“This matter was entirely my sister’s fault, a grave mistake on our part,” Ying Guliang quickly said. “Even if you truly sought retribution against her, I would consider it justified! However, as her elder brother, I cannot simply stand by and watch everything unfold. Moreover, Brother Baisha intervened in time back then, preventing any truly disastrous consequences. So, I hope there might still be room for reconciliation.”
Dongbo Xueying listened, his brow furrowed as he coldly retorted, “No disastrous consequences? If not for my elder brother, the City Lord of Baisha, hmph, this would have long been a feud of life and death!”
Ying Guliang froze momentarily before hurriedly agreeing, “Yes, yes, you’re right. Thankfully, Brother Baisha stepped in—we owe him our gratitude. I’ve come this time with sincere intentions to make amends and resolve this enmity. Your Highness, name your terms—whatever they may be.”
“You want me to set the terms?” Dongbo Xueying sneered. “Fine. Let it not be said I gave Venomous Ying no chance.”
“Your Highness, speak freely,” Ying Guliang replied inwardly relieved. As long as terms could be negotiated, there was hope.
“Two conditions,” Dongbo Xueying stated bluntly. “First, bring me twenty jin of Ashen Demon Bone.”
The moment these words left his lips, Ying Guliang’s expression darkened. Even Mo Junzhu couldn’t help but mutter under his breath—damn, this was ruthless! A single jin of Ashen Demon Bone cost at least fifty million divine crystals. Twenty jin amounted to a staggering one billion divine crystals! Neither Mo Junzhu nor Ying Guliang could possibly afford such a sum, let alone procure such a rare material.
“Second,” Dongbo Xueying continued, “have Venomous Ying kneel outside the gates of my Inspector’s Manor for ten thousand years. If you fulfill these two demands, this grudge shall be settled. Do not say I gave you no opportunity—the choice is yours, depending on whether Venomous Ying can stomach it.”
“This… this…”
Ying Guliang forced a bitter smile. “These terms might as well be impossible. Twenty jin of Ashen Demon Bone? Even a fourth-level Heaven’s God would find it crippling, let alone my sister and me. And as for making her kneel for ten thousand years—my sister’s temper is such that she’d sooner die than submit…”
“Her temper is too great?” Dongbo Xueying scoffed. “Wasn’t this supposed to be an apology? Since when does an apology come with conditions about pride? Fine—I’ll grant you ten thousand years to gather the Ashen Demon Bone. But your sister must kneel outside my manor within three days. If she fails to appear by then—hmph—consider negotiations over.”
“Escort them out!” Dongbo Xueying rose abruptly.
Guards immediately entered, their gazes fixed on Mo Junzhu and Ying Guliang.
The two exchanged a glance.
“Is there no room for negotiation?” Ying Guliang pressed.
Dongbo Xueying’s frown deepened. The guards at his side stepped forward. “Gentlemen, this way.”
“Let’s go,” Mo Junzhu said quietly.
With no other choice, Ying Guliang departed in resignation.
Mo Junzhu, however, lingered for a moment, sending a mental message to Dongbo Xueying: “Your Highness, these terms… Venomous Ying will never agree. Twenty jin of Ashen Demon Bone is beyond their means—both financially and logistically.”
“The terms have been set. The choice is theirs,” Dongbo Xueying replied indifferently.
—
**Tenebrous Abyss.**
A colossal mountain floated amidst the starry void, shrouded in rolling black mist, its slopes teeming with countless venomous serpents. This was the infamous stronghold of Venomous Ying, a place of dread within Anhai Prefecture. Venomous Ying’s reputation was formidable—not only due to her brother’s influence but also her unparalleled mastery of witchcraft and poison, making her the undisputed apex of such arts in the region.
“Delusional! Absolutely delusional!” Venomous Ying’s massive serpentine tail coiled violently across the grand hall as her eyes blazed with fury. “Kneel outside his manor for ten thousand years? Who does he think he is? I’ve cultivated for eons to become a third-level Heaven’s God—not to grovel before some upstart! He can kill me before I’d ever comply! And twenty jin of Ashen Demon Bone? Does he think such treasures grow on trees? Even a single jin is impossible! This isn’t negotiation—it’s humiliation! Humiliation for me and for you, brother!”
Her voice thundered through the hall, shaking its very foundations.
Not a single guard or subordinate dared remain within earshot.
“Twenty jin of Ashen Demon Bone…” Ying Guliang sighed. “Even if we liquidated everything we own, we couldn’t afford it. This Dongbo Xueying leaves us no room at all.”
“Even the demand to kneel for ten thousand years—I’d sooner die than submit!” Venomous Ying’s eyes gleamed with madness. “Fine. If he insists on pushing me to the brink, let’s see who outlasts whom!”
“Sister…” Ying Guliang attempted to reason with her.
“Save your words. No one can change my mind,” she spat coldly. “Let’s see just how formidable this Dongbo Xueying truly is. A mere second-level Heaven’s God, yet so arrogant? Hmph!”
“He’ll likely reach the fourth level within a million years,” Ying Guliang murmured grimly.
“And what choice does he leave me?” Venomous Ying snarled before sneering. “But he’s not a fourth-level Heaven’s God yet—not even third-level!”
—
News spread swiftly—whether leaked from the Inspector’s Manor or Mo Junzhu’s Dongliao Army, none could say.
But soon, all knew of Dongbo Xueying’s ultimatum: twenty jin of Ashen Demon Bone and Venomous Ying’s ten-thousand-year kneel outside his gates—with the latter demand requiring compliance within three days.
As time passed, the entire eastern region of Anhai Prefecture watched intently. Even factions beyond the east took notice, for both Dongbo Xueying and Venomous Ying were figures of great renown.
“Three days have come and gone.”
“Venomous Ying never appeared.”
“Now we’ll see how this Dongbo Xueying responds.”
“Frankly, Venomous Ying has survived this long for a reason. Dongbo Xueying may have unparalleled potential, but his current strength is lacking. I doubt he can do much to her.”
“Wait and see. Given His Highness’s temperament, action won’t be far off.”
All factions watched, their attention fixed on the Inspector’s Manor.
—
The manor had long completed recruitment for its personal guard—while Heaven’s Gods were rare, peak-tier Deities were countless. Now, it focused on recruiting first and second-level Heaven’s Gods.
Days turned to weeks, and weeks to a month.
Yet the Inspector’s Manor remained eerily quiet.
Many grew puzzled. Even Venomous Ying, who had braced for retaliation, found herself baffled. “A month has passed since Dongbo Xueying’s bold declaration, and still nothing? Hmph. What tricks does he think he can pull?”
—
“Elder Brother!”
Dongbo Xueying personally greeted the visitor at the manor gates—a portly, jovial man in white robes, his plump fingers stroking his upturned mustache. His small eyes brightened at the sight of Dongbo Xueying, and he laughed heartily. “Brother Dongbo! I always knew you were destined for greatness, but to think even the Divine Emperor would take you as a personal disciple? A second-level Heaven’s God in just five thousand years—tsk tsk tsk. The news nearly knocked me off my feet!”
“Elder Brother, come inside. You need no announcement here—just send word directly,” Dongbo Xueying urged warmly.
City Lord Baisha chuckled as he entered, his gaze sweeping across the manor grounds. Everywhere stood soldiers clad in azure armor, their auras formidable. “With a thousand inspectors and four thousand personal guards—each stronger than the average second-tier army soldier—your forces now rival ten thousand regular troops. Impressive. In all of Anhai Prefecture, only the Prefect’s personal guard surpasses yours.”
“All thanks to our master’s favor,” Dongbo Xueying replied modestly.
As they walked, Baisha broached the subject.
“Dongbo, your ultimatum to Venomous Ying—she ignored it completely. Now, not just the eastern region, but the entire prefecture is watching. If there’s any way I can assist, just say the word. I’ve long despised that venomous wretch.”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage