Chapter 1166: Not trading, but entrusting (1/2)

Su Xiaoyu might not be able to tell, but Long Feiye was clear that Han Chen really wanted to have her stay. Otherwise, the man would never bother talking with them for so long, much less ask the girl to change her terms. However, Long Feiye didn’t elaborate on his idea and merely remained silent.

He had prepared two conditions and was waiting for Han Chen’s reaction before proposing one of them.

Su Xiaoyu saw that Han Chen didn’t answer and thought that it was all over. Long Feiye simply held out while pouring the other man a cup of tea.

At last, Han Chen spoke. “What terms?”

“This junior owns a range in the south called South Peak, home of the famous South Red Peak tea leaves.[1] If senior is willing to give back Bai Yanqing and the nine toxic teardrops, this mountain will all be yours. Junior can promise that no one will disturb you there.”

Han Chen turned towards Long Feiye at the offer.

Long Feiye just smiled. “If senior likes South Red Peak, you can plant and pick as much as you want in the future. Each year’s crop yields a limited production, but there’s enough for senior to enjoy to his heart’s content.”

Last time they came, Long Feiye had already noticed that Han Chen’s tea was a high class imitation of South Red Peak tea leaves. Gu Beiyue didn’t understand tea enough to discern the differences. Gu Qishao and Han Yunxi knew a little better and were familiar with South Red Peak, but wouldn’t be paying attention to the tea. In fact, Han Yunxi hadn’t even drank any. However, Long Feiye had tasted an issue with the tea at first sip.

Judging from Han Chen’s tea tools and water, he was definitely a tea fanatic who paid close attention to all the details. As a fanatic himself, Long Feiye was clear that people like him would never deign to drink such imitations unless they loved the variety but were unable to buy it for themselves.

Originally, the tea plantation in the south belonged to Gu Qishao. But after his assets were frozen, Long Feiye sent his own tea farmers to the mountain and prevented any sales of South Red Peak to the outside world. The remaining South Red Peak seeds in Gu Qishao’s hands were planted elsewhere, but he only harvested their leaves for Ha Yunxi’s sake, and only for a single season.

Han Chen couldn’t get any South Red Peak, even with solid gold, so he was reduced to tasting imitations. When Long Feiye saw his gaze wavering, he knew he was halfway to victory. Even the strongest man had his fatal weak points. That used to be tea for himself, but it changed to Han Yunxi early on and now also included his child.

Long Feiye slowly sipped another mouthful of tea and added, “As for this little girl Su Xiaoyu, she’s originally a servant of this junior’s household. If senior is willing, junior will both give you the South Mountain’s deed and her indenture agreement. Whether or not senior takes her to be servant or disciple is all up to you.”

“Your Highness…” Su Xiaoyu put on an aggrieved air, perfectly playing her role.

“Indenture agreement?” Han Chen was surprised.

Long Feiye rose to his feet. “There’s no rush. Senior can think it over slowly. Perhaps senior can even taste the winter tea leaves of South Red Peak. It’ll be cold at South Mountain in about a month.”

Han Chen suddenly turned serious. “Long Feiye, your Lustbite energy is enough to kill Bai Yanqing. Why do you want the nine toxic teardrops as well?”

Although Long Feiye was polite, he showed no fear. Coldly he replied, “That’s a private matter, so I won’t trouble senior with the details.”

“Those who own the Perplexing Butterfly Illusion owns the world. If you want to nurture your own Poison Gu humans, please return. This Honorable One won’t agree to any of your terms,” Han Chen’s tone was also frosty.

“Could it be that senior was keping the nine toxic teardrops and Bai Yanqing for this very reason?” Long Feiye challenged back.

“They only interest me, that’s all. You should know, this Honorable One needs no Perplexing Butterfly Illusion to control Cloud Realm Continent!” Han Chen rejected instantly.

“Those who fail to win the hearts of the people and secure the continent’s peace cannot claim to control Cloud Realm Continent. At best, it’s only an act of aggression!” Long Feiye didn’t budge.

The cool and calm Han Chen actually rose to his feet. “This Honorable One has no interest in secular affairs or claiming the throne! Long Feiye, just why do you want the nine toxic teardrops and Bai Yanqing?”

“That’s personal, so I have no comment!” Long Feiye persisted.

Yet unexpectedly, Han Chen was the first to yield. “If you’re not using it to raise Poison Gu humans, tell me anothe reason. This Honorable One can then return them both to you, how’s that?”

Could it be that Han Chen kept Bai Yanqing and the teardrops just to prevent us from creating more Poison Gu humans? Long Feiye had no time to think. After some hesitation, he muttered, “It’s to save someone.”

Long Feiye told Han Chen about Gu Qishao’s condition, leaving him surprised. He hadn’t paid any attention to the man beyond noting he used vines to trap Bai Yanqing. He assumed it was some sort of illusion skill, but never expected it to be connected to an undying, unaging body.

“As things stand, the Lustbite energy could destroy him too,” Han Chen intoned. “An undying body doesn’t mean it’s immortal, but that it’s impossible to kill without adequate strength. In the Mysterious Continent, it’s impossible to subdue the world with such a body alone.”

Han Chen’s analysis was similar to their essence extraction theory. Neither Gu Qishao nor Bai Yanqing possessed true immortality; they only recovered faster than normal humans and possessed higher immunity. If they really ran into a powerhouse like the Lustbite energy, they would be helpless.

“How about this Honorable One adds another term to your conditions?” Han Chen asked.

“What is it?” Long Feiye grew uneasy. It was hard for him to read this “father-in-law’s” thoughts.

“Find time every winter to head south and accompany this Honorable One for a cup of tea,” Han Chen said seriously.

Long Feiye was both surprised and lost. Han Chen had agreed to his request to trade back the nine toxic teardrops with Bai Yanqing, not because of Su Xiaoyu or Gu Qishao, but because of South Red Peak?

Well, Long Feiye had no interest in the man’s weird preferences anyways. He immediately agreed. “Alright, this junior will remember!”

Su Xiaoyu hastily spoke up, “Your Highness, this servant wants to go back to see master.”