"Explain? What kind of explanation do you want me to give?"
With his eyes half-closed, Xiao Yan asked in a nonchalant tone.
"I don't want to make things difficult for you, I only hope that you can compensate all the passengers present and my Dragon Marsh Workshop for their economic losses."
Liu Jin spoke, and Xiao Yan immediately followed suit.
"How many?"
"Ten thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stone, or one thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stone."
"Whoosh!"
Upon hearing this, everyone present instantly changed their expressions. Liu Jin's words were truly outrageous. However, upon reflection, they realized that it was not entirely unreasonable.
There are many passengers on ships in North Army City, and Dragon Marsh Workshop is the largest power managing ships. Now that Xiao Yan has killed Master Jin, the ships' travel has been affected, and the passengers in the city have also been implicated. To be honest, 10,000 Spirit Stone is not much. However, it is indeed a bit too much to ask Xiao Yan to take out 10,000 Spirit Stone by himself.
Slowly shaking his head, Xiao Yan decisively refused the other party's request.
He killed Master Jin simply because the latter's actions were excessive. As for the interests of these people, he never thought about them, nor did he need to.
Xiao Yan had no relation to these people, so why should he consider their interests? It was because if this matter had happened to them, how could they possibly consider his feelings? If this was the case with these people, then it was even more so with Dragon Marsh Workshop.
Xiao Yan owes no one anything, and these people have no reason to accuse him of owing anything. The reason they say such things is simply for their own self-interest. Even if there are a few influential people, Xiao Yan will not care about them.
What happened today could happen on the mainland at any time. Should all those who caused this result also pay the price? The law of the jungle is the rule of this world. There is no right or wrong here. Only the strong have the right to choose.
Now, the choice is in Xiao Yan's own hands; Liu Jin in front of him has no power to change anything.
However, just as Xiao Yan chose to refuse the person before him, a voice also emanated from within his body...
With a slight flicker in his eyes, Liu Jin frowned deeply. What happened today had a huge impact on his Dragon Marsh Workshop. If he didn't intervene, he would definitely be criticized in the future. But if he did intervene, he was afraid that he would be branded as a bully.
After considering it carefully, Liu Jin frowned and spoke to Xiao Yan again.
"Young friend, I don't mean to make things difficult for you, but this matter is of great importance. Ten thousand Spirit Stone is already the greatest leniency I can offer. Of course, if you really can't come up with ten thousand Spirit Stone, but if you can find a Third-Tier Formation Master comparable to Master Jin, this matter can be resolved."
Upon hearing this, the passersby around him all curled their lips in disapproval. Master Jin was already one of the few array masters around North Army City. Because he had helped Dragon Marsh Workshop repair its ships for many years, he knew his importance to Dragon Marsh Workshop, which was why the latter was so fearless in North Army City. Now that the latter was dead, where would they find Third-Tier Formation Master?
Of course, even Liu Jin himself held a sliver of hope for this, but unfortunately, in the end, Xiao Yan still shook his head with a calm expression.
"I don't know where there are any Third-Tier Formation Master..."
Upon hearing this, Liu Jin's expression immediately turned ugly. Since there was no other way, he had no choice but to resort to force. The reputation of Dragon Marsh Workshop absolutely could not be damaged because of this; otherwise, which array master would be willing to help them in the future?
"However, I do know where to find Fifth-Tier Formation Master."
However, just as Liu Jin was about to erupt in anger, the words that Xiao Yan continued to utter left him completely dumbfounded, his eyes immediately filled with disbelief.
The passersby who heard Xiao Yan's words also stared wide-eyed and gaping, their expressions of astonishment no less than that of Xiao Yan former.
"You... sir, are you serious?"
It wasn't until much later that Liu Jin finally uttered a sound of disbelief and surprise, which was exactly what the passersby around him were thinking.
"Oh..."
With a faint smile, Xiao Yan's mind stirred, and the eerie white flames deep within his eyes quickly vanished, replaced by a milky white hue.
The aura belonging to Xiao Yan quickly dissipated, transforming into another powerful yet somewhat unfamiliar aura—this was Xiao Xuan.
At this moment, the person controlling this body was none other than Xiao Xuan.
Almost simultaneously with the dissipation of the flames, an immense and vast Spiritual Strength surged forth from Xiao Yan's body, transforming into an invisible energy storm that swept across the city.
"Buzz!"
Instantly, everyone in the city who felt this soul pressure felt dizzy, and even Liu Jin's expression changed.
He never expected that the Fifth-Tier Formation Master the black-robed youth was talking about was actually himself!
"This... Fifth-Tier Soul Power... Fifth-Tier Formation Master!"
Overwhelmed with shock, Liu Jin's breathing trembled as he uttered those words, his horror beyond words.
Is this explanation enough?
The indifferent words came from Xiao Yan's mouth. As soon as he finished speaking, the person in front of him instantly came to his senses, then quickly bowed respectfully to Xiao Yan and hurriedly said:
"Master, you jest. With your status, killing a mere Jin Xin is nothing to worry about; there's no need for explanation. I apologize for my abrupt words earlier."
Although he was Fourth-Tier Formation Master, Liu Jin dared not show any temper in front of a Fifth-Tier Formation Master. He even shamelessly took back the words he had said earlier.
What a joke! The other party is a Fifth-Tier Formation Master with an extraordinary status. He might be a retainer of some powerful force. If we provoke him, even Dragon Marsh Workshop wouldn't be able to afford the consequences.
However, what made Liu Jin suspicious at this moment was that Xiao Yan suddenly seemed to have become a different person, and his aura became strangely powerful. However, due to the latter's strong strength, he did not dare to speculate further.
"Hmph, bowing before bowing, it's laughable."
He coldly uttered a remark, to which the latter quickly responded with an awkward laugh.
"I didn't come here to laugh at you. I just want to know where the ship I need to board is?"
Liu Jin's expression froze for a moment, then he quickly gestured for Xiao Yan to proceed and said respectfully:
"The ship is currently undergoing repairs at the port near the north gate of the city. We hope the master can lend us a hand; it should be able to repair the damage to the ship quickly."
"Of course I can help you repair your ship, but... there's a reward."
"Well..."
Xiao Yan's words once again left Liu Jin speechless. Repairing the ship would allow him to enter the North Sea sooner; wasn't that enough to attract him?
"Master, if the ship can be repaired as soon as possible, it will greatly benefit your journey..."
"I believe this ship will be repaired sooner or later. I'm not in a hurry to go to sea, but your Dragon Marsh Workshop's profits will probably decrease significantly as a result. If you're unwilling, then so be it."
As he said this, Xiao Yan was about to turn around. Liu Jin's expression changed drastically. Since the former had already revealed his identity, he would definitely invite him back to help. However, the so-called reward left him somewhat helpless.
He gave a bitter smile to himself; this was probably the former's revenge for his earlier behavior.
With a quick glance, Liu Jin stopped Xiao Yan, who was about to turn around, and hurriedly put on a smile, saying:
"How about this? Besides our ships, Dragon Marsh Workshop also sells some medicinal herbs. If you'd like, Master, we can offer some herbs as payment."
Offering medicinal herbs used for alchemy as payment to a formation master would likely have angered most people, but this time, Xiao Yan frowned and showed displeasure. Upon seeing this, the latter quickly chuckled awkwardly.
In this way, the two of them were secretly exchanging blows. However, what Liu Jin didn't know was that the Fifth-Tier Formation Master standing in front of him was not only an array master, but also a Fourth-Tier Alchemist.
Elixirs are Xiao Yan's true path!
A mocking smile crept across Xiao Yan's face, but he remained outwardly composed. He gave a soft snort before speaking, seemingly somewhat reluctantly:
"Okay, but I need the ingredients for ten doses of the pills."