Taxing The Weak

Diaorong Qi glanced at the young True God standing guard, then entered the small building alone.

Inside, she immediately saw Luo Feng and Morosa sitting and enjoying their meal, drinking wine.

"Diaorong Qi greets the Supreme Lord," she said respectfully, kneeling down and bowing her head to the ground.

"Speak," Luo Feng said calmly, pouring himself more wine.

"My father was killed, along with over ten thousand lives in our mansion, including children," Diaorong Qi said, still kneeling. "I only wish to avenge my father and the countless lives lost in that massacre."

"I sought help from the City Lord's Mansion to kill the murderer, but they did nothing."

"I increased the bounty at Yan Feng Pavilion's dark hall, hoping someone would take action. But I waited all night, and no strong warrior stepped forward."

"I know that you, Supreme Lord, do not fear the Blood Python Society, so I have come to beg you. I hope that you will accept the bounty and kill the Blood Python Leader," Diaorong Qi's voice was hoarse as she pleaded.

Luo Feng and Morosa looked at her.

"And what do you offer me in return?" Luo Feng asked. "The feast you have arranged?"

Diaorong Qi, still kneeling, whispered, "I have nothing left to offer. Nearly all my wealth has been invested in the bounty at Yan Feng Pavilion's dark hall. Now I only have 10,000 universe sands left. I am willing to offer these to you, Supreme Lord."

"I know that this is far too little to ask you to take action. But I have nothing left, except for my life."

"I am willing to sell myself as a slave to serve you for the rest of my life. I have no other desire but to seek revenge." Tears welled up in Diaorong Qi's eyes, and her fluffy tail drooped beside her.

Luo Feng looked at her. "Sell yourself as a slave? Your father clearly made arrangements for you. You arrived today in the Mo Li family's flying boat. You could live a carefree life. Are you really willing to give up everything and sell yourself as a slave just for revenge?"

"Yes," Diaorong Qi said without hesitation, still kneeling.

"Even if I kill the Blood Python Leader, your father will not come back to life. Would you really give up a life of comfort and freedom for a dead father?" Luo Feng looked at her. The last time he had seen this young lady from the Diaorong family, he could sense her pride. But now, she was entirely different.

Diaorong Qi remained kneeling. "He was my father! The one who loved me most in this world, who always protected and cared for me. Even in his final message, he was thinking of me, arranging a way out for me. But now... the father who loved me is gone! The relatives I grew up with are gone!"

"I am willing to do anything for revenge! No matter the cost, even if it means my death!" Diaorong Qi looked up at Luo Feng with determination.

"Your father arranged a way out for you because he wanted you to live well," Luo Feng said. "You don't need to sell yourself as a slave. Keep your remaining 10,000 universe sands and focus on cultivating, living the life your father would have wanted for you. As for your request, I was already planning to take on a bounty mission."

"The Blood Python Leader will be my first target," Luo Feng added.

Diaorong Qi stared at Luo Feng in disbelief.

No need for universe sands, no need to sell herself as a slave, and he would help her?

"I am willing to serve you, Supreme Lord," Diaorong Qi said gratefully.

"There's no need," Luo Feng said, shaking his head. "Go back to the Mo Li family and keep this matter confidential."

Diaorong Qi quickly nodded.

She understood the importance of secrecy.

"Before nightfall, you will hear the news," Luo Feng said, waving his hand. "You may go now."

"Thank you, Supreme Lord," Diaorong Qi said, bowing deeply before rising and leaving.

As Diaorong Qi left the small building, her emotions were in turmoil. She glanced at Mo Yu Qing Yan, who was standing guard at the door, and felt a tinge of envy. She had wanted to serve as a slave, but the Supreme Lord had refused.

"Miss," Suo Yun quickly came to greet her.

"Suo Yun, my father is dead, and the Diaorong family is finished," Diaorong Qi said. "You don't need to serve as my guard anymore." As she spoke, she patted Suo Yun's shoulder, slipping a small jade bottle into his robe.

Suo Yun stood there, stunned, barely able to believe it.

Diaorong Qi quickly boarded the Mo Li family's flying boat and left.

"The Diaorong family is finished?" Suo Yun, who had been stationed at the Fire Realm Restaurant for some time, was not well-informed and was unaware of the events of the previous night. As he sensed the jade bottle with his divine power, his heart leaped with joy. "Five hundred chaos crystals! The young lady is very generous."

Even with his talent, serving as a guard for the Diaorong family for an era would only earn him ten chaos crystals. Now, the young lady was dismissing him with five hundred chaos crystals, which was indeed a fortune for a True God.

He understood that such a generous reward was because he had performed a great service.

"With this, I can buy the resources to refine my divine body and bloodline. Along with the inheritance techniques I already have, my talent should be enough to become a Void True God," Suo Yun thought, his heart burning with excitement as he turned to leave.

...

At that moment, the owner of the Fire Realm Restaurant, the Black Butcher, also noticed Suo Yun's departure.

"That guard, Suo Yun, has been stationed at my Fire Realm Restaurant for a long time, and now he's finally leaving?" the Black Butcher thought. "That young lady from the Diaorong family was acting strangely too. Normally, she would be accompanied by her own guards. But this time, she left in the Mo Li family's flying boat?"

The Black Butcher had a vague sense that something was wrong. He had crossed reincarnations to reach the Origin Continent and had struggled to survive in Hoyang City, still stuck at the Void True God level. Naturally, he wasn't very well-informed and had no idea of the Diaorong family's demise.

"Black Butcher!" A stern voice rang out as a red-haired man, Duan Mo Yun, approached the Fire Realm Restaurant with several subordinates.

"Duan Hall Master," the obese Black Butcher quickly greeted him warmly. As a master of the Law path, the Black Butcher had spent countless ages cultivating in the Origin Continent. In terms of strength, he was among the top Void True Gods, more than capable of overpowering Duan Mo Yun. But he didn't dare show any disrespect because Duan Mo Yun was one of the hall masters of the Blood Python Society.

"Duan Hall Master, it's rare to see you at my humble restaurant," the Black Butcher said enthusiastically.

"Black Butcher," Duan Mo Yun said, "I'm here to deliver an order."

The Black Butcher looked puzzled. "What order?"

"The President has ordered that all businesses within the Blood Python Society's territory must pay a hundred eras' worth of tribute fees at once," Duan Mo Yun said.

"A hundred eras' worth of tribute fees?" The Black Butcher was shocked and quickly said, "But hasn't it always been a one-era payment each time? I've never missed paying the tribute fees to the Blood Python Society."

"The rules have changed. You must pay a hundred eras' worth of fees at once. After this payment, the next one will be due in a hundred eras," Duan Mo Yun said with a smile. "The Blood Python Society won't collect more than its due."

The Black Butcher was anxious. "But where can I find that much?"

"All businesses within the Blood Python Society's territory are subject to this rule," Duan Mo Yun said. "You have three days to pay. If you don't, well... you know the consequences of defying the Blood Python Society."

The Black Butcher's face darkened.

"The message has been delivered. You'd better start preparing," Duan Mo Yun said as he turned to leave with his subordinates.

"Master, how are we going to gather a hundred eras' worth of tribute fees in three days?" one of the apprentices asked, worried.

The Black Butcher gently shook his head. "Businesses with connections can ignore the Blood Python Society, but we don't have that luxury. If we don't pay, we'll disappear without a trace."

The Blood Python Society's decision to collect a hundred eras' worth of tribute fees at once meant they would likely kill a few as a warning. Those who refused to pay would be eliminated!

The Black Butcher, having lived in Hoyang City for so long, knew what he had to do.

But even so, he felt frustrated. "Sigh, it's so hard to run a small restaurant in this city."

"The Blood Python Society is demanding a hundred eras' worth of tribute fees?" A voice suddenly interrupted.

The Black Butcher turned and saw Luo Feng and Morosa approaching.

"Supreme Lord, did you hear that?" the Black Butcher said helplessly. "There's nothing a small restaurant like ours can do against the Blood Python Society's orders."

"The Blood Python Society has indeed lost its mind," Luo Feng said with a nod. "Fortunately, I've dealt with them before."

The Black Butcher silently wondered.

Dealt with them?

Everyone in Hoyang City knew that Luo He Supreme Lord had forced the Blood Python Society to obediently compensate him with 20,000 universe sands!

"I'll speak to them on your behalf. That should exempt you from paying the tribute fees," Luo Feng said.

"That would trouble the Supreme Lord too much," the Black Butcher quickly said. In Hoyang City, businesses with connections wouldn't have to pay tribute fees. Only those without backing, like his small restaurant, were forced to comply. If Luo He Supreme Lord spoke on his behalf, his restaurant's situation would improve significantly.

"My face should carry some weight," Luo Feng said as he left with Morosa and Mo Yu Qing Yan.

The Black Butcher watched Luo Feng leave, feeling overjoyed. "The Blood Python Society wouldn't dare start a fight with Supreme Lord Luo He just because of my small restaurant. Oh, how fortunate that the Supreme Lord favors my little restaurant. Life is going to get much easier now."

Having a powerful backer certainly shielded one from many hardships.

...

"Master, are we heading to the Blood Python Society now?" Morosa's eyes burned with excitement as they hovered over the bustling city of Hoyang. Mo Yu Qing Yan, who was accompanying them, looked confused.

Go to the Blood Python Society? Is it really necessary to rush there for the sake of the Fire Realm Restaurant? At this moment, Mo Yu Qing Yan still didn't realize that Luo Feng intended to confront the Blood Python Leader.

"We're going now," Luo Feng nodded. "Let's go."

Whoosh!

Luo Feng, with his two servants, turned into a blur as they shot toward the Blood Python Society's headquarters.

Soon, the vast and imposing headquarters of the Blood Python Society appeared in their view, its members scattered throughout the area, their formations operating with a terrifying aura.

"You two stay outside," Luo Feng said, glancing at Morosa.

"Yes, Master," Morosa replied, grabbing Mo Yu Qing Yan at the same time. Mo Yu Qing Yan was puzzled—wasn't it a servant's duty to accompany their master during visits?

At the same time, Morosa sent a mental transmission, "Don't worry, Master. Even if that Blood Python Leader tries to escape, I'll intercept him."

"Just keep an eye on things. I'll handle him," Luo Feng replied telepathically before flying toward the main gate of the Blood Python Society's headquarters.

"Keep his body for me," Morosa transmitted, already craving it. The body of the infamous Blood Python Leader would certainly be more valuable than anything else.

Luo Feng was now nearing the main gate of the Blood Python Society's headquarters, using the Yan Feng Pavilion's dark hall communication token to instantly accept the task of "Assassinate the Blood Python Leader, Mu Yang."