Chapter 181: The Joys of Being Rich
Lian’er left to prepare for the Grand Witch’s emergence from seclusion.
Chen Yin returned to inform Luo Luo, Qingying, and Nan Xiaoxiang to be ready to meet the Grand Witch as soon as Lian’er notified them.
It wasn’t long before Lian’er came running back.
“Brother, the Grand Witch is calling for you.”
Chen Yin nodded and glanced at Nan Xiaoxiang.
Her expression was calm, but her eyes held a hint of unease.
Inside the Wu Xuan Cave’s main hall, Chen Yin and his companions followed Lian’er.
Upon entering, Chen Yin immediately noticed someone already standing there.
…The masked figure from Shen Li.
He seemed to have arrived before them.
He glanced at them briefly, his expression hidden behind the mask.
Qingying, sensing the presence of a Chosen One, narrowed her eyes.
Lian’er ran to the Grand Witch’s side and stood there obediently.
Chen Yin finally saw the mysterious Grand Witch.
A young woman with delicate features sat on the throne, dressed in exotic Southern Region attire, her wrists and ankles adorned with silver rings that chimed softly as she moved. Her hair and eyes were an unusual shade of dark green, and her skin, as if it had rarely seen sunlight, was startlingly pale.
“Well, well, what brings so many guests to our humble Wu Xuan Cave?”
Her voice was clear and melodious, like a songbird’s, but her tone was playful and condescending. “I was just in seclusion for a bit, and now we have another group of visitors?”
“I am Chen Yin. I have a request for you, Grand Witch.”
“A request?”
The Grand Witch chuckled, her tone arrogant. “Do you think the Wu Xuan Cave is a charity? Do we work for free?”
“Of course not.” Chen Yin remained polite. “We’re willing to offer compensation. Just name your price.”
A glint of satisfaction flashed in the Grand Witch’s eyes, and her tone became even more casual.
“Tell me about it.”
“A friend’s daughter has been poisoned. It’s a potent neurotoxin, highly addictive. Although her condition is stable for now, the poison hasn’t been completely eradicated.”
Chen Yin explained, “I’ve heard that the Wu Xuan Cave is renowned for its knowledge of Gu techniques and poisons. Perhaps you know something about this poison.”
The Grand Witch’s eyes flickered with impatience.
“If you can’t cure the poison, then let her die. Why bother saving her?”
Chen Yin was speechless.
…Did this Grand Witch have a few screws loose?
Well, her servant wasn’t exactly the sharpest tool in the shed either. Like master, like servant, he supposed.
Despite her callous words, Chen Yin maintained his polite demeanor. “Please, Grand Witch, at least try.”
The Grand Witch was silent for a moment, then said lazily, “Tell me more.”
“It’s a poisonous herb called the Life Returning Herb. It causes hallucinations and euphoria, but it’s highly addictive, and the withdrawal symptoms are agonizing. There’s no known cure.”
The Grand Witch’s eyes narrowed slightly. “The Life Returning Herb again?”
“Are you with that man from a few months ago?”
Chen Yin paused. “Do you know his whereabouts, Grand Witch?”
“Heh.”
The Grand Witch giggled, her smile unsettling.
“That guy? He’s dead. I fed his corpse to the poisonous insects.”
Chen Yin’s smile faded.
“Those Central Plains people are so annoying. He dared to shout and scream before the statue of Wu Zu, begging me to save his daughter.”
The Grand Witch’s voice was cold and indifferent, as if she were talking about crushing an ant. “I couldn’t save his daughter, but I could send them both on their way.”
Chen Yin’s expression turned icy cold.
“Are you telling the truth?” he asked, his eyes narrowed.
“Just killed an impolite barbarian. Why would I lie to you?” The Grand Witch pouted nonchalantly.
Chen Yin took a deep breath, his hand reaching for his sword, when a young, clear voice suddenly rang out beside the Grand Witch:
“Huh? Didn’t you tell Lian’er to lock him up, Grand Witch? Why are you lying to them?”
Chen Yin froze. The Grand Witch also froze, then glared at the girl beside her.
“You fool! What are you talking about?! That man is dead!”
“But you told Lian’er to keep him locked up.”
Lian’er blinked her large, innocent eyes, her head tilted in confusion. “Lian’er wasn’t lazy. I brought him food every day.”
“You—”
The Grand Witch’s hand trembled with anger, but she forced herself to calm down.
…She was regretting her choice of servant. How could she have picked such an idiot?
She had wanted to intimidate these newcomers, but now she had no chance.
She pouted and said, “Even if he’s not dead, he must be half-dead from the poisonous insects. If you want to save him, it will cost you—”
“He’s fine. He’s eating all the meat in the village. He’s getting quite fat.”
Lian’er’s innocent words interrupted her again.
Crack. A fissure appeared on the armrest of the Grand Witch’s throne.
Her eye twitched, and her lips trembled slightly.
Lian’er looked at her with wide, innocent eyes, her voice filled with a childish complaint. “But you told me not to let him starve! He said he would die if he didn’t eat five pounds of meat every day, so Lian’er had to find food for him. There’s not much food in the village, so Lian’er even gave him her own share. Look, Lian’er has gotten thinner.”
She rubbed her stomach with a pitiful expression.
The Grand Witch took a deep breath.
…Don’t be angry. Don’t be angry.
There were guests present. She had to maintain her image. She couldn’t get angry.
After a long silence, she said through gritted teeth, “…That man is our prisoner.”
“If you want to save him, show me your sincerity.”
Chen Yin, who had been about to draw his sword after Lian’er’s first interruption, sheathed it again.
He finally understood.
This Grand Witch was just a socially awkward girl with a fear of crowds.
Faced with so many visitors, she had tried to project an aura of authority and power, hoping to intimidate them and extort some benefits.
…And her foolish servant had completely ruined her plan.
But as long as Ye Huang was alive, Chen Yin didn’t mind negotiating.
“What do you need, Grand Witch?”
He asked tentatively, “Spirit stones? Pills? Cultivation techniques?”
“What good are those things to me?”
The Grand Witch frowned. “We live in seclusion. We have no use for spirit stones.”
“But since you Central Plains people only have spirit stones to offer, I suppose I can reluctantly accept them… if the quantity is sufficient.”
The Grand Witch’s intentions were clear.
Start with a high price and then negotiate down.
How much she could get depended on her bargaining skills.
So, when Chen Yin asked, “How much do you need, Grand Witch?” she said casually,
“Let’s start with one hundred thousand spirit stones for his release. As for curing that girl, we’ll discuss that—”
Before she could finish her sentence,
A surge of spiritual energy filled the hall.
The Grand Witch stared in disbelief at the sacks of spirit stones piled up before her, her expression a mixture of shock and confusion.
“One hundred thousand it is. Consider it a friend’s discount.” Chen Yin said casually.
…Wait.
One hundred thousand spirit stones?
Had she been in seclusion for so long that she was unaware of the current market prices?
Or were these people truly that wealthy, casually throwing around such a large sum?
For a moment, she wondered if she had asked for too little.
But one hundred thousand was a significant amount, enough to cover a major sect’s annual expenses.
Were there counterfeit spirit stones now?
She quickly said, “W-wait, I’ve changed my mind. We live in seclusion, we have no use for so many spirit stones. It’s a loss for us. How about some high-quality cultivation or healing pills? I might con—”
“Con… consider it…” Her voice trailed off.
Beside the mountain of spirit stones, another mountain appeared.
A rich, medicinal fragrance filled the air, invigorating and refreshing.
“Five thousand cultivation pills, and five thousand healing pills, all top-grade quality.”
Chen Yin’s expression remained calm and indifferent. “Anything else, Grand Witch?”
“Ah…”
The Grand Witch’s mouth opened and closed, then she finally said,
“…That’s… enough for now.”
She was afraid that if she mentioned weapons or techniques, he would produce even more mountains of treasures.
The hall would be completely blocked.
Chen Yin was feeling incredibly smug.
He had never fought such a wealthy battle before.
Spirit stones? Pills?
Just name it, he had it all.
The System Shop had an endless supply.
He, a poor boy used to scraping by, was finally experiencing the joys of being rich.
…It was a truly exhilarating feeling.
“Since you’re satisfied, Grand Witch, would you mind telling me where my friend is?”
The Grand Witch, her eyes still glazed over with disbelief, quickly composed herself and coughed lightly.
“Ahem, Lian’er, take them there.”
Lian’er nodded obediently and led them out of the hall.
As they passed by the masked figure, their eyes met.
The masked figure stared at Chen Yin silently.
Chen Yin simply glanced at him sideways and walked past.
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