Extortion is extortion, but using such an outrageous reason, saying something about saving silver taels from his stipend, if he relies on that little stipend to save up sixty million, heâd probably be resting in peace in the ground by the time heâs done.
"Sixty million is really quite a lot. Why not take ten million first to buy some elixirs, find the token first, and deal with the rest later?" Although he knew Han Yan was extorting, the Third Elder found himself helpless.
As long as Han Yan doesnât return the Supreme Elder Token, the Third Elder couldnât hold his head up high.
However, unfortunately, even as the Third Elder of the Zong Family, he couldnât produce sixty million easily. His entire savings didnât even amount to half, so what could he give to Han Yan?
"That wonât do, Third Elder, youâre aware that my Star Divination Technique is too profound, almost defying heaven. If I donât prepare elixirs in advance, Iâm afraid there might be danger to my life. If I die, donât blame me for not finding the Supreme Elder Token." Han Yan shook his head like a rattle-drum.
I donât know a damn thing! The Third Elder really wanted to curse out loud, and speaking of being so godly, arenât you just determined to extort me? And if you were to die, if it werenât for that token, Iâd wish for you to be reborn quickly.
"Sigh, I still have some savings; take them." The Supreme Elder sighed deeply and handed over several yellowed silver notes to Han Yan.
Though getting on in years made his head a bit slower, he knew Han Yan was extorting. On any other day, he would have left with a wave of his sleeve, ignoring the Third Elderâs predicament.
But now they were in the same boat; without recovering the Supreme Elder Token, the Third Elder was restless, and so was he. He had no choice but to hand over his coffin money.
"Supreme Elder..." The Third Elder looked at the Supreme Elder gratefully, filled with guilt.
If it werenât for his carelessness in losing the token, the Supreme Elder wouldnât have had to hand over his coffin money.
"Sigh, donât say anything; let him find the token first." The Supreme Elder sighed, looking like he aged ten years in an instant.
"Here you go, enough to buy the elixirs, right?" The Third Elder handed the silver notes to Han Yan, restraining his anger as he spoke.
"Itâs enough. Once Iâve bought the elixirs, bathed, changed clothes, burned incense, and fasted, I can find the Supreme Elderâs token in just three to five days." Han Yan took the silver notes, smiling so wide his eyes turned into crescents.
Previously, I really underestimated the profession of being a god-man; itâs truly profitable.
"Alright, then Iâll wait for three to five days." The Third Elder also knew it was impossible for her to return the token now; though everyone was aware of what was happening, it couldnât be too obvious.
"By the way, Third Elder, such an important token, how could you carelessly lose it? This time itâs fortunate that Iâm here to find it; you must be more careful in the future, or how will you explain it to the ancestors?" Han Yan hinted with his words.
The Third Elder was about to leave when he heard this, and his footsteps paused. Clearly, Han Yan didnât want to let things go easily today.
"I was too careless, not guarding the family treasure well. Iâll punish myself with a yearâs stipend as a sign of retribution!" The Third Elder gritted his teeth, as if his heart was bleeding.
All his savings had gone into Han Yanâs hands, and penalizing a year of stipend, how was he going to live?
Though unwilling, he knew that without giving Han Yan some form of concession, Han Yan would never return the token to him. He could only swallow the bitter pill.
"As the Supreme Elder, failing to guard the ancestral treasure, Iâll also penalize myself with a yearâs stipend as retribution." Seeing Han Yan look his way again, the Supreme Elder also had to give in.
"Both elders taking responsibility, truly the seniors of the Mu Family!" Han Yan praised with a face full of respect.
But the faces of the two elders looked incredibly grim; if someone else praised incorrectly, at most theyâd be hitting the leg, but Han Yan was hitting them right in the face! It hurt!
"Letâs go." With things as they were, the Supreme Elder had no more face to stay, and he left with a sullen face.
The Third Elderâs gaze swept over Mu Chengyang intentionally or unintentionally and then followed suit.
Swept by the Third Elderâs gaze, Mu Chengyang felt his heart sink into an ice valley. Although his legs felt like they were made of lead, he followed like a walking corpse.
Others dispersed as well, but before leaving, they all took a furtive glance at Han Yan, their eyes full of awe.
The events of this night could be described as a series of unexpected twists. No one expected the Supreme Elder and the Third Elder, who came with such momentum, would leave in disgrace, not only failing to trouble Han Yan but also losing face entirely and suffering greatly.
Not only did they not find the token, but they were also extorted by Han Yan for a complete sixty million and even forced to penalize themselves.
Though easily dismissible for the Third Elder, for the Supreme Elder, whose status in the family was so exalted that even Mu Beichen, as family head, couldnât be rude in his presence. Yet in front of Han Yan, he was rendered helpless.
From now on, the Great Elder and the Third Elderâs reputation was bound to decline, while Mu Beichen rose with the sun.
The Third Elder and Mu Beichen had fought for years without determining a winner, but with Han Yanâs return for just over a month, there was such an earth-shaking change.
The capitalâs top playboy was indeed too frightening!
Almost at the same time, everyone secretly resolved: In the Mu Family, you could offend anyone, but never offend Han Yan, or else you wonât even have the chance to regret.
...
"Speak, whatâs going on!" As soon as he returned to his estate, the Third Elder ordered the doors to be closed, looking sternly at Mu Chengyang.
"Grandfather, I was wrong!" Mu Chengyangâs little heart was already in turmoil, and when the Third Elder shouted, he was almost scared to death, immediately kneeling.
Although he didnât clearly explain what happened, those words declared everything.
"So it was you, it was you!" The Third Elder had long suspected it was his precious grandson setting him up, but still trembled with anger upon confirmation.
"I didnât expect it to turn out like this; Grandfather, believe me, that token is definitely in Han Yanâs hands. If we search again, weâll surely find it." Seeing the Third Elderâs fury, Mu Chengyang was frightened, hurriedly explaining.
"Slap!" With a wave of his hand, the Third Elder sent Mu Chengyang flying.
Given the situation, he could still utter such words. Could he not think clearly?
Unless one were blind, deaf, or foolish, who wouldnât guess that the token was in Han Yanâs hands? He dared to toy even with the Supreme Elder; clearly, he had nothing to fear. Faced with Han Yanâs confidence, even the Supreme Elder eventually chose to forgo additional embarrassment. Yet, Mu Chengyang still wanted to continue searching? Was he not embarrassed enough already?