Chapter 90: Chapter 90: How about Dai Sect?
The grey-cloaked elder was one of the best fighters from the Green Bamboo Gang, but Shi Xiaole killed him in the blink of an eye, shocking all the gang members present.
As the top gang in Emerald Feather City, it had been quite some time since the Green Bamboo Gang was challenged in this way, therefore many were filled with indignation, and the situation almost spun out of control.
"Madman, this damned madman."
Xu Tianliang’s lips were pale and anxiety filled his heart.
If Shi Xiaole had any sort of fear, he would have had a great chance to escape unscathed. However, everything that just transpired indicated that Xu Tianliang was dealing with a man who was utterly mad.
"Young Hero Shi, you have harmed my son and now killed a senior member of my gang, are you pressuring me into action?"
Xu Song stared at Shi Xiaole and inquired coldly. He appeared calm on the surface, but on the inside, he was a raging storm.
With his current Qi Absorption level, he might not have been able to kill the grey-cloaked elder as swiftly as Shi Xiaole did.
Although this did not necessarily mean Shi Xiaole could match him in a fight, it was evident that Shi Xiaole was growing strong enough to challenge him.
"Leader Xu, you’re being humorous. Let’s not beat around the bush. If you wish to redeem your son, you can, just offer something in exchange."
Shi Xiaole held a sword to Xu Tianliang’s throat and pushed him to the front.
"Don’t push me."
A lethal intent flashed across Xu Song’s eyes.
Shi Xiaole nodded, understanding his intent. "Leader Xu has two sons, indeed, it’s not a big deal if one of them dies." Immediately after that, his grip tightened and fresh blood flowed from Xu Tianliang’s neck, instantly staining his clothes red.
"Dad, save me, quickly save me..."
Once Xu Tianliang heard this, his face turned ashen white.
"Hold on!"
Xu Song clenched and unclenched his fists, inhaled deeply, and slowly spoke, "Shi Xiaole, what do you want?"
He had to admit that his strategy had failed.
Initially believing Shi Xiaole was a rookie in the martial world that could be easily pressured into submission, he never anticipated that he would have such an fearless and cutthroat attitude, which shocked even him, a veteran in the martial world.
"Leader Xu will offer what he sees fit."
Xu Song fell silent once Shi Xiaole had spoken.
This was even more troublesome than naming a price, it’s a waiting game —this damned boy!
"A third-grade instruction manual, how about it?"
"Leader Xu, it appears you’re not sincere."
"Two of them, two third-grade instruction manuals."
Xu Song gritted his teeth, his voice sounded as if it was squeezed from between his teeth.
The Green Bamboo Gang wasn’t necessarily stronger in the martial world than the Ash Goose 13 Sect. Two third-grade instruction manuals would drain their resources. Unfortunately, manuals were what Shi Xiaole cared least about.
Seeing Shi Xiaole shake his head again, Xu Song bellowed, "Mr. Shi, do you really wish for a fight to the death?"
Likewise, the other elites from the Green Bamboo Gang glared at Shi Xiaole, wishing they could skin him alive.
Over the years, the Green Bamboo Gang had never been put in such a passive position.
"Try something else. I don’t want manuals."
Shi Xiaole softened his tone, not wishing to push too fast, too hard.
Looking at his eldest son trembling in fear, Xu Song’s anger subsided when he suggested, "I have two Qi Gathering Pills, I can offer you."
At these words, Shi Xiaole’s eyes lit up.
Last time, when he won the Golden Phoenix Tower competition, he was given a Qi Gathering Pill as a reward. He then used that very pill to advance to the next level of his training.
Even though this pill is effective only for those in the Hidden Qi Realm and valued at over two hundred thousand taels, it was rarely found on the market. It was perfect for Shi Xiaole’s use.
With the Qi Gathering Pills, he believed his advancement to the ninth stage of the Hidden Qi Realm would significantly reduce.
"I want four."
Shi Xiaole said.
Xu Song laughed with anger, he barked, "I only have two! If you insist on killing my son, I swear here that I will spend the rest of my life making sure you pay for it!"
Shi Xiaole was never one to be intimidated by threats. Seeing Xu Song looking so resolute, he knew then that Xu Song’s resources had been truly exhausted, so he replied, "Fine, deal. Bring over the Qi Gathering Pills."
Xu Song whispered a few words into the ear of one of his men. About fifteen minutes later, that man returned, tossing a white porcelain bottle to Shi Xiaole.
After Shi Xiaole checked the contents and satisfied that all was in order, he put it into his bag.
"Can you now release my son?"
"Leader Xu, please step aside. After we have left Emerald Feather City, your son will naturally be released. You needn’t worry about us reneging on our promise, I’m not stupid enough to deliberately make enemies."
Xu Song, who had never been humiliated like this in his life, growled, "I hope so."
The crowd retreated distantly and watched in silence as Shi Xiaole and his group left the Black Evil Gang.
"Son, go and pick up your elder brother."
Once they had left, Xu Song immediately ordered his younger son to bring back his elder brother.
...
Several miles outside of Emerald Feather City, Shi Xiaole and his friends stopped.
In no time at all, a cloud of dust rose from the official road, and ten riders approached. The one in front was a young master, none other than Xu Song’s second son, Xu Tianshan.
"Young Hero Shi, you are the first person who’s ever managed to make my father so helpless."
Xu Tianshan started smiling and continued, "Some people standing next to you are in my way and it’s rather annoying. Insiders, kill him for me!"
As if it were a rehearsed act, the nine members at his side drew their bows. But then, an unbelievable thing occurred.
Shi Xiaole and his friends did not die, but Xu Tianliang, the elder brother, was riddled with arrows and looked like a porcupine.
Until his death, he could not believe he would be killed, not by Shi Xiaole, but by his own little brother’s scheme.
"What are you playing at?"
Shi Xiaole asked in a deep voice.
Xu Tianshan laughed and said, "Brother Shi, don’t misunderstand. You’ve already safely handed over Brother to me, but who knew that the people from the Flying Arrow Sect would suddenly attack midway and kill Brother, while also seriously injuring me."
As soon as the words fell, he thrust a few arrows into himself. His laughing expression made a few masters from the Golden Phoenix Tower shudder all over.
"Even if it was the Flying Arrow Sect who made the move, without me, this wouldn’t have happened today, Xu Song would still turn his anger on me."
Shi Xiaole firmly grasped his Qingfeng Sword, emanating a slight killing intent.
He wasn’t afraid of Xu Song, he just hated being used.
Xu Tianshan, feeling alarmed, quickly said, "Brother Shi, don’t be hasty. The Flying Arrow Sect came out to make trouble because of their feud with the Green Bamboo Gang. But fortunately, Brother Shi stepped in and killed the Flying Arrow Sect master, allowing me to escape. You are a great benefactor of the Green Bamboo Gang!"
Shi Xiaole eased his killing intent and looked amusedly at Xu Tianshan.
Killing Brother, obtaining the inheritance of the gang, and using the opportunity to give himself a favor, it was indeed a good strategy of killing two birds with one stone.
As for whether the other party would use a different excuse in front of Xu Song, Shi Xiaole wasn’t worried. Because there was no need for Xu Tianshan to offend him.
"With a son like you, Xu Song has nothing to worry about his family declining."
Shi Xiaole said, with a meaningful undertone.
Xu Tianshan replied modestly, "Compared to you, Brother Shi, both Xu and the Green Bamboo Gang are insignificant. I believe that in the future, your fame will spread throughout the martial world."
Xu Tianshan was not just being insincere.
It wasn’t terrifying for someone to have talent. What was terrifying was that this person, in addition to talent, had a keen mind, a resolute heart, and accurate judgment.
In Xu Tianshan’s eyes, Shi Xiaole was such a person.
What was even more frightening was that he was only fifteen years old.
Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, Xu Tianshan not only wouldn’t offend Shi Xiaole, but would instead seize the opportunity to form a good relationship with him.
"This Xu guy is really daunting."
After Xu Tianshan and the others left, a master from the Golden Phoenix Tower sighed.
Another person laughed and said, "No matter how cunning and ruthless he is, he still enormously respects our Young Tower Master."
"Indeed, it’s our Young Tower Master who is the most powerful."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Since Shi Xiaole had removed the Black Evil Gang, these masters planned to return to Feiyan City first, report the situation, and then bring more people to take over the industry of the Black Evil Gang.
They weren’t afraid of other gangs seizing the opportunity to move in.
Because Xu Tianshan had already promised that in return for Shi Xiaole’s ’lifesaving grace,’ he would temporarily help the Golden Phoenix Tower keep other gangs in check.
Shi Xiaole, however, did not return with them because he planned to go back to his sect to bid farewell to Yu Fangge before returning to the Golden Phoenix Tower.
Yes, farewell.
With his increasing strength, Shi Xiaole distinctly felt that the local martial world could no longer inspire him; he needed a broader sky.
Traveling around the world was his next plan.
...
After bidding farewell to the masters of the Golden Phoenix Tower, Shi Xiaole found a secluded place and plunged his mind into the system.
"Congratulations, Host, you’ve successfully completed task five. Do you want to receive your reward immediately?"
The system asked.
"Claim."
As soon as he finished speaking, Shi Xiaole’s reward value immediately increased from 1,100 points to 1,700 points.
Most importantly, the square halo began to flash on the second floor of the Martial God Hall.
"Secondary martial arts, don’t get an empty draw."
Shi Xiaole quietly prayed.
His current skill level was considered high compared to his peers. Even amongst the martial world of the Cloud Triangle, he could barely be considered a third-rate master.
But who would think their martial arts were too high?
If he could draw a secondary martial art, Shi Xiaole would definitely further improve his current base and make a quantum leap in his strength!
As if it was deliberately teasing Shi Xiaole, the square halo spun for an extraordinarily long time this time.
Ding!
In the end, it stopped on a stone tablet with words.
"Congratulations, Host, you’ve drawn a secondary lower-grade swordsmanship, how about the Dai Sect of Mount Tai?"
Shi Xiaole was stunned, carefully recalling this set of swordsmanship, and finally, a strange expression appeared on his face.
Of course, he was very happy to draw a secondary lower-grade swordsmanship.
But this set of Dai Sect Swordsmanship, it really made him not know how to express his joy.
As the highest level skill of Mount Tai’s Dai Sect, this same name swordsmanship is extremely difficult to learn and tremendously powerful.
Its essentials don’t lie in the right-hand sword moves, but in the left hand’s calculations.
When dealing with the enemy, you must constantly calculate with your left hand, calculating the enemy’s position, martial arts routines, body posture, weight of the weapon, height of the sunlight, and so on, it’s very complicated.
Once calculated accurately, you can strike out with the sword, and every strike will hit.
Just by listening to the introduction, this swordsmanship gives off a mysterious aura. However, no one in the martial world has ever successfully practised it, so no one knows its actual effect.
So it has another title, being the most bluffing swordsmanship in the martial world, without a doubt.
And the method to crack the Dai Sect Swordsmanship is simple and violent, just cut off the five fingers of the left hand...
After carefully going through additional information in his head, Shi Xiaole slowly exhaled.
Fortunately, besides bluffing, the Dai Sect Swordsmanship did indeed have practical cultivation methods.
Most importantly, because it involves complex calculations, it demands a high level of mental faculties, which happens to coincide with Shi Xiaole’s strengths.
