Chapter 1431: Chapter 1432: Welcoming All Visitors (Offering Money)
“Your Excellency, please judge wisely. The Baihe Family has absolutely no relation whatsoever with the Evil Pure Land. The Evil Pure Land is a high and mighty entity, a terrifying existence governing ten realms. How could we possibly dare provoke it?”
He Yannian was scared half to death. Finding over a hundred and fifty cultivators was no big deal; at worst, reputations would be tarnished, resulting in financial losses. But at least the family could continue to survive.
However, if the death of the Evil Pure Land’s cultivators were pinned on them, forget the Baihe Family; the entirety of Cangtian City would be finished!
Even if he didn’t do it, he couldn’t admit it even if he did. This accusation was an offense enough to dig up one’s ancestral grave!
“Well, that’s quite a coincidence. According to what I know, the same group responsible for killing the Evil Pure Land’s cultivators also abducted many young disciples from the city. Patriarch He, it’s best to speak truthfully. If there’s something wrong, we can find a way to solve it together!”
Li Xiaobai looked at He Yannian and said, this guy seemed not very perceptive.
“This… Your Excellency, please investigate carefully. This matter truly has nothing to do with the Baihe Family. We are also victims of such unjust accusations…”
He Yannian didn’t know what to say. All kinds of evidence pointed to his Baihe Clan, feeling as though even diving into the Yellow River couldn’t wash it clean.
“Patriarch He doesn’t understand what I mean. Can someone translate it for him?”
Li Xiaobai folded his hands behind his back, speaking indifferently.
“Patriarch He, you usually have a sharp mind. Why has it failed you today?”
Patriarch Fu immediately picked up the conversation, wanting to show off in Li Xiaobai’s presence.
“What has the senior come from the Academy to do?”
“To investigate this matter thoroughly and deal with the culprit, then the matter is settled!”
“As for who the culprit is, do you think it’s that important? The senior is giving you a chance, yet you don’t realize it. Quickly find a scapegoat!”
Patriarch Fu mocked Wuqing, clearly indicating it’s a matter to be settled with money. Hurry up and pay to quiet things down!
“Thank you, Brother Fu, thank you, senior, for your kindness!”
“Senior, just name a price. Whatever amount you say, I’ll offer it without hesitation!”
He Yannian bowed respectfully, excitement flashing in his eyes, secretly cursing himself for being so muddled. The Heavenly God Academy’s experts stood at a level unattainable by them, not even looking at them on usual days. How could they sincerely tangle with him over an unsolved crime?
If they were truly committed to impartial enforcement, the Baihe Family would have been destroyed long ago with a single slap, never mind being this amiable about it, clearly seeking resources!
This matter could be big or small; mainly it depended on whether the money spent was appropriate.
Money solves it quietly!
Money isn’t enough; they’ll dig up your ancestral grave!
It’s just so real, but as long as you can spend money, it’s manageable, showing that there’s still room for maneuver.
Now is not the time to argue about the facts. He Yannian understood this; the Heavenly God Academy wasn’t concerned with identifying the principal offender. They were simply targeting the Baihe Family to fleece them.
“I am also new here, with no experience. What do you think would be an appropriate amount?”
Li Xiaobai turned to ask the Family Heads beside him.
“Patriarch He, the senior doesn’t take heavenly treasures, only Rare Earth resources. How about offering a million or two at least?”
A few chuckled as they looked at He Yannian.
They didn’t feel a bit of pain; the money for the purchase of the slots was extracted from the Baihe Family. Now, the Baihe Family had to pay more to save themselves. After several changes, only the Baihe Family suffered significant losses while the other families paid practically nothing, feeling quite comfortable!
“Two million Rare Earth, offered with both hands. I’ll go prepare the scapegoat as well!”
He Yannian gritted his teeth, quoting two million, which was not a small figure for the Baihe Clan at the moment.
“Good, Patriarch He is indeed straightforward. By this time tomorrow, deliver the perpetrator and the money to my inn, and this matter will be considered settled!”
Li Xiaobai nodded with satisfaction, inwardly ecstatic at the prospect of the two million along with ten slots given, a net income reaching seven million Rare Earth, an astronomical figure indeed.
“Thank you, senior!”
The people continued to banter cheerfully, and outsiders could hardly imagine how such a blatant deal could be openly marked with a price tag. Li Xiaobai felt no pressure; these people were far from innocent. He would swindle as needed, depart when the job was done, hiding achievements and reputation, leaving no trace of who he really was.
“By the way, which Ancient Battlefield is your Baihe Family connected to?”
Li Xiaobai suddenly asked this question.
Everyone in the room was startled again. Could this be the first time at the Baihe Family, yet he knew about Baihe Clan’s river communications with Ancient Battlefields?
The Heavenly God Academy’s Elder is truly unfathomable.
“Reporting to Your Excellency, the clan communicates with the eleventh battlefield via the ancestral bloodline river, but none of the younger disciples have ventured there.”
He Yannian said, a hint of tension in his voice, wondering if the other party was eyeing the ancestral bloodline.
“Nothing more, disperse.”
Li Xiaobai nodded and left without another word.
The cultivators in the Baihe Family exchanged glances, unable to help but breathe a sigh of relief. Their lives were saved.
“The Baihe Family might encounter difficulties in the future. When it happens, feel free to come to the Fu Family for help. The Fu Family’s doors are always open to Brother He!”
Patriarch Fu smiled while speaking, disappearing instantly, and the other cultivators soon left, leaving the Baihe Family quite desolate.
…
After half an hour.
Li Xiaobai returned to his inn. This trip was quite thrilling, but he initially seized the advantage, using force to suppress others, leaving the cultivators without time to question his identity. In two days, he could slip away from the city, and everything seemed perfect.
He just didn’t expect the Evil Pure Land to be such a colossal entity, a major force governing ten realms. Doesn’t this mean there are nine more like Cangtian Realm?
Even Cangtian Realm alone was vast enough for him to explore, making it hard to imagine the extensive coverage of the Evil Pure Land, a true behemoth. Even the famous Heavenly God Academy might be insignificant before it.
But he only accidentally killed a few small minions, which probably isn’t enough to disturb such an existence.
…
The next morning.
Representatives of various families hurriedly visited, rushing to surrender their resources completely. It was unclear who spread the word that the opportunity to exchange resources for entrance to the Heavenly God Academy from Li Xiaobai was priced at fifty thousand Rare Earth, causing a frenzy among wealthy local tycoons.
Li Xiaobai didn’t expect that aside from a few families, there were still so many cultivators visiting. The rules of the martial world made him exceedingly happy, with a wide grin. If there’s money to be earned, only a fool would refuse it. As long as someone brought it, he accepted it openly, causing quite a stir.
What people didn’t know was that outside the inn stood a young man, eyebrows slightly furrowed, staring at the inn thoughtfully, muttering to himself, “How could the Elders of the Heavenly God Academy blatantly abuse their power? I need to investigate and ascertain the truth.”