Chapter 36: You Cannot Have Both

"Inspect the goods before payment—it is only reasonable."

Chen Xiao nodded without hesitation. "It's a deal!"

As for whether the other party would honor the agreement later, no one could guarantee that. The only insurance Chen Xiao had was that if they reneged, he could make the news of the Green Lotus Core Flame known to everyone. In this remote corner of the Northwest, there were plenty of people who coveted such a Heavenly Flame. The future Xiao Yan and his teacher, Pill King Gu He, and eventually, the model of filial piety from the Black-Corner Region, Han Feng, all dreamed of it. Any one of these individuals could bring significant trouble to the Medusa tribe.

Queen Medusa nodded in satisfaction, casting a glance at Teng Shan, who stood outside the hall, looking nervous and peering inside repeatedly.

"Now, you may tell me the whereabouts of the Heavenly Flame you spoke of."

"East of Shimo City, deep within the subterranean magma. That is all I know. For more specifics, Your Majesty will need to send people to investigate. With an accurate location, combined with the Snake-people's familiarity with the desert, I believe you will find the Green Lotus Core Flame within ten days!"

"The Green Lotus Core Flame?"

"Exactly. This flame gains spirit in ten years, takes shape in a hundred, and forms a lotus in a thousand. When fully matured, it is greenish in color, with a cluster of green fire at its heart—hence the name, Green Lotus Core Flame. It ranks nineteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. It is more than sufficient for Your Majesty's evolution."

Personally, Chen Xiao felt that the Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Fire was actually the most suitable for the Snake-people's evolution, but since he did not know its location, there was no need to mention it.

"I have noted it. Leave an address and you may depart. If it is as you say, I shall come to find you myself."

One could turn hostile and refuse to acknowledge the agreement, but it was unnecessary. Even Queen Medusa, who knew little of Heavenly Flames, understood their rarity and how many alchemists and fire-attribute practitioners coveted them. Thus, breaking the promise and causing Chen Xiao to fly into a rage would be an incredibly unwise move.

"Then Chen Xiao shall await Your Majesty's good news in Mo City."

Chen Xiao bowed slightly. Seeing the sound-proof barrier lifted, he did not linger and turned to leave. Teng Shan hurried forward, eager to know the result, but he was met only with a look that suggested they talk once they were back.

Watching the group disappear from sight, Queen Medusa returned to her throne and glanced at Flower Snake, who seemed to have no presence at all in the corner. "How much of his words do you think are true?"

"This matter is of great importance; this subordinate dares not speculate."

Hearing Flower Snake's reply, Queen Medusa couldn't help but roll her eyes at her with infinite charm. "Boring."

After a long silence, Queen Medusa finally gave her orders. "Lead the Snake Guards to the edge of the desert to wait quietly. Do not provoke the humans. While remaining hidden, gather as much intelligence on Mo City as you can. This little fellow possesses an ice attribute, so it is understandable that he has no designs on the Heavenly Flame, but we must still guard against him using the flame to plot against our tribe. As for the Green Lotus Core Flame... I will seek it out myself!"

Chen Xiao had no motive to target the Snake-people, but as the Queen of her race, she had to consider all possibilities and think thrice before acting. Otherwise, if she were to act purely on impulse, the Snake-people might have been devoured by the surrounding empires long ago.

"Understood!" Flower Snake bowed and retreated from the temple, her alluring figure swaying as she left.

...

By evening, the group of six returned to Mo City and gathered at Hai Bodong’s map shop. Although Hai Bodong was doing his best to restrain himself, his piercing gaze revealed how desperate he was to know the outcome.

"Kid, how did it go?" Once everyone was seated, Hai Bodong finally couldn't help but ask.

That the six of them could return safely was within his expectations; after all, Queen Medusa was not a fool and would not strike rashly. However, he could not determine the outcome of the negotiations, as he didn't know what bargaining chip Chen Xiao had used to entice that woman.

"Rest assured, Ice Emperor. Queen Medusa was more rational than I imagined. The deal was essentially struck today. Barring any accidents, your seal should be lifted within ten days." Chen Xiao chuckled, no longer keeping them in suspense.

Hearing this, Yun Yun and the others looked at Chen Xiao deeply, then offered their congratulations with smiles.

"Congratulations, Ice Emperor, the breaking of the seal is in sight!"

"Congratulations!"

"If Old Hai can recover his strength, I can finally set my heart at ease." Teng Shan’s joy was written all over his face, acting like a child of several decades.

However, Hai Bodong shot him a sideways glance. While lifting the Snake-Sealing Curse was certainly something to celebrate, he had not forgotten his wager with Chen Xiao. Two Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pills were trivial; what he regretted was that this rare, ideal disciple was likely about to fly away. He wanted both the fish and the bear's paw, but it seemed he truly couldn't have both.

With a long sigh, Hai Bodong suppressed his conflict and asked, "Did she propose any other conditions?"

"If the Snake-people are ever in trouble in the future, I will assist them once, to the best of my ability," Chen Xiao replied.

Hearing this, the group understood Queen Medusa's decision even better. Setting aside the bargaining chip Chen Xiao had offered, this promise alone was of inestimable value. With Chen Xiao's talent, he would certainly rank among the ten strongest in the empire within ten or twenty years—a helper who could not be underestimated. If he reached an even higher realm, the Snake-people would have made a massive profit.

"That is the gist of it. For now, let us wait patiently for the result. It is getting late, and I must return to check on Qing Lin. Seniors, I shall take my leave."

Chen Xiao bowed slightly, and after the others nodded, he stood up to leave. Just as he pushed open the door to the map shop, Hai Bodong called out to him.

"Kid, are you still training tomorrow morning?"

"I am! Same place tomorrow morning. I will await you, Ice Emperor."

Improving one's cultivation realm was important, but the accumulation of combat experience could not be ignored. Although Chen Xiao preferred overwhelming his opponents, he couldn't guarantee that would always be the case. Thus, combat experience was the sort of thing that he might not need, but he absolutely had to have.

Watching Chen Xiao’s departing back, Hai Bodong smiled. Perhaps, if they couldn't be master and disciple, they could still be friends across generations. Seen in that light, it was barely acceptable.

"Since the main business is concluded, Ice Emperor, Clan Leader Teng Shan, we shall also take our leave. If there are any more such easy tasks that don't require much effort, feel free to call us anytime." Feng Li and Yan Shi stood up simultaneously, not forgetting to crack a joke before leaving. Yun Yun and Nalan Jie, seeing this, also rose to bid farewell.

"I appreciate you all coming to support me. When I return to the Imperial Capital, I will invite you all for a small gathering." Hai Bodong gave them due respect and rose to see them off.

Four streaks of light departed. Before long, only Hai Bodong and Teng Shan remained in the map shop.

"Old Hai, the way Sect Master Yun looked at Chen Xiao wasn't quite right. I suspect she also has the heart to recruit him into the Misty Cloud Sect. Do you think she might circle back and try again?"

Hai Bodong glared at Teng Shan. "What does that have to do with you? Rest assured, that kid is clever. He didn't want to become my disciple even when we were so compatible; he definitely won't join the Misty Cloud Sect. Unless Yun Yun sacrifices herself to win him over, but given her temperament, do you think that's possible?"

"Old Hai is right. By the way, on the way back, I sent a message to my clan, asking the president of the Alchemist Guild to take action and refine two Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pills. They should be delivered in a few days."

"Now that is something a sensible person would do. A little more sincerity and a little less of a merchant's mindset—staying on good terms with him will bring no harm."

Teng Shan was speechless. He was already a little old man in his sixties, yet in Hai Bodong's eyes, he still seemed like an immature youth. Those who trade in wealth lose their bond when the wealth is gone; those who trade in beauty lose their love when the flower fades. How could he not understand such a simple truth?