Chapter 73
Xia Jiuquan’s head was spinning, and the faces of the other clan elders were similarly grim.
They had been duped, played by the owner of Tangneng First-class.
Who could have imagined that what the other party sold was nothing but ordinary water, utterly useless for cultivation?
“Uncle Chen, quickly take people back to the family and bring the initial stage Spirit Grass, no matter what, we cannot allow the family’s reputation to be tarnished. Let’s just get through tonight first!”
“Yes!”
In the bathhouse, a group of family elders rushed to the hall to pacify the crowd once again.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this situation was unexpected by us as well. To make amends, we have switched to overnight stays for everyone’s bath time. Our steward has already gone to transport the Spiritual Medicine from the family. In a quarter-hour, it will be added to the bathhouse.”
“We ask for your trust in the Xia Family once more!”
Xia Jiuquan’s sincerity was substantial, as the noise inside the bathhouse gradually subsided. Twenty-five Lower Grade Spirit Stones had been exchanged for a large number of Xia Family’s cultivation resources – on balance, they were in profit.
The Cultivation World is, after all, a circle that prioritizes strength and benefits.
Since the Xia Family was willing to pay a hefty compensation, they were willing to wait a little longer. After all, overnight stays were now available, so what harm was there in waiting?
“The Xia Family is a prestigious clan, but these tactics are not commendable. Does the Family Head think that by taking the clothing of my daughter, you can keep her here?”
A cold voice drifted out from the women’s bathhouse.
“That voice… Miss Wang of the Wang Family, Wang Ruoxian?”
“Wasn’t Immortal Wang studying at Xiao Cheng Sect? How did she come back?”
“Unexpectedly, Immortal Wang is also here in this bathhouse. Indeed, bathing is the best way of communication; the owner did not deceive me!”
Xia Jiuquan was startled at the voice; he recognized it, and did not expect Miss Wang to be here as well. With the backing of the Xiao Cheng Sect, she was definitely not someone they could afford to offend.
“What do you mean by this, Immortal Wang? Our establishment does not have the habit of taking the personal belongings of our guests.”
“Yet, more than half of the clothes belonging to the cultivators present have mysteriously disappeared. How would you explain that?”
The cold voice came again.
At the same time, the entire women’s bathhouse erupted into screams of shock.
“Who took my clothes!”
“My personal garments are gone; I can’t show my face anymore!”
“Xia Family, you are so despicable. Once I return, my Liu Family will certainly draw a clear line with you!”
It was only now that the cultivators realized that indeed, their clothes were gone.
The ground was bare, not even a sock remained.
Xia Jiuquan was also dumbfounded; a thief had actually entered the bathhouse and stolen the clothes of more than half of the cultivators.
Dammit, who did this!
“Patriarch Xia, I have no interest in any Spiritual Medicine; I only want my clothing back.”
“Don’t worry, Immortal Wang, I will send someone to find them, oh no, to buy them!”
…
Inside Tangneng First-class, Ergouzi sneaked back once again.
“Woof, kid, there’s a big fish!”
“What big fish?”
“The Xia Family is transporting Spiritual Medicine to Xia Family First-Rate, ten whole carts of it. Such resources should be shared, so the common folk can also benefit!”
“Such good fortune!”
Li Xiaobai’s eyes lit up; this was an excellent opportunity to make a fortune. With ten carts of resources, they could probably exchange them for a hefty sum of Spirit Stones.
The Xia Family was genuinely generous. No need to say, this required action.
“Yan Yu, watch the door. I’ll be right back.”
The scrappy dog was very familiar with the surrounding terrain, taking the shortest routes.
Half an hour later.
Carriage after carriage appeared in his line of sight; these carriages were larger than ordinary ones, each pulled by two horses.
“`
The two squads of people proceeded with their guard duty.
“How about it, can we rob them?” Ergouzi asked.
“Standard operation, Drunken Immortal!”
With the skill at hand, there was no need for them to show themselves, as the rich aroma of wine wafted through the air, filling the streets with the scent of strong liquor in an instant.
The smell of alcohol drifted through the area, intoxicating all living creatures, whether humans, horses, or other beings, all of them collapsing to the ground weak and with a blank mind.
“Not bad, kid, hurry and collect the Spiritual Medicine.”
Ergouzi was excited, his head heated up, and he charged out, eager to fleece them.
Unfortunately, he didn’t make it two steps before he too collapsed, out of dog’s business.
“Heh heh, it’s all mine now!”
With a wave of his hand, Li Xiaobai gathered all ten carts of Spirit Grass into his Space Ring, which upon inspection, appeared to be Lower Grade Spiritual Medicine.
Selling them later would also be quite a fortune.
Drawing his sword, the Sword Qi crisscrossed the street, leaving behind several large characters on the ground: Nicholas Ergouzi, teaching you a lesson!
After robbing them blind and leaving without any witnesses, it was a perfect crime.
Li Xiaobai might be pleased, but Tangneng First-class was in complete turmoil. The herbs from Xia Jiuquan were the ultimate means to secure customers, but to their surprise, someone had intercepted them midway.
Many cultivators had waited a long time and still saw no sign of the herbs, and the stewards had also disappeared.
They finally understood they had been duped.
“No use talking about it, go and bring some clothes for the Immortals. When we get back, immediately report today’s incident to the Family Head. I’ve taken note of this grudge.”
“Indeed, we were scammed for no reason, and I can’t swallow this bitter pill.”
Within the Xia Family First-Rate, in the Family Head’s room.
The higher-ups were all gathered.
“No need to keep supplying materials. Xia Family First-Rate will temporarily suspend operations starting tomorrow. I’ll explain things to the other families personally.”
“Find out who Nicholas Ergouzi is, daring to rob the Xia Family of its Spiritual Medicine. He must pay the price!”
Xia Jiuquan was enraged. The consecutive setbacks since the opening of Xia Family First-Rate had caused considerable losses to the Xia Family.
Whether it was the expenses of purchasing water from Tangneng First-class, losing resources in the robbery, or the renovation costs for Xia Family First-Rate, the loss amounted to over ten thousand mid-grade Spirit Stones when tallied up.
Even for the well-established Xia Family, it was no small expenditure.
The most crucial point was that someone in the city had quietly stolen the Xia Family’s goods. This was not something an ordinary cultivator could do; it suggested the shadows of several major families behind the scenes.
Could it be a show of force against him?
“So, about this Xia Family First-Rate…”
Xia Chuan ventured to ask.
“Unfilial son, it’s all because of your misinformation that the Xia Family’s reputation has been dragged through the mud. If you weren’t my own flesh and blood, you would have been beheaded already!”
Xia Jiuquan was furious, and the furniture in the room was instantly reduced to dust.
The young masters of the Xia Family didn’t dare to take a single loud breath.
“Xia Family First-Rate will cease operations. Tomorrow I will personally visit Tangneng First-class and meet with that owner to see exactly who they are!”
“Also, your younger brother is coming back. You all should make sure to receive him well!”
…
The next morning,
A large group of cultivators gathered in front of Tangneng First-class. After the debacle at Xia Family First-Rate, everyone in the city had learned of the bathhouse’s miraculous nature.
Simply bathing there could enhance one’s cultivation level, a feat even the Xia Family couldn’t mimic. This shop was incredible.
However, when the cultivators saw the new prices posted on the wall, they were all stunned.
Half an hour for one mid-grade Spirit Stone, has the owner gone mad?
“Owner, you’re not running a scam as well, are you?”
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