A voice full of confidence rang out in all directions. Shen Xingnan, Sun Lutang, and the others were fine, acting as if they hadn’t heard it. Wuqing, Zhu Xiawu, and the rest paid no mind either. The righteous sects and imperial authorities certainly wouldn’t trade, and they definitely didn’t have that much money—it was only natural. Only Geshu Tian, who had been openly mocked and belittled, felt a stifling frustration in his heart and couldn’t help but snort coldly. So what if you’re rich? On the surface, he let out a disdainful sneer, as if brushing off those words. But at that moment, no one was looking at him; all eyes, openly or covertly, were fixed on Zhu Yuyan and Li Daoqiang. Zhu Yuyan’s powerful confidence grew even stronger, radiating an air of dominance over the crowd. She lifted her chin slightly, smiled at Li Daoqiang, and said, “So, Chief Li, if you want wealth, you can only trade with me. Only my Yinyue Sect can come up with seventy million taels of silver.” Li Daoqiang’s expression remained unchanged, calm and composed. Inside, however, he felt a mix of envy and jealousy. Zhu Yuyan’s overbearing, money-flaunting aura was infuriatingly enviable. Money really was impressive. He hadn’t chosen the wrong target—this was truly a fat sheep. All his effort in talking with her hadn’t been wasted. Too bad this fat sheep was too disobedient, always thinking about not paying. He glanced sidelong at Geshu Tian and the others, a hint of disdain in his eyes. If you weren’t so broke, would I have only dealt with Zhu Yuyan just now? But just in case, he turned his gaze to them, a questioning look in his eyes. Wuqing, Shen Xingnan, and the others remained silent, unwilling to speak even if they had any thoughts. Geshu Tian’s lips twitched, but he kept his mouth shut. He really didn’t have that much money. Li Daoqiang withdrew his gaze with a faint trace of disdain. Zhu Yuyan’s smile grew even warmer as she took the initiative to say, “Chief, you and I are friends. I can swear that if you help me obtain the Heavenly Demon Qin, I will definitely give you seventy million taels of silver.” “Yin Empress, oh Yin Empress, the more you say that, the less I believe you.” Li Daoqiang spoke calmly, then paused, a smirk curling at the corner of his mouth. “Besides, you’ve overlooked one other party I could trade with.” Zhu Yuyan’s smile froze slightly, her brows rising. “Who? Could it be that hidden expert still in the shadows?” As she spoke, she instinctively scanned the surroundings, on guard. The many experts and martial artists present were also curious—who else present could come up with seventy million taels of silver? Li Daoqiang smiled without a word. Under the gaze of the crowd, his eyes settled on Huang Xuemei, who had been standing coldly aloof. Immediately, countless pairs of eyes followed his gaze, all filled with confusion. Huang Xuemei tightened her grip on the qin, glaring coldly at Li Daoqiang, even more wary. His gaze, in particular, stirred a vague unease in her. She wanted to say she didn’t have that much money, but fearing she might be misunderstanding, she held her tongue. She stood proudly, unmoved by the weight of so many stares. Li Daoqiang’s eyes showed a hint of admiration. She really was like a plum blossom standing tall in the snow. Resilient, aloof, and beautiful. “Chief, you don’t mean her, do you?” Zhu Yuyan spoke up. Though she said nothing explicit, her meaning was clear—impossible. Li Daoqiang didn’t look away, still fixed on Huang Xuemei, and said with a calm smile, “In my life, Li Daoqiang, I love two things above all. One is wealth, the other is beauty. Wealth goes without saying. As for beauty, the more outstanding the woman, the more I admire her. I’d gladly spend a fortune to treat her with sincerity.” His frank, unabashed declaration of greed for money and lust for beauty echoed across the area. Countless gazes fixed on Li Daoqiang froze. Even figures like Zhu Yuyan and Wuqing were momentarily stunned. Such a young, top-tier expert, feared by forces across the land, was openly admitting before a crowd of martial heroes that he was greedy for money and lustful. And he said it with such righteousness, as if boasting. All while confessing and proposing. This… was it really appropriate? The expressions of many experts turned strange and awkward. Emotions of confusion, disdain, respect, contempt, and approval flickered through their minds. But the surrounding martial artists could no longer hold back, erupting into an uproar. “Did I hear that right?” “Hmph, shameless scoundrel. No wonder he’s a bandit—greedy for money and lust.” “Haha, well said, Chief Li! Bold and straightforward, a true man, a real hero!” “Pah, shameless.” “Is he… proposing to that Huang Xuemei? This is…” “Is this a confession and proposal to Huang Xuemei? Well…” … … The deeds of experts were always fodder for gossip among martial artists. A top-tier expert so young, speaking such words in public, only fueled the chatter, which showed no signs of stopping. Even Blood Saber Ancestor and his ilk were the same. After exchanging glances, Blood Saber Ancestor laughed in admiration, full of reverence. “That’s our chief—upright, daring, and utterly genuine. A true hero, a real man!” The other villains nearby chimed in agreement. Lü Lin felt a mix of strange emotions, somewhat disapproving yet stirred by a surge of boldness and excitement. Standing before a crowd of heroes, speaking those words so openly. And confessing to a powerful woman. How impressive! He felt a twinge of envy and admiration. As for Huang Xuemei, the other protagonist in everyone’s eyes, who had just been confessed to and proposed to, she froze for a moment before holding her breath, glaring fiercely at Li Daoqiang. Instinctively, she felt a flush of embarrassment, along with disbelief and wariness. She was on high alert. Opening her mouth to snap a refusal, she was cut off. “Don’t speak yet. Listen to me,” Li Daoqiang interrupted, his tone serious. He paused, then said frankly, “Miss Huang, don’t overthink it. I, Li Daoqiang, simply fancy you as a person and want to make you my wife. Of course, anyone who knows my Black Dragon Village’s rules knows we never force or violate women. One of the things I hate most in life is that. So, I won’t force any woman, and I won’t force you. Think of this as a transaction—it’s about mutual consent, fair and square. So, you can hear my terms first before deciding whether to agree. Even if you refuse, it’s fine. I may not be a good man, but I’m honest—what you see is what you get. I won’t force you to be my wife.” Huang Xuemei still glared at him with hostility and wariness, but a flicker of strangeness stirred within her. This man seemed different from anyone she’d known. He did seem honest. And shameless enough to speak of such things in public, calling it a transaction. Greedy for money, lustful, not a good man. Suddenly, she paused. He himself had admitted all that. At that thought, she felt speechless and lost the urge to curse. After a brief contemplation, she prepared to speak. But Zhu Yuyan interrupted her again. “Li Daoqiang, have you lost your mind?” Zhu Yuyan’s face turned icy as she called him by name, the anger she had suppressed earlier surging back. “Marrying her as your wife—are you going against all of us? Or are you playing a clever game? You don’t just want the Heavenly Demon Qin—you want both the woman and the instrument,” she said coldly. As if reminded, several experts turned wary gazes toward Li Daoqiang. He seemed unfazed, his expression turning cold as he looked at Zhu Yuyan. “Zhu Yuyan, I’m no longer trading with you now. So, don’t interfere with my transaction. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay to ransom your three junior brothers and sisters.” “You!” Zhu Yuyan’s eyes widened, glaring at Li Daoqiang, who had clearly turned on her and called her by name. Rage surged within her. No longer trading, and he immediately flips? And openly threatens her. Murderous intent filled the air, ready to erupt. Suddenly, a feeling of being targeted by a fierce beast washed over her, and she instinctively recalled the capture of Bian Bufu that day. Decades of enduring humiliation forced her to suppress the outburst. Nearby, Elder Yun and the other were also furious, while Bian Bufu grew tense with worry. If the senior sister acted… Fortunately, Zhu Yuyan didn’t disappoint him. She said coldly, “Fine, Li Daoqiang. You love beauty, don’t you? I’ll give it to you. My Yinyue Sect has an elder, a grandmaster, stunningly beautiful. If you seize the Heavenly Demon Qin for me, I’ll betroth her to you.” “Ha.” Li Daoqiang let out a disdainful sneer. “Ridiculous. Is that elder of yours as beautiful as Miss Huang? Is she as young as Miss Huang? Is she as powerful as Miss Huang? Do you take me for a fool? How many women in this world are as outstanding as Miss Huang? Even you in your youth might not match her, right?” “Li Daoqiang, you’re asking for death.” Those blunt words sent Zhu Yuyan into a fury she could no longer contain. Her Heavenly Demon Force field rose, and her twin blades slashed through the air with murderous intent. All the anger and killing intent she had bottled up since earlier burst forth. Li Daoqiang showed no surprise, as if he had anticipated her attack. The moment Zhu Yuyan moved, he did too. He charged toward her, like a mountain shifting. Her Heavenly Demon Force field enveloped him like a night sky, but he pressed on. To Zhu Yuyan’s shock, his speed barely slowed. Golden light flickered where he passed, cutting through the field like a fish through water, rendering it almost useless. He dodged the blade light and closed in. A surge of disbelief rose within her, but her battle-hardened instincts left no time for thought. She swung her blades again, somewhat hastily. At that moment, Li Daoqiang paused slightly, struck out with a palm, and met her head-on. “Boom!” A soft sound rang out. The blade light dissolved like snow under a blazing sun. Zhu Yuyan’s true energy barely blocked the blow, and she was sent flying backward by the palm strike. She didn’t stop until she was hundreds of feet away, her aura fluctuating, a hint of paleness on her jade-like face. Clearly, she was injured. Even if only lightly, she was still hurt—wounded by a single palm from Li Daoqiang. Countless incredulous stares locked onto Li Daoqiang. All around, a dead silence fell. (Please support, thank you for your support.) …