The two gatekeepers were both late Core Formation cultivators, but as disciples of the Prime One Church, they relied on their status to openly insult Ian Song. Most importantly, the Prime One Saintess, Lila Li, was already engaged to Sixth Prince Lucas Li, and everyone knew Ian Song was the strategist for Fourth Prince Victor Li—who happened to be Lucas’s rival for the throne. So, these two were even less likely to treat Ian politely.
Hearing this, Ian's expression darkened slightly.
Raina Quinn angrily rebuked them, "How can you talk like that?"
One of the gatekeepers curled his lip and swept a contemptuous glance at Raina. "What, this is just how we talk. If you’re not convinced, come hit us. Don’t forget, this is the Prime One Church. Even if you had ten lives, you wouldn’t dare cause trouble here!"
"Courting death!"
Raina was furious and was about to teach them a lesson, but Ian caught her hand and shook his head. "Don’t bother with them. No need to ruin your mood over this."
"Yes, Young Master!" Raina quickly retreated behind Ian.
"Fellow Daoists, would you please do me a favor and pass on a message?" Ian once again addressed the two gatekeepers politely.
One of them sneered, "Who do you think you are? Our sect master isn’t someone you can see just because you want to. Let me remind you, the sect master has no time for small fry like you. You’d best be on your way!"
The other added, "By the way, there are plenty of people who want your head right now. You’d better hurry up and run, or if you get killed here, we’ll have to waste effort cleaning up your corpse!"
Seeing these two taunting Ian in perfect sync, Raina’s teeth ground together audibly. If her Young Master hadn’t forbidden it, she would’ve split these two hateful guys in half already.
Ian, on the other hand, stayed calm. He handed each of them a top-grade spirit crystal. "Just a small token of thanks. I hope you’ll pass on my request."
At the sight of the top-grade spirit crystals, their eyes lit up greedily. They remembered Ian Song was famously wealthy, exchanged quick glances, and silently plotted.
The next moment, one said, "What, trying to bribe us? We don’t take bribes!"
"Yeah, just one little top-grade spirit crystal and you think you can bribe us? What do you take us for?" the other chimed in.
A single top-grade spirit crystal could be exchanged for a million low-grade ones. Even as Prime One Church disciples, the two gatekeepers’ total assets weren’t close to that. Of course, they didn’t actually despise the crystal—they just wanted to extort even more from Ian.
Ian saw through their intentions at a glance and felt a bit annoyed—being shaken down by two mere Core Formation juniors. But he was here to propose marriage, not to pick a fight. Besides, as the saying goes, "the king is easy to meet, but the little devils are hard to deal with." He didn’t bother arguing and handed over two more top-grade spirit crystals to each of them. "Please, just pass on my request."
Seeing Ian give them each two more top-grade spirit crystals, they were tempted beyond measure—their breathing even grew rapid.
As bottom-tier disciples of the Prime One Church, their total savings amounted to just a few tens of thousands of low-grade spirit crystals.
But as the saying goes, 'a man’s greed knows no bounds.' Seeing that just a bit of pressure made Ian hand over two more top-grade spirit crystals, they exchanged glances again, plotting to push their luck even further.
One of them pressed further, "Are you tossing alms to beggars? Three top-grade spirit crystals—how can you even offer so little?"
The other sneered, "Heh, don’t lump us in with ordinary gate guards—we’re disciples of the Prime One Church!"
Hearing this, Ian’s lips curled into a cold smile. Suddenly, he took back the spirit crystals.
The two gatekeepers were stunned and instantly regretted their greed. But in the next moment, anger surged—they felt utterly humiliated. One of them shouted at Ian, "Bastard, are you messing with us?"
Smack!
Ian raised his hand and slapped him, sending the man flying like a straw doll.
"You dare hit someone here? Do you even know where you are?" The other gatekeeper stared at Ian in shock, unable to believe what he’d just seen.
Raina behind Ian felt utterly delighted, nearly clapping in approval. Old Man Tanner could only give a wry smile—his Young Master’s temper was really something... but he also felt these two had brought it on themselves.
Ian chuckled and shook his head. "People really shouldn’t take themselves too seriously. I’ve slain plenty of Soul-Split experts, so what makes you two little Core juniors think you’re special?
Even if you’re disciples of the Prime One Church, you’re still just lowly Core cultivators. Trying to bully me—what do you amount to?" Ian’s eyes flashed with killing intent. "Tell me, if I kill you right now, would the Prime One Church really turn on the Fourth Prince over two gatekeepers?"
At Ian’s words, the two gatekeepers’ faces turned ugly. He was right—they were just bottom-tier disciples. The Prime One Church had countless like them. If Ian killed them, with the Fourth Prince backing him, the sect probably wouldn’t even care.
If they died, it’d be for nothing.
"Got it?" Ian asked coldly.
"Got it!"
Both of them nodded.
"Then why aren’t you passing on my message?" Ian barked.
"Yes, sir! I’ll go report right away!"
The slapped gatekeeper turned and ran inside, deeply regretting his greed. If only he hadn’t gotten so greedy! The thought of losing three top-grade spirit crystals made his heart ache.
"Wait!"
Ian suddenly called out.
"Is there anything else, Young Master?" The disciple who had just turned to leave stopped and asked respectfully.
"Here, take these. This is your reward!"
Ian took out six top-grade spirit crystals, tossing three to each of them.
Recovering what they’d lost, both gatekeepers were overjoyed and repeatedly thanked Ian.
Half a quarter-hour later—
The disciple who’d gone to report returned and said to Ian, "Young Master Song, I’ve already passed your request to Deacon Zhang. You’ll have news soon, please wait a moment."
"Alright."
Ian nodded. Judging by the disciple’s demeanor, he wasn’t lying.
But time slowly passed.
A quarter-hour.
Two quarter-hours.
Half an hour.
An hour passed, but the so-called Deacon Zhang still hadn’t appeared.
"Hey, where’s this Deacon Zhang? Did you even report it?" Raina glared at Zhao Yu, the Core cultivator Ian had slapped. The other was named Zhou Xiang.
Zhao Yu hurriedly replied, "Miss Quinn, I wouldn’t dare! I really did report to Deacon Zhang. Maybe he’s busy with something. I’ll go check again!"
"Go ahead!"
Ian nodded.
A quarter-hour later, Zhao Yu returned, looking troubled. "Young Master Song, I just went to see Deacon Zhang again. He said the Sect Master is too busy to meet you, and you’d best leave."
Ian’s expression darkened. It seemed that following protocol made it impossible to meet Master Mingdan.