NOVEL WEB Chapter 266 Gao Yue
The scavenger refused the Yuan currency. The stranger, however, interjected, "Take it. This counts as compensation from us. My young master doesn't like bullying others, but this spot truly is perfect for my young master to enjoy the view. Let's consider it bought for our own sake, as a way to compensate you."
"Well..., this..., this..." The scavenger hesitated at the stranger's words and then turned to look at Lu Hong.
Lu Hong smiled, "Brother Mao, don't look at me. The tea is your treat, so if there's compensation, it should go to you. I didn't pay for the tea, after all."
The scavenger with the surname Mao discreetly glanced at the young master standing not far from them. With fair skin and a noble bearing, he looked like a refined gentleman.
The scavenger named Mao bowed to the young master, "In that case..., thank you, sirs."
With that, he stood up to leave.
Lu Hong also stood up, intending to leave with the scavenger Mao, but the young master stopped him, "May I have the honor of sharing some tea with you?"
"Me?" Lu Hong pointed at himself. "Sure, but I'm afraid my presence here might spoil your tea drinking enjoyment."
The young master chuckled, "No worries. Drinking tea alone can indeed sometimes be dull."
As Lu Hong sat opposite the young master, two attendants appeared, retrieving an exquisite set of teaware from a Space Ring. Each piece exuded a divine aura. Seriously, which Heavenly God was so bored that they spent their energy crafting such a tea set?
With the divine teaware on display, the eyes of everyone in the expansive teahouse were drawn to it with envy, but none felt greed. To be honest, in the All Heavens and Myriads of Worlds, anyone without significant backing wouldn't dare flaunt their treasures. Anything displayed openly must be extraordinary, beyond the reach of mere lesser figures.
The teaware was divine grade, and the tea leaves taken out next also surged with divine energy, comparable to the teaware itself.
If divine grade teaware seemed a bit indulgent, then having divine grade tea leaves wasn't about extravagance; it was simply a blatant display of wealth. The teaware could be used endlessly, but how many times could you use the tea leaves?
Seeing Lu Hong's wide eyes, the young master smiled slightly, "I thought someone with a world artifact wouldn't care for divine grade items, yet..."
Lu Hong steadied himself, "Sorry, I lost my composure for a moment. But by the way, are you here for my world artifact, too?"
The young master shook his head, "We don't lack such things at home. I'm simply curious about how you've managed to protect it."
"A few tricks, maybe. But I can't say for how long. It seems your elite families all have investigative means. It's quite frustrating."
Hearing this, the young master pulled a Jade Pendant from his bosom and tossed it in front of Lu Hong, "With this, no one will be able to probe your belongings again."
"You're just giving it to me like this?"
The young master nodded, "Consider it a gesture to build good karma."
"Heh. Thank you, indeed. My name is Lu Hong. May I ask your esteemed name?"
"Gao Yue."
During their conversation, the tea had boiled. Two attendants cautiously brewed the tea and served it to Gao Yue and Lu Hong.
Taking the tea, Lu Hong sipped it. Hmm..., divine grade teaware, brewing divine grade tea leaves... the flavor... Sorry, he couldn't discern any flavor.
The young master Gao then shook his head in disappointment, "Without the corresponding heavenly spring, the taste indeed falls far short. Such dregs, take it away, we won't drink it!"
Putting down his teacup, Gao Yue stared out the window. After a long while, he turned to Lu Hong and asked, "You're the one who killed Wu Lihua, right?"
"Yes." Lu Hong didn't deny it. Clearly, the other had come for him voluntarily.
"Very good. I don't like being lied to. You've earned my approval."
"May I ask why Brother Gao sought me out?"
"Since you managed to kill Wu Lihua, I'd like to request your help in killing a few more people."
Lu Hong shook his head, "The initial killing was merely self-defense. I'm no Assassin and don't dabble in such trade."
Gao Yue turned his gaze to Lu Hong and said with a smile, "Do you really think killing Wu Lihua and having someone repel the Supreme Lord of the Five Elements freed you from trouble?"
"Do you know who backs the Five Elements World? Whether or not they will submit to the Heavenly God you summoned is irrelevant. This act undoubtedly humiliated their backing. Not only the Five Elements World but even their backers will find ways to locate and eliminate you!"
Lu Hong smiled slightly, "Then, according to Brother Gao, what should I do?"
"Help me eliminate a few individuals, and I will protect you under the name of the Gao family. At the very least, the Five Elements World and its backers will not dare trouble you again."
"May I know which individuals you want eliminated?"
"Rest assured, if you've managed to kill Wu Lihua, these few won't present much of a problem." At this, Gao Yue gestured, and an attendant brought out three items resembling photographs, clearly depicting their appearances.
Lu Hong picked one up, and Gao Yue explained, "This one is Zhao Yiming, a rising star from the Tiesheng World. The next is Zi Youyou from the Five Elements World. As for the last one..., he is my family member, Gao Sheng!"
"Your Gao family?" Lu Hong exclaimed, "Brother Gao, you are indeed ruthless, wanting to kill even your own sibling!"
"He doesn't deserve to be a member of the Gao family. He and his father's faction have betrayed the family's interests, secretly colluding with the Disaster Church and should be dealt with by family law. Unfortunately, they are too cunning, and my father has yet to gather conclusive evidence. Hence, during this journey to Hengyu, I am tasked with eliminating him."
"So..., this task entrusted by your father, you'd so trustingly hand it over to me?"
"Heh, what do you think?" Gao Yue smiled faintly. "Consider it a test of my choosing you. To secure the protection of the Gao family, you must offer value in return."
"But what if I say I don't need such protection?"
Upon hearing Lu Hong's words, Gao Yue's expression darkened, "Are you refusing the Gao family's invitation?"
Lu Hong chuckled, "Brother Gao, don't overestimate your Gao family. I'll consider the Jade Pendant as accepting your favor and will repay it someday if given the chance. But as for killing for you, I have no interest."
With that, Lu Hong rose to leave.
However, the attendants blocked Lu Hong, their expressions unfriendly.
The young master Gao waved his hand, "Since you're unwilling, I won't force you. But you'd better remember the appearance of these three individuals. Should you change your mind, bring me their heads and I will uphold the conditions given to you."
"Farewell!" Lu Hong didn't even glance at the photographs and strode away.
As he walked out of the teahouse, Lu Hong wandered through the small town. There were countless spontaneously established towns along the ancient road of the All Heavens and Myriads of Worlds. Each town was fairly independent, established by a local Heavenly God, generally neutral, charging an entrance fee to provide protection for those who entered. Inside the town, there was an inviolable ban on violence; however, in practice, if your family was strong enough, or your power exceeded that of the divine guardian, you could act without repercussions.
All in all, it still boils down to the same principle: in the All Heavens and Myriads of Worlds, strength reigns supreme.
As Lu Hong meandered through the town, a group approached, blocking his path.
The man leading the group was someone Lu Hong indeed recognized. He was none other than Gao Sheng, whom Gao Yue wanted him to kill.
"May I ask why you're blocking my way?"
Gao Sheng cast a disdainful glance at Lu Hong, "What did my sister tell you?"
"Your sister? I've never met her!"
Gao Sheng chuckled, "Fool, my sister was in men's attire; you didn't even notice? Gao Yue is my sister."
"Oh." Lu Hong nodded, then added, "She didn't say much, just invited me for a cup of tea. I hadn't even finished before she took it away."
Gao Sheng had no patience for idle chatter with Lu Hong, sneering, "You'd better speak the truth. If you don't open your mouth, you'd better never leave this town. Otherwise..., I'll see to it that you're killed."
With that, Gao Sheng stepped forward, aiming to slap Lu Hong's face.
Lu Hong wouldn't let him grandstand, stepping back to dodge Gao Sheng's strike, and then spoke up, "Gao Sheng, right? I advise you not to overstep; someone will surely deal with you."