Chapter 147: If You Keep Playing Like This, You'll End Up With No Friends

“Look, the painting has truly been taken away…”

The moment the seal was broken, those trapped inside instantly erupted with excitement, scrambling out one after another, fearful of being trapped again if they delayed.

At that moment, Cao He appeared like a god descending from the heavens, his figure towering like a giant…

For a time, everyone was stunned by his prowess; even Master Ciyun looked upon him with deep admiration.

“Unexpected indeed—a peerless master has emerged at Heavenly Realm! What kind of tavern is this, whose keeper is unfathomable enough, and even the servers are no ordinary folk…”

Master Ciyun smiled wryly, then led the crowd respectfully before Cao He, bowing deeply. “We owe you our lives, honored sir. We are eternally grateful…”

“We owe you our lives, honored sir. We are eternally grateful…”

All bowed in unison, their hearts fully won over by Cao He, their respect genuine and profound.

This was, after all, a world where strength commanded respect, and Cao He was deserving of such honor.

“Rise, rise. It was but a trivial matter, hardly worth mentioning…”

Cao He smiled quietly to himself, speaking with calm ease.

Only he knew why he was so formidable—it was the secret formula Ye Qiu had taught him.

“Heh heh, I never imagined the tavern keeper had such a trick up his sleeve. Haha… this trick, this trick was executed with such flair!”

Cao He was delighted. Nearby, Huaizhu admired him greatly, murmuring the incantation: “Heavenly White Jade Capital, Twelve Towers, Five Cities; Immortals touch my brow, binding my hair for eternal life!”

“Ah… such exquisite verses. Who could have composed them?”

This poem alone amazed Huaizhu, deepening his admiration for Cao He, surprised that he could utter such refined words.

Moreover, with just a single phrase, the seal was lifted and the long-imprisoned crowd freed…

Curiosity growing, Huaizhu asked eagerly, “Sir, how exactly did you do it? Could you share with us?”

“Yes! Sir, you have no idea how strange this painting is, and how powerful the seal was. We were trapped for days, struggling in vain to break free. Yet you merely recited the incantation, and the painting was taken back. It’s almost unbelievable, like turning decay into wonder…”

Cao He paused, then suddenly recalled Ye Qiu’s signature saying. With a lighthearted laugh, he replied, “Ahaha, it’s not that dramatic. It just takes a hand, that’s all.”

Everyone stared in confusion.

At that moment, silence fell over the group.

Was this a public execution? An insult?

“I’ve heard of it! The Heavenly Realm Tavern’s motto: ‘It just takes a hand’… I didn’t believe it before, but now I do. It’s truly insulting.”

“Not very aggressive, but extremely demeaning.”

“It just takes a hand? Are you saying we’re all handless?”

The crowd fell silent. Master Ciyun smiled awkwardly, then praised, “Sir, your profound mastery commands admiration; your golden words bring shame to us all. But may I ask, how will you handle that demon monkey?”

“Earlier, we suffered repeated defeats at the hands of that demon monkey. Please, sir, do not underestimate it…”

Cao He nodded slightly, though he had no real intention of fighting. He soothed the crowd calmly, “Do not worry. I have come specifically to subdue the demon monkey. Step back and await good news.”

As he spoke, Cao He felt light as air, as if he truly had the power to conquer the demon monkey. Qingcheng listened and nodded approvingly.

“Damn it, Cao the Thief, I was the one fighting, and you just came along to take credit? If you’re so capable, why don’t you fight the monkey yourself?”

Qingcheng nearly cursed aloud but held back out of politeness.

So, in the end, I’m the one risking life and limb upfront, and you just come along and steal the glory? Am I just your laborer now?

This isn’t how the game’s played! You joke and pontificate, then casually take the credit—what am I supposed to do?

Playing like this, you’ll end up friendless!

Qingcheng was nearly in tears, suddenly regretting convincing this troublesome fellow to come along. Wasn’t this just asking for trouble?

“Damn, this guy’s too much! If I’d known, I wouldn’t have called him…”

Qingcheng grumbled, while nearby, the Swallowing Sky Sparrow couldn’t stand it anymore and retorted, “You just realized that? Don’t be fooled by his simple looks—he’s far darker inside than even his master.”

No sooner had the Swallowing Sky Sparrow spoken than it felt a chill down its spine, as if icy eyes were watching from the sky behind.

“Strange! I feel like the master is secretly watching us from behind. Could it be my imagination?”

Shaking its head, the Swallowing Sky Sparrow had never seen Ye Qiu’s Universe Mirror. It refused to believe Ye Qiu could gaze across millions of miles to observe the battlefield. Not even the celestial immortals could do that…

“Enough chatter! When the elder of the Peacock Clan appears, you’ll take the lead…”

Qingcheng waved off the questions, speaking plainly.

The Swallowing Sky Sparrow was eager, “Heh heh, watch closely! I may not be good at fighting monkeys, but a peacock? That’s easy for me—so long as it’s not my little princess, everything’s negotiable…”

With that, it flew straight toward the old boar, glaring. “Old boar, do you still recognize me?”

“Oh, who is this? A guard bird? What are you doing here, neglecting your post? Did you run out of the tavern too?”

The old boar sneered, then puzzled. It recognized the Swallowing Sky Sparrow as one of the tavern’s dumb guard birds—they certainly knew each other.

As long as Ye Qiu didn’t show up, all would be well…

“Hmph, stupid pig! Enough talk. If you’ve got guts, step up and fight me for three hundred rounds…”

No sooner had the Swallowing Sky Sparrow spoken than a brilliant burst of multicolored light appeared on the horizon. A magnificent peacock descended, its vast wings blotting out the sky as it flew toward them.

The peacock was stunningly beautiful, clearly of noble divine lineage and formidable strength. Even from thousands of meters away, the Swallowing Sky Sparrow felt an oppressive pressure…

“Look! Isn’t that the Peacock Clan’s Great Divine, the Peacock Bright King?”

The moment the peacock appeared, the scene erupted. All were dazzled by the radiant bird.

Yet upon seeing the peacock, the Swallowing Sky Sparrow suddenly felt uneasy. Qingcheng, puzzled, urged, “What are you waiting for? Attack!”

“Attack my ass! I’m not fighting…”

“Huh?”

“Damn, running away at the last moment—you coward!”

Qingcheng was furious. Didn’t you just say you’d go in? Why the sudden chicken out?

Wait… that peacock seems female. Could she be the peacock princess the Swallowing Sky Sparrow longs for?

“Tsk tsk, even heroes fall for beauties. No doubt, this peacock is truly beautiful!”

Qingcheng clicked his tongue but wasn’t worried. After all, he was a powerful land immortal—no mere Heavenly Realm peacock could intimidate him.

“Who was it that spoke so arrogantly here? Come out at once!”

The peacock princess, Ling Yuan, coldly commanded. Her ethereal voice echoed through the sky, causing everyone’s hearts to tremble.