Chapter 49: A Lion's Demands

"I have five spirit stones on me, and my family has a lot of money!" Yang Shi shouted hastily. "I'm the eldest son of my family. Whatever amount you ask, they'll give it!"

"Tsk tsk, with so much money, why did you go for an allowance and end up provoking me?" Su Lang shrugged with a smile. "Alright, enough talk. Have your family bring me 200,000 gold coins immediately!"

Given that the Yang family could send four martial artists to protect Yang Shi, they were undoubtedly a powerful family, second only to the Ye family. Thus, Su Lang demanded a hefty ransom of 200,000 gold coins!

"200,000 gold coins!?" Yang Shi trembled, his face twitching. Even for the Yang family's extensive savings, 200,000 gold coins would be a substantial portion.

"What? You're not worth that much?" Su Lang raised an eyebrow. "Then forget it, you can die."

He lifted his lightning-imbued Tang Dao.

"No! Don't!" Yang Shi screamed in terror. "200,000 it is! My father will definitely pay! I'm his only son!"

"Deal!" Su Lang sheathed his sword with a smirk. In reality, his demand was exorbitant; even 100,000 would have been a pleasant surprise. 200,000 was beyond his wildest expectations. With this money, he could upgrade three system functions, exponentially accelerating his strength.

"Thank you, Lord Su, for sparing my life! Thank you, thank you!" Yang Shi, relieved, wept with gratitude, bowing repeatedly. He had narrowly escaped death. Though severe punishment awaited him at home, he had preserved his life. He could still enjoy wealth and power, lording over ordinary people.

"Alright, all of you, get up," Su Lang ordered. Yang Shi and his guards, despite their injuries, quickly scrambled to their feet.

"You!" Su Lang pointed at a guard whose legs were intact. "You go relay the message. Have the Yang family prepare 200,000 gold coins and send a formal martial artist to deliver it to the red woods in the E-rank Qingkan Deer area within half a day. If no one shows up or if they try any tricks, your young master will die miserably! I'll even send his head back to the Yang family to disgrace them!"

Of course, Su Lang wouldn't risk himself for the ransom; he would send a clone instead. The Qingkan Deer area was where his clone was currently hunting, devoid of any established forces.

"Yes! Lord Su, I'll go immediately!" The guard nodded quickly and dashed towards the city.

"Let's go," Su Lang turned and walked away.

"Uh!?" Yang Shi hesitated, cautiously asking, "Lord Su, isn't the Qingkan Deer area in the other direction?"

"Who said I'm going to the Qingkan Deer area?" Su Lang glanced at Yang Shi. "Did I permit you to speak?"

"Sorry, sorry, I was wrong!" Yang Shi shrank back like a turtle, tightly closing his mouth. He followed Su Lang with his injured guards, seeking some sense of security.

Soon, Su Lang led them to a secluded mountain stream.

"Clone Summon!" Su Lang focused, and his clone, currently hunting in the Qingkan Deer area, materialized before him.

"That's... the Black Robe and White Mask!?" Yang Shi and his guards stared in horror, their eyes wide. They had heard of a Ye family outpost being destroyed by a black-robed, white-masked man, which prompted their return to the city. Now, this very figure appeared before them, materializing in an unimaginable manner. Moreover, he stood silently like a subordinate.

"Could it be that this black-robed rogue is Su Lang's subordinate!?" This thought stunned Yang Shi and his guards. Su Lang's rapid advancement from body refining to martial artist within a day was already incredible. Now, he had such a mysterious subordinate! It defied all logic and belief.

What kind of background did Su Lang have!?