Chapter 22: Sold to Repay the Debt!

"You're not thinking of reneging again, are you?" Xiao Yang asked suspiciously, recalling the last time they had competed, when this fellow had shamelessly refused to admit defeat. The more he thought about it, the more he suspected this scoundrel would indeed try to get out of paying.

With that in mind, Xiao Yang lifted his foot and lightly brushed the dust from his shoe, muttering under his breath, "I wonder if this kick of mine could kill a man. If there's a chance, I must try it on someone who doesn't keep his word."

The next moment, Xiao Yang suddenly looked up and said, "What do you think, Genius Meng?"

Instantly, Meng Changsheng's face turned ashen. His lips trembled with fear, and tears glimmered at the corners of his eyes. Suddenly, he dropped to his knees, clutching Xiao Yang's leg, sniffling and weeping.

"Big brother, it's me, Snivel. Don't you remember me?" Meng Changsheng clung to the last hope for survival. He didn't want to be beaten to death by Xiao Yang, nor did he want his own father to kill him. So he decided to play the emotional card.

"I'm your most loyal little follower!" As Meng Changsheng wiped his nose all over Xiao Yang's clothes, Xiao Yang was left speechless.

Even Zhou Yan hadn't expected to witness such a scene. Meng Changsheng's arrogance was famous throughout the Giant Spirit Sect; though he was a core disciple, he rarely showed respect to the personal disciples. Yet here he was, hugging someone's leg and sobbing uncontrollably.

"If you take the Ice Soul Sword, my father will kill me. Big brother, you can’t just watch me die, can you?" Meng Changsheng cried so pitifully that even those who heard it felt moved, their eyes dampening.

Even Zhou Yan began to feel a pang of sympathy. If she lost a sword worth one and a half million silver, Zhou Jingpeng would never forgive her either. With that in mind, she stepped forward to plead, "Senior brother, maybe we should let it go?"

"Heh, junior sister, this fellow is sly. Do you really think I'd just let it go?" Xiao Yang replied coldly. "He played innocent once, then shameless the second time. Does he really take me for a fool?"

"Then what should we do?" Zhou Yan asked, perplexed. If they forcibly took the Ice Soul Sword, it might offend the Second Elder. If, because of this, the Second Elder sided with the Grand Elder, the loss would far outweigh the gain.

"Have him sell himself to pay off the debt!" The more Xiao Yang thought about it, the more infuriated he became. One and a half million couldn't simply vanish.

Hearing this, Meng Changsheng shuddered and asked nervously, "Can't we just—" but before he could finish, Xiao Yang interrupted, "If you won't sell yourself, hand over the sword."

At that, Meng Changsheng gritted his teeth and agreed. Freedom could be redeemed one day, but if he lost his life, there would be nothing left.

Xiao Yang, putting on airs, took out pen and paper and drafted a contract of servitude on the spot, handing it to Meng Changsheng. Zhou Yan glanced over it—the gist of it was that, being unable to repay a debt of one and a half million silver, he was selling himself to settle the debt.

"Wasn't it one million?" Meng Changsheng asked in confusion after reading it.

"Oh? Well then, hand over the sword," Xiao Yang replied. That alone frightened Meng Changsheng into silence; he hurriedly signed and pressed his seal on the contract, tucking it away carefully before looking up at Xiao Yang.

"Report to Spirit Sword Peak in three days," Xiao Yang instructed.

"Alright," Meng Changsheng nodded.

Seeing his compliance, Xiao Yang took Zhou Yan by the arm, ready to leave.

"Senior brother, aren't you afraid Second Elder will beat you to death for forcing his son into servitude?" Zhou Yan teased with a grin.

Looking at the mischievous girl, Xiao Yang shook his head. "Why would he? I’m helping him look after his son. Why should he be angry with me?" he replied, righteous and unyielding.

"Still, you should be careful. Second Elder has a fiery temper," Zhou Yan said with some hesitation. In her mind, if Second Elder found out his own son had signed a contract of servitude, he would rush over without delay and deliver a harsh lesson.

"Don't worry, don't worry," Xiao Yang said with a mysterious air. "Just you wait, junior sister. Not only will Second Elder not beat me, he'll thank me."

"Alright then," Zhou Yan could only agree helplessly. In truth, she had already resolved to stick close to her senior brother for the next few days, so that if Second Elder really did come to blows, at least she could try to intervene.

The two of them headed toward Spirit Sword Peak, chatting and laughing along the way. Xiao Yang attracted quite a few hostile stares, but as the saying goes, when you have enough lice, you stop itching. That was exactly how Xiao Yang felt: "If you want to hate me, there’s nothing I can do. As long as you don’t provoke me, I’ll pretend not to see you."

Perhaps it was because he was walking with Zhou Yan, but aside from Meng Changsheng, no one else dared to block their path. They reached Spirit Sword Peak without incident.

There, they saw a middle-aged man seated beside a tea table, sipping tea. The moment Zhou Yan caught sight of Zhou Jingpeng, her face changed and she hurried into the house, crouching by the window to peek outside.

Seeing Zhou Jingpeng, Xiao Yang felt a trickle of cold sweat on his forehead and an inexplicable sense of foreboding.

But there was no way to retreat now; he could only steel himself and approach.

"Master, let me pour you some tea," he said respectfully, picking up the kettle and filling Zhou Jingpeng's cup. At that moment, Zhou Jingpeng opened his eyes like a waking lion. Even Xiao Yang, whose mind was usually steady, couldn't help but take two steps back.

Then, he heard a voice tinged with resentment: "Oh, look who it is—my eldest disciple, who storms out at the slightest disagreement. What’s the matter? Come to see if I’ve died yet?"

At those words, Xiao Yang immediately fell to his knees and kowtowed three times without another word.

"Master, it was my fault before. I shouldn't have left without your permission. Please, give me another chance—this time, I’ll serve you well alongside junior sister."

Ten years ago, when Xiao Yang's cultivation stagnated, he had left for the outer sect, fearing to bring shame upon Spirit Sword Peak. He hadn't expected to be gone for a decade. If not for the system, he might never have seen Zhou Jingpeng again in this life.

"Enough, get up," Zhou Jingpeng said, feigning indifference.

Delighted, Xiao Yang prepared to stand, only to hear Zhou Jingpeng's voice again.

"Kneel back down. I just remembered something," he said.

Xiao Yang, halfway up, obediently knelt again.

"Let me tell you: you are a disciple of Spirit Sword Peak. Even if you’re useless, even if you’re an ordinary man, you’re still one of us. If you ever act so foolishly again, don’t blame me if I take your head off myself."

A furious roar rang in his ears. Yet, for all the scolding, Xiao Yang felt a warm satisfaction in his heart. Ten years in the outer sect had taught him one thing: without strength, no one would respect you. He had brought up quite a few junior brothers, but hardly anyone had ever come back to see him. The greatest reward he’d received was six taels of silver.

"Understood, Master," Xiao Yang replied quietly, head bowed.

"Good. Now, get up." Zhou Jingpeng said. "Oh, and one more thing—"

Just as Xiao Yang was about to rise, he instinctively knelt again. At this, Zhou Jingpeng burst out laughing in exasperation.

"Have you gotten addicted to kneeling? Should I punish you with three days on your knees?"

Xiao Yang grinned sheepishly and scrambled to his feet, waving his hands.

"No, no, no, Master, I've just been punished, I can't take any more. Please, have mercy!"

"Hmph! Sly as ever," Zhou Jingpeng scoffed.

Xiao Yang chuckled. Meanwhile, inside the house, Zhou Yan, seeing the crisis averted, ran out to join them.