"Uncle, Father, they insisted on saving me," Duan Yu said, unable to hide his grievance. He had never considered the possibility of denying the debt after being rescued. The principle of repaying kindness was deeply ingrained in him. He would rather die than have Li Daoqiang forcibly save him and then demand two million taels of silver from Dali.
Upon hearing Duan Yu's words, Duan Zhengming and Duan Zhengchun knew that Blood Saber Old Ancestor had spoken the truth. Duan Yu had indeed been captured by the Four Villains and then saved by Li Daoqiang. Duan Zhengming patted Duan Yu's arm to comfort him. Then he turned to Blood Saber Old Ancestor and personally said, "Chief Li saved Yu'er, and I am deeply grateful. The Duan family of Dali will surely offer a generous reward. However, two million taels of silver is truly too much. Dali is a small and weak nation; we simply cannot afford it. Could Chief Li perhaps show some leniency?"
As the ruler of a nation, speaking these words and acknowledging the debt clearly demonstrated sincerity. Blood Saber Old Ancestor smiled innocently and replied, "Your Majesty, I cannot make that decision. The Chief will arrive in seven days. You’ll have to discuss it with him directly."
The other party was both a monarch and a grandmaster-level expert. He had to maintain a degree of respect. With that, he clasped his fists and said, "The person has been delivered, and the message has been passed. I take my leave." He turned and left without any hesitation.
Duan Zhengming and Duan Zhengchun did not say more. When it came to Li Daoqiang, a mere Blood Saber Old Ancestor could hardly make a difference.
"Brother, Li Daoqiang’s visit bodes ill," Duan Zhengchun said gravely. Duan Zhengming pondered for a moment and then said solemnly, "This is no small matter. Li Daoqiang is beyond our ability to handle. We must go to Tianlong Temple immediately and also inform our elder brother." Duan Zhengchun nodded. Li Daoqiang’s strength was unfathomable, far beyond that of an ordinary top-tier expert. They could not afford to be careless.
"Yu'er, come with us. Tell your uncle every detail of what happened," Duan Zhengming said to Duan Yu. "Yes, yes."
Meanwhile, Li Daoqiang, whom Duan Zhengming and the others were wary of, was right in the capital of Dali. With his perception fully extended, he walked through the streets as if he were invisible. For someone with his level of mental strength, this was not difficult—he could make people subconsciously overlook him. What he was doing now was purely for safety, just in case.
On the surface, the strongest person in Dali was the former king of Dali. That was Duan Zhengming and Duan Zhengchun’s elder brother, one of the Five Greats once famed alongside Wang Chongyang, Ouyang Feng, Hong Qigong, and Huang Yaoshi—the monk Yideng. A renowned top-tier expert of the world. Then there was the famous Master Kurong of Tianlong Temple. But true major powers never forgot one figure: Duan Siping, the founding emperor of Dali, a true peerless expert. Over a hundred years had passed, and his name was rarely heard in the world. Li Daoqiang, intending to extort the Duan family, naturally did not forget Duan Siping. Although Duan Siping was a figure from over a century ago, long absent from the world, with a funeral and tomb, in this world, it was not unusual for a peerless expert to live for one or two hundred years. Li Daoqiang would not be careless.
Releasing Duan Yu before collecting the money was largely due to his wariness that the old monster might still be alive. After scanning the entire Dali capital with his perception, he headed toward Tianlong Temple. To sense more clearly, he circled the temple as closely as possible. In the end, he found nothing.
Could he really be dead? Or was he away? Li Daoqiang mused but still did not let his guard down. Not sensing a peerless expert’s presence did not mean they didn’t exist, nor did it mean the Duan family was easy to provoke. For one thing, Tianlong Temple alone housed eight grandmaster-level experts. Adding the grandmasters in the Dali capital and palace, plus Yideng, whose whereabouts were unknown, the Duan family of Dali possessed over a dozen grandmaster experts. They were truly worthy of ruling a nation, with deep reserves of strength.
It wasn’t just their personal power. As a nation and a renowned major force in the world, Dali maintained good relations with the righteous factions of the martial world. It was the royal family most deeply connected to the martial arts community. Its influence was unimaginable. Even summoning a gathering of righteous forces would be no problem. Even a peerless expert would think twice before clashing with the Duan family. Li Daoqiang was no different.
Without the strength to dominate the righteous path or sufficient profit, he would not easily engage in a life-or-death struggle with a major power like the Duan family of Dali. This was one of the key reasons he had genuinely saved Duan Yu, released him first, and then demanded payment. That way, even if the Duan family resented him, it would not escalate to an irreconcilable conflict. Having a justifiable reason had that effect.
Having found no trace of Duan Siping, Li Daoqiang did not linger. He headed to the Black Dragon Stronghold’s outpost. There were still seven days until the agreed time; there was no rush. He needed to give them time to discuss and gather the money. Two million taels of silver was not unbearable for Dali, but it was certainly no small sum. After all, though it was a nation, a nation had even more expenses. Especially for a family like the Duan family, where the true authority did not lie solely with the monarch Duan Zhengming. To come up with two million taels, he would need to consult many people.
Seven days passed in a flash. That morning, Li Daoqiang, accompanied by Blood Saber Old Ancestor, arrived at the Zhennan Prince’s Mansion. Before they reached it, dozens of figures emerged from the mansion, led by three people. One was Duan Zhengming in his dragon robe. One was Duan Zhengchun in his prince’s robe. And the third was a kind-faced, elderly monk, tall and thin, exuding a gentle aura that immediately inspired goodwill.
"Chief Li graces Dali with your presence. I, Duan Zhengming, apologize for not welcoming you properly," Duan Zhengming said, clasping his fists with a polite smile as he saw Li Daoqiang and Blood Saber Old Ancestor approaching. He did not put on airs as a monarch but greeted them in the manner of the martial world.
"You’re too kind, King Duan. I’m the one who came uninvited. I hope the Duan family won’t take offense," Li Daoqiang replied with a friendly smile. His gaze finally settled on the elderly monk. The aura of a top-tier expert—this must be Yideng.
"Amitabha, I am Yideng. Greetings, Benefactor Li," the monk said gently.
"I’ve long heard of Master Yideng’s reputation. Meeting you today, it’s clear you live up to it," Li Daoqiang replied politely.
"Benefactor Li flatters me. You are the one who inspires awe," Yideng said, gazing deeply at Li Daoqiang with genuine admiration. Duan Zhengming and Duan Zhengchun exchanged glances. They knew Yideng well. If he said that, it meant Li Daoqiang’s strength was beyond imagination, unfathomable. Their wariness deepened.
Duan Zhengchun then clasped his fists and said, "I am Duan Zhengchun. Thank you, Chief Li, for saving my son. Yu'er, come and thank Chief Li properly." Though displeased, Duan Yu stepped forward and bowed in thanks.
Li Daoqiang laughed heartily and said magnanimously, "No need for such formality. I happened to hit it off with Young Master Duan, and besides, isn’t there the two million taels of silver as thanks? So it’s only right. And I don’t mind admitting—even if it means offending Western Xia, for two million taels, I’d gladly do it."
Duan Zhengming and the others fell silent, at a loss for words. This Li Daoqiang had no sense of face at all. He directly mentioned the two million taels and even brought up offending Western Xia. Their plan to treat him courteously and subtly persuade him to reduce the amount was shattered instantly. This young man, who possessed such strength at a young age and should have been proud, was, at least when it came to money, exactly as the rumors said. He loved money as much as his life. He cared nothing for face.
Exchanging glances, Duan Zhengming spoke seriously, "Chief Li offended the Four Villains of Western Xia’s First Class Hall to save Yu'er. Rest assured, if Western Xia causes trouble for you over this, Dali will not stand idly by."
"Mm," Li Daoqiang replied with a smile, cutting straight to the point: "Dali is thoughtful, but how will you give me the two million taels?"
Duan Zhengming paused. Duan Zhengchun clasped his fists solemnly and said, "Chief Li, Dali is a small and weak nation. Two million taels is truly too much. Could you possibly reduce it? Dali would be deeply grateful."
This involved his son, so though his status was the lowest, he had to speak. At the same time, because his status was the lowest, if negotiations broke down, there was still room for compromise.
Li Daoqiang’s smile faded slightly, and he said flatly, "Then how much is the Duan family willing to offer?"
"Five hundred thousand taels," Duan Zhengchun said seriously.
Instantly, Li Daoqiang’s smile vanished completely. A faint chill rose. Coldly, he said, "Three of you, are you mocking me?"
Duan Zhengming and the others were speechless. His mood changed too quickly.
"Chief Li jokes. The Duan family would never do such a thing," Duan Zhengchun said gravely.
Li Daoqiang’s expression darkened, and he snorted indignantly, "Reducing two million taels to five hundred thousand—how is that not mockery? If I didn’t find Young Master Duan agreeable, the price would be even higher. And anyone who knows me knows I only act after the money is in hand. This time, out of respect for the Duan family, I saved Young Master Duan and even sent him home first. And this is how the Duan family repays me?"
Duan Zhengming and the others frowned but couldn’t argue. Though they all knew Li Daoqiang was essentially extorting them, he had indeed saved Duan Yu, the most likely heir to Dali’s throne. He had thwarted Western Xia’s possible scheme. And he had offended Western Xia’s First Class Hall in the process. So now that he was asking for more money, they couldn’t easily refuse.
The three exchanged glances. Yideng remained calm. Duan Zhengming pondered for a moment, then clasped his fists and said, "Chief Li, please forgive me. Two million taels can serve as thanks for saving Yu'er. However, the Duan family would like to witness your skills firsthand. I hope you won’t refuse to offer some guidance."
Out of options, Duan Zhengming resorted to the true method of the martial world. A duel of martial arts.
(Chapter 3, thank you for your support.) ······