Stranger Danger

Then, Ye Qing took one step forward and clamped his right hand down on Li Longxiang’s shoulder, causing his legs to sink into the ground just like before.

“What were you saying, Reverend?” Ye Qing shot Yi Pin a knowing smile.

Yi Pin: “...” Did I say something? Nah, I didn’t!

After Li Longxiang was immobilized, Yi Pin ran up to the young man and conjured a wine glass. It wasn’t wine inside the glass, however. It was wisps of refreshing qi.

The qi was bluish and pure, light and gentle. It was also giving off some sort of air of Dao.

Yi Pin swirled the glass until a wisp of qi floated out of the container and into Li Longxiang’s mouth. The demonic patterns on his face and the horns on his head immediately started vanishing bit by bit, and the violent aura permeating the young man gradually faded as well. It wasn’t long before reason returned to his eyes.

“Phew… thank goodness.” Yi Pin let out a sigh of relief before slapping Li Longxiang on the back of his head with an accuracy that came with countless practice, yelling, “You little shit! How many times have I told you not to get angry or let your impulse get to you? But you just won’t listen! That’s another Qi of Ultimate Purity that I have to waste because of you! I’m going to beat you to death, you little shit!”

“I’m sorry, master!” Li Longxiang dropped his head and allowed Yi Pin to beat and scold him as he pleased. “I’m so glad you’re fine, master.”

“You…” Yi Pin’s anger abruptly disappeared when he heard his disciple’s heartfelt words. In the end, he could only let out a dejected sigh.

That was the Qi of Ultimate Purity? Ye Qing was surprised to hear this. The Qi of Ultimate Purity was a natural spiritual qi and possessed the ability to calm one’s mind, ward off the Demon’s Temptation, and maintain one’s clarity of mind. It didn’t sound like much, but in reality it was the opposite. To a warrior, their heart demon and accumulated karmic hindrance—which were known together as the Demon’s Temptation—was one of the greatest obstacles in their paths.

The higher one’s cultivation level, the harder it was to eliminate the Demon’s Temptation. It was all too easy to be seized by one’s heart demon or be hindered by one’s karmic hindrance while cultivating. A warrior who was obstructed by their Demon’s Temptation would be unable to make any progress at best, or fall to depravity and transform into the puppet of their heart demon at worst.

However, the Qi of Ultimate Purity could eliminate the Demon’s Temptation. So long as there was even a wisp of Qi of Ultimate Purity, they would be able to calm their mind, ward off the Demon’s Temptation, and protect themselves from all evils.

Besides that, the Qi of Ultimate Purity could restore a confused or insane person back to normal so long as their mind was still alive. This was why the Qi of Ultimate Purity was so valuable. It was particularly priceless for warriors of higher cultivation.

Ye Qing didn’t think that Yi Pin would be willing to sacrifice a Qi of Ultimate Purity to suppress Li Longxiang’s rampaging bloodline and restore his mind. Clearly, Yi Pin cared deeply for his disciple despite his endless complaints about the young man.

“Heh. Are you done, Reverend Yi Pin? If you are, then let us settle some scores, shall we?” Ye Qing said while putting a hand on Li Longxiang’s shoulder, smiling.

Yi Pin was just grabbing a talisman and getting ready to escape. When he saw this, he temporarily extinguished the thought and put on a fake smile. “Settle some scores? Oh, right! Thank you so much for saving my disciple’s life, brother!”

“Reverend, you know there’s no point in pretending, right?” Ye Qing patted Li Longxiang’s shoulder, and Li Longxiang shot him a simple smile in return.

Knowing that there was no way he could escape so long as Ye Qing was holding Li Longxiang hostage, Yi Pin let out a bitter chuckle. “Fine. I admit that I rescued you and put you to sleep because I wanted to get my hands on your Nature’s Water. However, please trust me when I say that I wasn’t planning to harm you. If I did, I would’ve used something far more deadlier, wouldn’t I? The Dreamy Flower’s pollen and the Dream spell would only put you to sleep.”

“Besides that, I purposely chose a resting spot that is devoid of all spiritual energy, meaning that no Stranger would frequent this place. You would’ve been safe even if you were vulnerable for a time.”

“I believe you.” Ye Qing smiled. If he did not, he would’ve attacked them already. “But that doesn’t change the fact that you were plotting against me. So, how are you going to compensate me?”

I may have chosen not to kill you, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to take this attack lying down!

“Haha! You have a big heart, brother. I am very impressed by your generosity,” said Yi Pin, realizing that Ye Qing wasn’t planning on killing them. “As you wish, I shall speak scores with you then.”

“It is true that I harbored malicious intentions toward you, but it is also a fact that I saved your life.”

“Everyone knows that a life debt is bigger than the heavens. If we really want to nitpick, then you’re the one who owes me a huge favor, don’t you think?”

“Had you died, then you wouldn’t be able to make use of your Nature’s Water. You could have had all the treasure in the world, and it’ll still be completely pointless. Surely your life is worth at least a couple of bottles of Nature’s Water, right?”

“But since I am your elder, I shan’t take advantage of you. Just give me eight or so bottles of Nature’s Water, and I’ll be fine. In fact, I insist that you give no more than ten bottles!”

Yi Pin ended his speech and clasped his hand behind his back in a pretentious manner.

Ye Qing: “...”

Li Longxiang: “...”

Li Longxiang’s mouth opened and shut repeatedly for a moment. In the end, he could only bow his head in shame and thought, I don’t know this guy. My master isn’t someone like this.

Ye Qing wanted to laugh. The guy had tried to rob him, and instead of repenting his actions he flipped it around and claimed that he was the one who should compensate them. He wanted to laugh so bad his hair was standing on end, and his heart was throbbing with the desire to pound someone’s head into the dust.

“If that is how you want to play it, then so be it. You said that I saved your life, but I also saved your disciple’s life. Plus, you didn’t exactly save me for altruistic reasons, did you? I’m pretty sure we don’t owe each other!”

“Excuse me? My Qi of Ultimate Purity is what saved my disciple’s life. Your role in the rescue attempt was minor at best.”

“That is not to say that your assistance isn’t appreciated, of course. I suppose I can give you a 30% discount. Just give me five bottles of Nature’s Water, and we’re settled. Am I not the most reasonable person you’ve ever met?”

More like the most shameless bastard ever.

“Now we’re talking about semantics, are we? Okay! You did save my life, I admit, but did I really need you to lend me a hand? I could have saved myself without your aid, you know.”

When he saw the skeptical look in Yi Pin’s eyes, Ye Qing chuckled and leaked the Boundless Mara Buddha’s presence just a smidge.

“You have a Soulstealer-class Strange Artifact?!” Yi Pin exclaimed in surprise.

Ye Qing smiled. “Do you believe me now?”

“I see…” Yi Pin stroked his beard irritatedly. “You’re right. With a Soulstealer-class Strange Artifact at hand, you definitely don’t need my aid.”

Of course, he could’ve argued that it didn’t change the fact that he still saved Ye Qing’s life. The problem was that Ye Qing hadn’t really revealed his Soulstealer-class Strange Artifact to argue that fact. He was doing it to tell him to shut it, or else. So he did. He was fairly confident he could escape with his disciple given the right opportunity, but a Soulstealer-class Strange Artifact as well? Now that was risky.

“Good. So the score is settled then.” Satisfied with Yi Pin’s reply, Ye Qing said, “Let’s talk about another score then.”

“What score?” Yi Pin looked confused.

“Do you know who I am, Reverend?” Ye Qing smirked.

“Oh right! I haven’t even asked for your name! Who are you, brother?” Yi Pin asked.

Ye Qing slowly withdrew the golden light masking his face and said, “I am Ye Qing. You may also call me Joyless!”

“It’s you!?” Yi Pin’s eyes bulged in shock and disbelief. He was having a bad feeling about this.

“Good. You do recognize me.” Ye Qing smiled. “If I remember correctly, you were plotting to kill me just like those jianghu warriors, but you managed to escape with your life. Regardless, you’re the one who owes me a life debt now.”

“Who’s the bastard who told you that? Who!?” Yi Pin looked livid as he defended himself, “I’m a humble, cultured, and upright Taoist. Why would I ever try to hurt a respected and patriotic hero like you, Lord Ye? I was there to protect you, not kill you!”

“Heh.”

Ye Qing let out a chuckle and stomped the ground suddenly. It caused a small wave that shattered a ball of light that just appeared underneath Yi Pin’s feet.

“Reverend, I don’t mind you lying to my face, but please don’t move your legs willy-nilly.”

Just now, Yi Pin had tried to draw a rune from right under his nose. He would’ve missed it if his spirit wasn’t as strong as it was. The old man was one cunning bastard for sure.

“Hehehe. I wasn’t lying though! Everything I said came straight from the heart!” Yi Pin didn’t look frustrated even though Ye Qing had foiled his escape attempt. In fact, he was pretending like nothing had ever happened.

“Haha! Well, it’s your right to lie to my face, just as it is my right to disregard all of them.” Ye Qing’s smirk turned a smidgen devious. “Right now, all I care about is that you now owe me a life debt. What were you saying just now? A life debt is bigger than the heavens. So, how are you going to repay this debt? Will you give me your money or your life?”

Yi Pin opened his mouth but couldn’t say anything for a time. For once, the hunted had triumphed over the hunter. Why did he get greedy and try to swindle the bastard? Why didn’t he just admit his mistake and apologize? He could’ve gotten away with it with minimal loss, but now he was going to cut a hole in his wallet. What a fool he was!

As if that wasn’t enough, his stupid disciple still didn’t realize that he was being held hostage, and his latest trick had just been dismantled. He literally couldn’t leave even if he wanted to. No wonder people said we ourselves are our worst enemies!

Oh, screw it. I’ll just come clean and see what he wants. Not even my face is thick enough to keep up this charade.

“What do you want, my lord?”

“Your Hill Mover Bell looks like a fine Strange Artifact, and your Qi of Ultimate Purity ain’t too bad either. Just give me one to two hundred wisps, and we’re settled. In fact, I insist that you give no more than two hundred wisps!” Ye Qing beamed.

Yi Pin: “...” The Hill Mover Bell? You might as well kill me. One to two hundred wisps of Qi of Ultimate Purity? Do you think they grow like cabbages or something? How about one or two hundred slaps to your smug face?

Dammit, if only I have the courage and more importantly, strength to say it to his face!

“Please be serious, my lord.” Yi Pin let out a wry chuckle. “The Hill Mover Bell is my temple’s legacy relic, and it must never go to an outsider’s hands. Moreover, it takes a special imprint to use it properly. You wouldn’t be able to use it even if I gave it to you.”

“Oh, that’s fine. I’ll be satisfied with just one to two hundred Qi of Ultimate Purity.” Ye Qing wasn’t disappointed. He never really expected Yi Pin to give it in the first place. It would be like someone telling him to give up the Annon Sutra.

“I don’t have one to two hundred wisps of Qi of Ultimate Purity either.” Yi Pin produced the wine bottle that held the qi and handed it to Ye Qing. “To be precise, I only have six left. If you think it’s acceptable, then take it. If not, then feel free to take my life.”

There was a kind of fatalistic determination in Yi Pin’s voice. He was even shaking it slightly as if to say that he wouldn’t mind breaking the bottle and wasting the qi if Ye Qing decided to push the issue.

“Fine.”

Ye Qing didn’t push the issue. Some lines couldn’t be uncrossed once they had been crossed. Moreover, he had this strange feeling that Yi Pin was hiding his strength. He was almost certain that he wasn’t “just” a Vessel Augmentor.

After all, how could an ordinary Vessel Augmentor possibly own a priceless treasure like the Hill Mover Bell or the Qi of Ultimate Purity? And how stupid would he have to be to enter the Demon’s Tomb as a Vessel Augmentor?

The simplest and most reasonable explanation was that Yi Pin was hiding his strength. If not, he at least had a trump card that would guarantee his safety. Ye Qing had zero intentions of risking his life unnecessarily.

“I hope you’ll keep your promise, Lord Ye.” Yi Pin handed the wine bottle to Ye Qing with a reluctant look on his face.

Ye Qing put it into his Nature’s Shell and released Li Longxiang as promised.

“Alright. If there is nothing else, then I’ll be taking my leave. May we meet again, Reverend, Brother Li!”

There was no reason for him to say now that he had gotten what he wanted. He also needed to find a safe place to refine his Nature’s Water and to find the exit. As usual, there was no rest for the wicked.