Chapter 1678 — Yu Xiaoke's Troubles, Part One
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
"Three hundred million?" Zhao Qibing drew in a sharp breath of cold air. How much had they actually made lately? And now, all at once, they were to hand over three hundred million—was this some kind of joke?
"That's right. You'll accept this price whether you like it or not—I'm merely informing you," the man in black said. "Remember: half a year from now, I'll come to collect. Don't entertain any notion of running. Run to the ends of the earth, and you still won't escape the Blood Robe Yellow Springs Sect's pursuit."
The Blood Robe Yellow Springs Sect knew well enough that Zhao Qibing could not produce three hundred million on the spot, which was why they had granted him half a year. And the Blood Robe Yellow Springs Sect was, after all, practically the equal of an ancient sect—it held no fear even of the hidden Zhao family.
They were a nest of killers; where their headquarters lay, no one knew. A sect like that was one no ordinary man dared provoke lightly. Otherwise, wherever you fled, day after day skilled blades would hunt you down—how would you ever get anything else done?
With that, the man in black departed, leaving only Zhao Qibing behind, grinding his teeth in fury.
"Damnation! What sort of business is this? They couldn't best their man, got him killed, and now they come demanding money?" Fury burned in Zhao Qibing's heart. Had Wei Zhao truly been killed, then fine—let them ask for three hundred million, and he would sell his pots and pans to scrape it together. But as things stood... this three hundred million was far too unjust. Funeral expenses?
"Young Master Bing... we must pay the Blood Robe Yellow Springs Sect, and we can't default on it either. Otherwise, I fear there'll be great trouble later," Leader Zhu said, somewhat bitterly. "Young Master Bing, I truly am sorry about this. I never imagined the Blood Robe Yellow Springs Sect would fail. Their reputation in the trade was rather good—who could have known that this time..."
"Forget it, Leader Zhu. Money is a thing outside the body. Within half a year, gathering three hundred million won't be a problem—only... ah, all that work for nothing!" Zhao Qibing waved a hand. To him, the loss of three hundred million was merely a sting of regret; but Leader Zhu, an Earth-rank expert, was someone he valued greatly.
"It's no matter, Young Master Bing. I've saved quite a bit over the years—three hundred million is still within reach. This three hundred million, I'll put up myself. To hear those words from you, Young Master Bing, is happiness enough for this Zhu!" Seeing that Young Master Bing did not blame him but instead consoled him, Leader Zhu was moved to the depths of his heart, and resolved to pay the sum himself.
Leader Zhu was, after all, an Earth-rank expert, and over the years he had taken on plenty of private work and earned no small amount on the side—three hundred million was still within his means. He had few expenses in ordinary times, unlike the hidden Zhao family, whose income was great but whose outlays were greater still, leaving scarcely a coin to spare each year.
"Good! Then consider this three hundred million a loan from me. When the day comes that I hold the Zhao family in my hand, I'll record your service as foremost!" Zhao Qibing did not decline. He was short of money now, and whatever he earned he still had to claim credit for before the family; if it all went to the Blood Robe Yellow Springs Sect, the family would surely look down on him.
"With those words from you, Young Master Bing, I'd gladly dash out my brains and smear the ground with them!" said Leader Zhu.