“No matter how much I pay?”
Jiang Yi exchanged a glance with Tang Ming and felt that things were going downhill. Tang Ming was very resolute. Jiang Yi raised his teacup and drank a sip. He repeated, “Even if I offer one hundred billion celestial stones?”
“Pfff…”
Seeing Jiang Yi drinking his tea, Tang Ming also did the same. Hearing what Jiang Yi had said, Tang Ming choked and coughed a few times. He looked at Jiang Yi apologetically and said, “My apologies Young Master Yi. I have embarrassed myself. It is not that I have not seen celestial stones before; it is my first time hearing someone offer so much for two ladies though. No matter what, I am incredibly impressed by your bearings. We are definitely friends now.”
As a Tang Clan Consecrator, Tang Ming had seen many things; a hundred billion celestial stones was also not that uncommon to him. However, it was precisely because he had experienced much and had done numerous big deals that made Tang Ming so shocked this time. It was true that Tang Xue and Tang Yan were absolute beauties. However, they were just two orphans that the Tang Clan had raised up as maidservants to gift to others. Ten billion celestial stones could buy one pseudo-divine artifact, and yet these two ladies were now worth ten pseudo-divine artifacts?
Jiang Yi frowned. While Tang Ming had said a whole bunch of words, it did not seem as if he was softening his stance. Jiang Yi looked at Tang Ming and asked, “Too little?”
“No, Young Master Yi, you are mistaken.”
Tang Ming hurriedly cupped his hands and said, “That was not what I meant. Actually… based on your actions and bearing, I would have given Tang Xue and Tang Yan to you free of charge if I could. To be honest with you, the Li Clan’s Third Elder wants these two girls. The Tang Clan has traversed the world and made friends and deals with heroes all around—all based on trust. Since we have already agreed with the Li Clan’s Third Elder—even if you offered a trillion or ten trillion celestial stones, we would not sell them to you. The reputation of the Tang Clan supersedes all else. Hence, I can only apologize to you.”
Since Tang Ming had said all this, there was nothing else left to talk about.
Jiang Yi became quiet. This matter was becoming sticky. If the Tang Clan remained adamant, the only option left was for him to kill those in his way and snatch the two ladies. However, that would definitely start a war with the Li Clan. As the Li Clan reportedly didn’t have any Demigods, Jiang Yi wasn’t that afraid. He was afraid, though, that the Yin Clan would hunt him down. Unless it was absolutely necessary, Jiang Yi didn’t want to become enemies with the Yin Clan. After all, Yin Ruobing had helped him before in the past.
“The Tang Clan’s reputation supersedes all else?”
Jiang Yi murmured to himself, and his eyes suddenly brightened. He said, “Even if my family name is Yi, you guys will not make an exception?”
Jiang Yi’s sentence was very contradictory and was layered with meaning. He wanted to test Tang Ming’s reaction. Tang Ming’s eyes narrowed. However, he still smiled slightly, shook his head, and said, “Even if young master’s family name is Yi, there is no way we can make an exception. Even if Young Master Yi Zhen or Young Mistress Yi Chan came, it would be the same. The Tang Clan has our rules: the Tang Clan’s reputation supersedes all else.”
“Alright!”
Jiang Yi growled, and the ring on his finger lit up. A platinum command token appeared. He tapped it on the table and said, “Even with this platinum command token?”
“Uh…”
Tang Ming stared at the platinum command token on the table, and his eyes lit up. He looked at the platinum command token again and then at Jiang Yi. Suddenly, he stood up and sent forth his essence force from both his hands into the wall in front of him.
Buzz!
The wall glowed and shimmered. The restrictions were activated. Tang Ming closed his eyes and activated his divine senses to scan the surroundings a few times. After that, he finally cupped his hands towards Jiang Yi and said, “Young Master Jiang. It is you? I have been disrespectful.”
Jiang Yi did not look surprised at all. Since he took out the command token, it also meant that his identity was going to be exposed. The Tang Clan was extremely powerful; how could they not be able to guess who he was? He was also very satisfied with the change in Tang Ming’s attitude and mannerisms. No matter what—from the looks of it, the Tang Clan would not sell him out.
Jiang Yi smiled lightly and said, “Consecrator Tang Ming, I have also admired the Tang Clan. I had a pleasant meeting with Brother Tang Sheng the last time. I do wish to continue to be friends with the Tang Clan.”
“Many thanks to Young Master Jiang for your support.”
Tang Ming’s face glowed red as he cupped his hands again and said, “To reveal your identity to me, that shows your trust in the Tang Clan. Rest assured that your identity is a top secret of the Tang Clan. No word will spread regarding this encounter as well. Not even to the Nine Thearch Clans.”
“Alright!”
Jiang Yi said in a low voice and rose. “The Tang Clan has not disappointed me. Please tell the Clan Head that if I ever make it big in the future, the Tang Clan will always be my friend.”
Tang Ming shook his head and said, “Young Master has already made it big. To be honest with you, the Tang Clan Head admires you very much. He said that, Young Master, you could probably be the next Mystic Thearch. Hence, to the Tang Clan, you are our esteemed guest.”
“Uh—”
Jiang Yi did not expect to be so highly regarded by the Tang Clan. He finally managed to untie a knot in his heart. It appeared as if the Tang Clan would never reveal his identity to outsiders. The Tang Clan had foresight when doing business. If Jiang Yi really became the second Mystic Thearch, that would be the greatest blessing from heaven for the Tang Clan.
Jiang Yi nodded. There was no more need for formalities. He continued, “I do not wish to hide from you as well. Brother Tang Sheng had intended to gift Tang Xue and Tang Yan to me the last time. However, I had rejected him then. Now that I have encountered them again, this is considered fate. I do not have an overpowering sense of righteousness; it is just that I pity the two ladies. You also know what time of person the Li Clan Third Elder is. If I do not lend a hand this time, my conscious will not let me go. I am a person who does things from the heart; if I do not do as such, it will affect my cultivation as well.”
“Like this…”
Tang Ming heard this and felt slightly ashamed. His face reddened as he said, “Young Master means well. When you offered a hundred billion just now, I should have guessed it was you. Who else in this world would be so magnanimous? Allow me to think about this matter more.”
Jiang Yi raised his teacup in silence. In actual fact, he was actually being quite silly regarding this matter. If the Tang Clan decided to betray him—long before the North Thearch would be able to find him and kill him. Jiang Yi would not be able to escape.
However, he had no regrets. If he had decided on something, he would never change his mind again. He was not afraid of death; he was only afraid of losing his daringness and losing his conscience. If one did not occasionally be reckless, did not have anything to pursue, did not have guts, one would be no different from a salted fish.
Bang!
Elder Tang Ming thought for a full five minutes and suddenly slammed the table and said, “Alright! Since Young Master Jiang is so righteous, I cannot be a coward either. Take the two ladies and leave. I will bear the consequences myself. Even if I have to die… I will not divulge anything regarding Young Master.”
Jiang Yi looked at Tang Ming eyes intently and sighed internally. One person’s eyes did not lie. With Jiang Yi’s keen sense of observation—if Tang Ming really managed to hide something from him, it also could not be helped.
It was obvious that Tang Ming wanted to help him, but he also did not want to spoil the reputation of the Tang Clan. Hence, Tang Ming had decided to take responsibility for the whole thing himself. Most probably, after Jiang Yi took the two girls away, Tang Ming would head to the Li Clan personally to seek forgiveness, allowing them to punish him as they saw fit. Tang Ming would also seek forgiveness from the Tang Clan and bear the entire matter himself.
How could Jiang Yi push all the blame to Tang Ming? If that was the case, would Jiang Yi still be Jiang Yi?
Jiang Yi did not hesitate at all and said, “Brother Ming. You have really underestimated me. Nothing more needs to be said regarding this matter. I will take responsibility for this matter; it will have nothing to do with you. I do require you to act in concert with me, though, to put up a good show. As you know, my identity cannot be made known. As for offending the Li Clan and the Yin Clan? I, Jiang Yi, have more than enough enemies. I do not mind having two more. Even the Wu Clan cannot kill me, what more them!”
