Chapter 24: "You Are Nothing But Bandits!" |
"How does it feel to see so many senior Foundation Establishment cultivators?"
Wang Xianmao walked ahead with his hands clasped behind his back, asking the youths behind him.
"The roast spirit goose was delicious, and the tea was genuine eighth-grade spirit tea. It was my first time drinking it, and it truly lived up to its reputation."
Yulou's summary left Yu'an a bit bewildered.
'Brother, have I infected you?'
'Sorry, I didn't mean to. I really didn't do it on purpose.'
"Hahaha, excellent! It wasn't a waste bringing you two along!"
What surprised Yu'an even more was that Yulou's nonsense answer actually satisfied the Patriarch.
Yu'an was certain that if Wang Rongyuan had been the one asking and he had replied that he was only focused on eating, Clan Uncle Rongyuan would have delivered another loving ten-hit combo.
"You're exactly who I'm looking for! Let me tell you, I've had my eye on you for a long time.
"Carrying your things from stall to stall, pretending to buy when you're actually selling.
"You dare to sell secretly without paying the stall fee!
"Who gave you the nerve?
"What do you take our Clearbrook Market Security Patrol for?
"Did you really think we couldn't tell?"
Gao Jian and his subordinates were all wearing the standard uniforms of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect's Outer Gate Disciples. They were currently beating down an independent cultivator whose cultivation base was around middle Qi Condensation.
The despicable man raised his hand to snatch the bag in the independent cultivator's arms, but the man rolled around on the ground, clutching the bag tightly to his chest.
"I didn't! You're framing me!"
Seeing that the man refused to part with his wealth to avoid trouble, Gao Jian cursed.
"Get lost, don't get in my way!"
Hearing this, his subordinates quickly let go of the independent cultivator.
They were afraid; when Gao Jian, this dog of a man, started hitting, he didn't care who was in the way.
Jiang Baobian's disciple drew the Spirit-Binding Rope from his waist and lashed it viciously at the independent cultivator.
"You are nothing but bandits!"
The independent cultivator activated a defensive stone armor talisman and shouted at the top of his lungs.
He hoped that someone out there would acknowledge his suffering and save him from this ordeal.
Being called a bandit didn't panic Gao Jian in the least. He sneered and shouted.
"How bold! You even dare to slander the Red Lantern Illumination Sect's security patrol. You truly are a rogue cultivator harboring malicious intentions!"
'Rogue cultivator' was a convenient basket; anything could be stuffed inside. Gao Jian certainly knew how to maintain order.
Catching more 'rogue cultivators' would not only make him rich but also boost his performance record.
The independent cultivators running stalls nearby watched the brutal conflict in absolute silence, grinding their teeth in hatred. Yet, none dared to speak a word or take a single step.
Gao Jian's cultivation base was mediocre, but he had Jiang Baobian and the Red Lantern Illumination Sect backing him!
Noticing the conflict, Wang Xianmao stopped in his tracks. Yulou observed that the Patriarch was looking at the crowd in the distance.
Following the Patriarch's gaze, he also spotted the group of Immortal Alliance Emissaries in the crowd, dressed in white robes with black rhinoceros horn belts tied around their waists.
They were the Immortal Alliance Emissaries who had arrived with True Person Danri. The Immortal Alliance's duty was to govern all cultivators in the world.
Even the Purple Palace and Golden Core ancestors of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect had to obey the Immortal Alliance's order on some level.
"Watch closely. You will soon learn what the Immortal Alliance truly is."
Using his spiritual energy to Absorb the two boys to his side, Wang Xianmao transmitted his voice.
Yu'an looked with anticipation as the Immortal Alliance cultivators approached the dispute between Gao Jian and the independent cultivator. He hadn't yet grasped the Patriarch's meaning.
But Yulou already understood.
He looked at the independent cultivator, who was screaming miserably from the beating, with a complex gaze.
In this independent cultivator, Yulou saw a reflection of the Wang Clan under the oppressive weight of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect.
Gao Jian oppressed the independent cultivator to exploit him ruthlessly.
The Red Lantern Illumination Sect also exploited its vassal factions ruthlessly, forcing them to pay tribute.
The only difference was that one was direct and obvious, while the other appeared subtle and dignified.
In essence, they were exactly the same.
As the squad of Immortal Alliance Emissaries gradually approached the site of the dispute, the crowd of onlookers naturally parted to make way.
With the Immortal Alliance here, would justice finally be served?
Seeing the Immortal Alliance Emissaries approaching, the independent cultivator acted as if he had grasped a lifeline, crawling toward them.
"Immortal Alliance seniors, save me! Immortal Alliance seniors, save me! He's slandering me! He's slandering me!"
Gao Jian stowed his Spirit-Binding Rope, put on a show of bowing respectfully, and explained to the newcomers.
"Fellow Daoists, this is a rogue cultivator harboring malicious intentions. Our Clearbrook Market Security Patrol discovered his crimes and is currently apprehending him!"
The independent cultivator immediately panicked. He crawled to the feet of the Immortal Alliance cultivators and tugged at the hem of a female cultivator's robes, desperately trying to defend himself and beg for help.
However, the female Immortal Alliance cultivator, who was at high-tier Qi Refining, casually threw down a seal-like magical artifact, smashing it directly onto the independent cultivator's head.
"How dare you soil my magical robe?"
Seeing that the Immortal Alliance Emissaries couldn't be bothered to stand up for an independent cultivator, the panic in Gao Jian's heart vanished instantly.
"Fellow Daoists, I can handle this. I'll handle this."
He channeled his spiritual energy and lashed his whip squarely across the independent cultivator's back.
With just a single strike, the independent cultivator was knocked flat against the ground.
Sprawled out, the independent cultivator coughed up large mouthfuls of bloody froth. His eyes lost focus; his life was visibly hanging by a thread.
"You are... you are... you are all..."
He murmured, trying to say something more, but Gao Jian lashed him across the head again, silencing his anger and resentment.
Crack!
Red and white matter spilled out. The independent cultivator could no longer utter his rebellious words.
The female cultivator whose robes had just been tugged was splattered with drops of blood. She glared furiously at Gao Jian and said,
"You blind fool!"
Saying this, the female cultivator prepared to smash Gao Jian with her seal artifact.
Seeing the flying magic seal, Gao Jian felt a sudden, dazed realization—it was as if he and the independent cultivator had just traded places.
'Crap, I'm going to be bullied now too!'
He had always known the Immortal Alliance cultivators were arrogant, but he never imagined they could be this arrogant.
Even though Jiang Baobian was indeed his master, Gao Jian didn't dare to actually clash with an Immortal Alliance cultivator.
Facing the furious female cultivator, he could only channel his spiritual energy to dodge, hoping to stall for time.
At that moment, Wang Xianmao finally made his move.
But to Yulou's surprise, Wang Xianmao helped Gao Jian!
Cyan spiritual energy acted like a silk ribbon, instantly crossing tens of meters to catch the magic seal.
The moment the aura of a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator slightly leaked out, all the nearby Qi Refining cultivators instantly took notice of Wang Xianmao.
This was a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, an existence as elusive as a divine dragon. For many of the Qi Refining cultivators present, this was the first time in their lives seeing a Foundation Establishment senior with their own eyes.
The Patriarch took a few steps forward and spoke to Gao Jian with a hint of reprimand.
"Alright, that's enough. Little Gao, I was just eating with your master. He's looking for you, so hurry up and go see him."
Yulou understood that these words were meant for the Immortal Alliance Emissaries to hear.
'I am at Foundation Establishment, and the person you're beating has a master who is also at Foundation Establishment.'
'The vast majority of Foundation Establishment stage cultivators in Wunan belong to the Immortal Alliance system. We see each other around constantly, so let it rest.'
Gao Jian looked at Wang Xianmao, then quickly glanced toward the Immortal Alliance cultivators before finally saying,
"Yes!"
He signaled his subordinates to drag the independent cultivator's corpse away, bowed to both Wang Xianmao and the Immortal Alliance cultivators, and scurried off in a sorry state.
The Red Lantern Illumination Sect also exploited its vassal forces ruthlessly, forcing them to pay tribute.
It was simply that one was direct and blatant, while the other appeared more subtle and dignified.
In essence, they were exactly the same.
As the Immortal Alliance Emissaries approached the scene of the dispute, the crowd of onlookers naturally parted to make way.
Had the Immortal Alliance arrived to deliver justice?
Seeing the Immortal Alliance Emissaries approach, the rogue cultivator crawled toward them as if grasping at a lifeline.
"Seniors of the Immortal Alliance, save me! Seniors of the Immortal Alliance, save me! He's slandering me! He's framing me!"
Gao Jian put away the Spirit-Binding Rope, feigned a respectful bow, and explained to the newcomers from the Immortal Alliance.
"Fellow Daoists, this is a rogue cultivator harboring malicious intentions. Our Clearbrook Market Security Patrol discovered his wrongdoings and is currently apprehending him!"
The rogue cultivator immediately grew desperate. He crawled to the feet of an Immortal Alliance cultivator, grabbing the hem of a female cultivator's long robe to plead for help.
However, the high-tier Qi Refining female cultivator from the Immortal Alliance simply slammed a seal-shaped magical artifact into the rogue cultivator's head with a backhand swing.
"How dare you soil my magical robe?"
Seeing that the Immortal Alliance Emissaries couldn't be bothered to stand up for a mere rogue cultivator, all the panic in Gao Jian's heart vanished instantly.
"Fellow Daoists, allow me to handle this. Allow me to handle this."
He channeled his spiritual energy and landed a precise, heavy lash onto the rogue cultivator's back.
With just one strike, the rogue cultivator was beaten flat against the ground.
Lying there, the rogue cultivator coughed up mouthfuls of bloody froth, his eyes losing focus. His life was clearly hanging by a thread.
"You are all... you are all..."
He murmured, trying to speak, but Gao Jian brought the whip down on his head again, cutting short his anger and indignation.
"Smack!"
Red and white fluids leaked out. The rogue cultivator would never again speak such rebellious words.
Noticing drops of blood splattered on her clothes, the female cultivator who had been grabbed earlier glared fiercely at Gao Jian.
"You blind fool!"
With that, she prepared to smash Gao Jian with her seal-shaped magical artifact.
Watching the flying magic seal, Gao Jian felt a dazed realization that he had just swapped places with the rogue cultivator from moments ago.
'Damn it, now I'm the one getting bullied!'
He had always known the Immortal Alliance cultivators were arrogant, but he never imagined they could be this overbearing.
Even though Jiang Baobian was indeed his master, Gao Jian didn't dare to actually clash with the Immortal Alliance cultivators.
Facing the enraged female cultivator, he could only channel his spiritual energy to dodge, trying to stall for time.
At that moment, Wang Xianmao finally made his move.
But to Yulou's surprise, Wang Xianmao helped Gao Jian!
Cyan spiritual energy shot out like a silk ribbon, instantly crossing a distance of dozens of meters to catch the magic seal.
The moment the aura of a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator leaked out, all the nearby Qi Refining cultivators instantly noticed Wang Xianmao.
This was a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator! They were usually elusive, like divine dragons showing their heads but hiding their tails. For many of the Qi Refining cultivators present, this was the first time in their lives seeing a Foundation Establishment senior in person.
The Patriarch took a few steps forward and spoke to Gao Jian with a hint of reproach.
"Alright, let's stop here. Little Gao, I was just eating with your master. He's looking for you right now, go see him."
Yulou understood that these words were meant for the Immortal Alliance Emissaries to hear.
'I am in the Foundation Establishment realm, and the man you're hitting has a master who is also in the Foundation Establishment realm.'
'The vast majority of Foundation Establishment stage cultivators in Wunan are part of the Immortal Alliance system. We see each other all the time. Let's leave it at that.'
Gao Jian looked at Wang Xianmao, then quickly glanced in the direction of the Immortal Alliance cultivators, and finally replied.
"Yes!"
He signaled his subordinates to drag the rogue cultivator's body away, then bowed to both Wang Xianmao and the Immortal Alliance cultivators before fleeing the scene in a sorry state.
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