C16 Mr Pao Was Asking for Milk

The Dragon Monarch's face shifted between light and shadow, betraying his unease. Eventually, he spoke up, "Five groups!"

Immortal Sword Jiulong's eyes bulged with disbelief. "Have you no shame? You're demanding five groups of pills for a few elite monsters? I'd be better off not killing them or just having a fight to the death with you lot. One group, that's it. Push for more, and you'll get half. Any more backtalk, and we'll settle this with a fight. We've got the medicine; we're not afraid of wearing you down!"

The Dragon Monarch narrowed his eyes, realizing Jiulong was dead serious.

"Hold on, this isn't what we agreed on," Wang Yipao interjected, raising his hand to signal his dissent.

"Bro, you don't have a grudge against Dragon Gate, do you? Must you cling so desperately? Let's all step back, pursue peaceful development. Can't we embrace the vastness of the sea and the expanse of the sky?" Immortal Sword Jiulong's frustration flared up once again.

Wang Yipao's antics left everyone feeling exasperated.

Can't you stop stirring up trouble?

Do you really want a fight that badly?

"Little sis, take care of him, will you?"

"How am I supposed to do that?"

"With your mouth!"

In a swift motion, Immortal Sword Jiulong found himself kicked away by his own sister, landing face-first like a dog eating dirt.

Sis, can't you cut me some slack?

Can't you use that servant trick to intimidate him again?

And why the blush? Are you entertaining some inappropriate thoughts?

"Ugh! Men, they're all pigs!" Immortal Sword Shui Jing's face flushed crimson, clearly her mind had wandered off course.

"Siscon," someone from Dragon Gate snarked.

Immortal Sword Jiulong felt like he was choking on his own blood. Is this your idea of a brother's love?

I demand an apology from brothers all around the world!

Despite the whirlwind of thoughts in his head, Immortal Sword Jiulong stood up solemnly. "Folks of Dragon Gate, one group of pills is the limit. Anything more, and you'll lose your edge in the Secret Realm, especially with that trash from the shop. One of these pills can restore 30% of my health. For my sister, with her low blood sugar, it's up to 40%. Having a group of these at hand could save your team multiple times when it really counts."

The Dragon Monarch fell into a contemplative silence, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of the situation at hand.

Wang Yipao, on the other hand, had a different point of view.

"I object!" he declared.

"Bro, can you please show some grace and not stir up more trouble?" pleaded Immortal Sword Jiulong, on the verge of tears.

Just when I had nearly convinced the Dragon Gate, why do you have to keep stirring the pot?

Are you aiming to be the troublemaker-in-chief?

Is that your thing, Yipao—causing chaos?

"What chaos? You don't even know the first thing about haggling. Why offer twenty pills when five would suffice? Do you think these pills grow on trees?" Wang Yipao said with disdain.

Immortal Sword Jiulong was speechless.

I wish I could!

But we're dealing with the Dragon Monarch here, the legitimate leader of the Dragon Gate!

He's not without wits!

He's not so easily fooled!

Big brother, I implore you, spare us the formalities and have mercy on our two teams.

Can't we handle this with a bit more decorum?

"Fine, one set," the Dragon Monarch finally interjected.

"Virtual contract."

"Agreed."

Both parties moved swiftly, settling the matter in a mere five minutes.

And then, in the blink of an eye, the Dragon Gate quintet vanished from Immortal Sword's sight, as if fleeing.

They were clearly worried about Immortal Sword having second thoughts.

"Brother, what about the eight sets you promised?"

"I think four sets will do."

"What!? Brother, that's not fair! What about the eight sets we agreed on?" Immortal Sword Jiulong's face fell.

You promised eight sets and now you're giving only four?

That's outright coercion!

Wang Yipao wagged his finger. "No, no, no. The Dragon Gate's hasty departure was all thanks to my assistance. Didn't you notice how they started to panic at the thought of me causing a scene? Do you really think they would have let that little twerp, the Dragon Monarch, leave so quickly if not for treating that set of pills like a precious commodity?"

Damn it!

So you were intentionally causing trouble and now you're owning up to it?

Immortal Sword Jiulong was on the verge of a meltdown.

You've nearly given me a heart attack. If Dragon Gate and Immortal Sword end up at war, will you take responsibility?

Can you actually handle the consequences?

Immortal Sword Jiulong slapped his forehead, utterly at a loss for words with this guy.

The epitome of a troublemaker!

And to think he's doing it deliberately?

If I had another chance from the heavens, I would definitely not partner with you. But then again, I have no choice but to collaborate with you. Who else is an alchemist? Who else is in dire need of a motherly alchemist like you right now?

Immortal Sword Jiulong, feeling drained, prepared to negotiate once more.

But in the blink of an eye,

"Su, group eight," Immortal Sword Shui Jing stated coolly.

Before anyone could react,

Wang Yipao swiftly produced eight sets of pills, presenting them with both hands, "Certainly, Eldest Miss."

The three bystanders were nearly turned to stone.

Dude, weren't you acting all tough a second ago? How did you become such a pushover so quickly?

"Su, group eight?"

Someone dared to echo those words.

"Go to hell!" Wang Yipao sent the man flying with a kick.

The man was internally wounded—not what they had agreed upon.

Wasn't Su supposed to suppress everything?

Then, the five of them shifted their attention to the sandman.

After a fierce skirmish,

Surprisingly, they found some decent quality gear.

But no cultivation techniques.

"Condolences, brother," Immortal Sword Jiulong consoled, patting Wang Yipao on the shoulder.

"Bro, he's taken all the gear, and you're telling him to mourn? Are you sure it's not us who should be grieving?" Immortal Sword Shui Jing scoffed.

The four of us together couldn't outmatch Wang Yipao alone. Even if we were holding back, this is a bit much, isn't it?

Immortal Sword Jiulong shuddered, suddenly feeling anxious.

If Wang Yipao pulled this stunt with the Foundation Building Pill, would I have to buy it from him?

"No worries. Knowing that your Immortal Sword's arsenal has some techniques, I've got a few tricks up my sleeve."

"Yipao, you've got an eye for quality. When do you plan on joining my Immortal Sword?"

"No, my plan is to use these pills at just the right moment to corner you guys. I'm curious to see if a few sets of these pills could coax you into willingly handing over your cultivation techniques."

The Immortal Sword quartet: ...

So you're planning to hold these pills over our heads as leverage?

Despite their reluctance, the Immortal Sword group had to admit that this tactic was indeed effective.

Especially if a Foundation Building Pill were to be dangled in front of them, inciting a scramble.

The four of them facepalmed. Seriously? This guy is too clever, isn't he?

No, this is beyond cunning.

Actually, it's not just cunning.

This guy is utterly ruthless!

"Brother Yipao, if you don't mind me asking, how many sets of healing pills do you have on you?" Immortal Sword Jiulong's voice quivered.

Not from fear, but from sheer frustration.

He hadn't anticipated that this guy would play his cards so close to the chest!

But would Wang Yipao ever reveal his hand?

So,

"Take a wild guess?"

Guess your aunt's name!

Immortal Sword Jiulong nearly choked on his rage.

This is outrageous!

What kind of person lacks humanity to this extent? Not only do you keep secrets, but you also expect me to guess?

If I could read your mind, would I have agreed to a contract for a mere five sets of pills?

I'd demand a hundred sets, believe it or not!

"Just a hint, at least." Immortal Sword Jiulong was at his wits' end.

Wang Yipao observed Immortal Sword Jiulong's desperate demeanor, pondered for a moment, and finally said, "More than all four of you put together."

In that moment, all but Immortal Sword Shui Jing were on the verge of falling to their knees and crying out, "Mr. Pao, we beg for your mercy!"