“Then it’s up to you, Elder Lu,” Yang Tian Du said.
Lu Yue left. Now that they were at this level, the people of the Earth and Water Faction decided they might as well get over it, and simply wait for the Imperial Guards to deal with Ling Han. One had to know that the Empire had its own laws. Publicly destroying the private residence of another was also quite a serious crime.
After only about half an hour, Lu Yue returned with a troop of several dozen Imperial Guards. Though they were not a large number, and the one walking in the lead was only in Gushing Spring Tier, their identity as Imperial Guards was still there. Would Guang Yuan and his group still dare to go against these Imperial Guards?
If they dared to make a move, that would mean becoming an enemy of the Empire, and that equated to a major offense of treason!
The men of the Earth and Water Faction had never been so desperate to see the Imperial Guards until this moment. Their eyes had turned red in their excitement and they went up to receive them. Their greetings and reception were so warm that the Imperial Guards experienced a bit of a shock. These guys were smiling in a way that was a bit scary. We’re all men here. Why are you grabbing onto my hand, and still not letting go? Could it be that you’re interested in me?
“Captain Zuo!” Yang Tian Du greeted the minor captain of the Imperial Guards, and said, “There is a mad man creating great damage in this place of mine, and disregards the laws of the Empire entirely. Please arrest him, and punish him severely according to the laws!”
Captain Zuo looked strangely at him, and asked, “With your ability, you are still unable to apprehend this mad man, Master Yang?”
The members of the Earth and Water Faction all flushed, while Yang Tian Du simply said composedly, “We are all good citizens who obey the laws, so how could we so easily resort to force? Our first reaction was naturally to make a report to Captain Zuo, and get the Imperial Guards to arrest the criminal. This is the natural course of events, and abides by the laws of our nation.”
Tsk, tsk, tsk. How nice these words sound.
Captain Zuo’s face twitched violently. He was naturally aware of the kind of characters that were in the Earth and Water Faction. When he heard Yang Tian Du call himself a good citizen, he suddenly felt an urge to throw up. Thankfully, he managed to repress this urge. Otherwise, if he had really thrown up over Yang Tian Du, then it would not be easily explained even if he were a minor captain of the Imperial Guards.
“Hahaha, Leader Yang’s tolerance is really impressive, making me think of an animal called the tortoise!” Guang Yuan laughed loudly. “If Leader Yang returns home one day and sees a lecherous criminal trying to do that to your beautiful little concubine, would Leader Yang still abide by the laws of the Empire, and first make a report to the Imperial Guards?”
“Naturally!” One of the other lone cultivators laughed as well.
“But is it really good to be cuckolded like this?”
“Who knows, perhaps Master Yang has never had any children all these years, and so would bear being cuckolded just to become a happy father?”
“Hahahaha!” The rest of the lone cultivators did not hold much respect for anyone in the first place, so they too joined in on the raucous laughter.
Yang Tian Du was so enraged he was shaking. However, he only pretended he had not heard anything, and said, “Captain Zuo, please uphold justice!”
“All right!” Captain Zuo agreed. This was part of his duties. “Where is the mad man?”
“There!” Yang Tian Du pointed at a place where smoke and dust was wafting out from. Obviously, Ling Han was currently creating damage there.
Captain Zuo waved his hand, and brought his men over. After a moment, he finally spotted Ling Han and Hu Niu who were in the midst of their fun and delighting in their destruction. Instantly, his heart trembled.
He had seen Ling Han’s portrait before. That was when a strict command had come from his superiors. As long as Ling Han did not do something atrocious like committing murder, then no matter what other things he did, the Imperial Guards were to turn a blind eye to it, and if he encountered any danger, they were to even help him out.
“Captain Zuo, please act quickly, to avoid a greater loss,” Yang Tian Du said from the side, for there was suddenly no movement from Captain Zuo.
Captain Zuo gave a sigh, shook his head, and said, “I don’t have the ability to deal with this issue!”
“What?!” Yang Tian Du had a sudden urge to go on a rampage. Not even the Imperial Guards were able to deal with this, are you messing around with me?
“Master Yang, you’re on your own!” Captain Zuo revealed a meaningful smile. “Additionally, let me give Master Yang a word of warning. You must definitely not injure this person. Otherwise… I would have no choice but to arrest you.”
F*****!
Yang Tian Du was currently feeling very depressed. He invited the Imperial Guards over to help him out, but now they were actually all on the other side. How could he endure this?
Captain Zuo did not say anything else. With a wave of his hand, the several dozen men all stood at one side, as if they were there to keep Yang Tian Du under surveillance.
All of a sudden, the members of the Earth and Water Faction cursed Captain Zuo and all his ancestors. How could they be bullied to this extent?
Peng! Peng! Peng!
On the other side, Ling Han and Hu Niu were still causing great damage and destruction, and from the looks of it, they would not desist unless the whole Earth and Water Faction was destroyed.
Yang Tian Du sighed, closed his eyes, and curled his hands into fists. Because he had used too much strength, his hands were slightly trembling. After a moment, he snapped open his eyes, and said, “Young Master Han, let us come and discuss the matter of compensation!”
He decided to yield.
There was no other way. If it was a clash of power, Ling Han had seven Spiritual Ocean Tier elites and a hundred Gushing Spring Tier martial artists behind him, which was enough to dominate the Earth and Water Faction. If they went the official route, Ling Han was even more awesome. The Imperial Guards not only did not deal with the issue, but would also step up to protect him.
What else could he do then?
“Hahahaha!” Guang Yuan and his group laughed loudly. “Leader Yang’s divine art of the tortoise is indeed practiced to the point of perfection. You can really pull back so smoothly and so easily!”
“I’m impressed!”
“I definitely wouldn’t be able to learn this art!”
Chapter 198
Translator: Reverie_ Editor: Kurisu
Faced with these mockeries and ridicules, Earth and Water Faction’s members could only silently endure all kinds of insults, letting people slap their face.
Ling Han stopped, looked at Yang Tian Du, and laughed. “Leader Yang, how do you plan to compensate me?”
Yang Tian Du’s teeth crackled, but circumstances prevail over men, so he said solemnly, “Hundred thousand silvers!” As he said the words, he only felt a burn on his face, as if someone slapped him fiercely.
He was the master of a faction and a formidable Spiritual Ocean Tier cultivator—who would’ve thought he’d lower his head to an Element Gathering Tier youngster… this was a great humiliation.
Ling Hang laughed aloud, then said, “Leader Yang, are you dismissing a beggar? Based on Earth and Water Faction’s affluence and power, you ought to pay several million silvers, right?”
Bullcrap!
Yang Tian Du almost threw a fit. Several million silvers, why don’t you go rob that! Earth and Water Faction was equivalent to a middle-class clan, and because they were willing to do dirty work, their income was certainly more than that of a middle-class clan.
Ling Han quoted several millions right off the bat, how could he not be agitated? Even if the entire Earth and Water Faction was sold, he wouldn’t be able to get that sum of money.
“Impossible!” he said definitively. Honestly, a
hundred thousand silvers already hurt his heart… if there wasn’t another way, how could he submit?
Ling Han laid out his hands, and said, “Anyways, I’ve plenty of time to sit here and drink tea, watch a show, and wait for Leader Yang to change your mind.”
“Bam Bam Bam.” Hu Niu was still causing mass destruction; the little girl was a human-shaped monster—despite ramming into walls, which fell one after another, she remained unscathed, laughing and enjoying herself greatly.
If it was before, Yang Tian Du might’ve taken down Hu Niu, but having seen the Imperial Guards’ attitude, he knew that Ling Han had an incredibly scary background. This time, he could only
swallow the insult bitterly.
He waved people over, and after understanding the details of the situation, he said, “Young Master Han, this faction knows not which stores belong to you. One who does not know is not guilty; we are willing to fully compensate, so please, Young Master Han, have the generosity to let this go.”
As for the matter of Earth and Water Faction being trashed, he naturally did not bring it up and just accepted it as a lesson for provoking someone he shouldn’t. Of course, he could still get Cheng Yunxiang to pay; Cheng family caused this trouble to begin with.
Earth and Water Faction’s disciples all revealed embarrassed and angry expressions, but dared not speak due to Ling Han’s influence. They only felt that it was the most shameful day of their lives.
Ling Han swept them with a glance, and said, “You guys refuse to accept it? Why were you guys so insensible yesterday then, to have started trouble at my property! But, Leader Yang is willing to compromise, so I’ll give you a chance: pay a hundred thousand silvers first, then tear down Chen family’s stores everyday!”
Yang Tian Du looked at Captain Zuo and said, “We are fine subjects that respect justice and abide by the law…”
“Don’t start this nonsense!” Ling Han resolutely shook his hands in admonition, and said, “I don’t mind staying here for a while longer.”
Looking at Yang Tian Du suffer humiliation, Earth and Water Faction’s disciples felt miserable and angry, wishing to run right up to tear Ling Han to pieces; however, seeing the Imperial Guards that were running them down with unfriendly gazes, they had to abandon their intentions.
“Good!” Yang Tian Du was unexpectedly straightforward, coming to a resolution quickly and gritting his teeth in agreement.
He waved his hand, and very quickly a man came carrying an embroidered box. After receiving it, he threw it to Ling Han.
Ling Han opened it to see ten silver notes lying inside, each of ten thousand denomination. He smiled slightly, walked in front of Captain Zuo, handed over the silver notes, and said, “Captain Zuo, this is a small token of appreciation for the trouble in coming over, eat sumptuously afterwards.”
Hiss, this guy was a bit too generous. That was a hundred thousand silvers, not ten pieces of toilet paper!
Captain Zuo promptly declined, and said, “No need, no need. Protecting the citizens’ safety is our obligation as Imperial Guards!”
Hearing those words made Earth and Water Faction’s disciples want to beat someone. Why didn’t you say anything when Ling Han acted violently? How extremely partial.
“Take it, I can’t let you brothers come for nothing.” Ling Han shoved the silver notes to him. For him, a hundred thousand silvers was like a drizzle… besides, this was Earth and Water Faction’s tainted money, which he didn’t want to touch at all.
Only then did Captain Zuo put away the silver notes, filled with gratitude towards Ling Han. Even though he couldn’t take all hundred thousand for himself as he’d have to hand over the majority upwards when he returned, he could still get ten thousand or so—a decent amount of easy money.
Yang Tian Du’s face twitched. That was his money, but it was used by Ling Han to pretend to be generous, and yet he didn’t even receive a thank you.
“Young Master Han, you’re satisfied now, right?” He had to endure the extreme humiliation, the veins on his forehead popping out.
“Hehe!” Ling Han laughed lightly, and said, “I suppose so. Leader Yang, don’t forget my earlier demands—if I see any of Chen Family’s stores still open, then I’ll take these friends here for some tea.”
“I definitely won’t let Young Master Han down!” Yang Tian Du grumbled, almost to the point of roaring. “Now, you can let that little girl stop!”
He pointed at Hu Niu. Ling Han had stopped, but the little girl didn’t, and she was still knocking down wall after wall. After a wall got knocked down, she would laugh endearingly like it was very fun.
Ling Han laughed aloud, and said, “Niu Niu, time to go home.”
“I still want to play!” The little girl showed that she was not yet content.
“Let’s go eat meat!” Ling Han tempted.
“Meat! Meat! Meat!” Hu Niu immediately hopped on and hung on Ling Han like a monkey.
“Everyone, we’ll meet again as long as time stands.” Ling Han walked off swaggeringly. Guang Yuan and the rest followed him. Naturally, the Imperial Guards retreated right after, leaving Earth and Water Faction’s people too pained for even tears as they beheld the scene of desolation in their headquarters.
Ling Han first went to Heavenly Martial Palace to update the request as finished, so that the masses could receive their pay.
“Young Master Han, thank you.”
“If you have assignments like this hereafter, remember to call us brothers!”
The people talked to him one after another. It was just a fight without any risks and they earned ten thousand—this assignment was definitely good. The assignments they accepted previously, like going to a robbers’ den to kill someone, were filled with danger, which could easily get them killed. They were basically using their lives to make money.
The several formidable Spiritual Ocean Tier cultivators all made an exception and smiled at Ling Han. A financial backer like Ling Han was someone even they wanted to be on friendly terms with, but they were embarrassed to express it too overtly due to their status of martial artists in Spiritual Ocean Tier.
Everyone dispersed, but Guang Yuan stayed behind as he still had to consult Ling Han about the problems with his cultivation
“Tell me, what do you want me to do?” Guang Yuan said. Although he complied to be hired by Ling Han, he also received pay, so he obviously had to find another way to solve the issue on cultivation.
Ling Hang cracked a smile, and said, “Be my attendant for a year.”
Chapter 199
Translator: Reverie_ Editor: Kurisu
Guang Yuan immediately snorted, and said, “A tiny Element Gathering Tier martial artist like you has the impudence to ask me to be your attendant?” He was a cultivator at the formidable Spiritual Ocean Tier, and what sort of concept is that?
Right above Spiritual Ocean Tier was Spiritual Pedestal Tier, which was the strongest tier in the eight large noble families and royal family!
In other words, in Rain Country, there were only several hundred of those that could firmly suppress Guang Yuan.
Rain Country’s population was around a hundred million—ranking in the top hundred out of a hundred million, that was really kickass, wasn’t it?
“Change the condition!” he said.
“Then be my bodyguard for a year.” Ling Han readily offered another condition.
What difference was there?
Guang Yuan opened his eyes wide; he had the urge to smack someone, but as he thought that Ling Han still had Large Sun Heaven Heart Scroll Scroll’s secrets, he had to restrain his temper. “Change to another one.”
“Say, old brother Guang, you’re too picky. A no on the left and a no on the right… just forget it, I’m too lazy to spend my thoughts on this.” Ling Han shrugged, and was about to take Hu Niu’s hand to leave.
“Huh?” After he walked two steps, he turned his head to say to Guang Yuan. “Old brother Guang what are you suggesting by grabbing o
nto my clothes?
“Was this lord pulling on you, which eye did you see that with?” Guang Yuan lied brazenly.
Ling Hang laughed aloud, and said, “Old brother Guang, if I don’t help you with your cultivation technique, you won’t let me go?”
“If you want to leave, just leave, this lord isn’t a robber, how could I force you to stay here,” Guang Yuan spoke frankly and righteously, but his hand was clutching onto the corner of Ling Han’s clothes, unwilling to let go.
Ling Han laughed mischievously, and said, “Old brother Guang, just one year as a bodyguard, but in exchange there’s hope for you to enter the Spiritual Pedestal Tier, do you think you’d lose out on this deal?”
Guang Yuan frowned. “Can you really promise that I’ll break through to Spiritual Pedestal Tier?” Unknowingly, he chose to believe this youngster’s facile remark; so what if he resolves the hidden injuries—breaking through to Spiritual Pedestal Tier was still incomparably difficult.
…There were only so many Spiritual Pedestal Tier cultivators in Rain Country, all of whom belonged to the Imperial Family and Eight Great Clans—with the rare exception of other powerful parties, such as Heaven’s Medicine Pavilion and Hu Yang Academy; it was unheard of for a lone cultivator to earn such an achievement.
“‘Three Yang breaks heaven, origin’s lock is layered,’” Ling Hang suddenly quoted.
Guang Yuan’s complexion instantly changed, and he said, “How do you know Large Sun Heaven Heart Scroll’s verbal chant?”
“How strange, if I didn’t know, then how would I fix your problem?” Ling Han smiled faintly.
Guang Yuan sighed, and said, “You Win!” This boy kept his calm, appearing to have a sure hold of him.
“Old brother Guang, don’t be disappointed. You’ll understand later that this is the best choice you’ve made in your entire life.” Ling Han laughed.
Alchemy Emperor of the Divine Dao c1-1294 Page 115