Chapter 1: Rise to Fame (Part 1)

  The sky was filled with strands of gradually fading crimson light, and the surrounding mist also became thinner.

  The subsequent battle was no longer suspenseful, the Eagle Old Monster and the Flower Demon Maiden took advantage of the chaos to escape, while other demon heads scattered in all directions, who would be willing to die with the Spotted Old Monster?

  Looking at the suddenly and drastically changing situation, and the hundreds of his subordinates who had fallen in a pool of blood, Xu Xiaoqing's worldview completely collapsed. Even just half a moment ago, he wouldn't have dared to believe that the notorious and ferocious Branded Old Demon would actually be refined into a spirit and put into a pagoda as a pet!

  That was the number one master of the Southern Wilderness for many years, one of the seven great demon kings, and yet he fell just like that, his physical body completely destroyed without even leaving behind a single speck of ash.

  But Xue Xiaoqian no longer had the heart to sympathize with or mourn for the old variegated monster, and didn't even have the sentiment of a rabbit's death bringing sorrow to a fox. Because when a rabbit dies, a fox can still afford to wipe away its tears; now that the fox is finished, all that's left for the rabbit is waiting for death.

  He couldn't help but feel extremely regretful. When walking in the world, who can avoid being stabbed? It's just a matter of shedding some blood, suffering some losses, and pretending to be a good boy at critical moments, and eventually, one can survive through hardships and see better days. However, if you stand on the wrong side and follow the wrong leader, the consequences will be much more severe. Once the big boss gets into trouble, everyone on the boat will drown together.

  "Dad, let's surrender!" Xu Zhenjie's small face turned pale and he hid behind his back, trembling like a sieve.

  Xu Xiaoqian shook his head and didn't make a sound, he actually wanted to put down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot. However, even if he just thought about it with his toes, he knew that Geng Nanxing and others would absolutely not agree!

  How many people were killed in the massacre seven days ago? Can the graves on this hill be erased with just one word "surrender"? It's easy to put down the knife, but it's hard to become a Buddha, and can only be a lonely ghost!

  At this time, Geng Nan Yi walked slowly with the support of Mr. and Mrs. Geng Shao Hua, followed by Chu Lie who was covered in blood and had a murderous aura on his face, as well as many Jiangzhou Branch Bureau's surviving escorts and porters.

  Xu Xiaoqian held his knife horizontally and shouted: "Geng, if you kill us father and son, the more than 40 people caught by our gang will not be able to live either!"

  Chu Lie's eyes widened in anger, and he coldly sneered: "You're dreaming! They were rescued by Ye Xianchang from the mountain villa long ago. It's laughable that you still don't know."

  Xu Xiaoqian's heart turned cold, and he saw his precious son suddenly rolling and crawling to the front of Geng Nanxing, kowtowing continuously like a small chicken pecking at rice, begging for mercy: "Geng General, spare my life... I don't know anything, nor have I ever killed a good man from the noble escort bureau. It was all, it was all my father, no - it was Xu Xiaoqian who led the spotted old demon and others to do it..." At this time, he cried bitterly with tears streaming down his face.

  "Shameless!" Chu Lie furrowed his brow and kicked the clown with a flying kick, knocking him out cold.

  Xu Xiaoqian glanced at his son, and suddenly felt a sense of despair. He slowly said: "General Geng, General Chu, Xu knows that he has committed great sins and does not ask for forgiveness from the Huixing Bureau. But please spare this unworthy son's life, let him have enough to eat, and continue the incense of the Xu family. In this way, Xu will be grateful in the underworld!" After finishing speaking, he didn't wait for Geng Nanwing and Chu Lie to respond, and suddenly slashed his neck with a knife, blood gushing out like red flowers blooming. His body swayed, and then fell straight forward.

  Xu Xiaoqian died, and the Shaoyi gang collapsed, with most of its members either killed or captured, leaving almost no one able to escape.

  The power of the Zao Yi Gang was completely eradicated, and from then on, both water and land routes in Jiangzhou were under the control of Zhao Bai Chuan's Chao Tian Gang. This was also good news for the future development of the Jiangzhou branch.

  Certainly, the Zhendao Gang also suffered casualties. Xia Peiheng narrowly escaped death but had to lie in bed for at least three months. Ye Fashan and Li Yuanba were both injured and needed rest. In addition, more than 40 people unfortunately died in battle, and the Huitong Security Bureau took care of the aftermath and made arrangements for their funerals.

  Such brilliant results, let alone Yu Zhongshi and others who didn't dare to believe it, even Geng Nanxing and Chu Lian, who had been with Xiao Si for a long time, felt like they were dreaming.

  Everyone understands that if it weren't for Di Xiao Si's ambush and inviting Ye Fa Shan, Li Jing, Li Yuanba, and Changsun Wuji, the outcome today would be completely different.

  Of course, everyone is a person of status and connotation, so those words of gratitude and admiration will not be hung on the mouth all day. From now on, if anyone dares to mess with Fourth Master Xie, don't think about continuing to mix in the black and white way of Bashan Shuixi!

  Unfortunately, everyone's intention was too implicit, and Xiao Si couldn't understand it for a while. After winning the battle and killing one of the seven great demon kings, Ban Lao Yao, he expected everyone to be grateful and praise him, even preparing an impassioned speech to move everyone to tears of admiration.

  I thought I would shine with a bright moon, but the bright moon shines on the ditch instead.

  After the big battle, some people were busy dealing with the aftermath, some were busy rescuing and treating the wounded, and others were busy searching for remaining enemies. But no one thought to come over and praise Siye Ye even once, not even just to greet him, ask if he had eaten lunch, or how his mood was?

  Xiao Si gazed at the busy crowd, feeling a sense of suffocation and frustration, as if he had been abandoned after being used. What made him even more depressed was that even the surrendered prisoners would occasionally be kicked and scolded by someone, while he himself had become an invisible existence, yet he was supposed to be the hero who contributed the most to today's great victory?!

  Fortunately, it's not just Xiao Si who has this melancholy feeling. Zhangsun Wuji strolled over with a folding fan, gazing up at the sky and sighing: "The clouds have parted, the mist has dispersed, the red sun is high in the sky, today's weather is really great."

  "Where's that 80s-born seductress? Aren't you the Sword of the Imperial Woman?"

  Chang Sun Wuji coughed awkwardly and said, "I have always been one to pity the fragrant and cherish jade, never bearing to use a heavy hand to destroy flowers. Seeing her at the end of her road, I couldn't help but feel a sense of sympathy, so I opened up a path and let the demon return to the mountain, leaving it for another day to continue our unfinished fate."

  Xiao Si sneered and said: "How did I hear that you were chased by the old witch and ran around in all directions, almost losing your life?"

  Chang Sun Wuji angrily said: "It must be that Li Yuanba's kid who is spouting nonsense, this young master knows he can't stand seeing beautiful women chasing after me."

  "What about him?" asked Xiao Si.

  Chang Sun Wu Jin said with a scowl: "This guy spat out some blood and left with Ye Lao Dao, probably to find a place to rest for a while."

  When Chang Sun Wuji mentioned the bandit Laodao, Xiaoyi suddenly remembered that he still owed him a Taoist temple.

  If it was a debt owed to others, Xiao Si would naturally try to shirk or delay payment. But as soon as he thought of Ye Fashan's evil and sinister old face, bruised and battered, Xiao Si immediately abandoned the idea of defaulting on his debt.

  He asked: "How's the debt collection of Duan Lao Gui going? I'm not around, you're not allowed to slack off."

  Chang Sun Wuji said, "How could that be? Before leaving the capital, I and Yuan Bao Shidi went to Guanluo Pawnshop again and retrieved 80,000 taels of silver. The remaining amount will be demanded from Mr. Duan when we return to Chang'an City."

  Xiao Si's mood improved upon hearing this, and he said: "Brother Wuji, I know you're a transcendent being who views wealth as dirt. Once, a silver note worth tens of thousands was placed in front of you, but you didn't cherish it. If heaven gave you another chance, would you change your mind? If you must fill in a number on this silver note, I hope it's... ten thousand taels!

  Chang Sun Wu Jin said proudly: "Xiao brothers, since you understand that money is just a few numbers on a silver ticket to me, why bother saying more, let's get down to business!"

  Xiao Si glared at the self-satisfied guy and said, "For just 10,000 taels, I'll take you to rob the Golden Vault of the Zhuang Yi gang. Are you in or out?"

  Chang Sun Wuji heard the words and replied without thinking: "You said it early, why are you still standing here stupidly? Hurry up, if someone else takes the lead, this matter won't be fun anymore."

  Xiao Si was taken aback and said: "Aren't you uninterested in money?"

  Chang Sun Wuji impatiently said: "Nonsense, I'm not interested in money, but is that all you're talking about?"

  It's a bit clear that the sorrow and helplessness of those born into famous families like Zhangsun Wuji is somewhat understood. From childhood to adulthood, they are all bound by strict rules and regulations, and everywhere they go, they have to follow the rules and show their noble demeanor and family style, it's impossible for them to be as free and easygoing as following a dead old man to deceive and cheat.

  So once there is a chance to go down the mountain, many people will do many absurd things that make people's eyes widen in astonishment. Perhaps this is what is called being young and reckless. Or perhaps those who grow up in a greenhouse are not necessarily flowers, but may also be moth larvae.

  Now that Xiao Si wants to rob the gold vault of the Zhuo Yi gang, with a banner on his head that reads "Punish evil and promote good, rob the rich and help the poor", and with Ye Fashan, a renowned righteous master, backing him up from behind, he can do it with confidence and righteousness, without any aftereffects. Such a great opportunity, Changsun Wuji naturally is eager to take the lead and is in high spirits.

  Xiaosuo found Zhao Qianfeng and had him gather dozens of Chao Tian Bang brothers, rushing to Jiangzhou City to take over the gold vault of Zhuang Yi Bang.

  Years ago, Xiao Si had infiltrated the Zhuang Yi Gang's headquarters and almost emptied the Treasure Pavilion. However, that was Xu Xiaoqian's private storage, while the Zhuang Yi Gang's accumulated wealth over the years to support the entire gang's operation was stored elsewhere.

  At this time, the news of Xu Xiao's defeat and self-destruction had already been transmitted back to the city, and the Zhaoyi gang was suddenly in a mess. Those who were arrogant and domineering on ordinary days, some slipped away with oil on their feet, some were like mourning for their parents, shocked and at a loss, and many clever ones had long made preparations to abandon the dark and turn to the bright side.

  Thus, Xiao Si and others successfully took over the helm without encountering any resistance, but instead received a warm welcome, with everyone supporting them, and they smoothly took control of the treasury.

  This time, Xiao Si ate a lesson and gained some wisdom. He no longer stuck seals on the boxes, but instead put the silver tickets directly into his pocket. He also ordered Zhao Qianfeng to arrange for someone to guard the treasury, planning to finish the job and leave immediately.

  Unexpectedly, more than a dozen bailiffs and guards from the Jiangzhou Prefecture also rushed over to take advantage of the situation and join in the commotion, shouting and gesticulating at Zhao Qianfeng.

  Xiao Si didn't bother talking nonsense with them, directly taking out a Qian Niu Wei waist card and kicking this group of rascals out the door.

  This was originally Yang Guang's intention to make things convenient for him, and he specially ordered the Ministry of War to insert Xiao Si into the Left Guard of the Imperial Army, giving him a nominal title. Now it has indeed come in handy.

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