The middle-aged man took a step back, his expression filled with shock and bewilderment. He murmured, "Impossible. How could this be..."
The young man said, "Master, you... what's impossible?" The middle-aged man's expression was complicated, as though he were both surprised and overjoyed.
The middle-aged man asked tentatively, "Are you... from the Chongxuan Sect... is that on your finger... the Soul-Releasing Dragon Ring?"
Li Qiang smiled. "Yes."
The middle-aged man wanted to be certain. Even his voice had changed a little. "Can you put it away?"
Li Qiang wondered whether he had some connection to the Chongxuan Sect. The dragon ring on his finger immediately shrank into an ordinary-looking ring.
The middle-aged man pulled the young man beside him over and knelt. "Hong Qian did not know Martial Uncle was coming. Please forgive me! This is my humble disciple, Kubo. Come, Kubo, pay your respects to your Granduncle-master." His voice trembled with joy.
Kubo felt indescribably awkward. Where had this granduncle-master come from? He seemed much younger than Kubo, yet his seniority was frighteningly high. Kneeling was not customary on the Tanbang Continent, but since his master had knelt, he could only bend his knees and kneel too. "Kubo pays his respects to Granduncle-master!"
Boboran leaned against the wall, feeling drained of strength, her legs a little weak. This was far beyond anything she had expected. Elder Kubo was one of the Grand Alliance's founders and had served as its first president. Later, he had become Hong Qian's disciple and gone off to cultivate. By the time he returned to the Grand Alliance, he looked like a young man again. The Grand Alliance had specially given him an elder's position and supported him. In truth, this master and disciple were the Grand Alliance's real trump cards.
Only then did Li Qiang understand why Fu Shan had given him this ring. The Chongxuan Sect truly had boundless potential.
Li Qiang loved making friends by nature. He hurried forward to help them up, smiling. "Please get up, please. I can't take people bowing to me like this. I don't even know who your master is. Let's keep our friendships separate from all that. My surname is Li-Li Qiang." He still retained his habits from Earth and did not have so many rules and restrictions.
Hong Qian had not expected Li Qiang to say that. "My master is Ming Zhiyuan. I became his disciple on the Western Continent, where he was cultivating at the time. I am his Registered Disciple. Martial Uncle, this disciple would not dare associate with you as an equal. Please forgive me."
Li Qiang asked curiously, "Is your master still on the Western Continent?"
Hong Qian gave a long sigh. "He left long ago. It has been a very long time, and this is the first time I have seen a senior from our sect on the Tanbang Continent. This disciple reached the Nascent Soul Realm long ago, and Kubo has also reached the Nascent Soul Early Stage, but we can no longer advance. This disciple hopes to receive your guidance, Martial Uncle."
Li Qiang groaned inwardly. He himself was only in the late stage of the Nascent Soul Realm. How could he guide them? He could only smile wryly. "Well, when we have a chance, we can compare notes. Hmm... well... discuss things." In fact, Li Qiang was underestimating himself. What he knew far exceeded Hong Qian's knowledge. As a Registered Disciple, Hong Qian had not received much instruction and had slowly cultivated to the Nascent Soul Realm entirely through the accumulation of time. His experience, however, was extremely rich.
Both sides took their seats. Trembling with apprehension, Boboran ordered her subordinates to bring drinks. Li Qiang raised his cup, took a sip, and said, "President Bobo, I didn't know we were all on the same side earlier. Please forgive any offense! Please forgive me!"
Boboran breathed a sigh of relief. "It was my hospitality that was lacking. Please forgive me, Senior."
Well, now I've become a senior too, Li Qiang thought. Seeing how uneasy she looked, he smiled. "Hey, Kankanqi, have a good talk with President Bobo about why we've come."
Those words from Li Qiang made Kankanqi uncomfortable all over, though inwardly he was delighted. He stepped forward and offered a customary Tanbang Continent greeting, and the two sat to one side and began talking.
Li Qiang introduced Tange and the others to the master and disciple. Nashan beamed with delight and happily stepped forward to greet them. "Hello, Senior Brother. My name is Nashan. I'm a Registered Disciple too. Hehe, Martial Nephew... let me hear you call me Martial Uncle!"
At that, Li Qiang sprayed his entire mouthful of drink into Nashan's face with a splutter and burst out laughing. "Damn it, Nashan, you really know how to get your kicks... hahaha!"
Nashan hurriedly wiped his face. "I am his martial uncle... by seniority... I am..."
Kubo nearly cried. This Nashan had plainly not even crossed the threshold of cultivation, yet he was actually his martial uncle too. Li Qiang being his granduncle-master was one thing-he was, after all, a senior of the sect-but this bald Nashan was truly hard to accept. Kubo blinked, then suddenly shouted, "Kubo pays his respects to Martial Uncle..."
Nashan clapped his hands over his ears. "Hey... ow! Easy... I say, Martial Nephew... keep your voice down. Your martial uncle isn't deaf. Shout that loud, and, hehe, from now on yours will be the only voice I can hear..."
Paben asked in puzzlement, "Why?"
Nashan cried, "Idiot! Because I'll be deaf! Only Martial Nephew's voice is loud enough."
Hong Qian snapped, "Kubo... apologize to your martial uncle at once!"
Li Qiang stopped him. "Kubo, forget it. We're all brothers here. What's there to apologize for? Nashan, stop fooling around... look, Kubo's unhappy."
Wiping his face with his sleeve, Nashan said casually, "Hehe, the boss has spoken. Nashan obeys! Brother Kubo, I was just joking with you. Don't be angry."
Looking at Nashan's grinning face, Kubo could not even get angry. He smiled wryly. "It was this martial nephew's fault..."
Nashan cut him off. "Oh, our boss has spoken. No apologies needed. I, Old Na, just like a lively time and talking nonsense, hehe..." This was the first time Kubo had met anyone like Nashan. He had been left with no temper at all and could only keep smiling wryly.
Boboran came over to Li Qiang. "Senior, the Grand Alliance will handle the identity issue. The grand auction is no problem either, since the Grand Alliance is one of its organizers. Those matters are easily settled, but your feud with the Banshou Trading House will be difficult..."
Kubo asked, "A feud with the Banshou Trading House? What happened?" Once he spoke seriously, an air of authority naturally emerged.
Boboran answered carefully, relaying what Kankanqi had just told her, then finished, "Elder Kubo, Senior and his companions just crippled a group of the Banshou Trading House's blade enforcers. They also... also..." She truly could not bring herself to say it: Li Qiang had ordered them robbed of everything and had even joined in himself.
Li Qiang picked up with a grin. "Robbed them clean too, right..."
Boboran had a strange feeling. Li Qiang sounded so completely justified that it seemed they were not the ones who had committed robbery, but she had done something wrong instead. "Y-yes."
Kubo lowered his head in thought.
Hong Qian said, "The true backer of the Banshou Trading House is extremely mysterious. I suspect he is someone from the cultivation world, though it is still unclear who he is. But I know they have quite a few skilled cultivators. Now that you have acted, Martial Uncle, they will soon come knocking. They will never let this matter rest."
Li Qiang's attitude was firm. "If the Banshou Trading House hands over that bastard Bu Jigong, I'll let it go. Otherwise, I absolutely won't let this rest." The moment Paben heard the name Bu Jigong, he was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. Every hair on his body stood up, and fury blazed in his eyes.
Princess Lanqiu had been watching them curiously all along. No one knew what she was planning.
After pondering for a long while, Kubo said, "Granduncle-master..."
Li Qiang cried, "Enough... enough! Am I that old? I... I don't even have a wife, and you're calling me Granduncle-master? Hey, I already said we'd each keep our friendships separate. Fine, just call me Boss, like Nashan does. That sounds better... though it does make me sound a bit like a bandit chief."
Princess Lanqiu was the first to let out an involuntary giggle, and the others laughed too. Kubo was a little touched, knowing Li Qiang did not want him to feel awkward. He smiled as well. "All right. I also think Boss is young and accomplished, as well as approachable. Calling you Boss rolls off the tongue better." He smoothly poured out a bowl of flattering honey.
Without a trace of modesty, Li Qiang said, "Mm, I like hearing that... good... go on."
Kubo paused. "Boss is handsome and imposing... a hero of the cultivation world... is..."
Li Qiang shouted, "Stop... stop... stop! I meant say what you were going to say, not spout sickening flattery." Everyone burst into laughter.
Kubo's face reddened, and he muttered, "Weren't you the one who told me to go on?"
Hong Qian said, "Kubo, you've met your match now. Just answer properly. Why twist your guts into clever little schemes?"
Kubo bent his fingers hard. "Um... Boss, are you familiar with the Banshou Trading House's situation?"
"I know a little. A friend gave me some information."
"The Banshou Trading House currently has seven experts. By experts, I mean skilled cultivators. Three of them have reached the Nascent Soul Realm. Another one who particularly deserves attention is a cultivator named Kong Hou. He's extremely formidable, and all seven of these skilled cultivators follow his orders. The Banshou Trading House has tremendous hidden influence. If they're pushed too far, their retaliation will be very troublesome," Kubo said with some concern.
Hong Qian asked, "Martial Uncle, did you come to the Tanbang Continent to cultivate?"
Li Qiang shook his head. "I was brought to the Tanbang Continent as a captive, but that matter has been resolved. I'm looking for something now. It comes from the Western Continent."
Kubo asked curiously, "What is it?"
Nashan interjected, "Sea Soul Agate. Boss needs it."
Princess Lanqiu suddenly said, "Sea Soul Agate? I know about it!"
Overjoyed, Li Qiang asked, "You do? That's wonderful! Where is it? Tell me!"
Princess Lanqiu asked in puzzlement, "Boss... why would you want that? I have a friend in the Sea of Wronged Souls. He seems to know."
Li Qiang slapped his forehead and cried exaggeratedly, "What did the princess call me? Boss? I'm going to faint!"
Nashan chuckled. "Boss is good. Calling you Boss sounds so imposing... we can't have Her Highness call you... darling, can we... hehe!"
Li Qiang flashed behind Nashan like lightning and clamped a hand around his neck. "Now I know why so many people want to strangle you. You've got some nerve, even making fun of your boss..."
Kankanqi laughed gleefully at his misfortune. "Serves... serves him right! Boss, don't let go. Squeeze him until he foams at the mouth..."
Nashan's words had left Princess Lanqiu blushing with shy embarrassment. Boboran teased her, "Oh, little sister's embarrassed..."
Nashan finally struggled free and hid behind Paben. "Boss, spare me... Little Na won't dare again... hey, reporting to Boss, I've discovered... little stars all over the place..." Hong Qian and Kubo suddenly felt that these people truly shared a close bond. Kubo's heart was completely at ease now. This Nashan even dared joke with the boss. His earlier joking with Kubo really had not been anything serious.
Li Qiang shook his head. "Little Na, indeed... forget it, I won't hold it against you. Having the princess call me Boss actually feels pretty great too... wahahaha... hahaha..." Everyone in the room was amused by Li Qiang.
Nashan opened his mouth but did not dare say a word. Being called Boss isn't that great. Being called Hubby would be great. But he did not dare say it aloud again. He reckoned that if he did, even if he survived, he would lose half his life.
Princess Lanqiu said, blushing, "All of you call him Boss, so there's nothing wrong with me calling him Boss too."
Li Qiang looked as though he had gotten the better end of the bargain. "Mm... Boss it is, then. Hehe, Princess, when are you returning to the Western Continent? Could we come along? Well... um... while we're at it, we could ask your friend about Sea Soul Agate."
Chief Steward Aji said, overjoyed, "Once the Wind of Fear dies down, we'll cross the sea back to the Western Continent. Mistress, could we hire them to protect the delegation and cross back together?"
Princess Lanqiu shot him a fierce glare, then smiled at Li Qiang. "Boss, don't mind him. I wouldn't dare hire you. If you'd like to travel with us, I have no objection. You're most welcome. Our delegation has a dedicated Sea-Crossing Flying Boat. Once the Wind of Fear stops, we'll leave together. When we reach the Western Continent, I'll take you to see that friend."
Chief Steward Aji did not know what he had said wrong. He stood to one side with his hands lowered, not daring to say more. Boboran, however, understood. She inwardly admired Princess Lanqiu's keen intelligence. A cultivator as skilled as Li Qiang would be difficult to hire no matter how much money one offered, but as long as they traveled together, would he refuse to help if something happened?
Yet Li Qiang's next words nearly made Boboran cough blood. "Mm, I'll accept the job and protect the delegation on its return home. But it has to begin when we leave the Tanbang Continent. Not yet-I still have quite a few things to settle."
Delighted, Chief Steward Aji hurriedly said, "Wonderful! I was just worrying that we didn't have enough people. Please name your price. We're willing to pay any amount."
Seeing Boboran's disapproving expression, Kankanqi grew anxious. "Boss... how could we take money?" Princess Lanqiu was also utterly astonished and looked at Li Qiang in bewilderment.
Li Qiang smiled. "You've already paid. Hehe, Chief Steward Aji may have forgotten. When we first met at the eatery."
Tange remembered it most vividly and cried, "That's right! You paid at the eatery."
Princess Lanqiu drew a deep breath, deeply moved. To think this skilled cultivator had kept the cost of a single meal in mind all this time. She recalled how Tange and the others had immediately drawn their guns and joined in upon seeing their confrontation with the Fan Kingdom warriors on Curved Street. Needless to say, it must also have been because they had helped them at the eatery.
She truly could not understand just what sort of people they were. This group really was unlike anyone else.
Li Qiang did not know that Princess Lanqiu was so deeply moved. He had a purpose in doing this. He had seen those Fan Kingdom warriors. If the delegation encountered them again along the way, he could not possibly stand aside. But fighting required a reason, and even intervening had to be done with proper justification. Once they became the delegation's bodyguards, everything would follow naturally.
Someone who looked like an attendant entered and reported, "Fourth President, the Banshou Trading House has sent a message asking whether the culprits who injured their blade enforcers have any connection to the Grand Alliance. If not, they demand that we hand them over."
Elder Kubo said without hesitation, "Go notify the presidents in charge. I have something to discuss with them. President Bobo will attend as well. Also, tell the Banshou Trading House to wait. I'll negotiate with them later." His tone was crisp and decisive, without the slightest hint of compromise.
Li Qiang immediately stopped him, smiling. "Kubo, are you trying to start a war? No need to make such a grand show. Isn't it better for the Grand Alliance to remain in the shadows? You don't need to stand out in the open as targets. Hehe, President Bobo, please seal off the news immediately. Don't let anyone know we have any connection to the Grand Alliance. In particular, make sure your own people don't let anything slip." He then told the attendant, "Go inform the Banshou Trading House that those people have already left the Grand Alliance. Clear the Grand Alliance of involvement first. Go."
Kubo and Boboran snapped at the attendant almost simultaneously, "Go! Boss has given his instructions. What are you standing there for?" The attendant was utterly bewildered. He could no longer tell who was actually in charge of the Grand Alliance and hurriedly turned and ran out.
Kubo did not actually want open war either, as it would be extremely unfavorable for the Grand Alliance. But because of their sect ties, he could not show the slightest hesitation. Li Qiang's wise intervention earned his admiration. Someone like this was leadership material. However much he laughed and joked ordinarily, on important matters he had to be utterly decisive, calm, and rational.
Li Qiang suddenly smiled at Kankanqi. "Old Kan, stay here at the Grand Alliance and take charge of communications." He winked at him, then added, "Kubo, the Grand Alliance should assign someone to handle communications too. I think President Bobo would be good." Kankanqi looked nervously at Kubo, terrified that he would refuse, his heart nearly leaping out of his chest.
Kubo nodded. "I have no objection. Sorry for the trouble, President Bobo."
Boboran did not dislike Kankanqi and nodded her agreement.
Seeing the happiness all over Kankanqi's face, Nashan gave a faint snort. Frightened, Kankanqi pulled Nashan over and whispered in his ear. Nashan listened with beaming eyes and brows, repeatedly chuckling foolishly. Everyone wondered what he had said to make Nashan so delighted.
Li Qiang took out the piece of Yellow Heavy Stone and handed it to Kubo. "This is a piece of Yellow Heavy Stone, a top-grade earth-aspected Immortal Stone. Let's enter it in the auction."
Kubo and Hong Qian were startled. Hong Qian said, "No, it's too valuable, and few people recognize its worth. Selling it would be such a pity." Kubo also disagreed, believing it was not worth doing.
Li Qiang was at a loss. After some thought, he took out something else: a bottle of fairly high-end perfume that was quite ordinary on Earth. Li Qiang asked, "Would this do?"
Everyone gathered around and passed it from hand to hand, but no one recognized it. Boboran asked, "What is this? It's so small and exquisite. Does it have any use?"
Li Qiang smiled faintly. "It's something girls use. It's called perfume."
Princess Lanqiu asked curiously, "Something girls use? How do you use it? Perfume... I've never heard of it."
Li Qiang opened the sealed cap and sprayed it lightly toward Princess Lanqiu. With a hiss, a fragrance drifted through the air.
"Oh, what is that scent? It smells wonderful." Exclamations rose one after another.
"Spray on a little every day, and you'll keep smelling this nice. One bottle will last a long time."
Princess Lanqiu and Boboran fell in love with it almost immediately. Princess Lanqiu laughed sweetly. "Boss, sell it to me. Name any price. I want it." Boboran wanted it too, but felt too embarrassed to compete with Princess Lanqiu.
Kankanqi quietly tugged at Li Qiang, leaned close to his ear, and said, "Boss, give me a bottle."
Li Qiang regretted buying so few on Earth-only about a dozen bottles. Always generous, he handed the perfume he was holding to Kankanqi, then took out another bottle for Princess Lanqiu and smiled. "It's a gift... hehe, because you called me Boss."
Kankanqi walked nervously up to Boboran. "Well... well..." He did not know what to say. Finally forcing himself to calm down, he reached out and offered her the perfume bottle. "For you... I..."
Li Qiang interjected, "President Bobo, this is a token of my brother's feelings. You'll both be handling communications from now on, so get a little closer first. Here's to working well together."
Kankanqi finally caught his breath. "Yes, yes, here's to working well together."
Boboran said shyly, "Thank you, Boss. I'll accept it, then."
Li Qiang chuckled. "Don't thank me. Thank him."
Kubo smiled. "This could fetch a high price. But if Princess Lanqiu promotes it beforehand, the results will be even better."