Chapter 23: One Gold Crystal Coin to Buy Your Lives

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the crowd widened their eyes in sudden realization.

"So Su Yuexi is that woman from the Su family who is the ugliest in all of Yunzhou, and that man just now is her criminal husband."

With this single explanation, everyone understood.

One had to know that the matter of Su Yuexi being granted a marriage by the Lord of Yunzhou had caused the Su family to lose face throughout the entire Yunye City.

The whole city knew of it; it was common knowledge.

"Damn it, to actually say Su Yuexi is the number one beauty in the world—that's disgusting."

After reacting, everyone in the crowd couldn't help but twitch their lips. Was that criminal specifically trying to gross people out?

Meanwhile, Lu Zhao had quietly retreated back into the Tianwu Pavilion, drawing in a sharp breath. "An exiled criminal, a marriage granted by the Lord of Yunzhou, and martial intent carved into a green jade slab that only a transcendent martial artist could manage..."

"This person must be extraordinary and must not be offended. Perhaps he is on some special mission."

Lu Zhao thought of Sikong Jing's warning: *Do not ask too much about certain things, lest you invite mortal peril...*

Shivering violently, Lu Zhao tightened his grip on the green jade slab.

He made up his mind to keep his mouth shut. This piece of green jade, which had fallen from the sky like a windfall, would stay buried in his heart; he would simply enjoy the secret satisfaction!

On this side, Sikong Jing, carrying one hundred gold crystal coins, returned to the Su residence via the same route.

As he approached the Su residence, he saw his mother-in-law, Mei Xiaofang, pacing anxiously in front of the entrance of an ordinary courtyard, seemingly waiting for something.

Just as Sikong Jing intended to step forward to greet her, a well-dressed middle-aged woman walked out from within the courtyard.

Mei Xiaofang quickly stopped her pacing and said with a beaming smile, "Oh, Madam Liu, why have you only just come out?"

As she spoke, her face was filled with a sycophantic expression.

In contrast, Madam Liu looked full of arrogance. She suddenly pulled a small pouch from her bosom and said, "I already know about the matter regarding the Great Madam Su. Here is some money for you; there is no need to pay it back."

As she spoke, she tossed the small pouch out.

After catching it, Mei Xiaofang looked at Madam Liu with excitement. "Thank you, thank you so much! I searched for many of my old 'sisters,' but only you, Madam Liu, were willing to help me."

Having said that, she took her leave and cautiously opened the small money pouch...

In the next instant, her excited expression froze.

Mei Xiaofang turned back in disbelief, staring blankly at Madam Liu. "Ten... ten copper crystal plates?"

She had come to borrow money, just as she had told Madam Liu.

Over the past two days, she had sought out many of her so-called old friends, but every single one of them had either kicked her out or made excuses to avoid seeing her. Only Madam Liu was willing to help, and even offered it as a gift.

But there were only ten copper crystal plates in the pouch. This wasn't even enough to cover Auntie Li's daily wages.

Madam Liu narrowed her eyes and asked with a cold sneer, "Is it too little for you?"

Mei Xiaofang's face flushed red. "Madam Liu, I am not a beggar."

"Ha? You're not a beggar? If someone begging for money everywhere isn't a beggar, then what is?" Madam Liu let out a strange laugh and added, "The fact that I can give you ten copper crystal plates shows I have the heart of a Bodhisattva. Take the money and get lost!"

With that, Madam Liu turned to go back inside.

In the distance, Sikong Jing's eyes reddened, and fury burned in his heart. This Madam Liu was going too far.

Just as he was about to step forward to argue, Mei Xiaofang suddenly cried out, "Madam Liu, please, I beg you to lend me a little more money! Otherwise, my son-in-law will be driven to his death tomorrow!"

Instantly, Sikong Jing's footsteps halted, and he felt as if struck by lightning.

The reason his mother-in-law, Mei Xiaofang, was begging Madam Liu for money was... because she feared he would be driven to death?

If she couldn't provide wages for Auntie Li and the other servants within three days, she had said her life belonged to them—and at that time, her words had implied she hoped he would just commit suicide quickly.

But now, she was enduring humiliation to beg for money for his sake, continuing to plead even after being treated like a beggar.

At this moment, Sikong Jing's heart felt as if it were being wrenched apart.

At the gate, Madam Liu continued to sneer, "Whether your son-in-law lives or dies, what does it have to do with me?"

Madam Liu remained utterly heartless.

"If he dies, Yuexi won't be able to live either!"

Mei Xiaofang cried out miserably, lunging toward the gate and pleading, "Madam Liu, you watched Yuexi grow up. Please, lend me some money; I will definitely pay you back!"

*Bang!*

The gate slammed shut, and Madam Liu's voice drifted from inside: "Don't use that ugly freak to disgust me."

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

Mei Xiaofang pounded heavily on the gate, shouting, "Madam Liu! The Liu family's current prosperity was built with the help of my husband, Zhenglong! You cannot be so ungrateful!"

Unfortunately, the gates of the Liu courtyard remained silent, offering no response.

Collapsing onto the ground, Mei Xiaofang looked at the ten copper crystal plates in her hand, her heart filled with extreme misery. When Su Zhenglong was at his peak, everyone had come to flatter him to reap benefits.

The master of the Liu family had originally been just a small blacksmith, and it was Su Zhenglong who had helped him develop step by step to where he was today.

But now, all she received in return was being called a beggar, ten copper crystal plates, and the sound of a heartless door slamming shut.

After a long time, Mei Xiaofang left, looking utterly soul-shattered.

It was only after she had walked far away that the Liu family gates reopened. Madam Liu walked out, clinging to the arm of a middle-aged man, and sneered, "Husband, we finally got rid of that beggar woman."

"But by giving her ten copper crystal plates, won't that upset Second Master Su Zhengtao?"

The middle-aged man was her husband, Liu Neng. He let out a loud laugh.

"How could it?"

"Second Master Su will be more than happy. Using ten copper crystal plates to humiliate his sister-in-law might even anger his elder brother, Su Zhenglong. It's a bargain!"

At this, Liu Neng sighed, "It's a pity Su Yuexi is truly too ugly. If she still looked like she did ten years ago... tsk tsk, I would have made her my concubine no matter what."

Madam Liu giggled and scolded, "You lecher! If she still looked like that, would she even be available for you?"

If Su Yuexi had been able to grow up without becoming ugly, she would have been snatched up long ago.

"True. But even with the veil, her figure isn't bad. Once Su Zhenglong is dead, it wouldn't be bad to take her for a bit of fun."

"Haha, let's get dressed up and go find Second Master Su to claim our reward."

Having said that, Liu Neng closed the door again.

However, the moment they turned around, they saw a young man standing in the courtyard, having appeared at some unknown time. Liu Neng cried out instinctively, "Who are you? What are you doing in my house?"

The young man's appearance was too abrupt; standing in the courtyard, he looked eerie and terrifying, like the Grim Reaper.

"I am Su Yuexi's husband, Sikong Jing."

Sikong Jing's upright figure brought with it a chilling wind, and killing intent boiled in his eyes. Suddenly, with a *clink*, a gold crystal coin hit the ground.

"One gold crystal coin to repay your ten copper crystal plates. The rest is to buy your lives."

As soon as the words fell, Sikong Jing lunged forward, grabbing both of them by the necks and snapping them with a *crack*.

The Liu couple died with their eyes wide open.

(End of Chapter)