Chapter 4303: Old Acquaintance?
The old man saw Li Qiye and astonishment struck him like a lightning bolt. His eyes brimmed with a bright flash, albeit only for a split second - virtually unnoticeable.
He staggered backward, unable to stay calm.
Of course, Wang Weiqiao and the other disciples didnât notice this at all. Li Qiye was the only one privy to the minute changes.
He took a deep breath and calmed down, finally meeting Li Qiyeâs gaze.
âSo we meet again.â Serenity returned to his eyes. After all, the past was so long ago now; there was no point in holding a grudge.
Li Qiye wasnât overly surprised to see him: âYou being alive is nothing short of a miracle.â
He remained silent for a bit before answering: âThe sky shattered and the earth collapsed. My return was due to fate.â
âFate?â Li Qiye chuckled in disagreement: âDo you actually think that youâre alive right now thanks to fate?â
âIf you think youâve done me a favor, I didnât ask for it.â He said.
âThatâs exactly what happened. This world was built and ruled by me and youâre growing on it, so isnât it due to my grace that youâre still alive?â Li Qiye smiled.
He had no choice but to admit: âCorrect, but all you did was given an unsolicited gift. I owe you nothing, itâs due to my own fortune.â
The others had no idea what was going on in this conversation. They attributed this to Li Qiyeâs eccentric nature and decided to stay quiet.
âThere is logic and truth in what youâre saying. Without my gift, your achievements could have been even greater, still standing out at the apex.â Li Qiye nodded.
He didnât say anything.
âI suppose you donât owe me anything, but, you do owe him, got it? You have always owed him and still owe him. This isnât only because of his love and expectation for you.â Li Qiye stared at him.
He took a deep breath and let it out before nodding: âYou are correct, I donât owe you but I do owe him.â
âThen shouldnât you be doing something?â Li Qiye asked.
âThe world has you, I donât need to do anything since you can do a better job.â He responded.
âWhat if it needs you? And why does it have to be me? Havenât you thought about doing something for him?â Li Qiye asked.
He fell into silence.
âThere can never be enough praise for your innate talent. Do you know what makes us different?â Li Qiye continued.
âMe.â He eventually answered in a sentimental manner.
âYour desire drives and imprisons you.â Li Qiye said: âNow, you get a redo. Will you be a slave to it again?â
âIt is rather difficult. I am still me, nothing has changed.â He clenched his fists and sighed.
âDonât do it for you or me or anyone else, do it for him. It is that simple, pay the debt.â Li Qiye concluded.
He eventually loosened his fists and accepted this: âRight, itâs been long enough, I should repay the debt.â
Li Qiye smiled and stopped talking about this issue. He looked at the stall and said: âDecent items.â
âWant to buy? Theyâre all ancient artifacts from the forbidden zones. Each has its own uses and profundities.â The old man reverted to his current state.
âReally?â The disciples were glad that the confusing conversation was over and took a look at the few items.
They looked old and rusty, not much different from scrap metals.
âSee if thereâs anything you like.â The old man looked particularly attentive to Wang Weiqiao and said: âLittle Brother, come, one might be right for you.â
The two were similar in age and appearance yet he called Wang Weiqiao âlittle brotherâ. This could be construed as impoliteness.
They took a look at the items. Alas, nothing seemed worthwhile.
âHey, are they really from the forbidden zones?â One disciple murmured, thinking that the old man was unreliable.
After all, these zones were extremely dangerous. The treasures from there should have incredible visual phenomena - immortal lights or clouds⦠The ones here seemed to be on the opposite end of the spectrum.
âThose connected by fate should be able to see the mysteries.â The old man smiled and didnât overly peddle.
As for Li Qiye, he only spectated without interfering.
âHow about this?â Wang Weiqiao found something looking like a tiny hatchet, no longer in a usable state.
âIf you think itâs good, itâs good.â Li Qiye smiled.
âHow much is it?â Wang Weiqiao liked it and thought that it was somehow meant to be with him.
âIâll give you a friendly price, three million sovereign jades.â The old man raised three fingers.
âWhat?!â The other disciples became startled. Weiqiao himself put the item back on the stall.
âThatâs a friendly price?â One of them complained.
This was a monstrous sum to them. In fact, selling the entire sect wouldnât yield this sum.
âItâs too expensive.â Weiqiao smiled wryly and shook his head. He didnât even have 30,000 Bronze Tendon Refined Jades, let alone the sovereign level.
âIt is fate that we meet today, Iâll reduce it to three hundred bronze tendon jades.â The old man said.
â...â The sudden drop in price surprised Weiqiao. The old man sounded like a swindler.
âBoss, what are you trying to do here with these prices? I donât think this item is even worth three hundred bronze tendon jades.â One disciple said: âIt is worth one hundred at best, donât take advantage of our nice senior brother.â
The old man only smiled and didnât refute.
âWhat do you think, Master?â Weiqiao liked the item but still found this whole thing strange.
âThat depends on you. If the thing is actually worth the initial price, heâs selling you a favor.â Li Qiye said.
âA favor.â Weiqiao carefully thought about it.
âDo you want it, Little Brother? If so, just three hundred.â The old man said.