.

Thus, the matter was worth pondering a bit.

Either Tang Kun and Jing Tian's father were only surface-level friends, or something else had happened in between.

However, pursuing this now wasn't very meaningful. Meng Li stopped after a brief thought. Then, looking at the bowing Jing Tian, he smiled and said, "Since you are so sincere, I'll accept you. Rise."

"As you command, Boss."

"The title 'Boss' sounds a bit too bandit-like. From now on, address me as 'Elder Brother Meng.'"

"Alright, Elder Brother Meng."

...