I Become The Richest Man With A monthly Salary of Twenty Thousand Yuan-Chapter 661 - 467 Paid
If someone who had never seen Ning Jiacheng and Ning Mingjun were to walk in, they would probably be shocked to learn that the two were brothers. Not only that, but the dejected man kneeling on the ground, Ning Mingjun, was the elder of the two.
Watching Ning Mingjun kneel before Xia Liang, Ning Jiacheng sighed deeply, his mouth opening as if to speak. Even without any fortune-telling abilities, Wu Tong could easily read the situation. Old Master Ning Jiacheng wants to plead for mercy for Ning Mingjun. He’ll probably even offer to give back the five years of life he just received. And this was despite the old master knowing full well what those five years meant to him.
However, before Old Master Ning Jiacheng could get a word out, Xia Liang simply waved his hand, signaling for silence. Seeing Xia Liang’s clear refusal, Ning Jiacheng could only close his mouth and look again at his son on the floor. He was furious with his son’s foolishness; only now, at this irreversible point, did Ning Mingjun finally understand how terrifying Master Xia Liang’s abilities truly were. Still, Ning Jiacheng wanted to try pleading again.
After all, having experienced the Lifespan Talisman, he had some understanding of how it worked. Gaining lifespan wasn’t just about time; it was about enriching one’s vitality. That was why he now looked like a man in his fifties or sixties. Conversely, losing lifespan would surely entail a weakening of that same vitality.
There were rumors about Master Xia cutting a few years from someone’s lifespan, only for them to age decades in an instant. If my son loses five years... he’ll probably look no different from a man in his eighties or nineties. Even if the four of us in this room never speak of this, the change in Mingjun will be impossible to hide. Everyone will remember that he came with me to visit Master Xia. They will all come to the same conclusion: Ning Mingjun must have offended Master Xia to deserve such a punishment. When that happens, given Master Xia’s reputation, the elite circles of both Xiangjiang and Haojiang will surely shun my son. His faction within the Ning Family will be ostracized by the others. What’s being taken from him isn’t just five years of his life. It’s his fortune, his luck, his connections, and so much more. From this day forward, it’s uncertain if there will even be a place left for him in Xiangjiang.
Thinking this, Ning Jiacheng clenched his teeth. I absolutely must try to return those five years to Mingjun, even if it means incurring Master Xia’s displeasure!
Strangely, just as Ning Jiacheng made this resolve, Xia Liang glanced in his direction, his expression seeming to see through everything. Upon meeting Xia Liang’s serene, tranquil eyes, the fire in Ning Jiacheng was inexplicably extinguished, and he calmed down. For a moment, he completely forgot his intention to step forward and plead.
Meanwhile, Xia Liang had walked over to Ning Mingjun. Looking down at the kneeling man, he spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"The moment I write your name on this talisman, five years will be shaved from your lifespan," Xia Liang said, holding the talisman in one hand and a brush in the other. "You should know what that implies, right?"
"I... I understand," Ning Mingjun rasped, the color draining from his face. Having seen the change in his father, he understood all too well. If I lose five years, I’ll probably age decades in an instant, left completely frail.
"However, you must also be clear. This five-year lifespan exchange was your own choice."
"I know," Ning Mingjun’s voice fell to a near-whisper. At this point, he didn’t dare even glance up at Xia Liang.
Hearing this, Xia Liang brought the brush closer to the talisman. Nearby, Old Master Ning Jiacheng’s heart leaped into his throat. But then, Xia Liang’s hand suddenly froze. He looked down at Ning Mingjun again, continuing in that same low voice.
"You seem somewhat reluctant?"
Hearing Xia Liang’s question, Ning Mingjun let out a self-deprecating laugh but didn’t answer. What’s the point? There’s no room for redemption. After insulting Master Xia so grievously, the fact that I’m still alive and haven’t been struck down by some heavenly calamity is already the best possible outcome.
But Xia Liang’s next words unexpectedly gave him the courage to choose again.
"Looking back on your life, your deeds aren’t so sinful as to warrant this," Xia Liang said calmly. "Your merits and demerits roughly cancel each other out; you deserve neither reward nor punishment. To reduce your lifespan by five years is a heavy penalty, and to be frank, I find myself reluctant to carry it out.
"Consider what happened earlier to be nothing but a fleeting cloud."
"Master Xia..." Hearing this, Ning Mingjun began to tremble, his head snapping up with a look of utter disbelief.
He never would have imagined it. Not only are Master Xia’s abilities like those of a Living Immortal, but his magnanimity is just as divine! I insulted him so terribly, yet he’s willing to just let it go. If there truly is a Living Immortal in this world, it can only be Master Xia. There is no other.
"So," Xia Liang continued, "you only need to nod. If you do, I will retract the five years of lifespan I granted to Old Master Ning Jiacheng, and you will not be punished."
"Really?"
"Really." Xia Liang confirmed with a faint, smiling nod.
A flicker of hope ignited in Ning Mingjun’s eyes. He swallowed hard and was just about to nod when a thought suddenly struck him. He quickly lowered his voice.
