"Hand over your martial arts manuals, and I might spare you."
"Hmph, keep dreaming!" Deng Changfeng snorted coldly, turning his head away. Being defeated by a young man like Jiang Che filled him with frustration.
A lifetime of cultivation… and in the end, I can't even defeat a mere child?
Jiang Che smirked, his expression turning cruel. "You refuse?"
He had initially planned to give the old man a quick death, but since Deng Changfeng was so stubborn, he had no one to blame but himself.
Reaching into his pocket, Jiang Che pulled out a small porcelain bottle. Uncorking it, he poured out a tiny green pill and forcefully shoved it into Deng Changfeng's mouth.
Deng Changfeng's eyes widened in alarm. "What did you just feed me?!" A terrible premonition arose in his heart.
Jiang Che grinned sinisterly. "This is called the Ten Thousand Ants Biting Heart Pill. It takes effect in three minutes."
"When that happens, an excruciating pain will spread from your heart to your entire body. Without the antidote, you'll suffer until you die."
This pill was something Jiang Che had concocted based on the Sky Poison Classic before coming here. He guaranteed it would make this old man wish for death!
"What?!" Deng Changfeng's face paled.
Just as he was about to say something, a sharp, stabbing pain erupted in his heart.
"Ahhhhhh!"
A blood-curdling scream tore from his throat as his entire body convulsed. His wrinkled face twisted in agony, sweat dripping from his forehead like rain. The pain spread rapidly, consuming his entire body, and he rolled on the ground, writhing in torment.
Jiang Che watched with amusement in his eyes. "How about now, old man? Ready to hand over the manuals?"
Deng Changfeng's lips trembled. His pride screamed at him to resist, but the unbearable pain overwhelmed all reason.
"I—I'll give them to you!" he cried out desperately. "Take all of them! Just make it stop!"
Jiang Che chuckled and casually tossed an antidote into Deng Changfeng's mouth. Within moments, the old man's body stopped trembling, and the pain slowly subsided.
Still gasping for breath, Deng Changfeng stared at Jiang Che with undisguised fear. He had never expected this young man to possess such a vicious poison!
Taking a deep breath, Deng Changfeng finally spoke. "I will hand over the manuals, but you must let me and my apprentice go."
"Fine." Jiang Che agreed without hesitation.
Deng Changfeng was stunned. Why did he agree so easily? Shouldn't he try to negotiate more? Or… is he planning to deceive me?
But there was no time to overthink it. The mere thought of Jiang Che forcing him to take another Ten Thousand Ants Biting Heart Pill sent a shiver down his spine.
Without further delay, Deng Changfeng reached into his robes and pulled out a martial arts manual titled "Clear Mind Technique", handing it over.
Jiang Che took the book and flipped through it briefly. Then, he glanced at Deng Changfeng and asked calmly, "Just this one?"
His voice was light, but his gaze was sharp. He didn't believe this old fox only had one manual.
Deng Changfeng gritted his teeth and slowly got up. "I have two more in my room. I'll go get them."
"Go ahead." Jiang Che nodded. He wasn't worried about being tricked—against absolute strength, schemes were meaningless. Besides, Deng Changfeng was severely injured. Even if he wanted to fight back, he was powerless.
But just as Deng Changfeng turned to leave—
"Wait!"
Jiang Che suddenly changed his mind. "I'll go with you."
He smiled mysteriously and walked beside Deng Changfeng.
After all, martial arts manuals weren't the only treasures a martial artist might have. There could be pills, herbs, or even rare artifacts.
If he was going to loot the old man, he might as well take everything!
Deng Changfeng frowned but said nothing. There was no room for protest.
The two walked toward the small thatched hut.
Inside the Thatched Hut
As soon as Jiang Che stepped inside, he scanned the room. "Tch. What a dump."
The place was barely furnished—a simple wooden bed, a wardrobe, a rickety wooden table, and a single chair. No decorations, no luxuries.
Jiang Che clicked his tongue in disappointment. "For a martial arts master, you sure live like a beggar."
Deng Changfeng's face flushed with embarrassment, but he didn't dare to refute. It was true.
Silently, he walked to the bed and pulled out a small wooden box from underneath. Opening it, he took out two martial arts manuals and handed them over.
One was titled "Lightning Steps", a footwork technique.
The other was "Excalibur Finger", a finger technique.
Jiang Che accepted them, then asked, "Anything else?"
Deng Changfeng hesitated before shaking his head. "No, these are all my martial arts techniques."
He wasn't lying. Aside from the Clear Mind Technique, these were the only techniques he had practiced in his lifetime. A martial artist typically mastered only one or two disciplines—learning too many was counterproductive.
Jiang Che narrowed his eyes. "I wasn't talking about techniques. I meant pills, herbs, valuables."
Deng Changfeng's face darkened. This brat was too greedy!
Not only had he taken his martial arts secrets—now he wanted his medicine too?!
But resistance was pointless. He had no choice but to comply.
Sighing, he walked to the wardrobe and rummaged through it. Soon, he took out a bundle of bottles and jars, placing them on the table.
"These are all healing pills. This is everything I have." His voice was bitter—he had been utterly robbed by a junior.
Jiang Che waved his hand, and in an instant, all the bottles disappeared into thin air.
Deng Changfeng was stunned. "W-What?!"
His eyes widened in shock. He had lived for decades, yet he had never seen anything like this.
Where did the pills go?!
Just as he was reeling from the shock—
"Ding!"
"Congratulations, host! You have completed the extortion event: Deng Changfeng!"
"Rating: SSS."
"Rewards issued:"
● Great Return Pill x3
● 10,000 Plot Points
● Top-Grade Technique: 'Divine Walking Steps'
Jiang Che's lips curled into a satisfied smile.
"Not bad… not bad at all."
This trip had been incredibly profitable!
And once he exchanged Deng Changfeng's old belongings for more Plot Points, he'd truly hit the jackpot.