“You… you are taking advantage of us,” Jasmine interjected, unable to remain silent upon hearing Aksai’s demands.
Through gritted teeth, she continued, “We have already paid you a fair amount of spirit stones for the barrier-bypass talisman. How can you ask us to return it now?”
Aksai offered Jasmine a placid smile before responding calmly, “You did indeed conduct a fair deal, so to speak. But that deal is over. This is a new deal. Take it or leave it. The choice is yours,” he stated, his gaze shifting to Reman’s group.
Laairo’s expression darkened upon hearing Aksai’s words. He was aware of the strained history between Aksai and Reman stemming from the canceled marriage pact.
Despite this, Laairo didn’t believe Aksai sought revenge for the broken agreement. From what he could discern, Aksai didn’t seem interested in forming a connection with Jasmine.
However, the possibility remained that the deal could falter due to the lingering tension between Aksai and Reman’s family.
Thus, Laairo placed his hand on Reman’s shoulder before speaking in a measured tone.
“Fellow cultivator Reman, what Aksai is asking for is indeed a fair deal. Consider this: we are all tired from the relentless battles we faced just to escape the Lakir estate. As the morning approaches, our challenges will multiply exponentially.
This is merely the beginning of chaos in the region. Without the Lakir Family’s enforcement network, those damn hyena will roam freely. There’s a risk that demonic cultivators from Devil’s Den will emerge en masse. They’ll kill you not for your wealth but for being alive. What would be our course of action then?”
“Uncle Laairo speaks wisely,” Aksai nodded, acknowledging Laairo’s astute observation.
“What… What the hell should I do, then?” Reman queried, still hesitant to surrender the barrier-bypass talisman to Aksai.
“It’s quite straightforward,” Laairo addressed the group, his gaze sweeping over them.
“You must surrender the barrier-bypass talisman to Aksai. At this point, it holds absolutely no value at all.
Think about it. The likelihood of accessing the inheritance grounds is almost none. Even if access were granted, the restrictions imposed by the Wilben family, the sole overseers of the inheritance grounds, would be stricter than they were before.
Can you imagine them permitting entry with a barrier-bypass talisman on you? They’ll simply snatch that thing away from you.”
Laairo’s approach was strategic. Rather than conferring privately with Reman, he voiced his reasoning openly, ensuring Aksai was also privy to the discussion. He intended to devalue the significance of the barrier-bypass talisman in both Reman’s and Aksai’s eyes.
If Aksai were to relinquish his pursuit of the talisman, Reman would find solace.
Conversely, if Reman were to surrender the talisman to Aksai, the latter would be compelled to form a temporary alliance.
In either scenario, Laairo would be able to accompany Aksai’s group, increasing their chances of safely reaching the Purple River Gate and finding sanctuary.
Unbeknownst to Laairo, Aksai had no intention of utilizing the barrier-bypass talisman within the inheritance grounds. He viewed it as a contingency plan, should his own incomplete talisman become damaged during repair attempts.
“You’re… you’re correct,” a sense of realization dawned on Reman. He then shifted his gaze to Aksai, recognizing the latter’s continued interest in acquiring the talisman.
‘Damn it. I shouldn’t have tried to keep that thing to myself in the first place. It’s like I’m paying twice for a talisman I wouldn’t be able to own in the end,’ a regretful thought flashed in Reman’s mind briefly.
Taking a deep breath, Reman clenched his fists in frustration. Yet, a sudden calmness washed over him as he retrieved the barrier-type talisman and a sack brimming with spirit stones.
“Forgive my daughter’s earlier rudeness, boy. Here are the items you requested,” Reman spoke with a forced smile as he extended the sack of spirit stones and the barrier-type talisman to Aksai.
Without wasting time on formalities, Aksai raised his hand and transferred the barrier-bypass talisman to his storage ring. Aunt Reta had confirmed the talisman’s authenticity upon seeing it, so he had no worries about Reman attempting to deceive him.
In front of the assembled group, Aksai opened a sack filled with spirit stones and verified that it contained the agreed-upon 200 spirit stones. He then divided the spirit stones into two equal portions.
“Veeren, this sum is for you,” Aksai handed the 100 spirit stones directly to the mercenary captain, eliciting a smile from him. Technically, Aksai had already compensated the mercenary group for their services rendered. He knew that the additional spirit stones were a bonus.
“Thank you, little brother Aksai,” Veeren stepped forward and accepted the extra spirit stones without ceremony. He understood the value of 100 spirit stones, especially in such turbulent times when lives were considered cheaper than vegetables.
‘Thank me, you bastard. It’s my money,’ Reman cursed inwardly as he watched the swift transfer of ownership of the 100 spirit stones he had possessed earlier.
He begrudgingly acknowledged that Aksai displayed more street smarts than his future son-in-law. By rewarding Veeren and the other mercenaries generously, Aksai instilled a sense of loyalty in them. This was vital to maintain their morale, especially considering their frontline role in facing potential dangers the next day.
Things went smoothly after Reman handed over the barrier-bypass talisman to Aksai. Aksai allowed the new group to use his tent as a resting place while he remained outside.
This was the least he could do for the additional sum of wealth he had acquired from Reman. One could say that Aksai still conducted the deal with relative fairness even if he had taken advantage of Reman’s condition.
***
Before long, morning arrived and Aksai’s entourage began to move. This time, his carriage had additional members. Alongside Aksai, Aunt Reta, her son, Jasmine, and the injured Kaamen sat silently inside the carriage.
Of course, Reman and Laairo were subtly informed to remain outside in case things went awry. After all, the newly joined group had to contribute in some way. The money they had paid to Aksai was only to secure his agreement to a temporary alliance.
He had not promised to carry them to the Purple River Gate.
Of course, troubles arose many times as they approached the Purple River Gate. Thankfully, the group was strengthened with the addition of Laairo and Reman, acting as two more frontline fighters.
The two groups developed cooperation as they traveled together. They journeyed during the day and rested at night, sharing responsibilities and taking turns acting as guardians of the group.
From the third day onwards, Aksai was forced to fight alongside the mercenaries and Reman’s team. The number of rogue cultivators and robbers who confronted them was significant.
Just as Laairo had feared, demonic cultivators from Devil’s Den had also become active in various parts of Wuyum County. To them, such chaos was an opportunity to harvest flesh and souls to make significant progress in their cultivation journeys. Why would they let it go away?
Aksai lost count of the number of enemies’ hearts he literally touched before crushing them.
Witnessing his combat prowess made Reman’s group even more wary of him. They couldn’t discern who was more demonic – the attackers or Aksai, who fought and killed them in the most brutal manner possible.
Reman and Laairo realized that even if they were to attack Aksai together, relying on their higher cultivation base, they might not emerge victorious.
They observed that Aksai lacked decent offensive Spirit spells. However, this apparent flaw didn’t prevent him from eliminating his enemies, whether they attacked from a distance or engaged in close combat.
It took five days for the group to reach their destination. By the time they arrived, they were all exhausted and eager for some rest.
***
Nestled on the bank of the mighty Purple River, just before its convergence with the vast Dadangar Sea, stood the city of Purple River Gate.
This metropolis owed its name to the colossal river it bordered, whose sheer size often made it resemble an inland sea rather than a mere waterway. The river’s waters were tinged with a faint, otherworldly purple hue, lending an eerie beauty to its expanse.
Giant river ships, their sails billowing in the wind, were a common sight along the city’s shores. These vessels, built to navigate the expansive waters of the Purple River, were the lifeblood of the city’s bustling trade network, ferrying goods and passengers alike to distant shores.
As one approached the city, its peculiarities became more apparent. The architecture bore the hallmarks of a bygone era, with ornate towers and intricate bridges spanning the river’s width.
The streets teemed with a diverse array of people, from seasoned sailors to exotic traders, all drawn to the city’s unique charm.
Despite its vibrant atmosphere, Purple River Gate was not without its dangers. The lightly toxic nature of the river’s purple waters posed a constant threat to unwary travelers.
Yet, for all its quirks and perils, Purple River Gate remained a beacon of civilization in an otherwise untamed wilderness. Its walls offered sanctuary to all who sought refuge.
As Aksai’s group finally approached the city, they were greeted by the sight of its imposing gates. With weary yet determined steps, they crossed the threshold into Purple River Gate.
***
“I am an outer disciple of the Purple River Sect,” Kaamen declared confidently as he underwent inspection by the city guards.
Their demeanor shifted to one of respect upon hearing Kaamen’s proclamation, verifying his identity with the sect token he presented before granting him entry.
Kaamen shot Aksai a smug glance before bowing to the captain of the city guards.
“Fellow cultivator, this man has tricked us into depriving us of a certain talisman. Please instruct him to surrender the talisman, as it rightfully belongs to us,” Kaamen demanded, his tone dripping with authority.
Reman and Jasmine sneered at Aksai in agreement with Kaamen’s accusations. It seemed Kaamen had chosen the perfect moment to strike back at Aksai.
The captain of the city guard fixed Aksai with a stern gaze. “Boy, is this true? You better hand—”
The captain needed to show a certain amount of favoritism to the outer disciples of the sect. Before he could issue further commands, Aksai produced a token of his own, tossing it toward the captain before he could continue his accusations.
The captain caught the token Aksai had thrown, initially assuming it was related to outer discipleship within the sect. However, his astonishment grew when he realized it granted access to the sect’s inner discipleship.
“This… this is a discipleship invitation token,” Kaamen exclaimed, his shock palpable. “How the f**k did you get this?” he demanded of Aksai, his tone laced with disbelief and apprehension.
Aksai ignored the murmurs around him as he addressed the captain. “May I avail the benefits of this sect token now?” he inquired, unperturbed by the astonished gazes fixed upon him.
“Indeed,” the captain replied, disregarding Kaamen.
“However, you must travel to the Purple River Sect to become an inner disciple using this token. One of the sect elders will serve as your mentor and guardian. Fortunately, a vessel from the sect arrives at Purple Gate River daily. I can escort you to the dedicated dock,” he offered, gesturing toward the city’s outskirts.
Understanding dawned on Aksai as he posed another question to the captain. “Can an inner disciple invite someone to reside with them in the sect?”
“Certainly,” the captain confirmed. “While this privilege is exclusive to inner disciples, they may choose one companion—be it a relative, friend, or servant—to accompany them to the sect. Do you intend to extend such an invitation?”
“Not for myself,” Aksai replied, motioning toward Ruan. “Please ensure that this kid behind me becomes an inner disciple of the Purple River Sect. His mother, standing beside him, will serve as his guardian.”
Aksai turned to Aunt Reta and Ruan, a bittersweet smile on his lips.
“Farewell, Aunt Reta, young Ruan. Take care of yourselves. Should fate allow, our paths may cross again,” he said, tousling Ruan’s hair affectionately.
