Chapter 9

Everything was silent, except for the sound of trickling water. It was not the river, which was calm… too calm. Instead, the sound came from the oak ‘table’. More specifically, Long Hao’s elegant art of tea making.

“No need for that.” Li Zhixing added hastily, “It’s not fitting of your stature.”

“At least you know that, but you still display your ignorance for all to see. It’s embarrassing, just as an unrelated observer. It would be twice as embarrassing should I be seen with you in my retinue." The man visibly shuddered at the notion. "For now, you are the guest, and I am the host. Since no servant is here, I will perform the rightful duties myself. Even if the guest in question is less than spectacular.”

For all that talk, his attitude was clearly not that of a well-meaning host. Surprising. He should be decently used to masking his intentions, since as the heir Long Hao should be deeply involved in politics. The man probably did not find it worthwhile to mask his disdain.

In a similar vein, Li Zhixing had responded with nothing but a dumb smile. It was not worth the effort to do anything else.

The heir clicked his tongue. “Stop being stupid and smile at abuse. It’s unsightly. Do it to somebody else, not me. As for me, get your act together and stand straight. And don’t forget to call me properly.”

The apple did not fall far from the tree, after all. Well, that was assuming Long Hao and Long Yonglin were closely related, an assumption based on the latter’s comments about some lucky mother.

Hesitantly, Li Zhixing said, “So, Young Master Long? The Heir? Lord Long?”

“The last one. However, everyone here is a Long if you failed to notice. Anyone of significance, that is.”

“Noted, Lord Hao.”

He tutted in acknowledgement, before continuing with his tea brewing. Or was it tea pouring? Either way, the procedures had a hint of complexity, with specific gestures and the addition of some… dried leaves. He had no clue. Zhixing was a very casual beverage enjoyer. In that one time he had tea served in a specialized spot, he never bothered looking at the process.

He supposed he should try to get to know his current partner. The last thing he wanted was to get hunted down once things were over – not even by a direct order but just by some sycophant trying to please Long Hao. Li Zhixing asked, “Lord Hao, you are an amazing artist. Do you mind me asking who you’ve been carving?”

“A better person than you will ever hope to be. And no, I do mind. Also, have you forgotten what I just said? I know you’re not the brightest, but it should not be so difficult to not be a dirty flatterer, right?” He sighed and pushed over the cup of warm tea. “Have this. I am not asking.”

Li Zhixing took a sip. It was good, crazy good. The flavour did not stem from his taste buds, though they were present. Instead, it came from his spiritual senses, with the tea sending sparks over his Qi vessels, revitalizing his mind and body. He felt as if he was in one of those coke commercials, only this time it was actually real.

He gulped everything in one fell swoop and started shuddering uncontrollably.

His companion raised an eyebrow. “Don’t get addicted. It’s pretty expensive stuff. And next time, try not to down it all at once. It’s wasteful, and more fitting of an uncivilized brute.”

The life of a barbarian seemed increasingly appealing by the day.

Long Hao took a long, excruciatingly slow sip. He then opened his eyes, his expression turning serious. “Enough small talk. Let’s get things going.”

“Yes, Lord Hao. About-”

“Before anything else, let’s make things clear. I do not like this, any of it. However, the fucker is too much of a coward to face me. He has no sense of pride, no honour in his pitiful life.”

Eh. While it was true that Long Hao extended a formal challenge, Long Tian did not avoid it due to fear. Far from it. The protagonist just saw little reason to accept the challenge, since he had better things to do. It was worth nothing that he did not know of his heritage yet. Thus, the only information he had to go off of was Long Hao’s admittedly respectable reputation, but it was not enough to convince him.

Maybe a good reward would have been enticing enough for Long Tian to accept the challenge, but that was never on the table. Long Hao was likely to proud to have considered such, especially after having his ego bruised.

As for the honour and pride Long Hao spoke of, those were never concerns for Long Tian. The latter had seen how much honour was worth in his turbulent life, and how fickle and worthless reputation was in this world. Moreover, the protagonist knew his worth and knew what his honour constituted. To him, refusing such a challenge was no blemish on his honour.

It was a respectable attitude, yet it also had some dire consequences.

In any case, Long Hao seemed to be persuading himself, rather than anyone else. Thus, Li Zhixing kept his silence.

“Don’t forget your place. You and that woman only have three functions. First, be the bait. That is half done, but don’t get cold feet. You cannot, anyway. Second, provide information on his escape methods. We cannot have the brat running away. That’s the only sort of information I care about, alright.” Then, with some difficulty, the young lord said, “Third, you are to be the guarantee of my life. I don’t intend to kill the brute, but the same cannot be said of him. That’s all.”

“It all makes sense.” It did not. Everything was too vague, and Li Zhixing needed to provide some input. “However, there are a few things I need to add. The most important is regarding the link between me and the hostage.”

“What of it?” He grudgingly said, “And be concise”

“This ties in with both your first and third points, so I think it’s worth being careful. Long Chen got his hands on an artefact that breaks ties like ours. I don’t think I need to explain how that would be detrimental.”

He blinked. With sincere surprise, Long Hao asked, “Poor as you both are, how did he get his hands on such?”

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“From an ancient tomb. I don’t see how that would be relevant, though.”

Just another snide comment most likely. It was getting tiring, having to listen to the constant blabbering of this “young master”.

Long Hao was unimpressed, and it showed. “Try not to express your stupidity so often. Of course, it’s relevant. If it belonged to some long-dead cultivator, then there’s nothing to worry about. Unlike cultivation techniques, cultivation tools and formations are relatively less stagnant, allowing for greater innovation. One example of that is the slave bond you currently use.”

“So… is there an actual solution?”

“I’m getting there. Once we are over, come to the treasury. You can strengthen the bond directly, but there’s probably not enough time. Just ask for an anti-interference amulet, specifically something tailored for countering older techniques. The expensive kind, just to be safe.” With narrowed eyes, he then said, “I don’t know what black magic you used to convince Elder Lin, but he has allocated us additional resources. I thought it would be unnecessary, but here we are.”

“That’s remarkably convenient. Send him my gratitude.”

“Do that yourself. Also, I am being a bit too harsh. You are from a lower realm, probably a backwater among backwaters. Even those of lesser means in the Middle Realm have little access to such knowledge, so it’s little wonder you utilize outdated information. Nothing a bit of tough love and proper education cannot fix, but that’s for later. So, anything else? Otherwise, let's get to my part and we'll be done.”

He seemed really intent on ending this conversation. Understandable. Li Zhixing would have to disappoint him, however. “Let’s discuss a bit about the arrangements of the hostage.”

“You mean the cage? We got those in droves. Gladiator games and exotic animal hunting are fairly popular pastimes around these parts, so no need to worry. They are made of tough material. They also reduce cultivation inside, if your rural mind was wondering.”

“I was not wondering about that. I think it’d be best for you to hold the key to the cage. You are much more capable than me, fully capable of holding your own.” Long Hao was rolling his eyes. He continued regardless. “But more importantly, holding it gives Long Chen actual incentives to fight with you.”

“He would have to do so regardless.”

“One-on-one. A proper duel on your terms.”

“That... does sound good. It fits my Path, too. Did you know that when creating this little plan? Don’t answer, it does not matter. I would have come up with something else to a similar effect, but it’s good not having to think. So, I commend your efforts.”

“Thank you, Lord Hao.” The plan should have been Long Hao's, so no wonder he would accept it so readily. “Now-”

“Let me stop you there. You’ve made your proposals, now it’s my turn. Answer the question I posed.”

“His escape methods?” He thought for a bit, mostly about the timeline. “I don’t think a normal barrier would suffice. He had escaped those numerous times already.”

“I know that. What is his tool, though.”

“It’s his footwear. Something he picked up in-”

“Yet another dead man’s hoard? Some inheritance?”

“Yes. It’s good you are picking things up.”

“So basically, you are telling me to chop his legs off?”

“I mean, it’s a valid solution, but that’s easier said than done. In a perfect world, we could just use the hostage to force-”

“No. I am not letting that happen. Things are already shameful as they are."

He stared. Li Zhixing hoped this type of dog headed attitude was not too common. He was going to lose his fucking mind.

Long Hao added, "It’s not going to be fatal, either way. No need to get so serious.”

Li Zhixing was speechless. Genuinely. After all, Bai Ruxue was violated, Li Zhixing had turned traitor and would eventually die, and a noticeable number of background characters had died or would die. Yet, the man had the gall to see it as nothing too serious.

He suppressed his urges. It was a matter of perspectives. That sounded hollow even in his ears. It just was not worth getting worked up over.

“Also, if that worked you would not come to me, would you?”

“That is true. Long Chen will help his comrades, but only to a point. He has the confidence to stroll into a trap or a hostage situation. However, the moment his life is under serious threat he will bolt.”

“Makes it all the more important to stop him from running.”

“Didn’t you say that it would not be fatal? I don’t know why you are so preoccupied with that.”

“Think a bit. The last thing I’d want is for him to simply whisk the hostage, maybe even you, away with little trouble. It also does not reflect well on me if he goes away at his leisure. And the last point… well you don’t need to know that.”

He guessed it had something to do with the succession issue. Also, Long Hao still did not know about Long Tian’s identity, which in all fairness was not too important. The former was still a threat to the latter.

Regarding escaping, Li Zhixing knew a way to prevent Long Hao from using his magic shoes. However, there was no reason for him to tell Long Hao about that. The protagonist needed to go away, preferably after defeating the current heir.

Speaking of which, he said, “Let’s return to the last thing I feel requires discussion. Also, please take this calmly, Lord Hao.”

“If you have to preface your speech with that, maybe it’s not a good idea to continue running your mouth.”

“But it is vital. I intend to tell you about Long Chen’s way of fighting and cultivation techniques.”

Long Hao just stared at him. No words, not even a sneer or a huff. Nothing.

It was in that emptiness that he started sweating. There was no sound. Instead, a growing sense of dread permeated the area, making his body shiver and his teeth chatter. He tried closing his mouth and clenching his teeth, to no avail.

Accompanying that dread was a simple feeling: the feeling of wounded pride and disgraced honour. It was sharp, like the fangs of an enraged, recoiling dragon. It was closing in, its jaws hanging around his soft, tender neck.

For a brief second, Li Zhixing thought he would die.

All of it subsided, and Zhixinglet out a sigh of relief he had been unwittingly holding in.

A cold voice greeted his relief. “You would be dead had it not been for the contract. But, go on. Let’s see the sort of insanity you brew up inside the shithole that is your mind.”

“Thank you for the favour. As I said, I want to tell you how he fights and the basics of his Path. It’s not that I see him as better than you, that clearly is not the case. However, it’s always good to be prepared. What happens if he pulls out some weird technique and gains an undeserved victory? Worse still, what if that leads directly to your death? Such a thankless, pointless death is unbefitting of a man of your talent.”

“So, you still think he can kill me.”

“...yes.”

“Good,” he said with a bright smile, his crimson eyes gazing coldly at Zhixing. “Very good. I’ll remember this… opinion of yours.”

He swallowed nervously - he could not help it. He said, aiming and failing to sound more confident, “So do you agree to my proposal? After all, it will contribute to one of your points, right?”

For a second, Zhixing assumed he would be turned down. Maybe even slapped in the face, being sent sprawling to the ground, ass staring at the skies.

That did not happen.

Long Hao muttered, barely at talking volume. “I contribute more alive than dead. That is what matters."

“What?”

“Nothing. But sure, go ahead.”

And so, he did. Li Zhixing revealed what he promised to reveal, while also adding some hidden instruments to Long Tian’s repertoire. Nothing crucial, so to ensure Long Hao’s defeat. However, these should prolong the fight and make the protagonist highly fatigued, if not injured.

All in all, a pretty productive evening in his mind.

Everything was going perfectly.