Open Conspiracy

Mountains encircled the area, clouds and mist curled around them; a hundred birds sang, and the woods cast deep shade.

At the mountaintop, a spring babbled as it flowed into a cold pool at the foot of the mountain.

Beside the cold pool stood an exceptionally crude village.

As breathtaking as the scenery here was, the village was equally plain and dilapidated.

The only thing worthy of mention alongside this scenery was the plaque at the village entrance, engraved with two vigorous characters—Bai Residence.

Back when the Clear Sky Sect faced pressure from Spirit Hall, it chose not to fight. The entire sect relocated behind the mountain peak Qian Daoliu had sworn upon, withdrawing from the world from then on.

The Four Single-Attribute Clans, as vassals of the Clear Sky Sect, also scattered in all directions to escape Spirit Hall's pursuit.

Of the four great clans, aside from the Strength Clan, which moved to Heaven Dou City, the other three relocated their entire clans to the Star Luo Empire, where Spirit Hall's influence was weakest.

The Strength Clan excelled at forging, the Defense Clan at construction, and the Breaking Clan at alchemy.

These three clans quickly gained a foothold in their new homes through their respective strengths. Their disciples might not have lived lavishly, but they were still well above modest means.

Only the Speed Clan had been living poorly.

The Speed Clan's chief, Bai He, was extremely close to Yang Wudi, chief of the Breaking Clan, and their personalities were somewhat alike as well.

Yang Wudi was arrogant and obstinate; Bai He was aloof and self-important.

Yet the two were different in one regard.

Yang Wudi truly had the qualifications to be arrogant.

In terms of strength, with merely the cultivation of a Soul Douluo, he could stand against a Titled Douluo head-on. His skill in refining medicine and poison was also the greatest on the continent.

As for Bai He, he truly was aloof, and he truly was proud—it was simply his nature.

But such a person was not suited to lead a clan.

The Speed Clan's disciples lived in such poverty, yet Bai He not only lacked the ability to solve the problem, but because of his own prideful temperament, he also forbade the clan's disciples from claiming Soul Master subsidies from Spirit Hall.

More than half the clan's income even came from Yang Wudi's occasional support.

Even so, they could only barely balance their income and expenses, scraping by in hardship.

Before the village gate, beneath an old tree.

An elderly man sat there basking in the sun, serving as the gatekeeper at the same time.

The old man had been enjoying the sunlight when, in a daze, two figures entered his view.

Then, one of the elders wordlessly revealed eight Soul Rings before a clear voice reached his ears.

"My Duke has business with Chief Bai of your clan. Please go and announce us."

Though the man speaking before him appeared quite amiable, the old man's attention was entirely fixed on the eight Soul Rings beneath his feet.

Thus, without replying, the old man immediately activated Martial Soul Possession and rushed toward the depths of the village.

"One white, two yellow—thirty-seventh rank, yet his speed rivals that of an ordinary agility-attack Soul King. Is this a Pure Agility Soul Master?"

Lin Rong looked ahead thoughtfully, thinking to himself:

"The speed the Speed Clan takes pride in truly lives up to its reputation."

Before long, the old man returned. He performed a standard noble's salute and said:

"Honored guests, our chief invites you in."

After entering the village, Lin Rong casually swept his gaze around, taking in the scene within.

The village was mostly filled with the old, the weak, women, and children. Adult men were rarely seen.

Recalling the farmland they had passed, the men plowing there were presumably the vast majority of the Speed Clan's labor force.

Though Lin Rong had anticipated this sight, he could not help but sigh inwardly as he silently thought:

"I never expected that even the proud Speed Clan had learned to plow and farm because of their straitened circumstances."

"But since Bai He chose to build the village in such a remote place, in the end, he was just suffering for the sake of his pride. He didn't want outsiders to see the Speed Clan in such a destitute state."

"It took me so long asking around everywhere just to find this place."

The village was not large. After only a short walk, the old man brought Lin Rong and Old Butler before the largest building in the village.

An elderly man with a lean, well-proportioned frame, white hair, and a youthful complexion stood before the building.

This man was Bai He, chief of the Speed Clan.

Bai He looked at the two uninvited visitors. His gaze passed over Lin Rong before settling on Old Butler, Yu Yuan.

He immediately felt that the man seemed familiar, yet he could not recall where he had seen him.

Still, if he seemed familiar, he was most likely someone from Heaven Dou.

A Duke, accompanied by a Soul Douluo attendant... this seemed to be the Heaven Dou Lin Family.

That was it. He had once seen this man from afar at a banquet hosted by some noble.

He had heard that the Lin Family's Duke had died in a beast tide, leaving behind an unborn child. Could that child be the boy before him?

After figuring out the identities of the two people before him, Bai He asked in confusion:

"Old man seems to have had no dealings with the Lin Family. May I ask what brings Young Duke Lin all this way?"

He had actually guessed it?

Lin Rong suppressed his surprise and pretended to look around as he said:

"Does Chief Bai intend to receive guests here?"

They had come with ill intent!

For some reason, Bai He had that thought, but considering that a Soul Douluo stood beside Lin Rong, he could only gesture for them to enter.

"I nearly forgot. This is not a suitable place for conversation. Please, let us speak inside."

After everyone entered and took their seats, the Speed Clan followed the customs of hospitality and served tea.

Lin Rong glanced at the teacup.

There were quite a lot of tea leaves in it, though he had no idea what the difference was between these tea leaves and ordinary tree leaves.

Seeing that it was nearly time for a meal, Lin Rong did not want to waste too much time here and went straight to the point.

"Chief Bai, we came uninvited because of the item in your possession—the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng!"

Bai He's heart skipped a beat. Just as he was about to deny it, Lin Rong's voice reached his ears.

"Chief Bai, there is no need to rush into denial. Whether you have it or not, you know perfectly well."

"It is a crystal-clear, blood-red ginseng, with the image of a five-clawed dragon on its surface."

"The ginseng is around five thousand years old, and you placed it in a box made of the finest mutton-fat jade."

"I do not think I need to be any more specific!"

"For example, the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng is currently stored in..."

"Enough!" Bai He suddenly slapped the armrest of his chair and rose to his feet, demanding:

"Where exactly did you learn all this? Please answer this old man truthfully!"

"Is that important?" Lin Rong appeared utterly calm, but in truth, he was ready to activate the Green Leaf Mark at any moment. If Bai He lost his temper and attacked him, he would immediately teleport to the marked location.

"Chief Bai, I have come with great sincerity. This is a Bank Card accepted throughout the continent. It contains one million Gold Soul Coins, the price I am offering for the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng."

As he spoke, Lin Rong took out a Gold Card and flicked it with Soul Power to the most conspicuous spot, ensuring that every member of the Speed Clan present could see it.

"As long as Chief Bai agrees to this transaction, these one million Gold Soul Coins will be yours."

"After all, no matter how valuable the ginseng may be, keeping it there will not give your clansmen better lives."

"If you intend to sell it, then with your connections, Chief Yang, who knows its worth, likely cannot afford this price. Those who can afford it likely would not recognize its value."

"Before refusing, I advise Chief Bai to think more about your clansmen."

"Will you agree to this deal and let your clansmen live prosperous lives, or refuse and let them continue living in hardship?"

"It all depends on a single thought from you."