Xu Qingtong had noticed these people long ago. They had been together earlier, seemingly discussing something. Suddenly, one of the male cultivators had torn the female cultivator's clothes, yet she had seemed not to care.
Then the female cultivator had begun running toward him, while the male cultivators had paused before starting to chase her.
Whether she truly owed money or not, her intention to divert the flood of trouble toward him was very real.
Why would Xu Qingtong let himself be made a sucker for no reason? He evaded the woman's attempts to entangle him and asked the three male cultivators with a smile what they intended to do if he refused to pay.
A tall male cultivator said, "If you don't pay, we'll seize your wife and sell her as a cultivation cauldron!"
Xu Qingtong chuckled. "Be my guests, you three. This woman won't behave, so you might as well sell her! If she fetches a high price, remember to return the remaining spirit stones to me!"
The other two silently cursed the tall cultivator's stupidity. How could he say that? How were they supposed to keep the act going now?
One of them, a wiry man, rolled his eyes and hit upon a plan. He pointed at the female cultivator and said, "She's already a withered flower and a broken willow. No one would want her even as a cultivation cauldron! Since you're her husband, you should repay her spirit stones. Otherwise, don't blame us brothers for getting rough!"
The female cultivator said pitifully, "Husband, after all our years as husband and wife, how can you be so heartless?"
Xu Qingtong looked at the woman and asked, "Are you certain I'm your husband?"
"We've shared a bed and pillow for decades. How could I mistake you?"
Xu