Chapter 129: The Posting of the Examination Results and the Conferral of Degrees

Who is Yuchi Baolin? He is the greatest general of the Tang Dynasty and the eldest son of Yuchi Jingde. Appointed by the emperor as the Junior Guardian of the Imperial Guards and the chief of the Demon Suppression Institute, Yuchi Baolin’s cultivation alone is enough to dominate the world.

One is a supreme master at the pinnacle of the Guiwei realm, while the other is merely a novice at the second level of the Guanxu realm. Not only Yuchi Baolin himself, but even Lady Xiao and Zhao Li were stunned.

Yet the boy’s voice and expression were undeniably filled with fury. It was clear that this dragon salivary herb meant more to him than his own life.

“It certainly looks like Li Chunfeng was injured without a doubt. But what kind of power could cause someone capable of facing the Nine Venom Sect’s leader, Ouyang Tianming, head-on without losing ground to be wounded so severely? What lies within that thundercloud?”

Zhao Li was horrified. Known as the “Informed One of the Capital,” he was somewhat aware of the massacre that occurred in Chang’an last night. That was precisely why the Nine Star Gang sought the aid of Master Lu Xin and his disciple. But if Li Chunfeng’s injuries were too grave, the deal would obviously fall through. As the fourth leader of the Nine Star Gang, Zhao Li prioritized the gang’s interests above all. Thus, when Lu Xin spoke back to Yuchi Baolin, Zhao Li did not intervene.

“Your Excellency, your cultivation is profound, far beyond mine. How could I presume to instruct you? Yet all matters must follow rules. You, coming from a military family and serving as a court official, surely understand what I mean.”

“Hmph, first come, first served, is it? Boy, my family has lived in Chang’an since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, for over ten years now. Tell me, who arrived first, you or I?”

Yuchi Baolin, true to his warrior lineage, displayed an indifferent expression, radiating overwhelming presence. Though Lu Xin had reason on his side, Yuchi Baolin clearly had no intention of yielding. Each word was laced with arrogance, as if all beneath him were nothing.

“Oh dear, both of you are esteemed guests of this office. As the saying goes, harmony brings wealth. There’s no need to quarrel over a single magical herb. Young Master Yuchi, don’t you agree?”

Lady Xiao, sensing the rising tension, quickly forced a delicate laugh, waving her sleeves towards Lu Xin and Zhao Li. In the next moment, Lu Xin, previously immobilized by magic, regained his ability to move. Seeing this, Yuchi Baolin paid no mind and turned his gaze back to the dark green box in Lady Xiao’s hand.

“An ink-colored box containing the Ink Dao Ice Crystal from the Abyss of Return—Lady Xiao certainly has grand means. Enough talk. This is my Right Martial Marquis General’s seal. Lady Xiao may come to my general’s residence at any time to collect the silver.”

From his sleeve, Yuchi Baolin produced a gleaming dagger engraved with the characters “Yuchi.” After Lady Xiao accepted it, he reached for the dragon salivary herb, only for Lady Xiao to dodge his hand.

“Wait! Young Master Yuchi, I am a merchant. Business is done with money exchanged for goods. If neither of you brought silver, there’s no problem handing the herb to you first. But if they present the silver first, naturally the herb belongs to them.”

Lady Xiao laughed coquettishly as she stepped back three paces, clearly unwilling to relinquish the herb so easily. This was understandable, for though Yuchi Baolin spoke boldly, he had brought no cash or equivalent valuables. Lady Xiao, as a merchant, preferred immediate payment rather than having to personally seek funds from the general’s residence.

Moreover, what was the Right Martial Marquis General’s mansion? The home of the empire’s foremost warrior, Yuchi Jingde. Who would dare to demand payment there? Lady Xiao was an experienced player and far from foolish. Yuchi Baolin’s promise was likely inflated.

Unlike Lu Xin and Zhao Li, the Nine Star Gang was a business operation that valued reputation above all. If they wished to buy, eighty thousand taels of silver could be produced instantly. And Lu Xin, only a junior at the second level of the Guanxu realm, was well within her control.

“Hahaha, madam, you jest. Eighty thousand taels of silver is no small sum. In this vast city of Chang’an, who besides my Yuchi family could easily produce such an amount? Surely you haven’t forgotten the Xuanwu Gate Incident, when my father became the greatest contributor to the Tang Dynasty. After the emperor ascended, all the wealth of Li Yuangi’s mansion was granted to the Yuchi family. Would you really think I would go back on my word over a mere eighty thousand taels?”

Yuchi Baolin understood Lady Xiao’s intentions immediately and sneered, stepping forward forcefully.

Boom!

The entire secret chamber trembled, dust swirling in the air as hidden compartments within the rock walls shook. Lady Xiao’s gaze instantly hardened, but her aura was clearly no match for Yuchi Baolin, the chief of the Demon Suppression Institute.

“Hee hee hee, Young Master Yuchi, there’s no need for such hostility. If this dragon salivary herb falls to the ground, its efficacy is lost. Being a Wood-element spirit root, it absorbs Earth energy. Surely you know this?”

“Hmph, Lady Xiao is indeed clever. Fine, though I brought no silver, I don’t believe those two behind me can immediately present eighty thousand taels. Boy, you’re fond of rules, right? Now, Lady Xiao’s rule is that whoever produces the silver first takes the herb. If you can’t, then I have the right to take it first. That’s not bullying you, is it?”

Seeing Lady Xiao remain firm, Yuchi Baolin quickly withdrew his magic. The two had clearly clashed subtly just moments ago, with Yuchi Baolin gaining a slight upper hand, but the gap wasn’t large. If a full fight broke out, he could not be certain of victory.

Lu Xin, observing the scene, suddenly smirked coldly and took from his bosom a vial given by Li Chunfeng.

“Business is about clear exchanges. Common folk do this; so should nobles and generals. Otherwise, chaos will surely ensue. Then how is Tang different from the Sui? Lady Xiao, I brought no silver. But perhaps the contents of this jade vial can match eighty thousand taels.”

Lu Xin’s cold glance met Yuchi Baolin’s before he tossed the vial forward. Lady Xiao’s expression turned grave as she caught it, pouring a single pill from it into her hand. She inhaled deeply, her eyes filled with awe.

“A supreme Guardian Pill! This is the divine pill for Yin-Yang practitioners at the Guiwei realm. Just a few could help one breakthrough. Where did you get this?”

Lady Xiao was clearly overwhelmed, asking Lu Xin about the pill’s origin. Realizing her outburst, she quickly apologized. At that moment, not only Lady Xiao but even the haughty Yuchi Baolin furrowed their brows, shock flickering in their eyes.

“A supreme pill? Brother Lu, if I recall correctly, in your cultivation world, even one supreme pill is worth a thousand tael-dan silver. Converted to Kaiyuan Tongbao coins, its value exceeds ten thousand strings of cash. And this entire vial…”

Zhao Li gasped sharply. Despite the Nine Star Gang’s vast wealth across Tang, acquiring a single supreme pill was no simple matter. Let alone giving away an entire vial of divine pills at once.

Yet unlike the three who were shocked, Lu Xin remained unmoved, as if handing Lady Xiao only a few candies. This scene was enough to make both Lady Xiao and Yuchi Baolin wary.

“Well, Lady Xiao, does this vial equal eighty thousand taels? If you won’t accept the pill, I can find a way to bring cash immediately.”

“Hee hee hee, young brother, your background is indeed extraordinary. Today, I admit I’m at a disadvantage. Go tell your master I, Long Wan, owe him a favor. The dragon salivary herb is yours.”

After her shock passed, Lady Xiao slipped the vial into her sleeve and personally handed the ink box to Lu Xin without another glance at Yuchi Baolin.

Lu Xin’s expression brightened as he finally felt relieved. Ignoring Yuchi Baolin’s reaction, he signaled Zhao Li and turned to leave the secret chamber, vanishing into the underground palace moments later.

“Lady Xiao, do you understand the consequences of your actions today?”

Not long after Lu Xin’s departure, Yuchi Baolin, arms behind his back, stared coldly at the rock wall and sneered. Deprived of the herb, he was furious but restrained his anger. Though Lu Xin’s cultivation was low, Yuchi Baolin was not desperate enough to seize it by force.

Hearing this, Lady Xiao blinked twice, smiled, and approached a section of the rock wall. Like Yuchi Baolin, she began examining it intently, though her focus was unclear.

“I do not wish to offend the Right Martial General, but more so, I do not wish to cross those capable of forging supreme Guardian Pills. Though General Yuchi is upright and just, others may seek revenge by any means. I act only to protect myself.”

“Heh heh heh, at our level, there’s no need for lofty words. Last night, Chang’an suffered a great calamity, attacked from all directions, with the legendary Taiyin Youying descending. Were it not for my father’s efforts to repel it, he would not be wounded nor in need of the dragon salivary herb. In fact, the moment I saw that boy, I recognized him. A few months ago, he appeared in Xuanzhou during the Night March of the Shadow Army and the Ao Tian Corpse Mutation. He bore the Yin-Yang Wandering Immortal Sword, one of the five divine weapons. As for who sent him to buy the dragon salivary herb, it must be his master, a sorcerer named Li Chunfeng.”

“Tsk tsk tsk, Young Master Yuchi is indeed the chief of the Demon Suppression Institute—nothing escapes your sharp eyes. But what does this have to do with me?”

“Now, nothing. But if my father’s condition worsens because the herb was not obtained, and the emperor takes offense, not even Duke Song could bear the blame alone—let alone you. Moreover, Lady Xiao, though others may not know your background, I know some. Beyond the Western Regions, east of Tianzhu, lies a country called Daku, the land of the Divine Tree. The Domi Sect was founded there, led by an ambitious master. Do you think you can feel at ease in Tang with that in your heart?”

“Yuchi Baolin, do you dare threaten me?”