The chubby kid of the past had now grown into a tall young man.
Clad in a gold-trimmed robe patterned with auspicious beasts, his brow was filled with powerful confidence and the dignity of someone in authority.
Gone was the roguish air he once had, and his figure was no longer as bloated as before.
Back then, when this guy awakened a spirit ruins in the shape of an abacus, it had left a deep impression on Li Guanqi.
During the initial arena tournament when he opened the betting pool, Li Guanqi hadn't thought much of him.
It wasn't until Ye Feng placed massive bets with him and the fellow went so far as to borrow money just to deliver their winnings.
At that time, Li Guanqi realized that whatever his character might be, the fellow at least took his credibility seriously.
Later... after what happened with Little Sui'an, he discovered this little fatty possessed his own moral scale.
Once the balance tipped against his principles, he did not hesitate to leave, even if it meant abandoning one of the top sects in the Northern Region.
Li Guanqi's eyes flickered slightly as he muttered under his breath, "Tang Ru? How is he here?"
"Uh... don't tell me his family runs this Treasure Pavilion?"
Soon, however, a faint smile curved Li Guanqi's lips. He wanted to see how Tang Ru would handle this situation.
After all... ten thousand high-grade spirit stones was equivalent to ten million low-grade spirit stones!
Ten thousand high-grade spirit stones!
Even for a mighty Void Refining Realm cultivator, that was an astronomical sum!
A Soul Formation Realm cultivator who managed to scrape together a thousand high-grade spirit stones would already be considered exceedingly wealthy in their region.
Back then, the female cultivator Li Guanqi had slain by chance had only possessed a few hundred high-grade spirit stones on her entire person.
Yet at this moment, Tang Ru's expression was grave, his sheer presence making onlookers immediately overlook his youth.
Tang Ru strode directly in front of the elderly man and stated bluntly, "I am the master of this Treasure Pavilion, Tang Ru."
"From this moment on, whatever issue you have, you speak to me."
The old man was intimidated by the overwhelming confidence and oppressive aura radiating from the youth before him.
After taking a long moment to recover, he raised the promissory note in his hand and said, "This is the money your Treasure Pavilion borrowed from me sixty years ago. Factoring in the interest written here, your Treasure Pavilion owes me ten thousand high-grade spirit stones!"
Tang Ru did not deny the old man's claim outright; instead, he reached out and took the document.
Flinching slightly, the old man quickly blurted, "What are you doing? Destroying the evidence?"
Tang Ru scoffed. "Do you think I'd tear it up right in front of everyone? I'm merely inspecting its authenticity."
Hearing this, the old man handed over the note with lingering suspicion.
Yet the moment he received the promissory note, Tang Ru's expression sank!
Because the official seal of the Treasure Pavilion on the old man's note was genuine!
However, the recorded interest and terms were completely illogical. Tang Ru's mind raced.
First, he did not doubt that the official seal was real, but the promissory note itself was far too suspicious.
When would the Treasure Pavilion ever borrow money from a private individual?
Besides, when did the Treasure Pavilion ever need to borrow money?
The second point of suspicion was... when would the Treasure Pavilion ever use a handwritten promissory note to borrow money? Moreover, the borrowed amount was far too bizarre.
"What are you standing there spacing out for? Since you're the pavilion master, don't tell me you're refusing to honor the debt! Do you really take us rogue cultivators for fools?"
"Exactly! Since you're in charge, you have to give us an explanation!"
The surrounding crowd grew increasingly agitated, with some even spitting toward Tang Ru.
Looking down at the phlegm on his robes, Tang Ru wiped it away nonchalantly, then turned to face all directions.
"I, Tang Ru, swear upon the honor of the Treasure Pavilion: this debt will be paid!"
"So long as it is an authentic debt of the Treasure Pavilion, once verified to be genuine, whether it is ten thousand spirit stones, a hundred thousand, or even a million—"
"—my Treasure Pavilion will do whatever it takes to pay it in full!"
"In business, credibility is paramount when welcoming guests. That is also what I, Tang Ru, value above all else!"
These words immediately drew cheers from the crowd, and even Li Guanqi gave a silent round of applause.
This guy was truly a born merchant, made for flicking abacus beads.
Li Guanqi muttered with amusement, "Laying out so much groundwork... there should be a 'but' coming, right?"
Sure enough!
Right after, Tang Ru sighed and said, "Everyone, I am sure you have all heard the sum written on this note."
"Ten thousand high-grade spirit stones!"
"This is undeniably an astronomical figure. Even for my Treasure Pavilion, it would take an entire year's revenue to balance."
"Moreover... when would the Treasure Pavilion ever need to borrow money from a rogue cultivator? Let alone just a mere few dozen high-grade spirit stones back then?"
"A paper promissory note, coupled with a genuine official seal."
At this point, the onlookers were startled as well. A promissory note of such immense value was merely written on ordinary paper!
Even a fool would start having doubts!
Tang Ru fixed a chilly gaze on the old man and said in a low voice, "Therefore, I doubt the authenticity of this note!"
"If this debt is genuine, even if I, Tang Ru, have to close this shop, I will pay it back!"
"However, if it is counterfeit... hmph! Don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Hearing the murderous chill in Tang Ru's voice, the old man's face turned pale, and sweat the size of beans broke out across his forehead.
Right then, a shadowy figure suddenly appeared behind the old man!
The old man stiffened slightly, then followed the figure slowly into the depths of the hall.
Tang Ru bowed slightly to the crowd and announced in a deep voice, "Three days! Give me three days to investigate!"
"Three days from now, this man will walk out completely unharmed!"
"Silencing witnesses by murder is not something I, Tang Ru, would ever do. On that point, please rest assured, everyone!"
As Tang Ru straightened, his gaze happened to meet Li Guanqi's. Seeing the smiling face of the youth, Tang Ru froze for a moment.
Wild joy immediately surged within him, though for now, he could only force it down.
Sweeping his gaze across the crowd, he smiled warmly and announced, "Because this incident has spoiled your mood today, I have decided... everything in the Treasure Pavilion will be five percent off today! For this single day only!"
"I hope all of you find items to your liking."
As soon as he finished speaking, cheers erupted from all around.
After all, the prior drama had just been a spectacle to watch, but now actual benefits were landing in their laps.
A customer who had just returned goods hurriedly asked, "Uh... can the item I just returned be bought back with the discount?"
The saleswoman laughed immediately. "Honored customer, of course you can."
"Hahaha, really? Great, great! Then I'll pick out two more!"
In an instant, the crowd that had been watching the commotion flooded into the Treasure Pavilion.
Meanwhile, Tang Ru trotted over to Li Guanqi, rubbing his hands together as his eyes shone brightly. "Is it really you?"
Li Guanqi gave a slight nod and couldn't help giving him a thumbs-up in praise. "Quite impressive."
Hearing Li Guanqi's praise, Tang Ru felt a bit bashful. He scratched his head and asked, "May I invite you inside to sit down for a bit?"
Li Guanqi chuckled. "Of course."
Tang Ru grinned from ear to ear and personally led Li Guanqi toward the inner pavilion.
Many saw this unfold and were secretly astonished, everyone guessing at Li Guanqi's identity—just who could he be!
To have the young pavilion master of the Treasure Pavilion receive him in person!
Chapter 314