Chapter 714: 714
"Alright. I hope you won’t play any tricks after I get the item," Ye Qingchen said, already rising from his seat.
However, before he could leave, the people around him burst into laughter as if they had just heard the world’s greatest joke.
"Are you out of your mind, lad? Don’t you know how dangerous the back mountain is?"
"This kid’s clearly a foreigner. He definitely doesn’t know what’s in the back mountain. Hahaha, you can’t really blame him!"
"The back mountain is teeming with countless Monster Beasts. If the strongest one were to emerge, it could grind our entire outer city to dust. Do you really think strolling into its lair to fetch a Ginseng Fruit is some simple task?"
The crowd all turned to look at Ye Qingchen. Even Steward Liu was watching him with a smug smile.
"Young man, those are the terms. If you’re afraid, then I’m sorry, but I won’t be telling you the whereabouts of that young lady."
This kid has some strength. It’s a suicide mission, but what if he gets lucky? Exchanging information about a girl for a Ginseng Fruit... that’s more than worth it!
Listening to Steward Liu’s inner thoughts, Ye Qingchen quietly considered the back mountain. From what they’re saying, the place is definitely dangerous. But for Xiao Xiao, no risk is too great!
"Steward Liu, just you wait. I’ll bring the item back."
Ye Qingchen stood up and walked toward the entrance. Before he could reach it, however, someone suddenly blocked his path.
"Hold on, lad! Have you forgotten how many people are looking for you out there?" The man pulled Ye Qingchen aside and slipped something over his head. "Alright, you can go now."
As soon as Ye Qingchen left, the room grew lively again. Everyone crowded around Steward Liu.
"Steward Liu, there’s no way that Ye Qingchen will bring back the Ginseng Fruit. What were you thinking, making a request like that?" a man asked, his face full of curiosity.
Steward Liu’s smile vanished. He glanced at the doorway and snorted coldly. "Of course I know the kid won’t bring it back. But have you considered why I’d make such a demand anyway?"
"Come on, Steward Liu, stop beating around the bush! Isn’t that what we’re asking you?" The onlookers’ eyes widened with curiosity.
"Have you all forgotten about my feud with the Zheng Family? That Zheng Xiao is no saint. Since she cares so much about this Ye Qingchen, I’m going to make sure she doesn’t get what she wants!"
At Steward Liu’s words, everyone fell silent. After a long moment, someone chuckled. "Steward Liu, you truly live up to your reputation! So ruthless! We’re in awe! Truly!"
"Indeed, indeed... but Steward Liu, I still have one question. What if that guy actually brings it back?"
The moment he finished asking, everyone started talking at once.
"That’s impossible! Why would you even ask?"
"Exactly! It’s impossible unless the Xue Family sends their people. Besides, the Xue Family doesn’t get involved with the affairs of the back mountain."
"If that guy actually brings it back, I’ll personally wash everyone’s feet!"
"Ugh, you’re too twisted! What’s with the feet washing?!"
Steward Liu chuckled. "You never know. Sometimes when a person’s luck is good, everything just falls into place."
"Steward Liu, even if someone is lucky, no one is *that* lucky! To get the Ginseng Fruit, he’d have to avoid any powerful monsters on the way. Even if he managed that, it’s impossible he’d also be lucky enough to find the Demon Beast King away from its cave."
"You have to understand, the Demon Beast King is almost always in its cave or roaming the immediate vicinity; it never leaves its territory. On top of that, the Ginseng Fruit in that cave only appears once every hundred years."
"How could that kid possibly be lucky enough for all those things to happen at once?"
The speaker laid out the situation plainly, and everyone present understood perfectly. Hearing his analysis, they all nodded and chuckled in agreement.
Steward Liu shrugged. "Gentlemen, don’t just laugh! So what if he doesn’t bring it back? Whether he returns with it or not, it’s a good outcome for me either way!"
His words immediately prompted another round of fawning praise.
"Steward Liu, you’re truly something else!"
"Steward Liu is brilliant! I’m in awe! Today has truly been an eye-opener!"
「Zheng Family Estate」
Zheng Xiao sat in her room, her face grim.
"Uncle Wang, have they still not found him? It’s been so long, and we’ve sent out so many men. Are they all useless?" Zheng Xiao looked furious.
Uncle Wang stood beside her with his head lowered. "We don’t know where Ye Qingchen could be hiding. We’ve practically turned the entire outer city upside down, but there’s still no sign of him."
Zheng Xiao slammed her hand on the table and shot to her feet. "Hmph! The entire outer city belongs to the Zheng Family. No matter how skilled Ye Qingchen is, there’s nowhere for him to hide! If you can’t find him, then look harder! Tell your men they have one night. If there are no new leads by then, they’re all fired!"
Uncle Wang nodded quickly. However, before he could leave, a subordinate rushed to the doorway and fell to his knees.
"Miss! Terrible news! The barrier on the back mountain, the one that contains the Monster Beasts, has been breached! The Master has already taken a group to investigate!"
Zheng Xiao’s eyes widened in shock. "What did you say? The barrier was breached? How is that possible?! That barrier has stood for hundreds of years without a single problem. How could it suddenly break?" Her face was a mask of disbelief.
The barrier on the back mountain was meant to prevent the Monster Beasts from escaping. It was a joint construction by the Xue Family and the Zheng Family, and its durability was second to none. It was said that not even the most powerful Monster Beast within the mountain could break it.
"Miss, I don’t know the details either. The Master has already gone over with his men. He also said you need to stop wasting time and bring reinforcements immediately!" the man reported frantically.
Uncle Wang looked at Zheng Xiao anxiously. "Miss, should we... still search for Ye Qingchen?"
Zheng Xiao glared at him fiercely. "Use your head! Is this really the time to be looking for Ye Qingchen?! Uncle Wang, hurry and gather all our men. Come with me to the back mountain!"
A large contingent of people surged toward the back mountain.
At that very moment, Zheng Xiao’s father, Zheng Ming, was staring intently ahead.
Zheng Xiao and her people arrived swiftly at the scene. "Father, what happened? Why would the barrier break now?"
Zheng Ming glanced back at her, his expression indifferent. "For some reason, the Monster Beasts on the back mountain went into a frenzy and charged the barrier together, breaking through. I’ve already sent men to hold the line, but it looks like they won’t last much longer."
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