Chapter 189 - 121: A Shakedown?
Here for a handout?
The gate guards exchanged glances, but something felt off.
Jiang Ran seemed polite enough, but his tone was laced with a casual indifference.
As if he had no regard for Qianliu Manor whatsoever.
Still, they refrained from outright hostility, and one of them said with a smile:
"I see. Our Manor Lord has always held the heroes of the martial world in high esteem.
"Might I ask your names? And how much silver are you requesting?"
Jiang Ran smiled.
"We are but fellow travelers in the martial world; names are hardly necessary.
"As for the silver… hmm, not much. We'll just ask Manor Lord Qi for a million taels of silver. That should be about right."
As he spoke, he glanced at Ye Jingshuang.
"What do you think?"
After all, everything taken had belonged to the Ye family. As for its exact value, Jiang Ran was just pulling a number out of thin air.
Ye Jingshuang thought for a moment, only to realize she had no real concept of it either.
She was born into the Ye family, accustomed to a life of luxury since childhood. Even at the Liuyun Sword Sect, her master had never treated her poorly in the slightest.
When it came to money, she really had no concept of its value.
Unlike Jiang Ran, who had known hardship and rarely spent frivolously, even when he had a fortune to his name.
Stumped by Jiang Ran's question, she could only say:
"I will leave it entirely up to Brother Jiang."
"Alright, then it's settled."
Jiang Ran glanced back at the group of Qianliu Manor disciples, who were struck dumb by the three words "a million taels," and said with a smile,
"This is a serious matter. I doubt you have the authority to decide.
"So why don't you have Manor Lord Qi come out? We'll discuss it with him in detail."
"How dare you!!!"
At this point, how could the men from Qianliu Manor not realize that Jiang Ran and his companions were here to cause trouble?
They erupted in fury:
"You must be blind! How dare you act so brazenly at Qianliu Manor!
"Men! Beat them to death!"
The call was answered immediately. With a great RUMBLE, the manor gates swung open, and a mob of Qianliu Manor disciples, brandishing weapons, charged out with ferocious shouts, ready to attack.
Shi Miao's gaze sharpened. With a HUM, though he remained rooted to the spot, a biting aura billowed through his white robes. Mixed with fragments of Sword Intent, it surged forth in an instant.
The Qianliu Manor disciples who had intended to club Jiang Ran's group away suddenly felt a profound sense of danger, as if a longsword were hanging directly above each of their heads.
One more step forward, and they would be cut down where they stood.
The feeling was so intense that their faces paled involuntarily.
They all froze, not daring to take another step.
The guards at the gate saw this, their faces a mixture of shock and uncertainty.
Before they could speak, Jiang Ran stepped forward and announced in a clear, resonant voice:
"I am Jiang Ran. I have long heard that Manor Lord Qi is a man of immense generosity and chivalry.
"I find myself in this area with my travel funds depleted. Thus, I intend to request one million taels of silver from Qianliu Manor to cover my expenses. I hope Manor Lord Qi will oblige!
"Otherwise, Qianliu Manor will be wiped from the face of the martial world. Don't say I didn't warn you!"
Although Jiang Ran was not versed in sonic techniques like Thousand-Mile Sound Transmission or the Lion's Roar,
he was still perfectly capable of projecting his voice with Inner Strength.
His Inner Energy was profound, almost unbelievably so. As he spoke, pebbles on the ground trembled and rolled, roof tiles rattled, and even the distant river rippled.
Those nearby found the sound incredibly loud; their eardrums throbbed and they struggled to stay on their feet.
Those farther away were also aghast, wondering what kind of person had arrived at their gates.
Only a moment after Jiang Ran's voice faded, several figures came flying out of the manor.
The man in the lead was dressed in an imposing, dignified manner, his gaze deep and serene.
Beside him stood a man in cyan robes, his features cold and severe.
He carried a sword on his back, and his gaze held a faint, deathly aura as he looked at Jiang Ran and the others.
As if he wasn't even looking at living people.
Four other men stood behind them—presumably the Four Great Masters of Qianliu Manor that Ye Jingshuang had mentioned.
Just then, Qi Cheng's gaze landed on Ye Jingshuang.
He was taken aback:
"Young Miss?"
"I wouldn't dare."
Ye Jingshuang shook her head slightly.
"Manor Lord Qi, I am wholly unworthy of those two words, 'Young Miss.'
"I have come today primarily to ask you, Manor Lord Qi, to return the items you took from my Red Maple Manor.
"If you find the items too numerous or cumbersome to return… Jingshuang would also accept their value in silver."
Qi Cheng's expression darkened.
He had heard Jiang Ran's voice from within the manor and knew at once that the arrivals were not to be trifled with.
'That level of Inner Energy is profound, terrifying even.
'To demand a million taels right from the start is simply absurd.
'I just assumed it was some passing master or an old enemy here to cause trouble.
'Coincidentally, I was meeting with a master today, so I wasn't afraid of someone showing up to make an enemy of me.'
That was why he had led his men out to meet them.
He never expected that the first person he'd see would be Ye Jingshuang.
'Isn't she supposed to be dead?'
As the thought crossed his mind, Qi Cheng's expression suddenly changed.
'If Ye Jingshuang is alive, it makes no sense for her to come here instead of returning to Red Maple Manor.
'And she knows that I'm the one who emptied Red Maple Manor…'
He quickly asked,
"Young Miss, have you seen my son, Qi Kai?"
"I have."
Ye Jingshuang nodded.
"And now… how is he?"
Qi Cheng asked cautiously.
Ye Jingshuang fell silent for a moment. After considering Qi Kai's current state, she finally said,
"He has become one with Red Maple Manor."
"..."
'What in the world does that even mean?'
Qi Cheng froze. He was about to ask for clarification when he heard Jiang Ran say with a laugh,
"Don't bother with all these questions, Manor Lord Qi. You still haven't answered me.