Chapter 149: Negotiation

It was still that street.

The atmosphere around them was very off, because Li Qi had already set up the venue in advance, making it feel eerie and somewhat uncomfortable.

But Jin Buhuan seemed to feel nothing, walking straight up, cupping his hands, and smiling: "Haha, Brother Li, how have you been? You don't seem to be in a very good mood? Is there something difficult lately? Why not tell me about it? I also have some insignificant influence in this Qingwu City, and I can definitely help."

Li Qi saw him, smiled back, and walked out. He didn't bow but nodded in greeting, then replied, "It's nothing special, I just feel a little uncomfortable inside."

Jin Buhuan, however, was very impolite. He directly led his people into the inn, looking around while saying to Li Qi, "I am the host in this Qingwu City. Brother Li, if you have any troubles, you can certainly speak out. Even if I can't help, I can listen, and it might make you feel better!"

After walking in, Jin Buhuan looked around, confirmed that he hadn't found anything, and then sat down at ease.

As soon as he sat down, he immediately said, "Brother Li, why didn't you accept the gifts outside?"

Li Qi also walked in.

He neither poured tea nor was he courteous. He even acted as if he hadn't seen Si Lao and the maid, not greeting them at all, as if he were the only one in the entire inn.

Li Qi didn't even sit down, making Jin Buhuan, who was sitting, seem foolish.

This could be said to be a very rude situation. If it happened in a formal setting, it might even lead to animosity between two forces. However, both parties acted as if they hadn't noticed, as if they didn't mind.

Hearing Jin Buhuan's question, Li Qi replied casually, "These gifts are too valuable. I don't feel worthy of Brother Jin spending so much, so I certainly wouldn't dare to accept them."

"Ah, Brother Li, you are mistaken. Last time on the street, I suddenly attacked you. That was extremely rude. Logically speaking, I should compensate you well, otherwise, if word gets out, people will think that I, Jin Buhuan, was born without a mother's teaching, ignorant of etiquette, and uncultured," Jin Buhuan said with a smile.

Li Qi smiled when he heard this.

The two of them laughed heartily together, and the scene was quite harmonious.

It was evident that Jin Buhuan was quite displeased with Li Qi's rudeness, so he spoke without reservation, mocking him.

For them, no matter how ugly things got behind the scenes, they had to maintain Face. If they couldn't maintain Face, it meant that things were already rotting away underneath.

Li Qi's actions were, in fact, equivalent to tearing off the mask.

It was just one step away from a complete fallout, so both sides were still somewhat restrained, at least not fighting in person.

As the atmosphere grew awkward, Li Qi waved his hand and proactively started the conversation: "Alright, let's not talk about those unpleasant things. Brother Jin, do you know why I invited you here this time?"

"Naturally, I don't know. Brother Li, why don't you tell me?" Jin Buhuan changed his expression again, leaning forward with great interest.

"Brother Jin, you're in trouble recently, but if you handle it well, perhaps you can turn misfortune into Opportunity?" Li Qi said with a solemn tone.

"Oh? What do you mean by that?" Jin Buhuan's expression was surprised.

"Do you know that another Jin Qi (Metal Energy) was unearthed from Green Mountain recently? And it's High Grade, and still a long saber," Li Qi said.

Jin Buhuan, of course, knew about this. It had been widely discussed in Qingwu City during this period, and many people had gone to Green Mountain to 'seek treasure,' so the news spread widely.

In fact, when Li Qi first arrived in Qingwu City and stayed at Piao Xu's inn, Piao Xu had asked Li Qi if he had come for that reason. (See Chapter 135 for details)

"I naturally know about this, but what does it have to do with me? Green Mountain produces a Jin Qi (Metal Energy) every ten years or so, which is not uncommon. Even my father wouldn't monopolize it, but rather let those with Opportunity take it. In this way, these things have nothing to do with me at all," Jin Buhuan replied, waiting for Li Qi's explanation.

He knew Li Qi was just playing coy.

However, what he said was not entirely true.

In reality, Green Mountain Mountain God generally only allowed ordinary Ninth Grade Jin Qi (Metal Energy) to flow out. If it was an Eighth Grade natural Divine Weapon, he would most likely intervene, but he wouldn't force it. If someone truly had the ability, he would also give it away as an Opportunity, to forge a good relationship.

As for anything above Seventh Grade, that was a treasure to him. How could he give it to outsiders? It would never flow out.

For example, the Eighth Grade Jin Qi (Metal Energy) he gave to Li Qi was actually his own. He only got it after his father interfered, but since his father didn't act personally that time, a tiger demon took the Opportunity to steal it.

Later, Jin Buhuan hired a master to kill it and brought the Jin Qi (Metal Energy) back, only to find that the Jin Qi (Metal Energy) was damaged, and the tip of the saber was broken off.

And then, more recently, he recruited Si Lao. Si Lao, through divination, discovered that the tiger demon was still alive. Under a curse, he unexpectedly provoked Li Qi.

However, he did not intend to tell Li Qi these inside stories.

Either Li Qi or that fox demon must have a fragment of his Jin Qi (Metal Energy) on them.

It would come back sooner or later.

Jin Buhuan thought so.

But Li Qi didn't know his thoughts, and just continued, "Brother Jin, you don't know this, but more than ten years ago, didn't Green Mountain also produce an Eighth Grade long saber?"

Jin Buhuan's gaze darkened, and he said, "Of course, but that Jin Qi (Metal Energy) was damaged, and its value plummeted. In fact, it's the very one I gave to Brother Li, didn't you notice?"

Li Qi replied, "Yes, I noticed too, and that's also why I didn't accept this item. Brother Jin, please listen to me. Normally, how long does it take for Green Mountain to produce an Eighth Grade Jin Qi (Metal Energy)?"

Since it concerned his own treasure, Jin Buhuan pondered for a moment and replied seriously, "It produces one approximately every two hundred years, but it's not fixed. After all, the production of Jin Qi (Metal Energy) is like fruit trees bearing fruit; it depends on the will of Heaven."

"See, here it comes. Green Mountain has continuously produced two Eighth Grade Jin Qi (Metal Energy). Within fifteen years, two consecutive ones are Eighth Grade. Do you think this is natural?" Li Qi asked.

Jin Buhuan frowned: "Brother Li's meaning is?"

"My meaning is, these two Eighth Grade Jin Qi (Metal Energy) were originally one!" Li Qi asserted.

"Heaven is round and Earth is square, fundamentally based on Yin and Yang. All things are born from Yin and Yang, but Yin and Yang are originally one body, just as all things contain the Qi of Yin and Yang, merely two sides of one coin. And now, Green Mountain has produced two Jin Qi (Metal Energy), with Yin and Yang in different positions, the Two Poles separated. This is a great ominous sign! That's why I said, Brother Jin, you're probably in trouble!"

Li Qi declared confidently.

Jin Buhuan, upon hearing this, first remained noncommittal, secretly pondering Li Qi's words.

At this moment, he no longer cared about Li Qi's impoliteness, because what the other party said did make some sense.

After pondering for a while, Jin Buhuan immediately cupped his hands and asked, "Then what is Brother Li's insight?"

He asked for insight first, and then considered other things, because what he was thinking about now was not being in trouble.

Instead, it was because, if what Li Qi said was true, then these two Jin Qi (Metal Energy) were the two sides of Yin and Yang, originally one body. If they could be combined into one, wouldn't their quality greatly improve!?

Could it even reach the level of a half-step Seventh Grade?

This could not be taken lightly. Even if Li Qi was just making things up, he had to carefully verify it.

It was a matter of great importance, so he had to be careful.

"My insight is as I just said: the separation of Yin and Yang, though a great misfortune, also contains Opportunity. You see, between the clear and turbid of Yin and Yang, there is what is called the Middle Qi. The Middle Qi is the pivot of the rising and falling of Yin and Yang. If Brother Jin can combine Yin and Yang into one, and then find a Middle Qi to harmonize it, then this item will surely turn misfortune into good fortune and become a sign of Brother Jin's good luck," Li Qi said, cupping his hands.

With Li Qi having said all this, Jin Buhuan could no longer pretend.

He simply stood up and walked towards Li Qi: "Since it's come to this, Brother Li must also know my intention. I don't believe you looked at the gifts outside and still don't understand what I mean."

"Naturally, Brother Jin must have come for this," Li Qi said with a smile, taking out an irregularly shaped flying saber.

"After obtaining this item, Brother Jin will not only possess a natural Divine Weapon that is considered High Grade among Eighth Grade ones, but by combining it with the other half, Yin and Yang will become one, and its quality and power will be further enhanced. Even for your esteemed father, it would be a treasure. If you can gather it and present it, he will not only be exceedingly pleased but may even directly bestow it upon you. You will gain both favor and a treasure, truly killing two birds with one stone."

Li Qi said, holding the flying saber in one hand.

Clearly, everyone knew this was a very tempting proposition.

Even a sliver of hope was something Jin Buhuan greatly valued, not to mention that he already knew the power of his Jin Qi (Metal Energy) after it was repaired.

"Hmm, Brother Li still knows about the existence of this item, I thought you didn't know," Jin Buhuan smiled.

Li Qi also returned a friendly smile: "I didn't know before, but Brother Jin hinted at it many times, how could I still not understand? So, not accepting the gifts before wasn't unwillingness, but truly an inability! If I had accepted them, how could I have had the Opportunity to discuss this with Brother Jin here?"

Jin Buhuan suddenly understood: "So that's how it is. Then I misunderstood Brother Li. Since everything is clear, I won't do anything that would make people laugh. In a word, if Brother Li can hand over this item to me, Jin Buhuan will certainly reward you handsomely."

Li Qi was also straightforward: "Naturally. If it weren't for this matter, why would I have called Brother Jin here? Since you've come, it will certainly be returned to its rightful owner. However, Brother Jin, I still have one small request."

"Brother Li, please speak!" Jin Buhuan replied, his tone very direct.

"I want to spar with Brother Jin, using that weapon," Li Qi said.

"Brother Li wants to challenge himself? It seems you want to focus on the Dao. No wonder there are so many oddities; I thought it was something else. It must be that Brother Li simply didn't care," Jin Buhuan took the flying saber from Li Qi's hand, then flicked a finger.

The long saber moved.

Then, a piercing hum resonated!

The sound was like silk, splitting stones and piercing clouds! It was so sharp that all the surrounding stones and porcelain shattered. Li Qi could even feel the intense killing intent within it!

Madness, killing intent, excitement, fury, and exhilaration—all sorts of emotions surged from within the divine weapon's body!

It was clearly an inanimate object, yet it seemed to contain an inexhaustible vortex of emotions. The sharp hum even carried a living will, as if it could make people see some kind of vision.

However, it was only 'as if'.

Li Qi just felt like he saw something, much like how people experience a feeling when listening to music, but in reality, he saw nothing.

If he had to describe it, it was probably the 'atmosphere' presented by the sound of clashing weapons.

Li Qi covered his ears, muttering to himself...

It was sound again.

The first time was the sound of a flute, then listening to the inner voice, and now it was the murderous clang of weapons.

Even the other party's Dao Resonance was related to sound.

Li Qi watched all of this.

Sure enough, that natural Divine Weapon was under his control from the very beginning.

If he had accepted those gifts, he would not only be 'in the wrong' but would also remain passive afterward, and might even be directly killed by the divine weapon he himself activated.

Li Qi looked at Jin Buhuan in front of him. Although he used a saber, it was actually just a disguise. The foundation of his cultivation method, as White Snake Mountain God had said, should be the 'Metal Sound' among the Eight Sounds.

The Eight Sounds are metal, stone, silk, bamboo, gourd, earth, leather, and wood—these eight.

Heaven has eight sounds, their natures differing, leading to things that are mutually opposed. Sages borrowed these natures to create eight instruments, summoning Qi with sound, and the eight winds followed the律 (law/rhythm), thus depicting the eight sounds.

The sound of metal, its tone is clear and nearly elegant. Its instruments include nao (cymbals), bo (cymbals), zhong (bells), qing (stone chimes), and chuang xiao (flutes). This is precisely what is meant by 'the sound of metal shakes the valleys, drums rumble the heavens, righteousness penetrates the subtle, and principles enter divine understanding.'

Furthermore, because of its clear and resonant sound, it is often used in battlefield slaughter, with the saying, 'hearing the sound of metal, one rises to battle.'

Now, Jin Buhuan was using this method to reassemble the fragments into his saber.

Clanging, that Jin Qi (Metal Energy) was constantly devouring its once-separated body.

The small flying saber seemed to want to struggle, but it was utterly powerless before the main body. In a short while, it completely merged into the long saber, and the two became one again.

Jin Buhuan was very satisfied.

Only after truly obtaining this natural Divine Weapon did his position in the family truly stabilize.

His conflict with Li Qi was the result of his careful deliberation. Even if the other party had a Sixth Grade backer, his own backer could suppress it.

As a scion, all his goals should inherently be built upon this; he had to maintain his position, this was fundamental.

As for the other party having a Fifth Grade backer, how could that be possible? If he truly had that level, he would have received a warning when he provoked him.

His father didn't come to warn him, which meant his father could handle it.

Of course, there was another possibility: that his father couldn't even investigate the other party's background and could only find out that this person actually had no background, but possessed mysterious methods, perhaps just an Opportunity.

However, just thinking about it made him want to laugh.

What kind of person could have a background that even his own father couldn't investigate? Fourth Grade? Third Grade?

Is that possible?

Compared to such a small probability, consolidating his own power and position was more important.