Calling for Vengeance

Mou Xing was very generous, handing Ye Tong a ten-thousand-tael Blue Gold banknote as a deposit. This time, Ye Tong didn't refuse, as purchasing medicinal ingredients for alchemy would indeed cost a considerable sum.

As they parted ways, Ye Tong cupped his fists and said, "The green mountains will never change, and the blue waters will always flow. Everyone, we shall meet again."

Mou Xing and Crazy War Heaven stood before the campsite, watching Ye Tong and the Medicine Slave depart. They both savored Ye Tong's parting words.

"The green mountains will never change, and the blue waters will always flow. We shall meet again."

Mou Xing felt a stir in his heart. After a long moment, he turned to Crazy War Heaven and asked, "How do you interpret this saying?"

Crazy War Heaven replied, " 'The green mountains will never change' means to never abandon one's original intentions, and to never abandon one's intentions is to be persistent. 'The blue waters will always flow' signifies eternity. The unchanging green mountains and the ever-flowing blue waters complement the 'we shall meet again' that follows. It's a masterful phrase, truly impressive. I doubt even the scholars of the Sky Net Empire could utter such a beautiful sentence."

Mou Xing licked his red lips, a captivating smile gracing his face. "I've become interested in him."

Crazy War Heaven was taken aback, then chuckled in amusement. "You're ten years older than him. Even if you're interested, you probably won't be able to capture that young man's heart."

"What are you talking about?"

Mou Xing shot him an annoyed glance and turned back towards the campsite.

The journey back was calm and swift.

It took Ye Tong and the Medicine Slave only four and a half days to leave the Golden Phoenix Mountain Range. They appeared at Shili Pavilion, rested there briefly, and then headed straight for Cold Mountain City.

Shortly after they left, a sneaky figure emerged from the distant bushes. He trailed behind them with a shifty look. Because the distance was great, he wasn't discovered.

In Cold Mountain City, at the Yue Lai Inn.

Mu Qianlan, dressed in a white dress, stood with her hands behind her back, gazing at the bustling, lively scene on the street below. A chill emanated from her. Beside her, the dashing Mu Xiaochen held a paper fan, gently waving it despite the mild weather, exuding an air of elegance and refinement.

"You should have received the talisman message. In two months, my Imperial Uncle will return triumphantly. My father is planning to hold a grand banquet in Zifu County's prefectural city to honor him. You've been out for quite some time; isn't it time for you to go back?" Mu Qianlan said calmly.

Mu Xiaochen shook his head. "There's still one matter I haven't settled, so I can't return yet."

Mu Qianlan asked, "What matter?"

Mu Xiaochen revealed an awkward expression. "I owe someone a favor and a debt. I need to repay them before I can leave."

"Oh? You owe someone a debt?"

A look of surprise appeared on Mu Qianlan's face.

Mu Xiaochen clearly didn't want to dwell on the topic. He asked, "What about you? You've been out longer than I have. Even I received a talisman message from His Majesty asking me to find your whereabouts and inform you to return to the imperial city if I encountered you. Mu Qianlan replied, "I was looking for someone, but he entered the Golden Phoenix Mountain Range. I don't know when he'll come out, so I'll be heading to Zifu County's prefectural city tomorrow to personally attend my Imperial Uncle's celebration banquet. He endured many hardships and finally secured the right to establish teleportation arrays, which will be crucial for the future development of our Sky Net Empire."

Mu Xiaochen said, "The Eastern Mu Continent has four kingdoms, three domains, and two seas. Our Sky Net Empire is the second to obtain the right to establish teleportation arrays, which will indeed greatly boost our empire's future development. However, I suspect your main objective isn't to celebrate my father, but rather to secure a spot in the assessment for the Three Sects and Two Halls, isn't it?"

Mu Qianlan retorted, "Don't you want a spot?"

Mu Xiaochen replied, "Does that even need asking? Of course, I want one! Moreover, with our status and strength, joining the Three Sects and Two Halls should be as easy as picking and choosing. Why would we need to conceal our identities to join?"

Mu Qianlan said solemnly, "The path of cultivation ultimately depends on oneself."

"Alright!"

Mu Xiaochen shrugged.

Precious Medicine Workshop.

When Ye Tong and the Medicine Slave returned, they saw that the previously dilapidated courtyard had been completely renovated. Although the pavilions and towers of the expanded scale were not yet completed, their basic structures were visible. At this pace, they would be finished in at most a little over a month.

"Young Master, where shall we stay?"

The Medicine Slave thought of Yin Xiaojiu and inquired.

Ye Tong said calmly, "Have the craftsmen build two small huts for us in a corner as quickly as possible. Just enough for temporary lodging. I have an appointment, and I must stay here."

An appointment?

The Medicine Slave recalled the order from the War Tiger Adventurer Team and nodded silently.

Two simple wooden huts were erected in just half a day. Ye Tong tidied up his own space, while the Medicine Slave had already bought the necessary bedding and daily necessities.

"Scram!"

With an arrogant and overbearing demeanor, Tong Kaishan, like the center of attention, raised an arm and slapped a craftsman across the face, causing his cheek to swell and his teeth to bleed. He then kicked him away. His other sleeve was empty, giving him the appearance of a one-armed warrior.

The dozen or so people accompanying Tong Kaishan were no longer mere servants of the Tong family. Each of them exuded a powerful aura, and they eyed Ye Tong with hostility.

"A leopard can't change its spots!"

Ye Tong stood before the wooden hut, shaking his head and sighing at Tong Kaishan's dissolute demeanor. He suddenly regretted not killing the guy at Shili Pavilion earlier. Otherwise, he would have been eliminating a menace for the good of the people and sparing Cold Mountain City from a scourge.

"You, surnamed Ye!"

Tong Kaishan shook off his cloak, his eyes glinting with malice. He chuckled sinisterly, "I thought you were afraid to come back, fearing death! I didn't expect you to barge back in when there was a way to heaven. It's time we settled our score, isn't it?"

Ye Tong asked, "With these good-for-nothings by your side?"

Instantly.

It was as if a single stone had stirred up a thousand waves.

The dozen or so cultivators beside Tong Kaishan were all enraged. If Tong Kaishan hadn't held them back, they would have pounced on Ye Tong and torn him to shreds.

Tong Kaishan said sternly, "Ye Tong, I know you're good with words, so I won't waste time babbling. You broke my arm and severely injured me that day. Today, you have only two paths: First, kneel down, kowtow to me, and break your own arms; Second, resist all you want, and I will make sure you die a miserable death."

Ye Tong asked, "You're so arrogant, does your father know about this?"

"You..."

Tong Kaishan had been warned by his father not to personally seek revenge on Ye Tong again. However, he had suffered such great harm and was filled with resentment. If he couldn't come in person, if he couldn't watch Ye Tong be tortured to death with his own eyes, how could he ever vent the anger in his heart?

Seeing Tong Kaishan's demeanor, Ye Tong felt enlightened. He shook his head and sighed, "Not listening to elders leads to trouble. Your father, being the head of the Tong Family, shouldn't be an idiot, but how could he have produced a wasteful son like you? Forget it. If you want to instigate these lackeys of yours to attack me, then bring it on!"

"You're seeking death!"

Tong Kaishan roared, then shouted loudly, "Take money to resolve troubles for others. You've taken so much Silver Blue from me, it's time for you to prove your strength. Kill him for me, kill him slowly, let me watch him be tortured to death in pain and regret."

"Good!"

More than ten people drew their weapons.

"Oh my, what a lively scene here!"

Suddenly, a teasing voice came from outside. Mu Xiaochen twisted his wrists, waved his paper fan, and walked over slowly with his two confidantes by his side. He glanced at Tong Kaishan, then looked at Ye Tong, smiling, "The one here to repay a debt has arrived. Young Master Ye, are you welcoming him?"

Ye Tong hadn't expected that Mu Xiaochen would hear of his return and come so quickly. He didn't hesitate and said with a smile, "Since he's here to repay a debt, of course, I welcome him. Mu Xiaochen, a total of thirty-six Silver Crystals, hurry up and return them to me."

"Here!"

Mu Xiaochen threw a brocade pouch over and said, "We'll talk about favors later. I don't owe you any more Silver Crystals."

"Yes!"

Ye Tong nodded slightly and poured the Silver Crystals out of the brocade pouch one by one. After counting, there were indeed thirty-six Silver Crystals, each one crystal clear and containing a significant amount of spiritual energy within.

Tong Kaishan, who had come to seek revenge, didn't expect an unexpected obstacle to appear. Mu Xiaochen's condescending attitude made him extremely displeased. He cursed, "Where the hell did you pop out from? How dare you obstruct my revenge, are you tired of living?"

"Are you seeking death?"

Mu Xiaochen hadn't expected that someone would dare to disrespect him within Zifu County. He glared and directly reprimanded him.

Tong Kaishan cursed, "Say that again if you dare? I am a disciple of the Tong Family in Cold Mountain City. My father is the current head of the Tong Family. How about that? Scared now?"

Ye Tong interjected, "If you say others fear your Tong Family, I might believe it. But this is Mu Xiaochen, the only son of the Prince of Zifu County. Do you think he'll be afraid?"

What?

Tong Kaishan was stunned. He carefully observed Mu Xiaochen's appearance and suddenly recalled some situations he had encountered before. Immediately, his heart felt like it had fallen into an ice cellar, and a chill spread outwards.

It's him!

It must be him!

He is indeed the son of the Prince of Zifu County, and he is also hailed as the number one genius of the Sky Net Empire. But how did he end up in Cold Mountain City? How did he appear in this dilapidated Precious Medicine Workshop?

Could it be that Ye Tong invited him to deal with me?

Tong Kaishan swallowed, his body trembling with fear. He bent down and said cautiously, "I didn't know it was you. I said some inappropriate things just now. I hope you'll be magnanimous and not hold it against me."

Mu Xiaochen sneered, "I seem to recall someone just said I was tired of living. I'm very unhappy, and if I can't vent my negative emotions, the Tong Family will suffer along with it."

"Plop..."

Tong Kaishan's body trembled, and his knees directly buckled as he knelt before Mu Xiaochen.