Escaping the Xiao Mansion to Evade the Body Sect, the Thirty-Person Group Retreats to Dragon City

Jiang Hao carefully tidied the room, made sure he had left no strange traces, and pushed open the door.

Through a window along the corridor, he watched the people coming and going on the street.

He was on the fourth floor. Leaving right under the Body Sect's nose would not be easy.

He wanted a chance to slip out of the Body Sect's sight. Joining them would not cost him anything, but he did not want anyone learning his secrets.

His clones were a trump card he would not trust even a dead man to know about. If that secret came to light before he had grown strong enough, disaster could fall on him out of nowhere.

Neither the Three Original Continents, the Sun Moon Empire, nor any of the major sects would allow someone like him to exist.

Of course, attaching himself to one of them might keep him safe. But that was not what he wanted. He would not be anyone's dog or blade. He had to leave as soon as possible.

As Jiang Hao considered his options, he borrowed Tree Bro's ability.

Tree Bro could change his face, but it seemed not just anyone could enter the Northern Snow Trading House.

He could make up a face and slip out, but that would not guarantee no one followed him.

It seemed his only choice was to use this trip with Xiaoxiao to leave from her family's mansion.

He had to act as quickly as possible.

Lang Ya, the man with the arm Martial Soul he had seen yesterday, was most likely around the six-ring level.

That meant anyone Lang Ya called in would be stronger still. If Du Busi came, Jiang Hao really would have no chance of escaping. He would be hauled back to the Body Sect.

Jiang Hao sighed. Sometimes having a powerful relative was no blessing—at least, not now.

He pursed his lips and went out. Stopping someone in the corridor, he had them lead him to Xiaoxiao's room, where he knocked lightly.

Xiaoxiao's young voice soon came from inside. "Who is it? Just a moment."

"It's me, Xiaoxiao. I'm taking you home today. It's too dangerous here."

"Coming, Brother Jiang!"

Xiaoxiao emerged a short while later.

Downstairs, Jiang Hao found Fatty Liu, who had recovered. He still had no shirt on, though, because cupping jars covered his upper body.

Judging by the technique, Lang Ya had applied them. Fatty Liu sat on a sofa in the lobby with his legs propped up, popping grapes into his mouth one by one.

Jiang Hao greeted him, and Fatty Liu seemed to have no objection to his borrowing a carriage to leave the Northern Snow Trading House.

Jiang Hao relaxed a little. At least the Body Sect was not openly stopping him from going out, which gave him a chance to escape.

Coming into contact with the Body Sect too soon meant stepping into a whirlpool of competing powers.

He had not forgotten his murky connection with Shrek. Unless he cleared that up, both sides could easily misunderstand him.

Sorry, Xiaoxiao. I have to use this chance.

With Xiaoxiao giving directions, the carriage set off. Through the view sent back by Beans flying overhead, Jiang Hao spotted no fewer than twenty figures quietly tailing him.

Some belonged to the Xuanming Sect and others to the Body Sect. The strongest among them was a Soul King.

Just as Jiang Hao spotted the man, he saw him swing a huge foot that gave off green fumes and stamp down on a yellow-haired old tortoise.

The whole thing happened without a sound. The bearer of the Xuanming Shield Martial Soul collapsed, foam spilling from his mouth. Jiang Hao clicked his tongue. "Honestly, if I came up against a Martial Soul like that, I'd probably be helpless too."

The Body Sect had dealt with the people sent by the Xuanming Sect without breaking a sweat.

Before long, the carriage came to a steady stop outside a small residence. The moment it stopped, Xiaoxiao hopped down.

A guard at the entrance lit up at the sight of her. "Miss, you're finally back! Madam has been worried sick."

He immediately put away his spear and came forward to greet her.

At the same time, he called for another guard to report her return inside.

When Jiang Hao stepped down, the guard gave him a scrutinizing look.

The young lady had been gone for half a month, and she'd come back with a boy.

She's innocent by nature. Had he tricked her?

"Stop! Don't come near our young lady!" the guard shouted. Martial Soul Possession took hold, and the phantom of a rooster appeared behind him.

"Don't attack! He's my friend. When did you pick up the bad habits of those big sects? You show off your Martial Souls at the drop of a hat."

Xiaoxiao puffed out her cheeks, planted her hands on her hips, and pointed at the honest-faced guard.

"This is Brother Jiang, a good friend I met while hunting for a Soul Ring. I want to see Mother! Oh, has Father come back?"

The guard scratched his head at Xiaoxiao's question and withdrew his Martial Soul. "Madam has been run ragged over your disappearance. She only returned to the mansion yesterday.

"As for General Xiao, he's still stationed in Dragon City. He hasn't come back."

Xiaoxiao swallowed nervously at the news.

I'm done for. Father isn't back to take the heat for me. Mother's going to skin me alive.

Then she looked at Jiang Hao. Then again, I didn't come back alone this time. "Come on, I want to go in."

Xiaoxiao pushed Jiang Hao toward the Xiao Mansion, and the two went inside.

The many figures protecting her stopped there, then found suitable positions from which to continue their watch.

As Jiang Hao took in the information Beans sent back, his face darkened.

The Body Sect's protection was reassuring, even if they wouldn't leave me for a moment. But the Xuanming Sect still wants me dead despite knowing who stands behind me. I can't let you remain.

The Body Sect could be called the most pitiful sect of all. I'll help them where I can.

Xiaoxiao and Jiang Hao had just entered the main reception hall when a beautiful woman strode in through the outer door. She wore armor and carried a meter-long jade flute. "You've gotten bold! You even dare run off and hunt Soul Beasts on your own now?"

Madam Xiao's voice reached Jiang Hao through the screen. At the sound of that familiar tone, Xiaoxiao went rigid with fright.

Every excuse she had prepared vanished from her mind. She could not even force out a pleading "Mother."

As Madam Xiao came in, she saw Jiang Hao sitting beside Xiaoxiao. His clothes were plain, but he had a valiant bearing. Her expression changed at once. She examined him carefully from head to toe and tucked the jade flute into her robe.

Madam Xiao dismissed her Martial Soul, folded her arms, and circled Jiang Hao twice, sizing him up.

Only then did Jiang Hao slowly rise. "Greetings, Madam Xiao. I'm Xiaoxiao's friend. We met while hunting Soul Beasts. I happened to be traveling this way, so I escorted her home. Sorry for disturbing you, Auntie!"

A smile appeared on Xiaoxiao's mother's face. "Not at all. If you're Xiaoxiao's friend, do sit down. I'll have the kitchen make a few extra dishes, and we can have a couple of drinks at lunch. Oh, do you drink?"

Xiaoxiao's mother gripped Jiang Hao's shoulder and quietly exerted force. His muscles swelled under her fingers.

"I'd better not. I still have to head back toward the Star Dou Forest later."

As he spoke, Jiang Hao gently caught Xiaoxiao's mother's right forearm with his left hand and tried to lift it from his shoulder. Both of them quietly applied force.

Jiang Hao began drawing on his clones' strength. After a brief stalemate, he finally removed her hand from his shoulder.

Madam Xiao's eyes brightened after their contest. A trace of approval flashed in them, and her gaze softened.

This boy's constitution is quite good. He doesn't look like one of those young masters who spend their days drinking and carousing, engineering a meeting with Xiaoxiao to get close to the general.

Jiang Hao smiled outwardly while his mind raced through the possibilities.

If that was her full strength, she can only be a Four-Ring Soul Ancestor. But if she was merely testing me, she's stronger than that—perhaps a Soul King.

As Jiang Hao considered it, he took several things from his Soul Tool.

He had made them that morning using his clones. The most beautifully packaged were pastries such as Osmanthus Cakes, along with some fruit.

"These pastries were made by the Thirty-Person Group themselves. The fruit was picked in the Star Dou Great Forest, and both its texture and flavor are much better than cultivated fruit.

"They're only from young Soul Beasts around ten years old. They're not worth much."

Jiang Hao modestly set down a jar of brewed liquor as well. "This liquor is specially made by the Thirty-Person Group. It has a stronger taste than ordinary liquor.

"Since you like a drink, Auntie, please accept these from me."

Only after getting in touch with Fatty Liu had Jiang Hao realized the commercial value of his Food Type clones. Fruit grown with their Martial Souls alone was sweeter than other fruit.

And fruit from young fruit-tree Soul Beasts tamed by Bro Shunzi was of the finest quality.

Such fruit was priceless and almost impossible to buy. It should be more than suitable as a first-meeting gift.

After all, while people in the Douluo World said food made by Food Type Soul Masters tasted better, genuinely gifted Food Type Martial Souls were extremely rare.

And in this age of all-out strategic competition, any who appeared would inevitably be recruited by an organization.

More importantly, Soul Masters had their pride. Unlike Jiang Hao, they would not casually sell such things for money. That left a huge gap in the market.

"Mother, these cakes are delicious. Try one." Having recovered her wits, Xiaoxiao obediently held an Osmanthus Cake in her palm and offered it to her mother.

Seeing this, Xiaoxiao's mother did not make things any harder for Jiang Hao.

She could not manage every affair of the young, and she found this boy agreeable enough. "All right, you two talk. I'll have the kitchen add a couple of dishes."

With that, she walked out without looking back, taking a jar of liquor with her.

Xiaoxiao watched her mother go, then sat down and let out a long breath. "Thank goodness. Mother isn't angry."

When Mother comes back, I'll tell her Brother Jiang and I produced a Martial Soul Fusion Skill.

I'm sure she'll help us test our Martial Soul Fusion.

Xiaoxiao delighted in the thought. Jiang Hao, meanwhile, was already studying the buildings outside the window. He turned to her and said:

"Sorry, Xiaoxiao. I may need your help this time.

"I don't want to get involved with the Body Sect so soon!

"You know your Brother Xiao and I are as close as brothers. His people are my people.

"So cover for me in a moment, and tell me where your back gate is."

Jiang Hao carefully checked that no one was watching or listening before saying this to Xiaoxiao.

A piece of white tree resin appeared in his hand.

Xiaoxiao gave a soft cry. She had not expected this to happen so suddenly. "But Brother Jiang, you've only just arrived. Won't you stay a little longer?"

She looked at him sadly, but Jiang Hao had little choice.

He had come to accompany Xiaoxiao home, and leaving the moment he had delivered her was hardly decent of him.

"How about this, Xiaoxiao? When I get back, I'll ask your Brother Xiao to extend his operations to Heaven Dou City. Then you can travel with his caravans, and we'll have more chances to meet and test our Martial Soul Fusion Skill.

"If that doesn't work, you can come find me at Shrek over the next few years. I should be there for now.

"If I move somewhere else, I'll send word and write you a letter."

As Jiang Hao spoke, he quickly spread the resin over his face. In moments, his features changed into those of a simple-looking, dark-skinned boy.

The layer of resin also shaped the hair on his head into a short crew cut.

Beside him, Xiaoxiao could not help covering her mouth. Jiang Hao gave a soft snort at her puzzled look.

"It's nothing. Just a Self-Created Soul Skill of mine."

He knew the explanation sounded absurd, but no one would think of another way to change a face. Xiaoxiao accepted it quickly.

Xiaoxiao led Jiang Hao to the back gate, where he climbed onto a cart pulled by a donkey.

The cart carried basket after basket of dry hay toward the city gate. He looked exactly like a poor boy delivering fodder to a wealthy landowner in town.

Watching Jiang Hao go, Xiaoxiao felt a jumble of emotions. She looked around dejectedly, then shut the back gate. "We still haven't tried Martial Soul Fusion again."

When they had used their Martial Soul Fusion Skill last time, Xiaoxiao had felt herself enter a remarkable state.

Her powers of observation, her hearing, and even her strength had kept growing.

As Jiang Hao drove the cart, he asked the clones in his mind for an update.

Owl Bro's whole group had begun packing their belongings and valuables.

Once Jiang Hao realized the Xuanming Sect would not let a small trading house off the hook, he immediately discussed the matter with Xuan Zi Bro. They uprooted the entire camp on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.

They had no choice but to abandon the territory they had worked so hard to establish. Without Body Sect members guarding the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest, staying there would be far too dangerous.

Xiaoxiao was different. Her father was a deputy general in the army. With that connection, the Xuanming Sect would not openly try to kill her.

And because Xiaoxiao could use a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with him, Lang Ya and the others would certainly protect her. She would be safe.

That left only the Thirty-Person Group and the Northern Snow Trading House's area of operations for the Xuanming Sect to retaliate against.

Jiang Hao drove the cart out of the city gate and into a stretch of woodland.

Figures emerged from the grass all around him. Among them was Qingzhu, who had recovered from her injuries.

Qingzhu looked puzzled when she saw Jiang Hao driving the cart. She did not recognize him in his disguise.

Only when Jiang Hao removed the Human-Skin Mask did she realize who he was.

Meanwhile, Jiang Hao considered where they should go next.

North lay the Far North, which was much safer than the Star Dou Great Forest. They would only have to deal with Dragon City, a city of the Dou Ling Empire.

Dragon City was home to two sects, the Heavenly Dragon Sect and the Earth Dragon Sect. The entire city lay within their sphere of influence.

The Xuanming Sect could do little there. The Far North was also one of the three great Soul Beast gathering grounds of the Soul Fighting era.

Under the Heavenly Snow Woman's excellent governance, its Soul Beast population had continued to grow and thrive.

Hunting Soul Beasts there was more dangerous than in the Star Dou Great Forest, but the region was popular with Ice Type Soul Masters. Reestablishing the Thirty-Person Group there would not be a bad choice.

With the Far North at their backs, even if the Xuanming Sect came looking, they could make it appear that the entire group had fled into its depths.

Heading south would bring them to the border between the Star Luo Empire and the Sun Moon Empire, where Evil Soul Masters had also surged in number. The nearby Mingdou Mountain Range offered a decent refuge.

But Dai Hao's army was stationed there, which would severely limit the group's growth.

A general from the Duke's Mansion would never allow an organization to grow rapidly right under his nose, in his own country. If Jiang Hao established his people there, Dai Hao would very likely stand in their way.

Jiang Hao settled on the Far North. Opportunities awaited him there, too. He could prepare to claim the opportunities meant for Huo Yuhao first.

Once Jiang Hao removed his disguise, the other clones and Qingzhu climbed aboard. He handed the donkey's reins to a clone, who took over driving the cart. Following the map, they continued north.