CHAPTER 45: CHAPTER 45: REALLY DON’T HAVE TO PAY MONEY? (THIRD SHIFT)

"Five against one?"

And a sneak attack? That’s right, this has to be the work of a player!

Upon hearing this, Xu Nian immediately knew the fault lay with his own side.

Players treated this all as a game, but Xu Nian was well aware this was no game.

Such a young man had been beaten until even his mother couldn’t recognize him, and ganged up on by five people at that.

Who could swallow such an insult?

Xu Nian sighed inwardly, knowing he was probably going to have to pay dearly.

The silver confiscated from Black Wind Stronghold might all have to be paid out. Such destructive fools!

"This matter is our fault, and on behalf of our disciples, I apologize to your sect. We will cover the medical expenses for the disciple who was beaten."

Xu Nian, with a kindly smile, said, "One hundred taels of silver, do you think that’s enough? Let’s resolve this major issue into a minor one, and the minor one into nothing. How about we become friends over this?"

Sun Tianhui listened, stunned.

He knew the fault truly lay with them, but he hadn’t expected Xu Nian to be so accommodating. Offering compensation silver right away? Wasn’t that a bit too easygoing?

Beside him, Zhuge Yuanlang gently waved his feather fan and smiled, "There’s no need for the silver. Sect Leader Xu is a straightforward person. This matter is just a squabble between disciples. Let’s consider it a way to make friends and promote more interactions between our sects in the future."

No need for compensation? Fantastic!

Xu Nian agreed immediately.

His Profound Yellow Sect didn’t have much silver to spare right now; forking out one hundred taels was painful.

Now that no money was demanded, his attitude towards the people from the Single Sword Sect improved markedly.

At that moment, the Blood Demoness emerged with freshly brewed tea. She handed a cup to everyone before hurrying to the entrance of the Contribution Hall to sit down with her book.

No one was allowed to disturb her reading! Not even if the sky fell! Where had she stopped? Had Zhao Yun managed to explain things clearly to Zhang Fei? When were the two going to confess their true feelings?

"Sect Leader Xu has sent out your disciples. It seems you want to make a name for yourselves and enter the Jianghu of Fengxiang Prefecture?"

Sun Tianhui sipped his tea and smiled candidly, "Honestly, your disciples came to our Single Sword Sect yesterday and had a friendly sparring session with our disciples. Unfortunately, my disciples were no match and lost embarrassingly."

Hearing this, Xu Nian’s eyebrows raised.

Had the players already made a name for themselves starting from the Single Sword Sect? That was quick. It seemed it wouldn’t be long before they carved out a place for themselves in the Jianghu around Fengxiang Prefecture. This task didn’t seem too difficult, after all.

"Liang City is ultimately too small; we cannot stay confined here forever."

Xu Nian said with a smile, "The vastness of Jianghu is immeasurable. We of this generation, don’t we strive for fame and fortune? It’s essential to let our disciples see the world outside."

His words resonated deeply with everyone.

Exactly! Jianghu People walk the Jianghu for fame and fortune, don’t they? Those who play the hero and save the beauty, those who eliminate harm for the people—don’t they all earn a good reputation?

They marveled that Xu Nian, so young, possessed such a profound understanding of Jianghu. Truly, he was worthy of being a Sect Leader at his age.

Sun Tianhui couldn’t help but sigh internally, self-deprecatingly saying, "I’m old indeed. I thought I could compete once more, but after speaking with Sect Leader Xu today, I must admit I’m old. The future belongs to you young people."

With that, he stood up, smiling, and cupped his fists, "I have been quite the bother today, Sect Leader Xu. Please forgive me."

"Sect Leader Sun jests. Guests are always welcome; it is I who have not provided adequately."

Xu Nian also returned the gesture with a bow.

Watching the two of them, the Blood Demoness, from her position in the back, muttered, "Hypocrites."

But of course, no one heard her.

If Xu Nian had heard, the unlucky one would indeed be the Blood Demoness herself.

Vice Sect Leader Zhuge Yuanlang of the Single Sword Sect smiled and said, "I see your sect has such beautiful scenery. Why not have some of our disciples stay here? It would be good for them to experience the Jianghu outside, lest they remain like frogs in a well, ignorant and overestimating themselves."

Looking at his refined smile, Xu Nian also found it somewhat hard to refuse.

After all, the other party hadn’t even asked him for any medical fees.

"Alright, but I can only keep five... three people!"

Xu Nian hesitated, "I usually don’t have time to personally instruct disciples in martial arts. Having too many would take up too much of my own training time. I hope you both can understand."

In Sun Tianhui’s eyes, his words took on another meaning.

Being a Fifth-Grade Martial Artist at such a young age undoubtedly resulted from rigorous daily training. Such a person could only be befriended.

"Understood, understood. Sect Leader Xu also needs to train; I naturally wouldn’t insist."

Sun Tianhui laughed heartily, "Then let Mo Yao, Li Yi, and Lin Shaojie stay behind. Remember not to disturb Sect Leader Xu’s training. Return in seven days."

"Yes!"

"We disciples obey!"

Mo Yao and the other two also nodded in agreement.

They too were curious about how the Profound Yellow Sect trained its disciples, to have produced so many Eighth-Grade Martial Artist players.

Of course, they were also curious about the martial arts of the Profound Yellow Sect.

If they could learn a technique, perhaps they could also improve.

"In that case, I won’t disturb Sect Leader Xu any longer."

Sun Tianhui smiled, "Sect Leader Xu, if you need anything in the future, just say the word. Wherever I can help, I will do my utmost!"

"Thank you!"

Xu Nian nodded in acknowledgment.

In the Jianghu, having one more friend means one more path. That’s always a good thing. Although Sun Tianhui was only at the Fifth-Grade Martial Artist Realm, his Single Sword Sect was influential, which meant they had money. Such friends were convenient for borrowing from.

Watching Sun Tianhui and his group leave, Xu Nian stretched lazily and walked to the steps to continue eating from his bowl of rice.

Xu Nian had just taken a bite when, remembering the three disciples from the Single Sword Sect were still present, he looked up and asked with a smile, "Have you three had lunch?"

Mo Yao, their Senior Sister, responded, "We ate in Liang City before coming up."

Xu Nian nodded, then said, "Feel free to look around. If you want to train in martial arts, just find a place. There are no strict rules here. If you have any questions about training, ask her."

With that, he pointed his chopsticks at the Blood Demoness.

Sensing something, the Blood Demoness slowly raised her head, glaring at Xu Nian with resentment.

Was he really treating her like a maid?

"What are you looking at? You, a majestic Grandmaster, can’t guide three Eighth-Grade Martial Artists?"

Xu Nian glared at her, threatening, "Do you believe I’ll confiscate your book and make you teach them indefinitely!"

"HMPH!"

The Blood Demoness let out a cold snort, her resentful gaze falling upon Mo Yao and the other two.

How annoying. These three had better not waste her time. Teaching others martial arts was the most troublesome thing.

However, the three who heard the conversation couldn’t help but gasp, their eyes widening in shock.

What had Sect Leader Xu just said? Grandmaster Realm? This woman in red was a Grandmaster? Fengxiang Prefecture had so few Grandmasters, yet the Profound Yellow Sect actually had one? This had to be a joke! Yes! It must be fake.

Mo Yao struggled to calm herself. Looking at the woman who seemed just a few years older than her, she felt quite uneasy.

It’s one thing for her to be beautiful, but how could she also be a Grandmaster? How old was she? It must be fake!