Chapter 45: Ding! Enhancement Successful

“Alright!” Xiao Yang promptly led the Lord of Chickens upstairs.

“You’re not allowed downstairs. Stay here and behave,” he said, giving a quick instruction to Zhou Yan, who was busy cleaning.

“Junior Sister, keep an eye on this fellow and don’t let it go downstairs.”

“Of course, Senior Brother,” Zhou Yan replied, wiping the fragrant sweat from her brow and nodding.

Having settled things, Xiao Yang felt at ease and headed back downstairs.

The departure of the Lord of Chickens brought a collective sigh of relief from the four young men. That rooster was truly fierce—an ordinary martial artist would be no match for it.

“Five thousand taels deposit each. Come pick up your fighting cocks in three days,” Xiao Yang said without ceremony, getting straight to the point.

All this, of course, was due to his dire poverty. Breaking through three minor realms in succession had nearly depleted his vital resource for cultivation. To train four fighting cocks to the peak of the Lesser Demon Realm would cost at least ten or twenty thousand units of cultivation value. He had no choice but to request a deposit first.

“No problem, big brother!” the four replied without hesitation, each producing a banknote for fifty thousand taels and placing it directly in Xiao Yang’s hand.

“Take it, big brother. If it’s not enough, just say the word.”

“Yes, yes, big brother. As long as you ask, I, Jin Ying, will never hesitate,” they added, vowing their absolute support.

“This is enough for now,” Xiao Yang replied woodenly, feeling almost guilty at how easily he’d made the money.

After a bit more conversation, he learned the names of the Four Young Masters of the Northern Wastes. In a word, they could be called heroes—bold and gallant.

The eldest was Jin Ying, followed by Jin Xiong, and so on down the line. According to them, when they were born, their father had a sudden flash of inspiration, and their names were decided on the spot.

“Big brother, we’ll be off then. If you need anything, just mention our names,” Jin Ying said respectfully. The other three displayed the same deferential attitude, treating Xiao Yang with a respect rarely shown to anyone else.

“Cluck cluck cluck!” As soon as the four young masters departed, their four fighting cocks grew restless, eager to follow their masters out.

But Xiao Yang was prepared. He shouted, “Lord of Chickens, get to work!”

In a flash, a blur shot down from upstairs, blocking the shop entrance.

Immediately, the four fighting cocks bristled with hostility, clearly unsettled by the Lord of Chickens’ presence. Their neck feathers stood on end as they simultaneously entered battle stances.

“Cluck cluck cluck!” They let out threatening cries.

Watching this, Xiao Yang calmly pulled up a chair and sat down, settling in to watch the show.

“Go easy on them—don’t kill or cripple,” he instructed the Lord of Chickens.

“Cluck cluck cluck!” The Lord of Chickens sprang into action. In one swift exchange, all four fighting cocks were smacked hard to the floor, utterly powerless to resist.

They were stunned, but what awaited them was the Lord of Chickens’ unbridled bullying.

“Cluck cluck cluck!” Agonized shrieks rang out as feathers were plucked one by one.

Soon, the four fighting cocks were left bare and forlorn in their despair—stripped of their splendid tails, but no stronger than before.

The Lord of Chickens was careful, only plucking their rear ends, removing those gorgeous tail feathers before sauntering leisurely back upstairs.

It had taken less than a quarter of an hour. The fighting cocks’ attitudes had completely reversed. Now, they huddled together like bullied maidens, shivering as they watched the Lord of Chickens leave.

“Not so cocky now, are you? Serves you right for provoking that one—he holds grudges,” Xiao Yang said, rising to his feet. Now it was time for him to act.

He converted fifty thousand units of cultivation value and strode toward the fighting cocks. They, thoroughly cowed by the Lord of Chickens, shrank away in terror as he approached, crowding together in fright.

“Four against one and still got plucked—pathetic,” Xiao Yang scoffed, grabbing one of the cocks and lifting it up.

“Cluck cluck cluck!” came its terrified cries as it frantically kicked its long legs, desperately trying to escape Xiao Yang’s grasp.

“Settle down, or I’ll make stew out of you,” he threatened, his fierce glare quickly subduing the bird. It drooped its head, not daring to move.

Satisfied with its obedience, Xiao Yang prepared to enhance the fighting cock.

“Three enhancements for now,” he decided. He’d originally intended to boost them straight to the peak of the Lesser Demon Realm, but worried the four young masters might notice something strange if they dropped in unexpectedly. Better to do it in stages—on the third day, he could push all four to the tenth level of the Lesser Demon Realm.

“Enhance!” he commanded mentally.

A seven-colored glow appeared.

“Ding! Enhancement successful. Black Whirlwind’s level has increased by one.”

Almost instantly, the previously enervated Black Whirlwind was brimming with energy, eyeing Xiao Yang uncertainly.

It sensed a powerful force had just made it break through, and the source was clearly this human before it.

Then, another surge of energy. Black Whirlwind broke through again.

Dazed, it hadn’t even had time to rejoice before finding its cultivation level had advanced once more. Black Whirlwind stood there, utterly bewildered.

Elsewhere, at the Hall of the Hanging Gourd, an elder hurried inside. Two grandmasters of martial arts greeted him respectfully.

“Master!”

Zhao Wude snorted coldly. “Useless. You can’t even handle this minor matter.”

He walked toward the inner chamber, where a white-bearded elder emerged.

Seeing him, Zhao Wude’s expression grew solemn.

“Elder Liu, how is my grandson?”

Elder Liu raised his head slightly and shook it. “Your grandson’s injuries aren’t severe, but due to his constitution, he’ll be bedridden for at least a month.”

Ordinarily, being kicked would be nothing more than a minor grievance. But it was the collision with the wall—bringing it down—that did the real damage, causing hairline fractures throughout his body.

If he tried to get out of bed in a few days, the risk of full fractures was high.

Zhao Wude’s eyes reddened with anger. “Useless!” He spun and viciously slapped the two grandmasters across the face.

Slap! Slap!

“What’s the point of keeping you around?” He raised his hand again, and judging by his fury, the two men were in danger of being beaten to death.

But Elder Liu frowned and spoke with some displeasure. “Master Zhao, no matter your temper, I must remind you: this is the Hall of the Hanging Gourd.”

Zhao Wude stopped at once, his expression turning apologetic.

“My apologies, Elder Liu. I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

“Hm!” Elder Liu nodded slightly and turned back inside.

Zhao Wude’s face darkened once more. The Hall of the Hanging Gourd was not powerful, but it controlled the lifeblood of all the families in Northern Wastes City—medicine, and remedies for daily injuries.

If the Zhao family offended the Hall, they’d have to travel to other cities for medicine, which would incur great losses.

Thus, Zhao Wude dared not offend the Hall of the Hanging Gourd.