Chapter 23: Capable of Killing, But Not Necessary

Taiji is known to counter all forms of martial arts that are purely forceful and masculine in nature. One could say, “Let him be as strong as he wants; I have Taiji.” Taiji itself is the perfect blend of strength and softness, of borrowing force to counter force.

Under the Taiji techniques of the Landlord, the skills of Heaven’s Deficiency and Earth’s Flaw were clearly outmatched. However, the two still had one last move—one final technique shared between them. Earth’s Flaw hurriedly straightened a snapped zither string, while Heaven’s Deficiency gathered his internal energy, flinging all ten fingers forward.

This time, the music that emanated from the zither was no longer as it was before; this strike consumed every ounce of their strength. The shadows conjured from the zither’s notes were no longer swords and blades but instead took the shapes of ancient soldiers with twisted faces, resembling corpses from a bygone age.

All these spectral soldiers charged straight at the Landlord. In front of him, however, stood the Landlady.

Despite seeing a horde of ancient soldiers rushing toward her, the Landlady remained utterly unruffled. She brought her palms together, focusing her energy in her core.

“Aah!”

A thunderous roar erupted from her lips.

Yang Wenhao’s true energy surged outward from within him, blocking the Landlady’s Lion’s Roar. Yet compared to Yang Wenhao, the deputy boss and the trio of Heaven’s Deficiency and Earth’s Flaw were far less fortunate. The deputy boss, an ordinary man caught completely off guard within the range of attack, rolled his eyes back and fainted instantly. As for Heaven’s Deficiency and Earth’s Flaw, their clothes were left in tatters, making them look as disheveled as beggars on the street.

“Someone, come here.”

A member of the Axe Gang stepped up to Yang Wenhao.

Yang Wenhao said flatly, “Take this dead man away, and bring those other two as well.”

“Yes, sir.” The gang member nodded and called the others to help carry them off.

But just as Yang Wenhao was about to return to his car, he suddenly paused and turned with a smile. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

“Were those two sent by you?” The faces of the Landlord and Landlady were grim—they had, after all, broken their vow.

“If I said no, would you believe me?” Yang Wenhao spread his hands.

“In the future, tell your people not to come to the slums again,” the Landlady said coldly. “Otherwise, those two will serve as examples for your fate.”

“Oh?” Yang Wenhao smiled lightly. “With skills like yours, staying here seems a terrible waste. Why not join me instead? Name your price.”

The Landlord’s lips twitched, as if tempted, but the Landlady shot him a glare, and he immediately adopted a look of resolute integrity.

“I see you’re a martial artist yourself, but the world today isn’t suited to the old ways. Go home; there’s nothing for you in the slums.” The Landlady’s patience owed itself to having witnessed Yang Wenhao’s strength earlier—otherwise, if it had been Brother Chen, there’d have been no talk, only fists.

“Since we’ve come this far, I’ll be direct: I want your techniques.” Yang Wenhao’s eyes glittered with intent.

Lion’s Roar, Taiji—both were treasures he desired. It would be too good if he could obtain them so easily. The system had them, of course, but with his current wealth, he could afford just one book, not two.

The Landlord and Landlady exchanged glances and lapsed into silence.

“Of course, you can name your price,” Yang Wenhao said.

“Go home, young man.” The Landlady shook her head, refusing.

Rejected, Yang Wenhao was not even slightly angry; in fact, he felt it was only right.

“And if I insist?” Yang Wenhao gazed at them, half-smiling.

“Then don’t blame us for being rude,” the Landlady replied, her eyes fierce. If Yang Wenhao made a move, they would not hold back.

“Tomorrow, the Fiery Cloud Evil God will make his appearance,” Yang Wenhao said. “I hope the two of you will do me the honor.”

With that, he turned and left.

Back in the car, the deputy boss had already regained consciousness. “Boss, why didn’t you just finish them off?”

“They could be killed, but there’s no need.” Yang Wenhao had no wish to seize martial arts by such means, and besides, the Landlord and Landlady were not the sort to yield under threat.

As a modern man, Yang Wenhao had a thousand ways to force the techniques from them, but he was neither willing nor interested. Against villains, he might employ the cruelest punishments, but he couldn’t bring himself to treat good people that way.

“Drive. Let’s go.”

The Axe Gang’s car rolled away, leaving the Landlord and Landlady standing where they were.

The Landlord hesitated. “He said the Fiery Cloud Evil God will appear tomorrow. Should we go?”

“Of course we’ll go. Why not?” The Landlady’s eyes shone. “It’s time the Axe Gang learned the slums are not to be trifled with.”

...

Axe Gang headquarters.

Looking at the carefree, sharp-suited, and slick-looking Xing, Yang Wenhao smiled faintly.

“Boss, you wanted to see me.” Although Xing didn’t know why the Axe Gang’s leader wasn’t Brother Chen anymore, he knew better than to ask.

Yang Wenhao motioned for Xing to sit. “I have a task for you. Do it well, and you’ll get a bonus of a hundred thousand.”

At those words, Xing leapt to his feet as if pledging allegiance. “Whatever the boss needs, I’ll do it, even if it costs me my life!”

“Strategist, take care of the arrangements,” Yang Wenhao waved.

“Yes.” The strategist nodded and pulled Xing out to issue instructions.

At that moment, the deputy boss entered. “Boss, Heaven’s Deficiency and Earth’s Flaw want to see you.”

“Let’s go.”

Yang Wenhao rose and headed to a room, several Axe Gang members guarding the door.

Inside, he found Heaven’s Deficiency and Earth’s Flaw, their bodies still covered in wounds.

Both were now blind, unable to see, and their minds were somewhat addled from the earlier fight with the Landlord and Landlady. But after some rest, they had improved.

“You’re not Brother Chen?” Heaven’s Deficiency asked.

“We want to see the leader of the Axe Gang,” said Earth’s Flaw.

“What do you know?” the deputy boss cut in. “This is our boss now—Brother Chen is history.”

Yang Wenhao smiled calmly. “That’s right. I’m the leader of the Axe Gang now. If you’re looking for someone, you’ve found him.”

The duo fell silent.

“Since you two have recovered, let’s get down to business.” Yang Wenhao found a seat and tapped his fingers on the table.

“Business?” The two were puzzled, then said, “We may have lost today, but we did kill the three you wanted dead. You still owe us our reward.”

“You’ll have your reward,” Yang Wenhao replied, “but there’s one extra condition.”

They looked uneasy—no such condition had been mentioned before. “What condition?”

“The condition is that you hand over the martial arts you’ve mastered.”