I Can Merge Techniques

Chapter 462: Chapter 152: Fierce Soul Sacrifice, the Ten Thousand Souls Banner Strengthened; Baili Bing’s Mighty Rescue at the Red Flame Sect

However, their "targeted sales pitch" eventually attracted the attention of the Red Flame Sect disciples tasked with maintaining order.

Several disciples in matching robes adorned with a red flame insignia surrounded them, their faces grim.

The one in the lead barked, "Who are you scoundrels? How dare you cause a scene and hawk your wares where the Red Flame Sect is recruiting? You clearly have no respect for us!"

A chill ran down their spines. Fatty forced an apologetic smile. "Brothers, please, calm your anger. We’re only selling to those who were turned away. We have absolutely no intention of disrupting your esteemed sect’s recruitment!"

"Who are you calling brother? Enough of your excuses! Seize them!" The Red Flame Sect disciples refused to listen and immediately made their move.

Fatty, Liang Qiu, and Jiang Yuanfan were a moment too slow to react and were instantly subdued. The Boxing Manuals they were carrying and the silver coins they had just earned were all confiscated.

Only Ling Feng, relying on his agile Body Technique, saw things were turning sour. He slipped into the crowd a step ahead of the others and managed to escape, sprinting toward the Seven Stars Gang’s headquarters for help without a single look back.

Fatty, Jiang Yuanfan, and Liang Qiu had their arms twisted behind their backs and were securely bound. They were then shoved and dragged into a nearby courtyard belonging to the Red Flame Sect and flung mercilessly onto the cold ground.

CRACK! CRACK!

The sharp cracks of a whip split the air, landing mercilessly on the three men. Their clothes tore instantly, revealing bloody welts underneath.

Liang Qiu gritted his teeth and let out only a muffled grunt, stoically bearing the pain.

Jiang Yuanfan’s face turned pale as well, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

Only Fatty, struck by the pain, let out a bloodcurdling "AAGGGHH!"

"You dare to scream?"

The Red Flame Sect disciple holding the whip frowned, feeling he had lost face. He viciously struck Fatty several more times, whipping him until he was screaming his head off. It was a pathetic sight.

’This isn’t right...’ Fatty looked up, snot and tears streaming down his face. "My screaming just proves how hard you’re whipping me, doesn’t it? Shouldn’t you be whipping the two who aren’t making a sound?"

’...Damn it!’ Liang Qiu and Jiang Yuanfan were livid.

Realizing that he would only suffer more if he kept up his tough act, Liang Qiu quickly looked up and shouted, "Wait, stop! We’re from the Seven Stars Gang! Our senior, Chu Fan, is a registered Demon Suppression Guard of the Demon Suppression Bureau!"

"I ask you to be lenient for the sake of the Demon Suppression Bureau!"

"Chu Fan?" The two words made the Red Flame Sect disciples hesitate, a flicker of apprehension crossing their faces.

Chu Fan’s name had recently become well-known throughout Qing Province, and his status as a Demon Suppression Guard, in particular, was enough to give anyone pause.

However, after a moment’s hesitation, the disciple in the lead snorted coldly. "So what if he’s a Demon Suppression Guard? Of course we’ve heard of Chu Fan, but this is Red Flame Sect territory!"

"You’re the ones who broke the rules first, selling your Boxing Manuals and disrupting the peace! Even if the Demon Suppression Bureau themselves showed up, they’d have to acknowledge reason, wouldn’t they? Keep whipping them!"

He didn’t dare kill them, but he was determined to teach them a lesson and assert the authority of the Red Flame Sect.

Just as the whip was raised to strike again, a sharp voice called out from outside the courtyard, "Stop!"

Cao Yan strode into the courtyard. Having received Ling Feng’s report, he had rushed over immediately. His expression was grim.

He first glanced at the wounded trio on the ground, then cupped his fist toward the Red Flame Sect disciples. "Brothers, I am Cao Yan of the Seven Stars Gang. My juniors were ignorant and have offended your esteemed sect. On their behalf, I apologize."

"I ask that you show them leniency for the sake of my junior, Chu Fan. The Seven Stars Gang will be sure to compensate you for this matter."

The Red Flame Sect disciple looked Cao Yan up and down.

Although Cao Yan had restrained his aura, his presence was still subtly overpowering.

He could tell the man’s strength surpassed his own.

’But this is the Red Flame Sect!’

’Forget a late-stage Spirit Awakening Realm cultivator, so what if he was in the Divine Power Realm?’

’Would he really dare to start a fight on Red Flame Sect grounds?’

The Red Flame Sect disciple huffed, saying arrogantly, "The Seven Stars Gang will compensate us? And how do you plan to do that?"

Just as Cao Yan was about to speak...

A voice—clear and pleasant, yet laced with an icy chill—abruptly echoed through the courtyard. "The Red Flame Sect certainly has a lot of nerve. You want compensation from friends of my Medicine King Valley?"

All eyes turned toward the voice. A woman in an aqua-blue dress was standing at the entrance to the courtyard, though no one knew when she had arrived.

She was breathtakingly beautiful, but her aura was as cold as a lotus of ice. She exuded an unapproachable chill—it was none other than Baili Bing of Medicine King Valley!

’It’s her?!’

The Red Flame Sect disciple, who had been so arrogant just a moment before, turned pale the instant he saw Baili Bing. He was so shocked he nearly bit his own tongue.

The other disciples were flustered, their faces instantly plastered with deferential smiles. They didn’t even dare to breathe too loudly.

Medicine King Valley!

That was the behemoth controlling nearly thirty percent of the trade in Elixirs and Treasure Plants in Qing Province and its surrounding regions!

Its influence was felt throughout the entire martial world; what sect or Noble Family would dare to disrespect them?

This was especially true for Baili Bing. Not only was she a core disciple of Medicine King Valley, but she was also famous for her icy personality and for being a woman whose word was law. It was said that even many of the valley’s Elders had to defer to her.

"We were unaware of your esteemed arrival and failed to greet you properly. We beg your forgiveness!"

A middle-aged man in a blue robe came rushing over, bowing deeply in greeting.

He was Xiao Qun, the Hall Master of the Red Flame Sect’s Deacon Hall.

Cold sweat beaded on Xiao Qun’s forehead, his back already drenched. He had no idea what had happened but wished he could kick each and every one of these disciples to death.

Baili Bing exchanged a glance with Cao Yan and gave a slight nod. "I heard that friends of mine from the Seven Stars Gang were captured by your Red Flame Sect," she said. "I came to have a look."

"I’m rather curious to see just what kind of power your Red Flame Sect wields that you would dare to lay a hand on friends of my Medicine King Valley!"

"Huh?" Xiao Qun was stunned. Only then did he notice the three young men on the ground, trussed up like pigs for slaughter.