In the void, a few ripples of distortion appeared.
"Haha, I've long admired your reputation." Li Daoqiang spoke first with a smile.
"Likewise." Bi Xuan nodded seriously.
In an instant, it was as if the earlier verbal clash had never happened.
The others weren't surprised either. At this level, even if there were conflicts, they wouldn't easily come to blows in such a gathering of formidable experts.
"Brother Li, this is Divine Marquis Zhuge of the Divine Marquis Manor." Wang Chongyang said solemnly.
"Chief Li." Zhuge Zhengwo clasped his fists and nodded, displaying the demeanor of a martial artist.
"Divine Marquis Zhuge, I've long admired your name." Li Daoqiang replied with a polite smile.
"Chief Li is the truly extraordinary one." Zhuge Zhengwo responded sincerely.
"Not at all, just luck." Li Daoqiang said humbly with a smile.
Then, looking at the group, he clasped his fists and said seriously, "I came here for personal matters. If I've interrupted anything, I hope you'll forgive me."
"Brother Li is too polite. Your arrival, allowing us to meet, is already a great joy." Si Hanfei immediately replied with a hearty and sincere smile.
There was no trace of arrogance, only warmth and approachability.
"Brother Si flatters me." Li Daoqiang said with a hint of embarrassment, equally warm and approachable.
"Brother Li, the few of us will inevitably have to fight. You can watch from the sidelines then." Suddenly, Wang Chongyang spoke, his direct words forcefully interrupting the harmonious scene between Li Daoqiang and Si Hanfei.
The atmosphere shifted sharply, growing tense.
Si Hanfei and the others looked coldly at Wang Chongyang.
Li Daoqiang also glanced at the now sharp-edged Wang Chongyang, finding it amusing.
Truly worthy of Wang Chongyang—this temper fit his image perfectly.
Stubborn as iron, upright as a rod, and with a foul temper to match.
He smiled as if nothing had happened. "I'll pass. I have matters to attend to and need to leave first."
As soon as he spoke, none of the six tried to stop him.
But their eyes flickered with subtle meanings.
"Brother Li, would you care to drink with me afterward?" Si Hanfei invited sincerely.
Instantly, the looks from Wang Chongyang and the other two grew even more pointed.
Wang Chongyang let out a cold snort without restraint, glaring at Si Hanfei but not at Li Daoqiang.
Li Daoqiang chuckled inwardly. At least Old Wang, despite his foul temper and stubborn nature, still had some social sense.
"Unfortunately, I have urgent matters to attend to next, so I won't have time to drink with you, Brother Si." Li Daoqiang said with regret.
Wang Chongyang and the others' expressions improved slightly. Si Hanfei's face remained unchanged, still wearing a hearty smile. "No matter. Whenever Brother Li has time, I'll be waiting."
"Haha, Brother Si, just say what's on your mind. Everyone knows I'm a straightforward man—just speak plainly." Li Daoqiang said boldly.
The others' gazes shifted subtly, and the atmosphere grew even more tense.
Si Hanfei felt a surge of joy, his expression turning serious. "Brother Li is straightforward, so it's my fault. I'll speak directly."
Li Daoqiang gestured for him to continue, seemingly ignoring Wang Chongyang's darkening face.
"Brother Li, the Great Yuan conquers all, rising like the sun. Your name shakes the world. The Great Khan has long wished to befriend you. Would you consider joining the Great Yuan?" Si Hanfei asked solemnly.
"Hmph, Si Hanfei, if you seek death, I can grant it." Wang Chongyang's eyes sharpened, a fierce sword intent surging toward Si Hanfei.
The sudden rupture startled everyone.
Li Daoqiang was no exception, glancing at Wang Chongyang in surprise.
This old man, despite his age, was still so rigid.
Of course, he understood that Wang Chongyang was warning Si Hanfei while indirectly cautioning him.
But the method was subtle, trying not to provoke him.
After a moment of shock, Si Hanfei sneered. "Let's set aside who lives or dies for now. I'm merely sincerely inviting Brother Li. Why such anger, True Man Wang?"
"Speaking nonsense before me—you deserve death." Wang Chongyang barked coldly.
Provoked repeatedly, Si Hanfei could barely hold back, but it wasn't the time. He forced himself to calm down and said icily, "If you want to fight, I'll oblige you later."
Then, turning to Li Daoqiang with a sincere look, he awaited an answer.
Wang Chongyang and the others exchanged glances, their expressions tinged with gravity. Wang Chongyang didn't interrupt further, simply watching.
The silence grew to an unbearable peak.
"Heh." Li Daoqiang chuckled, seemingly oblivious to the heavy stares, and said calmly, "Brother Si, and everyone else, you all know me. In my eyes, everything has its price. Nothing is off the table for discussion. Brother Si wants me to join the Great Yuan—it's not impossible. But what price can you offer?"
Wang Chongyang and the others' faces truly darkened, their brows furrowing as they looked at Li Daoqiang.
Si Hanfei, however, was overjoyed, and the Carefree King smiled as well.
"Hahaha, Brother Li, name your price! Speak freely." Si Hanfei's eyes gleamed with confidence.
Ignoring the cold stares from Wang Chongyang and the others, Li Daoqiang smiled. "In life, I love only silver and beauties."
"Silver—name your amount. Beauties—the entire Great Yuan is yours to choose from." Si Hanfei said without hesitation.
To win over a powerhouse like Li Daoqiang, silver and beauties meant nothing. He could speak for the entire Great Yuan without a second thought.
"Brother Si is decisive." Li Daoqiang's face lit up. After a pause, under Wang Chongyang and the others' increasingly cold gazes, he said seriously, "Brother Si must know that if I join the Great Yuan, I'll offend countless people. So the price must be higher. This much."
He held up his hand, five fingers clearly visible, and gave a little shake.
"Five hundred million taels!"
Si Hanfei frowned, his excitement cooling. That was a hefty sum—too much for him to decide on his own. He'd expected Li Daoqiang to ask for one or two hundred million, which he could have agreed to.
But five hundred million was roughly what the Yuan had gained from conquering northern Song.
Of course, that was a one-time haul of gold, silver, and treasures. Other gains were greater but required long-term development.
Given Li Daoqiang's strength and potential...
Recalling the two simple moves earlier, Si Hanfei steadied himself. He thought it was worth it.
He'd discuss it with his fourth brother and persuade the Great Khan.
Besides, five hundred million could be paid in other ways.
Just as he was thinking—
A serious voice rang out: "It's five billion taels."
Everyone, including Si Hanfei, who had been watching him with varied thoughts, froze.
"Cough." Si Hanfei couldn't help but cough lightly, frowning as he murmured, "Brother Li means five billion taels of silver?"
His tone carried uncertainty.
"Yes, five billion taels of silver." Li Daoqiang said matter-of-factly, as if it were a small number.
Inside, he was brimming with anticipation.
Five billion bandit points—no matter what, it would push his strength to the peak of this world.
Then he'd be invincible.
The Great Yuan could be mine too.
With that thought, his gaze turned expectantly toward Si Hanfei.
Si Hanfei's face twitched, his smile vanishing completely. The Carefree King's did too.
The others looked at Li Daoqiang with strange expressions.
Was Li Daoqiang mocking Si Hanfei?
But his greedy, expectant look didn't seem fake.
"Brother Li, are you mocking me?" Si Hanfei asked, his brow furrowed as he stared at Li Daoqiang.
Five billion taels—was that a joke?
"What would I gain from mocking you, Brother Si?" Li Daoqiang said, a little displeased, his tone serious.
Si Hanfei's eyelids twitched as frustration built.
Was Li Daoqiang insane? Daring to ask for five billion taels.
And he looked so serious about it, making it impossible for Si Hanfei to vent his anger.
The others felt the same. Li Daoqiang was genuinely serious about demanding five billion taels.
Did he think the Mongol Empire had infinite silver?
Still, Wang Chongyang and the others felt a bit relieved. With Li Daoqiang's outrageous demand—no, impossible demand—this deal couldn't go through.
Suppressing his frustration, Si Hanfei forced a smile. "Brother Li, the Great Yuan may roam the world, but five billion taels is utterly impossible. No one in the world has that much."
"Then how much can you offer?" Li Daoqiang frowned.
"Two hundred million taels, and you may choose any beauties from the Great Yuan." Si Hanfei said seriously.
"Brother Si, are you trying to brush me off like a beggar? Two hundred million—I may be poor, but I could earn that quickly. Why would I become a subject?" Li Daoqiang's face soured, his tone dismissive.
Si Hanfei's frustration surged.
The others felt the same.
Two hundred million was brushing off a beggar!
Even though they were all peerless experts, capable of shaking mountains and seas with a stomp, Li Daoqiang's dismissive attitude shook them.
Frustrating.
And the bigger issue was that Li Daoqiang had a point.
He'd just extorted 125 million taels from Zhu Yuyan. Whether he'd get it was uncertain, but it was likely.
Two hundred million—he could indeed earn, or rather, steal, quickly.
Suddenly, some of them felt a twinge of envy.
Too fast.
Their gazes grew odd.
But then, Wang Chongyang and the others felt a bit more at ease.
Li Daoqiang wasn't easy to satisfy. The harder he was to please, the better.
Si Hanfei took a deep breath, suppressing his frustration, and said gravely, "I misspoke."
Saying that only made him more frustrated, his eyes flickering.
"Brother Li, how about five hundred million? Beauties still yours to choose."
He gritted his teeth.
Li Daoqiang's strength was unfathomable. Five hundred million was a gamble worth taking, payable in other ways later.
(Chapter 1, thanks for your support.) ······