Chapter 75: Chapter 37 Hong Ling Immortal (Part 2)
Huang Qi’s nerves instantly tensed. The inn door wasn’t that flimsy; anyone who could kick it open would have one of two identities: either a cultivator, or… a warrior.
Warriors were those without the talent to cultivate, who could only rely on physical training to grow stronger. Because this path was extremely difficult, most warriors were not strong, only equivalent to the level of outer disciples of immortal sects.
Unfortunately, Huang Qi was currently just a novice at the second layer of the Juling Realm, so he had to be extremely cautious.
As the door was kicked open, people outside began to enter. Since someone was holding a fire starter, the room was immediately illuminated.
Huang Qi looked towards the light and saw a man of medium build leading the way. Although not tall, he had a broad back and strong waist, with thick limbs, resembling a gorilla, giving a sense of being short and sturdy.
Behind him were four or five followers armed with weapons, of varying heights, builds, and weapons, including sabers, spears, staffs, and clubs.
At the same time, the other party was also sizing up Huang Qi, their pairs of eyes gradually glowing green in the dim light.
“Brother Gang, I wasn’t wrong, was I? This is a top-tier one. No, the best of the best!”
A thin monkey-like man holding a dagger next to the sturdy man said fawningly.
“Hahaha! Well said, Little San. Your taste is finally normal for once.”
Brother Gang praised, but his greedy eyes never left Huang Qi’s body. Like a starved beast, he exuded a highly aggressive aura: “I never expected to encounter such a top-tier one in such a godforsaken place.”
“But she’s wearing a veil. What if she’s very ugly?”
A tall and thin person next to him said worriedly.
“What a fool. With her figure, even if she’s ugly, those rich young masters will still be willing to pay a high price. At worst, we’ll just cover her face like this. So, are you interested or not?”
The thin monkey questioned.
“Mmm, mmm, mmm…”
The tall and thin person glanced at Huang Qi again and then nodded repeatedly.
“You’re getting picky now. Don’t worry, even if she’s ugly, you won’t have a chance to touch her.”
Brother Gang sneered dismissively and then ordered the thin monkey next to him: “Little San, take her. If we delay, we’ll alert the authorities, which will be troublesome.”
“Yes!”
Little San took the order and, with a disgusting smile, approached Huang Qi.
“What do you want?”
Huang Qi asked with a frown.
“Little girl, be good and come with grandpa, or you’ll suffer.”
Little San said flirtatiously.
Huang Qi focused his senses, guarding himself. Although he didn’t know the other party’s specific strength, he instinctively felt a hint of danger.
“What should I do? If I can’t beat them and get caught, I’m completely finished. Not only will I become a woman, but I’ll also become a breeding tool.”
Huang Qi’s heart pounded uncontrollably again.
“What are you dawdling for? Do you want me to resort to force?”
Little San was getting “impatient” and eagerly reached out to grab Huang Qi’s fair little hand.
Huang Qi didn’t intend to wait for death, so he prepared to fight for his life.
“Bang!”
The next moment, Little San’s body flew horizontally, slamming into the wall. He slumped down like a snakeskin bag, his life or death unknown.
Huang Qi was stunned because it wasn’t him who did it! It was Brother Gang!
Brother Gang rushed forward, knocked out his teammate with a punch, then slid on his knees towards Huang Qi, bowing his head to the ground, and repeatedly begged for mercy: “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! Hong Ling Immortal, spare my life! I was wrong, terribly wrong!”
At this moment, the entire room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop!
“Brother Gang, what are you doing? Why are you stabbing your teammate in the back?”
A moment later, the tall and thin person reacted and indignantly questioned.
“You idiot! Quickly kneel and beg the Immortal for mercy. She is Hong Ling Immortal of the HongHua Sect!”
Brother Gang said in exasperation, sweating profusely.
“Hong Ling Immortal!”
Several accomplices exchanged glances, and the next moment they all knelt down on the spot, beginning to beg for mercy.
Huang Qi’s mind went blank. It took him a while to realize that Brother Gang had mistaken him for Hong Ling Immortal.
“Damn it, I thought he went berserk and was going to kill everyone. You scared me to death!”
Huang Qi let out a long sigh. Since the other party had mistaken him, why not play along? This was also the only way to survive.
“You know Hong… me?”
Huang Qi asked after composing himself, but he almost misspoke. His acting skills clearly needed improvement.
“I was fortunate enough to meet you once. Your immortal grace and beauty are unforgettable for eternity!”
Brother Gang replied without daring to raise his head.
Huang Qi completely relaxed and then questioned: “Who are you people? What are you doing barging into my room in the middle of the night?”
“Reporting to Immortal, these are simply petty thugs from this county. Because I have some martial skills, I occasionally act as a matchmaker for some rich young masters who can’t find wives.”
Meng Gang quickly explained.
“Is your matchmaking business legitimate? I’ve never heard of matchmaking that requires martial skills.”
Huang Qi sneered. Of course, his doubts weren’t just about this. This guy’s martial skills were too strong; he could be considered first-rate in the martial arts world of Huang Tian Prefecture. How could he be stuck in such a remote corner? Moreover, this guy had just said “encountering such a top-tier one in such a godforsaken place,” which clearly implied he was an outsider.
“As you know, some brides are not very cooperative, so some physical prowess is needed.”
Meng Gang added embarrassedly.
“Like how I was just now?”
Huang Qi questioned through gritted teeth. This guy was shameless, clearly engaged in kidnapping women but calling himself a matchmaker.
“I’m sorry, it was my fault for not recognizing your importance!”
Meng Gang was startled and kowtowed several more times.
Huang Qi was furious, but to avoid further complications, he initially wanted to tell them to get lost. However, upon further thought, he felt it wouldn’t be appropriate. If such a peerless immortal fairy from an immortal sect were too lenient, it would only make these people suspicious. So, he said coldly: “Since you know me, how will you atone for offending this Immortal?”
“I understand what you mean!”
Meng Gang was sensible and took out some items from his embrace, placing them at Huang Qi’s feet.
Huang Qi looked at them in the firelight and saw some loose silver and a banknote, which seemed to be for fifty taels.
“Are you insulting me?”
Huang Qi asked with feigned coldness, suppressing his excitement. As an “Immortal,” he couldn’t give up his principles for a mere few dozen taels of silver.
“I understand! I understand!”
Meng Gang was stunned for a moment, then said to his companions: “Take out all the silver on yourselves and offer it all to the Immortal!”
None of the companions dared to object and quickly took out their silver and offered it. Although each person didn’t have much, it added up to over ten taels.
Huang Qi was dumbfounded. He didn’t actually mean this, but since they insisted on “insulting” him, he had no choice but to accept his fate.
“In that case, I will keep this ill-gotten gain for you. Now, immediately go to the yamen and surrender yourselves, perhaps there’s still a glimmer of hope. Otherwise, don’t blame this… this Immortal for eliminating harm for the people.”
Huang Qi commanded with false solemnity, suppressing the urge to grab all the silver.
“Yes, yes, yes! We understand!”
Meng Gang was obedient, at least on the surface.
Next, the group left the room with the “Little San” whose life or death was unknown.
Huang Qi certainly didn’t believe these people would surrender. However, he really didn’t have time to argue, nor did he have the ability to intervene. Just dealing with Meng Gang alone would be difficult, let alone him having so many followers.
“Rich! Rich! I’m so rich now!”
Huang Qi’s lofty demeanor instantly disappeared, and he immediately grabbed the silver greedily and started counting.
“Seventy-three taels! A full seventy-three taels!”
After counting, Huang Qi was so excited he was practically dancing. It wasn’t just because of the large sum, but because he felt he could finally repay Ruan Lingyu.
At this moment, Meng Gang and the others were walking downstairs, sighing.
“So unlucky, to have encountered Cheng Hong Ling in a place like this!”
“Yeah, didn’t they say she had already left the sect and joined other sects?”
“It seems the rumors can’t be trusted. Fortunately, we came late and encountered her halfway!”
“Stop talking, be careful she hears you!”
“Yes, yes, yes, boss!”
…
Huang Qi’s senses were now keen, and the conversations of the few people drifted into his ears.
“What? Hong Ling Immortal left the HongHua Sect and joined other sects?”
Huang Qi froze on the spot, and the silver in his hands clattered to the floor.
