Chapter 782 What Great Acting Skills!
"It's not that you were fooled. It's just your personality; you never suffer a loss, and you've never suffered one. Young man, don't you know that sometimes suffering a loss is a blessing?" Old Nalan stood there and said leisurely to Jiang Bai.
He had a smile on his face as he spoke, not an overly bright one, and not the smug look of someone who had achieved something great, but he was very happy and quite pleased with his arrangements.
"Are you going to fight me to the death?" Jiang Bai said, squinting his eyes.
"I didn't want to do this either, but I've gotten to know you. You're too ruthless. Young people don't leave themselves any way out. At first, I was thinking of competing with you, leaving each other some face, and then we could call it quits."
"Back when Lee Cheong-je was at his most powerful, this is how we ended up too."
"However, you can't!"
"Looking at what you've done over the past year, you've gone to extremes in everything you do. I don't know what you were thinking before, but I can guarantee that, based on my understanding of you, once we really get into a fight, it will be a fight to the death."
"You can speak very eloquently, but when we fight, some losses are inevitable. If I suffer some losses, I can bear it. I, or Li Qingdi, Cheng Tiangang, and all of us, even if we lose some people, we can still bear it. We will compromise when it is time to compromise, and we will stop when it is time to stop."
"But you... you Jiang Bai won't! You're ruthless in everything you do. If I hurt any of your people while I'm on the side, you'll fight me to the death!"
"So, after thinking about it, rather than letting you keep arguing with me and then using this as an excuse to get rid of me, I'd rather this old man strike first!"
Jiang Bai was speechless at what Old Nalan said. Although he didn't want to admit it, he knew that Old Nalan was about 80% right. He had previously thought that he and Old Nalan would fight and both of them would suffer some damage, and then the fight would end.
However, there is a prerequisite: that no one Jiang Bai knows or is close to must be harmed.
Let alone his relatives and friends, even if Jiang Bai's close associates like Xiao Tian and Xu Jie were seriously injured or their lives were threatened, he would still turn against Lao Nalan and fight to the death.
As old Nalan said, it was due to his personality.
"So, you set this up? What Thunderstorm, what Seventh Young Master Tang, Fifth Young Master Tang, maybe even Brother Hua and Old Ma were all part of your scheme? The purpose was to trick me without me even realizing it?"
"From the very beginning, when the Tang Clan manipulated local forces to extort money from Imperial Pharmaceuticals, was it all part of your scheme, old Nalan?"
Squinting, Jiang Bai looked around warily. There were foreigners from some unknown faction, Bon masters dressed as lamas, Tang Clan experts, and other people.
There are at least twelve top-level experts here. In addition, Jiang Bai sensed four figures in the four small houses around him. Although they did not come out, Jiang Bai could feel that they were at the level of peerless experts, in other words, four Martial Kings.
These are just the people currently on the surface; who knows how many more Old Nalan has prepared behind the scenes? He can't help but be wary.
"That's right, everything was my plan. Your coming from Tiandu was my plan, and the people you met in Sichuan were all my plans."
"Well, I know you're a womanizer, so I set you up and introduced you to a girl named Lu Ningshuang, and then used her to trigger what happened next."
"We originally wanted to have that Hua Ge lure you in, but you hit him and didn't go after Tang Qi behind him. Asking Tang Qi to go after you would be too abrupt, and we can't just order that kid over directly."
"Young Master Tang the Fifth and Young Master Tang the Seventh are two notorious spendthrifts in the Tang family. If we tell them some things, they definitely won't be able to keep the secret. Just wait for you to put a little pressure on them, and they will spill the beans."
"If Tang Qi is no longer a suitable candidate, then it's naturally Tang Wu Shao who becomes the candidate. That's how Old Ma appeared in front of you, and you beat him up. You then discovered our Great Thunderstorm Plan from Tang Wu Shao."
"There's something else I should mention that you might not know: Zhang Hongjun is also one of our people. He's Tang Clan's informant in southern Sichuan. He's been able to get to where he is today entirely because Tang Clan is supporting him from behind."
Not many people know about this, and Qiu Jie, whom you're looking for, is naturally not among them.
Old Nalan did not hide anything from Jiang Bai's question. In fact, even if Jiang Bai hadn't asked, he would have told Jiang Bai anyway. He had gone to great lengths to set up the scheme, so how could he not let the other party know?
"Lu Ningshuang is one of your people?"
Jiang Bai narrowed his eyes and said noncommittally.
There are two key points to this matter. One is that the Tang Clan intervened to deal with Imperial Pharmaceuticals, thus drawing us here.
Another key point is Lu Ningshuang; it was only after he met her that things went on.
Now that I think about it, it would be strange if Lu Ningshuang wasn't one of them.
"Lu Ningshuang? No, that name should be changed to Nangong Xueyu!" When this question was asked, the one who answered Jiang Bai was not Old Nalan, but a cheerful voice that walked out with a light laugh.
Following the light, I saw an old acquaintance—the head of the Nangong family! Nangong Qinglong!
"It's you! Your Nangong family was involved in this too? Nangong Xueyu? If I'm not mistaken, this name should be Nangong Xueyu, the fiancée of Dongfang Xiong Ying from the Dongfang family, known as the most beautiful woman among the four great families?"
Jiang Bai has an excellent memory, possessing the ability to remember everything he sees. Although he had only heard the name Nangong Xueyu once, he remembered it. She was the most beautiful woman among the four great families, the apple of the eye of the Nangong family, and the one he was betrothed to by the Dongfang family.
"What excellent acting!" Jiang Bai said with a wry smile.
To be honest, he had suspected everyone else, but when they were at the KTV, Jiang Bai was the most suspicious of what Tang Wu Shao said.
Because there were many loopholes, Jiang Bai had some ideas at the time, but because the thunderstorm disrupted his vision, he was anxious and didn't consider so many things.
It's understandable that they would be fooled.
However, Jiang Bai really couldn't tell that Nangong Xueyu was playing Lu Ningshuang. Thinking about it carefully, the other party didn't seem to have any flaws.
This woman is wasting her talents by staying in the Nangong family. She should develop her career in the entertainment industry. Jiang Bai would feel it's unfair if she didn't win the Best Actress award.
The head of the Nangong family chuckled lightly, ignoring Jiang Bai and not saying a word to him: "We have received professional training."
He just chuckled and didn't say anything. Perhaps in his eyes, Jiang Bai was already a dead man.
He's not worth wasting his breath here.
Chapter 783 No More Nonsense
If we're talking about who knows Jiang Bai best among this group, it's probably the head of the Nangong family.
Most others only knew about Jiang Bai through hearsay and had never actually interacted with him.
Only the head of the Nangong family had actually fought Jiang Bai, and more than once, and not long ago, just a few months ago.
Naturally, he knew Jiang Bai very well.
That's why he's more confident in today's strategy than others.
"Let me see who's here: Bon religion, Tang Clan, Nangong family... Hmm, the others seem to be from overseas. Are they from some of the nine major gambling groups? Or all of them? Or maybe others?"
Jiang Bai squinted and asked, standing there without moving, quietly watching these people, constantly trying to figure out their identities. Although he was wary, he was not afraid. Based on the power he currently felt, it was not enough to frighten him.
A few months ago, he would have been certain to die this time. However, after his trip to the Lingjiu Palace in the Great Snow Mountain, Jiang Bai's strength is different from before, and he is somewhat confident that he can safely walk out of here.
"I send my regards on behalf of my boss, Jason from Atlantic City."
At this moment, one of the blond, blue-eyed foreigners stepped forward and said this to Jiang Bai in front of him.
They come from Atlantic City in Country A. They are not on the same side as those guys in Vegas. Jiang Bai is very curious about their background. Now it seems that they are not simple. They were able to send out two top-level warriors, which shows that their strength should not be underestimated.
I just don't understand why, if she had such power, she didn't resist me back then, letting me extort money from her and leave, but now she's with Old Nalan.
"Hmm, who else? Why don't I see any experts from the Ten Thousand Saints Sect?" Jiang Bai looked with interest at the group of people surrounding him, who were clearly divided into several camps.
There were exactly four groups of people, belonging to four different camps, but none of Old Nalan's people were seen, which was somewhat unusual.
Since he has attacked us, the Wansheng Sect cannot stand idly by.
However, he soon realized he was wrong; no one from the Ten Thousand Saints Sect had come, as could be seen from Old Nalan's gloomy face.
"I'm very curious. Without the support of experts from the Ten Thousand Saints Sect, how did you manage to persuade those four families to unite against me? They certainly have a grudge against me, but they've held back for so long. The Tang Clan, in particular, has no enmity with me whatsoever. How did you, old Nalan, manage to convince them?"
"I know you've been ruling the borderlands for so long, you're quite capable and have a wide network of connections, but you're also the one in charge. You haven't sent a single expert from your own side, so why would they listen to you and come after me?"
Jiang Bai smiled and asked the old Nalan in front of him.
Jiang Bai was curious as to why no one from Old Nalan's side had come out. He wondered how Old Nalan had managed to persuade these people to turn against him. He also wondered why no one from the Wansheng Sect, Old Nalan's backer, had come out.
Everything seemed eerie.
There's a reason why no one from the Myriad Saints Sect came. As for the reason, I don't need to explain it to you. The people here are enough to deal with you, and there's no need for anyone from the Myriad Saints Sect to come out.
"As for what benefits I promised, it's simple. After dealing with you, all of Jiang Bai's businesses will be divided among the four families, and I won't take a single penny. Furthermore, the four families will have unimpeded access to the area outside the Great Wall. Whatever status I, Nalan Zongde, have there, that's the same status they will have!"
If he were to kill himself, it would be only natural that everything he had, including the huge cake of Tiandu, would be divided up among the various families. What Jiang Bai did not expect was that Nalan would go to such lengths to deal with him.
With these conditions, he was essentially handing over most of his years of hard work outside the Great Wall. These families were not easy to deal with. If they were allowed to enter the Great Wall and enjoy the same status as Old Nalan, it wouldn't be long before they devoured Old Nalan's remaining power.
If it weren't for the presence of the Wansheng Sect, giving Old Nalan some confidence, it probably wouldn't have been long before Old Nalan himself was devoured, leaving not even bones behind.
Given these conditions, it's only natural for several companies to join forces.
After all, the pie was quite large, especially since three of them had a blood feud with Jiang Bai.
"These people think they can deal with me? Do you think that's possible?" Jiang Bai asked with interest.
"Four families, twelve top experts, that would have been enough to deal with you. The Tang Clan also brought out their ancient treasure, the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle, and my Nangong family opened two ice burial coffins and invited out two ancestral experts. Dealing with you... it's a piece of cake."
"I know your strength. This isn't the first time we've fought. Even if you've improved your strength, it's meaningless."
"Even if you call Yang Wudi this time, it won't make a difference!"
The four families produced four experts. The Nangong family opened two ice burial coffins and brought out two ancient experts. According to Jiang Bai's understanding, the Tang Clan did not have any top experts, but only brought out their clan's ancient artifact.
Jiang Bai didn't know whether it was true or false. He also didn't know where the other two experts came from. Since he hadn't seen them, he couldn't be sure where they came from.
If we assume that the Tang Clan did not send out any top-tier experts, then the Bon Clan should have had one expert.
They are also a sect with a history spanning thousands of years, even longer than Tantric Buddhism. They belong to the original sects of Tibet, whose origins are almost untraceable and too distant. They have also fought with Tantric Buddhism for many years. Although they have been slightly at a disadvantage, they naturally have a solid foundation, so it is reasonable that they can produce one or two peerless masters.
But if the Tang Clan didn't send anyone, then naturally Old Nalan wouldn't have anyone either. So where did the remaining person come from? Those foreigners from Atlantic City?
Where did they find such a master to reach this level? According to what Marcus, the necromancer Jiang Bai met before, this is considered a master who has opened up the real world in the West.
Just like martial artists in the East who have reached the level of ancient martial arts cultivation, they are extremely rare.
How could a casino in Atlantic City mobilize such figures? Just how powerful must the forces behind them be?
Jiang Bai finds it somewhat strange that the US hasn't extended its reach to Vegas or wiped out the five major families there.
"Whether it's useful or not, we'll know after we fight. I don't want to waste words. Just bring out those four old guys you've been hiding."
Jiang Bai said in a deep voice.
At this point, there's no point in saying anything more. He just wanted to find out how he was tricked and how these people teamed up, to clarify his thoughts and be more careful in the future.
Now that things are clear, Jiang Bai naturally doesn't want to waste any more words with them. This matter... can only be resolved with fists.
Chapter 784 Defeat Just Like That?
As soon as Jiang Bai finished speaking, the expressions of the people present changed. Old Nalan quietly retreated, and four elderly men with white hair and beards slowly walked out from the four corridors.
Two people with Chinese faces, long hair, and dressed in simple Hanfu, slowly walked out, one holding a long sword and the other holding a long knife.
It's obvious that these two are experts from the Nangong family.
The other two were somewhat different. An old lama, around eighty years old, slowly walked out, holding a gong. His hands hung down, and the huge gong shone with golden light in his hands. He walked slowly, his eyes fixed on Jiang Bai in front of him.
The other side was a bit strange. It was a standard blond, blue-eyed man, around forty years old, not the old man Jiang Bai had imagined. He looked extremely strong, and no one knew where he came from. He was shirtless, about two meters tall, with bulging muscles all over his body. He was carrying a giant axe and walked like a small mountain.
"Benefactor, if you are willing to help us deal with the Lingjiu Palace in the Great Snow Mountain, restore Tibetan faith, and eradicate Tantric Buddhism, we can spare your life, as long as you lead us into the treasure vault of the Lingjiu Palace in the Great Snow Mountain and retrieve the bronze relic."
The old lama came out, placed a pair of huge bronze gongs beside him, bowed to Jiang Bai, and said this.
When it comes to understanding the Lingjiu Palace in the Great Snow Mountain, Jiang Bai probably doesn't know as much as this Bon master. They have been fighting each other for more than a thousand years. Ever since Tantric Buddhism was introduced to Tibet, the struggle between the two sects has never stopped.
The Lingjiu Palace in the Great Snow Mountain has no secrets from them.
Just as Bon religion has no secrets before the Vulture Palace in the Great Snow Mountain.
"Old monk, you have quite the appetite. The Lingjiu Palace of the Great Snow Mountain still has more than twenty bronze relics left. Are you planning to devour them all at once? If I were to give them to you, it would be more satisfying for the people of the Lingjiu Palace of the Great Snow Mountain to consume them, creating a bunch of experts and completely wiping out your Bon religion."
Jiang Bai sneered and responded dismissively.
If he really does that, then he is hopelessly stupid. In that case, why not open the bronze stupa so that more than a dozen masters, four Dharma Kings, and even the elders of the ascetic elder group in the Great Snow Mountain can consume it?
By adding lifespan and combat power, he could instantly create several or even a dozen peerless masters for Jiang Bai, crushing everything. Why bother talking to them?
"We are at their mercy, why should you be so attached?" the old monk said again.
Jiang Bai ignored him, and the two from the Nangong family simply ignored them as there was a deep-seated hatred between them. Jiang Bai turned his gaze to the burly foreign man who was as big as a small mountain and asked, "And you, what do you want?"
These are also some of the reasons they target me; they don't want to kill me, but rather to gain benefits from me.
They must have discussed this with Old Nalan before speaking to me. If I am willing to compromise, they will use some means to control me and force me to fulfill my promise.
Of course... those two from the Nangong family are not in this category.
There's no point in talking to them; the Nangong family is determined to kill him before they'll let it go.
"Our demands are simple: an apology, and return all the money you obtained from the nine major gambling groups to Atlantic City. The total amount is calculated to be one hundred billion US dollars, which can be used to offset the debt with Imperial Enterprises. As for the remaining money, you can pay it back slowly, and work for Atlantic City until it is paid off."
The little giant hummed, his voice like thunder.
Jiang Bai dismissed this with disdain.
He said this condition was even more outrageous than the old monk's; it meant he was being asked to work for Atlantic City for the rest of his life!
Judging from his expression, when he made this request, he thought Jiang Bai wouldn't agree, so Jiang Bai ignored them.
"I'll take care of you first!" Jiang Bai roared and charged out, transforming into a streak of light at an extremely fast speed.
The twelve top-tier experts surrounding him, who were suppressing a region outside, were completely insignificant at this moment. Jiang Bai didn't take them seriously at all. The only slightly threatening ones were these four peerless experts, four people who had stepped into the real world.
Of course... the threat is limited.
After all, Jiang Bai was a level above them.
"Boom!"
With a loud crash, the man was sent flying and slammed to the ground. The huge axe was thrown to the ground, and the man became embedded in the wall, coughing up blood and unable to stand.
"What! How is this possible!" The remaining people's expressions changed drastically, and they subconsciously uttered this sentence.
"Quickly! This person is too high-level; he's a Martial King at the mid-star level!"
"Damn it, which bastard conducted the investigation? They attacked him without even finding out the truth! They're sending us to our deaths!"
The two experts from the Nangong family who were speaking turned around and left when they saw that something was wrong. They had been rescued from the ice coffin and although they didn't have much time left, they still had a few years left and could suppress the Nangong family for a while.
They came out to deal with Jiang Bai, a formidable enemy, thinking they had it in the bag, but now this unexpected turn of events has occurred.
No wonder the two of them were furious and shouted.
Despite their shouting, the two were quick on their feet. Jiang Bai realized something was wrong as soon as he made a move and turned to run.
As for that old lama of the Bon religion, he has long since disappeared without a trace. Only a pair of gongs remain in their original positions, while he himself has vanished to who knows where.
"Trying to run? Do you think you can escape?" Jiang Bai sneered at the sight, ignoring the man who was not actually dead but was seriously injured, and did not chase after the old lama of the Bon religion.
They went straight for the Nangong family and attacked them.
They hate him the most and want to kill him the most, but damn it, they just won't stop. It would be strange if Jiang Bai were to be polite to them.
He chased after them, grabbed one of them by the hair, yanked hard, and then punched him in the forehead, sending him flying. The man collapsed unconscious, his life hanging in the balance.
Another person tried to retaliate, but in his panic, he made a few hasty moves, which Jiang Bai easily dodged without noticing. The other person was knocked unconscious.
Then came the old lama from the Bon religion. Although he ran very fast, unfortunately, he didn't get out before he was knocked down and fell to the ground, unable to get up again.
This unexpected turn of events left everyone around speechless, unable to utter a single word.
Jiang Bai's strength was clearly inconsistent with what they knew; the gap was too great, and he was on a completely different level from them.
All the preparations made were now completely useless. These experts were utterly vulnerable. Those peerless masters they usually looked up to, those they called ancestors or treasures, those who hid their strength and refused to make a move—
They really lost like that?
Chapter 785 Why Not Run Away?
These unparalleled masters are the most powerful fighting force, and placing them in a sect is like placing a treasure to protect the sect.
That's a nuclear weapon level figure, a deterrent force, just like the Living Buddha Abudanzeng. He's there to suppress the universe, and he sits alone in the Lingjiu Palace on the Great Snow Mountain. Even Yang Wudi is helpless against him. In order to obtain the subsequent cultivation techniques, he had to betray Jiang Bai's information to the Living Buddha Abudanzeng in order to obtain the subsequent "Azure Wolf Devouring the Heaven Technique".
This shows just how precious these unparalleled masters are.
The Nangong family was driven out of China and nearly wiped out, but they only managed to suppress the situation by opening two ice coffins and bringing out two experts of this caliber, thus allowing them to survive in Southeast Asia.
It's easy to imagine how important and powerful a peerless master is.
In an ordinary sect, let alone peerless masters, even top-tier masters are extremely rare. Having just one top-tier master would be enough to suppress the situation.
The birth or existence of a peerless master would be enough to make them stand out from the crowd, but now... they have carried out such a meticulous plan and mobilized so many people to bring Jiang Bai over.
What seemed like a sure thing has actually fallen apart?
Four peerless masters were defeated as easily as swatting flies?
This...this is way too decisive, isn't it?
This was something that the people present found hard to accept, something that completely shattered their worldview.
"Brother, should we still use the Rain of Pear Blossom Needles?" Tang Xiangbei of the Tang Clan asked Tang Xiangdong, the patriarch beside him, somewhat dazed, as he looked at the scene before him.
The Tang Clan was also a major force this time, although they did not send out any top experts, did not open the ice burial coffin treasured by their family, and did not invite out the few experts from the Tang Clan.
However, they were carrying the clan's ancient artifact, the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle.
This thing is the most powerful hidden weapon in the history of martial arts, bar none.
Its power is terrifying, even greater than that of an ordinary peerless master.
Once launched, millions of flying needles follow, capable of piercing anything and destroying everything, making it terrifying to the extreme. Although each use is somewhat troublesome, those needles hidden in the ancient artifacts cannot be reforged, as they are made from unknown extraterrestrial gold crystals and cannot be replicated at all.
After each use, they need to send out a large number of people to find all the needles, ensuring that not a single one is lost.
Ninety-nine thousand nine hundred needles, not a single one can be missing.
That's more important than the lives of future generations.
This thing cannot be used lightly; once it is used, it is almost always fatal. This is only because they cannot unleash its full power.
In fact, if this thing were used by a true ancient martial arts master, its power would be multiplied many times. It is said that it once killed a master of the middle heaven level in the hands of the ancestor.
Their descendants have somewhat tarnished this thing.
"Fourth brother! Go back and face the wall for a year. Think it through before you talk to me again!"
Unexpectedly, Tang Xiangbei's response was Tang Xiangdong's cold and indifferent words.
This left Tang Xiangbei somewhat bewildered. Tang Xiangnan, standing beside him, angrily slapped the over-sixty-year-old Tang Xiangbei on the forehead: "You idiot! Four peerless masters were crushed to death like chickens. What are we going to do with this thing now? Are we just asking for it?"
"You've been looking at Jiang Bai's information for nothing? This kid... no, this grandpa, has a constitution that's practically immortal. As long as you don't kill him completely, what good are the serious injuries you inflict on him?"
"With the Rain of Pear Blossom Needles in hand, we still have some confidence. But once we use them, these things will be useless. How are we going to get these needles back from him? Should you go or should I go?"
Tang Xiangbei was speechless at this, but before he could reply, Jiang Bai's voice rang out: "None of you need to come to me to collect it. I'm confiscating this!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the four pillar experts of the Tang Clan were instantly sent flying. They didn't even have a chance to speak before they were sent flying. They hadn't seen Jiang Bai's movements at all.
When Jiang Bai landed steadily, he already had a metal box in his hand, engraved with ancient patterns.
Without even thinking, you know this is the Tang Clan's treasured ancient artifact, the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle!
Jiang Bai didn't know how to use this thing, otherwise he really wanted to use it to give these guys a taste of the magic, let them experience the power of the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needles, and die under such a fearsome ancient artifact, which would be a fitting end.
Unfortunately, Jiang Bai didn't know how to use it, so he just put it away.
He then leaped out, transforming into a streak of light. The screams of the top experts present echoed one after another. They didn't even get a clear look at Jiang Bai before they were all sent flying.
Some collapsed and vomited blood, while others had already fainted.
However, no one died, which clearly showed that Jiang Bai had shown mercy. But what he was planning was anyone's guess.
This scene left the experts from various families watching from afar dumbfounded. Not a single one dared to utter a sound, nor did anyone rush to provide reinforcements. They were all responsible for the perimeter, preventing anyone from getting close.
The experts from all sides, who were influential figures outside, were relegated to patrolling and serving as mere underlings here.
Seeing this, everyone broke out in a cold sweat, dared not utter a sound, and instinctively trembled. Some of the less well-mannered ones turned and ran away.
Even those with good manners trembled and dared not utter a word.
Jiang Bai ignored all of them. After finishing his task, he leaped to the spot where he had been ambushed and looked at Nalan Zongde, who had retreated a few meters and was now expressionless and gloomy.
He chuckled and said, "Old Nalan, you've put so much effort into setting this up, but it's all for nothing, huh? You think you can take me down with a bunch of rotten potatoes and stinky eggs?"
"Am I saying you're being delusional, or are you just plain stupid?"
For some reason, Old Nalan, who was standing there, did not rush to escape. Perhaps he knew that there was no hope of escaping. After all, of the four peerless masters, except for the first one who was defeated by Jiang Bai with lightning speed, the rest changed their tune as soon as they saw that things were not going well and hurriedly tried to run away. Unfortunately, they did not have time to escape and were caught by Jiang Bai and defeated one by one.
While Nalan himself possessed some skill, he was no match for this peerless master. Whether he ran or not, it didn't really make much of a difference.
Of course... all of the above are Jiang Bai's personal speculations. As for the real reason, only Old Nalan, the person involved, knows. Jiang Bai can only speculate based on his personal understanding. The truth is only known to Old Nalan himself.
Chapter 786 The Old, Strong Man with a Braid
"You've actually reached this level of skill; it's truly beyond my expectations."
"Four peerless masters and twelve top masters were unable to do anything to you. They were defeated by you in an instant. Not only that, but you also stole the Tang Clan's treasured ancient artifact, the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle. I really underestimated you."
"Is this the legendary 'overpowering all techniques with sheer force'?"
"Indeed, any conspiracy or trickery is nothing but a joke in the face of absolute power."
Hearing Jiang Bai's words and seeing his victorious smile, Old Nalan stood there hunched over, his hands tucked into his wide sleeves. His hunched body was curled up, but he showed no fear and remained calm.
This surprised Jiang Bai, who glanced at Old Nalan with a puzzled look.
It's unclear where he got his confidence from, but upon seeing this scene, he didn't show the panic Jiang Bai had expected.
He remained standing there, though his body was hunched over, not out of fear, but because of his physical condition.
In his youth, Nalan was a tall and strong man, but that was in his youth; now he is over eighty years old.
It is rare for someone to live to seventy, let alone eighty.
His behavior is typical of an elderly person.
There was no fear, no surprise, only calmness and composure, which made Jiang Bai narrow his eyes, with a bad feeling.
Old Nalan's composure is rather unusual.
If things are abnormal, it must be something sinister.
"Don't you think it's a little too late to say these things now?"
Jiang Bai asked noncommittally, glancing around as he spoke. The mysterious and unpredictable Wansheng Sect, the powerful backer of Old Nalan, had not appeared, which was abnormal in itself.
They are the biggest backers of the old Nalan clan. The old Nalan clan's achievements today are inseparable from the support of the Wansheng Sect.
They are the heirs of the old Nalan, the backbone of the old monk.
Given the magnitude of the attack on him, why didn't Old Nalan mobilize them? What was Old Nalan doing at Changbai Mountain this time?
If you've been gone for so long and said you didn't do anything, that would be a lie.
Even if he used this name to contact a group of people outside, he must have had dealings with the Wansheng Sect.
Therefore, Jiang Bai suspected that Old Nalan's composure stemmed from his own inner strength.
Where does his confidence come from?
They naturally come from the Ten Thousand Saints Sect.
"Late? It is a bit late. These people are too weak, or rather, you are too strong. I didn't expect that you not only saw through the final obstacle and became a true peerless master, entering the level of ancient martial arts cultivators, but also a mid-level Martial King, stepping into the mid-star level."
"These are all things I didn't plan for. It's truly astonishing that you can reach such a level of cultivation at your age!"
"If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it either. It seems you were hiding your strength when you fought the Nangong family before."
"You're young but have a lot on your mind. No wonder you've achieved what you have today. My research on you was somewhat flawed."
Old Nalan remained somewhat calm and shared his guess.
Jiang Bai did not refute this, although he did not hide his strength at all, and at that time he was indeed no match for the Nangong family.
If it weren't for Yang Wudi's help, Jiang Bai would have been kneeling by now.
His later achievements were due to two factors: firstly, the system itself, and secondly, his trip to Lingjiu Palace in the Great Snow Mountain, which led him to obtain a powerful relic, thus enabling him to achieve what he has today.
Jiang Bai wouldn't tell Nalan Zongde about these things. What would be the point of telling him? These were deep secrets, and Jiang Bai had no interest in explaining too much to an outsider.
"I think you should stop caring about this nonsense and focus on yourself instead."
"All your plans seem to have been ineffective. These useless people are completely incompetent and were easily dealt with."
"If I were you, I would think carefully about what to do now. Maybe if you, old Nalan, knelt down and begged for mercy, I would let it go because of your age."
Jiang Bai sneered, his eyes narrowed. Although he was still observing his surroundings, he didn't reveal anything.
"Kneel down and beg for mercy? In my entire life, apart from my parents and my master, no one has ever made me kneel down!"
"It's impossible for others, and it's impossible for you too!"
"I was penniless before I turned thirty, and it took me several years after I turned thirty to build the foundation I have today. For decades, I have stood firm in the Northeast, and no matter how the situation in China changes, I have remained steadfast!"
"I have never knelt before anyone!"
"Of course I would never kneel before you!"
Old Nalan shook his head steadily and said these powerful words.
Then, his eyes flashed with a sharp light as he looked at Jiang Bai and said, "Jiang Bai, what do you think has kept me standing for so many years? The Myriad Saints Sect? Or the people under my command? Or something else entirely?"
"Of course it's thanks to the Ten Thousand Saints Sect, isn't that common knowledge?" Jiang Bai thought to himself, but remained silent, waiting quietly for Old Nalan to speak.
He knew that even if he didn't answer, old Nalan would definitely speak.
"Let me tell you, I don't rely on anyone! I am who I am today because of myself!"
Old Nalan looked at Jiang Bai in front of him and said this coldly, then slowly unbuttoned his clothes.
Jiang Bai was quite surprised, thinking that the old guy was planning to strip naked and die to disgust him. He subconsciously took a step back, only to realize that he was wrong.
Old Nalan took off his clothes, revealing a lean skeleton covered in wrinkles and without a muscle, which made Jiang Bai frown, wondering what kind of act he was putting on.
However, Jiang Bai soon found out.
As Old Nalan slowly said, "Jiang Bai, I don't rely on anyone. I can roam freely on my own!"
"I haven't fought anyone in years. I thought these good-for-nothings could be of some use, but I didn't expect that good-for-nothings are just good-for-nothings. I even made so many promises!"
"If I weren't forced to, I really wouldn't want to fight you, but now it seems I have no choice!"
"Although doing this is quite troublesome for me, I can't worry about that now!"
Just as Jiang Bai was completely baffled by what Old Nalan had said, standing more than ten meters in front of Jiang Bai, Old Nalan's muscles suddenly swelled up, and his height began to increase rapidly, with his muscles bulging at a visible speed.
A moment later, with a low shout, a completely new Nalan Zongde appeared in front of Jiang Bai. He was over two meters tall, still with white hair and beard, and a thick braid hanging down his back. However, there was no wrinkle on his body anymore, only muscles as solid as iron.
Majestic and towering, like a mountain.
Chapter 787 A Hard-Won Conflict
Jiang Bai saw what Old Nalan was doing and immediately narrowed his eyes, looking wary, and stopped paying attention to anything else.
Whether or not anyone from the Myriad Saints Sect came is no longer important.
Because the old Nalan in front of us is the strongest trump card.
Although Jiang Bai didn't know why the old Nalan had deliberately concealed his strength before, he knew that this massive, mountain-like giant was not to be trifled with and possessed strength no less than his own.
Jiang Bai didn't understand why, if Old Nalan had such strength, he refused to enter the pass for decades and remained outside the pass.
To be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with his current self means he has at least reached the level of an intermediate Martial King. Not to mention before his breakthrough, even after his breakthrough, Yang Wudi would definitely not be a match for Nalan Zongde.
If anyone could go toe-to-toe with him in the past, it would probably be Zhao Wuji before he was injured.
Zhao Wuji never explicitly stated his strength, only saying that he was stronger than Yang Wudi.
Jiang Bai didn't know how much stronger he was, but his initial estimate was that he was only slightly stronger, at most able to exchange a few blows with Old Nalan.
Jiang Bai didn't believe that Zhao Wuji was more powerful than himself and Nalan Lao.
Of course, this is uncertain.
Jiang Bai did not make any rash judgments.
Ignoring Zhao Wuji's affairs, Jiang Bai's primary target was the towering giant Nalan Zongde, who stood before him like a mountain.
"Mid-level star? Your strength is about the same as mine, but that kind of strength is enough to crush everything. I'm curious, why didn't you step forward in the first place? Why did you have to send these guys to their deaths?"
"Giving such a huge benefit to these good-for-nothings is not like your style, Nalan Zongde. I remember decades ago when you were conquering the country, you braved wind and rain, and many people who opposed you died at your hands. There are records of you personally killing people at least a hundred times."
"Why, this time, do you have to use someone else's hand?"
Squinting, Jiang Bai said noncommittally.
Both he and Old Nalan reached their peak momentum at the same time, but neither of them made the first move, instead testing each other.
Old Nalan remained unmoved, while Jiang Bai walked slowly.
In a battle between masters, the outcome can change in an instant. He and Old Nalan are not at the same level, but if the two are evenly matched, a single move could completely turn the tide. Therefore, neither of them is careless.
"Using others as a front? These worthless people can hardly be called 'others'?"
"I can't borrow someone else's hand."
With a disdainful smile, Old Nalan expressed his deep contempt for the Nangong family and their associates, uttering these words.
The double entendre made Jiang Bai narrow his eyes.
He knew that Old Nalan wasn't talking about these good-for-nothings, but rather about the Ten Thousand Saints Sect behind him. It seemed that Old Nalan's trip to Changbai Mountain was not going smoothly!
Originally, he intended to use the Wansheng Sect, but for some reason, the Wansheng Sect stood idly by, which led to Old Nalan finding people from the four major powers to join forces against him.
Originally, everything seemed foolproof, requiring no action from him. However, plans can't keep up with changes, the information was wrong, and Jiang Bai's strength greatly increased, leading to the current situation.
"You don't seem to have answered my question."
"I said with great interest by the river."
Old Nalan actually avoided the question, which made Jiang Bai very curious. What was there to hide at this point?
Hasn't he revealed all his cards?
"Hmph!" Jiang Bai's question was met with a cold snort from Old Nalan.
The next second, Old Nalan moved, like a giant bear, rushing towards you with extraordinary ferocity.
Jiang Bai felt the overwhelming, mountain-shaking power rushing towards him, but he did not back down.
Although his "Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill" has not been formally upgraded to "Demon Dragon Suppressing Prison Technique", it is still quite powerful and is known for its strength. Faced with such an attack, there is no reason for him to back down.
He also went to meet him head-on, but compared to the burly old Nalan, he was somewhat thin. When the two rushed out and clashed head-on, Jiang Bai appeared rather frail.
With a deafening roar, a gust of air was stirred up at the point where the two clashed. The ground shattered and stones flew everywhere, piercing through all directions.
The splattered stones shot out like bullets with tremendous force, and someone hundreds of meters away was unlucky enough to be hit and die on the spot.
Although he wasn't a top-tier expert, being mobilized here was quite an achievement. It's a pity that a single pebble cost him his life; it's hard to say whether it was bad luck or just plain bad luck.
After the loud noise, both Old Nalan and Jiang Bai retreated. Old Nalan took two steps back, and Jiang Bai took three steps back, and they were actually at a disadvantage.
"How is this possible!" Jiang Bai was stunned for a moment, his heart filled with shock. He knew better than anyone how powerful he was.
The Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill excels in strength. Jiang Bai has never encountered a master who can match his strength along the way. But now, Old Nalan has not only done so, but is also subtly superior.
How could this not horrify Jiang Bai?
Unfortunately, Old Nalan ignored him, not giving him a chance to continue being shocked, and rushed over, heading straight for Jiang Bai, launching one attack after another like rain.
While hitting him, he said, "You went to Lingjiu Palace in the Great Snow Mountain and inherited the position of Living Buddha. It seems that you must have cultivated the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill."
"This ultimate technique is said to possess unparalleled strength. Once mastered to the first level, one will have the strength of a dragon and an elephant. But to me, it seems only average. Your strength is inferior to my 'Wild Bear Shaking the Mountain Technique'!"
Jiang Bai ignored him and unleashed the Heavenly Frost Fist. This technique could overlap with Jiang Bai's power, multiplying his strength. Jiang Bai had already tested this before.
Although Jiang Bai's Heavenly Frost Fist is not actually complete.
But its power is extraordinary!
The moment the attack was launched, snow and ice danced everywhere. Old Nalan snorted coldly and launched a sudden attack, directly clashing with Jiang Bai.
He exchanged a punch with Jiang Bai, and although the ice instantly spread throughout his body, he remained fearless.
His body trembled, and the ice shattered.
In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged hundreds of blows, a fight so fierce that it seemed to darken the sky and eclipse the sun and moon.
The once nicely decorated hotel was completely destroyed by the two men, leaving the surrounding ground riddled with craters, resembling the surface of the moon.
Several top-tier experts perished in their attacks; these were the very people who had just been knocked unconscious by Jiang Bai.
None of the others managed to escape; they were like helpless orphans under the combined aura of the two men.
If Jiang Bai and Lao Nalan hadn't deliberately held back and avoided them, these people would probably be almost all dead by now.
They fought for a long time without a clear winner. When they landed, both were panting heavily and injured.
Chapter 788 Changes Too Fast
However, having come this far, Jiang Bai has already won.
Old Nalan might be stronger, slightly more powerful than Jiang Bai, and also much more experienced. Jiang Bai learned a lot from him.
Both of them were at the peak of the middle star level, but Old Nalan was actually better, which surprised Jiang Bai, who sighed that experience really does matter.
Currently, Jiang Bai's left arm is broken, his body is covered in wounds, a piece of flesh has been ripped out of his right thigh, and he is temporarily unable to move his leg.
In contrast, Old Nalan was in no better shape; his left eye was swollen and one of his arms was completely broken.
As for internal injuries, there is no doubt that both of them suffered severe damage to their internal organs.
They were about the same in terms of injury.
Jiang Bai was slightly at a disadvantage, but don't forget that Jiang Bai possesses a special ability.
"Super Recovery!"
Equivalent to immortality, his injuries were completely within his tolerance range. The moment he landed, within a few breaths, Jiang Bai's injuries began to heal at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"Super regeneration? I've known for a long time that you have a special ability, a kind of immortality, that allows you to recover from any injury. I thought it was just hearsay, but now it seems to be true."
Squinting and panting, Old Nalan looked at Jiang Bai, his eyes flickering, seemingly lost in thought.
"Our strengths are about the same, but you might be slightly stronger. If I didn't have this skill, I might not be your match if you fought me. Of course, you wouldn't be able to kill me either. At most, we would both be injured."
"But I have this skill. You think you can fight me in a war of attrition? Don't even mention one of you; even if there are two more of you, I can wear you down!"
Jiang Bai was very confident in his abilities. As his strength increased, his cell activity became stronger and his recovery speed became faster, which made him even more confident!
"Hmph, that's not necessarily true!" Old Nalan, standing there, squinted at Jiang Bai and snorted coldly.
Then, gritting his teeth, he forcefully reattached the arm that Jiang Bai had broken, making a cracking sound that made Jiang Bai feel pain for him.
"How can it be uncertain!"
Jiang Bai sneered at the sight.
During their exchange just now, neither of them dared to hold back; they all came out with deadly moves right away, and Jiang Bai could sense that.
Because it was a life-or-death struggle, not a test between them, otherwise neither of them would have been seriously injured.
He had calculated that even if Nalan Zongde hadn't revealed some of his trump cards, he wouldn't be able to completely turn the tide. Therefore, he was very curious about what the old man meant by saying this now.
"Not necessarily" means that I still have some trump cards up my sleeve!
"To be honest, I have old injuries. If Xu Changsheng hadn't injured me back then, my injuries wouldn't have healed to this day, and I wouldn't be able to circulate my internal energy. If I did circulate my internal energy, the injuries would have worsened. It is only because I have recuperated for so many years and have been aided by the miraculous pills and medicines of the Wansheng Sect that I have been able to unleash my current strength."
"I thought that this kind of power would be enough to deal with you. Although we are both at the middle star level, I am much more experienced. I even reached the great star level before. In terms of vision and methods, I should be a cut above you."
"But it seems that won't work now!"
Old Nalan squinted and coldly said these words to Jiang Bai.
Jiang Bai was stunned by what he heard. He narrowed his eyes and felt a chill in his heart. This Nalan Zongde had actually reached the Great Star Rank.
Is he a cut above his current self?
Jiang Bai has never seen such a level of skill before.
Before this, Jiang Bai had met three of the most powerful masters, all of whom had seen through the true world: one was the necromancer who was the shadow of Satan, another was Yang Wudi, and the third was the deceased Abudanzeng Living Buddha.
The rest are all old antiques that came out of ice burial coffins.
There are only three in modern society.
A few more were added tonight.
He hadn't seen a single one of his mid-level star-ranked opponents. He had thought he could sweep everything aside, but he never expected to encounter an old Nalan who could actually rival him. This was already enough to surprise Jiang Bai.
Surprisingly, this old guy had actually reached the Great Star level!
This horrified Jiang Bai.
What's even more shocking and speechless is that he was also injured by Xu Changsheng?
This Xu Changsheng looks ordinary, unassuming, and has no power or influence outside, yet it seems like he's everywhere.
What on earth did he do in the past? Damn it... Jiang Bai met a master and he had a grudge against him. He had trampled on every single one he met.
Zhao Wuji was like this, as was old Nalan, and even his mother, a foreigner, trembled a little when she heard the name Xu Changsheng.
Jiang Bai was very curious about what this guy had done in the past.
However, Old Nalan did not give Jiang Bai enough time to be curious or ask questions, because he had already made his move. His muscles swelled up again, his eyes were bloodshot, and his whole body was emitting an unsettling green light.
He didn't know what the light was, but it vaguely made Jiang Bai feel uneasy.
During this process, Nalan Zongde's fingernails began to grow longer, his physique became more imposing, and thick body hair began to appear on his body.
Even if it weren't Jiang Bai, any ordinary person could tell by now that something was wrong with this guy.
This made Jiang Bai narrow his eyes, his mind racing. Looking at the old Nalan in front of him, he began to wonder what kind of person the old Nalan was. His current behavior was clearly abnormal.
They are no longer considered ordinary people.
Jiang Bai had witnessed this situation once before, when South Korea was pursuing Lee Yo-gil.
The last remaining descendant of the Long-Armed Ape Clan had a similar transformation, but it wasn't as slow as Old Nalan's. It was completed in an instant, unlike Old Nalan, who needed to gestate for a long time.
However, it is certain that Old Nalan's power is above Li Yaoji's.
Unconsciously, Jiang Bai felt a surge of unease and began preparing for battle, even considering whether to launch a surprise attack on Old Nalan at this moment.
Unfortunately, before Jiang Bai could make a move, Old Nalan suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood, his body instantly weakened, and he collapsed to the ground.
His entire body withered rapidly; his once robust muscles and ruddy complexion vanished without a trace as he concealed himself.
Instead, a gaunt old man appeared, his original appearance restored. He was completely dull and lifeless, his face pale, and he collapsed to the ground with a bitter smile and blood on his lips.
Jiang Bai was stunned by the scene, seemingly still in shock. Just moments ago, the old man had been so aggressive, constantly threatening to kill him, making Jiang Bai's heart pound and waiting for him to unleash his fury...
Now look what's happened, he collapsed before we could even react?
Isn't this pace changing a bit too fast?
Chapter 789 Spare His Life
What happened?
Startled for a moment, Jiang Bai subconsciously asked, and walked up to Nalan Zongde.
I initially thought the other party was faking it, that they had some hidden tricks up their sleeve, waiting for me to get close so they could ambush me.
However, Jiang Bai soon realized he had been overthinking things. Old Nalan was genuinely injured, and the injury was quite serious; his face was completely pale.
Judging from his appearance, if he doesn't receive proper care, he's probably going to die soon.
"You know the answer but I don't know. It's just an internal injury flare-up. I didn't expect Xu Changsheng to be so ruthless. He warned me back then not to act arrogantly and to refrain from using any power above the Star Rank."
"I didn't take it seriously. I've recovered a lot over the years and thought it was nothing serious. I mobilized my mid-star power to fight you and even tried to recover my full strength. Now look what's happened. My internal injuries have relapsed and my internal energy is disordered. I can only let you slaughter me."
Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Nalan Zongde said angrily, his voice surprisingly strong.
"You can still spout so much nonsense, but you seem to be fine." Jiang Bai stood there with his arms crossed, smiling, with a hint of schadenfreude.
"Stop crocodile tears and feigned compassion. Do whatever you want with me. Today's situation is my own fault for overestimating my abilities. Do whatever you want with me!"
"However, I must say that I, Nalan Zongde, was not defeated by you, Jiang Bai, but by Xu Changsheng! You want to fight me? If you weren't injured, you would have been eight hundred years too late!"
With a cold snort, Old Nalan uttered these words, then turned his head away from Jiang Bai, closed his eyes, and appeared to be at Jiang Bai's mercy.
Jiang Bai raised an eyebrow at this and slowly approached, saying as he walked, "Actually, I had already planned to keep our fight within a reasonable range and teach you a lesson."
"In the evening, Cheng Tiangang called me and said that the grand event was approaching and that I should keep a low profile and not cause too much trouble. I just agreed to that."
"I didn't expect you to come knocking on my door."
"You, Nalan, set a trap for me under the guise of going to Changbai Mountain, and I actually fell into it. If you hadn't underestimated my strength, and if you hadn't had your old injuries, I would be dead by now, wouldn't I?"
"I wanted to spare your life, but you, old Nalan, are too cunning and ruthless, and you've decided to fight me to the death!"
"You were once a master of the Great Star level, and even after being injured, you are still at the Middle Star level. Someone like you… I dare not keep you alive."
"So... I can only regretfully send you on your way!"
As he spoke, a sharp glint flashed across Jiang Bai's face.
Things have come to this point, and Old Nalan is definitely not allowed to stay; keeping him will only bring endless trouble.
It would be a pity to kill him, but Jiang Bai still decided to take action.
"Hmph!" Old Nalan merely snorted coldly, without saying another word, seemingly aware of his own fate.
If he were Jiang Bai, he probably wouldn't have kept himself here either.
If you don't cut the weeds at the root, they'll grow back in the spring.
Jiang Bai raised his fist, ready to finish off Old Nalan with one punch, but just as he was about to make his move, a loud shout rang out: "Spare him!"
This startled Jiang Bai, who subconsciously looked in the direction of the voice and stopped what he was doing. He saw a child wearing a red bib, white trousers, and black cloth shoes standing about several dozen meters away from him, shouting like that.
This surprised Jiang Bai, who didn't understand when the child had arrived or what the meaning was of shouting those words at this moment.
Who exactly is he?
"Senior brother!" But soon, Old Nalan's words made Jiang Bai burst out laughing on the spot.
Damn it, this kid, judging by his appearance, is exquisitely crafted, with two topknots sticking up on his head and wearing a bright red bib. He looks to be at most seven or eight years old. And you, an old man in your eighties, actually call him senior brother.
They called out to each other so affectionately, as if they were seeing a family member.
This scene is a bit too bizarre.
Upon hearing this, the child wearing a bright red bib walked over with his hands behind his back, looking like a little adult, but his gait was noticeably frivolous, giving the impression of hopping and skipping.
The scene was extremely bizarre.
"Senior brother!" Old Nalan called out again, his eyes brimming with tears, making Jiang Bai's heart pound and feel extremely awkward.
What's even more baffling is that the child walked up to old Nalan, glared at him fiercely, and said something that left everyone speechless: "You good-for-nothing! I told you not to fight with people, but you just wouldn't listen. You're over eighty years old, and you act like a child!"
"Damn it, which of you two is more like a child? Put your hand on your heart and tell me!" Jiang Bai shouted in his heart.
However, he only shouted these words in his heart and did not say them out loud, because he really didn't know what to say. Old Nalan did not show any dissatisfaction. Instead, he lowered his head in shame, like a child who had done something wrong and dared not say a word in front of his parents.
This scene made Jiang Bai roll his eyes, and he didn't know what to say.
"This matter was wrongly handled by Xiao Nalan. I will bring him to apologize to you. In this way, the feud between the two of you can be wiped clean from now on. May I take him away?"
The young senior brother glanced at Jiang Bai, then at Old Nalan, before raising his head to look at Jiang Bai. He spoke calmly, even with a touch of cuteness, his two big, watery eyes blinking at Jiang Bai.
"Forehead..."
If it were anyone else, Jiang Bai would definitely not agree, and they might even have to fight. But facing this adorable child, Jiang Bai found it really hard to say no.
You can't exactly fight this "kid" in front of you, can you?
I have a strange feeling about him, as if Jiang Bai is bullying the younger generation.
"No way!" Jiang Bai finally gritted his teeth and rejected the suggestion.
He knew that now was not the time to be soft-hearted. If Old Nalan was a good-for-nothing, then everything would be easy to discuss, and he could be released without hesitation.
But old Nalan is clearly not like that. With his formidable strength, he will be a menace sooner or later.
Even if he has no real strength, as long as he still has this mindset and methods, Jiang Bai will never be able to eat or sleep in peace.
If there was no opportunity, so be it. But now a golden opportunity is right in front of him. If he just puts in a little force, Old Nalan will surely die. He can't let this opportunity slip by.
"Why! I promise he won't oppose you again. He'll go back to the border and recuperate. All your grudges will be wiped clean. Is that not enough? As far as I know, the conflict between you and Xiao Nalan seems to have started because of you!"
"You have the upper hand now! And you still won't let him go?"
Upon hearing this, the child frowned, somewhat displeased and puzzled, and asked...