Free Web NovelChapter 1334: Chapter 863: Bone Burning Taoist (Part 3)
"Yes, it’s my fault. I’ll definitely change in the future!" Fu Qingzhu readily agreed.
But Yang Xiao understood that human nature is difficult to change. Fu Qingzhu had always been overlooked by others over the years, even getting cold shoulders within the United Federation. He was desperate to climb up, seeking respect, power, status, and prove himself, willing to pay any price, even his life.
He was a gambler, a true desperado, and that was not something that could be changed with a few words of teaching.
Frankly speaking, Fu Qingzhu was a very reliable friend, especially to Yang Xiao. But to most people other than his friends, he wasn’t a good person. His ruthless nature was infamous in Rongcheng.
Many people were unwilling to provoke him, including some notable figures, because he held grudges extremely well and had a strong desire for revenge.
Shaking his head, Yang Xiao knew that saying more was useless; everyone’s path eventually had to be walked alone.
Fu Qingzhu and Qu Muzhi were two extremes, but both were friends of Yang Xiao.
Now that Qiu Huai De was dead, Fu Qingzhu’s crisis had been resolved. Fu Qingzhu wanted Yang Xiao to let him return so he could contact the two vice presidents who had secretly pledged allegiance to him and quickly take control of the Union’s situation.
"Focus on recuperating for now. Later, I’ll have Tong Han send a few experts over to secretly protect you and help you control the situation."
Understanding Fu Qingzhu’s plan, Yang Xiao decided to lend him a helping hand. After all, Qiu Huai De’s death was no small matter, and a future investigation by the higher United Federation was inevitable. Having Fu Qingzhu handle it would save a lot of trouble.
"Ha, don’t worry. I know what to say. Didn’t Qiu Huai De accuse me of being attacked by an Evil Cultivator? That’s perfect; I can also blame his death on the Evil Cultivator." Fu Qingzhu sneered. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
Before leaving, Yang Xiao advised Fu Qingzhu to ensure his actions were cautious and strive for peace, and reminded him not to tell anyone that he was back.
With the incidents of Qiu Huai De and Elder Pu happening one after the other, it was hard to guarantee that the Yiling Academy would not suspect him. Yang Xiao needed an alibi as he did not want to engage in direct conflict with them for the time being.
Since his return was secretive, only a very few from the Provincial Office knew about it, and within Rongcheng Patrol Division, only Director Nalan Shuo and the liaison Xi Menxiu were aware.
Rongcheng was a place filled with prying eyes, so to be safe, Yang Xiao discreetly left Rongcheng that night and returned to Xiang Ma Town with Sui.
He decided to stay in the town for a while, waiting for the uproar to completely subside before returning to Rongcheng.
Moreover, months had passed and he was curious to know how Tong Han and Ling Yanyu had developed the forces he left in Xiang Ma Town.
Seeing Yang Xiao return so soon, Tong Han was undoubtedly the happiest person, immediately arranging a banquet in a secret chamber to welcome Yang Xiao and Sui Chengguo.
During the banquet, they discussed the development within the sect over the past few months. Upon seeing the manual listing various Apostle names, Yang Xiao was surprised to discover that, unknowingly, he had amassed quite a considerable force.
Excluding the Resentment Level Apostles, the sect had twenty-seven Fierce Grade Apostles, and three were halfway into the Ghost Level. Most surprisingly, they had recruited a Ghost-level Apostle, who came to the town seeking refuge, with Tong Han offering a rather enticing deal.
"I gave him a very good position, even better than some of the veteran elders," Tong Han explained.
"Good, bringing in experts is certainly a great thing, but ambitious hearts are insatiable. Feeding him too well from the start might breed ambition."
Yang Xiao understood this situation very well. The new recruit joined mainly to find a temporary haven, and once outside troubles were resolved, he would likely leave. Being a Ghost-level Apostle, within the sect without Yang Xiao, there was indeed nobody who could suppress him.
But Yang Xiao’s possessions were not easy to take. In the latter part of the manual, he saw a small note stating the Apostle had taken a rather decent Magic Artifact from the sect’s treasury.
From the conversations with Tong Han and Ling Yanyu, Yang Xiao sensed that this Ghost-level Apostle had quite a personality and was not very sociable.
"I think it might be a good idea to call him over after dinner and test him a bit," suggested Sui Chengguo, eager for an opportunity to contribute after Yang Xiao had helped him so much.
"Alright, let’s do that," Yang Xiao agreed with a smile, thinking the suggestion was good, "If we don’t show him some strength, he might really think of us as easy prey. My possessions aren’t easy to snatch."
With Ling Yanyu tasked with arranging it, the dinner table was left with just Yang Xiao, Tong Han, and Sui Chengguo.
Yang Xiao was pleasantly surprised to find that, after a short time apart, Tong Han had grown rapidly, now at the Peak of Fierce Level.
Tong Han explained this was all thanks to Elder Qingfeng. Whenever there was anything good, Elder Qingfeng would send some over; herbs, Elixirs, and even books to aid Spiritual Power Technique practice.
Additionally, Tong Han had gone into the Nightmare World once recently, luckily facing only a low difficulty, having previously utilized the sect’s forces to gather some clues, making it a safe endeavor.
Though Tong Han mentioned it briefly, Yang Xiao knew the hardships behind all this.
After taking over Pingxi Marquis’s forces, Yang Xiao had hands-off the management, leaving everything to Tong Han, and now the vast estate was almost all thanks to Tong Han’s efforts.
