Chapter 198: Chapter 198: Strong in Appearance but Weak in Reality
Seeing the jade box opened.
Everyone immediately craned their necks, wanting to get a glimpse of the powerful jade talisman.
Tie Bubai, however, was in disarray, his mind went blank.
The jade box was empty!
But how could this be?
When conducting the transaction at the auction house, he personally opened the jade box, repeatedly confirmed it was correct, then personally closed the box and sealed it.
During this process, he was the only one present.
No one else had touched it!
Furthermore, ever since obtaining the jade box, he had tightly gripped it the entire time.
There was no possibility of it being swapped.
But how could the jade box be empty?
He even doubted his own eyes, scrutinizing it carefully.
His heart felt as though it had stepped into an abyss, a strong sense of weightlessness overwhelmed him.
A surge of impending doom rose in his heart.
He had lost the jade talisman he spent two million on!
How would he explain this to the sect master?
The sect master probably wouldn’t believe that the jade talisman would vanish so mysteriously.
What awaited him would undoubtedly be the sect master’s severe interrogation!
Thinking of this, his face turned pale.
“Elder Tie, why are you not demonstrating?” Liu Wuchen asked, craning his neck.
Tie Bubai snapped out of his daze.
What he should worry about now wasn’t the aftermath when he returned to the sect.
It was the present situation!
How arrogantly, how pompously, how proudly had he just extorted Liu Wuchen?
If they saw through him, then he…
He dared not think further.
He hurriedly closed the jade box and pretended to reapply the seal.
Forcing himself to calm down, he said, “Sect Master Liu, and the elders of the Green Cloud Sect.”
“I just pondered over your words.”
“I think you’re right. Relying on a jade talisman to arbitrarily destroy the relationship between our sects will ultimately lead to retribution.”
“So, let’s just pretend I didn’t say anything earlier.”
“As long as your Green Cloud Sect doesn’t provoke our Giant Sect, this jade talisman will not be used against you.”
Every elder present was taken aback.
Tie Bubai had already swallowed that one hundred thousand crystal stones.
Just when he was about to digest it, he spat it out?
And he displayed an enlightened demeanor?
Surprises aside, this was undoubtedly great news for the Green Cloud Sect!
After a moment of surprise, Liu Wuchen immediately showed an excited expression, stood up, and cupped his hands:
“Elder Tie’s consideration for the long-term relationship between our sects is indeed comforting.”
“I will consider what happened earlier as if it never occurred.”
“Let’s just treat Elder Tie as a guest of our Green Cloud Sect.”
“Come, serve Elder Tie some tea!”
The other elders also showed amicable expressions.
Although they still harbored resentment towards Tie Bubai’s earlier ugly attitude,
the other party still had the jade talisman, which continued to threaten the Green Cloud Sect.
Such a person should be befriended if possible, at the very least, they should not offend him.
Otherwise, what if he demanded another one hundred thousand crystal stones in a fit of anger?
Jiang Fan was almost amused.
It must be said, there were indeed very few simple-minded people who could become a Great Elder.
The jade talisman disappeared, yet he managed to stay calm.
He even dealt with the Green Cloud Sect righteously and impeccably!
If the jade talisman hadn’t been stolen by Jiang Fan, he might have been fooled by this superficial act.
Recalling the man’s earlier behavior, how could Jiang Fan let him get what he wanted?
“Master, this old thing was so arrogant towards us just now, and he deserves to be treated as a guest by our Green Cloud Sect?”
These words made Liu Wuchen’s expression change slightly.
“Shut up! Do not be rude!”
It had not been easy for Tie Bubai to have a change of heart; what if Jiang Fan’s words provoked him?
As soon as the words were out, Tie Bubai snorted heavily: “You brat!”
“This elder is sparing you, yet you do not appreciate it?!”
“It’s truly the case of a kind person being bullied and a good horse being ridden!”
“Apologize to this elder at once, or else I will not let go of that one hundred thousand crystal stones!”
Such intimidation caused panic in the sect master and elders’ hearts.
They all cast reproachful glances at Jiang Fan.
He accomplished nothing but ruined things!
Did Jiang Fan think the Green Cloud Sect had too many crystal stones to use?
Any admiration Liu Wuchen had for his stoic nature was immediately dissolved 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.
At this point, he still dared to act ?
If the jade talisman wasn’t in his bag, he might have been fooled by him.
“Master, aren’t you curious?”
Jiang Fan couldn’t directly say the jade box was empty, or it would raise suspicion towards him.
At that time, the sect would certainly confiscate the jade talisman.
So he could only hint indirectly.
“Is this old thing someone who has a compassionate heart?”
“Just before opening the jade box, his tone was still strange.”
“Why did his attitude change abruptly after opening the jade box, acting as if he cared about the overall situation?”
Everyone had just been immersed in the joy of the dark clouds suddenly lifting from above.
They had almost felt grateful to Tie Bubai.
Who had the time to think about these things?
Now, hearing Jiang Fan’s words, they began to sense something was off.
Judging by Tie Bubai’s previous behavior, he was arrogant, cunning, and despicable all in one.
How could such a person have a change of heart?
And as Jiang Fan pointed out, he had stubbornly refused before, not until after opening the jade box did he take a 180-degree turn in his attitude.
Suggesting there’s no issue with the jade box would be fishy.
Liu Wuchen squinted his eyes.
He intently watched the jade box and probed, “Elder Tie, could we take a look at this jade talisman?”
Tie Bubai started to panic.
He was fuming with hatred for Jiang Fan.
This Jiang Fan, he wanted to tear him apart.
It was Jiang Fan who had clamored to check the jade talisman,
And now it was Jiang Fan who was enlightening everyone!
On the surface, Tie Bubai forced himself to remain calm and coldly snorted, “Sect Master Liu, as a sect master, you are this muddle-headed!”
“You actually believe the nonsense of a young disciple!”
“If you want to see the jade talisman, fine, but be prepared to give up one hundred thousand crystal stones!”
This again startled Liu Wuchen and the elders.
Several elders exchanged meaningful glances with Liu Wuchen.
Indicating that he should not push further.
There was no need to risk checking the jade box.
If they didn’t check, the Green Cloud Sect would not lose anything.
But if they did check, and there was indeed a jade talisman, the Green Cloud Sect would suffer a significant loss.
But Jiang Fan reminded again, “Master, look, this old thing is starting to bluff.”
“This disciple seriously doubts there’s anything in the jade box.”
Liu Wuchen squinted even more.
Indeed, if Tie Bubai truly had the jade talisman, he would simply take it out to intimidate everyone and demand money.
Why waste so many words?
He slowly stood up and probed again, “Elder Tie, why don’t you show us the jade talisman?”
“If there truly is one, I will give you one hundred thousand crystal stones, no problem.”
This completely backed Tie Bubai into a corner.
He gazed at Jiang Fan with loathing, pretending to be angry, and swished his sleeve as he got up, “You group of ungrateful ones!”
“I will report back to the sect master, let’s see what you do then?”
With that, he turned to leave with his hands clasped behind his back.
Seeing this, most of the elders finally understood.
Everything was indeed as Jiang Fan said!
The jade box was empty!