Chapter 2509: Chapter 2512: Treated as an ATM

"Please have a seat, Mr. Jiang!"

It seemed that Jin Liang had noticed Jiang Chen’s unease. He forced a barely passable smile onto his cold face and gestured to an empty chair beside him.

Jiang Chen nodded, stepped forward, and sat down, still holding a hint of confusion in his eyes.

Yan Hu stood directly behind Jiang Chen, his expression icy as he stared at Jin Wushu kneeling on the ground.

Pang Guang glanced at Jin Liang, then made his way to Jiang Chen’s side and sat down, clearly choosing a side.

"Mr. Jiang, the Great Elder has said that Jin Wushu’s life is in your hands. If you wish for him to die, you won’t need to lift a finger; we’ll take care of it for you!"

Jin Liang pointed at Jin Wushu and spoke in a deep voice.

Jiang Chen paused for a moment, looked at Jin Wushu, then at Jin Liang, and gently furrowed his brow. "Is Senior Jin Liang trying to intimidate me?"

Jin Liang was taken aback, a look of confusion in his eyes.

"Brother Jiang, don’t misunderstand. The Third Elder manages punishments in our clan and is not very adept at conversation."

Jin Wenhao hurriedly explained, "What he means is that the Great Elder was very angry when he learned of Jin Wushu’s actions. He commanded us to bring Jin Wushu to apologize to you and to handle the matter entirely according to your wishes, without any complaints."

Jin Liang blinked and nodded towards Jiang Chen to confirm that was indeed his intention.

"Grandpa Jin..."

A complicated expression flashed across Jiang Chen’s eyes, and then he gently waved his hand. "Let’s leave it at that. Seeing his condition, he’s already paid a price. Just... I don’t want incidents like this to happen again; it’s quite disheartening!"

He had risked his life to save others, only for those he saved to then covet his Spirit Treasure Divine Weapon—such a thing would be unsettling for anyone.

"Rest assured, Mr. Jiang, it will never happen again. If anyone dares repeat it, they will be punished with no mercy!"

Jin Liang’s face turned stern as he spoke with a cold menace.

Jiang Chen blinked and gave Jin Liang a look, raising an eyebrow with a peculiar expression in his eyes.

Jin Wenhao smiled helplessly and softly said, "Third Elder, you shouldn’t talk as if you’re reprimanding someone in the clan; it makes you sound threatening."

Jin Liang was stunned for a moment and frowned, glanced at Jin Wenhao, then at Jiang Chen, seeming to understand something. He forced an awkward smile. "Rest assured, Mr. Jiang, it won’t happen again."

"Thank you, Senior."

Jiang Chen chuckled and cupped his fists towards Jin Liang, considering the matter settled.

"Can’t you hear, damn it? Hurry and thank Brother Jiang!"

Jin Kai kicked Jin Wushu, sending him sprawling to the ground, and shouted angrily.

"Th-thank you!"

Jin Wushu weakly expressed his gratitude to Jiang Chen, then, with a sob, said, "I’m sorry, it was really just reflexes. I..."

Jiang Chen was momentarily stunned, focusing intently on Jin Wushu’s eyes. In the slightly swollen eyes, he saw a sense of grievance, remorse, and guilt, but no trace of resentment or dissatisfaction.

This... was it really just reflexes?

Jiang Chen had heard from Yan Hu about Jin Wushu’s reasoning. Initially, he scoffed at it, but now, upon seeing Jin Wushu’s sincere eyes, there were no signs of deceit, which left Jiang Chen somewhat surprised.

Looking at Jin Wushu, then at Jin Liang, who couldn’t even muster a proper smile, Jiang Chen found it all quite amusing—this clan of people... was quite interesting!

Getting up, Jiang Chen approached Jin Wushu, took out a Life Essence Elixir, and held it to Jin Wushu’s mouth. "Take it. From your eyes, I don’t see deceit. I believe it was just reflexes, but don’t let your reflexes get the better of you again."

Witnessing this scene, Jin Liang, Jin Wenhao, and Jin Kai all let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank you!"

A look of gratitude flashed in Jin Wushu’s eyes as he shakily reached out, took the elixir, and carefully put it away.

Jiang Chen was momentarily taken aback, intrigued as he said, "You should take it; your injuries are quite severe. If you only rely on recovering naturally, it will take several days."

"No need, these injuries are nothing. Brother Jin Kai didn’t really try to kill me. This is a fifth-grade elixir; I want to save it for when my life is on the line. Thank you, Mr. Jiang!"

Jin Wushu gently waved his hand.

Jiang Chen paused, then helped Jin Wushu up, seating him on a chair, and once again presented a Life Essence Elixir. "Take it this time."

"No, no, it’s too precious! I’ll take this one, I’ll take this one!"

Jin Wushu hesitated for a moment, quickly waved his hands, and anxiously took out the Life Essence Elixir he had put away, reluctantly glancing at it before placing it in his mouth.

Jiang Chen slightly frowned, his eyes showing a hint of curiosity.

"While the Gold-devouring Rat Clan is indeed highly sensitive to treasures, they’re fundamentally magical beasts and don’t understand alchemy. Many cultivators trade with them, but the prices are exorbitant. A fifth-grade Life Essence Elixir like yours could be exchanged for a seventh-grade Spirit Grass according to their market rate!"

Pang Guang, noticing the curious look in Jiang Chen’s eyes, quietly explained.

"What!?"

Jiang Chen blurted out, incredulous, as he gave Pang Guang a look, then turned back to Jin Liang and his companions before fixing his gaze on Jin Wenhao. He was easier to communicate with. "Brother Wenhao, is this how you all trade your elixirs?"

"Yes, we can’t perform alchemy nor learn it. We can only trade like this with human cultivators. We’re quite sensitive to Spirit Grass and treasures, but things like them are nothing to us unless they’re Spirit Treasure Divine Weapons or extremely rare Spiritual Herbs and Spiritual Fruits."

Jin Wenhao lightly nodded, then wryly smiled. "We know we’re getting a bad deal, but if we don’t, nobody is willing to trade elixirs with us. There used to be fair trades, but later on..."

"Later, even the prices changed."

Jiang Chen continued Jin Wenhao’s statement. "It seems someone has targeted your Gold-devouring Rat Clan, seeing you as a cash cow!"

"Cash cow? What is that?"

Jin Wenhao was puzzled, so he asked.

Pang Guang and the others all showed a look of confusion.

Poof!

Yan Hu couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing.

Jiang Chen felt a twinge of embarrassment. Telling people from the Void Nether realm about a cash cow was like playing music to a cow with no understanding.

He shot Yan Hu a glance, then quietly explained, "It’s like a cornucopia. Someone wants to monopolize your spiritual treasures and Spirit Grass!"

"Yes! This is all the doing of Spirit Sword Sect, Yuanling Sect, and Qingyang Sect. In this inner circle, very few powers dare to offend them, so all human cultivators exchange with us at such outrageous prices!"

Jin Wenhao lightly nodded.

"Why is it those three sects again?"

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow, feeling like their presence was everywhere.