Chapter 31

He sheathed his spear, exhaled, and his thoughts became clear.

He sheathed his spear, exhaled, and his thoughts became clear.

Xiao Li glanced at the terrified woman on the ground and said, "Let's go, be more careful from now on."

Xiao Li glanced at the frightened woman on the ground and said, "Let's go, be more careful from now on."

The woman, as if pardoned, hastily nodded, "Thank you, thank you, sir."

The woman, as if pardoned, hurriedly nodded, "Thank you, thank you, sir."

Xiao Li tore off the dead man's clothes and wrote several large characters in fresh blood on them.

Xiao Li tore off the dead man's clothes and wrote several large characters in fresh blood on them.

"With money, things get done; with money, everything can be done."

"With money, things get done; with money, everything can be done."

The startled passersby exchanged a glance, dread flickering in their eyes—so killing a Dou Shi was just a show of force?

The passersby, startled by Xiao Li's strength, exchanged a glance, a hint of dread in their eyes—so, was killing a Fighter Master just to establish his reputation?

In Hundred Monsters City, a Dou Shi isn't a top-tier master, but he does have some fame; note that the city's ruler, the Black Tiger Gang's boss, only recently reached Dou Ling, and before that, great Dou Shi were among the strongest.

In Heijiao Yu's Bai Yao City, a Fighter Master isn't considered a top expert, but he does have some reputation; know that the city's overlord, the chief of the Black Tiger Gang, only recently broke through to Fighter Spirit, and before that, Great Fighter Masters were among the strongest.

The two men following Xiao Li in the crowd saw the large characters and exchanged a delighted look.

The two men who had been following Xiao Li in the crowd saw those large characters and exchanged a delighted glance.

"After searching everywhere to no avail, it turned up without any effort."

"Having searched in vain with iron shoes, we find it effortlessly."

The two men hurried forward, bowed to Xiao Li, and said, "Young brother, we have a favor to ask."

The two quickly stepped forward, clasped their hands to Xiao Li, and said, "Young brother, we have a request."

The sudden business surprised Xiao Li, who said, "Go ahead; as long as the price is right, we can work something out."

That business came so quickly also surprised Xiao Li; he said in astonishment, "Speak freely; as long as the price is right, anything can be discussed."

The two men's smiles widened: "We are the Lin family of Hundred Monsters City; I am Lin Kui, and this is Lin Xu, and so on..."

Their smiles widened: "We are the Lin family of Bai Yao City; I am Lin Kui, and this is Lin Xu—"

Lin Kui explained their request leisurely: "In Hundred Monsters City there is still the Black Tiger Gang; their chief has broken through to Dou Ling, and his daughter Xu Xin Yue wants to forcefully marry our young master; the family head refused, so they agreed that each side would send a person under twenty-five to compete, and the victor decides the outcome."

Lin Kui explained the matter smoothly: "In Bai Yao City there is also the Black Tiger Gang; their chief has broken through to Fighter Spirit, and his daughter Xu Xin Yue wants to forcibly marry our young master as her husband. The patriarch refused, so they agreed that each side would send a person under twenty-five, and the outcome would be decided by a contest."

Lin Kui spoke fluently, his sorrow deepening, which made Xiao Li's expression grow increasingly strange.

As Lin Kui spoke at length, his deeply troubled appearance made Xiao Li's expression grow increasingly strange.

"Daughter, forced marriage, your young master?"

"A daughter, forced marriage, your young master?"

Such obscure wording, Xiao Li felt his head spin a bit; normally the trope shouldn't be abducting a maiden.

"Such an obscure term," Xiao Li remarked, feeling his mind a bit tangled; normally the trope should be abducting a maiden, right?

"Stop, stop, stop, gentlemen, this matter..."

"Stop, stop, stop, gentlemen, this matter—"

Lin Kui's face fell; he knew this was absurd, but it was indeed the truth.

Lin Kui's face flushed; he knew this was absurd, but the facts were indeed so.

"Please hear me out, the Black Tiger Gang's young master Xu Xin Yue is also quite handsome, but I fear she is doing this to swallow our Lin family."

"Please hear me out: the Black Tiger Gang's young chief, Xu Xin Yue, is also quite attractive, but I fear she's doing this to swallow our Lin family."

Lin Xu chimed in from the side, "Yes, yes, and even if they truly love each other, letting our young master marry into their family would also be utterly embarrassing!"

Lin Xu chimed in, "Yeah, yeah, and even if they truly love each other, letting our young master marry into their family would still be utterly embarrassing!"

Lin Xu looked on the verge of tears, gazing at Lin Kui's expression; apparently this is the real reason the Lin family is unwilling.

Lin Xu looked on the verge of tears; observing Lin Kui's expression, one could guess this was the real reason the Lin family was unwilling.

Xiao Li rubbed his forehead, finally realizing he had been slow to understand—Xu Xin Yue could easily surpass him, and he had already grasped this truth of acting on whim.

Xiao Li rubbed his forehead, realizing belatedly that Xu Xin Yue was far more formidable than he, having long grasped the truth of doing as one pleases.

However, this matter is easily settled; as Lin Kui said, Xu Xin Yue is only a newly minted Dou Shi, certainly no match for him—it's just a matter of a single spear, after all, it's business... heh heh.

Nevertheless, this is easy to handle; hearing Lin Kui say that Xu Xin Yue had just entered Fighter Master level and certainly couldn't compare to him—it would be a single shot—after all, it's just business... hehe.

"Cough, gentlemen, this can be arranged, but the other side has a Dou Ling-level father, which puts me in a difficult position regarding the reward..."

"Cough, gentlemen, this can be arranged, but they have a Fighter Spirit–level father, which puts me in a tough spot—so the compensation..."

Seeing Xiao Li nod, Lin Kui hurriedly nodded as well; he had just witnessed Xiao Li's strength—he could casually slay a Dou Shi, and his power likely far exceeds Xu Xin Yue's; he also looks young, surely under twenty-five.

Seeing Xiao Li nod, Lin Kui hurriedly nodded as well; he had just witnessed the other's strength—he could easily slay a Fighter Master, and though he didn't know how much stronger he was than Xu Xin Yue, he looked young, surely under twenty-five.

"Young brother, one hundred thousand gold coins..."

"Young brother, one hundred thousand gold coins..."

Seeing Lin Kui's pained expression, Xiao Li shook his head: "Having cultivated to this level, wealth is secondary; we can pay in goods."

Seeing Lin Kui's pained expression, Xiao Li shook his head: "At our cultivation level, wealth is secondary; we can pay in goods."

Lin Kui realized: "I understand, young brother, but this is too big a decision for us to make alone; please come to our Lin family estate to discuss with the patriarch."

Lin Kui suddenly understood: "I get it, young brother, but this major matter isn't for us to decide; please come to our Lin residence to discuss with the patriarch."

Xiao Li nodded; with the thousand-two elders secretly protecting him, even the obscure Hundred Monsters City Lin family is nothing, let alone the hidden retreat of the Earth Demon Old Ghost—he could stay a few days there.

Xiao Li nodded slightly; with the Thousand and Two Elders secretly protecting him, not to mention the obscure Lin family of Bai Yao City, even the secluded retreat of the Earth Devil Old Ghost he'd dare stay a few days.

"Please lead the way."

"Please lead the way."

"Please."

"Please."

……

The Hundred Monsters City Lin family patriarch, Lin Yi, wore a look of utter despair: "If Xu Xin Yue forces herself on my son and this gets out, our Lin family will become the laughingstock of the vast Black Horn Domain!"

The Lin family of Bai Yao City, Patriarch Lin Yi wearing a look of utter despair, said, "If Xu Xin Yue wants to forcibly marry my son and this gets out, across the vast Heijiao Yu, our Lin family will become the biggest laughingstock!"

Xu Xin Yue's target, Lin Qi of the Lin family, pressed his lips together, straining not to laugh, lest he provoke his father's wrath.

Lin Qi of the Lin family, hearing Xu Xin Yue's target, pressed his lips together, desperately suppressing his laughter, afraid to laugh out loud and invite his father's beating.

After thinking through all the sorrows of his life, Lin Qi barely suppressed his laughter and said: "Father, for the family's sake, I am willing to marry Yue... Xu Xin Yue, ha, cough..."

After thinking through all the sorrows of his life, Lin Qi barely held back his laughter and said, "Father, for the family, I am willing to marry... Xu Xin Yue, ha, cough..."

Lin Yi stared, then exploded, slamming Lin Qi's head: "You wretched thing, your reputation means nothing to me; I care only about the family's name!"

Lin Yi stared, then exploded, striking Lin Qi's head: "You wretched thing, your purity and reputation don't matter to me; I'm concerned about the family's name!"

Lin Qi covered his head, scrambling away like a rat: "Dad, dad, stop hitting, wuuQAQ"

Lin Qi covered his head and fled, crying, "Dad, dad, stop hitting, waa QAQ"

Seeing Lin Qi shrink into the corner, Lin Yi flew into a rage, shaking his sleeves: "Good-for-nothing, thinking of living off a woman's earnings—what's good about that?"

Seeing Lin Qi cowering in the corner, Lin Yi flung his sleeves in rage: "Good-for-nothing, actually thinking of living off a woman—what's good about that?"

"Xu Xin Yue's father is a Dou Ling..."

"Xu Xin Yue's father is a Fighter Spirit..."

"I'll beat you to death, you unfilial wretch!"

"I'll beat you to death, you unfilial wretch!"

Lin Yi drew the sword from beside the table, his thick battle aura making Xiao Li outside the door somewhat speechless.

Lin Yi drew the sword beside the table; his thick fighting spirit made Xiao Li outside the door somewhat speechless.

This Lin family patriarch actually possesses the strength of an eight-star great Dou Shi—no wonder he can hold his ground in Hundred Monsters City.

The Lin family patriarch actually possesses the strength of an eight-star Great Fighter Master—no wonder he can stand firm in Bai Yao City.

Seeing the patriarch's move, Lin Kui and Lin Xu were startled, rushing forward to stop him: "Patriarch, patriarch, wait—we have a solution!"

Lin Kui and Lin Xu, seeing the patriarch's move, were startled and rushed forward to stop him: "Patriarch, patriarch, wait—we have a solution!"

……Five minutes later

... Five minutes later

Under Lin Qi's resentful gaze, Xiao Li was invited to take a seat.

Under Lin Qi's resentful gaze, Xiao Li was invited to take a seat.

Lin Yi delighted, rubbing his hands: "Young brother, you're already a great Dou Shi at such a young age— which genius family are you from? Just now you really made us look foolish."

Lin Yi rubbed his hands with delight: "Young brother, you're already a Great Fighter Master at such a young age— which family's genius are you? Just now you really made me look foolish."

Feeling the faint dangerous aura emanating from Xiao Li, Lin Yi dared not be careless; this Xiao Li must be a disciple of some great clan, otherwise he wouldn't be so strong.

Sensing the faint yet dangerous aura about Xiao Li, Lin Yi dared not be careless; Xiao Li must be a disciple of some great clan, otherwise he wouldn't be this strong.

Xiao Li waved his hand: "Patriarch Lin, you're too kind; I'm merely a wandering cultivator, just here to settle things with money."

Xiao Li waved his hand: "Patriarch Lin, you're too kind; I'm merely a lone cultivator, just using money to ward off disaster."

Seeing Xiao Li unwilling to say more, Lin Yi laughed, changing the subject: "Young brother, as for the reward, how about a high-grade Huang-tier battle technique?"

Seeing Xiao Li unwilling to elaborate, Lin Yi laughed and changed the subject: "Young brother, as for the compensation, how about a high-grade Yellow-rank fighting technique?"

For a great Dou Shi–level family, Xuan-tier techniques are absolutely secret treasures, clan heirlooms; the previous generation of the Xiao family had a Dou Wang expert, and the family's last remaining technique is only mid Xuan-tier—this shows Lin Yi's sincerity, though regrettably, Xiao Li currently cultivates only Di-tier techniques and battle skills, which he finds unappealing.

For a family of Fighter Master level, Profound-rank techniques are absolutely secret treasures; the Xiao clan's previous generation had a Fighter King expert, and the clan's last technique is only middle Profound-rank, showing that Patriarch Lin indeed has some sincerity—unfortunately, Xiao Li currently cultivates Earth-rank techniques and fighting skills, which he finds unappealing.

"Hmm... Patriarch Lin, I currently don't need battle techniques or cultivation methods as payment; I could accept medicinal herbs, monster cores... or perhaps monster carcasses."

"Hmm... Patriarch Lin, I don't really need cultivation methods or fighting techniques now; compensation could be medicinal herbs, magic cores... or perhaps magic beast corpses."

Lin Yi raised his eyebrows; though he didn't know why Xiao Li wanted monster corpses, they are far easier to obtain than herbs or techniques.

Lin Yi raised his eyebrows; although he didn't know what Xiao Li wanted the magic beast corpses for, they are far easier to find than herbs or techniques.

"If so, my Lin family indeed has a few monster carcasses, all hunted by this old man—five in total, all third-tier monsters; how does this sound as payment?"

"In that case, my Lin family indeed has several magic beast corpses—all hunted by me—five in total, all third-rank magic beasts; how would that be as compensation?"

Xiao Li's face lit up: "It's settled."

Xiao Li's face lit up: "It's settled."

The thousand-two elders hidden in the void beside Xiao Li exchanged a glance; though they too wondered why Xiao Li wanted monster corpses, they would not pry—geniuses act thus for their own reasons, even if it's merely to eat or to feel happy, that's reasonable!

The Thousand and Two Elders hidden in the void beside Xiao Li exchanged a glance; although they too were curious why he wanted magic beast corpses, they wouldn't press further— a genius acting thus surely has his reasons, even if it's just for eating or mood, that's reasonable!

Moreover, Xiao Li's aura is sharp and vigorous, embodying the pure yang of thunder and lightning, showing no trace of practicing evil arts, so the thousand-two elders feel no worry that he might stray onto the wrong path.

Moreover, Xiao Li's aura is fierce and unyielding, the manifestation of righteous lightning vivid and complete—there's no hint of practicing evil arts, so the Thousand and Two Elders also have no worry he'll go astray.

Hiding in the corner, Lin Qi heard Xiao Li's agreement and turned green with envy: "My wealthy wife!"

Lin Qi, hiding in the corner, hearing Xiao Li's agreement, turned green with rage: "My wealthy wife!"

(End of Chapter)