Chapter 130: Cooperation

Qin Feiyang turned to look at the two men, a look of undisguised mockery spreading across his face.

The crowd around them grew intrigued. The atmosphere in the area became somewhat eerie.

"What do you mean by this?" Elder He and the other man demanded as soon as they approached the beautiful woman.

The woman replied indifferently, "You have seen it clearly enough. His martial arts talent is in no way inferior to his aptitude for alchemy. My Martial King Palace has no reason to help you anymore."

Elder He argued, "But you gave us your word. As a leader of the Martial King Palace, shouldn't you keep your promises?"

The woman chuckled, "I did promise you, but who knew he would be so charming?"

Jia Hei’s expression darkened, and he shouted, "You..."

"Do not accuse me of being unrighteous; it is you who failed to cherish talent. If it weren't for your insatiable greed, forcing him to hand over the Netherworld Demonic Flame, would he have ever left the Pill King Palace? In the end, this is all of your own making." The woman’s mockery was blatant.

Jia Hei stared intently at the woman, his hands clenched so tightly they cracked. Clearly, he was furious to the point of explosion.

"Sigh!" Elder He let out a deep sigh. He turned to look at Qin Feiyang with a complex expression and said, "The things that happened in the past were our fault. I hope you can forgive us."

Qin Feiyang curled his lips and said coldly, "I am merely an insignificant nobody. How could I dare to have Elder He apologize to me personally?"

Elder He’s expression stiffened. He forced a smile and said, "Why don't you come back with us to the Pill King Palace first? We can discuss other matters later, how about that?"

"Discuss?" Qin Feiyang sneered. "So, you still haven't given up? Interesting. The dignified Pill King Palace not only fails to protect the interests of its disciples but instead relies on its power to exploit them. Tell me, how is this any different from a den of bandits?"

His inner anger burned brighter. These old scoundrels were the most shameless people he had ever encountered.

Elder He’s face darkened significantly. In his view, he had already shown more than enough face to a junior. Yet, the other party refused to let it go and continued to speak disrespectfully. This was not just trampling on his dignity; it was an act of contempt toward the Pill King Palace itself!

"Are you very angry? Do you want to kill me?" Qin Feiyang sneered.

The two elders did not answer, but their eyes said everything.

"Before you scheme against others, you should look in a mirror to see if you even have the capability. Although you are powerful, even an idiot could see through your petty intentions. Want to play a game of patience? Do you want me to apologize to you and beg to be taken back? You truly think the Pill King Palace is all-powerful and that I cannot survive without you? Do not hold yourself in such high regard. The sun will rise tomorrow regardless of who leaves."

"I will not return to the Pill King Palace. That place is simply disgusting. Do you remember what I said three months ago? Let’s see who ends up regretting it. This is just the beginning."

Qin Feiyang swept a mocking glance over the two, turned to the beautiful woman, and cupped his hands. "I apologize for the offense, I hope you understand." With that, he turned and began to walk away.

"Eh?" The woman was stunned. The surrounding crowd was also filled with astonishment. Hadn't he passed the assessment? Why wasn't he entering the Martial King Palace? Was it possible he had just used the Martial King Palace to slap the Pill King Palace in the face? Was this entire drama just a farce he had choreographed? Everyone had initially assumed the big winner would be the Martial King Palace.

But the result was different. The Martial King Palace gained nothing, and he was the ultimate winner. He had demonstrated his potential and talent, capturing the attention of the Martial King Palace, while simultaneously plunging the Pill King Palace into an embarrassing situation—killing two birds with one stone! This person’s mind was truly not to be underestimated.

Seeing Qin Feiyang about to vanish into the crowd, the woman hurriedly called out, "Jiang Haotian, as long as you join the Martial King Palace now, the Head Palace Master, Elder Wan, and I will immediately help you master the Netherworld Demonic Flame."

Elder He and Jia Hei turned their heads sharply, glaring at the woman. Her actions were undoubtedly undermining them and pushing the Pill King Palace into an even more humiliating position.

"What are you looking at? This is the Martial King Palace. Do you intend to act out here?" The woman raised an eyebrow, a bone-chilling coldness radiating from her.

The two men's faces turned ashen. They had thought that no matter how chaotic things became, they could control the situation. Only now did they realize that three months ago, this matter had already spiraled out of their control. What could they do now? How could they salvage this? The boy hated them to the bone; was there any way to make him change his mind?

In that moment, they were lost. Endless regret washed over them like a tide, uncontrollable and drowning their hearts.

"It looks like they are truly regretting it now!"

"Nonsense. Think about it—what is the value of an alchemist who can refine peerless pills? Not to mention, he is a prodigy in martial arts. Who wouldn't regret losing such a monster?"

"Actually, the Pill King Palace never should have tried to steal the Netherworld Demonic Flame in the first place."

"Exactly. The correct approach would have been like the Martial King Palace, helping him master it. If they had done that, none of this would have happened. Instead, Jiang Haotian would be grateful and swear his loyalty to the Pill King Palace."

"Both are the governing powers of Yan County; why is the difference between them so vast?"

The crowd whispered. These comments fell into the ears of Elder He and Jia Hei, making them blush with shame.

At the same time, hearing the woman’s offer, Qin Feiyang paused to think.

The woman smiled, "If you cannot make up your mind for the moment, you can stay at the Martial King Palace and consider it slowly."

"This level of intelligence completely crushes the Pill King Palace!" the crowd marveled. Not rushing, not being impatient, and not putting on airs—giving the other party time to think was the greatest respect one could show. Once Jiang Haotian agreed to stay at the Martial King Palace, his joining would be a certainty.

Qin Feiyang looked up at the woman and said, "Senior, how about we collaborate?"

"Collaborate?" The woman was taken aback. "How so?"

Qin Feiyang replied, "You help me master the Netherworld Demonic Flame, and I will refine peerless pills for you. However, you must provide the materials and pay me a certain fee."

The woman’s eyes lit up.

"Absolutely not!" Elder He and Jia Hei shouted simultaneously. If this succeeded, the interests of the Pill King Palace would shrink significantly. They would never allow such a thing to happen.

Qin Feiyang glanced at them indifferently. "This is my business. Does it concern you?"

The two were left speechless, like a mute eating bitter herbs, unable to voice their grievances.

Qin Feiyang ignored them and looked at the woman. "Senior, what do you say?"

The woman nodded. "Very well, I agree to the collaboration. As for the compensation, let us go to the conference hall to discuss the details."

"No problem." Qin Feiyang smiled and turned to walk toward the woman.

But at that moment, Elder He stepped in front of him. "Is there really no room for negotiation?"

"Tell me, if you were in my shoes, what would you do? Would you return to the Pill Palace?" Qin Feiyang countered.

"If all the past could be put behind us, I would return," Elder He said.

"Admirable, truly admirable. But I’m sorry, I don't have your magnanimity. I am a very petty person." Qin Feiyang finished speaking and stepped past Elder He.

"I don't believe I can't handle a mere brat like you!" Jia Hei had reached his limit. His hand shot out like an eagle’s claw, aiming for Qin Feiyang’s throat.

The woman’s expression shifted. She hurriedly stepped forward, shielding Qin Feiyang behind her, and said coldly, "Old man Jia, what do you think this place is? How dare you be so presumptuous!"

"Old Jia, stop at once!" Elder He also yelled in a panic.

Jia Hei’s eyebrows twitched. He froze in mid-air, glanced at the woman, and then looked at Qin Feiyang with eyes as sharp as blades.

Qin Feiyang stepped out from behind the woman, looking fearlessly at Jia Hei. "Give me five years, and I will certainly trample you under my feet."

"Is this a declaration of war?" The crowd was shocked. Daring to declare war on a Martial Emperor—was this person borrowing courage from the heavens?

"Ha ha..." Jia Hei laughed loudly, filled with disdain. "I won't say I didn't give you a chance. I’ll give you ten years. Ten years from now, if you can defeat me, I will kneel and let you do as you please! If you cannot, I will tear you into a thousand pieces!"

"Then let us wait and see," Qin Feiyang replied calmly before walking straight into the gates of the Martial King Palace.

The woman frowned and followed quickly.

Watching Qin Feiyang vanish into the Martial King Palace, Elder He fumed, "Old Jia, how could you be so foolish? After this stunt, there is even less room for reconciliation!"

Jia Hei retorted angrily, "Can't you see he had already made up his mind to leave the Pill King Palace?"

"Even so, we shouldn't have deepened the hatred! He can refine peerless pills! Do you even know what that means? If you don't, I’ll tell you: his future achievements will be higher than ours, he might even have a chance to reach the Imperial Capital!" Elder He roared.

"The Imperial Capital!" Jia Hei’s eyes trembled. The Imperial Capital was a legendary place that countless people yearned for. Even as an enforcement elder of the Pill King Palace, it was a place beyond his reach!

Elder He continued, "Although he left the Pill King Palace because we forced him to hand over the Netherworld Demonic Flame, the biggest reason was your attitude back then. What did you call him? An uneducated bastard! Didn't you see his reaction when he heard that? He looked like he wanted to kill you on the spot! Sigh, I shouldn't have brought you along." Elder He shook his head and sighed in deep regret.

"Isn't he an uneducated bastard?" Jia Hei sneered.

"You..." Elder He glared, but swallowed the words that came to his lips. He let out a weak, long sigh, looking utterly haggard. "Things have come to this; there is no point in saying more. Let's go back and ask the Head Palace Master; perhaps he will have a solution."

With that, he soared into the sky and vanished without a trace.

"A genius, huh?" Jia Hei glanced at the Martial King Palace, a flash of murderous intent in his aged eyes. "No matter how talented a genius is, if they haven't matured yet, they are of no concern! I want to see if you can hide in the Martial King Palace for the rest of your life." He turned into a beam of divine light and vanished into the sky.

The main characters had left. The onlookers, having no reason to stay, dispersed one by one. The incident spread through Yan City like a plague, becoming the most discussed topic in town.