179 Ma Moxis Stubbornness (1/2)
”Oh, you're back, Moxi. But why not?” The three elders wondered why Ma Moxi sounded displeased. Just now, his tone was furious.
”As I said before, grandfather. I have a way to make money and restore our family. We can make more than 1,000 refined stones a year! You just have to trust me!”
Ma Moxi was in the middle of a story arc, where he was proving his usefulness to the family. Unfortunately for him, Cao Mao interrupted the story progression.
In reality, Ma Moxi could use his Pagoda cheat and refine rare pills without alchemy knowledge. Also, he had thousands of ways to make a better spirit liquor to sell in their tavern, so he could potentially make more than 1,000 refined stones within less than a month.
But Ma Ping and Ma Shoucheng hadn't trusted the protagonist yet.
”On what basis should we trust you?”
”Have you checked the spatial rings I gave you?”
Ma Ping paused. He recalled that Ma Moxi had given him a few spatial rings and asked him to buy a few basic herbs with that fund.
”Not yet.”
”Then, check what I have prepared for you. You'll see if I'm capable of making more than 1,000 refined stones or not.”
Ma Ping glanced at Pang Lingming, ”The rings should be in the family's treasure chest. I wrapped them under a piece of black cloth.”
Pang Lingming nodded and entered Ma Ping's house. Soon, he came out with the black cloth bundle. The elder spread the cloth and revealed the spatial rings inside.
Ma Ping turned to Cao Mao, ”Please excuse us. We would like to have a private chat with our family members.”
It was an indirect excuse to chase Cao Mao out for the time being.
Cao Mao inwardly sighed. This stupid protagonist interrupted him at a critical moment, and he seemed to have a plan to make money for the family.
”Haiz, Ma Moxi. You don't like me at all, do you?”
Cao Mao gave the protagonist a sarcastic smile. He had an urge to kill Ma Moxi on the spot, but he was at Ma Ping's house and Pang Lingming could kill Cao Mao at any moment.
The plot armor of Ma Moxi was still strong. Xie Tian's Plot Armor level 1 was already a tough nut to crack, but Ma Moxi's level 3 plot armor was like a giant mountain.
Before Cao Mao could kill Ma Moxi, he had to kill Pang Lingming and these two elders first.
Still, creating enemies left and right was not the way to go.
For now, Cao Mao wanted to keep the Ma Clan's strength in check, so he needed them on his side. It would be easier to suppress and manipulate the protagonist if Ma Ping, Ma Shoucheng, and Ma Xingjuan could become his hostages.
Cao Mao rolled his eyes. This idiot harem protagonist had the habit of collecting love interests, including his kins. This kind of incest taste disgusted Cao Mao.
”So, as long as I don't marry your cousin, you won't have any problem if your clan becomes my vessels. Is that correct?”
”My clan doesn't need a backer to thrive. My family can prosper without your help.”
”Hah.”
Cao Mao sighed and facepalmed. He shook his head, ”I bet you'll still refuse even though I have a way to restore your grandfather's dantian?”
”WHAT!?”
Ma Ping, Ma Shoucheng, and Pang Lingming exclaimed in shock.
The reaction of Ma Ping was different from when Ma Moxi told him that he could restore his dantian. The credibility between a good-for-nothing son and a mysterious and talented rich young master was like Hell and Heaven.
On the other hand, Ma Moxi sneered, looking down on Cao Mao's offer. He had learned the conditions of his grandfather, and he was aware of a certain pill that could restore Ma Ping's dantian. Moreover, it would enhance the latter's foundation to the point that he could break through to the 8th-stage.
It was the same pill that Kunwu requested Cao Mao to make – The Yin Yang Divine Vein Pill.
”I doubt any local medicine can cure my grandfather. Why don't you explain how you will treat him?”
As cunning as he was, Ma Moxi tried to extract information from Cao Mao.
Cao Mao was also a cautious man. He rubbed his chin and raised his eyebrows, thinking of a way not to reveal too much information.
Ma Shoucheng gazed at Cao Mao with high expectation. He interjected, ”Do you have a way to treat my father?”
”I do,” Cao Mao looked at Ma Shoucheng. He was aware of this elder's conditions, and he could easily give him a cup of hollowed spring water to cure his paralysis. Still, it would be counterintuitive to boost Ma Moxi's plot armor strength for no reason.
He wanted to group to be as weak as possible, so he could manipulate them!
Ma Shoucheng made his decision, ”Then, how about this? If you can treat my father, our entire clan will be forever your servants!”
”Uncle!” Ma Moxi yelled at his uncle in anger. It was an unnecessary offer.
Cao Mao grinned. He smiled at Ma Shoucheng, ”I'll remember those words. Very well, since I can't prove my words at the moment, I shall retreat. But please consider my offer. And also…” Cao Mao turned to Ma Moxi.