Chapter 141: Greed and Ingratitude

Serene Heart Teahouse.

Inside an exceptionally elegant room, two figures sat quietly opposite each other.

The interior decoration was refined and antique, exuding a profound classical charm.

Carved wooden screens, exquisite calligraphy, paintings, and aged tables and chairs—every single detail radiated the timeless grace of bygone eras.

Amidst this antique ambiance, the shadows of the two men cast by the soft, dim light appeared hazy and somewhat mysterious.

Nearby, a small brazier held brightly burning charcoal that emitted a gentle, warming glow.

Atop it rested a uniquely shaped, archaic black iron kettle.

The charcoal burned a vivid red, and thin wisps of steam curled from the spout of the kettle.

The rising steam added a cozy and comforting warmth to the entire room.

A neat set of delicate tea utensils rested upon the immaculate table, and the rich fragrance of tea permeated the air.

The meandering aroma drifted like light smoke, gently weaving its way into the nostrils and instantly soothing the mind, as if all worldly troubles could gradually dissolve within the scent of the tea.

The two occupants of the room turned out to be none other than Shi Wanli, the Sect Master of the Blazing Fire Sect, and Yuan Yang from the Yuan Family Manor.

Both wore solemn expressions, and the moment their gazes met, invisible sparks seemed to collide in the air, rendering the atmosphere particularly heavy.

Logically speaking, the fierce battle at the summit of Dushan Mountain had concluded many days ago.

They should have long since returned to their respective abodes, yet unexpectedly, they remained in Huaxi City and had gathered together.

This unusual action could not help but arouse intense curiosity: what kind of plans were they harboring?

Shi Wanli slowly raised his teacup and took a light sip.

With his eyes half-closed, he gently sipped the fragrant tea, savoring it carefully.

A shrewd glint flashed through his narrow eyes before he slowly asked after a moment:

"Days have passed, so Brother Yuan's injuries should be mostly healed by now, right?"

Shi Wanli's tone sounded filled with concern, yet it actually harbored hidden depths, making it difficult to fathom his true intentions.

Yuan Yang smiled faintly:

"They are basically recovered!"

His smile carried a measure of heartfelt gratitude.

"Thank you for your concern, Sect Master Shi!"

Yuan Yang cupped his fists slightly in a respectful and courteous gesture, expressing his profound appreciation.

Once he finished speaking, Yuan Yang immediately followed up with a question:

"Since Sect Master Shi did not return to Mangshan Mountain, waited until my condition recovered, and invited me here, you must have some important matters to discuss, correct?"

Yuan Yang's gaze was as sharp as a sword, cutting straight to the point without wishing to waste time on trivial pleasantries.

Shi Wanli chuckled, reaching out to stroke his sparse beard as he said:

"I imagine Brother Yuan has already guessed a portion of my thoughts!"

Shi Wanli's smile carried a trace of slyness, making him as unfathomable as an old fox.

Yuan Yang narrowed his eyes slightly, stretched out a finger, dipped it into the residual tea on the table, and traced the outline of a sharp sword upon the surface.

Then, fixing a resolute gaze upon Shi Wanli, he asked:

"Am I right?"

A hint of unquestionable certainty flickered in Yuan Yang's eyes.

Shi Wanli nodded without hesitation:

"An honest person speaks no deceit! I am indeed very tempted by that sword!"

A fiery, blazing flame of greed instantly ignited within Shi Wanli's gaze, burning hot and eager.

"To be able to directly slice through the sword in Sha Polang's hand—that is undoubtedly a rare and peerless treasure!"

Shi Wanli's voice was filled with yearning and excitement, as if he had already grasped the precious sword within his own palm.

"Naturally, as a family renowned for weapon crafting, you should be even more tempted!"

Shi Wanli looked at Yuan Yang with an eager gaze, urgently trying to find a response in his expression.

Yuan Yang narrowed his eyes, remaining silent for several long seconds, contemplating something, before slowly speaking:

"What are your thoughts?"

Yuan Yang's tone was steady and powerful, his expression solemn and grave, making it difficult to probe his true inner thoughts.

Shi Wanli gave a harsh, grating laugh:

"Brother Yuan is asking the obvious!"

Shi Wanli's laughter was sharp and grating, sending a subtle chill creeping up one's spine.

"Since I have invited you here, it is naturally to join forces with you to kill someone and seize their treasure!"

A fierce glint flashed across Shi Wanli's eyes, his unmasked ambition seeming ready to devour everything in its path.

Shi Wanli was, by nature, an insatiably greedy person.

Otherwise, he would not have been so easily persuaded to come forth by Liu Zhenhua.

This time, for the sake of that mysterious and alluring precious sword, he decided to take a desperate risk regardless of the consequences.

Yet this time was different.

The moment he saw Li Chao produce that sharp sword, Shi Wanli's gaze had been tightly captivated, never able to wander away even slightly.

Shi Wanli's expression instantly turned fanatical, as if struck by a powerful immobilization spell, leaving him standing frozen in place.

As a seasoned cultivator of many years, he could keenly and clearly perceive the powerful, nearly suffocating sharpness emanating from the blade.

His heartbeat accelerated abruptly, the violent thumping seeming intent on bursting through his chest, while his breathing grew ragged as he gasped for large mouthfuls of air.

That radiance was so dazzlingly brilliant that it acted like a fatal poppy, causing him to become utterly consumed and hopelessly enthralled after merely a single glance.

Shi Wanli's face was plastered with infatuation, as though he had fallen into some ethereal, wondrous illusion, completely immersed in boundless fantasies regarding that sword.

Therefore, he had stayed behind. For he firmly believed that Yuan Yang must harbor the exact same thoughts.

Shi Wanli shifted his gaze to Yuan Yang, his eyes brimming with unquestionable certainty.

In truth, it was indeed so. He was tempted, and Yuan Yang was even more intensely moved.

Yuan Yang's eyes similarly flashed with an intensely yearning, burning brilliance.

After all, to someone obsessed with weapon crafting, a weapon worthy of being called supreme was a peerless treasure met with only once in a lifetime.

Yuan Yang's hands involuntarily clenched tightly into fists, the veins on the back of his hands bulging as he wrestled with a fierce internal struggle, as though two voices were incessantly arguing within his mind.

Only……

Yuan Yang's brow twitched slightly as he spoke once more:

"There is only one sword!"

A trace of thinly veiled worry laced Yuan Yang's voice.

"Even if we seize it, how shall we divide it?"

Yuan Yang stared intently at Shi Wanli, his gaze filled with doubt and inquiry, anxiously awaiting his response.

Shi Wanli had clearly made thorough preparations well in advance, speaking unhurriedly:

"If you do not want it, I will compensate you with vast sums of money and rare treasures."

Shi Wanli's tone was calm and unruffled, as though everything remained firmly within his meticulous control.

"If you do want it, the logic is the same! After all, the Yuan family has never lacked various fine weapons; we can simply select a few from your collection to exchange!"

A confident smile bloomed across Shi Wanli's face, as though victory was already safely within his grasp.

Yuan Yang pondered for a moment before slowly saying:

"His strength is not weak! Are you certain we can kill him?"

Yuan Yang's expression remained severe, still harboring numerous misgivings regarding Li Chao's strength.

Shi Wanli smiled and said:

"Actually, we missed a supreme opportunity back then!"

A hint of unconcealed regret surfaced on Shi Wanli's face.

"I pondered it carefully afterward: when Li Chao finally departed, his condition was clearly abnormal. He must have exhausted his strength!"

A shrewd glint flashed through Shi Wanli's eyes.

"It is a pity that he disguised it too well, allowing him to narrowly escape with his life!"

A trace of deep regret dyed Shi Wanli's tone.

"Therefore, the gap between us and him is actually not all that vast!"

Shi Wanli attempted to use every argument at his disposal to persuade Yuan Yang, firmly convincing him of the operation's potential success.

Pausing briefly, he continued:

"I have already instructed the disciples of my sect to hurry over as soon as possible!"

Shi Wanli raised his voice slightly, appearing confident and thoroughly assured.

"Coupled with some carefully laid plans and subtle methods, killing him will not be a difficult task!"

A fierce, ruthless light flashed in Shi Wanli's eyes, a glare that seemed ready to tear apart all obstacles in its path.

Yuan Yang fell silent for several minutes.

Lowering his head and furrowing his brow tightly, Yuan Yang sank into deep contemplation. The atmosphere within the room grew even more oppressive, as if a heavy boulder weighed upon everyone's chest.

After a moment, Yuan Yang slowly spoke:

"There is one more thing!"

Yuan Yang raised his head, fixing a resolute yet complex gaze upon Shi Wanli.

"Back at the mountain summit, he saved my life once!"

Yuan Yang's voice was low, carrying an indescribable, complex emotion.

During the fierce battle, Sha Polang had acted like a berserk beast, striking swiftly and fiercely, instantly injuring Yuan Yang.

Had it not been for Li Chao's quick reflexes in utilizing silver needles to rapidly seal the pressure points near his wounds and timely staunch the bleeding, he likely would not have survived long enough to reach a hospital.

Recalling that heart-stopping scene, a complex ripple stirred within Yuan Yang's heart, resembling a pebble tossed onto the surface of a calm lake.

Hearing these words, Shi Wanli narrowed his eyes slightly, his slits of eyes radiating a chilling frost while a cold, mocking sneer curled the corner of his mouth:

"Does Brother Yuan mean to say that you do not wish to take action?"

A distinct suspicion and a hidden threat permeated Shi Wanli's gaze, resembling a ferocious wolf preparing to pounce upon its prey.

Yuan Yang shook his head firmly:

"To be a human being, one must understand gratitude!"

Yuan Yang's expression was exceptionally stern, his grave demeanor conveying the unyielding firmness of his inner resolve, and his tone brooked no argument.

"Therefore…… once he is dead, I shall grant him a lavish burial!"

A resolute flash crossed Yuan Yang's eyes, though within that determination seemed to mingle a trace of helplessness and struggle.

Shi Wanli was startled at first, the brief shock causing his expression to freeze momentarily before he immediately burst into laughter:

"Very well!"

"His corpse shall be left to you!"

Shi Wanli's laughter was laden with mockery and disdain, sounding particularly grating within the silent room.

To Yuan Yang, the debt of a saved life paled far in comparison to the tangible allure of a precious sword.

"When do you plan to make your move then?"

Yuan Yang set down his teacup, his expression turning exceptionally earnest as he treated the matter with utmost gravity.

"Do you have a plan?"

Yuan Yang stared intently at Shi Wanli, his burning gaze seeming capable of piercing right through him as he awaited the answer.

Yuan Yang took another sip of tea and repeated his inquiry.

Shi Wanli chuckled slyly:

"Was I not simply waiting for Brother Yuan?"

A smug smile blossomed on Shi Wanli's face, as though everything rested entirely in the palm of his hand.

"I shall lay some preparations in advance so that the disciples of my sect can trap Li Chao!"

A treacherous, cunning light gleamed in Shi Wanli's eyes, sending a shiver down the spine.

"Then, with me assisting and you striking, killing him will undoubtedly be successful!"

Shi Wanli patted his chest, his confident demeanor making it seem as though he had already witnessed the dawn of victory.

Yuan Yang reached out to rub his chin, sinking into contemplation:

"Laying traps in advance is indeed a sound strategy."

Yuan Yang nodded slightly, acknowledging Shi Wanli's plan.

"But how can you ensure he will obediently walk right into it?"

Yuan Yang furrowed his brow, deep wrinkles etching worry across his face as he voiced his doubt.

Shi Wanli laughed:

"It is just like fishing!"

"You merely need to find a suitable piece of bait!"

Shi Wanli's smile grew even smugger, brimming with schemes and plots.

"I have been inquiring about Li Chao over the past couple of days and discovered that he has a relative in Huaxi City, who seems rather high-profile! Moreover, there is no one protecting her!"

Shi Wanli's tone was heavy with meticulous calculation, as if everything was already mapped out upon his chessboard.

"If we capture her, Li Chao will certainly come to her rescue!"

A fierce, cruel glint revealed itself in Shi Wanli's eyes, making him resemble a savage wolf.

Yuan Yang drained the remaining tea in his cup in one gulp, smiling as he spoke:

"If that is the case, then there will certainly be no problem!"

A smile surfaced on Yuan Yang's face as well, tinged with a hint of anticipation, as though he had already glimpsed the promise of success.

"Very well!"

"I await your news!"

Yuan Yang stood up, smoothed his garments, and prepared to depart.

The next morning.

Sunlight filtered through a thin veil of clouds, lazily spilling over the bustling alleys and streets of Huaxi City.

Within the city's largest shopping supermarket, crowds surged back and forth in a lively and bustling scene.

Liu Mei swayed her waist as she came into view.

Her face was caked with heavy makeup and thick layers of foundation that resembled a white mask, masking her original complexion.

Her heavy eye shadow resembled the deep, mysterious, and exaggerated expanse of the night sky.

Her lips were stained a bright, vivid crimson resembling fresh blood, striking and dazzling.

In her hands, she carried shopping bags bearing various luxury brands, the logos glittering dazzlingly under the lighting.

Numerous gold and silver ornaments hung upon her person—necklaces, bracelets, earrings—each piece sparkling brilliantly and clinking together with crisp chimes, presenting the absolute portrait of a wealthy tycoon's pampered wife.

She strode forward with her head held high, taking huge steps as if the very floor beneath her feet trembled at her momentum, her jewelry jingling endlessly.

Behind her, several senior executives of the mall followed carefully, escorting her the entire way.

Respectful yet cautious expressions hung on their faces, terrified of committing the slightest lapse in etiquette.

Only after escorting Liu Mei into the elevator and watching the doors slide slowly shut did they finally heave collective sighs of relief.

"Does this woman have to be so insufferable? Back outside, she'd just be a standard country bumpkin, yet now she struts around like a big shot!"

An executive couldn't help but complain, his face contorted in utter disgust.

His expression resembled one who had just witnessed something utterly repulsive; his brows were knit tightly together and the corners of his mouth turned downward.

"Keep it down! If anyone hears you, we'll be in deep trouble!"

His companion quickly clamped a hand over his mouth, casting nervous glances all around. His eyes widened in sheer terror, and beads of fine sweat even oozed across his forehead.

"Indeed! You have to respect the dog to respect its owner! Vulgar as she is, this woman is the second aunt of Chairman Li! Even our group's chairman has to handle her with care; who dares cross her?"

Another executive shook his head helplessly and sighed.

His face was painted with helplessness and bitterness, akin to swallowing an intensely bitter pill.

Everyone shook their heads, their faces heavy with frustration and bitterness, their features seemingly warped by the crushing weight of reality.

There was no help for it; people lived their lives wearing masks.

Some matters and certain individuals, no matter how grating to the eyes, still demanded a smiling welcome.

This helpless sigh reverberated through the air, laden with a sense of resignation and compromise toward reality, chilling and desolate like the wind of late autumn.

Inside the elevator, Liu Mei was smiling exceptionally brightly.

Her smile resembled a blooming flower, uninhibited and exuberant.

Ever since Tang Tianjiang had told her just how formidable Li Chao was in Huaxi City, it was as if the doors to a brand new world had swung wide open for her.

A sparkling brilliance danced in Liu Mei's eyes, burning hot and greedy.

It was as though she saw countless realms of wealth and luxury beckoning to her—heaps of gold and silver treasures, alongside extravagant cars and sprawling mansions.

Such dreamlike scenes continuously unfurled within her mind.

Places she had previously dared not frequent were now strolled into with a bold and swaggering gait.

Then, she would drop Chairman Li's name.

"I am his second aunt!"

Let's see if you dare not tremble!

Liu Mei's voice was shrill and grating, brimming with arrogance and dominance.

The sound echoed through the air, piercing enough to cause one's eardrums to ache.

At first, some people remained skeptical, but after making inquiries, they discovered it was indeed the absolute truth.

Liu Mei's vanity was immensely satisfied.

Very well!

Then she would be treated accordingly.

Not only did she enjoy food and drink gratis, but certain magnates, eager to curry favor, even actively slipped her pocket money upon her departure, solely begging her to put in a few kind words before Li Chao.

Liu Mei turned none of them away, greedily pocketing every single benefit offered.

Her hands kept reaching out continuously while her eyes shone with greedy splendor, as though her appetite could never be satiated.

It left Liu Mei utterly ecstatic!

She grinned from ear to ear, her smile stretching so wide it nearly reached her temples, as if she resided in paradise, enveloped by endless bliss and satisfaction.

Her days recently had truly resembled the lives of immortals.

The elevator doors slid slowly open.

Upon arriving at the basement level, she glanced left and right anxiously and impatiently, discovering that the chauffeur who should have been waiting early on was nowhere to be seen. Instantly, fury flared within her.

Liu Mei's expression darkened precipitously in an instant, the meticulously painted makeup appearing somewhat distorted due to her rising anger.

Her brows knitted tightly together like two tangled black caterpillars, her eyes blazed with raging fury, and curses tumbled from her lips as she strode rapidly toward the BMW car given to her by a wealthy boss just yesterday:

"What kind of useless driver is this!"

Liu Mei railed curses aloud, her voice shrill and harsh like a sharp blade slicing through the air.

"Not an ounce of common sense!"

As she walked, she violently swung the shopping bags in her hands, sending them thrashing about in a fit of exasperated rage.

"I'll have you fired by the end of the day!"

Liu Mei gnashed her teeth as she spoke, her expression making it seem as though she had already envisioned the driver being swept out the door and resolved never to show mercy.

"By then, I'll switch to a six-foot-tall young hunk and rejuvenate my youth!"

A lovestruck smile surfaced on Liu Mei's face, filled with unrealistic fantasies. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she daydreamed about wondrous scenarios.

Imagining the sensation of being protected by a muscular, handsome bodyguard made even her aging face flush with a trace of rosy warmth.

An intoxicated expression bloomed on her face, making it seem as though she had become thoroughly lost within her illusory dreams, floating entirely away on clouds of fancy.

Right at that moment, two figures clad in black approached from the opposite direction.

Both men walked with steady, powerful strides, each step carrying an unquestionable firmness.

Their expressions were icy cold, the frigid glares seeming capable of freezing the surrounding air and sending an involuntary shudder through anyone who witnessed them.

The pathway was exceedingly spacious—wide enough to allow several vehicles to pass abreast—yet one of the men deliberately veered directly into Liu Mei's path and collided with her.

The impact arrived with startling abruptness, utterly unannounced, leaving Liu Mei completely unprepared. The shopping bags flew instantly from her hands, scattering their contents all over the ground.

Clothes, cosmetics, and jewelry lay strewn about in a chaotic mess.

Liu Mei was already in a foul mood to begin with; this incident sent her rage soaring to the heavens. Extending a finger, she pointed right at one of the men and began to scold:

"Are you blind?!"

Liu Mei's eyes widened so far they seemed ready to pop from their sockets, fingers nearly poking the other man's face, stopping just a mere centimeter shy of touching his skin.

"Such a wide path, and you still manage to run right into me?"

Her voice scaled up an octave, piercing enough to shatter eardrums. Every ounce of fury mapped itself onto her features, the distorted expression looking particularly ferocious.

"Do you know how much these clothes cost? If you soiled them, even selling yourself wouldn't cover the damages!"

Liu Mei stood with hands planted on her hips, leaning forward aggressively like an enraged lioness.

She was just hitting her stride, the unbroken stream of curses spewing forth like bullets from a machine gun, when she quickly noticed something amiss.

Liu Mei's voice tapered off gradually like a deflating balloon, a prickle of unease taking root in her heart.

The two men neither retreated nor retorted; instead, they swiftly flanked her on the left and right, trapping her directly in the middle.

Their movements were swift and decisive, instantly stripping Liu Mei of any mobility as if she had been pinned by an immobilization spell.

Their gazes remained bone-chillingly cold, devoid of the slightest trace of warmth, like chunks of ice in the dead of winter.

Panic seized Liu Mei instantly.

Her complexion drained of all color, turning as pale as paper while her body began to tremble beyond her control.

Her lips quivered as she cried out:

"What do you want?!"

Fear laced Liu Mei's voice clearly, the trembling tones serving as the outward manifestation of her inner terror while panic filled her eyes.

"Do you know who I am? I am the second aunt of Huaxi City's Chairman Li Chao!"

Liu Mei attempted to use Li Chao's reputation to intimidate them; though her voice remained loud, her backing was transparently feeble.

"My status is noble!"

Liu Mei forced herself to maintain composure, attempting to puff out her chest, yet the trembling in her voice ruthlessly exposed her extreme inner terror.

"If you dare try anything reckless, I'll make sure you pay dearly!"

Liu Mei blustered threats from a position of weakness, yet those trembling tones rendered the threats utterly hollow and powerless.

Hearing her words, the two men not only failed to show fear, but instead exchanged a glance, their smiles brimming with mockery and disdain.

One of the men formed his fingers into a blade shape and brought it down without an ounce of hesitation upon the back of Liu Mei's neck.

The movement was crisp, clean, and decisive, devoid of hesitation or pity, completely merciless.

"You—"

Liu Mei's eyes rolled upward, her sentence unfinished as pitch-black darkness swallowed her vision and she collapsed unconscious.

Her body slumped limply downward, resembling a boneless pile of rotting flesh.

The two men hoisted her with rough efficiency, hewing her straight into a nearby van before driving off at high speed.

The van sped away rapidly, its tires spinning furiously and leaving behind a billowing cloud of dust that hung heavy in the air.

Farther away, a man sat slumped in a dark corner with his eyes tightly closed.

It was Liu Mei's driver.