Lifetime of Debt! [2.2k]

Translator: AnubisTL

"What thief? I have no idea what you're talking about!" Gu Feng denied without a hint of guilt, his face calm and composed.

"It was you, it must have been you! No wonder Xiaoli happened to run into you near the lake..." Bao Shaoqiong was fuming, her words spitting out like venom.

"Coincidence! I had too much to drink and needed to find a place to relieve myself. Is that a crime?" Gu Feng replied nonchalantly.

"You scoundrel! I'll fight you to the death! You stripped me of my clothes... you pervert!" Bao Shaoqiong was clearly at her breaking point, disregarding the vast difference in their strength as she lunged at Gu Feng.

Gu Feng's lips twitched slightly as he extended a hand, effortlessly pinning her to the ground like a grasshopper, rendering her immobile.

"Miss!!" Bao Xiaoli finally reacted, her body trembling with rage. Seeing her mistress pinned to the ground, limbs flailing, she too lunged forward. "Let go of my mistress, you villain!"

Unsurprisingly, Xiaoli was also pinned to the ground by Gu Feng's other hand with ease.

Both women moved in unison, cursing and struggling on the ground, but the gap in their strength was too vast. No matter how much they screamed or thrashed, they couldn't break free from Gu Feng's grip.

"Have you had enough? Is this robe really the issue here? The real problem is that you owe me five hundred million!"

At these words, both women fell silent. Lying on the ground, they exchanged glances, seeing nothing but despair in each other's eyes.

"Yes, this isn't the main issue... Five hundred million! How can I ever repay that? Just kill me!" Bao Shaoqiong let out a bitter laugh. In the face of such a colossal debt, nothing else mattered.

"Miss, please don't think like that! We can repay the money slowly. One day, we'll clear it!" Bao Xiaoli tried to console her, though it was clear she didn't believe her own words.

Five hundred million low-grade spirit stones—even for the wealthy Bao family, this was an astronomical sum.

The Bao family of Cloud Prefecture had an annual income of less than a billion after deducting daily expenses and the costs of developing pills. With their current abilities, it would be nearly impossible for the two of them to repay such a massive debt in their lifetime.

"Owing some spirit stones isn't the end of the world. Are you really going to throw your lives away over this? Where's your ambition?" Gu Feng felt a headache coming on. If these two really decided to end their lives, not only would his debt go unpaid, but he'd also make a powerful enemy. The influence of an alchemy family was not to be underestimated.

"Of course, you can choose to die, but the reputation of evading debt through suicide will follow you. The Bao family of Cloud Prefecture would become a laughingstock..."

Thinking this, Gu Feng began to coax them gently.

"Right now, you're only Mortal Grade Alchemists. Five hundred million spirit stones is indeed an astronomical sum for you... But once you become Spirit Grade, or even Mystic Grade Alchemists, will five hundred million still be a problem?

If I were you, I wouldn't just repay the five hundred million—I'd even ask to include interest... Even if your entire lives are overshadowed by debt, you should face it with a smile. That's the true spirit of a strong woman.

Life is the most precious thing... When you're on your deathbed, you can say, 'My entire life...'

In the future, the Bao family will take pride in you. Whenever they speak of you, they can proudly tell the world, 'Our ancestors, Bao Shaoqiong and Bao Xiaoli...'"

Gu Feng even used quotes from famous works to encourage them to repay the debt, leaving the two women utterly dumbfounded.

The three leaves on Zhu Qingyan's chest trembled uncontrollably, equally shocked. She had seen smooth talkers before, but never one as skilled as this.

Gu Feng, this con artist, had managed to leave two suicidal girls completely bewildered.

Seeing the light return to the women's eyes, Zhu Qingyan's lips twitched. She knew they had accepted their fate of repaying the debt for the rest of their lives.

"Isn't this too much? Not only do you make them repay the debt, but you also charge them interest?"

"It's all for your thunder-attribute treasure!" Gu Feng shamelessly replied.

"Xiaoli, are you willing to spend your life repaying this debt with me?"

"Miss, for you and the honor of the Bao family, I am willing!"

The atmosphere was set. Gu Feng grinned and released the two women. "Here, take your robe back. From now on, focus on repaying the debt. Don't waste your lives, and don't tarnish the honor of the Bao family!"

With that, he turned and left.

Upon returning to his courtyard, he had just sat down on the stone bench when he was summoned to the Hall of Elders in the Outer Sect.

As soon as he entered, he was called to Elder Liu's residence.

There, he met Elder Shen from the Outer Sect Pill Refining Hall.

"Elder Liu, Elder Shen, what brings you to summon me?" Gu Feng bowed respectfully and asked with a smile.

"Bao Shaoqiong and Bao Xiaoli from the Bao family of Cloud Prefecture want to join the Sunset Glow Sect. Did you know about this?" Elder Liu asked gravely.

Gu Feng's heart stirred, but he replied, "I had no idea!"

"They said they want to stay in the Sunset Glow Sect to repay their debt!" Elder Shen said with a strange expression.

"Cough, repaying debts is good. It shows they have good character!" Gu Feng coughed lightly and replied.

"The two of them got into a pill-refining competition and ended up owing five hundred million low-grade spirit stones in a single day!" Elder Liu glared at Gu Feng.

"Alright, I'm their creditor. They lost fair and square. I was against the pill-refining competition from the start," Gu Feng shrugged, acting as if it wasn't his fault.

"You still have the nerve to say that! Bao Shaoqiong said you saw her jump into the lake, not only did you not save her, but you also took the opportunity to steal her storage ring and even stripped her clothes... I mean, if you're going to take her things, at least save her!

But no, you wrapped her up like a dumpling with two 'Azure Glazed Banana Leaves' and threw her back into the lake.

Then you pretended to rescue her with great effort and tricked Bao Xiaoli out of her storage ring. I've never seen someone as cunning as you!" Elder Shen couldn't help but laugh by the end of his tirade.

This plot was so bizarre that it could only happen with Gu Feng involved.

Gu Feng rubbed his nose in silence. He truly hadn't expected Bao Shaoqiong to tell Elder Shen about the humiliating incident of being stripped.

"Do you know why Bao Shaoqiong challenged you to a pill-refining competition?" Elder Liu glanced at Gu Feng.

"No idea!" Previously, Gu Feng thought Bao Shaoqiong challenged him to avenge her humiliation at the Alchemy Conference. But from Elder Liu's tone, there was clearly more to it.

"She wanted to find the thief who robbed and molested her that night. Challenging you to a pill-refining competition was just an excuse to stay in the Sunset Glow Sect." At this point, even Elder Liu couldn't hold back his laughter.

The plot was indeed bizarre. Bao Shaoqiong had successfully found the thief from that night, but she could never return home now, owing five hundred million low-grade spirit stones. How could she face her family?

What?

Gu Feng was also stunned, feeling both amused and exasperated. He weakly said, "If I hadn't pulled Bao Shaoqiong out of the lake to let her breathe, she wouldn't have lasted until Xiaoli found her. By all accounts, I'm her savior!

Five hundred million low-grade spirit stones in exchange for the life of a promising alchemist—that's a fair price! Besides, I've already been lenient with them. I didn't set a deadline for repayment!"

"You still have the nerve to argue!" Elder Liu glared at Gu Feng, then laughed. "You didn't set a repayment deadline, but you added interest. Two percent monthly interest means ten million in interest alone each month. How can they ever repay that?"

"This kid is both cunning and persuasive. He's completely bamboozled those two girls!" Seeing Elder Shen also smiling, Gu Feng felt reassured. It seemed the two elders weren't here to cause him trouble.

"Gu Feng, the border of Chu is becoming restless again. If a major war breaks out, all the major powers will be reshuffled. Don't pressure Bao Shaoqiong too much about the debt...

I've already processed their enrollment. From today, Bao Shaoqiong and Bao Xiaoli are disciples of the Sunset Glow Sect. If this can help us gain an ally in the Bao family, you'll have done a great service." Elder Liu spoke meaningfully.

Gu Feng was somewhat aware of the situation in Chu. Over the past century, two major wars had left the country in dire straits, its national power severely weakened, with signs of collapse looming.

"Is the enemy country planning to invade Chu again?" Gu Feng asked in a low voice.

"Perhaps soon, perhaps not. Who can say? What you need to do is focus on improving your strength to prepare for the chaos. The next war will determine the survival of our nation!" Elder Shen said gravely.

"Understood!" Gu Feng nodded solemnly, then smiled. "If I manage to secure the Bao family as an ally for the Sunset Glow Sect, will there be a big reward?"

"Get out!"

...

Outer Sect Trading Hall!

The Baozi Shop! Grand opening!

"Congratulations, Shaoqiong, Xiaoli, on your new shop!" Gu Feng smiled warmly, taking out a red envelope and handing it to Bao Shaoqiong.

Bao Shaoqiong pouted and handed the envelope to Bao Xiaoli, who opened it and immediately frowned. "Why is it a coupon for interest-free repayment?"

"Did you really think I'd give you spirit stones? A month of interest-free repayment is worth ten million spirit stones. Who else here is as generous as me?" Gu Feng declared proudly.

This baozi shop was actually a pill store Gu Feng had opened for the two women. This time, he broke from his usual stingy self, investing a million spirit stones to cover the shop's decoration, promotion, and initial startup costs.

This investment was necessary. Gu Feng was counting on their shop's success to help them repay his debt sooner.

"What are you doing, groping me in public?"

"I heard you swindled five hundred million spirit stones from Bao Shaoqiong. Lend me a few million to spend!" Chu Youhuan appeared out of nowhere, her hands roaming over Gu Feng.

Gu Feng's face immediately darkened. "You still owe me five hundred thousand spirit stones!"

"Let me owe a bit more. I'll repay it all when I strike it rich!" Chu Youhuan laughed, clearly embracing her role as a deadbeat.

Bao Shaoqiong and Bao Xiaoli exchanged glances, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes. They knew a bit about Chu Youhuan's status—she was arguably the most prominent disciple in the Sunset Glow Sect.

Even without her status, she was a top-tier genius, ranked fifth on the Inner Sanctum Heaven Ranking. Yet, even she owed Gu Feng spirit stones.

Though five hundred thousand was a drop in the bucket compared to five hundred million, it still shocked the two women and made them feel slightly better.

If someone like Chu Youhuan owed Gu Feng, it wasn't so strange that they did too.

"Congratulations!" Some of Gu Feng's friends also came to show their support, each bringing red envelopes.

"I'm here to congratulate you too, but I don't have a red envelope. Please understand—I still have two hundred million in debt!" A Fei said with a sheepish grin.

Since learning that Bao Shaoqiong owed Gu Feng five hundred million, his joy had been almost as great as Gu Feng's. Finally, he had found someone worse off than himself, and he couldn't sleep from excitement.

"Shaoqiong, Xiaoli, congratulations!" Yan Xixi arrived, looking like she had already become good friends with the two in the past few days.

Being fellow disciples of the Pill Refining Hall and talented alchemists, it was easy for them to bond.

"Why does it seem like so many people owe Gu Feng money?" Bao Shaoqiong whispered to Yan Xixi, noticing how Gu Feng confiscated red envelopes from several inner sect disciples, chiding them with, "No money to repay debts, but money to give gifts?"

"I don't know either. It seems like a lot of people owe him money! Chu Youhuan owes him five hundred thousand, Qu Yanran owes him over three million... There are many others. Wu Qi and the others also owed him, but they've already repaid their smaller debts," Yan Xixi replied, covering her mouth as she giggled.

"Do you owe him money?" Bao Xiaoli asked curiously.

"No, he owed my uncle fifteen thousand for meals!"

"Did he repay it?"

"No, and my uncle even gave him several hundred thousand spirit stones!" At this, Yan Xixi burst into laughter.

Hearing this, the two women rolled their eyes. How shameless! He chases others for their debts, but when he owes others, not only does he not repay, he even takes more. They had never seen someone so skilled at making money.

After this little episode, the Sunset Glow Sect's annual grand competition began!

(End of the Chapter)

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