"Sir, have you crossed hands with Qu Muzhi before?" Golden Snake’s expression showed shock.
Yang Xiao leaned back in his chair, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled, his entire deanor instantly becoming much more profound, turning into sothing that both Golden Snake and the Qipao woman could not comprehend:
"That was several years ago, amidst a heavy snowfall in the north."
The Golden Snake Qipao Woman was montarily lost in a trance, but they both conjured up a similar image in their minds: snowflakes drifting from the sky, the ground a sheet of white, with Yang Xiao and Qu Muzhi standing on the snowy ground, ten ters apart. Even as the falling snow buried their ankles, neither made a move; for when masters contend, a hair’s breadth can lead to a thousand li of error. Both were waiting for the perfect opportunity to determine the outco with a single move.
Noticing that the expressions of Golden Snake and Qipao Woman had changed from complex to clear, then back to complex, Yang Xiao knew he had successfully played his part.
Therefore, he stopped there and let both of them leave—Golden Snake to find the hidden Resentful Eye, Qipao Woman to take over the underlings of the Taoist. In an hour’s ti, they were to bring their respective gang’s key mbers to the Nie Family Teahouse for a eting.
Before leaving, Yang Xiao threatened them with a smile that did not quite reach his eyes, "Both of you, you may not understand yet. I’m a businessman who prizes promises above all. Once a deal is set, it can’t be changed, and if I say I’ll annihilate soone’s entire family, not even a dog can be spared. I hope you also keep your word."
"Of course, Sir, rest assured." The two were scared into a cold sweat by Yang Xiao’s threat, hastily agreeing.
After Golden Snake and the Qipao Woman had left, Yang Xiao was not idle. Letting them go was also a test. Taking out the Soul-Capturing Mirror, he secretly followed them. To his surprise, after so observation, they indeed seed to behave honestly, not secretly colluding with others or looking for reinforcents, probably intimidated by his thods.
Golden Snake brought people to the tang suit man’s place to search together, and the Qipao Woman brought people to Tongtian Daoren’s hideout.
Once he confird this, Yang Xiao went back to Shatong Inn to find a frantic Ling Yanyu. Yang Xiao told him everything was settled and he still had so matters to deal with, telling Ling Yanyu to wait for him confidently. Then he went back to the Nie Family Teahouse alone.
An hour later, Golden Snake and the two returned on ti, bringing with them over a dozen people. Presumably, these were the gang’s key mbers.
Despite looking fierce with dragon and tiger tattoos, the sight of Yang Xiao had them as scared as mice in the presence of a cat—all exceedingly afraid.
"Sir, these three are the ones in charge under Tongtian Daoren." Qipao Woman took a step back and pointed to three people, introducing them to Yang Xiao.
Yang Xiao still kept his mask on, but his tone beca much gentler, "You don’t need to be afraid. I am a very reasonable person. As long as you are willing to serve faithfully, I won’t let you down. But if anyone dares to oppose in secret, death is the only outco."
"We are willing to serve you faithfully, Sir!" The three trembled and knelt on the ground at once, repeatedly kowtowing.
Yang Xiao nodded in satisfaction and glanced at the Qipao Woman standing by, "You did a good job with this. This is your reward."
Raising his hand, Yang Xiao casually tossed the Li character mask to the Qipao Woman who was ecstatic upon receiving it. The mask represented a lot, including status and power, things that money couldn’t buy.
Golden Snake watched with envy and hurriedly interjected, taking out a small silver box from within his clothes and offering it respectfully with both hands, "Sir, this was found in the secret room by my people."
The material of the box was the sa as the Silver Box at Yang Xiao’s house but much smaller. Upon opening, inside was a ring, set with an erald. It appeared unremarkable, but if it was kept in such a container, it must have so mysterious properties.
Closing the box, Yang Xiao looked at Golden Snake and nodded slightly, "You did well. What else was in the secret room?"
"There were many intelligence files, cash, and... there were also gold bars, quite a few. I’ve got them sorted out and assigned reliable people to guard them," Golden Snake replied respectfully.
"Good. Sort the intelligence files, and for the rest—keep half, and... the other half is yours," Yang Xiao said generously.
"Thank you, Sir!" Golden Snake was incredibly grateful.
Yang Xiao brushed off the dust from his body and slowly rose to his feet, "Follow , and I guarantee you’ll eat and drink well. The two of you have decent potential, but your magic artifacts are still lacking. Given so ti, I’ll find you a few good treasures, and reaching the Venerable Level will be no trouble at all."
"We are willing to work like dogs and horses for you, sir!" Both Golden Snake Qipao Woman said in unison.
They had also thought it through; to live well in Xiang Ma Town, one must have a backer. Whom else to rely on if not him, especially since his strength was there for all to see.
"The two of you, co in with ." Yang Xiao turned and walked into the room, and the two Golden Snakes quickly followed with a brisk jog.
Yang Xiao then casually sat down on the sofa like a lord on his throne, gestured with his hand, and only then did the two dare to sit down, "How should I address you?" Yang Xiao asked with amusent.
"Sir, you can call us whatever you wish," the Qipao woman said with much tact.
"What are your nas again? I rember you ntioned them, quite impressive-sounding," Yang Xiao continued.
"I... my na is Thundercloud Holy Mother," the Qipao woman said quietly.
"I am Fragrant Commander Golden Snake," the Golden Snake said, her voice even quieter.
"Very domineering. That fellow who died was even more impressive, if I’m not mistaken, he was called Tongtian Daoren. Such audacious nas, not afraid they won’t be able to live up to them," Yang Xiao scoffed. He had originally thought that his moniker, Ming Emperor Ye Xiao, was quite wild, but these nas in Xiang Ma Town simply didn’t make the cut; if not Tongtian, then a Holy Mother, all but losers under the Resentful Eye.
Hearing Yang Xiao speak like that, the two won dared not say a word.
"Thundercloud Holy Mother, from now on, I shall call you Xiao Yun," Yang Xiao decided without giving them a chance to argue.
"Yes, sir," the Holy Mother quickly agreed.
Yang Xiao looked up at Golden Snake, and in the next second, she imdiately understood, fawning, "I am Fragrant Commander Golden Snake, Fragrant Commander..."
"Oh, Fragrant Commander Golden Snake, then I’ll call you... Little Snake, that’s it," Yang Xiao decided firmly.
Golden Snake: "..."
"Do you have an issue with that?" Yang Xiao frowned.
"No, sir, you really have an eye for it. I’ve always wanted to change my na but never had the chance. Little Snake sounds so intimate, like returning to childhood," Golden Snake said, very moved, tears of sincerity glistening in her eyes.
"Little Snake, Xiao Yun, from now on, you are my left and right arms. You must be sincere in your work; those who do not give their all are not my brothers. Do you understand?" Yang Xiao asked.
"Understood, sir."
"Good, later on, I’ll introduce soone else to you; now we’re family, so no need to make distinctions between sects anymore, that would make us seem distant," Yang Xiao said, intentionally pausing to wait for their reaction.
The two Golden Snakes certainly understood, sensing the deeper aning in Yang Xiao’s words, and could only continue along his line of thought, "What is your insight, sir?"
"It’s nothing much. I’m thinking of establishing a new faction, rooted in the three of your families," Yang Xiao said with a smile, finally revealing his ulterior motives.
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