Free Web NovelChapter 953: Chapter 675: Uncle Master, Why Didn’t You Dodge?_2
It is said that objects can trigger memories of people; it’s just like that. Yang Xiao knew very well that his grand-uncle must have thought of his senior brother from years ago when he saw him, the previous owner of the shredded Daoist robe. He didn’t expect that being hunted down by the Daoist robe old ghost would turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
"Pack your things, and if there’s nothing pressing, you should leave Xiang Ma Town as soon as possible. There’s trouble brewing lately, and it’s best not to invite unnecessary complications," Senior Brother Qingfeng continued, "I’ll look after your business affairs here in Xiang Ma Town for you."
"Then I must trouble Senior Brother to take care of this," Yang Xiao replied.
"We’re family, no need for politeness."
Taking advantage of the night, Yang Xiao returned to his accommodations. He did not wash up and go to sleep right away but instead donned the Drama Robe, shouldered his backpack and bamboo stick, and entered the Mirror World.
Upon finding the secret chamber again and pushing open the door, the Little Mirror Ghost opened its eyes wide at him, unceremoniously stretching out its hand, wanting to play with his Magic Artifact.
"Wait, Daddy has to take care of important matters first. Once that’s done, I’ll play with you," Yang Xiao said.
Yang Xiao threw the Little Mirror Ghost out of the secret chamber to play outside, while he himself took out the Ghost Bamboo Stick to examine closely. The stick didn’t look remotely like the Ghost Duster, and he couldn’t help but admire his grand-uncle’s skills.
Yang Xiao believed that the most important reason he had survived up to now was his prudence. One shouldn’t bear ill will towards others, but should also never drop one’s guard. Seeing the Ghost Duster transformed in such a way made Yang Xiao worry that it might have been tampered with.
Even if it hadn’t been tampered with, whether the Ghost Duster could still be recognized by the Drama Robe after such changes was an unknown.
Keep in mind, the reason he could possess so many high-level Magic Artifacts without suffering backlash was thanks to this Underworld Robe.
To confirm this was simple. His good sister was an expert in assessing treasures. Yang Xiao tried placing the Ghost Bamboo Stick back into the spot originally occupied by the Ghost Duster on the Drama Robe, and to his surprise, the process went extremely smoothly.
"It worked..." Yang Xiao was overjoyed. It seemed that his grand-uncle’s kindness towards him was genuine, and there was nothing wrong with the item.
Having confirmed this, the weight lifted from Yang Xiao’s heart. Looking at the Ghost Bamboo Stick in his hands, he couldn’t express the joy he felt. Using the horsetail whisk in combat had always been somewhat awkward for him, but this Ghost Bamboo Stick felt just right.
And most importantly, he no longer needed to hide or fear that every time he made his move, he would be recognized for using a Magic Artifact of the Black Buddha Mother Sect’s demon leader.
The next morning, Yang Xiao summoned Ling Yanyu to inquire about his progress with the recruitment of skilled fighters.
"My lord, please review this," Ling Yanyu presented a list with both hands.
Yang Xiao opened the list and went through it page by page. It had names of three Fierce Level Apostles, fourteen Resentment Level Apostles, and detailed backgrounds of these individuals. Yang Xiao was quite satisfied with Ling Yanyu’s competency and attitude for managing to get this far in such short time.
"Yanyu, you’ve worked hard," Yang Xiao said, feeling relieved.
Upon hearing this Ling Yanyu became even more anxious, bowing lower and saying, "My lord, you must not speak like this. My life was given by you, and I shall dedicate myself to serving you to the fullest."
"Don’t call me lord. We are both mentor and friends, and you were my first friend in this town. From now on, you can call me Master," Yang Xiao said with a smile, "Our one-year agreement isn’t up yet. When the time comes, if you wish to become an Apostle, I can help you, and teach you."
"Master!" Ling Yanyu knelt down abruptly and kowtowed three times to Yang Xiao, a decided sense of déjà vu in the gesture.
Yang Xiao recalled that not long ago, when he acknowledged his grand-uncle as his master, it was similar. But that didn’t matter now.
"Stand up. Our business will grow bigger and bigger. Whatever you want, just tell me," Yang Xiao said while casually closing the list, leaning back into a comfortable position on the sofa’s backrest. "I won’t look through each one, just tell me, are there any problems with them?"
Rising, Ling Yanyu nodded again and again. "Yes, I haven’t fully investigated the backgrounds of some of these people. For now, I know that six of them are wanted criminals, the type who are cornered with no way out, only able to barely get by in Xiang Ma Town."
"Wanted criminals aren’t a problem; such people are easier to control. But there are two things we need to make sure of. First, we don’t take those who stab their brothers in the back. Second, those who rape women are not to be taken," Yang Xiao said as he raised two fingers, setting rules for the recruitment. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
"I understand, there aren’t any right now, but there is someone Master should be cautious about. His name is Hu Chengbi, nicknamed Coffin Carrier, a Fierce Level Apostle. And from what I’ve investigated, he’s also quite formidable among the Fierce Level Apostles. He has been in Xiang Ma Town for a while now, and relying on his age and seniority, even the Four Major Families have to show him some respect."
"He has come to seek refuge with us this time on the instruction of Marquis Zhenbei, intending to plant a spy among us."
Pausing, Ling Yanyu lowered his voice and reminded, "Among the Four Major Families, Marquis Zhenbei had an exceptionally close relationship with the previous Pingxi Marquis, while it is rumored that Marquis Zhengdong and An Nan Marquis also share a special bond." freeweɓnovel.cøm
Upon hearing this, Yang Xiao rubbed his forehead with his fingers and laughed, "What a fool, the current Pingxi Marquis is me. Instead of eagerly trying to win favor and court me, he plots against me by planting a spy in my midst. Such a person won’t live long."
With his Master and two Senior Brothers as his support, Yang Xiao truly didn’t fear them. He wanted to see what tricks this old predecessor, the Coffin Carrier, intended to play.
"Master, do you mean... we should recruit him?" Ling Yanyu asked softly.
Yang Xiao took the list, flipped to the page with the Coffin Carrier Hu Chengbi’s information, which seemed very comprehensive, including even a blurry photo that looked like it was taken secretly from outside a window. It showed a white-bearded old man sitting while having tea with another man, and although only half of the latter’s face was visible, Yang Xiao recognized him at a glance as the man in a floral shirt he had met once before - Marquis Zhenbei.
"The photo was taken three days ago, and it cost 800,000 to buy," Ling Yanyu offered as an explanation.
"The money was well spent. After this matter is concluded, send an additional 500,000 to the person who sold the photo and make sure they think of us first whenever they get information in the future."
"Understood."
"Tonight at 9 o’clock, gather all these people together; I want to meet with them," Yang Xiao instructed.
"All of them?" Ling Yanyu frowned.
"Yes, all of them, including Guardian Yun and the others. I will put on a good show for them to make them understand the rules of Pingxi Marquis," Yang Xiao stated.
"Understood, I will send out the notices right away."
After practicing some punches and staff techniques, the day quickly passed. At 9 o’clock at night, Yang Xiao put on the You Character Mask, wore his Drama Robe close to his body, and then slipped on a tight outer coat before stepping out into the courtyard. By this time, the courtyard had already assembled quite a few people, most of them faces he didn’t recognize, including Ling Yanyu, Guardian Yun, among others.
In the courtyard, there were three bamboo chairs with two men and one woman seated on them; the Coffin Carrier Hu Chengbi was among them, presumably the three were Fierce Level Apostles. Seeing Yang Xiao approach, the three immediately stood up and gazed at Yang Xiao with reverence.
This scene filled Yang Xiao with a multitude of emotions. There was a time when he was just a Little Apostle intimidated by the title of a Venerable One of Yu Yuan Sect; but now, looking around, he was virtually unmatched among the Fierce Level Apostles, as these individuals sought to pay him homage.
"My lord, everyone has arrived," Ling Yanyu stepped forward, hands hanging by his side, and said respectfully to Yang Xiao.
Yang Xiao surveyed the surroundings and nodded, then picked up a cup of tea from a nearby table and held it up to the assembled guests, "Gentlemen, seeing so many heroes gathered here today to join in the grand undertaking with the Pingxi Marquis, I am deeply grateful. With tea instead of wine, I would like to honor you all with a toast."
"We are honored by your kindness, my lord, and are willing to provide our loyal service!" The people below spoke in unison as if they had been trained to do so.
Yang Xiao pressed his hand downward and fixed his gaze on the three people before him; all three were Fierce Level Apostles, considered quite powerful in Xiang Ma Town.
The one on the far left was a middle-aged man with a scruffy beard and a somewhat dull appearance who was visibly nervous under Yang Xiao’s gaze.
This man was named Wu Qiang, with no nickname.
In the middle was an elderly woman dressed in common activewear, with almost completely white hair and no distinguishing facial features, appearing quite amiable—like an ordinary granny who might be square dancing, had they not met here.
The elderly woman respectfully nodded to Yang Xiao, evidently moved by Yang Xiao’s youthful voice, "Who would have expected the new Pingxi Marquis to be so young? Heroes truly arise in the world of martial arts, putting us old folks to shame."
"Granny Jin, you are too modest. Your presence here gives face to me," Yang Xiao replied with a smile and nodded, thereafter shifting his gaze to the last person, the Coffin Carrier Hu Chengbi.
