You said it was a useless body, yet you punched a saint to pieces?

Chapter 13 Extortion

Pang Long couldn't help but click his tongue.

This little brat is clearly trying to extort money from us. He's as strong as an ox, yet he dares to act tough.

He was about to give a perfunctory answer when he felt a cold gaze pierce his back.

Turning my head, I saw Zheng Wanqing holding a teacup, her gaze sweeping over me with a deep, unsettling look, as if to say:

"General Pang, you don't want the Prince to think you're incompetent, do you?"

"cough!"

Pang Long coughed heavily in embarrassment, forced a smile, and could only swallow his anger.

"It seems that my strength is too weak to detect the Seventh Young Master's hidden ailment."

"In that case, let's give this pill to Seventh Young Master to help him recover."

As he spoke, he reluctantly took out an exquisite jade box from his bosom. The moment he opened it, a fresh scent of herbs and trees filled the air, instantly invigorating anyone who smelled it.

Inside the box lay a jade-green pill, its surface swirling with crimson patterns, as if it contained endless vitality.

"Wood Rejuvenating Pill?"

Zheng Wanqing's beautiful eyes lit up, and she recognized the item at a glance. She then smiled and said:

"General Pang is truly kind. This is a peerless elixir made from the essence of a thousand-year-old Yi wood. It has miraculous effects on nourishing the body and repairing hidden injuries, bringing the dead back to life and healing flesh and bones. It is not some common stuff."

"Dao'er, why don't you quickly thank General Pang?"

"Thank you, General Pang! General Pang is so magnanimous! May General Pang live a long and peaceful life!"

Wang Dao, quick as lightning, snatched the jade box like a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey and stuffed it into his robes with practiced ease, as if afraid Pang Long might change his mind.

Looking at Wang Dao's smug, self-satisfied expression, Pang Long felt his head buzzing and throbbing with pain. What had he done to deserve this?

"Serving the prince, and having to pay out of my own pocket? Where can I even complain about this?"

Pang Long left in a hurry, as if the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion were some kind of dragon's den or tiger's lair, or perhaps he was afraid that if he stayed any longer he would even lose his underwear.

"Your Highness, the border situation is critical, and this humble general dares not linger any longer; I must take my leave now!"

After uttering these polite words, General Huwei, who had just been praising the solid foundation of the kingly way, hurriedly left as if his pants were on fire, even his burly back revealing a hint of panic.

The hall returned to silence.

Zheng Wanqing did not try to stop him. She only watched Pang Long leave before turning around. Her beautiful, sparkling eyes fell on Wang Dao, carrying a hint of teasing.

"Dao'er, you've really struck it rich this time."

"Not only did I get a jar of the heart's essence of the ancient savage elephant for free, but I also extorted a Wood Rejuvenation Pill from General Pang."

"You probably never even imagined such an opportunity, did you?"

Wang Dao looked down at the fragrant jade box in his hand, a clear trace of reluctance and heartache flashing in his eyes. That was a precious pill that could bring the dead back to life and heal the wounded. If he had eaten it, he would have gained at least one more life, if not many more source points.

But he took a deep breath and resolutely handed the jade box to Zheng Wanqing with both hands, saying sincerely:

"Your Highness, if it weren't for your righteous words and standing up for me today, this Wood Rejuvenation Pill would never have fallen into my hands."

"One should not forget one's roots; this elixir is a proper tribute to you."

Although Wang Daoshi felt a pang of regret at this attempt to use someone else's resources to curry favor, he knew even better that in the complex and treacherous situation within the Prince's mansion, clinging to Zheng Wanqing was more valuable than any elixir.

Seeing Wang Dao's face contorted with obvious pain, yet he still tried to appear righteous and awe-inspiring, Zheng Wanqing couldn't help but chuckle.

"Pfft."

That smile was like a hundred flowers in full bloom, radiant and incomparably beautiful.

She covered her mouth and chuckled softly, the charm she exuded in that instant was so captivating that it made one afraid to look directly at her.

"Alright, stop with your little schemes."

Zheng Wanqing extended her slender, jade-like fingers and gently pushed the jade box back.

"Although such pills are precious, I do not lack them."

"Since this is General Pang's apology to you, then it is your good fortune. Accept it well."

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Wang Dao felt a great weight lifted from his heart and quickly stuffed the jade box back into his pocket, even faster than before.

After this incident, he gained a new understanding of the princess's situation.

Zheng Wanqing didn't seem to have much respect for her father, the king, and even when dealing with Pang Long, she adopted a businesslike attitude, even giving him a slight reprimand.

This confidence clearly did not come from the title of princess, but from her family—the Zheng family.

It seems that this so-called marital relationship is just that—nothing special.

Just as Wang Dao was pondering this in secret, Zheng Wanqing's smile faded, and her expression became somewhat serious:

"Dao'er, you can take these things, but remember to keep a low profile when you're out in the world."

"The fact that the imperial envoys have come to the capital and bestowed such high-profile rewards upon you is not entirely a good thing."

She paused, her gaze lingering on the direction of the imperial city, and said softly, "His Majesty wants to use you to curb your father's arrogance."

"Lend me your power to pressure my father?"

Wang Dao nodded obediently on the surface, but inwardly he was filled with doubt.

"This logic doesn't make sense. If you want to curb your father's arrogance, shouldn't you suppress me, his son? Why are you giving him jade pendants and blood ginseng instead? This isn't suppression; it's lavish upbringing!"

"Is this the legendary 'praise to kill' tactic? Or is there some shady game going on between these two?"

Zheng Wanqing seemed to see through his doubts, but she didn't explain too much. She just gave him a deep look and turned to walk into the inner hall.

The figure in bright red appeared exceptionally noble and aloof in the light and shadow, with only a clear, cold voice drifting in and echoing throughout the hall:

"No need to overthink it, just focus on your cultivation."

"You're still too weak right now."

Wang Dao stood there, touched his nose, and looked in the direction Zheng Wanqing had left. The playful smile in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a deep and solemn expression.

"Too weak...yes, it is."

In this world where gods and demons manifest themselves, without power, no matter how many treasures one is given, one is nothing more than a pawn on someone else's chessboard, ready to be sacrificed at any time.

Wang Dao gazed at the bronze jar in his hand, sealed by layers of talismans, a flame of ambition burning deep within his eyes.

This jar of the heart's essence from an ancient savage elephant was so heavy it seemed to be supporting a small mountain. For him, who was currently at the peak of the Golden Membrane Realm and about to break through to the Dragon Spine Realm, this was undoubtedly the most premium fuel.

"If this essence blood can be perfectly refined, not only will it break through the bottleneck in one fell swoop, but it can even skip the Black Iron Bone stage and directly forge the legendary Silver Bone, which is as light as a feather and indestructible!"

Thinking of this, Wang Dao quickened his pace and rushed towards the Nanyuan Mansion like a gust of wind.

Time waits for no one; the meat that's already in your mouth only becomes real power when it's completely digested.