Chapter 1350: Decisive and Ruthless
Chapter 1350: Decisive and Ruthless
Translator: CinderTL
The lake’s surface was as still as a mirror, its crystal-clear waters shimmering under the blazing sun.
Numerous boats floated motionless on the water.
Song Wen stood at the bow of a small, three-zhang boat, his posture ramrod straight, his gaze fixed on another small boat a dozen zhang away, like a dutiful guard on watch.
The boat beneath his feet, like his own body, remained perfectly still, as if nailed to the water’s surface.
In contrast, the opposite boat rocked incessantly, sending ripples across the water, punctuated by occasional high-pitched moans.
Song Wen glanced up at the dazzling sun high in the sky.
Three days had passed. Ke Zheng hadn’t let those five thousand high-grade spirit stones go to waste.
As Song Wen pondered this, the rocking of the opposite boat gradually subsided until it came to a complete stop.
A moment later, Fairy Zhizhen emerged from the cabin.
Her robes were slightly disheveled, and her long, raven-black hair hung in disarray.
Her eyes met Song Wen’s, and she forced a faint smile before hurrying away.
Song Wen leaped to the opposite boat.
"Fellow Daoist Ke, Feng Xin seeks an audience."
"Come in," Ke Zheng’s languid voice replied.
Song Wen floated into the cabin and saw Ke Zheng half-reclined on a wooden chair, with a few red stains on the low couch beside him.
A slightly lewd smile immediately spread across Song Wen’s face.
"Fellow Daoist Ke, you truly possess the vigor of a dragon and the ferocity of a tiger. I saw Fairy Zhizhen fleeing in disarray. These past few days of carnal pleasure with you must have left an indelible mark on her soul. Perhaps, years from now, in the dead of night, she will still yearn for your prowess."
A flicker of smugness flashed in Ke Zheng’s eyes.
"She was simply too inexperienced. If this young master hadn’t shown her mercy, she wouldn’t have been able to leave this ship for another ten days."
Song Wen’s expression turned serious. "Fellow Daoist Ke, your virility commands my utmost admiration."
Ke Zheng nodded in satisfaction.
"You’re not bad yourself. Let’s consider our previous misunderstanding resolved."
With that, he rose from the wooden chair and strode toward the cabin exit.
"Fellow Daoist Ke, where are you going?" Song Wen asked, somewhat taken aback.
"Naturally, I’m returning to the Myriad Swords Pavilion," Ke Zheng replied.
"Fellow Daoist, wait!" Song Wen called out urgently. "We’ve hit it off so well. Why not let me host a grand feast here? We can summon a few women to serve us—wouldn’t that be delightful?"
Ke Zheng glanced sideways at Song Wen, sizing him up from head to toe.
"Who exactly are you? You’re only at the early stage of Divine Transformation, yet you spend money like water. Are you approaching me with some ulterior motive?"
Song Wen chuckled. "Fellow Daoist, you’re being too suspicious. I simply wish to make your acquaintance. Besides, I’ve only spent a few thousand high-grade spirit stones—a considerable sum, but hardly ’spending money like water,’ wouldn’t you agree? On the contrary, Fellow Daoist, as a disciple of the Myriad Swords Pavilion and a student of True Lord Gu Huang, you should be quite wealthy. Why do you seem... somewhat strapped for cash?"
"I am indeed short on funds recently," Ke Zheng admitted, "but that’s because I’ve entrusted all my assets to my master. He’s currently engaged in a major transaction, and once it concludes, I’ll receive my fair share of the profits."
"May I inquire what kind of transaction True Lord Gu Huang is undertaking?" Song Wen asked curiously.
"How dare you pry into my master’s affairs?" Ke Zheng snapped, his voice sharp.
Song Wen’s face paled with feigned alarm. He hastily retreated half a step and bowed deeply.
"My apologies for my impertinence! I misspoke. Please forgive my indiscretion, Fellow Daoist. True Lord Gu Huang’s endeavors must be of immense significance. I should never have presumed to inquire."
With that, Song Wen leaned closer to Ke Zheng and lowered his voice.
"Since you’re short on funds, fellow daoist, I have a business proposition that could alleviate your immediate needs. Would you be interested?"
"Oh?" Ke Zheng raised an eyebrow. "Tell me more."
Song Wen glanced out the cabin window, ensuring no one was nearby. Still cautious, he conjured a soundproof barrier around the cabin before speaking.
"Eight hundred thousand li southwest of Thousand Blades City lies Beaconfire Market, controlled by the local cultivation clan, the Li Clan. Rumor has it they recently discovered an ancient cultivator’s cave dwelling and obtained considerable treasures. The Li Clan’s strength is limited, with only an early-stage Divine Transformation cultivator guarding their territory. If we join forces, we could easily seize the market. We’ll split the Li Clan’s treasures evenly—fifty-fifty."
Ke Zheng paused, considering the offer without immediately responding.
Seeing this, Song Wen wore a pained expression.
"If a fifty-fifty split doesn’t suit you, how about forty-sixty? ...Thirty-seventy? ...Twenty-eighty! That’s my final offer. While your strength surpasses mine and you’d be the main force against the Li Clan, I was the one who gathered the intelligence. I deserve a fair share of the spoils."
"Is this how you obtain all your spirit stones?" Ke Zheng asked, his voice tinged with surprise.
"Besides spirit stones, there are also various treasures. I advanced to the Divine Transformation Stage by seizing the Profound Spirit Creation Pill from a nascent soul clan," Song Wen said, his tone brimming with pride.
Sensing that the man before him was more complex than he appeared, Ke Zheng’s gaze deepened.
"It seems you’ve profited handsomely from these methods. However, you’ve approached the wrong person. Though I urgently need spirit stones, I refuse to collude with you."
Song Wen countered, "From what I know, Fellow Daoist, you’re not one to show mercy. Is your reluctance to join me merely fear of leaks that might tarnish your reputation? Rest assured, we can slaughter the entire Li Clan without a trace, leaving no one to suspect our involvement."
Ke Zheng sneered, "It seems you’ve done your research before approaching this young master. However, my concern isn’t leaks, but a formidable enemy. Within Thousand Blades City, this enemy wouldn’t dare act against me. But if I leave the city and cross paths with him, I doubt I’d even have a chance to escape."
Song Wen understood perfectly: the "enemy" Ke Zheng spoke of was likely none other than himself.
Ke Zheng remained cautious. Song Wen had no intention of making a move within Thousand Blades City; rashly killing Ke Zheng could attract the attention of high-tier cultivators from the Myriad Swords Pavilion, easily trapping him within the city.
This was precisely why Song Wen had gone to such lengths to lure Ke Zheng out of the city.
"An enemy?" Song Wen feigned surprise. "How dare someone oppose a fellow daoist like you? Why not summon Senior Gu Huang to eliminate this person?"
"It’s not as simple as you make it sound," Ke Zheng replied. "I don’t even know where he is. How can I strike at him?"
"If you don’t know your enemy’s location, then he likely doesn’t know yours either," Song Wen countered. "Why be so timid? Do you plan to hide within the Myriad Swords Pavilion or Thousand Blades City forever?"
Ke Zheng’s face flushed with anger at Song Wen’s mocking tone.
"This young master is no coward! But why should I trust your words?"
"Are you worried the Li Clan lacks sufficient treasures, or do you simply distrust me?" Song Wen asked.
"Both," Ke Zheng replied.
"This matter is simple," Song Wen said, flipping his hand to produce a soul lamp, which he handed to Ke Zheng. "This is my soul lamp. Fellow Daoist, you can place it in a secure location and leave a letter stating that in the event of my demise, tracing the lamp’s master will lead to vengeance. As for the Li Clan, I guarantee their treasures are worth no less than two hundred thousand high-grade spirit stones. In other words, you’ll receive at least one hundred and sixty thousand high-grade spirit stones afterward. If that’s insufficient, I’ll liquidate my entire fortune to compensate you."
Ke Zheng accepted the soul lamp and briefly sensed its connection to Feng Xin, confirming its authenticity.
"There are countless Divine Transformation Stage cultivators near Thousand Blades City. Why choose this young master?" Ke Zheng was tempted but remained cautious.
"While Divine Transformation Stage cultivators are numerous, few possess your exceptional strength. Moreover... rumors say you’re ruthless and leave no survivors, making you untraceable. In my cultivation journey, I’ve annihilated dozens, if not hundreds, of clans, yet none of their vengeful descendants have ever found me. This is because I’m merciless—I eradicate every trace of my enemies!" Song Wen’s voice turned chilling.
"Very well, I accept," Ke Zheng said, storing the soul lamp in his storage ring.
(End of the Chapter)
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