The Daozang Master keenly noticed the word "again" in the words of Min Ziqiong's parents.
"What do you mean? Why do you say again? Did you sell fakes last time as well?"
Facing the Daozang Master's interrogating gaze, Min Ziqiong's parents felt like thorns on their backs.
Trembling, they replied, "Master, please don't misunderstand. It's not what you think. We wouldn't dare to specialize in making and selling fakes and deceive powerful figures like yourselves from the Xuanmen. We were also... deceived!"
After speaking, Min Ziqiong's father recounted the entire story of being deceived to the Daozang Master.
Upon hearing this, a hint of schadenfreude flashed in the Daozang Master's eyes: "Old Yang spent a billion yuan and bought a pile of utterly useless garbage. That sounds delightful!"
"But are you telling the truth that Old Yang later found that swindler and took the true artifact fragments from him?"
Min Ziqiong's father nodded repeatedly, "Absolutely true! How would I dare to lie to you! Furthermore, I suspect that fellow surnamed Ying might still have some artifact fragments hidden away. So, as long as..."
"As long as I visit him like Old Yang did, he'll obediently hand over the remaining artifact fragments?" the Daozang Master asked.
Min Ziqiong's father revealed a sinister smile, "Heh heh, Master, you're right! That's exactly how it works! Most importantly, that fellow surnamed Ying was beaten before and is now scared. This time, if you go, you probably won't even need to lift a finger; he'll be so terrified he'll beg for mercy on his knees!"
The Daozang Master looked deeply at Min Ziqiong's father, "I hope you're not lying to me. Otherwise... I may maintain my purity and vows, but I will also make your Min family disappear from Jianghai!"
Min Ziqiong's father and mother shivered simultaneously, their heads shaking like rattles, "We wouldn't dare, we wouldn't dare! We absolutely wouldn't dare to deceive you! We can take you up the mountain right now and help you get the true artifact fragments!"
"Then what are we waiting for? Lead the way! If we can truly get the fragments, I don't mind giving you a finder's fee. It won't be too much, but it won't be too little either," said the Daozang Master.
Upon hearing this, Min Ziqiong's parents were overjoyed.
Compared to True Master Yang, the Daozang Master was far more principled in his dealings!
Soon, the three of them traveled together, arriving directly at Shouyang Mountain.
They stood before Ying Chen's villa.
"Hey, Ying! Get out here! Stop babbling! Too much babbling can get you killed!"
This time, with backup, Min Ziqiong's mother shouted particularly loudly.
This immediately startled both Ying Chen and Min Ziqiong.
Min Ziqiong walked out and, seeing his mother at the door, couldn't help but look shocked. His mother had indeed returned, just as Ying Chen had predicted!
However, an elder with an ethereal and dignified aura stood beside his mother. Who could that be?
"Go to the backyard and watch Nannan. If you hear any commotion later, don't come out."
Just as Min Ziqiong was about to step out to greet his mother, Ying Chen stopped him with a word.
Although Min Ziqiong didn't understand why Ying Chen had arranged this, he obediently went to the backyard.
After Min Ziqiong left, Ying Chen leisurely walked towards the villa entrance.
He first looked at the Daozang Master, then at Min Ziqiong's mother. "What did you say before? You promised you would never bother me again, right? So what is this now?"
Min Ziqiong's mother coldly snorted, "You still have the nerve to say that? Don't you know yourself what this is about? Let me tell you, this time I'm too lazy to waste words with you, and too lazy to demand a refund. I'm just here to inform you of one thing: hand over the remaining artifact fragments you've been hoarding, or don't blame me for not warning you when your end comes!"
Min Ziqiong's father also stepped forward and said, "That's right! This Daozang Master's power is comparable to True Master Yang's—no, it's even greater than True Master Yang's! If you're wise, you'll hand them over voluntarily to avoid suffering physical pain!"
"Daozang Master? Is that you?" Ying Chen looked at the Daozang Master and asked indifferently.
The Daozang Master slightly nodded and replied, "Indeed, it is I. If young friend truly has any more goods in hand, why not bring them out for me to see."
"Rest assured, I, this humble monk, have always been fair and just in my dealings. As long as the items are genuine, I am willing to purchase them. I will absolutely not engage in forced sales or bullying."
Hearing the Daozang Master's words, a slight look of surprise flickered in Ying Chen's eyes.
In fact, Ying Chen had prepared himself to kill.
He hadn't expected this Daozang Master to be completely different from the previous True Master Yang.
This Daozang Master was willing to pay for the items and guaranteed he wouldn't resort to forced sales.
This was rather interesting.
However... that powder was just ordinary powder, not true artifact fragments.
Where would Ying Chen find true fragments to sell him?
"I'm sorry, you've come to the wrong place. There are no artifact fragments here. Please look elsewhere!" Ying Chen said.
The Daozang Master frowned upon hearing this.
However, before the Daozang Master could speak, Min Ziqiong's mother immediately jumped out, "Hey, Ying! Don't be ungrateful! Daozang Master is already being polite enough, and you're still unappreciative. Do you need Daozang Master to take action and rip out your tongue before you'll stop being stubborn?"
"Take action?" Ying Chen scoffed. "Then let him try!"
"I'm afraid he'll try and then die!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the Daozang Master, who had intended to persuade Ying Chen further, suddenly had a cold glint in his eyes.
Min Ziqiong's mother had used a fitting term—ungrateful!
It was one thing for Ying Chen to refuse to sell; it was another to actively provoke him. What was this if not ungratefulness?
"Young man, have you thought this through? It is not easy for a human to come into this world, and it is even more difficult to grow up safely. Do not ruin yourself!"
Ying Chen chuckled, "The same applies to you. I hope you don't end up like that other fellow, only realizing at the last moment how wrong your choice was."
"Hmm?" The Daozang Master seemed to sense something amiss in Ying Chen's words.
He frowned deeply, his eyes fixed on Ying Chen.
After a few seconds, he suddenly pulled out a palm-sized turtle shell divination plate from his sleeve.
He gently flicked his finger on the divination plate.
The turtle shell divination plate emitted a strong spiritual energy and began to spin rapidly.
Hexagram symbols flashed one after another.
Finally, the turtle shell divination plate settled on a hexagram.
The Daozang Master glanced at the hexagram, and his face immediately changed drastically.
"Dark clouds obscure the moon, no light; the骊珠 buried deep in the earth for a long time! How could such a hexagram appear? The Tianshan Dun Hexagram and the Shuitian Xu Hexagram are superimposed, each occupying half... In all my years of cultivation, I have never seen such a hexagram!"
"Could it be..."
The Daozang Master looked up at Ying Chen.
For some reason, his heart suddenly skipped a beat!
An indescribable feeling surged into his heart!
"This is bad, it's a premonition!" the Daozang Master inwardly exclaimed.
Immediately, he put away the turtle shell divination plate and respectfully bowed to Ying Chen.
"I beg your pardon for my intrusion today. Please forgive any offense."
Seeing the Daozang Master's drastically changed attitude, Ying Chen instantly knew: the Daozang Master had deduced something from the hexagram and realized that Ying Chen was not to be trifled with.
Therefore, without hesitation, he admitted defeat, apologized, and asked for Ying Chen's forgiveness.
"Among the Xuanmen cultivators I've encountered, you are a rare one who can remain true to your heart. Very well, you may leave!"
"Do not return again in the future."
Ying Chen waved his hand.
He had officially spared the Daozang Master!