Two Swindlers

After waiting for several breaths with lingering doubts, there was still no movement.

It seemed the inn truly had dismal business.

Bao Congxin sighed heavily.

"Ah, it seems there aren't many guests today."

"Looks like I won’t get a chance to cook. I’d hoped to earn some Immortal Stones and treat you to a fine meal, Benefactor, but I’m afraid I’m powerless. Please forgive me."

Bao Congxin forced a smile, his face etched with awkwardness.

Though timid, he was a good man who knew gratitude.

Seeing this, Yi Feng waved his hand dismissively.

"No worries, we’ll eat whatever’s available. Your thought alone makes me happy."

Observing Bao Congxin’s worn clothes and daily struggles to make ends meet, Yi Feng couldn’t help but feel a pang of melancholy.

In another realm, someone of Bao Congxin’s cultivation level might have walked with pride, yet here in the Seventy-Two Islands of Lanxing, he was merely scraping by at the bottom.

"Brother Bao, you’ve been cooking here all these years, barely getting by. Haven’t you ever considered seeking better opportunities in the city?"

Bao Congxin shook his head. "Benefactor, you jest. If I struggle even at the outskirts of West City, how could I dare venture into the city proper? That place is a den of dragons and tigers!"

Dragons and tigers? The city was nothing of the sort—everyone there was courteous.

Yi Feng suspected Bao Congxin had fallen for baseless rumors again. The Soul-Calming Grass on the table was proof enough; he wouldn’t be misled this time.

Glancing at the herb, Yi Feng felt a headache coming on.

This thing was probably worth a fortune, but since it was a gift, selling it would betray the giver’s kindness. That wouldn’t reflect well on him—hardly the conduct of a gentleman.

Curious, he plucked a leaf and chewed it.

An intense bitterness flooded his mouth, but nothing else happened. It tasted like rotten tree roots. Had it not been for his earlier resolve, he’d have spat it out immediately!

Even after gulping it down and rinsing his mouth with tea, the bitterness lingered.

"Pah! Pah!"

His dramatic spitting left Bao Congxin even more guilt-ridden.

"Benefactor, it’s all my fault for being useless, but… but you shouldn’t have to eat grass! There are still a few spirit fruits in the back—though wilted and low-grade, they’re at least somewhat nourishing..."

Kind words, but they made Yi Feng’s eyebrow twitch.

Grass? This was a fifth-grade Soul-Calming Grass, fought over at auctions, worth at least tens of millions in Celestial Crystals! If not for his scruples, he’d be a billionaire by now.

Still, Bao Congxin had a point.

Useless to eat, awkward to sell.

This thing was practically worthless—just a lousy weed. If not for its faint emerald glow and the fact it came from the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, he’d suspect it was a fake.

Seeing Bao Congxin’s anxious concern, Yi Feng’s expression softened.

After a moment of thought, an idea sparked in his eyes.

If he couldn’t use it and selling it felt wrong… why not gift it?

This old-timer had it rough, yet he was a decent man who deserved better. Passing it on would honor the original giver’s kindness and spread goodwill.

As the ancients said: If everyone gave a little love, the world would bloom with warmth!

The more he thought about it, the more it made sense. A grin spread across Yi Feng’s face.

"Brother Bao."

"I’d like to give you this spirit herb. It was gifted to me at the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion and is worth quite a bit. It might help you!"

Bao Congxin stared blankly at the four-leaf plant being handed to him.

For several breaths, his plump face cycled through shock, disbelief, and suspicion before settling into resigned understanding.

With a wry smile, he clasped his hands.

"Benefactor, you’ve been swindled!"

Yi Feng’s heart skipped a beat.

"How so?"

Bao Congxin adopted the knowing air of a seasoned survivor, sighing.

"Ah, Benefactor, you’re new to Sunlight Island and don’t know how treacherous people can be. I’ve heard countless stories—scams and cons are rampant here. In all my years, I’ve never heard of anyone giving away treasures for free."

"That ‘Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion’ fellow? Definitely a fraud!"

Yi Feng nearly laughed aloud.

This Brother Bao was absurdly cautious, spinning wild theories based on hearsay alone. Had Yi Feng not visited the pavilion himself, he might’ve believed it.

Ah, rumors truly were deadly.

He didn’t blame Bao Congxin’s wariness—life at the bottom likely meant enduring countless hardships, leaving him blind to genuine kindness.

Too tired to argue, Yi Feng shoved the herb into Bao Congxin’s hands.

"Just take it!"

"It’s real. Come with me to the city someday, and you’ll see for yourself how many good people there are."

Clutching the "weed," Bao Congxin swallowed hard.

"Very well. This humble one will brave death to accompany you!"

Terrified as he was, he couldn’t bear to let his benefactor be deceived. For Yi Feng’s sake, he’d face the city’s dangers.

In all his years scraping by on Sunlight Island, no one had ever treated him as an equal—until Yi Feng.

For the first time, his fear was overshadowed by gratitude, and he seemed to muster considerable courage. A wave of emotions washed over him, leaving him feeling lighter, as if a weight had been lifted.

Perhaps it was the stirring in his heart.

Looking down at the withered grass in his hand, Bao Congxin found it strangely translucent, exuding a refreshing fragrance that cleared his mind with just a whiff.

Even though he knew it was mere withered grass, he treasured it like a priceless gem, tucking it carefully into his robe.

The two shared a heartfelt laugh, their bond growing stronger.

Just then—

The courtyard gate suddenly swung open!

"Creak!"

The sound startled Bao Congxin, his eyes lighting up with hope—perhaps it was the innkeeper’s assistant summoning him for work!

But when he turned around—

Two strangers stepped inside!

One was an elderly man with snow-white hair, while the other was tall with a majestic beard obscuring half his face.

Though dressed plainly, their bearing suggested they were anything but ordinary. Instinctively, Bao Congxin tensed, rising to his feet and shielding the table defensively, as if bracing for trouble.

"W-what do you want?!"

His trembling demeanor only made the two sect leaders sigh in exasperation.

So, this was Bao Congxin.

Barely sparing the plump man a glance, their gazes shifted to the familiar young man seated at the stone table behind him.

At once, their faces brightened as they stepped forward eagerly.

Seeing them raise their hands, Bao Congxin flinched, squeezing his eyes shut and raising his arms in a feeble attempt to shield himself, already bracing for a blow.

Yet instead of violence, he heard two gentle voices.

"Greetings, sir."

"Yi Feng, it’s been a while."

Before he could even open his eyes, Yi Feng’s voice rang out in recognition.

"So it’s you two! How did you find this place?"

The casual familiarity in their exchange made Bao Congxin slowly peek through his eyelids.

Only then did he see—

The two strangers were now standing by the table, chatting amiably with Yi Feng as if they were old friends.

In the perpetually chaotic atmosphere of the inn, such a scene was unheard of—unless it involved the enigmatic innkeeper himself, no one else ever received such courtesy!

For Yi Feng, a newcomer, to converse so effortlessly with these two strangers was nothing short of unbelievable!

Bao Congxin stood frozen in shock.

Snapping out of his daze, he hurriedly sidled up to Yi Feng.

"Benefactor, who are these two?"

Yi Feng had already risen to his feet, gesturing in introduction.

"These are two kind souls I met at the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion—both sect leaders of the Heavenly Sects. This one is—"

But as he began, he scratched his head, momentarily at a loss.

Xu Baichuan, ever perceptive, smoothly stepped in with a courteous bow.

"This old man is Xu Baichuan."

Beside him, Luo Pengfei was quick to follow suit, announcing himself with equal politeness.

"I am Luo Pengfei. You flatter me, Yi Feng."

Hiss—

Hearing their names, Bao Congxin sucked in a sharp breath!

These two were legends on Sunlight Island, their reputations thunderous!

Though his cultivation was pitifully weak, barely enough to scrape by in the western slums, he’d heard their names countless times.

Xu Baichuan was a veteran Heavenly Sect leader, nicknamed the Smiling Tiger—a man of ruthless cunning! Luo Pengfei was known for his explosive temper, slaughtering at the slightest provocation!

These two terrifying figures had actually come to a back-alley inn in the western district?

Bao Congxin’s face cycled between pale and flushed, his trembling eyes darting between them. Their appearances matched the rumors, but their plain attire and unassuming demeanor were a far cry from the fearsome lords of legend.

Drawing on years of street smarts, he quickly pieced together the truth.

Leaning in, he whispered urgently, his voice laced with suspicion.

"Benefactor, mark my words—these two are definitely imposters!"

Barely at the Proof Dao realm, Bao Congxin was nothing but an ant compared to the two sect leaders. What he thought was a discreet whisper was easily overheard by anyone paying the slightest attention.

Before Yi Feng could even respond—

The two sect leaders’ hearts burned with fury!