Chapter 230: Scrambling
Translator: Tatienne Editor: Rundi
On top of the mountain peak, Ling Xian chatted with the young man for a while and finally found out why everyone was here.
They were here to give him gifts.
He wasn’t sure if he should laugh or cry. He didn’t think that something he did so casually would create such a storm on Shi Ao Island. He really didn’t think that so many people would converge and beg to see him in order to grant him treasures.
"I accept your kindness, but there really is no need for gifts. Please bring them all back," Ling Xian faintly smiled. He didn’t even know these people, why would he take these gifts from them?
As his voice trailed off, everyone froze in shock and began to shout.
"Master Ling, since I am here, please accept my gifts."
"Yeah, we have no hidden intentions. We just wanted to officially meet you."
"Exactly. Though these gifts are not that high in value, they still represent our appreciation. Please don’t reject us."
"Yes, Master Ling, please accept them."
Everyone had something to say, and everyone had a determined smile. They just had to give Ling Xian their gifts today.
"You people…" Ling Xian shook his head overwhelmingly. How smart was he? How could he not understand what these people were thinking? They simply wanted him to remember their faces, so it’s easier to ask for help in the future.
This wasn’t the first time he’s had to deal with people like this.
Back in the City of Qing, after he killed two foundational cultivators, many people tried to bribe him. The difference was that back then, the scale of the bribery was nowhere near what it was like today.
There were at least 40 to 50 people here, and none of them were ordinary cultivators. Even if the one here was not a leader of some sort, they were still very rich.
With so many strong figures before him giving him gifts, it would be lying for Ling Xian to say that he was unhappy. However, if he accepted them, then he would owe them favors. If he accepted them, then he can’t say no in the future.
With his personality, he definitely won’t be able to say no.
If he accepts these gifts, it would mean he will have to spend the time going to many different places to help out different forces. Ling Xian did not have that much time nor energy for such a job.
Therefore, he pressed down his palm as a gesture for everyone to quiet down. Then, he declined, "Thank you all for your kindness. But these gifts are something I really cannot accept."
"Master Ling, please don’t do this. Just take them, please. If I can’t accomplish the mission my Clan Leader entrusted me with, he will definitely punish me."
"Exactly. I am the same. Do you really have the heart to send us back to torture after we spent the time traveling here?"
"I’m the same. If I can’t do my job, then I will die a painful death once I get back."
As they saw the determination in Ling Xian’s expression, they opened their mouths and spoke pitifully to toy with his emotions.
"How funny, do you really have to go this far?"
Ling Xian laughed. Everyone here was obviously high in status. Even if they cannot finish the mission, they will not be punished. They were obviously lying.
It was all a ploy to win his sympathy and force him to accept their gifts.
This made Ling Xian helpless. Before he began talking again, he saw that about 10 people who stood there and did not utter a word. He asked out of curiosity, "Why aren’t you pretending to be pitiful like they are?"
"Um…"
The 10 of them chuckled eerily and said in unison, "Because we are Clan Leaders."
"You are Clan Leaders?" Ling Xian was surprised by this.
"Yes." All 10 of them appeared awkward.
"You…" Ling Xian was speechless. He wasn’t sure how to respond.
For Clan Leaders to personally find him and give him gifts, how much face did they give him?
Even though those people were only leaders from smaller forces, they were still leaders and were important figures. Giving gifts, such a small task, shouldn’t require them to personally stop by.
However, before everyone’s eyes, they have personally traveled here in order to show Ling Xian respect.
This made Ling Xian happy and touched. He couldn’t say another word of rejection.
"Oh well, I guess I will take your gifts," Ling Xian shook his head with a smile. After thinking about it for a while, he added, "If you have anything you need help with in the future, you can find me. But please remember, your troubles will have to be related to arrays."
Everyone was overjoyed, and their faces were immediately filled with smiles.
They came from lands far far away to give away their gold and their face. All they wanted was that promise. Now that Ling Xian has said it, they felt assured and satisfied.
"Okay, why don’t you all line up one by one and wait for me. I will grab something really quickly." Ling Xian grinned. He planned on getting a sheet of spiritual paper in order to record which political force each person belonged to.
By the time he came back out with his spiritual paper, he was startled.
The 40 to 50 people have been bickering to a point where their ears and cheeks were bright red. A few of them even started a fist fight.
The reason for their fighting was because they couldn’t agree on who gets to give gifts first.
Whoever was at the front were more likely to be remembered, that was without a doubt. This was why everyone was making a big deal out of this and were fighting. Instead of being the composed leaders they were, they turned into unreasonable and aggressive little men.
Ling Xian wasn’t sure if he should laugh or cry. He understood everyone’s mentality, which was why he went to fetch a piece of spiritual paper and record everyone’s origin and their political capability. However, he really did not expect them to start a fight in the few seconds he was gone.
"I didn’t think I would affect everyone this much," Ling Xian shook his head with a smile and shouted, "Stop the fight."
Immediately, everyone shut their mouths and paused their fists. At the same time, their eyes became fixated on Ling Xian.
"You all… is it really worth this…" Ling Xian softly sighed. Looking at the rich and powerful who were acting like hoodlums, he chuckled, "I know what you are all thinking. Don’t worry. I will use this paper to write down who you represent. I won’t make a mistake writing them down, and I won’t ever forget"
Hearing this, everyone flushed with embarrassment. They didn’t think Ling Xian would see right through them and understand their worries so well.
"Alright, everyone, line up one at a time. There is no need to fight. Even if you are the last one in line, I won’t forget you." Ling Xian smiled.
This time, nobody shoved nor pushed. Instead, they learned to be courteous. Nobody fought to be the first one, but instead, they gestured for each other to go first.
"You were fighting just a second ago how come you stopped?" Ling Xian was very amused by this group of people, "I warn you. Get in a queue quickly, or I won’t accept the gifts anymore."
"Don’t, Master Ling, I am here aren’t I."
"Yeah, don’t just leave us here. Everyone, line up please."
"Yeah, yeah, don’t fight and don’t be too polite. He has said he will record who we represent and he won’t forget."
Everyone began to talk and finally lined up. They gave Ling Xian their gifts and told him the force they belonged to.
The guards who led this group of people here stared at the situation with a heavy amount of envy. He exclaimed, "So this is what a real man acts like."