Chapter Ninety: Confronting Head-On

"You little brat, don’t blame me for scaring you. You charged at me as if I’m easy to bully, didn’t you?" Wang Changsheng’s voice was stern as he addressed Wei Ning, who lay sprawled on the ground.

Wei Ning looked at Wang Changsheng with a dark expression, saying nothing.

"Still trying to act tough!" Wang Changsheng laughed, his tone full of disdain. He’d seen countless people like Wei Ning. At this moment, he knew exactly what Wei Ning was thinking—he was plotting how to notify the Wei family so they could come and take him down, then torment him thoroughly.

"Gentlemen, let’s not go too far," the waiter stepped forward, addressing them, "Distinguished guests, he is, after all, a member of the Wei family. If you go too far, you’ll have trouble on your hands."

"Trouble?" Wang Changsheng wasn’t the least bit afraid of trouble. The feud between him and the Wei family was already one of life and death; at worst, history would repeat itself. His current confidence didn’t come from Chen Shangyi and the others, but from the sect master’s avatar, who was following them, though its whereabouts were unknown.

"Let me buy another piece of information from you," Wang Changsheng said to the waiter, "What is this person’s status in the Wei family?"

The waiter was startled, not expecting Wang Changsheng to purchase information at this moment—especially about the Wei family, and right in front of a Wei family member.

"One low-grade spirit stone," the waiter replied.

Wang Changsheng and his companions were taken aback, then burst into laughter as they looked at Wei Ning.

"So, you’re worth just one low-grade spirit stone?" Wang Changsheng said to Wei Ning.

He then took a spirit stone from the hundred low-grade spirit stones Wei Ning had handed over, tossed it to the waiter, and said with a smile, "Go ahead, tell us his status."

The waiter glanced at Wang Changsheng in surprise, while Wei Ning nearly fainted with rage. Wang Changsheng not only bought information about Wei Ning in front of him, but paid with Wei Ning’s own spirit stones. Was such a thing even possible?

The remaining spirit stones were promptly pocketed by Wang Changsheng, including those brought by Wei Ning.

"This man is a direct descendant of the Wei family, with considerable status. If his cultivation were stronger, he could vie for the position of family head," the waiter explained. "Unfortunately, given his aptitude, the family head’s seat is out of reach."

After finishing, the waiter said, "Distinguished guests, this matter has exceeded my authority. I’ll go and fetch the manager."

Without waiting for Wang Changsheng and his companions to object, he left the room immediately.

It wasn’t that the waiter didn’t want to stay, but that remaining any longer would only entangle him deeper in the affair. Moreover, with things having escalated to this point, he was no longer qualified to handle it. Neither Wei Ning nor Wang Changsheng’s group—who dared to attack Wei Ning—were simple characters. If Wang Changsheng pulled another unexpected move and dragged him into it, he’d be in serious trouble.

Soon after, a portly middle-aged cultivator entered the room where Wang Changsheng and his party sat.

"Greetings, fellow Daoists," the middle-aged man said as he entered, "I am Tian Wei, the manager of the tavern. This incident occurred in our establishment, and I sincerely apologize for disturbing your enjoyment. To make amends, today’s bill will be free of charge for all of you. How does that sound?"

Wang Changsheng and his companions noticed the man’s courteous demeanor and realized he was no ordinary person. Before entering, he must have heard the waiter’s account and was well aware of everything that had transpired.

"Do you think I can’t afford the bill, or what?" Wang Changsheng asked in a deep voice.

"You misunderstand, fellow Daoist," the middle-aged man replied with a smile. "Anyone who can casually toss out a hundred mid-grade spirit stones must be from at least a second-tier power. Paying this bill is no issue. I’m offering this meal on the house simply to apologize for disrupting your enjoyment."

He clasped his hands in a gesture of respect. As the saying goes, one doesn’t hit a smiling face. Wang Changsheng and his companions had been simmering with anger—after all, the root of the problem lay with the tavern, which had sided with Wei Ning and offended them. This apology, however, was well received, though the matter could not simply be brushed aside.

"Not enough," Wang Changsheng said bluntly. The tavern had chosen to offend him for Wei Ning’s sake, and now, realizing his group was not easy to deal with, hurried to apologize. What kind of logic was that?

The middle-aged man frowned, his tone deepening. "Fellow Daoists, forgiveness is a virtue."

"Since you’ve put it that way, I’ll be direct: answer one question for me. If I’m satisfied, I won’t pursue the tavern’s responsibility," Wang Changsheng said, filling his cup and downing it in one gulp. "Otherwise, no matter your background, today I’ll tear this tavern down."

The middle-aged man’s frown deepened. He regarded Wang Changsheng thoughtfully before finally replying, "Very well, ask."

"Is there a teleportation array to the Shangyang Li family in Jin Ning City?" Wang Changsheng asked.

"Shangyang Li family?" The middle-aged man was stunned, his face full of shock. After hearing the waiter’s account, he knew Wang Changsheng’s group was not to be trifled with. Now, hearing them inquire about the Shangyang Li family, he realized they were truly out of his league. The waiter didn’t know about the Shangyang Li family because certain information was tightly guarded, accessible only to the tavern’s upper management, of which he was one.

Since Wang Changsheng dared to inquire about the Shangyang Li family, it meant his group was headed there. Compared to the Li family, the Wei family was insignificant—no wonder they didn't regard the Wei family at all.

"So you do know," Wang Changsheng said, narrowing his eyes.

"I know a little," sweat began to bead on the middle-aged man’s forehead—a sign of extreme anxiety for a cultivator. "But fellow Daoists, since you’re asking about the Shangyang Li family, you should know that if I reveal their information today, tomorrow I’ll likely be found dead in the wilderness."

"Listen carefully to my question," Wang Changsheng said sternly. "In Jin Ning City, is there a teleportation array to the Shangyang Li family?"

He wasn’t asking directly for information about the Li family, but rather skirting the issue; he trusted the middle-aged man would understand.

"There is," the middle-aged man finally replied. Saying this, he let out a long sigh, as if a life-or-death matter had been resolved.

Wang Changsheng nodded, "Alright, you may go."

"And take him with you," Wang Changsheng added, pointing to Wei Ning on the floor.

The middle-aged man was even more relieved. His main purpose in coming was to see if he could get Wei Ning out. Wei Ning was still alive; if he died here, it would be hard to explain to the Wei family. Not fearing them didn’t mean he wanted trouble; the tavern’s business depended on not offending local powers like the Wei family.

"Thank you," the middle-aged man said, clasping his hands, then swiftly whisked Wei Ning away, moving as if he feared Wang Changsheng might change his mind.

As soon as the middle-aged man left, Chen Shangyi spoke in a low voice, "He’s at the second stage of Core Formation."

"Second stage of Core Formation?" Wang Changsheng replied, his tone grave. "It seems this tavern isn’t simple. To know about the Shangyang Li family, the power behind it must be at least first-tier. I wonder which one?"

"What shall we do now?" Chen Shangyi asked. "Should we wait here or go look for them?"

"We’ll wait here. They’ll come to us," Wang Changsheng replied.

Chen Shangyi nodded, "That could be dangerous."

"There’s bound to be danger, but I don’t think it’ll be a big problem," Wang Changsheng said. "Even if things get truly dangerous, I doubt we’d escape if we tried to run."

Many disciples of the Corpse Refining Sect were confused, clearly not understanding what Wang Changsheng and Chen Shangyi were discussing. Still, they could tell Wang Changsheng’s plan: simply wait here.

Wang Changsheng didn’t bother explaining; soon enough, they would all understand. He’d just had the tavern staff take Wei Ning away. Wei Ning wasn’t badly hurt and would surely return to the Wei family at once.

Given Wei Ning’s nature—never speaking without mentioning his family—there was no way he’d let this go. He’d certainly come back for revenge. Wang Changsheng also believed that, before the middle-aged man entered, someone had already been sent to notify the Wei family.

Since that was the case, Wang Changsheng decided not to leave. Wasn’t this a mortal feud? He’d face it head-on and see who would flinch first. With his greatest trump card, Wang Changsheng had nothing to fear. Moreover, now that he knew Jin Ning City had a teleportation array to the Shangyang Li family, he was even less inclined to leave.

"Shangyi, wasn’t our mission to make the Corpse Refining Sect’s name known?" Wang Changsheng said with a half-smile.

"Yes," Chen Shangyi nodded.

"Good. Now’s our chance. I think the Wei family will make a perfect stepping stone," Wang Changsheng said, his voice grave.

Chen Shangyi frowned in thought.

"Brothers, prepare yourselves. We’re about to face a tough battle," Chen Shangyi declared.

The disciples present weren’t fools—just inexperienced. Now, with Wang Changsheng and Chen Shangyi working in concert, they understood.

"Damn, after holding back so long, we finally get to fight!" Zhang Cunzong cursed loudly.

"Cunzong, don’t join in," Chen Shangyi said sternly.

"What?" Zhang Cunzong jumped up, shouting, "Why not? Why can’t I fight?"