Chapter 643: The Wicked Young Master Enters the City

"Achoo!"

"Achoo... Achoo!"

"Achoo, Achoo—"

"My goodness, Achoo!"

Xu Xiaoshou sneezed so hard that even his nasal discharge flew out. He rubbed his aching nose bridge vigorously and muttered, "Damn it, why are so many people thinking about me?"

"Worry about Xu Xiaoshou, passive value, 2."

"Snickering at Xu Xiaoshou, passive value, 1."

"Again... Xu Xiaoshou, are you really okay?" Mu Zixi wrinkled her delicate nose and handed him a handkerchief.

In the past half month, she had used up a lifetime's worth of handkerchiefs.

The reason was that Xu Xiaoshou kept sneezing out of the blue.

At first, everyone thought it was fine—maybe even a Zongshi expert could catch a cold?

But as the sneezing became more frequent, everyone realized something was off.

"A premonition?"

Xin Gugu laughed heartlessly, draping an arm over Xu Xiaoshou's shoulder and saying,

"This explanation is a bit far-fetched, don't you think? Who gets premonitions like this?"

"Counting the number of sneezes to figure out how many people are missing you... Ha, the world is so vast, with lands stretching from south to north. How could that many people be thinking about you?"

"Who knows?" Xu Xiaoshou replied weakly, waving it off and turning to Mo Mo. "How many?"

"Seven hundred and sixty-two."

"Sigh."

Xu Xiaoshou sighed.

Seven hundred times...

Others might not believe it.

But this was a side effect of "Perception," something he had verified many times himself.

As a Zongshi expert, how could he really catch a cold?

With the presence of Jinzhao Baiyan, he'd be more likely to overheat.

Those seven hundred-plus sneezes truly meant that, even though no one recognized him along the way, those who wanted to capture the Shengnu and had impressions of him were probably already taking action.

"Seven hundred Baiyi?"

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled self-mockingly. That was a number only Bazun An could handle with a single sword strike. What had he, Xu Xiaoshou, done to deserve such treatment?

The only silver lining was that these premonitions only manifested as sneezing.

Based on past experiences, as long as he used his points wisely, he could turn the tables.

If it were like last time...

Just thinking about that arrow from Ai Cangsheng made Xu Xiaoshou shudder.

It had merely locked onto him, and even from beyond the two domains, his body had cracked and bled.

If something like that happened again, he wouldn't have Old Sang around.

At most, he could only sacrifice someone else...

"Why are you looking at me?"

Xin Gugu was startled by Xu Xiaoshou's thoughtful gaze.

He felt that this guy staring at him like that meant trouble!

"Fear of Xu Xiaoshou, passive value, 1."

" passive value, 1."

"Let's go. It shouldn't be far now."

Xu Xiaoshou smirked, saying no more, and led the three behind him toward Dong Tian Wang Cheng.

In the past half month, their journey had been incredibly long—so long that even Xu Xiaoshou had lost track of the mileage.

Because he was carrying two Gui Shou Jiti and had the identity of a Shengnu, Xu Xiaoshou didn't dare use teleportation arrays.

Traveling on foot was slower, of course.

But with their impressive cultivation levels, and no major incidents along the way—though others had their share of troubles—it didn't affect them.

After several detours, they were finally nearing their destination.

During this trip, Xu Xiaoshou had truly experienced the customs and culture of this continent outside of Ling Gong.

Refiners were indeed rare.

So rare that Xu Xiaoshou had to admit the truth he'd verified: only refiners could provide passive values; ordinary people just couldn't.

After giving up on that idea, he deliberately visited two places.

The first was Tian Sang Cheng, the Su family—a once-renowned sword-wielding family from the Ming Jian Mu.

There, Xu Xiaoshou met Su Qianqian and the family's elders.

He had to say, it was the only family he'd seen with a true swordsman ethos.

In that place, he felt a pure sword cultivator's demeanor, similar to Bazun An's when he stood tall and proud.

The doubts buried deep in his heart, Xu Xiaoshou didn't voice them.

But from that visit, he knew Bazun An hadn't deceived him.

In this world, there really were people who took pride in dying under the Eighth Sword Immortal's sword.

Those people...

At first, Xu Xiaoshou couldn't quite understand.

But after the Bai Ku incident, he suddenly could.

As for the answers he obtained, Xu Xiaoshou remained neutral.

In short, if it were him, he wouldn't make the same choice as the Su family.

At the very least, he'd fight to the death and tear a chunk off the sword-seizer.

That was the real Xu Xiaoshou!

For the second stop, he went to Qinglong Jun.

It was where Old Sang's second legend was born, the site of the Taixu War, which he had gone to observe.

There were rampant sword intents and the aura of Jinzhao...

But the place was deserted; only people like him, paying their respects, remained. Qinglong Jun was just an empty shell.

He didn't stay long before moving on.

He didn't return to Tian Sang Ling Gong.

Perhaps the dean or Elder Qiao held secrets about A Jie.

But with Old Sang gone, he had lost the person who could clarify things.

Xu Xiaoshou didn't think going back would get him the answers he wanted.

More likely, it would bring disaster to Ling Gong.

Sometimes, leaving without a word was the best way to protect everyone.

Regrets were there, of course, but life becomes more complete because of imperfections. Setting sail again is the greatest respect to oneself and others.

"We're here!"

A few days passed in a flash.

As more and more travelers joined them, the end of the official road was no longer misty mountains and seas, but a majestic city.

Towering over ten zhang high, the city walls were built from massive blue stone bricks, cutting off the visible sky. Vast and imposing, they exuded tremendous power.

The grand Chongxuan Tian'gang city gates featured tiger-headed lion knockers. Even with traces of age and weathering, they radiated a fierce, murderous aura that deterred lingering gazes.

Outside, a group of Baiyi guards, all with cultivation above Xiantian, stood watch.

The captain, squatting to the side with a blade of grass in his mouth, had eagle-like eyes scanning entrants. He was at Wangzuo level, and his Baiyi robe differed greatly from the ordinary guards', with a badge depicting a Sheng Dian and a suspended white sword.

"Baiyi!"

Xu Xiaoshou knew these were the real Baiyi, one of the two major enforcement organizations under Sheng Shen Dian Tang. He had tricked and deceived them before, and now, seeing them again, an inexplicable unease crept in.

"No problems, right?"

Xu Xiaoshou glanced back at Xin Gugu and Mo Mo.

He wasn't worried about himself or Mu Zixi.

What he feared most was that the two Gui Shou Jiti behind him would be discovered in Dong Tian Wang Cheng.

In that case, Xu Xiaoshou felt he'd have to abandon them to save himself—well, and his shimei.

"No big issues. I've been to Dong Tian Wang Cheng before. Ordinary people might be afraid, but I'm different." Xin Gugu fiddled with the golden Zen staff necklace on his chest, acting nonchalant.

By "ordinary people," Xu Xiaoshou knew he meant "ordinary Gui Shou Jiti."

Indeed, this guy was from Xuyue Hui Gong; if even a guard captain could spot him, he'd be better off not continuing.

After all, the one who escorted the Tan Shen for millions of li from the southern domain to the eastern domain wouldn't be easily exposed.

"I'm fine too."

Mo Mo nodded. She hadn't even switched her small copper furnace.

Such an inconspicuous mark was hard to find in Tian Sang Cheng, let alone in the vast Dong Tian Wang Cheng, where it would be like a stone sinking into the sea.

"Good."

Xu Xiaoshou nodded, using the back of his hand to scratch his stubble, confirming it was still in disguise, before stepping forward.

"Remember, from now on, keep your backs straight and your chins up. We're here to cause trouble, so don't let anyone look down on us, got it?"

"Yes, Xu Shao!"

Xin Gugu puffed out his chest, his voice booming like thunder, drawing side glances from passersby.

"Surprise at Xu Xiaoshou, passive value, 45."

" passive value, 1."

Xu Xiaoshou nodded in satisfaction.

From now on, Xin Gugu's role was as Xu Shao's lackey.

He turned to Mo Mo.

Mo Mo's lips quivered, hesitating and mumbling, too shy to speak.

Only after seeing Xu Xiaoshou's gaze turn cold did she close her eyes heavily, her face ashen, and say,

"Yes, Xu Shao."

It was barely a whisper, and her ears turned red.

"Head up, chest out, and... ahem, spine straight. Louder!"

"Yes, Xu Shao." Mo Mo's voice grew even softer.

" passive value, 1."

"What a hopeless case!"

Xu Xiaoshou flung his sleeve in frustration and looked at Mu Zixi.

" passive value, 1, 1, 1, 1..."

"Why are you looking at me? Say something—it's to build your thinking habits so you don't slip up later!" Xu Xiaoshou selectively ignored the info bar.

Mu Zixi's big eyes were watery and full of confusion, though her mind was racing.

" passive value, 1, 1, 1, 1..."

"This little girl—would it kill her to call me 'Xu Shao'? Seriously!"

Xu Xiaoshou gave up and turned to his lackey, Xin Gugu.

"Xu Shao! Any orders?"

Xin Gugu was full of excitement; he loved role-playing—it was fun.

The surrounding people were startled again by his loud shout, hurrying to avoid them and take detours.

"Disdain for Xu Xiaoshou, passive value, 53."

"Internal complaints about Xu Xiaoshou, passive value, 22."

"Disgust toward Xu Xiaoshou, passive value, 68."

"Clear the way!"

Xu Xiaoshou puffed out his chest and shouted even louder.

Seeing the reactions of the passersby, the corners of his mouth nearly split his ears.

This was exactly the effect he wanted—over-the-top and absurd!

The more arrogant, the more foolish, the more nonsensical...

But on top of all that "more," there had to be a real, subconscious identity that people recognized and reacted to emotionally.

The more passive values he gained walking through like this, the better!

Glancing at the info bar:

"Passive value, 84,221."

Only eighty thousand!

He, Xu Xiaoshou, was almost at Zongshi, and his stockpile was only eighty thousand.

Once he reached Zongshi, how would he upgrade his passive skills?

Xu Xiaoshou didn't dare touch this reserve now.

Based on the skill point inflation, first-tier skills cost a thousand passive values, second-tier five thousand.

It was likely that third-tier would cost ten thousand, thirty thousand, or even fifty thousand!

No matter what, Xu Xiaoshou needed to stockpile at least a hundred thousand, aiming for five hundred thousand, ideally a million passive values.

Dong Tian Wang Cheng would be his launching ground!

"Xu Shao... isn't that a bit cringy?"

There was a hidden madness in Xu Xiaoshou's eyes.

Who cared about cringy or not, foolish or not?

With someone backing him, he would go all out to make the notorious name of "Xu Shao" echo throughout Dong Tian Wang Cheng!

And why "notorious"...

Good people don't live long, but scoundrels last a millennium.

A millennium!

That was lying in a coffin, even rotten, and still raking in high passive values.

How could he not spread such a name?

"Four people?"

"Names, origins, cultivations—report them all."

The guard at the city gate glanced over, as per routine, penning notes on a jade slip.

"How dare you!"

Xin Gugu thundered, startling all the guards.

Even those queued up behind trying to enter the city stepped back, keeping their distance from the four.

"Surprise at Xu Xiaoshou, passive value, 73."

"Fear of Xu Xiaoshou, passive value, 32."

Xu Xiaoshou kept a straight face, but inside, he was beaming.

Great!

Way to go, Xin Gugu—you're not wasting the fact that I revived and brought you along.

You're truly my cash cow, Xu Xiaoshou.

"What's all the yelling about?"

The guard frowned.

He'd seen bad behavior before, but this level—clearly from some major power and picking on city gate guards—was a first.

The guards gripped their swords, on the verge of clashing.

Xin Gugu glanced at Xu Xiaoshou, who remained unfazed, so he knew his task of "acting arrogantly" wasn't complete yet.

He lifted his nose high and sneered, "Our Xu Shao is already giving you face by lining up quietly. Names? Origins? Cultivation?"

"Is that for you to ask? Do you even have the right..."

He paused.

"To meddle." Xu Xiaoshou transmitted calmly.

"To meddle?!" Xin Gugu's head was practically in the clouds.

Xu Xiaoshou nearly burst out laughing.

He suddenly wondered if this was going too far.

After all, this behavior screamed brainless villain—was some righteous hero about to step in?

But maybe that was exactly what he wanted?

The guard leader pressed his hand behind him, signaling his men to stay calm.

He eyed the long line that had backed away a zhang or more, not wanting unnecessary trouble, and advised, "This is a critical period; everyone entering the city needs to register. Please cooperate with the work."

"Cooperate?!"

Xin Gugu shot back mindlessly, his already sinister face twisting into something even more demonic. "We're cooperating by lining up, and you still want to stir things up? Where's your superior? Get them out here..."

"Are you calling for me?"

From the side, the Baiyi Wangzuo who had been squatting and chewing grass stood up and approached.

Xin Gugu subconsciously shrank back.

He feared Red Clothes and Baiyi the most.

But thinking of his task...

"What's your name?"

"Oh, just a little Baiyi? Got a code or number?"

"What's it all about? Spill it!"

The Baiyi narrowed his eyes.

This was beyond rude—it was outrageous!

Honestly, this was a first for him!

He was about to speak when he saw the youth, likely the young master surrounded by the three, step forward. The Baiyi immediately turned his gaze.

Dealing with kids was tricky, but the big boss might be more reasonable.

From a prominent family, he should know the rules.

Without a word, the Baiyi Wangzuo just looked over.

The other should recognize his status and show the proper respect—no need for him to say anything.

Xu Xiaoshou clasped his hands behind his back, chest slightly out, and as all eyes turned to him, he pondered for a dozen breaths.

Until the info bar stopped its frantic updates and slowed, he finally jutted his chin and said coolly,

"You can ask questions, but you're not qualified."

"Fetch Jiang Bianyan— this young master wants to hear his 'interrogation' personally!"