Chapter 2157: Unworried

"My name is Wuyou. I had intended to send someone to invite you over a few days ago, but I was delayed by another matter, which is why we only meet today." Among the demonic men and women, a young man with a bright red demonic tattoo on his brow, clearly the leader, clasped his hands slightly towards Han Li and said with a smile.

Han Li's gaze swept over the group. Even though the young man seemed to have a treasure concealing most of his aura, Han Li clearly discerned his cultivation level: late-stage Void Refinement.

Aside from this man's formidable cultivation, the others were merely at the Nascent Soul stage, mostly in the early stages.

"I hear you possess a large quantity of Heterodox Demon Gold. Is that true?" Han Li didn't stand on ceremony. After taking a seat opposite the demonic youth, he asked directly.

"That is certainly true," the demonic youth replied with a smile, also taking a seat. "Otherwise, I wouldn't be here waiting for your esteemed presence."

"In that case, Fellow Daoist Wuyou, please tell me how much Demon Gold you have and how you intend to sell it," Han Li said, nodding.

"Not so fast," Young Wuyou suddenly said, his tone changing and his expression becoming slightly more serious. "There's something I must inform you of first. If you find it acceptable, then we can continue our discussion. Otherwise, you'll have to return the way you came."

Han Li smiled in response. "Please speak freely, Fellow Daoist. I am not unaccustomed to facing great challenges."

"Good," Wuyou laughed, clapping his hands. Then his expression darkened as he instructed the others, "The rest of you, wait outside. I'll call you back in after I finish speaking with our esteemed guest."

Hearing this, the other demonic men and women respectfully acknowledged and exited the hall.

The man with the handlebar mustache, who had remained motionless since entering, also bowed deeply and retreated.

At this point, Wuyou flicked his sleeve, and several dark, token-shaped demonic artifacts flew out. They spun around in the nearby air, transforming into a layer of black light that instantly isolated the two men from the outside world.

Observing this, Han Li's eyes flickered slightly. His expression remained unchanged, but he felt a certain intrigue within.

The formality displayed by the demonic cultivators indicated that the forthcoming discussion would be truly extraordinary.

"Forgive me for this spectacle," Wuyou said with a slight cough, offering a somewhat apologetic explanation. "But this matter is of great importance, so I must exercise caution."

"It's fine," Han Li replied with a half-smile. "But can you speak now?"

"Of course. My caution stems primarily from the rather unsavory origin of this batch of Heterodox Demon Gold. I can sell it all to you at an extremely low price, but you must swear a Blood Oath of Inner Demons that, regardless of any future developments after the transaction, you will never expose me or my associates." The demonic youth stared at Han Li, speaking each word distinctly.

"So you mean you'll hand over the goods to me, and I'll bear any consequences entirely by myself, without involving any of you?" Han Li's expression remained calm as he asked blandly.

"Heh heh, I knew you were an astute individual of considerable background; you grasp things immediately," Wuyou chuckled, his expression relaxing slightly. "Although I've put it that way, once you complete the transaction and don't linger here, there naturally won't be any real problems. My earlier words were merely a precaution, 'just in case.'"

"Oh, I see. It seems Fellow Daoist Wuyou doesn't want me to be investigated too quickly, which might inadvertently implicate you all," Han Li said with a chuckle.

"I won't question what you think," Wuyou said, his smile fading and his expression becoming somewhat solemn. "I simply wish to clearly state that the origin of this batch of Heterodox Demon Gold is highly complex, and I cannot reveal too many specifics. As for whether you wish to acquire it, that is your freedom."

After a moment of silence, Han Li's eyes gleamed as he spoke. "If I don't acquire this batch of goods, I doubt Fellow Daoist Wuyou intends to let me leave so easily, do you?"

"That's an overestimation on your part, Fellow Daoist," the demonic youth said candidly this time. "I would never do anything to harm you. I would merely use a minor secret technique to erase some of your memories of our conversation."

"Erasing memories, that is indeed a good method," Han Li retorted with a cold sneer, not mincing words. "However, when it comes to divine sense, even the most profound secret techniques can fail. And I certainly have no intention of being subjected to arbitrary restrictions!"

"So, you're saying you're unwilling to proceed with this transaction?" The demonic youth's tone suddenly turned icy.

"Why wouldn't I do something that offers such great advantage?" Han Li's expression softened, and he chuckled. "How much Heterodox Demon Gold do you have? Name your price, and I'll take it all."

"Good," Wuyou said, visibly relieved and then overjoyed. "If you're willing to make this transaction, then there's naturally no need to erase your memories. However, the Blood Oath of Inner Demons is still required."

"The Blood Oath of Inner Demons is negotiable," Han Li's tone abruptly shifted. "But let's discuss the transaction details first. If the quantity of Heterodox Demon Gold you possess isn't satisfactory, then this deal might not happen."

At this point, Wuyou finally revealed his trump card. "Would two thousand pieces be a satisfactory number for you, Fellow Daoist?"

"Two thousand pieces!"

Even though Han Li was mentally prepared, hearing such a large figure caused his expression to change several times.

Such a vast quantity was almost equivalent to the total he had acquired from other shops in the city in the preceding days. For it to be in the hands of a Void Refinement cultivator seemed truly unusual.

"How do you calculate the price?" Han Li's mind raced, but he spoke without hesitation. "Even if it's all Heterodox Demon Gold, I might not take it all if the quality isn't up to par."

"Please don't worry about that!" the demonic youth assured, patting his chest. "It's all top-grade Heterodox Demon Gold; we would never pass off inferior goods. As for the price, you only need to pay this amount." He extended a hand and wiggled his splayed fingers in front of Han Li. "This is a full third lower than what other shops charge."

"To take such a significant risk for only a one-third discount? That price is still too high," Han Li said, narrowing his eyes and slowly shaking his head.

"Then how much are you willing to offer, Fellow Daoist?" Wuyou asked, not angered, but with a smile.

"I can only accept half the normal price," Han Li stated without hesitation, as if he had already given it considerable thought. "Otherwise, I'd rather not do this business."

"Very well, half it is then. As long as you're willing to swear the Blood Oath of Inner Demons, that won't be a problem. This transaction must proceed quickly; we can't afford any more delays. How about this: we conduct the transaction tomorrow, at the same time and place? Of course, if you have any concerns, feel free to bring some helpers with you." Somewhat to Han Li's surprise, the demonic youth agreed readily after only a brief consideration, immediately proposing the time and location for the trade.

Seeing the other party's eagerness, Han Li felt a bit surprised but nodded and said with a yawn,

"No problem. We'll proceed with the transaction tomorrow as Fellow Daoist Wuyou suggested. As for helpers, heh heh, we'll see about that then."

"You are indeed straightforward, Fellow Daoist. Wuyou will respectfully await your presence here at this time tomorrow," the demonic youth said, clasping his hands towards Han Li, no longer concealing his excitement.

"Since we've concluded our discussion, I have other matters to attend to, so I won't linger here," Han Li said blandly, standing up.

Wuyou naturally didn't stop him. After removing the surrounding light barrier, he courteously personally escorted Han Li to the hall entrance. Only after witnessing Han Li's retreating figure disappear did he beckon to the other demonic men and women nearby, leading them back into the hall.

"Big Brother, is the matter settled?" a demonic man, whose face bore some resemblance to Wuyou, couldn't help but exclaim the moment he entered the hall.

"Don't worry, Third Brother, it's certainly settled, and the transaction will take place immediately tomorrow," Wuyou replied with a smile.

"That's wonderful! We've finally gotten rid of the last batch of this troublesome hot potato. Big Brother, after the transaction, will we leave Bluefall City immediately?" The demonic man was overjoyed and hastily asked another question.

"Of course, we'll leave immediately. Tie Hu, have you dealt with all those miners cleanly? Are there any lingering issues?" Wuyou replied, then suddenly turned to another middle-aged demonic cultivator and asked.

"Don't worry, Boss," the middle-aged demonic cultivator quickly and respectfully said. "Everyone who knew the inside story has been silenced; no one was left alive. Furthermore, just in case, I sealed off the mine's exit, so even if someone miraculously survived, they absolutely wouldn't be able to get out of the mine in a short amount of time."

"That's good. Our private mining operation near Bluefall City was already an affront to several powers within the city. This time, we unexpectedly discovered such an astonishing amount of rare ore. If news of this leaks, it will definitely bring about a deadly disaster. We must quickly sell off the goods in batches at a low price and immediately escape far away; only then do we have a hope of survival," Wuyou sighed, still appearing somewhat anxious.

"But Boss," a fair-faced demonic woman said, still somewhat unwilling, "why risk selling them in the city? Why not flee with the ore and seek a more suitable opportunity to sell it in other cities? That way, the price of the ore wouldn't be driven down so much."

"Hmph, do you really wish to die for wealth, like a bird for food?" Wuyou said with a grim expression. "Leaving with the ore would truly be courting disaster. If we don't have this immense wealth on us and we escape in time, even if those major powers learn the news, they likely won't bother to pursue us. But if we're carrying the ore, they would never let go easily, even if we fled to the ends of the earth. Furthermore, I've recently investigated why such a large quantity of rare ore suddenly appeared in that private mine, and I've uncovered even more unsettling news."

"Even more unsettling news? Big Brother, what news could be worse than our current situation?" The demonic youth was startled and couldn't help but ask.

The other demonic men and women also revealed expressions of surprise.