"Haha, Brother Duan, you see, by saving you, I've not only offended the Four Villains but also the Western Xia Kingdom. And helping your entire family is also helping all of Dali. Shouldn't you offer some repayment?" Li Daoqiang patted Duan Yu's shoulder, speaking calmly and matter-of-factly with a smile.
Duan Yu was stunned, staring blankly at Li Daoqiang. In all his years, he had never encountered such a situation. A life-saving favor should indeed be repaid. But this... this was too blatantly demanding repayment for a favor! Fond of reading and Buddhist teachings, with a kind and upright nature, Duan Yu couldn't think of any harsh words. He could only flush red, unable to say anything.
Duan Yanqing and the others were also taken aback. Only Blood Saber Ancestor let out a silent laugh, his smile carrying a hint of "just as I expected." After a moment of hesitation, suppressing his discomfort, Duan Yu said earnestly, "Brother, I will surely repay your life-saving grace."
"Good, Brother Duan is indeed straightforward. Then I won't stand on ceremony and will speak directly." Li Daoqiang slapped Duan Yu's shoulder heartily. Duan Yu was startled again—was this directly demanding the reward he wanted? Feeling even more awkward but helpless, he furrowed his brow and nodded, nervously saying, "Brother, please speak."
"Well, how about this—Brother Duan and I seem fated. I'll ask for a bit less: two million taels of silver. How about that?" Li Daoqiang said seriously.
"Two million taels of silver!" Duan Yu's eyes widened, holding up two fingers. The others were also shocked.
"Yes, though two million taels is a bit low, since I take a liking to you, Brother Duan, I'll settle for less." Li Daoqiang said with a straight face.
"No, no." Duan Yu grew anxious, shaking his head repeatedly and waving his hands, frowning. "Brother, no, two million taels is too much, too much."
Li Daoqiang laughed twice, cutting him off. "I can tell you don't manage household affairs, Brother Duan. Don't worry. The Dali royal family—a mere two million taels is nothing. A drop in the bucket. You don't understand, so I won't explain further. I'll discuss it directly with your father and uncle."
"Brother, Dali is a small, weak nation. We truly can't produce two million taels of silver," Duan Yu said urgently.
"Brother Duan, don't you trust me? Rest assured. You're still young, and there's much you don't understand. Leave it to me." Li Daoqiang patted Duan Yu's shoulder, speaking earnestly.
Duan Yu shook his head repeatedly, growing angry, and steeled himself. "Then I don't want you to save me."
"See, see, acting like a child. Don't you know life is precious and only comes once? How immature." Li Daoqiang's tone carried a hint of helplessness. He turned to Blood Saber Ancestor. "Blood Saber, take my Brother Duan to the Dali capital and tell his family that in ten days, I, the stronghold master, will come to collect the money."
"Yes." Blood Saber Ancestor chuckled and stepped toward Duan Yu.
Duan Yu panicked, realizing this man was no good person, nor truly intent on saving him—this was coercion. He backed away, shouting, "No, no, I don't want your rescue."
Li Daoqiang remained expressionless. Blood Saber Ancestor understood, quickly stepped forward, grabbed Duan Yu, and headed toward the Dali capital. Duan Yu's cries continued, fading until they vanished.
Li Daoqiang watched them disappear, then turned his gaze to Duan Yanqing and the others. They all looked at him with strange expressions, having watched silently from start to finish. A thought formed in their minds: Li Daoqiang of Black Dragon Stronghold was indeed greedy. Doing something like this—unheard of. A renowned master of the world, yet... obsessed with wealth.
When Li Daoqiang looked at them, Ye Erniang, Yun Zhonghe, and the pained Yue Laosan all lowered their eyes, not daring to meet his gaze. Duan Yanqing was silent for a moment before speaking in a low, hoarse voice. "Stronghold Master Li extorting the Duan family like this—they won't easily give in." Regardless, he bore the Duan surname, and two million taels belonged to Dali, so he was displeased.
"Heh, that's unreasonable. I saved Duan Yu's life, doing Dali a great favor. How is that extortion? You should know, I always trade money for people. Releasing him first shows my sincerity," Li Daoqiang said calmly with a smile.
Duan Yanqing had no desire to argue further. Outmatched in strength, he would retreat. "We've offended you today. We'll take our leave."
"Don't rush. I have another deal to discuss with you, Mr. Duan," Li Daoqiang said lightly.
Duan Yanqing's heart tightened with extreme vigilance. Li Daoqiang was clearly up to no good. But judging by his demeanor, this was another forced deal he couldn't refuse. After a pause, he said, "Stronghold Master Li, please speak."
Li Daoqiang's expression didn't change as he smiled. "That night twenty years ago, outside Tianlong Temple, under the Bodhi tree—Mr. Duan, you haven't forgotten, have you?"
"You... how do you know?" Duan Yanqing trembled all over, staring at Li Daoqiang in disbelief. A flicker of hope and shock spread across his face. Ye Erniang and the others looked at Duan Yanqing in surprise, never having seen him react so strongly.
"What do you know?" Duan Yanqing, throwing caution to the wind, stepped forward and fixed his gaze on Li Daoqiang.
Li Daoqiang remained unfazed, his smile deepening slightly. "Don't rush. How about this—let's meet here again in thirteen days to discuss it. I guarantee, Mr. Duan, you'll be satisfied with this deal." With that, he turned and left.
Duan Yanqing, unwilling to let go, raised his crutch slightly but didn't act. His already disfigured face twisted, looking even more ferocious. Gritting his teeth, he watched Li Daoqiang's figure vanish.
"Hmph." With a murderous snort, Duan Yanqing headed in another direction. "Take care of Third. Let's go."
"Yes."
On the other side, walking leisurely toward the Dali capital, Li Daoqiang pondered his next moves. The entire chain of plans had begun. How much he could gain depended on the specifics of execution. The Duan family, Duan Yanqing, Ye Erniang—link after link. He was sure to reap plenty. No rush, take it slow, one by one.
He glanced at the over forty-one million robbery points in the Great Robber System and sighed softly. Still a long way to go—keep working hard.
For now, Li Daoqiang did nothing more, only secretly following Blood Saber Ancestor to ensure Duan Yu was safely returned to the Dali capital. Over three days later, Blood Saber Ancestor, fearless, brought Duan Yu to the Zhennan Prince's Mansion—the residence of Duan Yu's father, Duan Zhengchun.
"The young prince is back! The young prince is back!" Cheers erupted in the mansion. Blood Saber Ancestor grinned, untying Duan Yu's acupoints, which he had just sealed.
Once freed, Duan Yu shouted angrily, "I didn't want you to save me!"
"Prince Duan, don't be ungrateful. Our stronghold master saved you first and asks for money later out of respect for the Duan family of Dali," Blood Saber Ancestor said with a laugh, unafraid even in the heart of Dali, here to extort money.
"You!" Duan Yu pointed at Blood Saber Ancestor, furious.
"Yu'er, don't be rude." Suddenly, a steady voice rang out. Two figures led a dozen people out of the mansion. Duan Yu turned, his face brightening with joy, then shame for causing trouble by running away. He bowed dejectedly. "Uncle, Father."
"Yu'er, are you alright?" the man in the yellow dragon robe asked with concern.
"Uncle, I'm fine, but..." Duan Yu trailed off.
"Good, don't worry. Leave it to your uncle and father," the robed man said with a fond smile.
"I'll deal with you later," the other middle-aged man said sternly.
Duan Yu shrank his neck, not daring to speak.
Blood Saber Ancestor narrowed his eyes, watching them. He wasn't surprised that Dali's king, Duan Zhengming, was there. If the Duan family hadn't known he was bringing Duan Yu to the capital, they wouldn't be fit to rule Dali. He'd noticed someone tailing him the whole way, likely recognizing him and, out of respect for Black Dragon Stronghold and the fact he hadn't harmed Duan Yu, refrained from attacking. Duan Zhengming waiting here wasn't odd, given Black Dragon Stronghold's involvement.
"Are you Blood Saber of Black Dragon Stronghold?" Duan Zhengchun, handsome in dark blue, spoke formally, looking at Blood Saber Ancestor. Duan Zhengming remained silent, watching.
Blood Saber Ancestor nodded with a smile. "That's me."
"Regardless, thank you for returning my son Duan Yu. Duan Zhengchun will reward you handsomely," Duan Zhengchun said seriously, following martial world customs.
"Prince Zhennan, no need for thanks. I'm just following orders to bring the young prince home and deliver two messages," Blood Saber Ancestor said confidently, backed by Li Daoqiang.
"Father!" Duan Yu couldn't hold back, his face anxious and indignant.
Duan Zhengming and Duan Zhengchun stopped him, exchanging a glance, growing more solemn. So it involved Li Daoqiang himself.
"Please speak," Duan Zhengchun said politely.
"Here's the thing: the young prince was captured by the Four Villains of Western Xia's First Class Hall. Our stronghold master happened by, saved him, and sent me to bring him back. In doing so, he offended the Four Villains and Western Xia. So, he's asking for two million taels of silver as thanks. In seven days, the stronghold master will come to collect it himself," Blood Saber Ancestor stated simply.
Before he finished, Duan Zhengming and his brother were already frowning.
(Chapter 2.)