I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

Chapter 193: 194: Four Million and Five Hundred Thousand Spirit Stones

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“It is natural that I come here solely for the transaction, yet your Eldest Princess has repeatedly created difficulties for me, making it very hard to proceed.”

“This time, I have two matters. First, release all the employees of Tangneng First-class that you have imprisoned; Tangneng First-class is my enterprise, and all these cultivators are my employees. Second, in the Tianbei Secret Realm, Ouyang Shuanger had already agreed to trade each stalk of Spiritual Medicine for fifteen thousand top-grade Spirit Stones. I have a total of more than three hundred stalks of Spiritual Medicine here. Please, King, consider giving me a light discount.”

Li Xiaobai flicked his wrist and threw out a Space Ring.

Ouyang Di caught the ring and quickly glanced inside. His complexion became flush with excitement, and he started breathing rapidly. The more than three hundred stalks of Spiritual Medicine within the ring were all treasures. Even if he were to use them, they would have some effect. If the younger generation of Zhenyuan Country were to consume them, their cultivation level would definitely skyrocket.

He handed the ring to a woman behind the curtain. The curtain trembled slightly, and the woman also fell silent. Such Spiritual Medicine was not expensive at fifteen thousand top-grade Spirit Stones each.

“What do you think? Do these Spiritual Medicines meet your approval?” asked Li Xiaobai.

“Someone, pour wine for the young master!” Ouyang Di called for the attendants.

“Giggle, pour some wine for this sovereign as well!” Ji Wuqing cried out from the side.

“Young Master Li, the Spiritual Medicine is indeed a fine thing. However, fifteen thousand top-grade Spirit Stones is truly a bit pricey, and given such a large quantity, shouldn’t there be some discount?” the woman from behind the curtain said softly.

“The price of fifteen thousand top-grade Spirit Stones per stalk was sworn upon by your little princess with her Daoist heart. If the price drops, aren’t you afraid that your little princess will stagnate from now on?” said Li Xiaobai.

“It’s all right. This matter is of great importance to Zhenyuan Country. My little girl has been sensible since she was young; I believe she understands what to choose and what to sacrifice,” said Ouyang Di.

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Shuanger was filled with shock, staring disbelievingly at the man upon the throne. Was this the same man who had flown kites with her as a child, who had patiently explained the texts of the Confucian Path to her?

She had never felt that her father could be so unfamiliar, to use a woman as a sacrifice for the benefit of Zhenyuan Country.

“Cough cough, may I say something? If Zhenyuan Country can’t afford the price, Fire Qilin Cave can. Since the oath is to be broken anyway, you might as well sell the Spiritual Medicine to me. I assure you, not a single Spirit Stone will be missing,” Elder Yun Yan interjected, having sensed a large amount of the fire element within the Space Ring, which also tempted Fire Qilin Cave.

“Hold on, Young Master. You came here to trade with Zhenyuan Country, and that is a trust in us. After the death of the Confucian Path’s greatest sage, Zhenyuan Country will not betray that trust. We will follow the price set by Shuanger, fifteen thousand top-grade Spirit Stones per stalk, not one less!” said the woman quickly from behind the curtain, with Fire Qilin Cave’s depth and power far exceeding that of Zhenyuan Country, if they were to reach a deal, she would have nowhere to cry. There was no sense in greedily seizing a small advantage now only to lose such precious resources.

“Yes, after all, my daughter has made a vow with her Daoist heart, and I implore Elder Yun Yan to understand the predicament of us as parents,” Ouyang Di added, smiling broadly.

“Fine, then I will not covet what others love,” Yun Yan nodded, glancing at Li Xiaobai, the meaning clear: Young Master, do you see I’m doing right?

Li Xiaobai gave a slight nod in approval, as the old man was sensible and even knew to speak for him. Very cooperative. This time, he would spare them from being sent to clean the latrines of the Holy Demon Sect.

Seeing Li Xiaobai’s approving look, Yun Yan and Yunkun both sighed in relief, it seemed that this crisis had passed for today.

“The King of Zhenyuan Country cherishes his daughter and spares no expense, that too could become an admirable tale.”

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Li Xiaobai nodded and smiled, “Now is the time for business, and businessmen do not indulge in sentimentality,” he said. The Ouyang Di couple embodied this principle quite perfectly.

Off to the side, Ouyang Shuanger’s heart was thoroughly chilled. The hypocrisy of her own parents made her extremely uncomfortable. They were no longer the couple she knew; they were more like demonic beasts wearing human skins. Every word and action of theirs sent chills down her spine.

“Hahaha, Young Master Li is indeed a frank person. Here are four million five hundred thousand high-grade Spirit Stones for your perusal,” he said.

Ouyang Di put away the Spiritual Medicine, a strange glint flashing across his eyes. An attendant stepped forward, holding up a tray and presenting the Space Ring to Li Xiaobai.

Li Xiaobai suppressed the excitement in his heart, counted the Spirit Stones, and couldn’t help but breathe a bit more heavily.

A full four million five hundred thousand high-grade Spirit Stones! And this was just the price offered by one family in Zhenyuan Country. According to his plan, the price he could fetch for the other resources he had left would only be higher, not lower than this number!

“Now that the transaction is complete, bring forth the people detained in the Celestial Prison, including Situ Yanyu. Let Young Master Li take them away!” Ouyang Di quietly ordered an attendant standing by his side, a glimmer of coldness in his eyes. With the experts from Fire Qilin Cave here, he did not dare to act rashly. He just needed to wait for Elder Yun Yan to leave, and then Li Xiaobai would be nothing more than a fish on their chopping block.

A mere junior, no matter how monstrously talented, could not withstand the onslaught of a Transcendence Tribulation Stage powerhouse.

Daring to act wildly within Zhenyuan Country, even with the backing of Elder Tianwu, what would it matter? Once the body was destroyed and all traces eliminated, no one would know what had transpired within Zhenyuan Country. The Fire Qilin Cave was unlikely to be loose-lipped about it either.

“Elder Yun Yan, what about the marital affairs of those two families?” a woman asked from behind the curtain.

“Miss Shuanger is exceptionally talented; our Fire Qilin Cave is unworthy of her. It would be better to select another princess to marry into our disciple’s family,” replied Elder Yun Yan indifferently, his gaze, however, constantly strayed toward Li Xiaobai.

He had to accomplish the task given by Fire Qilin Cave, and since Ouyang Shuanger and Li Xiaobai were acquainted, she absolutely could not be harmed.

“That would be very good. May I know which princess has caught Elder Yun Yan’s eye?” Ouyang Di said with a smile, fearing nothing more than the failure of this political marriage. Opportunities to bond with the Fire Qilin Cave were rare, and he had to seize this one.

“The Eldest Princess Ouyang Yue’er is quite appealing to me,” Yun Yan said with a chuckle. “She is beautiful and intelligent, understands strategy, and is quite capable of managing household affairs. I believe she would make an excellent wife for my disciple.”

Yun Yan laughed. He had clearly noticed earlier how the Eldest Princess had been giving Li Xiaobai a hard time. Sending her to the Fire Qilin Cave would also be a way of taking revenge on Li Xiaobai’s behalf.

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Yue’er, who was kneeling on the ground, turned deathly pale. As soon as Yun Yan spoke, she knew she could not escape.

“That would be excellent. My eldest daughter is quite capable, and I hope Elder Yun Yan will take good care of her in the future,” Ouyang Di said, nodding. All that mattered to him was marrying off his daughter; he did not care to whom.

“Father, Yue’er is the princess guarding the country, in charge of affairs both within and outside the Imperial City. If she were to leave, it might lead to chaos. Please reconsider, Father!” Ouyang Yue’er said with a trembling voice.

“Sister, don’t worry. After you marry over there, as your sister, I will take good care of all the affairs of Zhenyuan Country on your behalf,” Ouyang Shuanger reassured her.