The long night was anything but lonely. With a beauty beside him by the lake, Li Ling chatted about everything under heaven, carefree and at ease.
Only at dawn, when Shang Yuxian contacted Elder Shang and learned that reinforcements had arrived, did they discover that the unrest had finally been quelled completely.
Li Ling had no way of learning the details for now, but as soon as he heard that the restrictions had been lifted, he immediately asked to leave.
"This place is far too dangerous! We even ran into Foundation Establishment bandits. We've had enough!"
Just like the frightened princes and nobles, he clamored to leave, with every justification for doing so.
"Very well, then. Please feel free to leave."
"Feel free to leave? It's not that simple! We were nearly abducted by Three-Headed Shark Leng Yi. This matter cannot just be brushed aside!"
"Well... we will consider compensation. Please, do calm down."
"Hmph, compensation? Can Lucky Harbor and the North Sea Branch Headquarters afford to compensate us? Not everything can be settled with money."
The merchant association's steward had no answer. They were indeed in the wrong this time.
As for the claim that money could not settle everything, he did not take it to heart.
Anyone who said that merely wanted more.
Shang Yuxian watched Li Ling fly into a rage, looking as though he had yet to recover from his shock and anger. She did not expose him, merely finding a moment to ask, "Fellow Daoist Li, will you come to the next Market Gathering?"
Li Ling said, "We'll discuss that another day."
Rather helpless, she could only nod and watch Li Ling leave with the Ninth Princess without a backward glance.
A good while later, Min Lian said to her, "Miss Shang, the branch association