The conversation between the two wasn’t done covertly, so their exchange was open for all to hear and a few of them like Gong Jie, and Duan Hu had visible expressions of shock and surprise when they heard Yao De say he wasn’t sorry, especially the forr emperor.
Being sworn brothers with him even though it was now evident that Yao De had only used that relationship to exploit him, he still knew well enough about Yao De, especially the things that he revered, and one of those things was the leadership of the pavilion.
He would have never expected Yao De to be emboldened enough to be that direct and honest, even Lin Duyi spared enough attention to look over in clear surprise before he hid his head back in his mother’s embrace.
When it ca to Xiao Gun and Yao Chang, they too reacted to his words, and it was one of anger.
Yao De’s words even if not directed at them, still felt like a slap to the face. His lack of remorse made Fu Yong’s death seem cheap sowhat and it left them feeling angry, bitter, and helpless that they could not do anything about it, other than swallow and wallow knowing that they could never avenge their friend unless they broke through to the palace realm.
But even if they did, neither Xiao Gun nor Yao Chang would have the heart to pursue the matter further. Even as palace realm cultivators they would still be rogue cultivators. Regardless of what he had done, Yao De was still a mber of the Golden Bamboo Pavilion. Killing him would be no different than killing soone from the Golden Bamboo Pavilion, no matter how strained his relationship with them was, presently.
Relationships were complicated. Yao De may have betrayed the pavilion by acting selfishly and pocketing the deal for himself, but as far as betrayals go, his actions were not entirely unforgivable when all circumstances were considered.
And when it ca to him murdering Fu Yong for the treasure, that was a non-issue. Cultivators murdered each other for treasure all the ti, and worse Fu Yong was a rogue cultivator.
Murdering and robbing a rogue cultivator wasn’t even considered stealing but more saving the treasure from a lifeti of disgrace for falling into unworthy hands. In most circles robbing a rogue cultivator was considered a righteous cause. If Xiao Gun and Yao Chang were to kill Yao De for what he did, he did not doubt that there would be so individuals from Golden Bamboo Pavilion who would take it personally.
He may have betrayed the pavilion, but for the long period he had been there, surely there were those he had developed a bond with, and if he died at the hands of two rogue cultivators, those figures would seek them out.
They were rogue cultivators, vengeance was a luxury for them as they didn’t have a backing to rely on like Wu Mingli did with the Jade Leaf Academy, or Duan Hu did with their founder. All they had was themselves.
Right now the only comfort Xiao Gun could take was that the cauldron had been reacquired and when it ca to Yao De, while ending him personally may give him imnse satisfaction, in the end, if he ended up dying at another’s hand, he would appreciate it the sa, just with not as much intensity as doing the deed personally.
But now looking at whatever fate awaited the old branch manager, he couldn’t help but feel that dying at his hands would be rciful to him when compared to what awaited him. The Golden Bamboo Pavilion was sure to co after him, and if they did not, Xiao Gun couldn’t help but think of the caterpillar Yang Qing was talking about.
He had no idea how the Order got their hands on the cauldron and whatever that other light was, but he could infer they were obtained from the caterpillar either forcefully or cordially, and if it was the forr, that caterpillar was sure to hold a grudge, and since it couldn’t take it out on the Order, then there was one other person it could take it out on.
Xiao Gun couldn’t help but drift his attention toward Yao De, as he unconsciously grinned widely before he hurriedly covered his mouth when he realized he was smiling widely.
Looking around, he couldn’t help but sigh in relief when he saw no one was paying any attention to him.
..
"Now on the matter of the cauldron.." Yang Qing said before he paused when he saw Lin Guiren looked like he had sothing.
"Yes, pavilion master, Lin Guiren.."
Lin Guiren nodded in gratitude, before saying,
"I am deeply ashad for what one of our own did. It is not how we do our business. I would like to apologize to you both for the things that transpired.."
Xiao Gun and Yao Chong stood frozen when they saw Lin Guiren cup his fist in apology as his gaze fell on them. They had lived their lives being ignored and looked down upon even by people weaker than them.
They would never have expected in their life that they would have a domain expert, and a renowned one at that, apologizing to them. The shock of it left them gobsmacked, unable to talk, blink, or function in any way.
After his apology, Lin Guiren’s attention still on them continued,
"If you’re not against it, I would like the chance to make up for the mistake. I would like to buy the cauldron from you for 50,000 high-grade spirit stones, in addition, I will allow you both to cultivate at the Golden Bamboo Mountain for a year.
It is not much, but in terms of spiritual qi richness and density of dao, it is of the sa caliber as the blessed ground of rank one sects.
What do you think?"
On hearing the offer, the two rogue cultivators went into further shock, and they were not the only ones. Yang Qing was filled with disbelief too, but albeit for different reasons.
"What do you an not much? Why ntion the comparison then? You could have left it at not much. Was the rank one blessed ground necessary, if it isn’t much.
Mmph, how are people this shaless? Where is the deanor of a seasoned domain expert who is indifferent to fa or fortune?
Cultivators nowadays.." Yang Qing thought as he shook his head, throwing Lin Guiren the gaze of a senior who was disappointed in the conduct of a junior.
Lin Guiren’s calmness almost broke as he twitched slightly.
"What’s with that look? Is that contempt? This kid!"
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