A Two-Star Da Dou Shi Against a Nine-Star Dou Shi—the Advantage Is Mine

Wanyao Pavilion.

The vast estate was filled with unease, as if the air itself was permeated with tension and fear.

Within the Tranquil Garden, Mr. Yao sat leisurely in a wicker chair, though his face was full of sorrow.

Ever since Mushe had interrogated him, he had guessed that Mushe would never let the matter rest.

To save his own life, and fearing that he would be settled with afterward if he betrayed Xiao Ce, he had simply given Mushe false information.

That way, even if Mushe managed to hire a Da Dou Shi expert, they would most likely still be no match for Xiao Ce.

After all, Xiao Ce did not even take a Fourth-Rank Magical Beast seriously.

Mr. Yao had thought the matter would end there, but Xiao Ce and Xiao Yi Xian had yet to return, while the expert Mushe had hired arrived three days ago.

After Mo Shan came to Qingshan Town, Mushe immediately brought men to Wanyao Pavilion.

He hated Wanyao Pavilion as well. If not for Xiao Yi Xian, his son would never have provoked an expert like Xiao Ce.

Before Mo Shan arrived, however, he had still harbored some reservations, since Qingshan Town was not ruled by his family alone.

If he destroyed Wanyao Pavilion, the other two mercenary groups would inevitably feel threatened.

But now that his support had arrived, he naturally cast aside all restraint and came knocking at once.

This was not only to vent his anger, but also because Mushe was preparing an escape route for himself in advance.

Wanyao Pavilion dealt in medicinal ingredients, and its wealth was no less than that of the three major mercenary groups.

Mushe had paid an enormous price to hire Mo Shan, so Wanyao Pavilion was just what he needed to recoup some losses.

That way, even if he left Qingshan Town in the future, the wealth he carried would still let him live freely and comfortably.

To placate Mushe, Mr. Yao had humbled himself and voluntarily handed over all of Wanyao Pavilion's assets, narrowly escaping disaster.

He let out a long sigh.

"Alas, I wonder when Young Master Xiao and Xiao Yi Xian will return."

He was already considering whether he should leave Qingshan Town for a while to hide.

Though he had previously sacrificed the lesser to save the greater and temporarily preserved his life by surrendering all of Wanyao Pavilion's wealth,

he feared Mushe might suddenly go back on his word. If he died before he could cling to Xiao Ce's thigh, that would be truly tragic.

Just as Mr. Yao was agonizing over this, hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the garden, accompanied by a guard's loud shout.

"Mr. Yao, Young Master Xiao and Xiao Yi Xian are back!"

"Young Master Xiao and Xiao Yi Xian are back!"

The instant he heard the shout, Mr. Yao's body trembled. His narrowed eyes flew open, and he sprang from the wicker chair, instantly looking invigorated. Like an arrow loosed from its bow, he dashed out of the garden.

The moment he rushed out, he immediately saw the guard hurrying over to deliver the news.

"Where is Young Master Xiao?"

"Where is he?"

Mr. Yao asked anxiously.

The guard did not even have time to catch his breath. His face flushed red as he said, "He... he is waiting for you in the main hall!"

"You did well. I understand!"

As Mr. Yao spoke, an excited smile immediately appeared on his face. He patted the guard on the shoulder, then took a step forward and hurried toward the main hall at top speed.

Not long after, Mr. Yao arrived at the main hall.

The moment he entered, Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Pavilion Master Yao, how did you become so haggard after merely a short time apart?"

After entering and taking a seat, Mr. Yao sighed. "I have made a fool of myself before you, Young Master Xiao. Mushe has truly gone too far. Not only did he force me to hand over all of Wanyao Pavilion's wealth, he somehow hired a Da Dou Shi expert. I was unable to learn this man's exact strength, but in my opinion, he is most likely here for you, Young Master."

A trace of surprise appeared on Xiao Ce's face.

He had expected Mushe to retaliate, but he had not expected him to hire a Da Dou Shi.

He did have some tricks up his sleeve.

Xiao Ce waved his hand casually.

"It is nothing. He is merely a clown, not worth worrying about."

"Since I am his target, he has likely already received news of my return. Mr. Yao, just sit back and watch the show."

"As for Wanyao Pavilion's wealth, once this is over, Mr. Yao can retrieve it from the Wolf Head Mercenary Group."

Mr. Yao was overjoyed at his words and hurriedly clasped his hands.

"Then I must trouble you, Young Master Xiao!"

Xiao Ce smiled. "Mr. Yao, there is no need for such courtesy. This matter began because of me, and you have suffered an undeserved calamity because of it. I should be the one apologizing to you."

Mr. Yao hurriedly shook his head. "This was entirely Mushe's doing. How can Young Master be blamed? Besides, I nearly revealed your true information to Mushe. If anyone should apologize, it should be me."

"Oh? Then what information did Pavilion Master Yao tell Mushe about me?" Xiao Ce asked curiously.

Mr. Yao immediately recounted how Mushe had threatened him and how he had ultimately given Mushe false information.

Xiao Yi Xian chuckled softly from the side.

"No wonder Mushe specifically hired a Da Dou Shi. He probably thought a Da Dou Shi's intervention would guarantee success."

"Now he is in real trouble!"

Xiao Ce rubbed his chin. "Trouble? I do not think so. He will soon be reunited with Muli and his son. He should be happy."

Seeing how relaxed the two were, Mr. Yao's tightly wound nerves finally relaxed completely.

However, as he watched their intimate manner, he sighed inwardly again.

It seemed Wanyao Pavilion would not be able to keep Xiao Yi Xian, its money tree, after all.

Still, with Xiao Ce's talent, he would most likely become a supreme expert standing at the peak of the Jia Ma Empire in the future. Through Xiao Yi Xian, forming a connection with Xiao Ce would still be a guaranteed profit for Wanyao Pavilion.

In an instant, Mr. Yao completely came to terms with it, and a sincere smile surfaced on his face.

The three chatted for a while longer when a deep voice suddenly rang out from beyond the estate.

"Where is Xiao Ce? Get out here and die!"

The rolling sound waves were deafening.

"Heh, he came rather quickly. Just a little too noisy!"

Xiao Ce raised a brow and slowly stood up.

"Come. Let us meet Captain Mushe and his hired help."

With that, he walked ahead.

Meanwhile, outside Wanyao Pavilion's estate.

Mushe stood at the front, calling out his challenge. His gloomy face remained calm and composed, as if victory were already in his grasp.

A Two-Star Da Dou Shi against a Nine-Star Dou Shi—who would win was obvious at a glance!

Mo Shan stood behind Mushe, his sallow face wearing a lazy expression. Even now, two voluptuous beauties remained at his side.

Having learned that his opponent was merely a Nine-Star Dou Shi, he did not take him seriously at all.

At that moment, three figures suddenly approached from afar.

Leading them was an excessively young and handsome youth.

The instant they saw him, both Mushe and Mo Shan revealed looks of astonishment.

They both knew Xiao Ce was young, but they had never imagined he would be this young.

And besides...

Mo Shan carefully examined Xiao Ce, his brows knitting slightly.

Was he not supposed to be a Nine-Star Dou Shi?

Why could he only sense a Nine-Star Dou Zhe?