But He Offered Too Much

Many people have heard the hypothetical question posed by the ultimate scumbag: if your girlfriend and your mother both fell into a river, which one would you save?

In response, the masses have concocted a vast number of humorous jokes, which can cleverly deflect and resolve this scumbag dilemma from every possible angle.

However, no matter how humorous or clever the joke, it cannot actually pull people out of the water. When the ultimate scumbag's hypothesis actually occurs in reality, people must make a choice and reach a decision.

What Wu Ming wanted to express was precisely this profound and educational point of view.

Unfortunately, Zhu Ying clearly failed to get it, and her expression changed in an instant.

"Wu Ming! As a cultivator, do not make jokes about your own life and death so lightly!"

And the moment Zhu Ying grew angry, before Gu Bai could even mediate, Zheng Lingxi beside them shuddered in fright and hurriedly said, "So-so-so-sorry Senior Sister, I was wrong!"

"..."

With Zheng Lingxi interrupting like that, it was as if someone had drained Zhu Ying's anger into thin air.

After a long while, she shook her head with a wry smile and reached out to stroke Zheng Lingxi's cheek, soothing her pure-hearted junior sister.

Only then did she look at Wu Ming and say sternly, "Junior Brother, I know what you want to say. If it truly came to a last resort, let alone colluding with the noble families, even if I had to go through fire and water, I would not hesitate. But you cannot use such extreme hypotheses to force me to abandon my principles out of thin air."

Wu Ming said, "Sorry, the question just now was inconsiderate of me."

"It's alright..."

"As a professional, since there is a need to make money, one should do it personally rather than expect it from others. Since I have joined the Gujian Sect, the sect's prosperity should naturally be borne by me alone; there is really no need to force Senior Sister! So Senior Sister, rest assured, as for colluding with the noble families, having me is enough!"

"..." Zhu Ying felt a headache coming on, feeling that the elements of Wu Ming's words were too complex to parse for a moment. But in any case, it seemed she had been led in circles by him!

Moreover, perhaps it was just her imagination, but why did it sound as if he had already colluded with the noble families?

And just as a trace of suspicion arose in Zhu Ying's heart, a breeze suddenly blew in from outside the temple, carrying the gentle voice of a woman within it.

"I am Zhang Miao. Per our previous appointment, I have come to pay my respects to the True Person of the Gujian Sect..."

Zhu Ying was surprised: "Zhang Miao? Who is that? Master, do you know her?"

Gu Bai coughed: "Ming'er, you have a glib tongue, so why don't you explain it?"

Wu Ming said: "Simply put, she is a daughter of the Zhang Family of Wujun, a noble family that is colluding with our Gujian Sect."

"!?"

"A week ago..."

Afterward, Wu Ming concisely recounted the story of how the two elders of the Liu Family had traveled thousands of miles with a Prefecture Edict and the Shangqing Hengxiao Flag, only to bring humiliation upon themselves.

Although the story was bound to be one that would make the Senior Sister burn with rage, given her temperament, she would likely not make things difficult for Zhang Miao...

At the same time, Gu Bai conjured a talisman out of thin air to transmit a message, inviting Zhang Miao up the mountain.

A short while later, just as Wu Ming finished his story, the tall, slender figure of Zhang Miao appeared before the Sect Leader Temple.

Compared to her previous visit, without the two elders of the Liu Family in tow, this shy and gentle woman seemed significantly more relaxed and at ease. Upon seeing the members of the Gujian Sect, she first offered a graceful smile, then solemnly performed a Daoist salute to each person before stepping into the temple.

After that, she got straight to the point.

"Sect Leader True Person, these are the Spirit Stones that Sanlang and I previously owed your sect."

As Zhang Miao spoke, she produced a small brocade pouch that clearly possessed storage capabilities. After opening it with a unique incantation, a dazzling spiritual light flowed out from within...

On a pristine, white jade tray, round and translucent Spirit Stones were piled high like a mountain, their brilliance eye-catching.

In an instant, the temple fell silent. Even Zhu Ying was stunned by the spiritual light, unable to help but hold her breath...

Although she possessed the integrity of a cultivator who would never bow for wealth, she truly lacked the experience of being this close to so many Spirit Stones.

Only Wu Ming, after staring at the light for a moment, raised his eyebrows slightly and smiled: "A total of 4,012 pieces. To pay it off in full in just one week, including interest at three percent—you really are rooted in integrity."

Zhang Miao was stunned for a moment: "Yes, yes, it is exactly 4,012 pieces. Sanlang said that when it comes to Spirit Stones, everything must be rooted in integrity."

Wu Ming then took out the IOU and returned it to Zhang Miao: "Please tell Third Young Master Liu: we have confirmed receipt of your sincerity and give it a thumbs up."

Zhang Miao giggled: "If there is an opportunity, you must do us the honor of visiting the prefecture city. Sanlang will prepare a banquet to host you!"

"That won't be necessary!" Wu Ming said righteously, "We of the Gujian Sect are born with backbone; we generally do not associate with the scions of noble families."

Zhang Miao was immediately filled with regret: "We are truly very sincere!"

"I believe that, which is why we must avoid associating with you even more..."

At this moment, Zhu Ying could not help but interject: "Alright, now that the matter is settled, please return. The Gujian Sect is remote and poor; we have nothing of value to entertain distinguished guests..."

Although she felt no animosity toward Zhang Miao after hearing Wu Ming's story, she ultimately did not want to be too closely involved with people of such noble families.

Zhang Miao hurriedly said: "There, there is one more thing! I came on this trip to bring an impertinent request from Sanlang as well. I hope the Sect Leader True Person can grant us your indulgence..."

Since she had specifically asked for the Sect Leader, Zhu Ying found it inappropriate to overstep.

Gu Bai had always had a good impression of Zhang Miao, and by extension, he had developed some goodwill toward Liu Qi, so he chuckled and said:

"Young Friend Zhang, whatever request Third Young Master Liu has, feel free to speak it."

Zhang Miao said: "Sanlang says he wishes to establish a Qingluan Post Station at the foot of Yan Mountain."

"!?"

As soon as these words were spoken, even Gu Bai was extremely astonished.

The so-called Qingluan Post Station is a type of transportation facility widely established throughout Qiongzhou, with its various stations interconnected by the Lingguang Path woven through the sky.

Within the Lingguang Path, the unique exotic beasts known as Qingluan, belonging to the number one immortal sect of Qiongzhou, Luohuang Mountain, shuttle back and forth. Whether carrying passengers or cargo, they are as swift as thunder, far surpassing human capability.

With the Qingluan Post Station, a one-way trip from the Wujun county seat to the foot of Yan Mountain takes as little as half an hour—though the price for riding a Qingluan is quite staggering.

For the perpetually impoverished Gujian Sect, the Qingluan Post Station is clearly a luxury they can hardly afford to enjoy. Therefore, in the past, the Wuting of Luohuang Mountain never considered establishing a Qingluan Post Station in such a remote backwater.

Furthermore, establishing the Lingguang Path and the post station requires not only various spiritual woods, jade foundations, and other construction materials, but more importantly, the county seat must organize the spiritual veins to divert a sliver of the hard-gathered heaven and earth spiritual energy back to these remote areas. Without an extremely special reason, the Dinghuang Prefecture of the county seat would never permit it.

Of course, these issues pose no problem at all for the number one noble family of Wujun. And while Third Young Master Liu cannot represent the entire family, it would be hard to say he lacks the ability to establish a Qingluan Post Station at the foot of Yan Mountain.

But why?

Establishing a Qingluan Post Station is generally beneficial and harmless to the Gujian Sect—although they cannot afford to use it daily, the infusion of an extra spiritual vein would revitalize the spiritual energy of Yan Mountain. For the people of Yan Mountain, who suffer from a lack of spiritual energy, it is practically a timely rain.

Moreover, if they were to purchase magical treasures or talismans from Liuxiang Pavilion in the future, they might even enjoy free shipping services...

But for the Liu Family, what is the significance of establishing this Qingluan Post Station?

Is it just to apologize? Or is it that...

Gu Bai pondered for a moment and said, "Our sect appreciates the Third Young Master's generous kindness, but Yan Mountain is a place of shallow fortune and thin soil; we truly cannot bear the weight of the Qingluan..."

After a pause, the old man shifted his tone: "So, if the Third Young Master truly has a request, you might as well speak plainly and explain the reasoning behind it to us."

As he spoke, the old man's gaze was firmly locked onto the Red Cloud Ruyi Shoulder Mantle worn by Zhang Miao.

The next moment, a semi-transparent, rosy-colored hanging cloud on the shoulder mantle lifted lightly, revealing itself to be a beautifully drawn talisman.

The talisman unfurled, and from it came the soft, pleasant voice of a man.

"I am Liu Qi, greetings to the Sect Leader True Person. I should have come to visit with Zhang Miao this time, but I encountered force majeure and can only communicate via the Red Cloud Talisman. It has a time limit, which is why I did not appear from the beginning. I hope the Sect Leader will forgive this discourtesy."

Gu Bai naturally would not dwell on it: "Third Young Master Liu, there is no need for such formalities. Since you have used the Red Cloud Talisman, which only transmits the truth, it is no different from being here in person. Just speak your mind."

Liu Qi chuckled: "Thank you, Sect Leader... Then I will speak plainly. The reason I wish to establish a Qingluan Post Station is, on one hand, to apologize for previous matters and show my sincerity. On the other hand, it is because I wish to invest in your esteemed sect... or more accurately, in one person from your sect."

As he spoke, the talisman turned gently, its exquisite patterns facing Wu Ming, as if greeting him with a smile.

Wu Ming immediately let out a "tsk."

Seeing this, Zhu Ying even set aside her aversion to noble families for a moment and couldn't help but laugh: "Didn't someone just say that when it comes to colluding with noble families, having him is enough?"

Zhang Miao, meanwhile, stared with wide, excited eyes, her breathing even quickening, as if she were a police dog holding a metal bowl, waiting for dinner.

Dealing with all sorts of troublesome matters in the county seat had been unbearably annoying, but now, she could finally have a good meal!