Chapter 198: Colorful but Weak Inside

As the jade box opened, everyone immediately craned their necks, eager to see the incredibly potent jade talisman. Tie Bubai, however, felt a chaotic jumble of thoughts, his mind utterly blank.

The jade casket was empty! But how was that possible?

When the transaction took place at the auction house, he had personally opened the jade casket, confirmed everything was correct multiple times, and then personally closed and sealed it. During this process, he was the only one present. No one else had touched it! Furthermore, ever since he acquired the jade casket, he had held it tightly in his hand the entire time. There was no possibility of it being swapped.

Yet, how could the jade casket be empty? He even suspected he was mistaken and looked very carefully. It was still empty.

His heart plunged as if he had stepped into a bottomless abyss, a powerful sensation of freefall washing over him. A wave of panic, signaling impending disaster, surged through him.

He had lost the jade talisman he bought for two million! How could he explain this to the Sect Master? The Sect Master would likely never believe that the jade talisman could disappear so strangely. He would undoubtedly face severe interrogation from the Sect Master! At this thought, his face turned ashen.

"Elder Tie, why aren't you showing it?" Liu Wenchen asked, craning his neck.

Tie Bubai snapped back to reality as if waking from a dream. His concern now shouldn't be about what would happen after returning to the sect. It was about the present moment! How arrogant, how insolent, and how triumphantly he had just blackmailed Liu Wenchen? If they exposed him, then he... He dared not think further.

He quickly closed the jade casket and pretended to reapply the seal. Forcing himself to remain calm, he said, "Sect Master Liu, and all the elders of Qingyun Sect."

"I have just reflected on your words. I believe you are absolutely right. Relying on a single jade talisman to wantonly damage our relationship will eventually bring retribution. Therefore, please consider my previous words unsaid. As long as your Qingyun Sect does not provoke our Giant Sect, this jade talisman will not be used against you."

Every single elder present was utterly shocked. Tie Bubai had already virtually secured the one million spirit stones. When he was about to swallow, he spat it out again? And even put on a look of sudden enlightenment?

While it was astonishing and unexpected, this was undoubtedly a stroke of great fortune for Qingyun Sect!

Liu Wenchen paused for a moment, then immediately showed signs of excitement, rising and cupping his hands.

"I am very pleased that Elder Tie considered the long-term relationship between our two sects. As for what just transpired, this Sect Master will consider it as if it never happened. Let's assume Elder Tie is merely a guest visiting our Qingyun Sect. Come, serve Elder Tie some tea!"

The other elders also adopted amiable expressions. Although they still resented Tie Bubai's previous ugly demeanor, the jade talisman he possessed still held sway over Qingyun Sect. Such a person should be befriended if possible; at the very least, they must not be offended. Otherwise, if he became displeased and demanded another million spirit stones, what then?

Jiang Fan almost burst out laughing. It must be said, few who attain the position of Grand Elder are simple individuals. The jade talisman was missing, yet he managed to remain calm. He even dealt with Qingyun Sect with such grand composure. He handled it impeccably! If Jiang Fan hadn't stolen the jade talisman, he might have been fooled by Tie Bubai's outward composure.

Thinking of this man's previous demeanor, how could Jiang Fan let him have his way? "Master, this old fellow was incredibly arrogant towards us just now. Does he even deserve to be treated as a guest by our Qingyun Sect?"

At these words, Liu Wenchen's expression subtly changed. "Silence! Do not be rude!" Tie Bubai had just barely shown some conscience; what if Jiang Fan's intervention provoked him?

As expected! No sooner had the words fallen than Tie Bubai snorted loudly through his nostrils: "You young rascal! This Elder has given you a chance, yet you don't know what's good for you? It's true that the kind are bullied and the docile are exploited! Apologize to this Elder at once, or I won't let that million spirit stones go!"

Such a threat caused the Sect Master and elders to panic. They all shot reproachful glances at Jiang Fan. He was more trouble than he was worth! Did Jiang Fan think Qingyun Sect had too many spirit stones with nowhere to spend them? The slight admiration Liu Wenchen had for Jiang Fan's integrity was instantly extinguished by his foolishness.

"Jiang Fan! How can you be so rude? Apologize to Elder Tie at once!"

Jiang Fan genuinely admired Tie Bubai's composure. Even at this point, he still dared to act like this? If the jade talisman hadn't been in his own bag, he might have been fooled by him.

"Master, don't you find this strange?" Jiang Fan couldn't directly say the jade casket was empty, or suspicion would fall on him. In that case, the jade talisman would surely be confiscated by the sect. So he could only hint indirectly.

"Is this old fellow a person with benevolence? Just moments before opening the jade casket, he was still speaking with thinly veiled sarcasm. Why did he immediately change his attitude after the jade casket was opened? Putting on a facade of considering the greater good for both sides?"

Everyone had just been immersed in the joy of the dark cloud above them suddenly dissipating. They were practically overflowing with gratitude towards Tie Bubai. Who had the mind to think about such things? Now, hearing Jiang Fan's words, they noticed subtle clues. Indeed.

Judging by Tie Bubai's previous behavior, he was a mixture of arrogance, cunning, and baseness. How could such a person suddenly have a change of heart? And as Jiang Fan said, he didn't give up early or late, but precisely after the jade casket was opened, his attitude did a complete 180-degree turn. To claim there was nothing amiss inside the jade casket would be utterly ridiculous.

Liu Wenchen's eyes narrowed. Staring intently at the jade casket, he probed, "Elder Tie, may we take a look at this jade talisman?"

Tie Bubai started to panic. He gritted his teeth in frustration. He wanted to tear this Jiang Fan apart. He was the one who loudly demanded to inspect the jade talisman. And now he was the one who enlightened everyone!

On the surface, Tie Bubai forced himself to be calm, coldly snorting with indifference, "Sect Master Liu, you, a Sect Master, are actually so confused! To actually believe the nonsense of a junior disciple! If you want to see the jade talisman, you may, but you must be prepared to hand over one million spirit stones!"

This instantly startled Liu Wenchen and the elders once more. Several elders quickly exchanged glances with Liu Wenchen, signaling him to stop. There was no need to risk inspecting the jade casket. If they didn't check, Qingyun Sect would suffer no loss. If they checked, and there really was a jade talisman, Qingyun Sect's loss would be substantial.

However, Jiang Fan prompted again, "Master, look, this old fellow is starting to bluster. Your disciple strongly suspects there's nothing at all inside the jade casket."

Liu Wenchen's eyes narrowed to slits. Indeed, if Tie Bubai truly had the jade talisman, he would simply produce it to intimidate everyone and then demand payment. Why waste words?

He slowly stood up and probed again, "Elder Tie, why don't you bring out the jade talisman for us to see? If it's truly there, then a million spirit stones is a small price."

This completely cornered Tie Bubai. He shot an angry glare at Jiang Fan, then feigned indignation, flicking his sleeve as he rose, "A bunch of ungrateful wretches! Once I return to the sect and report to the Sect Master, we'll see what you'll do!" With that, he turned to leave, his hands behind his back.

Witnessing this scene, most of the elders finally understood. Everything was exactly as Jiang Fan had said! The jade casket was empty!