"This matter, I also bear responsibility," Ling Fan mused.
Liu Han said, "Master Ling, what does this have to do with you? Ji Hong's current state is entirely due to the Dark Martial Hall and the Ji family being too excessive and disgusting."
"Especially the Ji family, they never treated Ji Hong as family, not even as a person. They only wanted to squeeze every last drop of value from him. Once used, they cast him aside. Such a family is too selfish, too cold and ruthless. Better to be without them!" Liu Han said indignantly.
Mentioning the Ji family made his blood boil.
Ling Fan said, "Before, Ji Hong hesitated about coming to Tianchu City to acknowledge his kin with the Ji family. When he sought my opinion, I didn't stop him."
Liu Han sighed, "If only Ji Hong hadn't returned, he wouldn't have fallen into this desperate situation."
"I've sought out everyone I can and used all the connections I have these past few days, but no one dares to offend the Dark Martial Hall for Ji Hong's sake."
"Ji Hong's own sister, Ji Yan, is also running around for him. Young Master Mo Xie wants her to be his woman, otherwise, she has to come up with one hundred million taels to buy Ji Hong's life. Ji Yan is a proud and strong girl, she refused to become Young Master Mo Xie's woman and instead chose to hunt demonic beasts for money. I don't know if she's returned yet..."
"To put it plainly, with just Ji Yan and my strength, we can't save Ji Hong. I'm at my wit's end..." Liu Han sat dejectedly, his head buried in his arms.
Ling Fan said calmly, "You don't need to worry. I will save Ji Hong."
After speaking, Ling Fan stood up and walked out.
Liu Han suddenly raised his head, staring at Ling Fan's retreating back, stunned.
Soon, he reacted.
That's right!
There's still Master Ling.
He and Ji Yan couldn't save Ji Hong, but perhaps Master Ling could.
Master Ling was a Profound Tier weapon forging master, a rare talent even in the entire Tianchu Province. His status was extremely respected, comparable to the patriarchs of martial arts families like Ding, Nong, and Jiang.
The Tianchu City Weapon Forgers Association, hailed as the holy land of the weapon forging world in Tianchu Province, only had two Profound Tier weapon forging masters, one of whom was the president of the Tianchu City Weapon Forgers Association!
With Master Ling's transcendent status and position, even the Dark Martial Hall would have to treat him with caution.
If he were willing to stand up for Ji Hong, then Ji Hong might truly have a chance.
Liu Han's hope reignited.
"Master Long Duo, could I trouble you to accompany me?" Liu Han requested Master Long Duo outside the door.
Master Long Duo replied very politely, "Vice Protector Liu, please speak. How could Long Duo dare to refuse?"
"I need to go to the Ji family and ask them to join Master Ling in rescuing Ji Hong, but I'm afraid they won't believe Master Ling's identity. After all, a Profound Tier weapon forging master under twenty years old is simply too astonishing."
"If Master Long Duo could personally vouch for him, then they definitely won't doubt it."
Master Long Duo patted his plump chin and said, "I thought it was something important. It turns out to be so simple. I am naturally happy to vouch for Master Ling!"
Liu Han was overjoyed. He left the underground trading post with Master Long Duo and hurried towards the Ji family.
...
Inside the trading post.
Bai Hao, Hua Yue, and Su Long were still browsing.
Suddenly, Hua Yue's eyes lit up, and she quickly walked to a nearby stall.
She picked up a very exquisite and beautiful jade pendant, which resembled a gracefully fluttering butterfly. She examined it repeatedly, turning it over and over.
Judging by her reluctant to part with it, she clearly liked the item very much.
Behind the stall, the owner, a scrawny man with a long, sharp mouth and a large mole with black hair on his left cheek, immediately said with a smile, "This young lady truly has discerning eyes. This Spirit Butterfly Jade is the treasure of my stall! I don't sell it to just anyone."
Su Long deliberately rolled her eyes at him, "Boss, you're exaggerating a bit, aren't you? Is it really as good as you say?"
"Oh, young lady, you might not know this, but this Spirit Butterfly Jade is made from thousand-year-old jade marrow. Just the material alone is worth a fortune. Moreover, it's carved with many functional formations by a formation master, possessing all sorts of incredible effects."
"Wearing it, firstly, it looks good! You, young lady, are as beautiful as a flower, and with my jade butterfly, it would be like adding wings to a tiger."
"Secondly, it can gather spiritual energy, accelerating your cultivation. And wearing this jade pendant can also help you clear your mind and focus, making the comprehension of martial skills and techniques twice as effective."
"And the third benefit is that this jade pendant contains a defensive formation, which can help you withstand a full-power strike from a cultivator below the peak of the Profound Gang realm!"
The scrawny owner spoke with great flair, his saliva flying.
Su Long, Hua Yue, and Bai Hao were all young masters from noble families with little experience in the martial world. They were no match for a shrewd person like the boss and were soon swayed by his words.
Su Long asked, "Then how much is this thing?"
"Not expensive, not expensive at all. Only three million taels of silver!" The boss held up three fingers.
What!
Three million.
When Su Long and the others heard the price quoted by the boss, their eyes almost popped out.
That could buy a Yellow Tier high-grade spirit weapon!
No matter how good this jade pendant was, this price was outrageously high.
Although Su Long, Bai Hao, and Hua Yue had brought a considerable amount of silver with them, they had already spent it on pills and spirit herbs.
The combined remaining money of the group was not even one million.
How could they afford this Spirit Butterfly Jade?
"Can't you make it a little cheaper?" Su Long asked the boss charmingly.
The boss swallowed.
His eyes darted, and he put on a pained expression, saying, "Two and a half million, firm! No less! If it's any less, I'll lose my wife's dowry! You don't know, I spent a full two and a half million acquiring this treasure from a late-stage Profound Gang realm expert!!"
"If it weren't for seeing this young lady's beauty and generosity, and feeling a connection with her, I wouldn't lower the price by a single cent for anyone else!"
Although the price was reduced by fifty thousand taels, Su Long still couldn't afford it.
Despite her great reluctance, her purse was truly empty. Su Long had no choice but to return the jade pendant while saying, "It's still too expensive. I won't buy it."
Before the jade pendant was returned to the boss's hand.
A sly glint flashed in the boss's eyes. He secretly flicked his finger.
Su Long suddenly let out a cry of pain, her palm stinging. The Spirit Butterfly Jade in her hand fell to the ground.
With a clatter.
It shattered into two or three pieces.
This sudden turn of events stunned Bai Hao, Hua Yue, and the others.
Su Long herself was also dumbfounded.
The scrawny boss then cried out, "Good heavens, you woman! If you can't afford it, you can't afford it, why did you smash my treasure? Pay up!"
"I... I... I didn't do it on purpose!" Su Long's face turned pale with fright, and she waved her hands repeatedly.
Bai Hao and the other young masters from Hongze City were also at a loss.
This was trouble!