Chapter 175 - 175: 174: Overly Bullying
Chapter 175 - 175: 174: Overly Bullying
The Lord of Shenxiao Gate, unless he was a fool, would know that these three were in cahoots, and so he said in a deep voice, “I did not expect that you three would collude together.”
Bai Xiaosheng and Taoist Qingxu laughed but did not respond.
Pei Xuanjing shook his head and said, “Your choice of words is incorrect. This isn’t collusion, it’s cooperation.”
Upon hearing Pei Xuanjing’s acknowledgment, and then seeing the others’ silent agreement, the Lord of Shenxiao Gate remained silent.
The remaining five had diverse thoughts. The hearts of the four first-grade experts, all aside from Yu Zhenzi, began to sink.
Not to mention Bai Xiaosheng, who had never truly revealed his hand in front of others, an enigmatic character of unknown depth.
Just the seemingly kind and gentle Taoist Qingxu alone made several of them immediately tense up, their hairs standing on end.
A person’s name casts a long shadow.
This Sect Leader of the True Martial Sect, had gained such fame in the martial world that few people dared to challenge him after his rise to prominence. Adding to this, he was ranked high in the latest list of supreme martial artists.
For a moment, it looked as though Pei Xuanjing had become the hunted instead of the hunter, walking directly into their trap.
In contrast, Yu Zhenzi felt fortunate for his previous decision before the joy rose in his heart.
The intelligence network managed by Bai Xiaosheng held significant influence within the martial world.
The True Martial Sect, a major force in the Taoist school, possessed a profound heritage and numerous experts. Coupled with Taoist Qingxu, a top -ranked powerhouse on the list, it had become a dominant force.
Yu Zhenzi even thought that Pei Xuanjing’s strength was in no way inferior to those supreme martial artists. If he could take over the power from the Lord of Shenxiao Gate with his help, he would indeed become a force to be reckoned with.
With the three parties working together, they could definitely create a huge influence that would sway the landscape of the martial world.
“The gamble has paid off. I knew Pei Xuanjing was not to be underestimated.” Yu Zhenzi felt overjoyed in his heart.
At this point, having witnessed Pei Xuanjing’s true trump card, Yu Zhenzi didn’t feel aggrieved at being forced to act as a mole, instead, he thought he was more prescient.
“This situation is bad, retreat!” whispered the Lord of Shenxiao Gate.
The originally foolproof plan had been reversed due to the arrival of Taoist Qingxu and Bai Xiaosheng. He had no assurance he could kill Pei Xuanjing with their assistance, so he decided to retreat without any hesitation.
The remaining four experts naturally wouldn’t object to the Lord of Shenxiao Gate’s instruction.
They were loyal subordinates, willing to risk their lives, but even the Lord of Shenxiao Gate couldn’t force them to confront certain death.
If the Lord of Shenxiao Gate really insisted that they continue with the operation now, there was a possibility that the four wouldn’t comply willingly.
“Want to leave? Not so easy.” Pei Xuanjing saw the Lord of Shenxiao Gate’s decision and spoke coldly.
“Block him!” cried out Pei Xuanjing loudly.
As soon as Pei Xuanjing finished his command, Yu Zhenzi, who had been silent for quite a while, finally took action.
Clang!
Yu Zhenzi, who had fallen several paces behind the Lord of Shenxiao Gate, suddenly drew his sword.
Facing the sudden onslaught, the Lord of Shenxiao Gate found his path blocked and had no way to evade.
“Yu Zhenzi, you’re dead!” He was furious and launched a palm strike towards Yu Zhenzi.
However, Yu Zhenzi was already prepared. Seeing his sword strike fruitless, he quickly withdrew and took cover at Pei Xuanjing’s side.
Pei Xuanjing launched a palm strike, and their mid-air confrontation blocked the Lord of Shenxiao Gate’s attack.
Seeing Yu Zhenzi standing by Pei Xuanjing’s side, the Lord of Shenxiao Gate knew of the betrayal immediately.
“Yu Zhenzi, how dare you betray me!” He raged.
At this moment, Yu Zhenzi, seeing no alternate way forward, took the plunge and sneered at the Lord of Shenxiao Gate, saying, “When you treated us like slaves, bossing us around, you should have anticipated this day.”
First-grade martial artists are respected wherever they go, revered by many practitioners.
But under the Lord of Shenxiao Gate, they were treated without any due respect, viewed as mere servants due to his aggressive and odd demeanor.
Due to their compromising status, they had no choice but to rely on the cover of the Lord of Shenxiao Gate which forced them to swallow their pride despite the humiliation.
But now, with the alternative presented to them, whether actively or passively, Yu Zhenzi, having once chosen, felt no regret.
This is part of the reason he agreed to Pei Xuanjing’s proposal. After all, no matter what, at least Pei Xuanjing was willing to treat him with some respect.
“Brother Yu Zhenzi, why bother arguing with such a man?” Pei Xuanjing dismounted his horse and deliberately shielded the Lord of Shenxiao Gate’s assault while trying to persuade him.
At the same time, pointing at the Lord of Shenxiao Gate, he addressed the remaining four martial artist: “The orthodox Shenxiao lineage is with me. He is just a nominal figure who falsely claims to be of the Shenxiao Sect. Why not abandon the dark side and join me in reviving the Shenxiao Sect?”
Upon seeing Yu Zhenzi betray him, the Lord of Shenxiao Gate was already infuriated. Now, seeing Pei Xuanjing dare to woo his subordinates in front of him and shamelessly claiming to be the orthodox of Shenxiao, the Lord of Shenxiao Gate was consumed by rage, bursting into fury.
“Pei Xuanjing, you have crossed the limit!” He roared, at the same time casting a glance at his four subordinates: “Are you going to betray me like Yu Zhenzi did?”
It has to be said, some behaviors never change.
Even with Yu Zhenzi as an example, the Lord of Shenxiao Gate still held the same attitude towards the remaining few, without a hint of appeasement in his approach.
The remaining few, upon hearing the Lord of Shenxiao Gate’s chilling words, hastily responded, “We dare not.”
Not that they don’t want to, rather they don’t dare to.
They were simply intimidated by the past prestige of the Lord of Shenxiao Gate, and dared not betray him.
“I ask the two of you to stop the remaining four. Leave the Lord of Shenxiao Gate to me,” Pei Xuanjing suggested to Taoist Qingxu and Bai Xiaosheng.
His meaning was clear; he’d spare the four for the time being as long as they did not interfere, hoping to win them over in the future.
“Sure!”
Bai Xiaosheng and Taoist Qingxu nodded, locking onto the four martial artists with their aura. Any suspicious move from them would invoke their wrath.
Pei Xuanjing placed his hand lightly on the hilt of his sword and took a step forward, causing an immense surge of power.
Clang!
He drew his sword, and a powerful sword intent permeated the surroundings, headed straight for the Lord of Shenxiao Gate.
Though he had the upper hand, Pei Xuanjing didn’t dare to underestimate the Lord of Shenxiao Gate.
His first move was a killing stroke.
The cold sword light was accompanied by the roar of wind and thunder, like a thunder dragon rising in the air, its momentum overwhelming, and it enveloped the Lord of Shenxiao Gate..