Chapter 7: Greed (Please collect)
“Many thanks for the young master's bounty! ”
She Lei held the emerald green bamboo leaf, beaming with joy: “Congratulations, young master, on your great progress in martial arts! I'm sure it won't be difficult for you to cultivate True Force and reach the realm of the various martial arts hall masters in the future! ”
“Oh? After the Blood-Qi Three Transformations comes True Force — is that the realm of a martial arts hall master? ”
Fang Xi raised an eyebrow.
To be honest, even a martial artist of the Blood-Qi Three Transformations was just 'so-so' in the eyes of a cultivator. The mortal world of the Southern Desolate Cultivation World also had its martial arts community, capable of achieving similar feats and destructive power; it was merely a different path they walked.
But the realm of a martial arts hall master was different.
Of course, She Lei was just flattering him; he could still tell the difference.
“Naturally! ” She Lei nodded repeatedly, but inwardly, he sneered. This young master from a prominent family truly didn't understand the craft.
The Blood-Qi Three Transformations – each transformation was harder than the last!
And by the third Blood-Qi Transformation, the requirements became even more extreme.
Throughout Black Stone City, among all the martial arts halls, only a handful of young disciples had reached this stage.
As for the realm of a martial arts hall master, that was even more of a pipe dream; without a stroke of luck, one shouldn't even think of entering that realm.
Even he, due to an injury in his middle age, was completely cut off from ever becoming a martial arts hall master. Now, he merely held an instructor position at the Red Snake Martial Arts Hall.
“That's natural, but to cultivate True Force, one must genuinely apprentice themselves to a martial arts hall, become a core disciple, only then can they view the inheritance of the Divine Intent Diagram, comprehend how to integrate their blood-qi, and transform it into the Dao of True Force. . . ”
She Lei stroked his beard.
This was the bait he cast. As long as the other party wished to join a martial arts hall and become a core disciple, wouldn't they have no choice but to continue currying favor with him?
“Divine Intent Diagram? ”
Fang Xi felt he had touched upon some core aspects of this world's Blood-Qi Martial Arts. His eyes lit up: “Is it for sale? ”
She Lei felt a little unable to keep up with the other's thought process: “The Divine Intent Diagrams of each lineage are secrets among secrets. . . they are not for sale. ”
“A thousand taels of silver! ”
Fang Xi named his price.
She Lei's breathing immediately quickened.
Master, it's not that I'm disloyal, it's just that this person is offering too much. . .
“If a thousand taels isn't enough, then how about two thousand taels! ”
Fang Xi noticed She Lei's wavering and added with a smile.
“This. . . let this old man consider. . . ”
Watching She Lei's stumbling figure depart, a playful smile appeared on Fang Xi's face.
The so-called Divine Intent Diagram was undoubtedly the foundation of every martial arts hall.
In reality, he wasn't in a hurry. As long as he proceeded step by step, once he reached the Blood-Qi Three Transformations, he would always have a chance to encounter it.
Bringing it up now was merely to stir the greed that She Lei already harbored in his heart!
‘My Fang residence is established in Black Stone City, and because people perceive us as foolish and wealthy, we're always coveted. I need to display some cunning to truly secure our footing. ’
Fang Xi touched his chest.
Those 'Little Thunder Talisman', 'Goldlight Cover Talisman', and 'Cold Ice Talisman' gave him considerable confidence.
‘Blood-qi martial artists need to get close to threaten cultivators, and martial artists below the Blood-Qi Three Transformations are nothing special. . . Only martial arts hall masters can cause a slight apprehension. ’
‘I wonder how the strength of these martial arts hall masters compares to true Body Cultivation cultivators? ’
Of course, while he thought this, Fang Xi actually had no desire to personally test it out.
After all, it was far too dangerous.
...
Night.
Fang Xi lay on a bamboo chair in the courtyard, an ice cream nearby.
Yue Gui gazed curiously at her young master, wondering why he didn't return indoors to enjoy the cool air conditioning, but instead chose to bask in the natural breeze outside.
The summer heat was still quite oppressive.
Perhaps. . . tomorrow I should prepare some lotus seed soup? To clear heat and soothe irritation?
Just as Yue Gui's thoughts drifted, Fang Xi sighed: “Here it comes. . . ”
The Fang residence's back garden.
A figure in black scaled the wall and entered, his small eyes glinting with cunning.
In his arms, he carried a large quantity of knockout drops and anesthetic incense.
‘Damn it, this Fang residence has no foundation and yet is so rich, casually throwing out thousands of taels of silver. All the more reason they should pay their respects to this great master! ’
She Lei was familiar with the Fang residence, making his way to the storeroom.
The next moment, just as he was about to light the anesthetic incense under the cover of night.
Fwoosh!
Torches suddenly flared to life all around him.
“What? ”
She Lei looked around in surprise, seeing over a dozen burly guards with broad shoulders and stout waists, armed with clubs.
Moreover, Mu Piao Miao was also among the guards, staring at him with blazing fury: “She Lei. . . how dare you? ”
Stealing an employer's wealth — this was tarnishing the reputation of every martial arts hall in Black Stone City!
“Hehehe. . . This old man is the Sky Mischief Harrier, I don't know any She Lei! ”
She Lei croaked, turning to flee!
This kind of thing was like being caught in adultery; as long as he still had a veil on his face, he absolutely couldn't admit it!
Even if caught with his pants down, he still couldn't admit it!
His leg techniques were astonishing, and his speed was remarkable.
In the blink of an eye, he arrived before two guards wielding clubs, and with a casual push, the two guards felt a surge of immense force and immediately stumbled, reeling.
“Stop right there! ”
Suddenly, a sharp shout rang out behind She Lei.
It was Mu Piao Miao!
She struck out with a palm, her palm grey and reeking of a foul stench. It was clearly the 'White Cloud Palm' unleashed with full force.
‘Heh. . . Mu Piao Miao is no match for me, but I can't expose my Red Snake Leg. ’
She Lei's body swayed, and in a flash, he created some distance.
Behind him, Mu Piao Miao pursued relentlessly, and while the Fang residence's guards were ordinary, they could still buy time.
Ultimately, She Lei was still caught by Mu Piao Miao.
“Don't push me! ”
She Lei roared in fury, his leg muscles bulging, lashing out like a snake whip!
Bang!
In mid-air, leg and palm shadows intertwined. Mu Piao Miao recoiled several steps, letting out a cold snort, clearly having suffered a minor setback.
Leg strength was inherently greater than arm strength, and furthermore, She Lei surpassed her in both combat experience and overall power.
But She Lei's expression turned grim as he looked at the scraps of cloth fluttering in the air and the three grey finger marks on his leg: “As expected, it's poison palm technique. . . Too bad, you can't keep me. ”
Even if his Red Snake Leg was exposed, as long as he escaped, he could still deny it the next day!
Anyway, there were plenty of apprentices at the Red Snake Martial Arts Hall in Black Stone City!
Mu Piao Miao, injured by his kick, was no longer able to obstruct him.
Just as She Lei was about to leave, Fang Xi strolled out leisurely, shaking his head as he spoke: “Old She, you're truly lacking in propriety! Tomorrow, I'll definitely report you to the officials and have you arrested! ”
“This old man is not She Lei, but I still must teach you a lesson! ”
Though She Lei had been struck by the poison finger, his movement technique remained nimble and swift. In the blink of an eye, he broke through layers of guards and appeared before Fang Xi.
The next moment, Fang Xi smiled calmly: “Instructor She, why don't you stay? ”
A tall figure emerged from behind Fang Xi.
“This person. . . so familiar! ”
A thought flashed through She Lei's mind.
The next moment, he saw the other raise his palm and flick it gently, as if swatting a fly.
Smack!
His leg bone snapped. He let out a scream, flew backward, slammed into the wall, and slumped down.
“It's you. . . Mu Cang Long, master of the White Cloud Martial Arts Hall! ”
She Lei roared.
“Naturally, it's this old man! You injured my daughter and even tried to harm the young master — truly an unforgivable offense! ” Mu Cang Long, in his fifties, was powerfully built, with a purplish-red complexion, exuding an aura of authority without needing to rage.
“How are you here? ” She Lei was dumbfounded.
“Naturally, this young master paid five hundred taels of silver to invite him. ”
Fang Xi picked up the conversation.
He wanted to witness the methods of a martial arts hall master, but that didn't mean he had to act himself; he could also pay someone else to put on a display.
As it turned out, money made the mill turn, even for ghosts. Just a few hundred taels had bought a single strike from the White Cloud Martial Arts Hall Master.
At this moment, thinking of Mu Cang Long's earlier strike, Fang Xi silently calculated in his mind:
‘Martial artists of the Blood-Qi Three Transformations are like children before a martial arts hall master; it truly is a qualitative change. . . ’
‘In terms of speed, strength, and physical resilience, She Lei was simply incomparable. . . ’
‘In terms of strength, he could barely rival those cultivators at the first stage of Body Cultivation, perhaps? ’
This was actually quite good.
Because Body Cultivation not only required cultivation methods but also resources, all calculated in Spirit Stones. To achieve success in Body Cultivation, an investment of at least dozens of Spirit Stones was necessary.
Yet Fang Xi could acquire them with silver in Da Liang!
This was what he valued most.
“Young Master Fang, how should this person be dealt with next? ”
Mu Cang Long looked at Fang Xi: “She Lei has already been struck by my poison palm; his blood-qi cannot circulate, and he cannot escape. . . ”
“Alas. . . ”
Fang Xi sighed: “I don't wish to fall out with the Red Snake Martial Arts Hall. Let's suppress this matter for now and not report it to the authorities. First, invite the Red Snake Martial Arts Hall Master to come for a discussion. ”
At this time, the Da Liang imperial court still held some deterrent power.
Behavior like She Lei's would at the very least result in severe torture and a sentence of exile or conscription into the army.
Mu Cang Long listened to Fang Xi's words and couldn't help but nod.
Immediately after, Fang Xi's words reached his ears again: “Hall Master Mu, tomorrow, I'll need you to bear witness. ”
“Naturally, even for the reputation of my martial arts hall, I won't let this person off lightly. ” Mu Cang Long nodded gravely.
...
The master of the Red Snake Martial Arts Hall was named Lu She. He favored wearing red robes, was short in stature, and unremarkable in appearance.
But as he walked, he made people feel extremely uncomfortable, as if they were being stared at by a venomous snake.
The next day, Fang Xi looked at the Red Snake Martial Arts Hall Master and gave a light cough: “Hall Master Lu, alas. . . I didn't want this to happen. . . ”
“If you didn't want it, why not release She Lei and pretend nothing happened? ” Lu She rasped, “Instead of saying all this, just state your conditions! ”
“This. . . ” Fang Xi looked at Mu Cang Long.
Mu Cang Long cleared his throat: “Lu She, your martial arts hall was in the wrong first in this matter, and we are doing this for your reputation. . . ”
He had, in fact, accepted Fang Xi's money and had long since prepared their narrative: “All the tuition fees your Red Snake Martial Arts Hall collected must be fully refunded — that's the rule. In addition to that, you must also compensate Young Master Fang! ”
“Alright, alright, alright! ”
Lu She glared at Mu Cang Long, then suddenly smiled: “So it's your White Cloud Martial Arts Hall trying to make a name for yourselves. ”
Secretly, he believed there was an eighty percent chance the White Cloud Martial Arts Hall was behind this incident, having set a trap to snatch Fang Xi, this wealthy fool!
“Think what you will, but what's done is done. ” Mu Cang Long frowned: “Young Master Fang cannot study at the Red Snake Martial Arts Hall in the future, but since he has already learned the Red Snake Leg, your martial arts hall's Divine Intent Diagram can be presented for Young Master Fang's appreciation for one day, as compensation. . . ”
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