Chapter 170: Chapter 170: Empty Hand Conquers Dragon (Seeking Subscriptions)
In the early morning, thick white mist still covered the vast Whale Lake, occasionally interrupted by chirping birds, but these sounds were all drowned out by the noise of killing.
"Sir, you’re too presumptuous," Jiang Zhenglin wearied deep furrows across his brow, unable to suppress his anger.
He was the ’Whale Lake Evil Dragon’, ruler of the Whale Lake. Within a three hundred mile-radius of the martial world, who wouldn’t give him, Jiang Zhenglin, a modicum of respect, and respectfully address him as ’Master Jiang’?
When did he become a fish belly in people’s eyes, to be killed at one’s whim?
Even the leaders of the top four sects would not be brazen enough to make such claims.
It was not only Jiang Zhenglin; other incoming masters of the Whale Lake Gang were also unable to contain their rage, cursing loudly.
"Ignorant!"
"Coward, if you’ve guts, reveal your true face. I would like to see where this river-crossing dragon hails from."
"Vile thief, you’re boasting; today, don’t expect to leave Whale Lake alive."
These killers were quick in their actions; each thinking if there was really someone this capable, why would they need to offer two million taels of silver for their services?
Unmoved by the surrounding mockery, a smirk crept to Shi Xiaole’s lips beneath the straw raincoat, he calmly said, "I have been travelling around, and only recently came to know about the plight of my apprentice. As his master, it is my duty to seek justice and revenge for him. Jiang Zhenglin, come and face your death."
As he spoke, an intense killing intent surged out of him.
"Hahaha!"
Jiang Zhenglin roared in laughter, and the doubts in his heart were finally answered. You claim to be Shi Xiaole’s master, but where have you been till now? Just aimlessly wandering about.
Luckily, Shi Xiaole was cautious. Had he not mentioned this, it would inevitably invite suspicion from others once the news got out.
"You’re the one with no way out now. Don’t blame me, Jiang Zhenglin, then. I want to see how powerful is this martial arts grandmaster who trained that puppy."
Summoning his power, Jiang Zhenglin’s vital energy surged as he prepared to make his move. The next moment, ten golden pellets zoomed out, and under the enhancement of his internal power, were shot with lightning speed towards Shi Xiaole.
The Thunder Bomb of Tang Sect!
Simultaneously as he shot the pellets, Jiang Zhenglin was already laughing and retreating.
His thinking was simple: if Shi Xiaole couldn’t dodge the ten Thunder Bombs of Tang Sect, then there was no need for him to take action. If he did manage to dodge, Jiang could flee promptly. Once he entered Whale Lake, he would become the turbulent Evil Dragon, and who could harm him then?
The main reason was that Shi Xiaole was too calm and composed, forcing him to be cautious. Everyone knew that even as the leader of the Whale Lake Gang, he only had twelve Thunder Bombs on him.
The Thunder bombs exploded dramatically, reaching near Shi Xiaole in an instant. In Dongfang Haoran’s stronghold, Xue Ang had also used this move before, but there were significant differences.
Jiang Zhenglin’s power was many times stronger than Xue Ang’s. When he unleashed the bomb with full force, the speed of the Thunder Bomb was so fast that it was difficult to detect by human eyes.
Moreover, Xue Ang had fired only one Thunder Bomb, while Jiang Zhenglin had fired ten. Even if someone could react, the enormous explosion force generated by ten Thunder Bombs was enough to kill a high-level Xuanqi Realm practitioner instantly.
The wind blowing over Whale Lake still carried the coolness of late spring and the time seemed to freeze.
Those masters of the Whale Lake Gang were already cheering, while also feeling pity for the ten Thunder Bombs that were wasted on an unknown person.
It was at this very moment.
Shi Xiaole, who stood as still as a statue, made his move.
His huge hand opened wide, and his slender and fair palm seemed to magnify countless times. Terrifying power surged from the palm of his hand, and the ten Thunder Bombs were immediately stopped in their tracks, falling into his palm one by one.
In the next moment, the residual palm force rushed out with an unstoppable momentum and came out at such a speed that ordinary people couldn’t react.
Bang!
Within the resounding sound of steel hammering, Jiang Zhenglin, who was complacent, was thrown out as if he were a mosquito. He spat out a cloud of blood in mid-air, and by the time he fell to the ground, his eyes were bulged out, and he was already dead where he lied.
The area had fallen eerily silent.
Those who were about to hail the wisdom of the leader were left with their mouths hanging, staring blankly on the spot.
Even the Whale Lake Gang masters who were engaged in the fierce battle, as well as the killers, had all slowed down.
Instantly shutting down ten Thunder Bombs and killing Jiang Zhenglin, a practitioner of the Xuanqi Realm, with just one move, just who was this man in the straw raincoat, and how strong was he exactly?
Could the four headmasters really be his match?
No one uttered a word, and the scene was so quiet that only the wind and the calls of the birds could be heard.
Little did they know, at that moment, Shi Xiaole, who seemed unfathomable in everyone’s eyes, was also inwardly frightened.
Fortunately, the killer move he drew this time was not a sword or a dagger, but a free hand. Otherwise, even if he could kill Jiang Zhenglin, he would have to sacrifice himself as well.
After all, the enemy was a gang leader, known for his surprising means. He couldn’t afford to be so careless in the future.
Approaching the dead Jiang Zhenglin, he searched and found two more Thunder Bombs, and a token representing the identity of the gang leader. Tossing aside the latter, Shi Xiaole stood up and addressed the surrounding people, "Whoever is not convinced may attack me."
The faces of the crowd twitched uncontrollably.
Did they think we were fools? Even the master couldn’t withstand a slap from you, what are we in comparison; there are better ways to die if that’s what we were after.
"I am very interested in martial arts from all over the world. Bring out the martial arts techniques of your gang."
Shi Xiaole continued to bluff.
Anyway, no one knows that he possesses such a lethal weapon as the Grand Wuxia System, so no one can gauge the depth of his abilities.
Even if someone is bold enough to challenge him, with the Breath-holding Technique, Whale Lake is essentially Shi Xiaole’s backyard where no one can chase him.
Of course, for safety reasons, he would sit tight by the lake and not move, just in case.
Indeed, several masters at the ninth level of the Qi Absorption showed unwillingness on their faces, as if they wanted to make a move, but eventually they held back. There were also some gang members who wished to claim merit while fearing death. They were the first to rush to search for the secret manuals.
Soon, a panting crowd came running, and one of them said, "Elder, the secret manuals of our gang were taken away by the two sons of our boss, no, Jiang, the old thief."
As it turned out, when they heard the previous noise, Jiang Zhenglin’s two sons acted first and had already run away with the secret manuals.
Shi Xiaole could only sigh silently at this; on the bright side, he didn’t insist on acquiring them.
After all, the martial arts of the Whale Lake Gang could only be used as a reference and to exchange for reward points. The martial arts he truly wanted to learn would come to him sooner or later. Therefore, he figured it’s the right thing to cap the martial arts he already possesses.
"All of you leave, I disdain to kill such lackeys. Today’s lesson is enough."
After releasing the small boat of the Whale Lake Gang that was moored by the bamboo waterway, Shi Xiaole boarded the boat and said to the assassins.
The killers withdrew their hands upon hearing this. Only now they realized why the elder hired them. Of course, given the elder’s martial arts skills, taking action against others is simply lowering his own dignity.
"Elder, what is the name of the move you just used? Can you tell me?"
Suppressing his excitement, the deputy master of the Whale Lake Gang asked.
Jiang Zhenglin was dead, his two sons had run away, and he was now the true master of the gang. So even if everyone present hated Shi Xiaole, he was the only one who wouldn’t.
When he heard this, an idea came to Shi Xiaole, who otherwise didn’t intend to answer.
Since he acquired the Grand Wuxia System, he felt that it was his responsibility to let those earth-shattering martial techniques from the previous world shine once again in this world, and not to hide them intentionally.
Thinking of this, Shi Xiaole said, "The move is named ’Empty Hand Conquers Dragon.’
’Empty Hand Conquers Dragon’ is a lethal technique that Shi Xiaole obtained through a combination of Battle Blade Skill, Great Sumi Palm Skill, Hundred Flowers Wrong Fist, Flying Phoenix Body Movement, Heaven and Earth Net Force, plus 300 points of reward. It was derived from Liu Changjie, a catcher whose fame was simplistic yet filled with a strong sense of justice.
This man was definitely one of the least prominent masters in the martial world. He was clearly wise and skillful, but he only wanted to be an unknown catcher in a small town, doing what he loved. His magnanimity is something Shi Xiaole admires immensely.
.....
The Floating River Area martial world was once again shocked.
Initially, it was because of Shi Xiaole, and now it is due to his mysterious master.
"Our Will Sect has been overthinking," said Shangguan Xing with a bitter smile, holding a piece of paper in his hand.
It was found in Shi Xiaole’s room a few days ago, roughly saying that he was grateful for the Will Sect’s help, and that he would return the favor in the future.
"We should have thought earlier, how could such an odd talent in the martial world not have the guidance of a famous teacher?"
The Grand Elder also sighed. Now he no longer harbors resentment towards Shi Xiaole. If he could, he would personally go and invite him.
"Forget it, a pond will never be able to hold a dragon. At least, our bond with him runs deeper than it does between him and the other sects."
Thinking of this, Shangguan Xing grinned reassuringly.
Every sect was discussing the Whale Lake Gang incident. When the news reached the Iron Bone Sect, the only way to describe it was pure shock.
"Are you certain he only used one move?" Zhou Yilou’s face was deathly pale as he stared at the Iron Bone Sect expert across from him.
"My subordinate has asked many people who were present at the time, and the answers are consistent," said the expert, lowering his head. His concern was palpable - if the mysterious person showed up at the Iron Bone Sect, who would be able to keep him at bay?
Zhou Yilou took a deep breath.
From what he knew, the stranger had visited the Whale Lake Gang first, mostly due to the unscrupulous actions of Jiang Zhenglin, who had sent someone to harm Shi Xiaole’s aunt.
Honestly, Zhou Yilou had the same idea. Now, he is only relieved that he didn’t act hastily at that time.
"Send people to send out the order, Shi Xiaole is not to be discussed further from this day forward. Any action against his family and friends shall be canceled."
"Yes."
The expert from the Iron Bone Sect shuddered, quickly retreated.
After he left, Zhou Yilou, squinting, hurriedly got up and entered the adjoining study. He opened a hidden mechanism and entered a secret passage.
No one knew that this secret passage was the place of refuge for the suzerains of the Iron Bone Sect. It connected seamlessly with the vast mountains outside Zhongshan City, making it the perfect escape route.
Zhou Yilou had to retreat until he had no other choice. But now, retreat was necessary. He needed to lie low, lest he followed in the footsteps of Jiang Zhenglin.
Unfortunately, something Zhou Yilou couldn’t have even dreamed of, the mysterious man he feared so much was now dressed in a green shirt, galloping on a horse toward the Yunfeng Domain.
The lethal technique could only be used once, so Shi Xiaole wouldn’t risk storming into the Iron Bone Sect. Besides, he was running out of martial arts to exchange.
Shi Xiaole believed that, with this deterrent in place, the Iron Bone Sect would behave themselves for a long time. By the time they started having doubts, his aunt would no longer need his protection.
