The weather wasn't very hot, but Ding Chengcheng kept wiping his sweat with a handkerchief.
"To be honest, among the goods this time, there is a treasure that the Peach Blossom Cave Master bought at a high price. I'm worried that the Tiger Demon King might not remember our past relationship and try to snatch it." Ding Chengcheng's face was unusually grim.
Liu Yi said helplessly, "Boss Ding, in this situation, you have to tell us the truth. You said this place was safe, but we let our guard down and the goods were stolen. Who will take responsibility for that?"
"It's my fault, it's my fault..." Ding Chengcheng apologized repeatedly.
During the break, Ding Chengcheng had already sent someone to deliver gifts to the Tiger Demon King.
Previously, he had given fifty high-grade spirit stones, but this time he gave a full one hundred, hoping to cross Tiger Back Mountain as soon as possible.
Demons and monsters like the Tiger Demon King, who rule the mountains, have never been known for their integrity.
As long as passing caravans are willing to bribe them with spirit stones, they are willing to let the caravans go.
After all, if all the passing caravans are robbed, eventually no more caravans will pass by. A steady stream is what makes a long-lasting business.
However, if the cargo contains treasures they desperately want, they might still try to rob it even if they accept the gifts the caravan has given them.
The person in charge of delivering the gifts returned and said that the Tiger Demon King had accepted the gifts and that the caravan could pass through without worry.
Ding Chengcheng breathed a sigh of relief and ordered them to set off immediately.
Staying near Tiger Back Mountain is always terrifying and unpleasant.
The road at the foot of Tiger Back Mountain was originally very narrow, but because there were too many caravans passing by, the Tiger Demon King simply widened the road.
And it's true, this action won the Tiger Demon King the favor of many merchants, who were willing to spend some spirit stones to pass through Tiger Back Mountain safely, rather than taking a detour of thousands of miles and being accompanied by miasma and ferocious beasts.
Tiger Back Mountain stretches for thousands of miles, but the road opened up by the Tiger Demon King only extends for about fifty miles.
The carriage wasn't slow; it would take at most half an hour to get there.
But when they had only gone halfway, they saw a large group of little monsters gathered on the road ahead.
The little monsters, each wielding a variety of weapons, looked rather restless and impatient.
Upon seeing the caravan appear, all weapons were pointed at it.
Ding Chengcheng jumped off the carriage, grinned, and walked towards the monsters, saying respectfully, "Does King Tiger have any further orders?"
"Our king wants that bead," a monster with an eagle's head shrieked.
Ding Chengcheng said, "Even King Tiger said to let them pass."
"You don't want to give it?" the eagle demon asked, glaring at him.
Ding Chengcheng looked troubled, unsure how to answer.
You should know that the bead that the Tiger Demon King wanted was the treasure of the Peach Blossom Cave Master.
That bead was worth more than all the other goods combined.
That bead was very strange.
Although they are called beads, they are actually as big as millstones and cannot be put into a storage bag. That is why the owner of Peach Blossom Cave asked a caravan to escort them.
Such a bizarre treasure is indeed very rare.
As for the purpose of the bead, Ding Chengcheng had no idea. He only knew that if he successfully delivered the bead to Peach Blossom Cave, he would receive a very considerable reward.
Before giving him the bead, the cave master of Peach Blossom Cave had already stated that this treasure was extremely attractive to demons, so it would be best to hire more henchmen. If he could hire a Nascent Soul cultivator, it would be even safer.
Ding Chengcheng wanted to invite the cave master of Peach Blossom Cave to come along, but the guy said he had urgent business and left early.
Even if Ding Chengcheng completely breaks with the Tiger Demon King today, he will never hand over the treasure.
Once this deal is done, he can enjoy his old age in peace and never have to live a life of hardship and fear again.
Seeing the current situation, Bian Lang felt that Ding Chengcheng had been tricked.
It's said that rivals are enemies, and Ding Chengcheng's friendship with Tiger Demon King is likely to arouse the jealousy of other caravans.
Of course, this is just Bian Lang's speculation, and we will soon know the specifics.
Liu Yi and Dugu Qiusheng got out of the car and came to Ding Chengcheng's side, asking if they should take action.
“That Tiger Demon King is a demon king.” Ding Chengcheng said in a trembling voice.
Dugu Qiusheng said confidently, "Is the Demon King that powerful? I could kill him with a single finger."
"Even a Nascent Soul cultivator isn't guaranteed to beat a Demon King." Ding Chengcheng knew Dugu Qiusheng was joking.
Core Formation cultivators can hold their own against demon generals, while demon kings require Nascent Soul cultivators to deal with.
If the Tiger Demon King were to personally intervene, even the two Core Formation cultivators would likely find it difficult to gain the upper hand.
The place Ding Chengcheng was most worried about along the way was the Tiger Demon King.
Once we get past the Tiger Demon King, even if we encounter bandits again on the road ahead, with Liu Yi and Dugu Qiusheng by our side, we'll definitely be able to handle it.
Dugu Qiusheng said, "Don't panic, it's just a tiger spirit."
Ding Chengcheng didn't know what to say, and only hoped that Dugu Qiusheng wouldn't betray him.
The current situation is that the Tiger Demon King wants the pearl, but he absolutely cannot hand it over, otherwise, even if he gives up all his wealth, it won't be enough to compensate him.
Seeing Ding Chengcheng nod, Liu Yi and Dugu Qiusheng led a group of thugs and swiftly charged forward.
Those monsters clearly did not expect that the cowardly Ding Chengcheng would dare to oppose the Tiger Demon King.
None of these lesser demons were at the level of demon generals, and they were powerless against a Core Formation cultivator.
After only a few moves, the group of monsters fled in disarray.
"We need to get across the mountain quickly," Ding Chengcheng urged.
The carriage ran extremely fast.
Sensing that Liu Yi and Dugu Qiusheng were both a little nervous, Bian Lang asked with a smile, "When that tiger demon arrives later, should I go straight for it, or give you a chance to train?"
"If we are no match for you, then you may make your move." Liu Yi gripped the hilt of her sword tightly.
Since Liu Yi has said so, what else can Dugu Qiusheng do?
When the Tiger Demon King appears, they will have no choice but to bite the bullet and go for it.
The remaining distance was only twenty or thirty li, but no matter how fast the carriage went, it always felt like the road was very long.
"roar……"
Suddenly, a tiger's roar echoed through the mountains and fields.
"It's over." Ding Chengcheng's face was ashen.
The rest of the caravan were the same, as if the Grim Reaper would soon take their souls.
Liu Yi and Dugu Qiusheng jumped out of the carriage, their eyes wide with alertness.
Suddenly, a large group of demon soldiers appeared in the mountain forest on one side.
The leader was tall and wore a red cloak. He had a huge tiger head that made him look quite imposing.
Without a doubt, this guy is the Tiger Demon King.
"Old Ding, you've got some nerve," the Tiger Demon King sneered.
Ding Chengcheng said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, I have given you everything I should have. Please let us pass."
"I only want one bead from you, so don't be stingy and ruin our relationship." The Tiger Demon King still wanted to advise Ding Chengcheng to be smart and not risk his life for a moment's gain.
Ding Chengcheng said, "If I lose this pearl, even if I work hard for several lifetimes, I still can't afford to pay for it."
"Is money more important, or is life more important?" Tiger Demon King asked, giving Ding Chengcheng a chance to think it over.
They say money can be earned back, but if you lose your life, then everything is over.
But if this money is something you can't earn in several lifetimes, then it's better to just die, which would be easier and more pleasant.
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