After hearing Kui Huan's words, Han Li offered a faint smile and spoke calmly: "The only business I have with the two senior brothers is related to that fox demon. If it's not about that, what else could it be?"
His expression was one of complete composure.
Kui Huan opened his mouth at that but found himself at a loss for words.
It was Senior Brother Wang beside him who sighed and said: "Junior Brother Han is truly as clever as they say. It is indeed the Snow Cloud Fox that something went wrong with. We brothers wanted to sell the spirit beast as soon as possible, so right after parting ways with you, we headed to the market. But after walking for a stretch, I couldn't shake this uneasy feeling, so I had Junior Brother Kui open the Azure Cloud Pouch to check on it. And the result…"
Senior Brother Wang paused there, a strange look crossing his face.
"As it turned out, that fox demon had used some trick to slip out of the Azure Cloud Pouch without a trace. It's absolutely bizarre," Kui Huan cut in from the side, his voice thick with frustration.
"Without a trace?" Han Li furrowed his brow slightly, falling into thought as though pondering the true meaning behind those words.
Seeing Han Li like this, Senior Brother Wang was secretly cursing his own bad luck.
He had observed that although Han Li's cultivation wasn't high, he was skilled in talisman-making and carried several extraordinary magic tools. He had long made up his mind to cultivate a solid friendship with the man.
Yet before he even had the chance to properly build that bond, this deeply awkward situation had cropped up.
If he were wealthy, he could have played the magnanimous one — paid Han Li's share of spirit stones out of his own pocket and left a good impression. But he and his fellow disciples were all strapped for cash, their purses painfully thin. Even if he wanted to keep Han Li on their side, that now seemed next to impossible.
A flash of dejection crossed Senior Brother Wang's face, but he forced himself to sound steady: "I know this is difficult to believe, but it truly happened. Regardless of how it occurred, it was you who personally handed the spirit fox over to us, Junior Brother, and now it has simply vanished. I owe you an explanation. The spirit stones you lent us — I've already had the other junior brothers sell that stalk of yellow spirit root, and the stones will be sent to you shortly. As for the share of spirit stones that should have been yours, the moment we have some breathing room, we will pay you in full."
The moment these words left Senior Brother Wang's lips, Kui Huan's expression shifted, and he said anxiously: "Senior Brother! That's a huge sum for us. Even if we all chip in together, it'll take two or three years at minimum. And without spirit stones to buy pills during that time, our cultivation will stall for sure."
Senior Brother Wang shook his head, seeming about to say something in return. But at that moment, Han Li spoke up.
"There's no need for the two of senior brothers to worry like this! I don't believe I've said I didn't believe you. The Snow Cloud Fox is skilled in escape arts — slipping out of a storage pouch is nothing strange. I had actually intended to warn Brother Kui about that at the time, but it felt a bit awkward to say so, so I kept quiet. As for the spirit stones, forget about it. Just return what you borrowed, and that will be enough. I haven't suffered any real loss," Han Li said with a smile.
The moment he heard Han Li's words, Kui Huan's face lit up with elation, and he slapped his palms together loudly: "I knew Junior Brother Han was a generous man! We're at fault in this, that's true, but we genuinely don't have any spirit stones on hand right now. And with Junior Brother Han's resources, I imagine this amount isn't something you'd lose sleep over. Junior Brother Han — consider me, Kui Huan, a friend for life!"
Upon learning he wouldn't have to come up with any spirit stones, Kui Huan's face broke into a wide grin.
Senior Brother Wang, however, looked conflicted after hearing Han Li's words. A long moment passed before he gave a bitter, helpless smile: "Since Junior Brother Han is willing to be so generous, I'll accept your kindness on behalf of my junior brothers — though with no small amount of shame. If you ever need help with anything in the future, don't hesitate to come to us. If it's within our ability, I will never refuse."
Senior Brother Wang couldn't help but think that while Han Li's words were polite enough, what he truly harbored in his heart was likely an entirely different matter.