Chapter 665 - 317: Plucking a Feather from a Passing Goose

She had thought that on this trip to the cave dwelling, besides Ji Lingxiao, no one else would be worth mentioning.

But who could have known? This world was full of hidden masters; there was always someone stronger.

'Looking across the entire Northern Territory, I'm afraid no one in the younger generation is a match for this Xiu Chen!' Duanmu Xi thought to herself.

Ke Dali recalled his Mountain-Suppressing Xuanwu Armor and walked to the edge of the Cold Pool, his face wreathed in smiles. He cupped his fists at Chen Cheng and said very politely,

"I am Ke Dali, a True Inheritor of the Su State Daoist Sect's Four Symbols Peak. My apologies for my earlier offense. Please, Young Master Xiu Chen, don't take it amiss!"

The man was certainly pragmatic. Knowing he was no match for Chen Cheng and that there was no point in staying, he planned to exchange a few pleasantries and then leave with his group.

But unexpectedly, Chen Cheng hefted the Military Dao Combat Killing Hammer in his hand, a wicked grin spreading across his face as he said languidly,

"Are you apologizing to me?"

Ke Dali's stout face twitched, and a flicker of anger ignited in his heart.

The Dali Alliance had strength in numbers. Even if they couldn't handle this pretty boy, they shouldn't have to apologize!

But on second thought, the pretty boy's power was terrifying. If they made an enemy of him now, it would be endless trouble if they encountered him again inside the cave dwelling.

'Forget it. Apologizing to a monstrously talented young genius isn't embarrassing, even if word gets out.'

Sighing to himself, Ke Dali gave a sheepish smile, cupped his fists, and said,

"Young Master Xiu Chen, your Martial Arts Power is formidable. I am deeply impressed. I was out of line earlier. Please, forgive me!"

Chen Cheng slung the Military Dao Combat Killing Hammer over his shoulder and said coolly, "Ignorance is no sin. I am a kind-hearted man and won't hold it against you.

However, if you truly wish to apologize, words alone lack a certain... sincerity!"

Ke Dali froze.

The others were just as confused.

"Then what would you consider sincere?" Ke Dali asked, his expression souring as he seemed to realize something.

Chen Cheng remained perfectly nonchalant. "An apology, naturally, requires a gift of apology.

I'm a kind person, so I won't make things too difficult for you.

Everyone who attacked me just now—and I mean every single one of you—will hand over one Source Crystal Jade as an apology gift.

If you don't have a Source Crystal Jade, a Low Grade Organ Refining Pill will suffice!"

An uproar erupted.

Upon hearing his words, the crowd was in an uproar!

This wasn't an apology gift! This was blatant extortion!

And it was an exorbitant demand at that!

This was the last straw! Ke Dali's expression twisted in anger, and he roared,

"You pretty boy, I tried to be nice and you spat in my face!

Master Ke being polite to you was a blessing! Do you really think Master Ke is afraid of you?

With that piece of junk hammer of yours, Master Ke could stand right here and let you swing, and you wouldn't even make me budge!"

He wasn't wrong. Inside the cave dwelling, the defensive power of a Yellow Tier Spiritual Artifact like the Mountain-Suppressing Xuanwu Armor was nearly invincible.

He feared no one except Ji Lingxiao, who possessed the Profound Tier Spiritual Artifact, the Lingxiao Sword.

So why would he be afraid of this pretty boy's Pseudo-Spiritual Artifact hammer?

Outside the cave dwelling, where the Mountain-Suppressing Xuanwu Armor could unleash its full power, he would be able to crush this pretty boy with even greater ease!

'This big guy may be a smooth operator, but at least he's got some backbone!'

Chen Cheng praised him silently and decided to let him off the hook. After a moment's thought, he said coolly,

"You're a fat guy, but your strength is decent. I'll waive your fee.

As for the rest of you..."

Chen Cheng's gaze swept over the crowd, his eyes suddenly turning frigid.

"But the rest of you aren't exempt! If I catch anyone who hasn't paid up, I'll kill every last one of you!"

It was a naked threat.

For a moment, everyone could only look at each other in helpless dismay.

Ke Dali might not fear Xiu Chen, but they certainly did.

Inside the cave dwelling, they were bound to split up occasionally to search for resources.

It wasn't the robbery they feared; it was being marked by the robber. If a powerhouse like Xiu Chen had his eye on them, they might die without ever knowing how it happened.

Ke Dali obviously understood this. From his position, there was nothing more he could say; after all, he couldn't protect everyone all the time.

"I've used up my Source Crystal Jades. Take this Low Grade Organ Refining Pill!"

Duanmu Xi took out a Low Grade Organ Refining Pill, tossed it to Chen Cheng, and turned to walk off the Lake Heart Island.

She was clearly a pragmatic person. Besides, she had already fought Chen Cheng once. Although she had come out on the losing end, it had created bad blood between them.

Using one Low Grade Organ Refining Pill to resolve that conflict was, in her eyes, a bargain.

The others all wore miserable expressions, especially the five Jianghu Wanderers. They had already been swindled out of an "alliance fee" by Ke Dali.

Now, having to hand over an apology gift on top of that was a huge loss!

If they had known they'd be robbed like this for coming to Lake Heart Island, they probably wouldn't have come even if invited with a grand procession!

The disciples of the Great Dao Sect were just as dejected.

Logically, with so many of them gathered together, their combined strength was formidable. They should have been the ones robbing others.

But now, they had been inexplicably robbed by Xiu Chen instead. The feeling was truly galling.

"Is no one else going to pay up? In that case, you'd all better watch your backs," Chen Cheng said, his voice laced with impatience.

"I am Tang An. I offer one Source Crystal Jade!"

"I am Song Liang. I have no Source Crystal Jade or Low Grade Organ Refining Pills. I only managed to find this Thousand-year-old Cold Jade Lingzhi. Please, Young Master Xiu Chen, accept it."

"I am..."

The five Jianghu Wanderers handed over their payments one after another.

The five of them were truly destitute; only one produced a Source Crystal Jade.

The other four only had Medicinal Materials they had just acquired within the cave dwelling.

Fearing Chen Cheng wouldn't believe them, they even opened all their packs and Money Bags to prove they had nothing else.

"Fine. Since you are all so sincere, I will let it go."

Chen Cheng collected the items with a benevolent smile, then turned to face the group from the Great Dao Sect.

"Here are three Source Crystal Jades. This is the payment for the three of us."

After a long hesitation, Qi Jianming finally took out three Source Crystal Jades and tossed them to Chen Cheng.

That only left Xiao Nianci, Xia Lingfeng, and the two Perfect Martial Artists of the Organ Refining Realm from the Xiao Family.

Xia Lingfeng was quite decisive. He pulled out a Demon Heart and tossed it to Chen Cheng. "I am Xia Lingfeng. So far, this Demon Heart is all I've managed to acquire.

It's only half-refined, but its value is still greater than a Source Crystal Jade's."

"Not bad." Chen Cheng caught the Demon Heart, smiled faintly, and then tossed it back.

Xia Lingfeng caught the Demon Heart, assuming Chen Cheng was unsatisfied. Crestfallen, he said in a rumbling voice,

"Young Master Xiu Chen, this is the only Demon Heart I have. I've gathered some Organ Refining Internal Medicine Herbs, but none are particularly valuable."

"You're an honest man. I'll waive your fee as well."

A roguish smile appeared on Chen Cheng's face. 'Xia Lingfeng is one of my own, after all. It wouldn't be right to actually take his payment.'

Utterly bewildered, Xia Lingfeng accepted the Demon Heart with a suspicious look. He cupped his fists in a salute to Chen Cheng and said,

"Then, my thanks, Young Master Xiu Chen!

I am the Director of the Linji City Demon Suppression Department. Should you ever find yourself in Linji City, please come to my residence. I will be sure to host you with the utmost hospitality."

This rough-looking man's Martial Arts Power wasn't particularly formidable, but he was certainly a man of character.

His words sent a shock through the hearts of the onlookers.

Losing some resources for the apology gift was, in truth, a minor issue. After all, they could always find more inside the cave dwelling.

But Xia Lingfeng had, for seemingly no reason, befriended a monstrously talented genius. He had come out of this with a huge profit!

The five Jianghu Wanderers were so regretful they could have kicked themselves. 'Why didn't we think of that?' they lamented inwardly.

"Of course," Chen Cheng nodded, then turned to Xiao Nianci and the two Perfect Martial Artists of the Organ Refining Realm from the Xiao Family. His expression turned indifferent as he said,

"Your hesitation shows a lack of sincerity. Your payment is doubled."

Xiao Nianci and the two Perfect Martial Artists of the Organ Refining Realm from the Xiao Family were stunned.

How could they have possibly imagined things would turn out this way?

But the circumstances were out of their control.

Everyone else had paid. If the three of them refused, they would truly and deeply offend this Young Master Xiu Chen.

Even if only to make an example of them, Young Master Xiu Chen would surely find an opportunity to teach them a lesson.

Xiao Nianci's face turned pale then livid. After weighing her options, she finally took out a Low Grade Organ Refining Pill and tossed it to Chen Cheng.

"This is a Low Grade Organ Refining Pill. The Xiao Family has no intention of making an enemy of you, Young Master Xiu Chen."

"I said one Source Crystal Jade or one Low Grade Organ Refining Pill per person. There are three of you. Double that is six items. You're still five short."

Chen Cheng toyed with the Low Grade Organ Refining Pill, his expression still indifferent.

Xiao Nianci choked with rage. She had heard Chen Cheng say he wanted Source Crystal Jades, and that a Low Grade Organ Refining Pill would suffice if they didn't have any.

The Low Grade Organ Refining Pill she offered was worth ten Source Crystal Jades, far exceeding the required amount.

But from the sound of it, Chen Cheng was clearly demanding a certain number of items, regardless of their value. It was utterly absurd!

But she was the fish on his chopping block. Xiao Nianci could only swallow her pride and suppress her fury. Forcing a calm expression onto her face, she asked,

"A total of six items. Does it matter if they are Source Crystal Jades or Low Grade Organ Refining Pills?"