Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Shi Xiaole’s Threat (Calling for collection, recommendation tickets, Thank you!)
Feiyan City, Spring and Autumn Hall.
As the Hall Master of the Spring and Autumn Hall, Sima Biao was absolute, no one could defy his orders, except for the reckless woman who rejected his marriage proposal five years ago.
Today, that woman must be regretting to no end.
At this thought, Sima Biao couldn’t help but reveal a triumphant smile.
"I wonder, what cheers up Hall Master Sima?"
On the side, an elderly man with white hair sitting in a master’s chair interrupted Sima Biao’s thoughts.
"Ha ha, Elder Xue, when I think about the imminent destruction of the Golden Phoenix Tower, my heart bursts with joy. The Xue family deserves all the thanks."
The members of Golden Phoenix Tower are probably unaware that the heads of the two factions they loathe are currently in the Spring and Autumn Hall, discussing their plan against them.
Elder Xue’s eyes were hazy with age, but they glowed chillingly. He said, "If my guess is correct, Golden Phoenix Tower has seen through our plan of erosion. Their silence is merely a prelude to a last stand."
Sima Biao snorted, "I’m well aware of Golden Phoenix Tower’s strength. They’re no match for the combined forces of the Spring and Autumn Hall and the Xue family."
Elder Xue shook his head, "Hall Master Sima, I fear you might be underestimating Su Yanru. Just a few days ago, Golden Phoenix’s experts infiltrated Moyun City and Emerald Feather City. Not fearing the cost, they wished to invite local gangs who held grievances against our two families."
"If it weren’t for my relations with the Moyun City Lord and the Emerald Feather City Lord, I would have been deceived. According to my sources, Golden Phoenix Tower plans to launch a full-scale attack the day after tomorrow."
Sima Biao felt a chill on his back, cursed them for their cunning and cheap tricks, then laughed, "Now that their plot has been caught by Elder Xue, that skank Su Yanru could hardly cause any trouble."
Elder Xue smirked coldly, "I’ve decided to use their own strategies against them. The day after tomorrow, we’ll bury Golden Phoenix Tower for good!" As he finished speaking, the entire hall filled with a bone-chilling intent to kill, startling Sima Biao.
"Wonderful! According to our agreement, the property of the Golden Phoenix Tower will be split equally, Shi Xiaole belongs to Elder Xue, and that skank Su Yanru will belong to me!"
Thinking of Su Yanru’s alluring appearance, Sima Biao’s face flushed red with excitement, as if he could already see himself freely enjoying the beautiful scene of him playing with her.
...
On the second day after returning to the Golden Phoenix Tower, early in the morning, Shi Xiaole had cleaned himself up and caught Meng Qi, who was about to leave for some errands, at the gate.
"Young Master, I have some work to do, I don’t have time to accompany you."
Meng Qi replied helplessly.
"Uncle Meng, today’s matter affects the survival of Golden Phoenix Tower, I hope you can accompany me on a trip."
Shi Xiaole’s words left Meng Qi stunned, maybe because his expression was too serious, or his tone was too solemn, but in the end, he nodded subconsciously.
There are three major forces in the martial world of Feiyan City, besides Golden Phoenix Tower and Spring and Autumn Hall, the other is the Knife Assistance Gang.
As the gang leader of the Knife Assistance Gang, ’One Cut Break’ Cao Ruoyu was shocked when he found out that Shi Xiaole wanted to visit him.
All the city knows of the mealstorm at the Golden Phoenix Tower, how could he not?
However, Cao Ruoyu was more aware that Shi Xiaole had recently defeated Bloody Hand Lian Tu with his Qi in the seventh stage of the Hidden Qi Realm, making him a rare talent in the martial world.
Considering that the other party was visiting him as the young master of the Golden Phoenix Tower, Cao Ruoyu decided to go meet him.
"So, this is Young Master Shi? Indeed, he has an extraordinary air for such a young age."
"I’m flattered, it is Gang Leader Cao who has imposing manners and a remarkable appearance."
In an arbor, Cao Ruoyu and Shi Xiaole sat across a table.
Both were silently evaluating the other.
After a long pause, Cao Ruoyu was the first to laugh, "I wonder, what can I do for Young Master Shi?"
"I hope that Gang Leader Cao can lend a hand to help Golden Phoenix Tower against our strong enemy."
Cao Ruoyu was stunned by Shi Xiaole’s naive words and then roared with laughter. It took him a while to stop chuckling and sigh, "Young Master Shi, don’t joke around."
Shi Xiaole’s gaze remained calm, "I’m not joking. Gang leader Cao, don’t you realize the imminent threat you’re in? Only by cooperating with the Golden Phoenix Tower can you weather the storm."
"What do you mean?"
Cao Ruoyu frowned slightly.
"Spring and Autumn Hall has always been formidable. This time, after devouring the Golden Phoenix Tower, their power will inevitably soar. Gang Leader Cao, who do you think would be their next target?"
"With the previous three forces restraining each other, a fragile balance could somehow be maintained. Once Golden Phoenix Tower gets absorbed by Spring and Autumn Hall, can the Knife Assistance Gang cope?"
"Moreover, after Spring and Autumn Hall and the Xue family actually collaborate this time, the Xue family will definitely set their sights on Feiyan City in order to expand their territory and power. Gang Leader Cao, do you think the Xue family will target Spring and Autumn Hall or Knife Assistance Gang?"
Shi Xiaole asked three questions in succession, leaving Cao Ruoyu speechless.
He had considered these factors before, so he could only coldly retort, "A new balance will emerge then, with the Xue Family simply replacing the Golden Phoenix Tower. Young Master Shi, there’s no need for your alarmism."
Shi Xiaole shook his head, "No, such a balance won’t last long."
"And how can you be so sure?"
Cao Ruoyu’s tone started to carry a trace of anger.
"Because once the Golden Phoenix Tower falls, I won’t stay to be buried with it. Instead, I’ll go far away, and after improving my martial arts, I’ll return to wipe out the Spring and Autumn Hall, the Xue family, and even the Knife Assistance Gang, who stood idly by, leaving no one alive!"
The sun shone into the arbor, while bird songs echoed around, creating a quite pleasant scene. But for some reason, Cao Ruoyu felt as if someone had just given his soul a hard shove. His whole body was covered with a bone-chilling coldness.
The observer Meng Qi was blushing, his gaze on Shi Xiaole now filled with extraordinary admiration and respect.
"Young Master Shi, such audacious words you have!"
Cao Ruoyu was enraged and slammed his hand on the table. Never in his life had he seen such an arrogant and shameless person.
The implications of Shi Xiaole’s words were clear. He was threatening him: If he did not assist Golden Phoenix Tower this time, the Knife Assistance Gang would be doomed!
At this moment, Cao Ruoyu harbored murderous intentions towards Shi Xiaole.
Shi Xiaole’s expression did not waver as he suddenly swung his sword towards a pavilion, leaving a foot-deep slash on a column.
He then pointed at compact Meng Qi and said, "Mr. Cao, uncle Meng practices horizontal training, he came here prepared to die."
Cao Ruoyu opened his mouth in shock, looking at Shi Xiaole. His initial curiosity and confusion gave way to deep apprehension.
He understood the meaning behind Shi Xiaole’s actions.
The display of his sword was indicative of his almost invincible power in the Hidden Qi Realm, at least within Feiyan City. There were very few in the Knife Assistance Gang who could go against him.
Even so, Cao Ruoyu was confident that he could keep Shi Xiaole in check, after all, he was a master of the Qi Absorption Realm.
However, with a Qi Absorption Realm master like Meng Qi present, who was well versed in horizontal training, he could certainly absorb some damage intended for Shi Xiaole.
With this, keeping Shi Xiaole in check became exceedingly difficult.
And if such a gifted and ruthless person were to escape, Cao Ruoyu could hardly imagine the repercussions.
Shi Xiaole smiled and showed off his neat white teeth, "Mr. Cao, if you agree to help Golden Phoenix Tower, we might have a chance to repel the Spring and Autumn Hall and Xue family. Once successful, I can promise to transfer two-tenths of Golden Phoenix Tower’s properties within the city to the Knife Assistance Gang."
So, after the stick comes the carrot?
As he watched the hard-handed but balanced Shi Xiaole, Cao Ruoyu was filled with anger and couldn’t help but also feel a touch of awe.
He had a hunch that if this young man survived, he would definitely become famous in the Martial World. Does he really want to offend such a person?
As he was hesitating, Shi Xiaole added another incentive, "I understand that your gang has a great need for weapons. Golden Phoenix Tower happens to have a mine outside the city, should you be interested..."
"You’re willing to give away the mine?"
Cao Ruoyu was taken aback, the scale in his heart began to tip.
Of all the three major powers, the Knife Assistance Gang was at the biggest disadvantage due to it not having its own exclusive mine to gather materials and manufacture weapons. Because of this, not only was the quality of their weapons affected, but every year they also had to pay heavy fees to the Spring and Autumn Hall.
If the Knife Assistance Gang could have a mine...
"Can you make such decisions?"
Cao Ruoyu took a deep breath.
"Mr. Cao, do you think that’s a question worth asking?"
Shi Xiaole replied leisurely.
Cao Ruoyu gave a rueful smile, he nearly forgot about Shi Xiaole’s status in Su Yanru’s heart, which was probably even higher than that of Golden Phoenix Tower, let alone that he was the next Tower Lord, of course, he could make such decisions.
"The Knife Assistance Gang isn’t just mine alone, I need to discuss this with the others."
In the end, Cao Ruoyu gave an ambivalent response.
After sending Shi Xiaole and Meng Qi away, Cao Ruoyu immediately summoned the top members of the Knife Assistance Gang and relayed what had just transpired, keeping mum about Shi Xiaole’s threats, of course.
"Young Master, do you think Cao Ruoyu will agree?"
Walking down the road, Meng Qi couldn’t help but ask.
"He will."
Shi Xiaole didn’t think there would be any surprises.
From a cost-benefit analysis, there was no benefit for the Knife Assistance Gang to sit on the sidelines. If they agreed to assist Golden Phoenix Tower, then in a worst-case scenario, both would suffer a loss, but they would also get Golden Phoenix Tower’s mine and assets.
Any man of guts would make the correct choice.
Sure enough, not long after Shi Xiaole and Meng Qi returned to Golden Phoenix Tower, they received a secret response from Cao Ruoyu that he accepted the deal.
Su Yanru was dumbstruck when she heard the news.
She had previously approached the Knife Assistance Gang as well, but Cao Ruoyu did not reveal any intentions, let alone lend a hand. She couldn’t figure out how Shi Xiaole had convinced him.
When she learned from Meng Qi about what had transpired, Su Yanru was astonished.
"The Tower Lord, the Young Master really has a way with things."
Meng Qi praised Shi Xiaole once again.
However, Su Yanru shook her head and said with deep meaning, "Cao Ruoyu didn’t concede to Lele’s tactics, he was, perhaps, looking to return a favor."
It was only today that Su Yanru learned about Shi Xiaole defeating Lian Tu. To be honest, even she was surprised by this level of talent.
As the head of a third-tier martial faction, she knew too well the influence that a growing genius could have on a martial force of this level.
So, Shi Xiaole’s threat today was the key to influencing Cao Ruoyu’s decision.
And only Shi Xiaole could do this in Feiyan City!
