Chapter 701: Grand Scholar
Qi Xuansu asked, “How is your wound now?”
Saintly Peace replied, “The Imitation Shebishi Venom from The Cook has been completely cleansed. But the backlash from the Xuanwei Method is still quite severe. I’ve only got 60% of my usual strength left.”
Qi Xuansu did a rough calculation. A Heavenly Being at the Zaohua stage equaled about three Heavenly Beings at the Wuliang stage. So 60% strength was roughly two Wuliang-stage Heavenly Beings, which was not to be underestimated. Still, it might not be enough if faced with The Innkeeper or the Cook.
“The backlash from the Borrowed Power Method can’t be reversed. I’ll just have to wait it out.” Saintly Peace said, “For now, we need to keep a low profile.”
Qi Xuansu replied, “Qingping Society has always kept a low profile.”
Saintly Peace chuckled. “I don’t like owing people. Qingping Society always keeps accounts clear. So let’s talk about your reward.”
Qi Xuansu politely declined. “I just helped contact Madam Qi. I don’t deserve a reward.”
But Saintly Peace insisted. “Even if nothing went wrong, you still took the risk to come here.”
In truth, Saintly Peace’s goodwill toward Qi Xuansu was also a gesture of goodwill toward Madam Qi.
Qi Xuansu no longer cared to overthink it. Having backing and support was actually quite nice. He could not very well sacrifice everything for the pride of a wild Daoist and choose a harder, rockier road. Being able to buy on credit was better than not having anything.
Saintly Peace said, “I had intended to give you something, but I left in a hurry and brought nothing suitable. Plus, I just racked up a large debt of Taiping coins with Madam Qi. Even a gentry’s house like mine has no surplus. So your reward is simple—I’ll owe you a favor. Since I owe you, the creditor ought to know who I am.”