Chapter 85: The Sword Qi Gives Birth to Splendor (Part 2)

  Xiao Ziyang didn't stay silent for long, but in Tang Pei's and the other person's feeling, it seemed like dawn was breaking. The sudden cold laugh from Xiao Ziyang made their hanging hearts even more anxious. "Deceived? How did he deceive you two?" The chill in Xiao Ziyang's voice made both of their teeth ache slightly.

  Tang Pei hastily said: "Senior, please calm down. The letter that Wen Yuan sent to us was a trap, framing you as the true Red Silk Guest. The Red Silk Guest you killed last year was actually your substitute, it was your plan to escape from danger."

  Although he had long known about Wen Yuan's poisonous plan, Xiao Ziyang's heart still surged with anger at this moment.

  At this time, Wen Yuan only felt a bitter taste in his heart; he thought that dealing with a Jianghu vagabond, he had already used the strength of a lion catching a rabbit, and there was no reason why it shouldn't work. Who would have thought that Xiao Ziyang would suddenly change and become an absolute top master?

  It seems that this person is not a rogue, but has an astonishing background. The six major thousand-year-old doorways in the Western Cool country have extremely great power, and are like countries within a country. In the counties where the mountain gates of the six major doorways are located, the imperial court's orders can hardly be carried out.

  Those famous schools and martial arts families not only have great power locally, but also have representatives in the imperial court.

  Looking at Xiao Ziyang's eyes that were almost spitting fire, Wen Yuan felt a chill run down his spine.

  Xiao Ziyang withdrew his gaze and looked at the two people in front of him, who were still bowing with their heads down, "Oh, indeed a good plan, so do you two believe it?"

  Tang Pei knew that at this time, if he spoke cleverly and equivocated, it would only infuriate the man. It was best to speak the truth and lower his posture. As long as he could escape tonight, he could either send a heavy gift or ask someone to intercede for him when he returned, and there would be room for maneuver.

  "Returning to the senior, in the letter from Wen Yuan, he promised 5,000 taels of silver to each of us. We were blinded by greed and lost our senses; it's truly despicable. I hope the senior will not hold this against us."

  "Five thousand taels? It seems that human life is not worth much to you." Xiao Ziyang sneered, "You two are indeed petty people, but I am no big shot either. Hmph! Do you think a casual remark can gloss over this matter?"

  "We never meant to commit such a grave mistake, and we should be punished for it. Even if you want to kill us on the spot, we won't have any complaints. It's just that even ants want to live, so I beg of you, senior, to spare our lives." Tang Pei bowed his head even lower, but he felt a sense of relief in his heart, as he could hear that Xiao Ziyang's voice no longer had the murderous intent it had at first.

  "My life is only worth five thousand taels of silver, I wonder how much you two think your lives are worth?" Xiao Ziyang said in a low and mysterious tone.

  When Xiao Ziyang mentioned money, Tang Pei and Jin Shengjie's hearts finally fell to the ground. "I am willing to pay 100,000 taels of silver to redeem my guilt." Jin Shengjie also hurriedly said: "I am also willing to pay 100,000 taels to redeem my guilt."

  Xiao Ziyang chuckled lightly, "Alright, you two are indeed clever people; I'll visit your home in ten days' time, and I hope that by then you will still be as clever as you are today."

  "Thank you, senior, for sparing our lives. Your martial arts skills are unparalleled in the world, how could we possibly have any disrespect in our hearts?" The two said in unison.

  "Alright, scram!" Xiao Ziyang waved his hand dismissively, ignoring the two of them, and turned to walk away from Wen Yuan.

  Xiao Ziyang's anger was burning, just as he was about to end the life of this treacherous Wen Yuanwai with one slash. At this moment, he suddenly felt a familiar fluctuation emanating from Wen Yuanwai's body, which made him startled and exclaim, "A magical artifact!"

  The clerk looked out and saw Xiao Ziyang walking towards him step by step, his expression flustered, he touched the jade pendant at his waist, as if he had something to rely on and calmed down.

  "It's really a good deal, 15,000 taels of silver for 1.5 million taels of silver, what a great bargain!" Xiao Ziyang's voice was devoid of any anger or resentment.

  The official took a deep breath, gazing deeply at Xiao Ziyang and said: "I indeed deserve to die for designing the trap that harmed you. However, considering our past friendship, I beg of you, Wu Daxia, to temporarily calm your thunderous anger; I am willing to offer 500,000 taels of silver as compensation; after all, I am a second-grade official who has retired from the imperial court. If you kill me, it would be equivalent to opposing the imperial court, please think thrice."

  "Is this a coincidence? Ah, yes, are you also taking advantage of our encounter to not only take my life but also ruin my reputation?" The words that sprang from Xiao Ziyang's teeth made Wen Yuan Wai's heart sink, knowing that today's matter was unlikely to end well.

  Xiao Ziyang was talking to Wen Yuanwai while observing him, when suddenly the jade pendant on Wen Yuanwai's waist seemed to flash a faint five-colored light. But when he looked again, the light had disappeared without a trace, as if it were just his imagination; but Xiao Ziyang knew he absolutely hadn't misseen it; this scene made his heart sink.

  "Wu Daxia, the official's design to harm you is indeed deserving of death, but he is a retired second-grade official of the imperial court. If you kill him, the imperial court will definitely send skilled fighters to pursue you for the sake of its reputation; since the official is willing to pay 500,000 taels of silver as compensation, why not accept the money and spare his life? Wouldn't that be a win-win situation?" Liu Bingbei suddenly spoke up beside him.

  "Hmph! Liu Bingbei, you'd better think about how to let me spare your life. Do you think I don't dare kill you?" Xiao Ziyang said coldly, looking at him with a chilly gaze.

  Liu Bei took a step back in surprise at the words, then suddenly stepped forward and angrily said: "Humph! Are you daring to kill an official appointed by the imperial court?"

  "Hmph! Killing an imperial officer is indeed troublesome, but it's just that. Besides, Liu Bingbei is already over 40 years old, humph! I wonder how many more years you can still be an official; I have plenty of patience." As he finished speaking, Xiao Ziyang's sword tip quivered.

  "You... I, a small seventh-rank military equipment officer, where did you get the 100,000 taels of silver from? You... don't push people too far." Liu Bingbei said with a stern and nervous tone.

  "One hundred thousand taels of silver? You? No, no, no, you're not worth that price. I can sell your head to someone else for ten thousand taels cheaper." Xiao Ziyang said with a playful smile.

  "You..." Liu Bingbei's voice trembled with rage as he pointed at Xiao Ziyang, unable to speak further.

  Xiao Ziyang ignored him, "Although I'd like to kill you with one sword, what this Lord Liu said does make some sense; the reward for killing the Red Silk Guest was originally supposed to be split between us, but now I'll naturally take it all back, and also the 500,000 taels of silver for your ransom. Prepare 800,000 taels of silver within five days, and after five days, I'll come to collect it myself. If you dare to play any tricks again, don't blame me for not showing mercy with my long sword."

  Xiao Ziyang finished speaking and leaped onto the treetop, his toes lightly touching the branch before transforming into a wisp of green smoke that vanished in an instant.