CHAPTER 601: CHAPTER 144 TAVERN CONFLICT (PART 1)

The lively tavern seemed to have returned to its bustling state before it was sealed with dust; every day saw a constant stream of people coming and going, in and out.

At this moment, Li Qingming sat with Man Niu and Long Xuhu at the highest floor of the tavern, his ears pricked up, listening to all sorts of information from every corner.

It was then that two individuals sitting at a table in the northeast corner of the tavern caught Li Qingming’s attention.

One of the two had delicate features and wore white robes, while holding a feather fan and wearing a silk scarf; the other was short and skinny with a sleazy face. He was the very culprit behind the disturbances that erupted upon their entry into the city.

"Daoist Leng, since our last parting which was merely a few days ago, we meet again today; naturally, a bout of heavy drinking is in order!" The thin man in black robes sneered slyly, his eyebrows knitting together tightly.

Leng Binghan shook his fan lightly and said, "Speaking of which, Daoist Zhen Jia is truly magnanimous! I was too impulsive during that incident. Today’s meal is on me, let it serve as my apology!"

Zhen Jia, dressed in black, gestured dismissively and replied, "You’re looking down on me with such talk! In fact, I should be thanking you for that kick that day. If it weren’t for that, I might not have come across a person of great fortune!"

"A person of great fortune?" Leng Binghan asked with curiosity, "What sort of person?"

"On that day, the conflict between you and me caused a major disturbance. I was injured at the core during the turmoil. After entering the city, I searched everywhere for Healing Holy Medicine, but discovered that this damn Han Yuan City mostly sells refining materials and Spiritual Treasures, and the occasional Spirit Pills are low-grade goods. Therefore, I roamed all the way to the north of the city..." Saying this, Zhen Jia glanced around, cast a soundproof Barrier, and continued, "Daoist, you have no idea, I happened to save a Great Power in the north of the city. It is with his help that I have fully recovered my Cultivation and even managed to breakthrough my constraints!"

"A Barrier?" Li Qingming chuckled, his Primordial Spirit gently prodding and piercing through it.

"The north of the city? You’re not talking about the Desert King Huntian from the Realm of Ten Thousand Demons, are you?" Surprised, Leng Binghan snapped his feather fan shut and asked.

Zhen Jia lifted his cup, sipping the fragrant and rich Immortal Brew, and said, "Correct! Moreover, the Desert King has put the word out: among all the strong beings who entered the city, there are two who were his enemies. Whoever can provide detailed intelligence on them, the Desert King will grant the opportunity to become a Saint!"

"Really?" At this, Leng Binghan couldn’t keep still any longer; he got up quickly to inquire.

They, the finest from the Central Heaven World, came to Cold Origin Ancient City in the hope of becoming Saints. A boldly announced promise of the opportunity to become a Saint naturally shocked him.

"Daoist Leng, there’s no need to get worked up, please sit down and let’s speak calmly!" Zhen Jia hurriedly instructed Leng Binghan to sit, and though they have surrounded themselves with a soundproof Barrier, nobody heard what they were discussing, he did not want to draw attention anyway.

Poor Zhen Jia Taoist, thinking his soundproof Barrier was formidable, while Li Qingming had long since probed in with his Primordial Spirit and listened in on their conversation plainly.

...

"Hehe, Brother Man Niu! I didn’t expect we’d be so valuable!" Li Qingming’s expression was peculiar as he smiled and patted Man Niu’s shoulder.

After spending some time together, Li Qingming and the others had fully accepted this brave and fierce man from the Barbaric World. Therefore, their address for one another had become much more intimate.

Caught off guard while gnawing on a phoenix claw, Man Niu wiped the grease from the corner of his mouth and said, "Brother Li, what about before and after?! Hurry up and eat, this phoenix claw is cooked just right!"

Witnessing Man Niu’s personality quite similar to that of Long Xuhu, Li Qingming helplessly shook his head and said, "Man Niu, after Huntian returned to the city from the north, he harshly declared that anyone who could provide detailed information about the two of us would be granted the opportunity to become a Saint. Our information is apparently as valuable as a chance to become a Saint, aren’t we worth a lot then?"

"Holy shit! That damned Huntian, he didn’t calm down even after being taught a lesson! Next time I see him, I’ll chop him into pieces and feed him to the dogs!" Man Niu slammed the table fervently, cursing aloud.

It was precisely mid-morning, and the sun was shining brightly. The top floor of the tavern was filled with guests, and at this moment, they all turned their heads towards Li Qingming’s table when they heard Man Niu’s swearing.

Their expressions were varied, but without exception, all showed a tinge of discontent.

"Oh heavens, why are these two scourges here!"

"Quick, look away—we offend them, and we’re all as good as dead..."

Upon seeing Man Niu and Li Qingming, those creatures who had seen them overwhelming Huntian on the Star Road all changed their expressions. They immediately reined in their arrogance and quickly turned their heads back.

As for the elites from various parts of the Central Heaven World who had come from other Star Roads, they didn’t care about their life or death!

Seeing this, Li Qingming pressed Man Niu down and said, "Fellow Daoists, my brother here has a naturally volatile temper. He might have spoken a bit loudly just now, and I hope you all can forgive that."

After Li Qingming finished speaking, a young cultivator sitting at the table next to them said, "Forget it, it’s not a big deal! Fellow Daoist, please don’t mind it!"

Seated at the same table with this young cultivator was a beautiful woman in pink palace dress. She covered her cherry lips and said with a breath as gentle as an orchid, "Exactly! A tavern should be a noisy place. It seems we were being overly sensitive! Hehe..."

With someone taking the lead, the rest of the crowd also gave up on pursuing the matter further.

Yet, there are always one or two brash fools in the world, or should I say, people in a hurry to meet their doom.

"What do you count for, thinking it’s settled just because you say so! That beast disturbed my peace, and you want to smooth things over without any consequences? Ridiculous!" A jeering laugh with a sarcastic tone came from the central table.

Li Qingming slightly furrowed his brow and looked over.

He saw that there were five Daoists seated at that table, each with powerful blood qi surging around them and an imposing aura. Just from their overbearing presence, it was clear they were not to be trifled with!

The one who had spoken was a young man in light yellow treasure clothes, with a fair complexion. At this moment, he was frowning, looking down at the trio of Li Qingming with a superior air.

"That’s right, acting like he’s somebody! In the Cold Origin Ancient City, everyone should behave and play the grandson properly!" Sitting across from the young man in yellow, there was a burly man with an unusual feature—three eyes.

"F*** your ancestors, are your balls aching, kiddo? Want your grandpa to give ’em a rub?" Man Niu, unable to hold back due to his aggressive nature, suddenly stood up, glaring angrily at the group of five at the table.

Li Qingming patted Man Niu’s shoulder and said, "Man Niu, did you forget what I told you before we came out?"

Man Niu’s expression stiffened, but he still angrily pointed at the group at the table and said, "But they..."

Li Qingming waved his hand and said, "Man Niu, let me ask you, if a dog bites you, would you bite back?"

Man Niu shook his head and said, "No!"

"There you go!" Li Qingming spread out his hands and said.

"Pfft..."

The beautiful woman in palace dress sitting next to Li Qingming’s table covered her mouth and laughed, her captivating eyes curving into crescent moons.

"Ha ha ha ha..."

Following a moment of astonishment, the rest of the creatures also burst into laughter.

(To be continued. If you like this work, please head to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)