Chapter Three Hundred Eighteen: The True and False Ksitigarbha Immortal Jade
Li Shanyan’s sincerity in negotiations seemed genuinely heartfelt.
When Young Master Sang cast a restriction on him, he showed no sign of resistance, accepting it with calmness.
Young Master Sang confirmed several times that even with Li Shanyan’s cultivation, he couldn’t easily break the restriction before he felt a bit relieved.
“You old coot, you really have a lot of guts. Do you think I won’t stab you in the back after casting this restriction?”
“Hehe, I trust that you are not that kind of person, my young friend.”
Li Shanyan chuckled, “Besides, we’re in the Holy Kingdom, Tianlang City. Even if you really wanted to do something to me, you’d need the ability to pull it off.”
Young Master Sang rolled his eyes, clearly displeased with the way Li Shanyan was putting on airs.
“Now, can we sit down and have a proper chat?”
Li Shanyan couldn’t be bothered to return to the National Master’s residence and simply found a nearby tea house, booking a private room.
As soon as they sat down, Young Master Sang bluntly asked:
“Why do you want the Ksitigarbha Immortal Jade so badly?”
Li Shanyan fell silent for a long time, then took a bitter sip of tea and slowly shook his head, “Sometimes, the secrets of heaven cannot be revealed. It’s not that I intend to be mysterious, but the truth simply cannot be disclosed.”
“You only need to know that I truly need this item. If you let it go, I’m willing to pay any price.”
Such exaggeration? Young Master Sang grew more suspicious, “Do you really know the effects of the Ksitigarbha Immortal Jade?”
“I know. This item is a divine artifact born from the world, capable of granting wishes and manifesting all things. However, it can only be used three times.”
“Well, I’m not afraid to tell you.”
Young Master Sang said seriously, “The three uses of this Ksitigarbha Immortal Jade have already been exhausted by the president of Floating Splendor Commerce.”
“Right now, this Ksitigarbha Immortal Jade is just a nice-looking rock.”
“Even so, do you still want it?”
Li Shanyan answered without hesitation, “Yes.”
“Because of this, it should have no use for you anymore. Why not just hand it over to me? I guarantee that I won’t cause any more trouble for Floating Splendor Commerce, and I will even request His Majesty to allow trade between the Holy Kingdom and Floating Splendor Commerce.”
Fearing Young Master Sang would backtrack, Li Shanyan added, “If you think that’s not enough, I can offer you additional benefits. Pills, skills, spirit stones, or even enemies that need handling. Whatever you need, I will provide.”
I must say.
Li Shanyan’s words were indeed sincere.
If Young Master Sang didn’t have a system, this would have been enough for him to agree without hesitation.
But alas.
The Ksitigarbha Immortal Jade was now part of his system. There was no way he could give it to Li Shanyan.
However, Li Shanyan’s attitude only deepened Young Master Sang’s suspicions.
Since Li Shanyan already knew that the current Ksitigarbha Immortal Jade was useless and still insisted on trading for it at such a high cost, it showed he wasn’t after its wish-granting powers.
He simply needed the Ksitigarbha Immortal Jade for some other reason.
But what could a peak great cultivator want that he couldn’t acquire?
Li Shanyan’s initial words made Young Master Sang realize that asking him directly would lead nowhere.
After pondering for a moment, Young Master Sang suddenly looked up: “Giving it to you… wouldn’t be impossible.”
“After all, this thing is currently just a decoration for us. If you’re willing to be the fool, I won’t stop you.”
Li Shanyan’s old, murky eyes suddenly brightened.
“However, can you promise that you will agree to any request I make?”
“Please, speak, my young friend,” Li Shanyan said firmly.
“Then.”
Young Master Sang slowly spoke: “I want you to write to the emperor, announcing to the world that you resign as the National Master of the Holy Kingdom and will never return, passing the position to me.”
“Okay.” Li Shanyan agreed enthusiastically.
So quickly that Young Master Sang was taken aback, doubting whether he had heard it wrong.
“You’re not going to hesitate at all?”
“What’s there to hesitate about?” Li Shanyan laughed, “Fame is ultimately just an outside matter. I’ve held this title for hundreds of years; it no longer matters to me.”
“As long as you want it, what’s the harm in giving it to you?”
“You’re not worried that I might misuse your position to wreak havoc in the Holy Kingdom?” Young Master Sang couldn’t help but ask again.
Li Shanyan shook his head with a smile:
“I’ve said it before. I believe you are not that kind of person.”
“I even have a hunch that under your guidance as National Master, the Holy Kingdom may become even more prosperous.”
Seriously?
You’re really doing this?
Young Master Sang became even more curious about why Li Shanyan would go to such lengths to obtain the Ksitigarbha Immortal Jade.
But not right now.
He still needed to use some tricks to find out the truth.
“Nian Nian, are you ready?”
“OK.”
Young Master Sang reached into his storage bag, felt around, and slowly pulled out a piece of soft jade.
The jade was warm and translucent, radiating a gentle glow. It felt cool and smooth in his hand, as clear as melted snow.
Upon seeing the soft jade, Li Shanyan’s eyes revealed a hint of excitement and trembled slightly, almost dropping the jade when he took it.
“This is the item…” he murmured.
“I’ll say it again. This thing can’t grant wishes anymore; it’s just a pretty stone now,” Young Master Sang casually remarked. “Once sold, there are no refunds.”
“Of course.”
“Now, it’s your turn to fulfill your promise.”
“Rest assured, I’ll keep my word.”
Li Shanyan, still enamored with the soft jade, eventually pocketed it reluctantly.
Then, he requested paper and pen, beginning to write the decree.
The contents were just as Young Master Sang requested.
Opening the Holy Kingdom’s market to allow trade with Floating Splendor Commerce.
Resigning as National Master, never returning, with the title passed to Young Master Sang.
Young Master Sang watched him compose the decree smoothly, then hurried back to his room in the National Master’s residence, grabbed a seal, and instructed a servant to deliver it to the palace.
Throughout the process, he hadn’t played any tricks.
This actually made Young Master Sang feel a bit uncomfortable.
Honestly, if Li Shanyan had gone back on his word, Young Master Sang might have felt better about it.
But now, with Li Shanyan so earnestly following through on their agreement, it made Young Master Sang’s actions of having Nian Nian prepare that fake jade seem quite unethical.
“Ugh, you see, if you’d let go of your airs earlier and had a calm discussion, we wouldn’t have had to go through all this nonsense.”
Li Shanyan seemed still caught up in the joy of obtaining the Ksitigarbha Immortal Jade. He warmly invited Young Master Sang to sit down, pouring tea as he spoke some thought-provoking words:
“If one day you find yourself in a tight spot, I and the Holy Kingdom are willing to provide a safe haven for you.”
Young Master Sang silently nodded in response after hearing all this.
