Chapter 1413: Chapter 1414: I Like Leaves Returning to Their Roots
At this moment, Li Xiaobai’s figure transformed into a monstrous flood beast in his eyes. Was the other party hiding their fangs? Deliberately following them into the city?
But this was the lady’s initiative to invite him, merely wanting to use him as a tool. Could it really be such a coincidence?
Yang Xiu decided to test again. Maybe the panic earlier had clouded his judgment.
“Yes, that’s it. Who would be running down the streets carrying 150 cultivators?”
“I must have been mistaken. Let’s try again!”
Throwing down the sack in his hand, he picked up another sack, slung it over his shoulder, and gave it a quick slice. His face darkened instantly, as if he had swallowed a dead fly.
It really was a person, and a woman at that!
Who the hell was this country bumpkin, and why was he so deranged as to kidnap cultivators and dump them casually into the Baihe Clan’s warehouse, acting like nothing had happened? Was he not afraid of being discovered?
However, just as his mind began to unravel, a large hand suddenly clapped down on his shoulder, startling him so much that he shuddered.
“Brother Yang, these things are a bit heavy. Why not let your little brother handle it?”
Li Xiaobai said with a cheerful smile, squinting as he stared directly at him.
“Oh, oh… yes, yes, thank you, thank you…”
Yang Xiu stammered incoherently. His shoulder suddenly felt lighter as Li Xiaobai tossed the last sack into the side room.
“Brother Yang, shall we get going?”
“Uh… sure, the lady must be waiting impatiently by now. Let’s go!”
Looking at Li Xiaobai’s seemingly honest and naive smile, a chill involuntarily ran down Yang Xiu’s spine, cold sweat dripping from his forehead. Internally, he screamed: He didn’t notice anything; he must not have noticed anything!
I was simply picking up and carrying the sack normally. I didn’t discover anything; I don’t know anything!
Confused and in a daze along the way, Yang Xiu suddenly realized he was already in a side room. This was arranged by the Baihe Family’s servants for them to wait there until the banquet began, at which time someone would announce it.
Yang Xiu sat like he was on pins and needles, wanting to observe Li Xiaobai’s expression but not daring to do so, afraid it might reveal his thoughts.
“Brother Yang might have misunderstood me a little. The sacks earlier merely contained demonic beasts, so there’s no need to overthink it. I’ll need your help to deal with the buyers!”
Li Xiaobai patted Yang Xiu on the shoulder and said cheerfully.
“Cough, cough, yes, yes—so they were demonic beasts? That really scared me silly! I wondered why they felt warm.”
“Come, come, have some tea!”
Yang Xiu laughed heartily, pretending to be relieved, and poured two bowls of tea.
“Thank you, Brother Yang.”
Li Xiaobai drained the tea in one gulp without a shred of caution.
Numbers flickered across the System panel.
[Attribute Points + 150 million…]
[Attribute Points + 150 million…]
[Attribute Points + 150 million…]
The tea was poisoned, but it mattered little to Li Xiaobai. He wiped his mouth without a ripple in his heart, even pouring himself another bowl and drinking it casually.
Yang Xiu’s eyes nearly bulged out. The tea had been tampered with; the poison within would spread instantly through the body—so potent that even he would be paralyzed immediately, unable to move. Yet, Li Xiaobai drank two bowls as if nothing had happened!
He didn’t care about the poison in the tea!
How powerful must his cultivation level be?
Transcendent Third Layer? Or perhaps even higher?
“Haha, this tea is great—quite sweet!”
“Yes, yes, quite sweet. It’s spring water from the mountains; it has a hint of sweetness!”
“Why has Miss Nangong come here?”
Li Xiaobai abruptly shifted the topic, getting straight to the point.
“My lady is here in Cangtian City for a business deal. The Nangong Family and the Baihe Family have had relations in the past, so this was the first stop.”
Yang Xiu instinctively replied. As for the specifics of the deal, he didn’t actually know. Only Nangong Menglu was privy to such matters, something not meant for them to inquire about!
“Where do you find buyers?”
“There are specialized handlers within the city for unique goods…”
Yang Xiu murmured, carefully choosing his words to avoid mentioning human traffickers outright.
If he had known earlier that the sacks contained people, he would never have dared to guarantee anything. He had no idea what kind of people were kidnapped—if they were disciples from prominent sects, he might well find himself in mortal danger!
“Those merchants are ruthless, dishonest in their dealings, and lacking conscience. I, being kind-hearted, dislike such practices.”
“So, Brother Li, what do you mean by that…?”
“I prefer things returning to their rightful places. To be honest, those goods are demonic beasts lost from various aristocratic families. Having them out there isn’t ideal. I can’t uphold the virtue of returning lost goods without reward—just a token of gratitude would do.”
Li Xiaobai chuckled.
“Uh…”
“I’ll try my best…”
Yang Xiu felt his scalp tingle. This wasn’t “returning things to their rightful place”—this was “heads rolling”!
The other party intended to send the kidnapped disciples and cultivators back to their respective sects and demand exorbitant resources in compensation. This was something unimaginable in the past, but the man before him had accomplished it nonchalantly.
And not only had he done it, he stood here completely unscathed.
No doubt, this man named Li Xiaobai must be the widely-rumored mysterious cultivator, a defiant powerhouse who had slain the cultivators of the infamous Pure Land.
They came from the Heavenly God Academy, certainly above the likes of a mere Cangtian City. But truly crossing this man and courting death? Not even immortals could save them. He merely needed to find an opportunity to inform his lady and the others accompanying them.
Indeed, the burden couldn’t fall solely on him. If they were to be sunk, they must all sink together!
…
Time ticked away, and night fell.
Knocking came from the door.
“Gentlemen, the evening banquet is about to begin. Immortal Nangong invites your presence!”
A servant of the Baihe Family announced outside the door. It was time—courtesy dictated that disciples of the Heavenly God Academy deserved respect.
“Let’s go!”
The Baihe Family estate featured all manner of scenic landscapes. Li Xiaobai and Yang Xiu followed the servant through winding paths, arriving at a secluded courtyard.
Peaceful and elegant, the courtyard was graced with winding pathways, the sound of flowing water, and faint traces of music echoing in the air. This hidden peach-blossom paradise was nestled within the estate.
Stepping into the courtyard, a long river came into view. Dozens of young men and women sat in meditation on the riverbanks, sipping wine, exuding an aura of carefree serenity.
In the center sat Nangong Menglu, surrounded by an array of dashing young elites.
Upon seeing Li Xiaobai, a flicker of surprise crossed her gaze.
“The servants below were quite rude, delaying your work. I apologize on their behalf.”
Nangong Menglu said lightly, her rosy lips parting gently.
“No bother. I actually have to thank the Immortal for allowing me this opportunity to see the world!”
Li Xiaobai smiled honestly.
“It was a mere trifle. This Flowing Water Courtyard is beautiful and serene—if Brother Li has no pressing matters, perhaps you could stay and enjoy the scenery.”
Nangong Menglu commented casually. Her tone carried a frosty detachment, clearly issuing a subtle dismissal.
It was evident she wanted him gone, yet Li Xiaobai, seemingly oblivious to the hint, boldly dragged over a chair, sat down, and grinned widely. “I agree! The ladies by the riverside are truly stunning!”