Although the identities of the two were already known, and their intentions guessed, Su Yun still politely gestured.
"I wonder what brings the two of you to find me. If there's nothing urgent, please make way. I have matters to attend to," said Su Yun.
Jia Liebi and Obadon exchanged a glance, wearing bitter expressions.
Although they knew it was this middle-aged man before them who had brought their families to the brink, they dared not show any arrogance before him. If they truly offended a Fourth Grade Alchemist, they would rather escape Wutan City with their respective families.
With stiff faces, the two forced a smile and addressed Su Yun, "I am Jia Liebi."
"And I am Obadon."
Su Yun nodded calmly. "So, it's the patriarchs of the two major families in Wutan City. My apologies for the disrespect."
Su Yun's tone was extremely casual.
He might be arrogant, but after all, they were just two Great Martial Masters.
He knew everything about these two individuals, and with his current strength and influence, he wasn't afraid of them resorting to desperate measures. In fact, he didn't even need to take action himself. There were many forces in Wutan City willing to deal with them, leaving Su Yun to owe a small favor, such as Mia Terl's auction and the Alchemist Guild's foregone history.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say that he was the biggest local tyrant in Wutan City now.
"Do you have something to discuss?" Su Yun inquired.
It was evident the two had discussed their approach beforehand. Jia Liebi took a step forward and respectfully gestured.
"Master Han, we've arranged a meal at the inn. Would you care to join us? We can discuss matters more leisurely after we arrive."
Su Yun waved his hand. He didn't want to waste time on these two cannon fodders and appeared impatient.
"Let's talk here; I'm short on time."
Seeing this, the expressions of the two became even more bitter.
They exchanged glances and Obadon stepped forward, his expression serious.
"Since that's the case, we'll be direct. We want Master Han to refine some pills for our two families to sell in the market. The Xiao family is willing to pay you, and so are our two families."
In the past two years, both of their families had been suppressed severely. The profits in their markets had plummeted due to Su Yun's pills, and hardly anyone wanted to come anymore. Initially, they managed to hold on by lowering the prices of other items and attracting some customers back. But as time went on, even the Xiao family began reducing their prices, resulting in months of losses. They couldn't hold on any longer. Thus, the two families decided to gather their resources and try to win over the Fourth Grade Alchemist to their side.
Su Yun understood perfectly.
The false news he spread through the Xiao family, about being saved by Xiao Lin, had been staunchly defended by Xiao Zhan and the others, leading these two to consider recruiting him.
Su Yun shook his head, bypassing them directly without answering.
The two dared not pursue further.
"What should we do?" Obadon asked.
"Only one way now," Jia Liebi said firmly.
"Do you intend to—" Obadon's face showed a hint of shock and reluctance.
"Foolish! What are you afraid of? Do you think we still have a way out?" Jia Liebi's face was filled with resentment.
"At this point, it's either his death or ours! If we continue like this, both our families will perish without a doubt."
Obadon struggled in his eyes. After hesitating for a moment, he felt Jia Liebi was right and made up his mind.
"Alright, let's do it!"
Jia Liebi's face revealed a hint of relief, as if his junior had finally learned.
"Let's go. We've already paid for this inn; no point letting it go to waste. We can discuss over dinner." Jia Liebi took the initiative to place his hand on Obadon's shoulder, displaying a fraternal expression.
Obadon agreed. They walked toward the inn together, unaware of the inexplicable ruthlessness in Jia Liebi's expression.
At night, within the Jia family compound, in a courtyard.
"Patriarch, do we really have to join forces with the Obadon family to assassinate a Fourth Grade Alchemist?" Several elders of the Jia family were in discussion with Jia Liebi.
One of the Jia family elders said, "Isn't that foolish?"
"Idiot!" Jia Liebi scolded the elder, his face filled with resentment as it was during the day.
"This..."
The elder was confused by Jia Liebi's scolding and didn't understand what he meant.
"The identity of a Fourth Grade Alchemist is superior. If we dare to make a move, Han Li doesn't even need to personally take action. All the major forces in Wutan City will unite to tear us apart just to please him."
Jia Liebi sighed, his hands on his forehead.
It's important to know that on the Martial Continent, the rank of an alchemist usually exceeded that of a martial practitioner by one level. A Fourth Grade Alchemist could easily match a Martial King. It wasn't like the theory of gender equality where a woman's associate degree was equivalent to a man's bachelor's degree; this was real influence and value creation.
How could they possibly assassinate a Fourth Grade Alchemist?
This elder, like Obadon, was simply a complete idiot.
Jia Liebi sneered at the elder.
"Assassinate a Fourth Grade Alchemist? With what and why?"
"You think you have a big brain and can hold more water?" Jia Liebi continued to ridicule the elder, who was rendered speechless, choosing to feign death by lowering his head.
"Hmph!"
Seeing the elder play dead, Jia Liebi snorted.
"Patriarch, why did you discuss assassinating with Obadon today?" Another elder couldn't help but ask.
"Useless! They're all useless!"
Instead of answering, Jia Liebi continued to scold them, his face still filled with resentment.
"What... Why did you discuss assassinating Master Han with the Obadon family?" Another elder questioned after enduring Jia Liebi's scolding.
"Fools, all fools."
Without providing an answer, Jia Liebi continued his verbal assault.
"Hmph, what's with discussing assassinating Master Han with the Obadon family? Clearly, it's Obadon harboring evil intentions, attempting to harm Master Han and even wanting to drag us down with them!"
After scolding for a while, Jia Liebi's anger subsided, and he continued, "We're not only unwilling to stoop to the same level as the Obadon family, but we'll also report them!"
"Yes, we'll report them... Uh... How do we contact Master Han?"
End of this chapter.