Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Chapter 463 – Glad to Endure the Threat

In this world, one of the most embarrassing things was to sell someone out and then have that person suddenly appear right in front of you.

Ning Rufeng was now experiencing this embarrassment. Even though he had wizened with age and had facial skin thicker than an elephant’s and tougher than bark, he still couldn’t help but flush red. After sputtering and laughing for a long time, he barely managed to squeeze out, “Elder Hai Mingwei, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other, haha…haha…”

Standing beside Elder Muli who had now returned was a middle-aged cultivator who looked to be around 40 years of age. His skin was fair and clear and his loose blue robes gave him a scholarly air. But at this time, this person was clenching his teeth and his anger completely destroyed his elegant demeanor. “Surname Ning, since we haven’t seen each other for such a long time, how come you haven’t died yet?”

Ning Rufeng shrunk his neck like a turtle, his laughing even uglier than his crying. Luckily, the cold-as-a-block-of-ice Elder Muli helped break through the impasse. “Elder Hai Mingwei, it seems that this person was right. You were the one to tell him about the sect treasure!”

Hai Mingwei heaved a deep sigh. “It was an accident that originated from drinking too much a long time ago. And it just so happened that I was drinking with someone who apparently cannot keep his promises. Elder Muli, please rest assured that I will give the sect an explanation for this.”

Muli coldly swept his eyes over everyone. At this time, Qin Yu could clearly feel a faint bloodthirst from him. He couldn’t help but frown. Luckily, this feeling disappeared as quickly as it came and Muli left in a huff of anger. “I will allow Elder Hai Mingwei to deal with this matter. I am leaving first!”

Bang –

The door to the VIP lounge slammed shut and the ringing echoes continued reverberating for a long time.

Hai Mingwei took out a white sphere from his chest. It was unknown what material this object was made of, but when he released it from his hands it stayed hovering in the air. At the same time a strange fluctuation spread outwards.

Qin Yu raised an eyebrow. The effect of this sphere was similar to the Ninth Province’s concealing effect; it had the ability to completely isolate the auras from the inside and outside. Did this Elder Hai Mingwei want to kill them to silence any possible witnesses? Although Qin Yu didn’t think this possibility was too large, he still prepared himself to react at any moment.

“Old cousin!” With a sudden happy cry, Qin Yu was left frozen. He turned around in a stunned silence and watched as a wild joy came across Ning Rufeng’s face. Then, he watched as Ning Rufeng tossed himself at Hai Mingwei, only to be greeted by a ruthless kick to the chest.

Bang –

With a loud sound that left a tingle creeping up one’s scalp, Ning Rufeng flew back at an even faster speed. He smashed through one of the incomparably luxurious sofas and rolled seven or eight times on the ground before he slammed into a wall. The entire VIP lounge seemed to tremble.

Ning Rufeng crawled back up from the ground and rubbed his hands together, not paying attention to the giant footprint on his chest. He smiled brightly and said, “After so many years, old cousin’s temper is still as hot-headed as before. Today there are juniors present, so you can at least pay attention to your own status and leave some face for me.”

After that hard kick, Hai Mingwei’s complexion looked much better than before. He glanced over Ning Liang and Qin Yu and coldly snorted, scolding, “You pig, if it weren’t for me giving you three points of face because of these juniors I would have already trampled you into the ground! Didn’t you make a promise to me in the past? You swore an oath and said that you absolutely would never reveal this, and that if you broke that promise…ugh, whatever, your children are already grown and you even have a granddaughter now! Do you think you don’t need that thing between your legs anymore?”

Ning Rufeng awkwardly smiled. “Old cousin, you are laughing at me. I really had no other choice today. If you are still upset, then come and kick me a few more times.” As he spoke he raised his head and thrust out his chest in a sacrificial and heroic pose.

Qin Yu blinked his eyes, not sure just what was going on. He glanced at Ning Liang and saw that she was also stunned. It was clear she was also confused about the sudden turn of events.

“Screw off!” Hai Mingwei shouted.

Ning Rufeng wasn’t angry at all. He smiled and explained, “Elder Hai Mingwei has some relations with the Ning Family. Actually, he should be called my younger cousin. We knew each other when we were children, but because of certain reasons it wasn’t convenient for us to have our relationship known. Thus, even within the Ning Family only a few people know about this.” He waved his hand, “Little girl, come and bow to your granduncle.”

Ning Liang respectfully bowed. “Ning Liang greets granduncle.”

A smile finally appeared on Hai Mingwei’s face. “This girl Liang’er is much more beautiful that the rumors say. I wonder just which young genius will be so lucky as to marry you in the future.” As he spoke he took out a seven-colored ribbon and handed it to her. “This is something I just refined; accept it.”

Ning Liang shook her head. “Today’s matters drew granduncle in so we have already been disrespectful. I am too ashamed to receive your generous gift. However, the Equipment Sect’s treasure is very important to us. I ask that granduncle help us!”

Hai Mingwei said, “Since I gave you this gift, I cannot take it back. Even if you don’t want it, I also cannot help you in this matter.” He hesitated and said, “Something happened in the sect recently, and just when the situation was tense you all managed to jump out from the bushes.”

Ning Rufeng’s complexion changed. “Old cousin, what do you mean?”

“Humph! Do you really think that just revealing you are a noble family of the Demonic Path is enough to frighten others? If it weren’t for the fact that I said I would be willing to take on full responsibility for this matter, you think you would still be standing here right now?” Hai Mingwei sneered, “Since I am implicated in this matter, if I am found out, even if I don’t lose my position as Elder I will still be held down for a few dozen years. I won’t be able to go anywhere during that time period.”

Ning Rufeng’s complexion changed. “Are things really that serious?”

Hai Mingwei said, “What advantage is there in lying to you? Do you think I care about your gratitude? If possible, I would rather hope that we don’t meet again in the future!” His face was full of indignation. “Through all these years, every time I see you I’m always in for a round of bad luck. This is the only thing you have never failed me in!”

Ning Rufeng was silent for several breaths of time. He cupped his hands together and said, “I was in the wrong. I thought that because you had a relatively high status in the Equipment Sect you wouldn’t be affected…”

Hai Mingwei coldly laughed. “Stop speaking nonsense. While I haven’t really suffered yet, go and take these juniors and get as far away as you can. I need to find a way to conceal all of this.”

As he spoke, he glanced at Qin Yu. He was completely covered in black robes so it was impossible to see what he looked like. However, even though Ning Liang had been respectful and bowed to him after he arrived, this person hadn’t moved at all. And Ning Rufeng clearly placed this black-robed figure in high regard, so this must mean that they possessed considerable status.

But at this time, Elder Hai Mingwei really wasn’t in the mood to ask about the status of this black-robed person. He just wanted to send this unlucky star away.

Ning Rufeng’s lips moved but in the end he didn’t say much. He turned and said, “Let’s leave.” He had already tried his best and had even dragged Hai Mingwei beneath the waters with him. But with things having come this far, there was no way to turn things back.

Ning Liang seemed to want to say something, but she was interrupted by a look from Ning Rufeng. She bit her lips and accepted the seven-colored ribbon that Hai Mingwei gave to her, an apologetic look on her face.

Qin Yu smiled and walked forwards. He cupped his hands together, “Greetings, Elder Hai Mingwei.”

A look of surprise flashed across Ning Rufeng’s eyes. With Qin Yu’s intelligence, he should clearly understand the current situation, so why didn’t he give up already? Were those spirit insects really that important to him? Or did he have something else that he could rely on? As he thought about the attitudes of Muli and Hai Mingwei, he silently shook his head and put down the second possibility. In this current situation, it would be almost impossible to borrow the Equipment Sect’s most precious treasure!

Hai Mingwei had a desolate expression. “Fellow daoist, if you want to borrow the treasure, there is no need to say anything more. But, I have some words of advice for you. You shouldn’t tell anyone else about what you know, otherwise even if you are Ning Rufeng’s guest, you will still encounter great trouble!”

Qin Yu smiled. “Elder Hai, don’t worry, I am not asking to borrow the treasure, there was just something I wanted to inquire about.”

“Speak.”

“May I ask Elder about the treasures contained in the crystal boxes that are hanging in the pagoda…?”

Hai Mingwei’s expression turned even colder. “I’m sorry, but we do not sell the treasures that stabilizes the fortune of the shop!” This matter was explicitly explained to every cultivator that entered Equipment Pagoda. How could this black-robed person not know? To randomly grab for a topic and try a roundabout way to borrow the sect’s treasure, he really hated actions like these.

Qin Yu calmly said, “It’s fine. I just thought that those scales look very familiar so I was hoping that Elder Hai could appraise something for me. Since Elder Hai is not interested, there is no need to speak any further.” He stood up, “Old master Ning, Miss Ning, let’s leave.”

“Hold on!” Hai Mingwei’s eyes shined. “Young man, you said that those scales look familiar, could it be that you have some?”

Qin Yu nodded, his manner natural and confident.

Hai Mingwei coughed a little. “Young man, you are a guest that Ning Rufeng brought here, so while our Equipment Sect has indeed refused to allow you to borrow our treasure, we aren’t completely unreasonable. I will make an exception today and give you a free appraisal this one time.”

Qin Yu was actually a bit hesitant. He scratched his head a little and then said, “It doesn’t matter. Elder Hai’s time must be precious. I don’t wish to disturb you any further.”

As he spoke he turned to leave.

Hai Mingwei became increasingly bothered. He couldn’t help but ruthlessly glare at Ning Rufeng. Hey, if you just keep watching from the sidelines, I’ll make sure you suffer even more later on!

Ning Rufeng loudly coughed. “…since Elder Hai has spoken, just let him help you make an appraisal. He can also be considered an authority in this topic.”

He almost called out Qin Yu’s name. Fortunately he had changed his words at the last moment to make things a bit more vague and ambiguous. Hai Mingwei was fully focused on the scales that Qin Yu was speaking of so he didn’t pay any attention to this. At this time, Hai Mingwei’s hands were folded behind his back with the posture of a supreme expert.

Qin Yu hesitated and then nodded. “Alright. I will have to trouble Elder Hai.”

He flipped his hand and three grinding pan-sized scales crashed directly onto the ground. Hai Mingwei was given a fright, but as his eyes fell on these three scales, it was like he had taken root in the ground and could no longer look away.

But, the excitement only lasted for a moment before he composed himself. He furrowed his eyebrows and squatted down on the floor, feeling the traces of the scales with his hands. The corners of his lips curled. “These only look similar. The aura of these scales is average at best; the quality is far from comparable with the treasures of my sect. At most they can be considered low-grade materials.”

Qin Yu muttered, “Oh.”

Clang –

Clang –

Clang –

He casually tossed three more scales on the ground. “Elder Hai, please take a look at these.” Compared to the first three that had broken corners, these scales were fully intact and there was a much greater luster on their surface.

Hai Mingwei’s heart trembled and his stiff exterior almost broke down. He glanced at the scales, lightly saying, “The appearance is good, much better than the first three. They can just barely be considered medium-grade materials.”

Qin Yu nodded. “Then I ask Elder Hai to take another look.”

Clang –

Clang –

Clang –

This time, three more scales crashed down. These scales were the size of two grinding pans. Not only were they fully intact but there were countless small patterns that shined on their surface. Even though they hadn’t been tempered, these patterns shined with a dazzling luminesce, like ripples across a lake surface.

Hai Mingwei’s gaze immediately froze. Although he was roaring in his heart, he forced himself to remain calm and cool. Still, his voice couldn’t help but shiver. “These three scales are good. They can even be called high-grade materials. If they are placed together with the first six scales, they could barely be refined into a breastplate.”

He had even said this. The Equipment Sect had a well-known reputation. As long as this young man wasn’t a fool, he would definitely do anything, even climb up a pole to ask the Equipment Sect for their help.

This was how Hai Mingwei was thinking. He seemed to already be imagining bringing these nine scales back to the sect and watching as the eyeballs of those old fogies almost popped out of their heads. Leaking news of the treasure? That didn’t matter at all! As for giving Qin Yu an upper chest piece armor…even giving him a full set of protective armor wouldn’t be a problem!

Brat, hurry up and speak! Hurry up and speak! As long as you say something I will surely satisfy your request!

Elder Hai Mingwei barely managed to keep his calm together. He watched as Qin Yu thought for a moment and then flicked his sleeves and took the nine scales away.

Qin Yu shook his head, “It’s fine. I don’t mind lacking a breastplate. If I keep them they might be useful later.” He cupped his hands together and said, “I have exhausted Elder Hai. Then, this junior will bid his farewells first.”

“You can’t leave!” Hai Mingwei subconsciously shouted, his eyes going as wide as full moons. He was about to scold Qin Yu and tell him to hand over the nine scales, but just as these words were on the tip of his tongue he remembered that those scales were the possessions of another and his face distorted. He squeezed out a smile and said with great difficulty, “I think those scales are quite good. What use does a young man have for them? How about trading them to me instead? I will definitely give you a satisfactory price.”

Qin Yu’s eyes flashed with a sharp light. “I’m sorry, but I have no intention of selling them.”

Hai Mingwei was breathless with anger. “What do you want?”

As soon as he said these words, he knew that he was going to regret it. And indeed, that black-robed figure fell silent for a moment and then faintly smiled. Hai Mingwei’s heart skipped a beat as he regained his composure. What a sly young man, are you thinking that I’m some monkey you can play around with!?

Anger ignited in his chest. To have such treasures in front of him and be unable to obtain them, it was clear anyone would be annoyed. He clenched his teeth and shouted, “You brat, if you want to use those nine scales as a bargaining chip to borrow our sect’s treasure, you can just forget about it!”

It was a categorical and unequivocal response, one that didn’t leave any room for doubt.

Qin Yu lightly said, “I have more than nine scales in hand.”

Hai Mingwei roared, “That doesn’t matter!”

“19 pieces.”

“You are delusional!”

“29 pieces.”

“Shut up! Boy, I am warning you, the sect’s treasure cannot be loaned out!”

“39 pieces.”

“Impossible, just give up!”

“49 pieces.”

“…”

“59 pieces.”

“It’s a deal!” Hai Mingwei was dripping with sweat and his hair was plastered on his forehead. He seemed frantic, but there was a fevered heat in his eyes that seemed as if it could burn people to ashes. “Young man, out of those 59 pieces, at least 20 of them need to be on the same level as those last three!”

Qin Yu smiled. “I will give you 30 of them.”

Hai Mingwei turned his head and walked away. He had a vicious look on his face as if he had been possessed. If anyone tried to stop him about this, he would pounce on them and bite them!

Ning Rufeng had a strange look in his eyes. “Grand Authority Qin, these scales…”

Qin Yu smiled. “In the past, I inadvertently bumped into two large fellows fighting each other. Afterwards, they both perished together. I took that chance to pick up some scales. I never thought they would turn out to be useful.”

Ning Rufeng: …

To see two such existences fighting and also be there when they killed each other? Ning Rufeng glanced at Qin Yu. Qin Yu mentioned this casually, as if it wasn’t something important to him at all. He deeply sighed. If objects were compared to objects they could just be called worse, but if humans were compared to humans, it really made one wish to die! Qin Yu was truly worthy of being called blessed by the world itself. He was someone who sat atop a great destiny. His luck was so good that it made a person go crazy with jealousy! action

Ning Liang had a happy expression but she wasn’t too shocked. This was because she had experienced all sorts of things before and was already used to Qin Yu’s ability to accomplish anything.

He was a person who could constantly produce miracles.

Hai Mingwei left quickly and returned even faster. The incomparably stoic and aloof Elder Muli was dragged in behind him. As Muli looked at Qin Yu with suspicion, Qin Yu suddenly took out a massive pile of scales that thudded against the ground. As Muli saw this, he became even more frenzied and crazy than Hai Mingwei!

“I will go and make an application to the sect right now!” Muli ferociously spat out.

Hai Mingwei had a worried look. “I fear those old codgers in the sect won’t agree.”

Muli revealed a mouth full of white teeth. “They wouldn’t dare!” He stared at the scales with an obsessed look in his eyes. “With these, we can forge the most formidable armor in the world, armor that will be passed down for all of eternity! This is my dream as well as the dream of all high level refiners in the sect. If anyone dares to stop me, I will tear them apart with my own hands!”

He coldly looked at Qin Yu. “Take good care of those scales until our deal is complete. If anything happens to them, the Equipment Sect will never let you off!”

Qin Yu smiled, glad to endure the threat.