213 A Heart to Heart Conversation (1/2)
”Which family are you from?” Mi Kongqun stepped back and sat on a chair.
His expression was still inexplicably somber.
After he had affirmed that Yun Yang was only here to ask for the debt, Mi Kongqun had let his guard down and the melancholy had returned. It was not as strong as before but even a blind man could see it was there.
Yun Yang was not blind; his vision was very much better than most as well. He could feel the slightly odd atmosphere – was this man having a bad day?
Musing to the moon?
Reminiscing?
Initially, Yun Yang was still upset over his previous carelessness. Although Mi Kongqun was not as dazed as he was earlier, he was still stricken and submerged in an eerily sorrowful mood; he was somewhere in between waking and dreaming and would continue to be so for a while.
What?
What a fluke! The situation had improved somewhat. Although Mi Kongqun was seriously out of sorts, Yun Yang would still have to endure his retaliatory strikes before death claimed him, even though he would eventually prevail over Mi Kongqun. Now, there was a huge chance of total victory, as long as he was careful; he could eliminate his target and leave without injury
to himself!
Yun Yang sighed softly. ”I come on behalf of the Qiu Family. Trust me, it is not on my own free will. It is unfortunate that Keeper Mi has indeed tackled this issue tactlessly.”
Mi Kongqun snorted coldly and said, ”Could it be that you, from the Qiu Family, were genuine and amicable when kidnapping and blackmailing my entire family?”
”Tact and authenticity are matters of opinion. If Keeper Min didn’t first provoke the Qiu Family, this reputed one won’t be here today!” Yun Yang replied coldly.
Mi Kongqun wanted to retort but he only sighed without saying anything. His current state of mind had left him significantly powerless; he also did not have the mood to argue.
After a long time, he said, ”Let’s not beat around the bush. I didn’t plan to owe the wager promised but I’ve never planned to actually give it. I can’t even let myself go if I did…”
”Since you’ve come all the way here for me… let me just lavishly fulfill your wish this time.”
Mi Kongqun’s expression was growing more miserable; he looked lost and empty like he no longer had a purpose in life. The sadness was exceptionally prominent.
A profound sense of despair overwhelmed Mi Kongqun; it felt like he had suddenly lost all interest and thirst for everything in this world.
Yun Yang felt the emotions very clearly.
What had happened to this fellow?
How could a high-level cultivator be so absent of will?
How could he have simply believed a stranger just because he said he was from the Qiu Family?
Moreover, what was that all about, sitting on the chair with that anguished look on his face? There was not the slightest bit of alertness in him.
Yun Yang had come to kill him but he was rather bewildered now… When the target offered its own head on a silver platter, Yun Yang was at a loss on how to proceed.
”The Luminary Paste…” Yun Yang started.
Mi Kongqun tossed five small boxes in front of him, saying self-depreciatingly, ”I believe if it were anyone else, they wouldn't have handed it over… Too bad they’re completely useless to me.”
Yun Yang seemed to have caught on as he replied, ”Everyone has different ambitions. It can’t be forced.”
Mi Kongqun chuckled, looking like he was about to say something but swallowed his words instead.
Yun Yang, sensitive as he was, could tell that Mi Kongqun’s emotions were going through a rollercoaster ride once more. He could not help perking up, sitting down on a chair in front of Mi Kongqun and said softly, ”I didn’t expect Brother Mi to be so forthright. I am impressed. I hope to be friends with Brother Mi after this matter.”
Smiling indifferently, Mi Kongqun replied, ”May I ask for this respectable one’s name? What is your nickname in the Qiu Family?”
Yun Yang tensed but said in a low voice, ”I can only tell you that I am in the top five of the Qiu Family.”
With a slight shock that was reflected in his gaze, Mi Kongqun finally lets out a chuckle and said, ”Looks like your respectable family still regards me rather highly.”
”But this reputed one has never thought that Keeper Mi is so easygoing,” Yun Yang said.
Mi Kongqun sniggered upon hearing his words. ”There are a lot of times when I’m not this docile. Since you’ve achieved your goal, leave quickly. This is a palace, after all, it’s not a place for casual conversation.”
With a chuckle, Yun Yang replied, ”It’s not that I don’t want to leave. It’s just… I’ve prepared well before coming, wanting to have an exchange of skills with Brother Mi. Perhaps Brother Mi doesn’t know this but your reputation is renowned in the four noble families, especially our Qiu Family! How could I have known that this would unfold so smoothly… I’m actually quite surprised and a little embarrassed. I see that Brother Mi is rather down; I’ll just keep Brother Mi company here to talk and kill some time.”