AST 1484 - Xia Royal Castle, Visitors to the Inn, She Knows the Art of Healing Too (1/2)

Upon hearing Yin Tong’s words, Qing Shui didn’t think the other party was deliberately making things difficult—they shouldn’t be—and so he flashed a smile and continued. “We are newcomers. What do you say about us leaving now? There’s no need to upset everyone over such a small issue, right?”

“Small issue? Is this a small issue?” Another man alongside the former burly man remarked derisively at Qing Shui.

“Would this matter bring about any adverse effect upon the Shi Clan otherwise?” Qing Shui laughed and watched as the expression in their eyes began to turn apathetic. This was not how power should be handled. Power was not about drawing a mark on territory and forbidding anyone’s entry, nor regarding it as an offence when someone did.

“This will make the Shi Clan look bad. The rules that have been established must be followed; nothing can be accomplished without norms or standards. Who will show the Shi Clan its due respect in future, if we don’t follow them?” That man insisted stubbornly.

“Ha-ha, I’m not sure who set these rules, how big this area is, or if everyone else conducts themselves like the Shi Clan, refusing entry even through air. I wonder, should a Divine pass through here, would you stop them too?” Qing Shui sneered.

“Impudent! I will repeat once more: this is the rule of the Shi Clan. We can let you go if you leave some items behind. If not, we will act according to the rules.” The man in the middle was angered as well.

The superiority that the Shi Clan lived in had always stayed with them. As far as they were concerned, it was a universally accepted principle that the regulations they established must be followed. They were flattered wherever they went—that was the superiority of status. In combination with being powerful, they started to grow arrogant.

“Then, how about we stay?” Qing Shui was calm and composed. In fact, he wanted to see what these young people had up their sleeves, what they had to back up their words.

“Leave the most precious item you have on each of you behind.” One of the women spoke up sternly.

“That won’t do. Besides, everyone has his own subjective opinion of what is most valuable to himself. Let’s take men for example. What’s the most prized item on a man? If it were you, would you give it?” Shaking his head, Qing Shui said seriously.

Qing Shui’s words were a little crude, considering he was speaking to a woman.

“You are the one looking to fulfil a death wish. There’s no one else to blame. Brothers, get him.” The man was furious. The newcomers had made a move and teased his own women. How could he stand for this? There was no use for any more words now.

Qing Shui did not panic even when the flock of Crowned Golden Feathers charged towards him. Instead, he held out the Soulshake Bell and shook it.

The current state of the Soulshake Bell was drastically different from its past. Qing Shui wasn't sure if the Grade Nine Soulshake Bell had reached its peak, but there was hardly any more room for further improvement. Even further refining did not seem to have much effect.

Among the thirty Crowned Golden Feathers, nearly ten of them faced issues; three of them defected, two dropped dead, another three attacked in hysteria, while the last two failed to defend themselves in time and were hurt in the process.

The sudden change in events took his opponents by surprise. With blinding speed, Qing Shui appeared behind the nearest Crowned Golden Feather and attacked.

Bang!

With a resounding blast, the enormous Crowned Golden Feather was struck dead. By this time, countless attacks had begun to rain down upon Qing Shui but none had done any damage.

“Come back!”

At that moment, the man stood up in mid-air and cried out.

Even so, Qing Shui’s Golden Scaled Dragon Elephant had killed two of the Crowned Golden Feathers and one had died at the hands of Yin Tong. It was fortunate that no one had gotten hurt. At the same time, the two elderly men appeared in front of them.

“Thank you, Sir, for showing mercy!” They said politely.

It wasn't that Qing Shui was afraid of killing, only that he did not wish to be so ruthless towards these people. He did not want to increase his kill count any further, and so there was no murder. However, if they didn’t learn to appreciate such a gesture, then Qing Shui would have no qualms eliminating them either.

The only reason for this was because Qing Shui hadn’t viewed them as worthy opponents. Otherwise, he would not have shown any mercy the moment those words of “killing them” had tumbled out of his enemy's mouth; there was no use holding back on those who wished for his demise.

The present Qing Shui would not make a fuss over it as he pleased. Hence, even when these people started their yelling about wanting to take his life, he was still able to show mercy.

“Can we leave now?” Qing Shui asked with a smile.

“Of course, it was the Shi Clan’s brusqueness at fault this time around. I’m not sure if I could interest you and your companions in visiting the Shi Clan?” One of the old men invited.

Qing Shui wasn’t sure what the old man’s status within Shi Clan might be, but he reckoned it wouldn’t be too low in the hierarchy. With a shake of his head, he declined. “We still have things we need to tend to. Perhaps next time, if we ever pass through here again in the future.”

Without excessive demand, the old man thanked Qing Shui again before watching them leave.

”Grandpa Chao, how strong are they?” The man who led the group asked.

“I don’t know, but killing us would have been as easy as breathing for them. Qian Feng, you are already old enough now. Some things require you to think before you act, just like today’s incident. Not only were they not stopped, we looked bad in the process and most importantly, it affected our state of mind as well.” With a sigh, the old man said.