The Deal

After the Demon Beast Uprising ended, Butcher left some cultivators behind to guard the garrison camp against another attack, then led the main force back to Slaughter Heaven City.

Yang Xiao was naturally among those returning. Now that he had openly broken with the Earth Master Hall, staying alone at the garrison camp would guarantee their retaliation.

Ordinary opponents did not frighten him. What worried him was Gongsun Tuo personally stepping in to assassinate a mere Sea Condensation Realm cultivator like him.

Without the Dragon Horn, Yang Xiao lacked the courage to face a Living Spirit Realm expert alone.

In recognition of his bravery during the Demon Beast Uprising, Lord Pinghui had specially granted him a month's leave.

That leave would likely be extended until the matter with the Earth Master Hall was resolved.

In the Plum Garden of the City Lord's Residence.

Yang You'er brought over two cups of hot tea, setting one before Yang Xiao and the other before Butcher. Her lively, wide eyes studied the two men, but unfortunately, she was not clever enough to guess what they were about to do.

Yang Xiao turned his head. "You'er, go back to your room for now. Uncle Tu and I have something to discuss."

Yang You'er murmured her assent and returned to her room. A moment later, she pressed herself against the door, peering outside through the crack with her bright, beautiful eyes, her delicate, translucent ears twitching now and then.

Naturally, neither man missed her little movements. Yang Xiao waved his sleeve, forming a barrier of earth vein qi that sealed off the courtyard.

"Hmph, stupid brother. Fine, I won't listen!" Yang You'er stamped her foot, returned to her bed, and hugged a pink pillow, laughing with a sound as sweet as silver bells.

In the courtyard.

Butcher set down his teacup and sighed. "You used Peak Demonic Will on the battlefield."

Yang Xiao had been imagining Yang You'er's reaction, but his expression darkened at those words.

"I'm sorry, Uncle Tu. I couldn't hold myself back."

Butcher tapped the table and said gravely, "I've spoken to everyone who was on the battlefield that day. They won't spread word of this."

"But as you know, the Heavenly Master Palace and the Earth Master Hall hate you to the marrow of their bones. I don't know whether any of their disciples saw you use Peak Demonic Will."

"Still, I'll do my best to keep this from getting out. I'll also inquire about your grandfather's whereabouts in the Heaven Domain. If he can come here, things might not be as serious as we imagine."

"Most importantly, try to avoid going out during this time."

He glanced toward Yang You'er's room and continued, "If you really must go out, take that girl with you. Having Old Li accompany you would work too."

Yang Xiao nodded. Yang You'er was in the Living Spirit Realm, so he would be safe in Slaughter Heaven City with her along. As for Old Li, anyone who could put Butcher so at ease had to be at least in the Living Spirit Realm as well.

After giving his instructions, Butcher left the Plum Garden.

Yang Xiao looked inward at his Spirit Sea. After fighting Mountain Turtle, his hundred-thousand-mile Spirit Sea had solidified. Now he could continue advancing his cultivation.

Before that, however, he had a few things to take care of.

First, he needed to buy some clothes—preferably plenty of them, so he could change after future battles. Thinking about it, the quality needed to be decent too, or he would burn through too much money. He ought to save where he could.

Second, he needed to sell the large haul of Spirit Artifacts he had acquired. That meant a trip to the Perching Phoenix Pavilion. They were old acquaintances, after all, and he still owed Li Xunhua a favor.

Now that he thought about it, Li Xunhua had come out ahead. She had only given him a map of the Heaven Domain, yet she had gained a substantial order in return.

Finally, he needed to see whether he could buy a suitable Spirit Artifact. Failing that, he would buy materials and refine one himself.

He dispelled the soundproof barrier and beckoned toward the room. "You'er, let's go shopping."

“Coming!” Yang You'er answered brightly.

After quite a while, the door opened, and Yang You'er emerged in a finely woven pleated satin dress with a subtle floral pattern. She lightly tapped her delicate foot, twirled amid the snowflakes, and floated into the courtyard.

Yang Xiao circled her, looking her over. The dress suited her well, but it exposed both collarbones, making her strikingly alluring. He silently reached out and pulled her neckline higher. Going out like that would easily attract hooligans.

She wore light makeup. Walking down the street, she would surely leave countless young women weeping in envy and countless men dreaming of her day and night.

“All right, Brother, stop circling me.” Yang You'er hugged his right arm and shook it. “Let's hurry out, or it'll be dark soon.”

They left the Plum Garden, and just as they reached the entrance of the City Lord's Residence, a carriage pulled up.

Steward Li was driving. The old man jumped down and bowed. “Young master, young miss, wherever you wish to go, this old servant will take you.”

Yang Xiao glanced back. This was Uncle Tu's goodwill, after all, and he could hardly refuse.

Taking Yang You'er's hand, he boarded the carriage. “The best clothing shop in the city.”

"Hyah!"

With a neigh, the carriage rolled onto the street. A Dragon Horse at the Sea Condensation Realm pulled it. The two chatted for a while inside before the carriage stopped outside a clothing shop.

“Young master, we've arrived at Fragrant Splendor.”

Yang Xiao and Yang You'er stepped down. He had heard the servants at the City Lord's Residence mention Fragrant Splendor. It was the best clothing shop in Slaughter Heaven City, specializing in clothes for cultivators.

More than a dozen people were inside, all dressed lavishly and radiating the distinctive aura of cultivators. Their clothes carried the scent of demonic beast hide.

The two entered, with Old Li following behind, his hands clasped behind his back.

“Would you like ready-made clothes or something tailored?” A woman who still retained her mature charm approached them. Spotting Old Li behind them, she said, “Oh! What wind has blown Steward Li our way?”

Old Li swept his gaze over the people in the shop and said calmly, “These two are the marquis's nephew... and niece. Bring out whatever fine materials you have. Charge it to the marquis, and collect payment from the City Lord's Residence later.”

The woman smiled. “The marquis's nephew and niece are nephew and niece to everyone in Slaughter Heaven City. Their visit honors Fragrant Splendor. How could I charge them?”

"Lu Shan, bring out the finest fabrics in the shop for the young master and young miss to choose from."

Yang Xiao's mouth twitched. He could not shake the feeling that this woman was taking liberties with him.

He stopped her. "No need. I'm buying quite a lot of clothes, and I personally prefer black."

"I like black too," Yang You'er added.

Yang Xiao smiled. "That's right. My You'er likes black too. Take all the fine black fabric in your shop and make half into men's clothes and half into women's clothes."

The woman circled them once and said, "Certainly. We'll deliver the clothes to the City Lord's Residence in three days. Will that do, young master?"

Yang Xiao nodded. A clothing shop Old Li brought them to really did know its craft. The woman had presumably been assessing their measurements just now.

After giving a few more instructions and accompanying Yang You'er while she tried on several outfits, Yang Xiao headed for his next destination.

Clothes only needed to fit. They would be ruined in battle anyway.

For cultivators, strength was what mattered most.

The only reason they had stayed half an hour was that Yang You'er could not tear herself away from the clothes. They had stirred a woman's urge to shop.

The carriage arrived at the Perching Phoenix Pavilion. Before they even got out, familiar words in a familiar voice drifted in from outside.

"Amitabha! Does this humble monk look like someone who can't pay? Hurry and let me back in to battle another three hundred rounds!"

Standing on the carriage, Yang Xiao saw Shen Laodao being blocked outside the Perching Phoenix Pavilion by two burly men.

He must have exhausted his earth vein crystals and been thrown out for being unable to pay. This was hardly the first time Yang Xiao had seen such a scene.

"Shen Laodao!" Yang Xiao called.

Shen Laodao froze, then turned around. "Yang Xiao, you've come at just the right time! Hurry and take this humble monk inside. I haven't been in the Perching Phoenix Pavilion for half a month."

Shen Laodao could not possibly have been unaware that he was in Slaughter Heaven City, so he must have come looking for him. As for why, Yang Xiao suspected he had come to freeload.

He was about to refuse outright and publicly declare that he did not know this fake monk who called himself a humble monk at every turn.

But then he reconsidered. Who was Shen Laodao? The inheritor of the world's foremost dark art. Had he not arrived at the perfect time to help deal with the Heavenly Master Palace and the Earth Master Hall?

Yang Xiao stepped forward, threw an arm around Shen Laodao's shoulders, and headed into the Perching Phoenix Pavilion. The two burly guards were about to stop them when Old Li coughed beside the carriage.

Both men shuddered and stepped aside, clearing the way.

Yang Xiao glanced back at Old Li. It seemed the old steward was quite famous in Slaughter Heaven City. Even the guards at the Perching Phoenix Pavilion recognized him.

Once inside, Shen Laodao wriggled free of his arm and shouted, "Li Xunhua, get out here! This humble monk has found someone to pay!"

Yang Xiao's face darkened, black lines all but covering his forehead. Had Shen Laodao come looking for him because he owed the Perching Phoenix Pavilion money and wanted him to settle the debt? The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

Li Xunhua descended from upstairs with dainty steps. The instant she saw him, excitement crossed her face, and she flew down the stairs. "You heartbreaker, you've finally deigned to visit your big sister!"

Li Xunhua reached a slender finger toward Yang Xiao's chest. He retreated two steps, dodging it, and smiled wryly. "We aren't that close, are we?"

Li Xunhua was about to speak when she suddenly felt killing intent envelop her. Following its source, she found it came from the girl in the black dress beside Yang Xiao.

Yang Xiao shook his head at Yang You'er. Although Li Xunhua enjoyed teasing him with her words, she was a good person. Besides, he had come to do business with her. Injuring her would hardly help.

Yang You'er snorted coldly and turned her head away.

"I have a big deal for you this time," he said, "and I'll settle his debt while I'm here."

Joy appeared on Li Xunhua's face at that, and she led the three upstairs.

Click!

Just as they reached the second floor, the door facing the stairs opened. A chubby young man emerged, straightening his clothes, and his eyes met Yang Xiao's.

Yang Xiao looked at Tu Yuxuan with a half-smile. He had not seen him since their first encounter upon his arrival. Apparently, Tu Yuxuan spent all his days soaking in the Perching Phoenix Pavilion.

Recalling Butcher's reaction when they had passed the Perching Phoenix Pavilion back then, he now understood the reason.

Tu Yuxuan glared at him, raised his head, puffed out his chest, and descended the stairs.

"Little Brother Yang Xiao, you know Young Master Tu?" Li Xunhua asked in surprise.

"Shouldn't you know that already?" Yang Xiao countered. No kindness came without reason. He recalled Shen Laodao saying that the Perching Phoenix Pavilion's main business was intelligence.

Thinking back now, Li Xunhua must already have known of his connection to Butcher when they were in Falling Blossom City. That was why she had given him a map for free.

Li Xunhua chuckled and continued leading the way without mentioning the matter again.

Old fox!

Yang Xiao cursed inwardly and followed her.

The room for this transaction was rather more proper: it had no bed. Presumably, Yang You'er had frightened Li Xunhua.

"Exchange all of these for earth vein crystals." Yang Xiao waved his hand, scattering a heap of Spirit Artifacts. Apart from Huangfu Qi's saber and the Thousand-Spirit Spider Rope, every Spirit Artifact in his Storage Ring was here.

"Did you rob Slaughter Heaven City's armory?" Shen Laodao stared at the pile, his eyes shining.

Even Li Xunhua, who usually held the upper hand, was somewhat stunned. She stared blankly at the heap of Spirit Artifacts for a long while before swallowing. "Wait here a moment."

Li Xunhua left the room and returned shortly with an old man. He counted the Spirit Artifacts one by one, then approached her and murmured a few words.

"These Spirit Artifacts are worth five hundred high-grade earth vein crystals in total," Li Xunhua said excitedly.

Each grade of earth vein crystal was worth a hundred times the grade below it, but its actual effectiveness was only around fifty times greater. This was because higher-grade earth vein crystals contained purer spiritual energy, which cultivators could absorb more easily.

Yang Xiao nodded. Five hundred high-grade earth vein crystals was already a substantial sum, enough for him to expand his Spirit Sea by another hundred thousand miles.