Chapter 1155: Two Scammers

After waiting for a few moments in confusion, there was still no sign of any activity.

It seemed the inn was truly struggling with business.

Bao Congxin sighed.

"Ah, it seems there aren't many customers today."

"Looks like I won't have the chance to cook today. I had hoped to earn some spirit stones and treat my benefactor to a good meal, but it seems I'm powerless to do so. I hope you can forgive me, benefactor."

Bao Congxin forced a smile, his face filled with embarrassment.

Though he was a bit timid, he was a good man who knew how to repay kindness.

Seeing this, Yi Feng smiled and waved his hand.

"It's fine, we'll eat whatever we have. I'm already very happy that you have such a kind heart."

Looking at Bao Congxin's old clothes and his daily struggles to make ends meet, Yi Feng felt a pang of emotion.

In the past, someone with Bao Congxin's level of cultivation could have easily dominated a realm, but here in the 72 Islands of Lanxing, he was just at the bottom of the social ladder.

"Brother Bao, you've been cooking here for so many years, barely making ends meet. Haven't you ever thought about seeking a better opportunity, maybe trying your luck in the city?"

Bao Congxin shook his head. "Benefactor, you jest. If I'm struggling even here on the outskirts of West City, how could I dare to venture into the city? That's like entering a dragon's den or a tiger's lair!"

The city was nothing like a dragon's den or a tiger's lair; everyone there was polite and humble.

Yi Feng guessed that Bao Congxin had probably heard some rumors and decided not to press further. The Soul-Calming Grass on the table was proof enough; he wouldn't be misled again.

Looking at the Soul-Calming Grass, Yi Feng felt a headache coming on.

This thing should be quite valuable, but it was a gift from someone. If he sold it, it would be a betrayal of their kindness, and word would spread, which wouldn't be good.

Such behavior was unethical and not the way of a gentleman.

After a few glances, Yi Feng became curious and plucked a leaf.

He chewed it a few times, only to be hit with an intense bitterness that spread through his mouth. There was no change in his body; it felt more like he had eaten a rotten tree root. If it weren't for the circumstances, he would have spat it out immediately!

He swallowed it and rinsed his mouth with tea several times, but the bitterness lingered.

"Pah! Pah!"

The way he spat it out made Bao Congxin even more guilty.

"Benefactor, it's all my fault. But, but you don't have to eat grass! There are still some spirit fruits in the house, though they're a bit withered and of poor quality, they can still be absorbed..."

Though his words were kind, Yi Feng couldn't help but feel a black line forming on his forehead.

What rotten grass? This was a fifth-grade Soul-Calming Grass, snatched from an auction, worth at least tens of millions of spirit crystals! If it weren't for the fact that he felt bad selling it, he would be a billionaire by now!

But Bao Congxin had hit the nail on the head.

He couldn't sell it, and eating it was useless.

This thing was truly worthless, just a piece of rotten grass. If it weren't for its translucent green appearance and the fact that it came from the Treasure Pavilion, he would have suspected it was a fake.

Seeing Bao Congxin's anxious and concerned expression, Yi Feng's expression softened slightly.

After sizing him up, a light seemed to dawn in Yi Feng's eyes.

If he couldn't use it and didn't want to sell it, why not give it away?

This old man was struggling, but he was a good person who deserved some good fortune. Giving it to him would be passing on someone else's kindness and contributing to a harmonious world.

As the ancients said: "If everyone gives a little love, the world will become a better place!"

The more he thought about it, the more it made sense, and Yi Feng's smile grew wider.

"Brother Bao."

"I want to give you this spirit herb. It was given to me at the Treasure Pavilion and is worth quite a few spirit crystals. It should be useful to you!"

Bao Congxin was stunned as he looked at the four-leafed herb being handed to him.

After a few moments of scrutiny, his expression shifted through a series of subtle changes—dazed, surprised, frowning—like a revolving lantern on his chubby face.

Finally, it settled into a look of realization, and he smiled wryly, bowing slightly.

"Benefactor, you must have been scammed!"

Yi Feng was taken aback.

"How so?"

Bao Congxin, with the air of a seasoned veteran, shook his head and sighed.

"Ah, benefactor, you're new to Sunshine Island and don't know how treacherous people can be. I've heard that in our city, scams and frauds are common. In all my years here, I've never heard of anyone giving away treasures for free."

"In my opinion, you must have been scammed. That person who claimed to be from the Treasure Pavilion was definitely a fraud!"

After hearing this, Yi Feng couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time.

This Brother Bao was being overly cautious to an extreme. Based solely on "hearing," he was acting as if he were walking on thin ice, speaking with such conviction.

If Yi Feng hadn't personally visited the Treasure Pavilion and seen it for himself, he might have actually believed this.

Ah, rumors can really ruin people.

He didn't blame Bao Congxin for being cautious. After all, their circumstances were different. This old man had been struggling at the bottom for years, probably suffering many injustices and never encountering truly good people, which had clouded his judgment.

Yi Feng didn't feel like arguing anymore and simply shoved the Soul-Calming Grass into Bao Congxin's hands.

"Just take it!"

"This thing is definitely real. If you have time someday, come with me to the city, and you'll see that there are plenty of good people."

Bao Congxin, holding the "rotten grass," reluctantly agreed.

"Alright, alright, I'll risk my life to accompany you, benefactor!"

Even though he was terrified, he couldn't bear to see his benefactor being scammed. To help Yi Feng see the truth, he would go along with it.

In all his years of barely scraping by on Sunshine Island, no one had ever treated him as an equal like Yi Feng did.

For the first time, his fear was overshadowed by gratitude. He felt a surge of courage and a sense of relief, as if a weight had been lifted.

Perhaps moved by his own emotions, Bao Congxin looked down at the "rotten grass" in his hand. It seemed to shimmer with a translucent green hue, and a refreshing fragrance wafted from it. Just one whiff made him feel invigorated!

Even though he knew it was just a piece of rotten grass, he treasured it like a precious gem, tucking it carefully into his robe.

The two of them chatted sincerely, their friendship growing stronger.

Just then, the courtyard gate suddenly creaked open!

The sound startled Bao Congxin, who initially thought it was a waiter coming to summon him for work.

But when he turned around, he saw two strangers entering.

One was an elderly man with white hair, and the other was a tall man with a thick beard.

Though both were dressed simply, their demeanor suggested they were no ordinary folk. Bao Congxin instinctively stood up, tense and protective, as if facing a formidable enemy.

"W-what do you want?!"

His trembling demeanor made the two sect leaders sigh in exasperation.

They figured this must be Bao Congxin.

Without giving the chubby man another glance, the two sect leaders' eyes quickly landed on the familiar young man seated at the stone table behind him.

Immediately, they stepped forward with joy.

Bao Congxin, seeing them raise their hands, closed his eyes and turned his head, arms trembling as he prepared for a beating.

But instead, he heard two gentle voices.

"Greetings, sir."

"Mr. Yi, it's been a while."

Before he could open his eyes, Yi Feng's voice rang out in realization.

"Oh, it's you two! How did you find this place?"

The familiar tone of their conversation made Bao Congxin slowly open his eyes.

He saw the two strangers now standing by the table, chatting and laughing with Yi Feng in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

In the usually chaotic and gloomy inn, this scene was almost unbelievable. Aside from the enigmatic innkeeper, no one else could command such respect!

Yet Yi Feng, who had just arrived, was conversing with these two strangers as if they were old friends. It was simply outrageous!

Bao Congxin was dumbfounded.

In his shock, he quickly leaned closer to Yi Feng.

"Benefactor, who are these two?"

Yi Feng stood up and began introducing them.

"These two are good people I met at the Treasure Pavilion. They're both sect leaders. This one is..."

But as he started the introductions, he scratched his head, struggling to recall their names.

Xu Baichuan, quick on the uptake, stepped forward with a bow.

"This old man is Xu Baichuan."

Beside him, Luo Pengfei also introduced himself without hesitation.

"I am Luo Pengfei. Mr. Yi, you're too kind."

Hearing these names, Bao Congxin gasped in shock!

These two names were legendary on Sunshine Island!

Though his cultivation was low and he barely scraped by on the outskirts of West City, he had heard their names countless times.

Xu Baichuan was a veteran sect leader, known as the "Smiling Tiger," with a reputation for ruthless tactics! Luo Pengfei was infamous for his violent temper, quick to kill at the slightest provocation!

These two terrifying figures had come to the backyard of a small shop in West City?

Bao Congxin's face turned pale, his eyes darting nervously between the two. Their appearances matched the rumors, but their plain clothes and demeanor were a far cry from the fearsome figures he had imagined.

Drawing on his years of experience, he quickly concluded the truth.

He leaned in and whispered to Yi Feng, his voice filled with caution.

"Benefactor, in my opinion, these two are definitely scammers!"

Bao Congxin was only at the Dao-Realization level, a mere ant compared to the two sect leaders. His "secret" whisper, though he thought it was hidden, was easily overheard by the two.

Before Yi Feng could respond, the two sect leaders were already seething with anger!