Chapter 307

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Chapter 307: Testing the Heart of the Gold Ingot Demon

Under the Sun.

The golden light that filled the city quickly faded away under the sun, disappearing completely, leaving only the broken thirty-meter stone statue half-kneeling on the ground.

The crowd on the main street was originally rushing to grab the gold, but they could only watch in heartbreak as the gold slowly turned into stone, disappearing before their eyes.

The frenzy on their faces gradually faded, and their hatred and malice vanished.

Only when they looked up at the giant stone statue did a look of indescribable fear appear on their faces.

With the death of the Gold Ingot Demon, the bewitching magic that clouded their minds dissipated, and they naturally regained their sanity.

They didn’t lose their memories; everyone remembered vividly the scene that had just taken place.

"This monster, it’s a demon…. Such a huge demon, the walls of Taotie City could never stop it. If it were allowed to rampage in the city, the entire city would likely be destroyed."

"And that fraud Qiao Pian, can he really defeat those kinds of monsters?! Can that fraud be even scarier than the monsters?"

Many people in the crowd felt a mix of fear and anxiety in their hearts.

The Gold Ingot Demon’s sorcery amplifies evil thoughts in people’s hearts, stirring up their emotions.

They already harbored hatred towards Qiao Pian in their hearts, it was just magnified by the sorcery.

But when they calmed down, all their hatred got overshadowed by fear, and they no longer dared to show any on their faces.

Qiao Pian’s power far surpassed the mountain people of Taotie City’s understanding of martial artists, almost approaching the immortals in their minds from Yunxiao Sect.

"Qiao Pian, this outsider actually managed to easily defeat that powerful monster?"

At that moment, the merchant Luo Cheng was sweating profusely, recalling how he had incited the crowd to insult Qiao Pian earlier, regretting his actions deeply…

"I must have been out of my mind, how could I have done such a thing?"

"No no no… it’s never too late to make up for lost time."

Luo Cheng was always full of ideas, and after thinking for a moment, he came up with a plan and shouted loudly in the crowd:

"Master Qiao, it was Qiao Pian and Master Qiao who saved us!"

This sudden shout broke the silence on the street and caught the attention of many people from the Luo family nearby.

Wow. Is this clan member really shameless?

The people from the Luo family hadn’t forgotten, they remembered clearly how Luo Cheng had insulted Qiao Pian before.

After some thought, the people from the Luo family understood Luo Cheng’s intentions as a merchant, and they started to echo his words:

"Thanks to Master Qiao for getting rid of demons and saving our city!"

"If that huge demon had been allowed to destroy the city earlier, the consequences would have been unimaginable! Today we are lucky to have Master Qiao here."

"Oh, I understand now. Master Qiao’s actions before were actually a trap, purposely spreading rumors about Taotie Gold in the city to lure out the monsters hidden in the deep mountains."

"Master Qiao is truly wise and farsighted, to have thought of this…"

"Brave, strategic, possessing both wisdom and courage, a true hero!"

In the blink of an eye, the situation had shifted.

All of the Luo family’s people were smart and knew how to adapt. They were scolding Qiao Pian earlier, but now they are praising him excessively and constantly changing their opinions.

"The Luo family’s people are really good at changing their stance with the wind…" a young man at the back of the crowd couldn’t help but speak out.

He had given in before and didn’t dare to speak up for Qiao Pian. Feeling unfair, he couldn’t help but speak out from the heart again.

Soon, Luo Cheng gave him a sideways glance in the crowd and explained:

"That’s because we were bewitched by that monster before. It was the monster making us say those things."

"Yes… That monster really sends shivers down the spine, being able to manipulate people’s hearts…"

"Luckily the monster has been defeated!"

"That beast was really malicious, forcing me to speak ill of Master Qiao. It’s disgusting to think about."

"We must thank Master Qiao for rescuing us from the clutches of that monster. Being controlled and having our minds twisted was truly unbearable."

"Among the crowd, there were also smart people who quickly changed the topic and started praising Qiao Pian again."

Under the kneeling stone statue.

Qing Li also heard the noisy gossip around her.

"That young man… is still a bit headstrong and is still thinking about right and wrong." Qing Li shook her head.

She understood the whole situation clearly.

"These people were saying mean things about Qiao Pian not because he killed someone, but because they felt intense hatred towards him."

"Now they are being nice to Qiao Pian not because they understand the truth, but because their fear of him has overcome their previous hatred."

So, even if Qiao Pian had really killed someone before and crushed the heads of Luo family’s leader, Yang Xiaoqian, and others with his bare hands, these people’s words would not change at all.

Qing Li sighed and said, "The truth of this matter doesn’t really matter, right and wrong don’t matter."

"What matters is the emotions."

When she said this, Qiao Mu nearby looked at her with a hint of surprise.

"No, why are you taking it seriously and analyzing it now? Are you actually listening to what they’re saying?"

Qiao Mu also didn’t quite understand at this point.

Qing Li, when the Gold Ingot Demon was manipulating and reasoning in the temple, she listened attentively.

In Taotie City, the mountain people criticized Qiao Pian harshly, but later changed their attitude… she still listened carefully.

"Ignore their nonsense… If I take their words seriously, I would disrespect my own brain."

"Are you tired from thinking about everything?" Qiao Mu shrugged.

Ignoring whether these people were criticizing or complimenting, he put away the King Qin Sword into the storage bag, stretched his muscles, and prepared to leave.

His trip to Taotie City was to feed the fat cat and to find something for himself to do.

Now that this matter is finished, what’s the use of staying in this polluted and materialistic Taotie City?

At this moment, the fat cat was standing on Qiao Mu’s shoulder, continuously pawing at the Gold Ingot left on the remains of the Golden Giant Demon.

The remains of the Golden Giant Demon had turned into stones, leaving behind only the Gold Ingot, still shining in golden color.

"Monster, are you still alive? Stop playing dead," Qiao Mu chuckled.

"You enjoy testing people’s nature, don’t you? How about I hand you over to the mountain people of Taotie City, one person one vote, let them decide, should you live or die?"

Gold Ingot showed no reaction, as if lifeless.

"Actually, you are not completely lifeless," Qiao Mu continued:

"Those who have encountered Philosopher’s Stone and Taotie Gold, such as the Luo family’s people, most likely wish for you to live."

"After all, if you are alive, you can sustain the existence of gold, the gold reserves in their hands will then have meaning." Qiao Mu had witnessed the spectacular scene of gold flying out of thousands of households in Taotie City before.

Among the people in Taotie City, there were far more who had come into contact with gold than Qiao Mu had anticipated.

"If you die, the gold in their hands will truly be just worthless pieces of rubble."

"So, what do you say? Want to bet on this last chance of survival? Don’t pretend to be dead, nod your head, and I’ll count to ten." Qiao Mu’s lips slightly curled up.

"One, two, three…"

The Gold Ingot trembled slightly.

It felt excited…

At the same time, the fat cat suddenly snatched the trembling Gold Ingot and chewed it vigorously twice.

Snap.

A faint whimper and a sharp cracking sound came from the cat’s mouth.

"You greedy pig, always snatching food?" Qiao Mu angrily rubbed the fat cat’s face.

Just as the Gold Ingot Demon was starting to hope for escape, the fat cat crushed it, playing with its mind and testing its character.

"But your character isn’t all that great either, as soon as there’s a chance, you can’t resist,"

Qiao Mu wasn’t worried about the Impermanent Demon Cat that swallowed the Gold Ingot.

Changeless was a demon. When it stayed at Peach Blossom Villa, it showed a strong interest in the Golden Village’s gold, which clearly followed its demon instincts.

Just like a hungry wolf smelling the lingering scent of a goat and longing for it.

By devouring the leftover demon body of the Gold Ingot Demon, it was naturally beneficial and harmless, but the specific benefits were unknown.

"Ding, MeowMeow used a pure Gold Ingot and evolved into a Fortune Cat!"

While playing with the cat, Qiao Mu made strange electronic sounds with his mouth, ignoring the gazes of countless villagers behind him, and left the town on his own.

However, not long after leaving, a familiar figure appeared on the mountain road in front of him, it was Qing Li.

"Planning to lend me money again?" Qiao Mu asked, looking up.

"Mr. Qiao was just joking," Qing Li replied politely and seriously.

From start to finish, she kept a slight distance from Qiao Mu, only providing combat support and not engaging in much conversation.

So far, the two of them still weren’t getting along well.

"Mr. Qiao has always been generous and understanding, I can’t compare to him. But there’s still one thing I don’t understand, and I would like to ask for your advice," Qing Li said politely with the manners of a martial artist.

"Mr. Qiao must know that the mountain people of Taotie City still hate you, they are just too afraid to show it," she said seriously.

"Even though you killed that wicked golden demon, those mountain people probably won’t be grateful for it. They will still feel like you ruined their good luck by destroying the dream of inheriting a fortune," she explained.

"Now they praise Mr. Qiao highly and dare not speak ill of him."

"But if Mr. Qiao leaves, after some time when the mountain people’s fear fades, they will eventually start gossiping and criticizing you."

"After you leave, they will curse you, slander you, and all the accusations will come back and maybe even get worse," she warned.

"After all the hard work of vanquishing demons, is it worth ending up with a bad reputation in the city?" Qing Li asked sincerely.

Qiao Mu glanced at her and replied slowly.

"You have lived in the Southwest Province for so many years, you must have had a lot of dealings with monsters. Have you also engaged in monster-slaying?"

Qing Li nodded silently.

"When you were hunting monsters before, was it to be appreciated by the world, or to gain a reputation as a hero?"

While speaking, Qiao Mu didn’t stop walking.

As he uttered the last word, he had already brushed past Qing Li, gradually moving further along the mountain path.

Qing Li stood silently in place, not speaking for a long time, just tightly gripping the long spear in her hand, her knuckles turning slightly pale.

"Is this the renowned Qiao family member from Zhong Province?" Qing Li lowered her eyelids.

She is also a top martial artist from Jiu Province.

In terms of bloodline, she is a descendant of the ancient divine bird Jingwei, naturally belonging to the elite among the group of demons.

In terms of training, she is a closed-door disciple of the Spear Saint.

When it comes to talent and intelligence, she is one of the top geniuses of her time. Through hard work and dedication, she has achieved success in mastering the skills of using the body’s strength, earning the title of "Demon Spear".

Despite having such great strength, it was still very difficult for them to move forward.

The Qiao family members are a mysterious martial arts family with a great reputation in Nan Province and Zhong Province. The burden on the shoulders of Qiao family’s martial artists seems heavier than hers, but why do they move so much more lightly…

………………..

Half a day later, on the main peak of Yunxiao Sect, on Haiyun Peak.

A Taoist with white hair, dressed in a white cloud robe, with a solemn expression like a mountain, was sitting cross-legged on a cushion with his eyes closed.

"Master, we have sent someone to investigate the matter of the Golden Stone Demon in Taotie City."

Taoist Child Yu Shan of the Yunxiao Sect bowed slightly, respectfully reporting to the Taoist with white hair on the cushion.

Yu Shan is a Taoist child from the sect, and his master is the sect leader of Yunxiao Sect, who is also known as the Yunxiao Taoist Lord of this generation.

Within the entire Yunxiao Sect, he is the only Soul Changing Taoist Lord.

Yunxiao Sect Leader said, "I instructed the Golden Stone Demon to diligently practice in the mountain city until it cultivated a ten-foot golden body, but now as it nears completion, someone has picked the peach… It’s its own fault for lacking in temperament and deserving this calamity."

"After all, it is a different species with unlimited potential. It is a pity that it died like this… Who killed it? During these days, there have been no other Immortal Gate cultivators entering our realm."

"It was the martial arts of the Qiao family from Hero Island overseas, along with Qing Li," Yu Shan replied.

Many mountain dwellers witnessed the existence of the Demon Spear Qin Li, making it not difficult for the Immortal Gate to investigate.

Ignoring the former, the sect leader seemed more concerned about Qing Li’s presence.

"Letting her lead troops into battle, she ends up neglecting her duties all day and playing around with demon-slaying tricks… It’s really…" Yunxiao Sect Leader’s mouth slightly curved up:

"It’s truly marvelous."

The person known as Feather King Qin Li, is vital to the Yunxiao Sect’s grand plan.

Even if responding to other Immortal Gates and controlling Jiu Province to balance the Human Emperor Sword, establishing the Earthly Immortal Kingdom, the importance of this major sect matter is slightly less than that of Feather King.

In fact, before the Great Dao Sect of Zhong Province supported King Qin, Yunxiao Sect had already taken control of Demon Spear Qin Li, and Feather King came later.

Qing Li came first, then came Feather King.

"Compared to her, Taotie City’s Golden Stone Demon is nothing," the sect leader said.

"If she can further improve her state of mind and deepen her determination, then the death of Golden Stone Demon will be worthwhile," they continued.

"The Sect Leader has great foresight," Taoist Child Yu Shan also seemed to understand.

"The more Feather King kills, the purer Qing Li becomes. Her moral purity only intensifies," they noted.

The more monsters and demons Feather King slays, the less tolerant she becomes towards injustice, cutting down disrespectful children, corrupt officials, and man-eating monsters…

The split between Feather King and Qing Li will only get heavier.

"In ancient myths, the original Jingwei was not a monster, but a goddess," thought Yunxiao Sect Leader silently.

"Jingwei Bird is a divine bird born out of obsession, with its endless obsession lasting for eternity."

"If we can obtain a Jingwei, there may be hope to alleviate the plight of our Yunxiao Sect."