17 People Die, Debts Vanish, Planting the Demon Martial Path (4k Two-in-One)

"I know! Brother Nezha, I know!"

Whether it was the medicine, the candied hawthorn, or Li Cunxiao's presence, Hu Zi's complexion was still a bit pale after the meal, but his spirits had improved considerably. Hearing their conversation, he immediately chimed in excitedly:

"I heard that Bald Snake of the Green Snake Gang got a martial arts manual, and the Wolf Gang's boss found out. The two sides had a fierce fight, it was terrifying!"

Gao Cheng frowned upon hearing this:

"You're just a child, where did you hear all this? Don't learn about fighting and killing, understand!"

Hu Zi immediately shrunk his head. Li Cunxiao's eyes flashed, and he comforted him:

"Hu Zi, your father is right. You're still young, and getting involved in these matters is very dangerous."

"By the way, where did you hear about all this?"

"It was Er Zhuzi from Xiqiao Street. His uncle is the attending physician at the pharmacy, and Bald Snake's gang got their medicine there."

Li Cunxiao pondered, already having an idea, and planned to "visit" an old friend later.

As for the manual, he was rather dismissive.

His experience cultivating martial arts at the Escort Agency made him realize that for ordinary people, a manual was just a useless showpiece.

For one thing, if you practiced according to the diagrams and text in a manual, how would you know if you were doing it right? Were your movements distorted? Had your body already sustained damage?

Practicing in isolation would only harm the body for no reason. This was where the true value of a Martial Arts School master lay.

With guidance from a senior, one could avoid or at least minimize detours.

Of course, this wasn't to say that manuals were completely useless. If a Martial Master already possessed considerable experience in martial arts, then by drawing parallels and studying the manual, they could at least broaden their horizons, and perhaps even innovate or create new techniques.

Moreover, people like Bald Snake were mere thugs who relied on their sturdy physique and brute force. They likely hadn't even reached the stage of Sensing Vitality.

At that level, what kind of martial arts manual could they possibly get?

After chatting for a while longer, Li Cunxiao, concerned about the Green Snake Gang, estimated that it was about time and took his leave.

Gao Cheng naturally tried his best to keep him, but couldn't persuade him. In the end, he personally escorted Li Cunxiao to the door.

Watching the retreating figure, Gao Cheng couldn't help but place his hand over his heart, feeling a warmth spread through him.

For a simple, honest man, wasn't sincerity exchanged for sincerity the greatest reward?

"But Sanlang spends money so carelessly, he still needs to get married in the future."

After standing at the door for a while, just as Gao Cheng was about to close the door, he suddenly heard someone shout:

"Apprentice! Apprentice! Wait!"

"Master?"

Gao Cheng looked in surprise at the ball of flesh running towards him from a distance. However, the latter didn't have his usual grumpy expression.

Gasping for breath, he still managed a smile:

"Apprentice, Chief Escort Zhang has ordered a whole lamb feast on short notice, and without you, Master can't manage it alone."

"I was a bit... harsh with you before. Here, take this roast chicken and wine."

Gao Cheng was a kind person, meaning he didn't hold grudges.

After all, when learning a craft, who doesn't get scolded?

With an apology and a gift, the matter was settled.

Moreover, he understood that with Li Cunxiao's backing, Master Zhang and the shopkeeper would be polite.

If it wasn't his own skill, what was there to be arrogant about?

Learning all of Fatty Zhang's skills as soon as possible was the true foundation for establishing himself!

After giving a few instructions to his wife and children, Gao Cheng followed Master Zhang back to the restaurant.

Anyone who had been a butcher knew that slaughtering was strenuous work, and roasting lamb was even more so. Among the kitchen helpers, Gao Cheng was the strongest. He was quick with his hands and feet, whether it was slaughtering the sheep and draining its blood, cleaning the innards, or marinating and roasting.

For some reason, the work that had previously bored him felt exceptionally different today.

Even when Zhang Lishi arrived in the evening, he praised the roast lamb highly, specifically asking for an extra portion to be sent to his mansion for his wife and daughters to try.

Seeing this, Shopkeeper Sun decided to have Gao Cheng deliver it, allowing him to make an impression.

Gao Cheng couldn't think too much about it; all he knew was that he was exhausted after a whole afternoon of work.

Fortunately, Shopkeeper Sun had some conscience and gave him a tip. Otherwise, as someone from the kitchen, he wouldn't have bothered with such a request for delivery!

"Brother Gao?"

As Gao Cheng delivered the lamb and was about to leave, he was unexpectedly greeted by a clear child's voice.

"Mucha?! Oh, I remember now, your brother said you were a pageboy at the Zhang family's."

"Did your brother look for you?"

Mucha's eyes lit up, and he took out a bag of preserved fruits from his embrace, stuffing it into Gao Cheng's hand.

"This is for Hu Zi... Is Hu Zi okay?"

"Yes, he's fine."

Gao Cheng looked at the child in front of him, who was as delicate and beautiful as carved jade and dressed in plain blue cloth. He couldn't help but think of the days when the Li brothers were young, and a wave of emotion washed over him.

"Mucha, who is this?"

Zhang Que'er popped out from somewhere, followed by Zhang Yuelu and two maids.

"I, I'm here to deliver roasted lamb."

Gao Cheng didn't recognize the two, but judging by their luxurious attire, they were likely young ladies from the manor.

He had been busy in the kitchen all afternoon, and his body was inevitably stained with blood and internal organs, making him smell unpleasant. Seeing that they were all frowning, he suddenly felt awkward. He mumbled a few words, gave Mucha an embarrassed smile, and was about to retreat.

"That's Big Brother Gao! Before, when my brother and I couldn't afford to eat, it was Big Brother Gao who brought us food!"

"Big Brother Gao is a good person!"

Li Mucha's voice was loud, his small face held high. He didn't feel embarrassed at all, which made Gao Cheng's old face flush. He stammered, "It was just a few meals. Your brother became an escort, and he never forgot me. He's the one who's truly amazing."

"Third Sister, is this considered mutual flattery?"

Zhang Que'er tilted her head, her eyes full of innocence, which made Zhang Yuelu laugh.

"No, this is called repaying kindness."

"Qiuju, take a few taels of silver and see Master Gao out. It's not easy for him to run out here in the middle of the night."

After Gao Cheng left, thanking them profusely, Zhang Yuelu looked at Mucha, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

Li Cunxiao had only been with the escort agency for less than a month, and he had already become an escort?

Minor Accomplishment in Tiger Form Fist?

For the young masters of the inner city, this speed wasn't unusual, but considering his poor background, it was remarkable.

Furthermore, judging by Gao Cheng's words, this Li Sanlang was also a loyal and righteous person.

She wondered if he could reach Blood Qi Perfection before the age of twenty and be taken in by her father. However, the Muscle and Tendon Realm...

A flicker of an unusual expression crossed Zhang Yuelu's eyes. Que'er next to her started chattering around Mucha again:

"Mucha, what kind of person is your brother?"

Mucha was still upset that Li Cunxiao had gone to see Huzi but not him. Hearing the question, he immediately puffed out his chest:

"My big brother is amazing!"

"But he's fierce and ugly."

Mucha's cheeks bulged.

"The stories I tell you were all taught to me by my big brother. If he studied, he would definitely become the top scholar!"

"Are you talking about the Monkey King stories?"

Zhang Yuelu recalled the legendary tales of the Heavenly Dragon Palace and demon subjugation. She had listened to them a few times herself and found them quite interesting.

She heard that Li Sanlang had only attended private tutoring for a year, so she wondered how he came up with them.

"Silly Mucha, the imperial court hasn't held examinations for several years, so there haven't been any top scholars for a long time!"

Zhang Que'er was not to be outdone. She just liked to tease Mucha, and he would always rise to the bait.

"My big brother's talents aren't just that!"

Mucha began to count on his fingers, listing them out:

"My big brother has a good memory, is patient, and likes to be clean..."

Outer District, Green Snake Gang's stronghold.

Calling it a stronghold was an exaggeration; it was just a small courtyard. After all, the Green Snake Gang only had about ten people. Bald Snake and a few core enforcers made up only four or five individuals.

But at this moment, these four or five people were all lying on the ground, groaning weakly. Below each of their crotches was a pile of foul-smelling, unidentifiable matter. Upon closer inspection, many of them had bandages and plasters on their bodies.

The food boxes from the restaurant were neatly placed on the table, all empty.

Bald Snake's face was pale, and he leaned against the edge of a stool. Even though his stomach was empty, the urge to expel still couldn't be stopped.

He looked angrily at the young man leisurely sitting beside him:

"Li Sanlang! What did I ever do to offend you! You're shameless for putting laxatives in our food!"

Li Cunxiao couldn't help but smile.

"Bald Snake, your memory is poor, but mine is very good."

"And I am very patient."

His expression turned cold, and he drew the short knife at his waist amidst their terrified gazes.

"As soon as I heard you were injured, I came right away."

After leaving Gao Cheng's place, it didn't take long for Li Cunxiao to find out the whereabouts of the Green Snake Gang.

These people usually bullied the weak and bullied the good, acting with impunity and showing no restraint.

Li Cunxiao found them and quietly observed. He discovered that they were indeed all injured, but even so, he did not rush in recklessly.

After manipulating his Blood Essence, Li Cunxiao found his punches and kicks had greatly increased in power. He could easily take on four or five people at once, but if he wanted to kill them, making too much noise might allow one or two to escape.

With a "try it and see" attitude, he found a nearby restaurant and ordered takeout. Once the food was ready, he added a large amount of laxatives under the guise of a taste test.

Fearing the Green Snake Gang would become suspicious, Li Cunxiao didn't have the delivery sent directly to their compound. Instead, he ordered it to a location nearby, where the delivery person would have to pass by.

It could only be said that old habits die hard. The lackeys of Bald Snake, accustomed to getting freebies, saw the takeout passing their door and snatched it.

As a result, when Li Cunxiao returned two quarters of an hour later, the Green Snake Gang had become the Poop Snake Gang. Not a single one of them could stand up.

"Li Sanlang, you, you don't be rash! Let's talk properly. It was my fault before, you—"

Li Cunxiao stuffed a rag into Bald Snake's mouth. Under the man's terrified gaze, he walked over to his limp subordinates and slit their throats one by one with his short knife.

The laxatives had made their limbs weak and numb. Li Cunxiao was a martial artist who manipulated Blood Essence, so his strength was already greater than theirs. The moment he entered the compound, he had bound their hands and feet and gagged them.

Therefore, this slaughter was exceptionally quiet and peaceful. There were no screams, no struggles. The birdsong outside the courtyard was crisp and clear, reaching his ears.

Crimson blood soaked the ground, and pools of blood reflected the resentful eyes of the dying.

In Li Cunxiao's mind, the Vajra Scepter he had recently depleted was visibly growing brighter, but he had no time to look at it now.

He gripped Bald Snake's neck like he was squeezing a chicken. Although the man was quite tall and sturdy, the feel in Li Cunxiao's palm was similar to Zhao Heishe's back then.

"Mmmph... cough"

Bald Snake knew his death was imminent, but he still refused to give up hope. He managed to spit out the rag in his mouth, but his neck was already covered in goosebumps from the slippery, blood-stained blade.

Even though his jaw ached from straining it earlier, a series of rapid, low words were forced out of his mouth:

"Don't kill me! I have money, silver, and... oh right, a manual, a secret manual!"

Li Cunxiao raised an eyebrow. Regardless of whether it was true or not, he pressed the blade harder, piercing the skin of the man's neck:

"You playing with me?"

"It's under the bed! In the inner room, under the third bed, tied to the underside of the bed board!"

Bald Snake grew increasingly terrified, even instinctively holding his breath. Those few seconds felt as long as days and nights.

Only when the blade finally left his neck did he gasp, blood rushing to his brain and supplying it with oxygen. A mix of relief and resentment surged through him. He knew that the moment the other party heard about money, he would be distracted. No one in this world didn't love money.

Next, he just had to wait for the other party to go into the room to find it, and then he—

Crack.

Li Cunxiao cleanly snapped Bald Snake's neck. He expressionlessly wiped the bloodstains from his blade on the man's sleeve before entering the room.

A moment later, he grabbed a small package and climbed over the wall, leaving.

Back home, Li Cunxiao took off his rough hemp clothes and cloak, finally able to relax.

Since he was seeking revenge, he naturally wouldn't wear his Escort Agency uniform. A small gang like the Green Snake Gang wouldn't live in a prosperous district, and it took less than a quarter of an hour from entering the compound to leaving. The chance of being discovered was very small.

Gang thugs were prone to fighting, and dying at the hands of someone seeking revenge was not uncommon. The county constables were neither master detectives nor possessed of a sense of justice. Li Cunxiao's feud with the Green Snake Gang should end here.

"It's all loose silver, no banknotes?"

Li Cunxiao frowned, but then relaxed.

What kind of savings would street thugs, living day to day, have? Moreover, the Green Snake Gang was a minor gang that survived by extorting others. Unlike the major gangs in the outer city, they didn't run brothels or gambling dens.

"Twenty-odd taels of silver. Not too much, not too little. It's just in time for renting a new place. This money came at the right time."

"Is this the manual?"

Li Cunxiao curiously picked up the thin, yellowed booklet. Judging by the cover, it was a palm technique called Pure Yang Sixteen Hands.

Opening it, the beginning was nothing special, just some blurry pictures and a bunch of obscure riddles. It even contained homophones borrowed from local dialects, making Li Cunxiao frown deeply.

"As expected, finding a divine martial arts manual and being able to cultivate world-shattering martial arts is just a fantasy from novels. Only the martial arts passed down through generations in escort agencies and martial arts schools are tested in actual combat and refined through constant revision."

"This manual... I should just burn it, to avoid... Hmm?"

The last page of the manual felt thicker than the previous ones.

Li Cunxiao took out his short knife and carefully cut it open. As expected, he found a piece of parchment as thin as a cicada's wing. His curiosity piqued, he unfolded it, and his expression immediately turned serious.

It contained sixteen illustrations of men and women in coitus. Each picture was accompanied by dense, small-character calligraphy detailing the points of cultivation. And a line of large characters at the top of the parchment made his brow furrow deeply furrowed.

"Heaven and Earth possess spiritual energy, yet its essence is not fully manifest; All beings harbor demonic nature, and this nature burns fiercely."

"The beginning of the martial path lies in planting the demon; the beginning of planting the demon lies in luring the demon."

"Use the Pure Yang Sixteen Forms to lure the Filthy Heart Silver Fox and enter the Dao with demonic essence!"