Chapter 50: The Grand Competition of the Heavenly Talents

"Thank you, Brother Jin. When I return, I will repay this silver as soon as possible," Zhao Wude also expressed his gratitude.

He understood well that anyone who could serve as the city lord of a place like Northern Wasteland City must have considerable backing. That was why, every time he met Jin Buhuan, Zhao Wude was always courteous, yielding three points out of ten. One could say that before Xiao Yang appeared, the city lord was the person he feared most in Northern Wasteland City. But now, things had changed.

"No need for such formality," Jin Buhuan replied with a brief nod. Lending money to Zhao Wude was not without ulterior motives; he wanted to get Zhao Wude out of the way so he could have some private time with Xiao Yang.

"Senior, here is one million taels," Zhao Wude said, stepping up to Xiao Yang. And to maintain an air of mystique, Xiao Yang simply willed the silver notes into his system's storage space. This display left Jin Buhuan momentarily stunned, but he said nothing more. In his mind, he now regarded Xiao Yang as the scion of a great clan out on a journey to temper himself.

"Very well. You may go now."

At these words, Zhao Wude turned and left in haste, his figure even more hunched than before. The blow he had suffered today was indeed a heavy one; for a while, not just he but the entire Zhao clan would be lying low.

As he watched Zhao Wude depart, Xiao Yang put away his Buddha statue and prepared to return to his room. Seeing this, Jin Buhuan felt somewhat awkward; after all, he was a city lord—was it really proper to be so thoroughly ignored? Of course, such things could only be thought, never spoken aloud. With a talent like Xiao Yang, Jin Buhuan could only wish to curry favor, never offend him.

"Wait, young friend!" Jin Buhuan called out.

Xiao Yang stopped, a look of suspicion on his face as he glanced warily at the city lord.

"What is it? Do you want to exchange a few blows as well?"

Jin Buhuan, hurrying over, nearly stumbled. Although he hadn't witnessed the battle firsthand, he had personally felt the presence of the giant Buddha at the end. Even with his own cultivation at the seventh stage of Martial Marquis, he doubted he could easily best that Buddha statue. Besides, he was here to win Xiao Yang over, not to pick a fight.

"Ahem! Young friend, you misunderstand," Jin Buhuan said quickly, forcing a smile. "I simply enjoy making acquaintances and hoped we might become friends."

"Not interested," Xiao Yang replied bluntly, striding into the Fortune Gathering Hall.

Jin Buhuan's expression shifted. He had been about to give up and return to the city lord's manor, but then recalled the matter that would arise in a year's time. If he could get Xiao Yang to participate, victory would be almost guaranteed.

"No, I can't give up," he muttered, clenching his teeth and following after.

With the door already smashed in by Zhao Wude's men, Jin Buhuan had no trouble entering. Xiao Yang, too, noticed someone following behind.

He turned. His brows immediately knitted together.

"City Lord, are you thinking of using force?" he asked coldly.

"You misunderstand, young friend," Jin Buhuan replied, laughing in an attempt to explain. "I really don't want to make friends," Xiao Yang said, entirely unmoved.

Anyone witnessing this would have been shocked: the normally aloof city lord was suddenly eager to make friends. Usually, Jin Buhuan sent away countless people who wished for such an audience, yet today the roles were reversed—he was the one seeking friendship and being rebuffed.

"Then let me be frank: I wish to ask a favor of you."

Xiao Yang looked up slightly, disinclined to pay him any heed. He was the sort who, if he could sit, would never stand; if he could lie down, would never sit. For the city lord to ask him a personal favor, it could not be anything simple.

"No," he flatly refused.

"Young friend!" Jin Buhuan was left speechless. At that moment, he dearly wished to grab Xiao Yang by the collar and shout, "I'm the city lord—can you at least look at me properly?" But recalling the importance of his request, he suppressed the urge.

That rare smile appeared on his face once more. In all his years as city lord, he had never smiled as much as he did today, and always to appease another.

"Please, young friend, just hear me out."

Irritated, Xiao Yang felt almost overwhelmed. All he wanted now was to see Zhou Yan. The recent battle had been so fierce—if the young girl had been hurt, he would never forgive himself.

Just then, Zhou Yan saw Xiao Yang enter and rushed over, throwing her arms around him.

"Senior brother, don't leave me," she pleaded, soft and warm in his embrace.

"I'll never leave you," he replied gently.

"Are you hurt, senior brother?" Remembering the fight, Zhou Yan anxiously looked him over from head to toe. Only after seeing no wounds did she breathe a sigh of relief.

"Your senior brother is the most promising young man in the world—how could that old man possibly be my match?" Xiao Yang said, a bit smug.

"Ugh, you and your boasting!" Zhou Yan rolled her eyes at his triumphant grin.

"Ahem, I agree with young friend—he is indeed the number one in the world," came a sudden voice.

Both their expressions changed. Zhou Yan blushed furiously, recalling the recent events and feeling thoroughly embarrassed.

Xiao Yang's face darkened completely. Such a precious moment, ruined by this meddling city lord! He was about to turn around and give the man a good beating when a prompt sounded in his mind.

"Ding! Martial Marquis cultivation trial ended."

In an instant, the surging power vanished.

"Damn it," he cursed inwardly. This city lord was likely off the hook for a beating.

"Can you stop pestering me?" he snapped, irritation plain on his face.

Yet Jin Buhuan simply kept smiling, as if he had no temper at all.

"Young friend, as long as you agree to help me, the city of Northern Wasteland will reward you most generously," he promised, hoping to tempt Xiao Yang with sufficient profit, remembering the way Xiao Yang had eyed the banknotes.

"Most generous reward?" Xiao Yang raised an eyebrow, clearly interested.

Jin Buhuan hurried to add, "And from today onward, you will be an honored guest of Northern Wasteland City." As he spoke, he produced a token engraved with a golden dragon, with a small golden character at its base.

"This is the Jin family token. Whether in Northern Wasteland City or elsewhere, you will receive the treatment of a distinguished guest."

Xiao Yang was visibly tempted; he could tell that Jin Buhuan was no ordinary figure.

"What is it you want? Tell me," he said at last. Still, he didn't agree immediately—he needed to know the details before making a decision.

Seeing this, Jin Buhuan's face lit up; as long as Xiao Yang was asking, there was still hope.

He wasted no time explaining, "Young friend, I simply want you to participate in a martial contest."

A martial contest? Xiao Yang clearly didn't believe it would be that simple.

"Be specific."

"You and I are both subjects of the Beidou Kingdom. I would like you to represent our kingdom in the Heavenly Talents Tournament initiated by ten nations one year from now," Jin Buhuan said, watching Xiao Yang's every reaction.

But to his disappointment, Xiao Yang's expression didn't change in the slightest. This was a contest representing the kingdom on a grand scale; an ordinary person would have leapt with excitement.

"That's all?" Xiao Yang frowned, feeling it too easy compared to the reward offered.

Jin Buhuan nodded. "You need only represent the Beidou Kingdom in the Ten Nations Martial Tournament."

Given the strength Xiao Yang had just displayed, he would surely make it into the top ten, if not take first place outright.