Chapter 29 The Princes Who Peddled Elixirs (1/2)
Ye Shaochong stopped in his tracks and slowly turned. He flashed a deadly glare so terrifying that everyone felt a chill down their spine.
Noticing that the tinderbox might be setting off, Princes Qi and Yan threw themselves at Meng Qi trying to hold him back while Prince Zhao went to Ye Shaochong with a welcoming smile, ”All is well, all is well, Senior Brother Ye. We will pay our dues of Spirit Stones next month with no delay.”
Ye Shaochong smiled wickedly, ”Smart. Remember, I am king here. You can get all the help you want. I will be here waiting for you.” When he had finished, he turned and walked off smugly.
A while later, both Princes Qi and Yan were rubbing Xiao Chen's chest to soothe his anger, ”Be calm, Brother Xiao. There is no need to sully your hands with such trash...”
Prince Zhao came over and sighed, ”We only wanted you here to accompany us, Senior Brother Xiao. Your presence calms us. We did not expect you to go against him on our behalf...”
Xiao Chen looked at the slap mark on his face and said, ”I'm sorry. Wait for me. I'll reach Lv 2 Qi Refining Realm soon enough.”
Not long after that, two young men in white approached them. One of them spoke first, ”Are you Xiao Chen? Our leader, Brother Qi, likes you. He is interested to know if you are interested in joining our clique, North Mountain?”
Prince Zhao, who had fallen into a sullen mood, leaped with surprise, ”Are you the clique who are rivals with that wretched Ye Shaochong?”
One of the young men in white nodded, ”Indeed we are.”
”Good, good, good...” Prince Zhao grew excited. But before he could continue, Xiao Chen replied flatly, ”I'm sorry. I'm not interested in your offer.”
The young men nodded, ”We'll take our leave then. Please consider our offer. You can only do so much, being alone. The North Mountain clique will welcome you anytime.” They then leave briskly. They could not stay long in the southern side of the gorge.
Two cliques of disciples reigned in Sunset Peak. Ye Shaochong lorded over the southern side of the Peak while the northern gang, North Mountain, was led by Zhuo Wuhen. Disciples unaffiliated to any of the gangs were required to pay one Spirit Stones each month. Those who did were not required to pay, but they owed complete compliance to the will of their leader.
It was a tradition that even the three Elders would never intercede, for they too have once joined such gangs during their days as disciples.
At length, Prince Zhao said, ”Let us not trouble ourselves with all this bedlam, Senior Brother Xiao. We must increase our powers and advance to become Inner Disciples.”
Xiao Chen made no reply. The current world they live in was the same everywhere: the biggest bully ruled with absolute power. Without power, anyone would be able to have their way over them. At his family's residence he had encountered Qin Xiu from the Skygale Sect, and now at the Sunset Peak, Ye Shaochong was here to torment them. He did not forget that there was still a certain Mo Yu who ruled the ranks of the Inner Disciples with tyranny.
He was no longer a disciple of the Mystic Cyan Sect. There was once a time when the mere mention of his tutelage with Immortal Miaoyin of the Mystic Cyan Sect would have sent all foes fleeing.
However, how things were different now that even a mere Cultivator of the Qi Refining Realm dared to antagonize him. Hence, he knew that there was no other way. He must become stronger; so strong that all would speak of his name with fear. He would want to be like Brother Yifeng, whom even the five Elders fear.
”I'm going back,” he said as he rose to his feet, leaving the gorge.
”So be it then. Let's go. We're leaving too,” said the three princes who followed behind.
As they walked, Prince Zhao sighed heavily, exasperated, ”Do not fret! We have few people with us now. Wait till we have more people with us. I still have legions of hosts at my command...”
”Keep that figment of imagination to yourself! I have not even seen before the shadows of your so-called legions!” Prince Yan teased.
Xiao Chen smiled lightly at their banter, waving his hand and conjured a Spirit Stone. Prince Zhao gaped at this, ”Oh my God! You are extraordinary, Senior Brother! In such a short time, you have mastered the Divine Vessel technique!”
Xiao Chen smiled and tossed the Stone to him. Prince Zhao scratched his head, Is he hinting for me to try out the technique myself?
For some time, he stood there, wondering until he remembered, he had given one of his Spirit Stones to Ye Shaochong earlier. Hastily, he spoke, ”The Spirit Stone is yours, Senior Brother! I will not accept it!” He shoved the Stone back into Xiao Chen's hand.
Back at the courtyard, Lil Ruo saw that Xiao Chen was back early today. She anxiously looked to see if he was injured, gasping with relief when she finally found that he was well. Giggling, she said, ”Let me cook something for you, Young Master.”
”All right.” Xiao Chen smiled and nodded. He went to his room and laid on his bed; his eyes fell on the broken sword that hung over his bed. He laughed to himself, ”Power! I need power!”
The Mystic Cyan Cultivation Method would never be able to help him unless he could find some place with a richer concentration of Spiritual Qi. He took out two more Spirit Stones and absorbed their energies, feeling the slight increase in his powers.
He would need at least twenty more such Stones if he wanted to reach Lv 2 successfully. Still, with only three Stones distributed to him each month, from where could he find twenty pieces in a short time? Moreover, he did not have much money left...
Suddenly, an idea came to him in a flash. He rushed outside and called, ”Lil Ruo! Lil Ruo! Stop cooking! I need you to head to the town to buy me some things!”
Lil Ruo sped out from the kitchen and wiped her hands, asking, ”What do you need, Young Master?”
Xiao Chen said to her happily, ”Listen closely. I need you to buy all these medicinal herbs for me. Get as much as you can...” He then continued reciting a list of the herbs to her. Fearful that she might forget any, he wrote her a list that she could refer to.