"Understood."
Liu Yilin picked out two weapons found in the Emperor's tomb and generously presented them.
However, Huang Baishan didn't even glance at them. Instead, he narrowed his eyes and said to Ning Beichen.
"Young Master Ning, you know these are not what I want."
"Sect Master, this is unfair. You want something, fine. I'll give you the item, and I won't even take your money. Isn't that generous enough? These are all I found inside. If you don't want them, then I have none left."
Ning Beichen replied.
"I learned from Shi San that you obtained a bronze sliver from within the Emperor's coffin. I want it."
Huang Baishan spoke directly, explicitly demanding the bronze sliver.
Ning Beichen's expression turned grim, as did Liu Yilin and the others.
This was because Huang Baishan was no ordinary petty thief; he was a Celestial Venerable, and not the only one. There were three Celestial Venerables in total. This was no longer a request, but a threat.
Ning Beichen began calculating in his mind. He wasn't afraid of Huang Baishan, but facing three Celestial Venerables simultaneously, he had to assess his chances of winning.
In truth, Ning Beichen didn't particularly value the bronze sliver itself. He had already memorized the contents within it, so whether he had it or not made no difference. It was simply the act of being forced to hand it over that made him feel displeased.
If he were alone, he wouldn't care how many Celestial Venerables there were; he'd fight first.
But now, with Liu Yilin and the others by his side, even if he didn't consider himself, he had to consider them.
Just as Ning Beichen made up his mind to hand over the bronze sliver, he suddenly heard a loud voice from a胖子 accompanying Huang Baishan.
"Brother, why bother with all this nonsense? Let's just kill him. We'll take the items ourselves. I also have my eye on these women; I want them."
"Second Brother is right. It's just one Celestial Venerable, what's so formidable? The three of us are all Celestial Venerables; we can easily handle him."
Another female 胖子 also chimed in.
Their words instantly ignited Ning Beichen's killing intent. He had actually been seriously considering sacrificing the bronze sliver to ensure Liu Yilin and the others' safety, only for them to directly set their sights on the women.
This meant he couldn't choose peace; they simply didn't regard him as a threat.
Since that was the case, there was nothing more to say.
Ning Beichen immediately transmitted a message to the women, instructing Jin Yuehe, the strongest among them, to lead them away.
"Beichen, I'm not leaving. I want to stay."
Jin Yuehe said.
"Be good, listen to me. They are Celestial Venerables. If you stay, I'll have to divide my attention to protect you, and I'll surely be defeated. Don't worry, I have a way to deal with them."
Ning Beichen told her.
Only then did Jin Yuehe reluctantly lead Liu Yilin and the others to retreat. In reality, none of them wanted to leave, but the battles between Celestial Venerables were far beyond their ability to intervene. If they stayed, they would only tie Ning Beichen's hands.
As the three, especially Huang Baishan's brother, saw Liu Yilin and the others retreating, they became agitated. Like a rolling mountain, they lunged towards Jin Yuehe and the women.
"Scram!"
Ning Beichen had long been annoyed with him. With a slash of his bronze ancient sword, twelve golden dragons roared and struck him.
The 胖子 surprisingly didn't dodge. He directly used his stout body to shatter ten golden dragons, then punched another one apart, and kicked the last one to pieces, still charging towards Liu Yilin and the others.
Ning Beichen was instantly enraged. With a fierce sword strike, before the 胖子 could react, he saw blood gushing from his round belly.
"Brother!"
The 胖女人, seeing her brother injured, swung her fist, which grew as large as a mountain, and descended upon Ning Beichen.
A Celestial Venerable's attack was no trivial matter.
However, Ning Beichen could not retreat. If he did, he wouldn't be able to protect the retreating party. Therefore, Ning Beichen did not retreat. Facing this Celestial Venerable's attack, Ning Beichen tilted his sword upwards.
He saw countless sword lights appear within a thousand-meter radius. These sword lights struck the fist, making thundering sounds like raindrops on banana leaves.
Soon, the massive fist was riddled with holes and gouges from these sword lights. In a short while, it dissipated, failing to strike Ning Beichen.
By this time, Liu Yilin and the others had successfully withdrawn, which put Ning Beichen's mind at ease.
Now, he could finally fight with all his might. Facing three Celestial Venerables simultaneously, it was impossible for Ning Beichen to say he wasn't nervous, but his nervousness did not equate to fear.
Were they just three Celestial Venerables? He hadn't never dealt with multiple enemies of the same level before.
It was just that his previous enemies had been replaced by these Celestial Venerable-level foes.
"Kill!"
Ning Beichen let out a fierce roar, gripping his bronze ancient sword, and charged towards one of the three.
It was impossible to deal with three Celestial Venerables simultaneously, but Ning Beichen could focus on killing one.
Feints, diversions, surprise attacks – Ning Beichen used them with masterful skill. While the other two Celestial Venerables watched, he ran the 胖子 who had desired Liu Yilin through.
You dared to covet my woman.
Ning Beichen pierced him through with his sword, then withdrew it and swung it backhand, severing his head from his body in a spray of blood.
"Brother!"
Huang Baishan and the 胖女人, seeing their brother decapitated by Ning Beichen, were filled with uncontrollable rage.
Logically speaking, the three of them fighting one Celestial Venerable should have been a surefire victory, otherwise Huang Baishan wouldn't have dared to ambush Ning Beichen.
Yet, Ning Beichen had executed their brother right before their eyes.
This outcome was something none of them had anticipated.
"I will kill you!"
The female 胖子 Celestial Venerable roared to the heavens, transforming into a giantess and charging towards Ning Beichen.
After killing one Celestial Venerable, Ning Beichen's confidence soared. He looked at the enraged giantess with disdain, snorted, gripped his sword, and charged towards her as well.
After a few exchanges, Ning Beichen stabbed his sword into the giantess's back, eliciting a scream of agony.
"Do not harm my sister."
Huang Baishan also transformed into a ferocious beast and charged viciously at Ning Beichen.
Ning Beichen coldly watched Huang Baishan. His feet remained firmly planted. With a raised sword, he severed the giantess's neck. This further drove Huang Baishan into a frenzy. His eyes bloodshot, he attacked Ning Beichen recklessly.
Ning Beichen feared enemies who lost their minds the least. Such individuals were no better than mad dogs. Although they appeared ferocious, they were full of openings.
Soon, Ning Beichen found an opportunity and dislocated Huang Baishan's arm with a sword. However, this also caused the frenzied Huang Baishan to regain some composure from the pain.