Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Despite having braced himself, Star Monarch Qinghe was still stunned by the price Zhu Xuanhao quoted.

"Three Ancient Scriptures... I can let that slide. No problem there."

"But the Five Elements Star Marrow and the Sun and Moon Profound Juice... even I only received a single portion from the Star Palace the year I became a Perfected Lord."

"And he’s actually demanding three portions of each?"

"What kind of joke is this... Hmm?"

Star Monarch Qinghe was in the middle of cursing, but his expression suddenly changed. He looked at the deceptively well-behaved Zhu Xuanhao, and his face grew somber.

"Hao’Er..."

"I’m here, Master," Zhu Xuanhao said, hurrying forward.

"Tell me the truth." Star Monarch Qinghe placed a hand on Zhu Xuanhao’s shoulder and said softly, "Are you getting a kickback from this?"

"Absolutely not!"

Zhu Xuanhao rushed to swear an oath to the heavens. "How could I be that kind of person? By the Star Lord above, if I, Zhu Xuanhao, am getting a kickback, may I suffer a terrible death!"

Star Monarch Qinghe naturally scoffed at such words. After all, they were both Perfected Lords who had always defied the principles of Heaven and Earth and did as they pleased. A mere oath? Who would take that seriously? Who would believe it? In the end, it all came down to strength. Power was the only real truth.

But a moment later, an idea struck him.

"...Fine. I believe you."

"However, you know my situation. I certainly don’t have these Rare Treasures on hand... How about this: I’ll contact the Zhu Xuan Clan for you."

The Zhu Xuan Clan, one of the four great clans of the Star Palace.

For generations, they have controlled the Supreme Star Map of the Cyan Dragon Star Constellation. Within that entire constellation, five of the seven Star Monarchs are disciples from the Zhu Xuan Clan.

To him, the Five Elements Star Marrow and the Sun and Moon Profound Juice were "priceless treasures," but to the Zhu Xuan Clan, they were merely "extremely valuable"—items they could produce if they grit their teeth... At this thought, Star Monarch Qinghe immediately channeled his spiritual perception, casting it toward a distant star system.

........

「Cyan Dragon Star Constellation, Zhu Xuan Clan.」

This great clan was enormous. They had hollowed out an entire star, one comparable in size to an Outer Realm, to serve as their ancestral home. The clan’s population was counted in the hundreds of millions.

At this moment, inside the main hall of the Zhu Xuan Clan.

On the highest seat, a solemn-faced, middle-aged man suddenly sensed something. With a single thought, the image of Star Monarch Qinghe appeared before his mind’s eye.

"To what do I owe this sudden visit?" the middle-aged man asked with a frown.

"Qinghe greets the Patriarch."

Star Monarch Qinghe didn’t hide anything and directly explained the situation.

"...So, to summarize, the other party is asking for eight portions of Five Elements Star Marrow, eight drops of Sun and Moon Profound Juice, and eight Superior Ancient Techniques. I am truly unable to meet such a demand."

The Patriarch of the Zhu Xuan Clan was stunned. He stared at Star Monarch Qinghe and sneered inwardly. ’So, he’s being extorted by that Immortal Core Demon and wants to skim a little off my end? Hmph... Fine. At the end of the day, this is for Hao’Er’s opportunity. I suppose I can indulge him a little.’

With that thought, he spoke.

"I can’t give you eight of each. I’ll cut it all in half: four portions of Five Elements Star Marrow, four drops of Sun and Moon Profound Juice, and four Superior Ancient Techniques. Consider the extra your reward."

"That... very well."

Star Monarch Qinghe put on a troubled expression, then finally grit his teeth. "I’ll try to make up the difference on my end. That should be enough."

’Lies! Keep telling your lies!’

The Patriarch of the Zhu Xuan Clan was utterly dismissive. Based on his experience, the other party would ask for three portions at most. Giving four was already generous.

That was why he had said what he did. The extra portion was the reward. After all, Qinghe was a Star Monarch. Though his cultivation was still only at the Early Stage, no one could predict the future. If this portion of Five Elements Star Marrow and Sun and Moon Profound Juice helped him break through to the Mid-phase, it would be a good outcome.

......

"It’s done!"

Opening his eyes, Star Monarch Qinghe had a smile on his face as he looked at Zhu Xuanhao. "Don’t worry, I’ve secured the items for you!"

With that, he took out the items.

Zhu Xuanhao looked over, his heart filled with excitement, only to see a single portion of Five Elements Star Marrow and a single drop of Sun and Moon Profound Juice. The hope in his eyes instantly faded.

"This... Master, it’s not enough."

’Not enough?’

At these words, Star Monarch Qinghe sneered inwardly. His gaze toward Zhu Xuanhao silently turned hostile.

’Lies! Keep telling your lies!’

’Do you really think I got where I am today by relying on my Perfected Lord of a father? What kind of tricks is this little brat trying to play on me? Demanding three portions of such treasures?’

’When the Immortal Core Demon names a price, he always pushes it to the absolute limit. You’re just a measly Early Stage Star Monarch. How could the Immortal Core Demon possibly ask for an exorbitant price from you? One portion would be the absolute most he’d ask for, never three! It’s an eighty-percent chance this kid is just greedy and trying to get a damn kickback from me!’

At this thought, Star Monarch Qinghe simply threw up his hands.

"Hao’Er, my hands are tied. I really don’t have any more. Just take these and go talk to the other party. If it doesn’t work out, we’ll figure something else out."

Zhu Xuanhao: "..."

’This old bastard... just how many portions did he get from the Zhu Xuan Clan? Don’t tell me he used my name to fool the Patriarch and took my kickback for himself!’

At this thought, he suddenly let out a sigh.

"I knew it. You still don’t trust me, Master... Since it’s come to this, why don’t you come inside with me and talk to them yourself?"

"Oh? With you?"

At these words, Star Monarch Qinghe’s eyes narrowed, and he sized up Zhu Xuanhao. ’This kid... he’s not planning to lure me into a trap and kill me, is he?’

After all, if he went to the Human World, he would have to rely on Zhu Xuanhao using the power of the Cyan Dragon Star Constellation to conceal his Golden Core Position. The moment Zhu Xuanhao removed that concealment, the laws of the Human World would instantly tear him to shreds. It was a perfect, traceless way to kill someone; any subsequent investigation would be futile.

But soon, his brow smoothed over.

"Very well. But I will invite a friend to watch over this place."

"That way, if one of us has an... accident and doesn’t make it out, my friend can testify for us that there was no intentional foul play."

At these words, the color drained from Zhu Xuanhao’s face.

’The old bastard, he’s guarding against me?’

’What’s so wrong with getting you to cough up some riches? The path of cultivation is so difficult! If you don’t drop some loot, how am I supposed to cultivate properly? He has absolutely no spirit of sacrifice!’

’A pity. Now I can’t trap and kill him... No, I can’t just hand over the items. Worst case, I’ll change the plan. I’ll team up with the old bastard and see if we can kill that Immortal Core Demon. In any case, now that these things are in my hands, I’m absolutely not giving them up!’

Zhu Xuanhao grit his teeth in secret.

He had no choice. The Five Elements Star Marrow and the Sun and Moon Profound Juice were simply too precious. While the opportunity in the Human World might be greater, it wasn’t yet in his grasp.

Compared to that, what he already possessed was naturally more important.

For the sake of this, all sentimental attachments had to be decisively cast aside.

’Master and disciple? Friends? Dao Companions? All of them could be sold out!’

’This was the precious lesson the Star Lord had learned after reflecting on his own bitter defeat at the hands of the Immortal Core Demon. The struggles within the Star Palace had always been this ruthless!’