Xu Xian had someone bring him a chair, for a demon son ought to have the poise of a demon son.
He sat upon the chair, utterly ignoring the saintly pressure.
His gaze slowly swept across the crowd—demon immortals, beast gods, saints, those in the tribulation transcendence stage, and those in the great ascension stage.
There were many.
Naturally, he also saw Lei Yunche standing with his sword upon a small boat.
He had to admit, the man was indeed handsome.
Judging by the way the other was looking at him, Xu Xian guessed there was a high probability that Lu Yuan’s identity had been exposed.
It didn't matter.
The crowd of powerhouses stood with darkened faces and remained silent, seemingly displeased by the youth's haughty attitude.
Sitting upon his throne, Xu Xian smiled warmly.
"Senior predecessors, you have come from afar, and this junior is truly overwhelmed. My subordinates are quite ignorant and haven't welcomed you properly. I hope you won't take it to heart."
A bit of politeness, a few compliments.
Yet hearing this made Jin Qing’s head ache.
What did he mean by "ignorant subordinates"? He should look at the things he had done himself.
Someone in the crowd spoke up.
"Enough nonsense. Hand over the people, and we can let the matters of the Emperor’s Tomb slide."
Xu Xian didn't waste words either, spreading his fingers. "I can hand them over, but you must bring things to trade for them."
Jin Qing had confirmed with him that they had seen everything that happened in the Emperor’s Tomb.
Naturally, Xu Xian didn't need to explain further.
One person shouted coldly.
"Things? You killed so many people, and it is already a mercy that we aren't settling scores with you. You still dare to ask for things? What a joke."
The others silently agreed.
That was the logic.
Xu Xian was amused, looking at the speaker as if they were a fool. He mocked, "So, you old geezer, you don't plan on being reasonable?"
Being called an old geezer by a junior in front of the whole world...
To say he wasn't angry would be a lie.
The man questioned, "Utter nonsense! Killing someone to pay for a life is the natural law of heaven. How am I being unreasonable?"
Xu Xian spoke with resounding force, "Nonsense! The journey to the Emperor’s Tomb, the struggle for immortal opportunity, and the slaughter trials were meant for killing. They died, and now you want a life for a life? If you can't afford to lose, don't play. They lacked the strength yet tried to compete with me. If they didn't die, who should? Should I? How hilarious..."
The man continued to argue.
"That is still no reason for you to kill a hundred thousand people. This is a wanton slaughter of the innocent."
Xu Xian retorted, "I'm slaughtering the innocent? Why don't you mention how a million of them were hunting me down alone? Did I say anything? If your skills are inferior, don't come out and make a fool of yourself..."
The youth’s words were a barrage of verbal output.
He was just short of cursing their mothers.
He called the dead useless trash and the speakers old fossils.
They had no ability, and all they knew was how to bark.
The elders retorted, each offering their own words. From an initial argument to a full-blown quarrel, it grew more intense.
It was like a group of shrews shouting in the street.
Xu Xian stood his ground alone, battling the saints with his tongue, leaving the elders speechless and exasperated.
Finally, Xu Xian grew bored and tired. He didn't want to argue anymore and provoked them, "Cut the crap. I'm right here. If you have the guts, come and kill me."
The elders were so angry their teeth itched, and some with shorter tempers were shaking all over.
"You..."
"You monster! If you do not die, the laws of heaven will not allow it!"
"I am fuming! I am fuming!"
Some blew their beards, some glared, some pointed fingers in rage, and some cursed loudly.
They said every harsh word possible, yet not a single one made a move.
Listening to their clamor, Xu Xian added fuel to the fire and rubbed salt in their wounds. "You don't dare, do you? A bunch of cowards. Shut your mouths!"
The Twelve Demon Gods’ faces twitched. They had originally thought Bai Mang would be a bit softer and negotiate terms with these people.
Who could have guessed that as soon as he stepped up, he would point at the noses of these saints and curse them?
One must realize that even they wouldn't dare speak to these people like that.
Now things were great.
The conflict hadn't been eased, and it seemed to have become even more severe.
The killing intent in those people's eyes was thick enough to devour someone.
It was only because they were wary that Bai Mang still held the lives of their juniors that they hadn't attacked yet.
A Confucian saint, who had remained silent the entire time, finally spoke.
Looking like a scholar, he asked warmly, "Little friend Bai Mang, what exactly do you want to do?"
Xu Xian patiently repeated himself, "Asking what you already know. Haven't you all seen it? I can release the people, but you must bring things to trade for them."
A great demon narrowed its eyes and said sinisterly, "If we give you the things, will you be alive to spend them?"
Xu Xian met the gaze without backing down an inch. "That is not for you to worry about. How I spend it and whether I have the life to do so is my business. You only need to think about whether you will give them or not."
"Give them, and take the people away."
"Don't give them, then please leave. I won't see you out."
The youth’s attitude remained firm throughout, with no room for compromise or negotiation.
Someone warned him:
"Are you not afraid that we will level the Demon Abyss?"
"Are you threatening me?" Xu Xian asked instead of answering.
"If you say so, then it is."
Xu Xian said slowly, "Then why don't you try destroying it?"
The atmosphere became even more oppressive, the emotions clashing like a dark sky hanging over their heads.
An invisible struggle played out in the silence—a psychological game, but also a test from the saints.
If possible, no one wanted to suffer a loss.
If possible, no one wanted to fight.
If possible, they naturally hoped Bai Mang would compromise and return their juniors safely.
But clearly, this kid was impervious to reason and had made up his mind.
The items must be given.
If not, he would kill.
Fearless of threats, his courage was astonishing.
This left the saints present uncertain for a moment as to what kind of backing this kid had to dare be so arrogant.
Could it be that the former Demon Lord of the Demon Abyss really stood behind him?
They didn't believe that Bai Mang, relying only on the Twelve Demon Gods, two demon dragons, and a hundred thousand demon guards, would dare to be so bold and flamboyant.
They truly couldn't see through him.
During the standoff, Huang Xiao gritted his teeth and approached Xu Xian’s side.
Respectfully, he held out a scroll-like cloth roll before Xu Xian.
"Demon Son, the things you wanted are ready."
Xu Xian was startled. Was it that fast?
Without much thought, he instructed Huang Xiao, "You've come at the right time. Find a pole and hang it up. Put it in the most conspicuous place for them to see."
Huang Xiao stole a glance outside the city, where powerhouses stood in formation with surging killing intent.
Even a casual glance made his heart tremble.
If this thing was hung up, he feared...
But he had to carry out the demon son’s orders.
He immediately obeyed, taking out a spear to hang the scroll and propping it up on the city wall.
The cloth roll unfurled, covered in dense rows of black characters.
It was filled with names and prices.
From top to bottom, from expensive to cheap.
The tiers were distinct, and the writing was clear.
It was nothing else but the prices Xu Xian had set for these people back in the Emperor’s Tomb.
After Huang Xiao hung it up, he stood there with his head lowered, trying his best not to look at the gazes of those people.
He clenched his fists nervously.
Xu Xian glanced at it, quite satisfied, and said to the crowd:
"The people I 'borrowed' are all on there. Find them yourselves."
"The prices are also on there. See for yourselves."
He paused, raising his voice. "Hand over the money, and I hand over the person. This is a small business, and no credit is allowed."
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