Chapter 134: Waiting for Someone

Qin Feiyang had just opened the door and was about to leave when—

“Damn it, let’s gamble!”

Steward Li gritted his teeth, turned toward Qin Feiyang, and nodded. “Two hundred it is. Deal!”

“That’s how a businessman should act—decisive.”

Qin Feiyang smiled, walked back, and put the pill furnace and the Fire Ginseng into his Cosmos Bag.

“Go ahead and gloat!”

Steward Li shot him a look, then pulled a sheet of paper from his robes and handed it to Qin Feiyang. “Sign here and leave your fingerprint.”

“What is this?”

Qin Feiyang froze. He took the paper and examined it carefully.

His veins immediately bulged with anger.

It was actually an IOU!

It read:

Today,

Jiang Haotian purchased three Fire Ginseng plants, for a total price of four hundred and fifty thousand gold coins.

As he has no money to pay the bill, he hereby leaves this IOU...

Qin Feiyang looked up at Steward Li with a dark expression. “Is this really necessary?”

“Of course. What if you refuse to pay? I don’t know you that well.”

“You’re ruthless!”

Qin Feiyang glared at him, bit his finger, and pressed a bloody fingerprint onto the paper.

Steward Li took back the IOU. The moment he saw the fingerprint, his face broke into a radiant smile.

“What are you two doing?”

“I’m a core disciple of the illustrious Pill King Hall. Do I look like the sort of person who would default on a debt?”

Suddenly—

An angry roar came from outside.

It was Xue Yang!

“Hm?”

Steward Li raised an eyebrow and said to Qin Feiyang, “I’ll go take a look.”

Curious, Qin Feiyang followed him.

They left the room, turned right, and walked a dozen meters to the reception area on the second floor.

At that moment, Xue Yang was in the middle of a furious tirade.

Four burly guards surrounded him, all wearing troubled expressions.

A woman dressed in white, apparently around twenty-five or twenty-six years old, was explaining something to Xue Yang.

“Jiang Haotian!”

When Xue Yang noticed Qin Feiyang approaching, his expression immediately darkened.

“No need to thank me.”

Qin Feiyang replied with a mocking smile.

Xue Yang was a handsome man, nearly six feet tall, with striking features. Unfortunately, his intelligence left much to be desired.

Xue Yang clenched both hands, murderous light flickering in his eyes. Through gritted teeth, he said, “Just wait. I’ll make sure you learn what pain feels like!”

“Then I’ll be waiting. Don’t disappoint me.”

Qin Feiyang paid no attention to the threat.

There were plenty of people who had threatened him, but how many had actually followed through?

He did not even fear Battle Emperors, let alone a three-star Martial Ancestor.

Steward Li stepped forward, glanced at the four guards, and frowned. “What are you doing?”

“Steward, you’re finally here.”

The woman in white seemed to have spotted her savior. She hurried to Steward Li’s side and explained, “Xue Yang doesn’t have enough money to pay the bill, so none of us dared let him leave.”

“No money?”

Steward Li frowned and waved his aged hand, signaling the four guards to move aside.

Then he walked up to Xue Yang and said coldly, “You know the rules of the Treasure Pavilion very well. You’ve already purchased the Fire Ginseng. If you dare to default, don’t blame this old man for turning ruthless.”

Xue Yang’s gaze trembled. He hurriedly said, “I’m not trying to default. I really don’t have that much money. Steward Li, could you give me some time?”

Steward Li barked angrily, “If you had no money, why did you keep bidding?”

Xue Yang pointed at Qin Feiyang. “He didn’t have any money either, yet he was allowed to keep bidding!”

Steward Li replied, “He’s smarter than you.”

Xue Yang’s eyes instantly reddened. His clenched fists crackled continuously.

Steward Li waved his hand. “Enough, enough. I’ll give you one day. If you can’t produce one million two hundred thousand gold coins by this time tomorrow, I’ll go to the Pill King Hall and collect it from Old He and the others.”

“Thank you, Steward Li.”

Xue Yang cupped his hands.

“Go write an IOU and have him leave his fingerprint.”

Steward Li instructed the woman in white.

Then he turned to one of the guards. “Have someone prepare one hundred sets of medicinal ingredients for Healing Pills and one hundred sets for Bone-Replenishing Pills. Bring them to me immediately.”

After that, he led Qin Feiyang and Shi Zheng into the adjoining lounge.

Throughout the entire exchange, Xue Yang kept his eyes fixed on Qin Feiyang, murderous intent lurking within them.

Once the door was closed, Steward Li walked over to the tea table and beckoned to them. “Please, sit.”

Qin Feiyang did not stand on ceremony. He dropped into a chair, glanced around the lounge, and asked, “Steward Li, where is the Chief Pavilion Master?”

Steward Li was brewing tea. Hearing the question, he looked up at Qin Feiyang in confusion. “Why are you asking about him?”

“Just curious.”

Steward Li smiled. “The Chief Pavilion Master has been in Star-Moon City these past few days.”

“For the sake of his daughter?”

“How did you know?”

Steward Li was astonished.

“I have some acquaintance with his daughter.”

Qin Feiyang smiled faintly.

Steward Li suddenly understood, but said nothing more. He simply lowered his head and continued brewing the tea.

A short while later, the guard entered the lounge carrying a Cosmos Bag.

“Give it to Jiang Haotian.”

The guard handed it to Qin Feiyang.

Qin Feiyang seized it, rose to his feet, and said, “Everything has been settled, so I won’t trouble you any longer. Farewell.”

“Mm.”

Steward Li nodded with a smile. “Bring the pills as soon as possible.”

“Have you never heard that haste makes waste?”

Qin Feiyang smiled faintly, then turned and quickly left the Treasure Pavilion with Shi Zheng.

“Where are we going now?” Shi Zheng asked.

After pondering for a moment, Qin Feiyang replied, “First, we’ll find an inn.”

Shi Zheng was startled. He hurriedly said, “No. Staying at an inn is too dangerous. We should return to the Martial King Hall. It’ll be safer there.”

Qin Feiyang said gravely, “Elder Wan sent you to protect me, not to give me your opinions. From now on, you listen to me.”

Shi Zheng frowned.

Qin Feiyang sighed inwardly. The man was dutiful and conscientious; perhaps he should be more courteous. He smiled and continued, “Elder Shi, I know you’re doing this for my sake, but I have my own plans. Could you please refrain from interfering?”

“All right.”

Shi Zheng nodded.

After Qin Feiyang had put it that way, how could he refuse?

Phoenix Soaring Tower!

It was the most luxurious inn in the western district.

The building had five stories, with carved beams and painted rafters, all dazzlingly splendid.

At the very center of the roof stood a massive stone carving: a flaming phoenix looking down upon all living things from on high. Its proud expression was so lifelike that it seemed ready to soar into the heavens.

This was the totem of Phoenix Soaring Tower.

Qin Feiyang glanced up at it before entering the grand hall, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.

Shi Zheng swept his gaze over the diners and frowned slightly. In a low voice, he said, “Won’t coming here make us too conspicuous?”

“That’s precisely what I want,” Qin Feiyang replied. “I want everyone in Yan City to know that I’m here.”

“Why?”

Shi Zheng was baffled.

“Because I’m waiting for someone.”

“Waiting for someone?”

The confusion on Shi Zheng’s face deepened.

A waiter approached with a fawning smile. “Young Master Jiang, Elder Shi, are you here to stay at the inn or to dine?”

“To stay. Arrange a room for me somewhere relatively secluded.”

“No problem. Please follow me.”

The waiter led them to the fifth floor and stopped in a corner.

There was a door there.

He pushed it open and stepped aside. “Young Master Jiang, this is the most secluded room in all of Phoenix Soaring Tower. Please take a look and see whether you’re satisfied.”

Qin Feiyang entered.

The room was not very large, but it contained a dining area, a tea room, and a bedroom.

It was also spotlessly clean.

Qin Feiyang nodded. “Not bad. You may leave.”

“All right. If you need anything, just let me know.”

After the waiter left, Shi Zheng immediately closed the door and carefully inspected the room.

Qin Feiyang smiled. “Elder Shi, I’m going to refine some pills. If you’re bored, go downstairs and have a drink. While you’re there, spread the word about the number of the room I’m staying in.”

Shi Zheng froze.

Qin Feiyang shook his head. “Actually, there’s no need. That waiter will probably spread the news himself.”

Shi Zheng stared at him blankly. “There isn’t even a pill-refining chamber here. Where are you going to refine pills?”

“As long as I have pill fire, any place can be a pill-refining chamber.”

Qin Feiyang smiled, then directly entered the ancient castle.

Since everyone already knew that he possessed a treasure capable of concealing people, there was no need to keep hiding it.

“What exactly is this boy’s background?”

Shi Zheng surveyed the room, his heart filled with disbelief.

Inside the ancient castle, the Wolf King was sprawled on the floor, listless, bored, and utterly dispirited.

The moment it saw Qin Feiyang appear, it immediately got to its feet and roared, “Little Qin, when are you finally going to let your big brother out for some fresh air? If this goes on, I’m going to suffocate in here!”

Qin Feiyang rolled his eyes. “I wish I could be as carefree as you. You cultivate every day without a worry, yet you still complain. You’re never satisfied.”

“Get lost! Don’t give me any of that useless nonsense. I want out! Out! Out!”

The Wolf King howled furiously.

Qin Feiyang felt helpless. “All right, all right. Once I’m done with this busy period, I’ll find a chance to get you out of the city. After that, you can run wild wherever you please.”

“That’s more like it.”

The Wolf King grinned, changing its attitude faster than one could turn a page.

“Move aside. I need to prepare for pill refinement.”

Qin Feiyang walked to the altar where the iron-bound book was displayed, took out the pill furnace, and placed it beside the book.

The Wolf King was stunned. “What do you mean? You’re planning to refine pills here? Aren’t you afraid of burning the iron-bound book?”

“It should be fine, shouldn’t it?”

Qin Feiyang shook his head, his brow slightly furrowed.

For the sake of safety, he eventually took out Azure Snow and slashed it forcefully across the iron box.

The result—

There was not even the slightest mark.

He then dripped his blood onto the box and opened it. He slashed the iron-bound book as well, but once again, it remained completely unscathed.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk!”

“So hard?”

The Wolf King crowded closer, its eyes shining as drool ran from its mouth. “Do you think this might be some kind of divine treasure?”

Qin Feiyang snapped angrily, “Your drool is dripping onto the floor.”

The Wolf King licked its lips and gave a sinister grin. “Why not use this box to forge a suit of armor for your big brother?”

“Keep dreaming!”

Qin Feiyang rolled his eyes.

Whenever the Greedy Wolf saw something of even the slightest value, it wanted to claim it for itself. Qin Feiyang did not even know how to describe that character trait.

Still—

Even if the iron box and the iron-bound book truly were divine treasures, all they could do was stare at them.

After all, he could not even move the iron box at present, much less use it to forge armor.

“Whew!”

Qin Feiyang let out a long breath, pulled out the Cosmos Bag Steward Li had given him, and took out the ingredients for a Healing Pill. He was ready to begin refining.

To be honest—

He was extremely nervous.

He had no idea whether the pills refined with the Netherworld Demon Flame would reach an even higher level of quality.