Chapter 165: Not Used to Being the Deputy

Tang Ruoxi remained calm, while Yun Qing and the others were dumbfounded.

Where is your integrity?

Weren’t you the one who said a mere few hundred Star Stones were nothing?

Five hundred, and you won’t lift a finger?

Li Changtian breathed a sigh of relief, though inwardly he was still pained by the loss of Star Stones.

Why did that Taiyin Star Power cultivator become friends with Jiang Changkong?

This guy who only cares about Star Stones!

But at least there was a sucker here. Thinking this, he shot Anding Bang a meaningful glance.

Anding Bang looked miserable: “I’m out.”

Li Changtian: “…”

Bullshit. Your Martial Arts Association earns a decent amount of Fifth Rank Star Stones every day.

You must have saved up quite a bit over the years. I haven’t even squeezed much out of you.

“I feel like you’re messing with me,” Jiang Changkong said expressionlessly. “Do you think I’m too kind?”

“Ahem.” Li Changtian cleared his throat awkwardly. “How could that be? It’s just that I’m not in the habit of carrying Star Stones when I go out. How about I go back and get them?”

Who would bring Star Stones when coming to see you?

“Here.” Heng Yongxing waved his hand and produced a pile of Star Stones.

Five hundred Fifth Rank High-Grade stones, not one more, not one less.

Jiang Changkong accepted the Star Stones and looked at Heng Yongxing with a much friendlier expression. “Explain.”

Heng Yongxing explained, “Last night, I was truly in a moment of urgency, desperate to figure out that person’s identity.

With such mastery of Taiyin Star Power, aside from my Heng family, I really can’t think of anyone else.”

“The world is vast. How could your Heng family possibly know everything?”

Jiang Changkong said lightly, “Besides, didn’t the Starlight Distortion Land produce half a Taiyin Star Stele?”

“That Star Stele isn’t at the Star Spirit level, and it only just appeared.

Even if he could understand the text on it, he couldn’t have achieved such a level in such a short time.”

Heng Yongxing said solemnly, “I’m looking for him with no ill intent. I just want to clarify his identity and purchase the Moon Laurel Leaf.”

“He won’t sell the Moon Laurel Leaf. He likes it very much,” Jiang Changkong said coldly.

That Moon Laurel Leaf was something that resonated with the sword tip—definitely a high-level treasure.

“If he won’t sell, that’s fine. My Heng family would like to invite him to become a member.

Before long, we might ask him to enter the Taiyin Cold Pool again.”

Heng Yongxing mused.

If he won’t sell, then we won’t buy. If we can win him over, he’d be a great asset.

Of course, the prerequisite is to clarify his identity.

Without knowing for sure, I wouldn’t dare to use him.

Jiang Changkong frowned slightly. The matter of the Moon Laurel Leaf might be hidden from Anding Bang, but not from these people from the Major Provinces.

A simple phone call could get the information from Professor Yun.

Even if Professor Yun didn’t say anything, these people could find out from others at the research institute.

In the future, if he used the Lunar Blade and Sword, it would be impossible to hide.

“Alright, explanation finished. You can leave,” Jiang Changkong waved dismissively.

“Huh?”

The group was stunned. Explanation finished, leave?

You really just gave them a chance to explain!

Heng Yongxing was a bit dazed and unwilling to give up. “I still want to meet him.”

“Then go find him yourselves. I can’t help with that,” Jiang Changkong shrugged, indicating he was powerless.

“Only you can contact him. Please help.”

Heng Yongxing gritted his teeth, wearing an expression of having paid a heavy price. “I’ll give you another thousand Fifth Rank High-Grade Star Stones.”

“You’d better find someone else. I can’t afford to provoke him,” Jiang Changkong politely refused.

“Is it too little?” Heng Yongxing’s face turned pale. This was truly the limit of what he could offer.

“This is no longer just about Star Stones; it’s about relationships.”

Jiang Changkong said with a displeased expression, “Because of you, what was supposed to be a simple meeting turned into you taking action directly. He’s furious and has started questioning my character. To think that I, Jiang Changkong, renowned for my righteousness and loyalty, would be brought down by a mere hundred Star Stones because of you.”

Everyone: “…”

Li Changtian stared blankly. Righteousness and loyalty? How could you have the nerve to boast about yourself like that?

Tang Ruoxi nodded solemnly. “There’s no doubt about Changkong’s character—he values loyalty and friendship deeply. It really is your fault.”

Yun Qing and the other four nodded in agreement. “Changkong is known for his loyalty and righteousness. We’ve all heard about it. At the Star Cloud Level, he ventured alone into a horde of Star Demons to save a friend. Moreover, he has repeatedly rendered great service to the Federation. Your actions are completely tarnishing his reputation.”

Anding Bang felt somewhat ashamed. Compared to Jiang Changkong, he fell far short.

Li Changtian and Heng Yongxing felt awkward. Yesterday’s incident had been their fault—they had acted too hastily. They should have talked things over properly with the other party. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be in such an embarrassing situation now.

Li Changtian said apologetically, “Brother Changkong, please think of another way, help us out again.”

“I can’t help,” Jiang Changkong shook his head.

“Changtian, take out your Star Stones too, and add another thousand Fifth Rank High-Grade ones. Please, you must help with this. I’ll owe you a favor,” Heng Yongxing tugged at Li Changtian and promised earnestly.

“This isn’t about Star Stones,” Jiang Changkong said with a reserved expression, though inwardly he was overjoyed. Another two thousand, plus the previous six hundred, made two thousand six hundred in total. Seventy-eight thousand units of Essence!

“Brother Changkong, help them out. I have another five hundred here, all for you,” Anding Bang chimed in.

“I thought you said you had none left?” Li Changtian’s face darkened.

“They’re at home, just collected,” Anding Bang replied without embarrassment, taking out his phone to show the record of the five hundred he had just received.

Li Changtian’s expression softened.

Another five hundred!

Jiang Changkong remained silent, considering whether to wait a little longer—perhaps there would be more. But judging by their expressions, it seemed they really couldn’t offer anything else. Fine, this much would have to do.

Jiang Changkong sighed. “I can only try my best to persuade him, but I can’t guarantee success. Give me the Star Stones first.”

“Thank you,” Heng Yongxing said gratefully.

“Give him the Star Stones first,” Li Changtian said, still somewhat uneasy.

“Hmph, it’s all because of your actions. Let me tell you, if you cause trouble again, I won’t let you off either,” Jiang Changkong snorted.

“Anding Bang, go get the Star Stones. You know where mine are kept,” Li Changtian said.

Anding Bang nodded and left.

Heng Yongxing took out a thousand Fifth Rank High-Grade Star Stones and handed them over first.

“Have some tea,” Tang Ruoxi offered, having brewed a pot.

Li Changtian and Heng Yongxing quickly thanked her and sat down nearby.

Jiang Changkong took a sip of tea and said, “It seems you two are quite a bit behind Fatty Nan. That layer of fat on him is all oil.”

“His older brother is his biological brother,” Li Changtian said with a curl of his lip. “As for us, the talented ones we value are only distantly related—it’s not even close.”

“Hmm, no wonder you’re struggling so much. So, you want to invite him to join your Martial Arts Association?” Jiang Changkong looked at Heng Yongxing. Yao Meng had also tried to invite him but was turned down.

“It’s not my Martial Arts Association; it belongs to someone in the family.”

Heng Yongxing sighed, “Changtian and I may seem glamorous to outsiders, but we’re really just running errands for those people.”

“Truly enviable.”

Jiang Changkong was genuinely envious—to be showered with affection, with the entire family and its influence revolving around them.

Star Stones were collected with their help, subordinates assisted in searching, and all they had to do was focus on cultivation.

If he had such a family, wouldn’t he soar to the heavens in no time?

“No need to envy. It’s like an investment—when they grow stronger, we’ll benefit too.”

Heng Yongxing smiled and said, “If you could come, and persuade that person to join as well, we’d definitely offer you a vice-president position.”

“I’m used to being the president, not accustomed to being the deputy,” Jiang Changkong said calmly.