Chapter 33: Is this pittance of spirit stones meant to dismiss a beggar?

The wine had flowed for several rounds, and the dishes had been sampled thoroughly.

Looking at the wine being offered by Qingyou, Shen Lang feigned drunkenness and said, "No more, if I drink any more, I shall be utterly intoxicated."

"My lord..."
"Just one more cup..."
"It will be the very last one..."

Seeing Qingyou practically melting into his arms, Shen Lang couldn't help but sigh; a professional courtesan truly knew how to handle men. Yet, on the surface, he put on a lecherous grin and said, "Fine, have it your way—the last one!"

With that, he downed a cup of grain spirit, which was no more than sixty proof. He then pretended to be sloshed, draped an arm around Zhou Yu, and slurred, "Brother, shouldn't we be discussing the real business now?"

Zhou Yu watched Shen Lang’s drunken state, smiled, and waved at Qingyou. Once she and the others had retreated, he said with a smirk, "Brother Lang, are you satisfied with your brother’s hospitality today?"

"Absolutely satisfied. But you know, my brother is in quite a hurry!" Shen Lang replied. "I hear Zhao An has already secured a significant amount of spirit stones in Wanxiang City. I haven't made any progress yet, and I have no way to answer to my superiors!"

Seeing that Shen Lang was genuinely anxious, Zhou Yu feigned a troubled expression. "Brother Lang, I won't hide it from you. I have already reported your situation to my father. But you know, Guiyun City has just suffered an attack by the demon race, and the losses were heavy. Our Zhou family doesn't have much surplus grain either."

Shen Lang’s expression turned grim instantly. "Are you saying you won't help me?"

Zhou Yu immediately waved his hands. "It’s not that I won't help, but we need time to gather the funds. Don't be so impatient! Look, my father even had me bring you a gift to dispel any suspicions you might have!"

"Oh?" Shen Lang feigned surprise and looked at Zhou Yu. "What kind of gift?"

"This!" Zhou Yu pulled a rolled-up scroll from his spatial ring and handed it to Shen Lang.

Shen Lang took it instinctively. Upon unrolling it, he found only four characters written there: *Beyond All Measure.*

In an instant, Shen Lang understood. Zhou Huaian was reminding him that whether in Guiyun City or the Great Qin Empire, the Zhou family was a prestigious and formidable power. If he wanted their help, he would have to show some sincerity.

Seeing that Shen Lang seemed to have grasped his father's subtext, Zhou Yu smiled. "Brother Lang, what do you think of my father’s calligraphy?"

"A fine piece!" Shen Lang laughed, rolled it back up, and tucked it into his spatial ring.

Zhou Yu's smile widened. "So, Brother Lang, have you gleaned anything from it?"

"Brother, let’s speak plainly. I assume the Zhou family has already investigated my situation thoroughly. I am in a difficult spot now. If the Zhou family helps me, you will certainly gain a hundredfold return in the future. Otherwise, if I lose and Zhao An wins, the outcome for you might not be so certain."

Seeing Shen Lang trying to threaten him even now, Zhou Yu secretly thought that Shen Lang was nothing special after all. Outwardly, however, he shook his folding fan with affected elegance. "The Zhao lineage isn't the first to have been emperors. Isn't my Zhou family still one of the Eight Great Clans?"

"So, the Zhou family is unwilling to help me?" Shen Lang stood up abruptly, his face darkening.

"How could that be!" Zhou Yu immediately reached out to press Shen Lang back down by the shoulder. "Don't be rash, Brother Lang. I already told you, the Zhou family is looking for ways to handle the tax silver. Besides, you haven't truly demonstrated your value yet, have you?"

"What do you mean?" Shen Lang asked, feigning a sullen tone.

Zhou Yu didn't want to beat around the bush any longer. "I heard that when you were assassinated in Chang'an, you relied on a divine artifact to slaughter your way out. I wonder, brother, if I might have the honor of witnessing it?"

Realizing the Zhou family was worried about falling into a trap, Shen Lang nodded solemnly. "Of course you can see it. But if I show it to you and you go back on your word like last time, what then?"

"This..." Zhou Yu felt awkward. Last time, he had promised that if Shen Lang revealed the Zhao family’s conspiracy, he would settle the tax silver issue. He hadn't delivered. With Shen Lang bringing up the past, Zhou Yu could only pass a spatial ring to him. "There are one hundred thousand spirit stones in this ring. Brother Lang, please accept this for now!"

"One hundred thousand spirit stones? Are you trying to brush off a beggar?" Shen Lang shoved Zhou Yu's arm away and headed toward the door. After all, buying a *Sword of the Occult* now required six thousand points of resentment, and one hundred thousand spirit stones were only worth ten thousand resentment points. It was a petty trade, and he couldn't be bothered.

Seeing that Shen Lang was truly leaving, Zhou Yu panicked. Confirming the existence of the divine artifact was his most important task. He rushed to the door and blocked Shen Lang’s path. "Oh, Brother Lang, I came in such a hurry today that I only brought five hundred thousand spirit stones. Let me see the artifact, and I guarantee I will have my family gather the rest of the spirit stones for you as soon as possible, alright?"

"Fine, I'll trust you one more time!"

Hearing there were five hundred thousand spirit stones, Shen Lang felt it would be enough to break through to the tenth stage of Qi Refining. He bought another *Sword of the Occult* from the system shop.

*Ding! Six thousand resentment points deducted from the host!*
*Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Mysterious Sword!*

*Whoosh.* As the sword appeared, its dazzling radiance made Zhou Yu’s heart race. The greed in his eyes was impossible to hide. Shen Lang sneered coldly and immediately tucked the sword away.

"There, you saw it? This is the divine artifact bestowed by His Majesty. Hurry back and prepare the tax silver for me!"

Seeing Shen Lang put it away just as he wanted to examine it himself, Zhou Yu’s expression turned sour. "Brother Lang, why don't you let me take a closer look?"

"Impossible. I won't let anyone touch this weapon. Even if your Zhou family refuses to help, I will never let you lay a finger on it!"

"You..." Seeing Shen Lang’s attitude turn so hostile, Zhou Yu was stunned. Just as he was about to ask more, Shen Lang said coldly, "That’s enough. If the Zhou family wants to help, do it. If not, I’ll find another clan!"

With that, Shen Lang didn't wait for a response and staggered out of the private room.

Zhou Yu watched, utterly bewildered. Meanwhile, Wu Yong, who had been in the room, realized it was his turn to act. He squinted and said, "Second Young Master, why does Shen Lang value that artifact so much? Is there something about it we don't know?"

Zhou Yu thought for a moment and nodded. "In all likelihood, yes. Otherwise, that fellow wouldn't have turned hostile so suddenly."

"Shall I eavesdrop on what he says to Nalan Yanran?" Wu Yong suggested. "You can report what happened here to the Patriarch!"

Zhou Yu found the suggestion reasonable. Since Wu Yong’s cultivation technique allowed him to hide his aura, he was perfectly suited for eavesdropping. "Fine," Zhou Yu nodded gravely. "I must return home and inform my father of Shen Lang’s abnormal behavior. You stay here and listen. Report to me immediately if there is any development!"