“A defence that even Cave Heaven Realm warriors cannot breach?”
Ling Xiao instantly grew interested. His own defences were already formidable, but if he could strengthen them further, that would hardly be a bad thing. Seizing whatever treasure the man possessed and using it himself sounded perfect.
“Now this could be fun. Where is he? I’ll go find him.”
Ling Xiao had been waiting for a chance to make an example of someone. All the way here nobody had dared attack him directly, so now that a fellow this arrogant had finally appeared, how could he possibly let him go?
“Are you insane? One-Eye is leading his men all over the city looking for you right now. Instead of hiding, you want to go to him? Have you lost your mind?”
Although Hua Lüyying’s words were harsh, Ling Xiao could feel the genuine concern behind them.
This woman really did seem to like him. It wasn’t just empty talk.
Any other woman would probably be delighted to watch the drama unfold, yet she was urging him to flee.
“Captain Hua, don’t you know? I have a rather uncouth nickname. People call me ‘madman’.”
Ling Xiao grinned broadly and looked toward the end of the street where dust was rising.
They were here.
“Quick! Hide inside the Black Python Clan compound! One-Eye may be crazy enough to provoke them sometimes, but he will still show some restraint.”
Hua Lüyying had clearly spotted One-Eye’s group approaching. She hurriedly tried to push Ling Xiao toward the Black Python residence.
Yet Ling Xiao did not budge an inch. He simply smiled and said, “Thank you for your kindness, Captain Hua. At least now I know you truly mean well toward me.”
“Heh, still in the mood to flirt in the middle of the street? You really don’t take me seriously, do you?”
At that moment, a cold voice rang out over the street. The stalls on both sides had emptied at some unknown point.
The vendors had all hidden in safe places and were secretly watching the fight that was about to erupt.
Scenes like this happened almost every day in Sin City, so the vendors were long accustomed to it.
For them, although it was troublesome, it also counted as entertainment in their otherwise boring lives.
Hearing the voice, Hua Lüyying’s face stiffened. Damn it. There was no time left. It looked like she would really have to become enemies with the One-Eyed Pirate Crew today.
She had finally fallen sincerely for someone. She could not bear to see him killed in the street like this.
“Princess Yunya, take Ling Xiao and leave. I’ll hold One-Eye back. He will at least show me some respect.”
Determination appeared on Hua Lüyying’s face.
A woman like her was truly straightforward. Once she set her heart on a man, she would protect him unconditionally.
Yet just as she steeled herself to break completely fall out with the One-Eyed Pirate Crew, someone lifted her by the collar and gently set her aside.
“Enough, Captain Hua. It hasn’t yet reached the point where you need to protect me. Just watch from the side for now.”
Ling Xiao admitted he was still not strong enough and sometimes needed protection from those around him, but against One-Eye he was confident it was unnecessary.
In a fight where the cultivation gap was not large, handling it personally was best.
“You’re Ling Xiao, then?”
One-Eye asked.
“That’s right. And you’re One-Eye?”
Ling Xiao replied.
“Your grandpa here never changes neither name nor seat. Indeed, I am the one the martial world calls One-Eye,” One-Eye declared.
He looked Ling Xiao up and down with obvious disdain. Wasn’t this just a snot-nosed brat? He had expected some monster with three heads and six arms.
Ling Xiao’s pupils suddenly contracted.
This One-Eye was exactly as Hua Lüyying had described: a complete madman, a reckless brute who cared nothing for consequences.
To actually call himself grandpa. Where did he get the nerve?
“We have no past grudge nor recent enmity. In fact, we’ve never even met. So why come looking for me with such murderous intent? What do you want?” Ling Xiao asked coldly.
“True, we’ve never met. The only reason your grandpa is here is for the Gluttonous Martial Soul! Hand it over obediently and I’ll spare your life. You go your sunny path, I’ll cross my single-plank bridge. From then on we’ll be strangers. How’s that?”
“Grandpa this, grandpa that. Is your family short of grandfathers? You little shit!”
Ling Xiao was genuinely annoyed now. At seventeen, he was in the prime of his hot-blooded youth, and his tone instantly sharpened.
Moreover, those threatening words completely failed to take him seriously.
Even a real Cave Heaven Realm warrior shouldn’t speak to him with such disrespect, let alone a mere perfect-stage Half-Step Cave Heaven cultivator.
The man was simply begging for a beating.
“What did you say, brat? You dare curse me?”
One-Eye’s brow furrowed. He had heard rumours that this kid was stubborn, obstinate, impervious to both soft and hard approaches, and gave face to no one.
It seemed they were all true.
“So what if I curse you? Listen well, grandson. The Gluttonous Martial Soul is now mine. If you truly want it, it’s not impossible. Bring something of equal value. Otherwise, go back where you came from.”
Ling Xiao’s stance was clear. The Gluttonous offspring martial soul was powerful, but to him it was merely icing on the cake, not essential.
If One-Eye could truly offer something equally valuable that he urgently needed, an exchange was not out of the question.
“Hahahaha! Kid, it looks like you’ve misunderstood the situation. You dare negotiate terms with your grandpa One-Eye?”
Malice flickered in One-Eye’s eye as he roared with laughter. “Of course, if you insist on calling it a transaction, that works too. Hand over the Gluttonous Martial Soul and keep your little life. That’s a very profitable deal for you.”
At those words, many in the crowd inwardly cursed him for being shameless.
He wanted to take someone else’s treasure yet offer nothing in return.
But there was nothing to be done. One-Eye was stronger, and behind him stood the powerful One-Eyed Pirate Crew.
Even the Black Python Clan had to show him some respect, let alone a lone Ling Xiao.
Ling Xiao might be a young hero, but until he fully matured, he truly wasn’t a match for these old monsters.
“Heh.”
Ling Xiao also laughed. He looked at One-Eye and said, “Is your brain damaged? Exactly who gave you the courage to cause trouble for me with only perfect-stage Half-Step Cave Heaven cultivation?
Originally we had no grudge, but since you want to kill me, don’t blame me for being impolite.
You now have one choice. Either turn around and piss off back to your One-Eyed Pirate Crew to enjoy your wealth, or die here and become a laughing stock in Sin City!”
Although Ling Xiao spoke calmly and without visible anger, to the martial artists hiding in the shadows and watching the spectacle, his words crashed like thunder.
Utterly shocking.
