Chapter 106: Chapter 92: Spiritual Qi in Hand
But seeing Chen Sheng’s dead-serious expression, devoid of any hint of a joke, he found himself speechless. He was terrified that in the next moment, Commander Chen would righteously demand:
"Young Master Xu, what are you doing with my sword?"
"Since Young Master Xu... seems unable to produce any suitable ’price.’"
Commander Chen’s tone grew distant, laced with undisguised disappointment. "Then I can only accept your ’kind offer’ for Miss Ling’Er, however reluctantly."
With that, he made a show of leaving.
"W-wait!!"
A storm of frustration, rage, and fear threatened to tear Xu Shenzhi apart. But he was outmatched by the circumstances, and he could only swallow the humiliation, forcing the words through gritted teeth:
"Commander Chen, you... just say it! What is it you want?! Whatever I, Xu Shenzhi, possess, you can take it!"
"You’re mistaken again, Young Master Xu."
Chen Sheng’s voice was flat, yet it held an air of absolute control. "It is you who wants to save someone, not I who is soliciting a bribe. It’s a matter of what bargaining chip you possess that is valuable enough to move me—valuable enough to match the ’value’ of a Marrow Transformation Realm Martial Master.
If you have nothing of the sort... then I’m afraid I cannot help you."
’Although I know perfectly well that he has the Innate Spiritual Qi, I can’t be the one to bring it up. Otherwise, if word got out, how would I explain knowing this? It’s a secret even Han Ling’Er is unaware of.’
Hearing this, Xu Shenzhi froze.
’What do I have?’
He mentally took stock of his possessions. Besides the valuables that Commander Chen could declare "spoils of war" at any moment, the only thing that was truly his—something that couldn’t be taken by force—was the wisp of Innate Spiritual Qi. It was connected to his very lifeblood; he could destroy it with a single thought.
’But...’
’The family had poured everything into obtaining that Spiritual Object, even losing several Foundation Establishment masters in the process. It was a stroke of luck they’d gotten it at all. The entire Xu Family had decided that he, the Young Master, would nurture it, pinning all their hopes for the family’s future rise on him.’
’If I just hand it over, how can I ever face my family? How can I face my ancestors?’
’But if I don’t...’
He watched as Commander Chen seemed to lose all patience, pulling Han Ling’Er toward the doors of the inner hall—a gateway to endless humiliation.
"It seems Young Master Xu’s pockets are empty."
Chen Sheng’s voice held a hint of feigned regret. "If that’s the case, then so be it."
"Wait! I... I have something. I can meet your price."
As his last chance was about to vanish, torn apart by the internal conflict and his terror for Han Ling’Er’s safety, the final shred of hesitation in Xu Shenzhi’s eyes was replaced by resolve. He snapped his head up and rasped:
"I... I will trade a wisp of ’Innate Spiritual Qi’... to save... to save Ling’Er!"
The words "Innate Spiritual Qi" struck like a clap of thunder.
Not only did Chen Sheng put on a ’timely’ look of ’surprise,’ but even the restrained Han Ling’Er snapped her head up, her beautiful eyes filled with utter disbelief and shock.
’The Innate Spiritual Qi... the very thing I’ve dreamed of, the key to reaching the Innate Realm... Senior Brother Xu had a wisp this whole time?! And... he’s willing to trade it for me?!’
For a moment, Han Ling’Er was overcome with a whirlwind of emotions: indescribable gratitude mixed with profound shame and conflict.
She wanted to stop his reckless decision, to tell Xu Shenzhi not to do it. But the instinct to survive, and the desperate need to preserve her innocence, made her bite down hard on her lip and fall into a pained silence.
"Oh?"
Chen Sheng’s brow twitched, his tone laced with skeptical suspicion. "And where might that be? If you tell me it’s locked away in the Xu Family vault back in the Prefecture City, Young Master Xu, then you’re just wasting my time."
"It’s on my person."
Xu Shenzhi said hastily, subconsciously shielding a spot on his chest. "But this object is linked to my very lifeblood. I can destroy it with a mere thought, so don’t even think about trying to take it by force."
He had to cut off any chance of Chen Sheng simply snatching it.
"You worry too much, Young Master Xu."
Chen Sheng chuckled, as if insulted. "I am a man of my word. Am I the sort of person who takes things by force? Hand over the item, and I give you my word that not a hair on Miss Han’s head will be harmed."
"Fine. The Spiritual Qi for you. But you must let me and Ling’Er leave this place at once," Xu Shenzhi said, trying to bargain for more.
"One thing at a time."
Chen Sheng refused flatly, his tone final. "The Innate Spiritual Qi only buys Miss Han’s safety. As for the two of you... you’re under heavy suspicion for attacking government soldiers, obstructing justice, and having deep connections to the traitorous Huang Family."
"You must remain here to cooperate with the Government Office’s investigation. Only after things are clear can we discuss your departure."
A chill spread through Xu Shenzhi’s heart.
’Investigation? Suspicion? This is just an excuse to hold us hostage and bleed me dry.’
"If you don’t agree, Commander Chen, then you can forget about getting this Innate Spiritual Qi," Xu Shenzhi said, making a last stand.
After all, the value of Innate Spiritual Qi was self-evident.
"Hahaha."
Chen Sheng burst out laughing at his words, his laughter filled with mockery and absolute confidence. "Xu Shenzhi, who do you think you’re bargaining with? With my track record, it’s not out of the question for my superiors to award me a wisp of Innate Spiritual Qi. Besides, I am not one to be threatened. Since you can’t bear to part with it, then please, Young Master Xu, feel free to stay here and enjoy the... ’music’ from the inner hall."
He knew Han Ling’Er was Xu Shenzhi’s Achilles’ heel, a weakness he would never abandon. How could a threat like this possibly sway him?
"You..."
Xu Shenzhi was completely stunned.
Chen Sheng’s reaction was completely beyond his expectations. ’Doesn’t this man know what a wisp of Innate Spiritual Qi means to a Foundation Establishment Martial Master? It’s a vital Spiritual Object on the path to the Innate Realm.’
’Countless Foundation Establishment Martial Masters in the Prefecture City have fought and bled for one.’
He wanted to stress the item’s value again, but Chen Sheng’s face was already a mask of extreme ’impatience’ as he pulled Han Ling’Er toward the threshold.
Seeing his last chance slip away, seeing the desperate plea in Han Ling’Er’s eyes, Xu Shenzhi finally broke. "Fine!" he screamed.
"I’ll give it to you! But you must promise, in front of everyone, to keep your word! You cannot go back on it!"
"I always keep my word."
After a moment of feigned consideration, Chen Sheng gave a ’reluctant’ nod.
Receiving that vague yet critical promise, Xu Shenzhi felt as if all his strength had been drained away.
He took a deep breath of the blood-tinged air. With a trembling hand, slowly and with infinite reluctance, he drew a Jade Pendant from an inner pocket. It was warm and translucent, and within it, a cyan spiritual light flowed like a miniature dragon.
Chen Sheng kept his ’promise,’ casually shoving Han Ling’Er aside as if tossing away an object. Nearby soldiers immediately moved in, placing the cold steel of their blades against her pale neck.
Chen Sheng carefully took the cyan Jade Pendant. The instant his fingertips brushed against it, he could feel the pure, majestic Spiritual Mechanism contained within.
Gazing at the wisp of cyan Spiritual Qi that seemed almost alive within the Jade Pendant, a flicker of undisguised satisfaction and fervor finally crossed Chen Sheng’s eyes.
Innate Spiritual Qi.
’Finally, it’s mine!’
With this as his foundation, the most critical stretch of his path to the Innate Realm was now paved.
He just needed to perfect his Golden Bell Body Refining Technique and make a few other preparations. Then, he could begin to condense a Spirit Seed and break through to the Innate Realm—a feat countless Foundation Establishment Martial Masters only dreamed of.
Han Ling’Er had collapsed to the ground, the cold blades of the soldiers keeping her from daring to move. She raised her pale face, her gaze complex as she looked at the disheveled Xu Shenzhi. Her voice, choked with an unidentifiable emotion, trembled as she spoke:
"Senior Brother Xu... thank you... This kindness... Ling’Er... I’ll repay you for this one day."
Seeing that Chen Sheng had indeed stopped tormenting Han Ling’Er, Xu Shenzhi felt a weight lift from his heart. He looked at Han Ling’Er, his eyes a mixture of love and heartache, and shook his head gently.
"Ling’Er, there’s no need for thanks... For you, I would do anything."
After securing the Innate Spiritual Qi, Chen Sheng watched Xu Shenzhi’s ’heartfelt’ declaration, a flicker of amusement in his eyes.
’Such a deep and abiding love,’ he thought.
’It’s a shame that, from what I can see, while she’s moved, she’s not in love.’
’If I’m not mistaken, things won’t end well for those two.’
Not that Chen Sheng had any interest in pointing that out.
Some people are just dogs, and dogs like that deserve no sympathy.
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