It was late at night, but Xiongba was still awake, continuing to review the intelligence reports that had been sent from various places that day.
Wen Chouchou carefully served him, occasionally glancing at these top-secret messages.
After a long while, Xiongba sighed and then sat down on the stool.
"Chief, what's making you sigh like this? It's just a small Peerless City. Our Tianxia Society can definitely take it down."
Wen Chouchou cheered from the sidelines. Recently, the friction between Tianxia Society and Peerless City has become increasingly serious, and there have even been several armed clashes.
If neither Xiongba nor Sword Saint had remained silent, the Tianxia Society and Peerless City Tianxia Society have already engaged in open warfare.
At this moment, Wen Chouchou assumed that Xiongba's sigh must be because of this matter.
"What a turbulent time!"
Xiongba didn't say much, only letting out a soft sigh.
Even though Wen Chouchou had served him for a long time, he didn't completely trust her, and he certainly wouldn't tell her everything.
In some matters, Xiongba only trusts himself.
"How are the two, Wind and Cloud, doing? So many years have passed. This Mud Buddha's predictions have some accuracy, but they're not entirely accurate either!"
Whenever Xiongba was troubled, he would think of Wind and Cloud.
This was the benefactor destined for him according to the Mud Buddha's prophecy, and he valued him highly.
However, in recent years, with Duan Lang's strong rise, he couldn't help but feel a little wavering.
Was Wind and Cloud truly a once-in-a-generation genius?
If so, why can't he outperform a Duan Lang, and why hasn't a Duan Lang been able to bring him prosperity?
In recent years, Duan Lang's martial arts skills have improved rapidly within the Tianxia Society, and he has fought bravely and made great contributions to the cause of the Tianxia Society.
It can be said that Duan Lang accomplished almost half of the credit for Wind and Cloud in the original series, which is why he became a hall master in his teens.
Duan Lang's contribution was truly genuine, and if Xiongba didn't give him credit, he feared that the people below would lose heart.
"Young Master Feng and Young Master Yun just finished dealing with a few unruly gangs and haven't returned yet."
"However, since it is the prophecy of the Mud Buddha, the two young masters will certainly be of extraordinary help to your important affairs, Chief, although they are still young."
Wen Chouchou stood to the side praising Wind and Cloud.
There was no way around it; it was he who threatened Duan Lang, saying he would either die or become a servant, and Duan Lang remembered it all.
In recent years, with the rise of Duan Lang, especially after he became the hall master, he has become increasingly arrogant towards Xiongba's close attendant, often making sarcastic remarks and even using his position as hall master to suppress him.
This made Wen Chouchou both hate and fear Duan Lang, so he could only place his hopes on Wind and Cloud, hoping that these two chosen ones destined for Xiongba would grow up quickly and suppress Duan Lang.
"It is a bit small, but Duan Lang is about the same size as them. Duan Lang is fine, but they are a bit lacking..."
This was also what Xiongba couldn't understand the most: a personally taught disciple was not as good as a disciple who had already entered the sect with skills, which often frustrated him.
"By the way, has Duan Lang sent back any news from his investigation into those mysterious figures who suddenly appeared in the martial arts world?"
Because of the frequent activities of the people from Heaven's Gate, Xiongba had sent Duan Lang to investigate early on and was waiting for him to return and report.
"Not yet. Since Hall Master Duan went out to receive his orders, he hasn't sent back any news. He probably still has no clue."
Wen Chouchou opportunely Duan Lang discord among Duan Lang, eager to leave a negative impression of him in front of Xiongba, implying that Duan Lang had failed in his duties.
"Give him another ten days. If there's no news in ten days, send a message for him to return to the Tianxia Society. Things are turbulent in the martial arts world lately, so we need to be careful."
Xiongba wasn't concerned about Duan Lang, but rather that the current state of the martial arts world was too murky, making it difficult to see the situation clearly.
When a leader of the Tianxia Society is out in the world, many people will make a fuss about him.
He wasn't afraid of Duan Lang; what he feared was the other party defecting to the enemy or leaking secrets, as that would be a serious matter for the reputation and strength of the Tianxia Society.
"Okay, I'll go and instruct my men right away."
Wen Chouchou waved his fan and slowly retreated.
Meanwhile, Xiongba picked up another secret letter, on which the words " Dongying " and "island" were faintly visible.
Meanwhile, a handsome young man with a tall and straight figure arrived near Leshan.
He had short, ear-length hair, wore a fitted, deep blue martial arts uniform, and had sharp, bright eyes.
Although his cheeks were slightly narrow, giving him a somewhat harsh look, anyone who saw his face would have to call him a 'handsome young man,' and coupled with his cold and aloof demeanor, he was clearly a young master.
The newcomer was none other than Duan Lang!
Unlike his original fate, where he was still a servant tending horses and carrying manure, Duan Lang was now the head of the Tianxia Society, and his clothes and appearance were of the highest quality.
Today, Duan Lang has come here for his own private matters.
As for the task that Xiongba had given him to investigate the unknown forces that had recently appeared in the martial arts world, Duan Lang had long since forgotten about it.
It's just a mere task for the Xiongba; it's nowhere near as important as the system's tasks.
[Side Quest: Explore Lingyun Cave ]
[ Lingyun Cave is a maze of interconnected passages, rumored to be haunted by the divine beast Qilin. Uncover its secrets to receive a reward.]
[Task Rewards: Immortal's Blessing, Internal Energy Cultivation: Ten Years]
"If I complete this task, even without Immortal's Blessing, the extra ten years of Internal Energy will make me a top-tier master in the world."
"At that time, even Xiongba won't be able to order me around at will. It's not impossible for me to break away and venture out on my own."
Duan Lang looked at the system rewards in his mind, his desires churning.
Over the years, with the support of the system, Duan Lang's martial arts skills have improved by leaps and bounds, and he has also completed many missions for the Tianxia Society.
This also allowed him to experience the joy of early fame!
Looking up to him, envying him, being jealous of him, and fawning over him—these are the attitudes of those around him towards him.
These genuine emotional responses from others greatly satisfied Duan Lang's vanity and self-esteem, making him feel as if he had truly become the kind of important person he had dreamed of being as a child.
Of course, ambition followed.
Having become accustomed to Duan Lang power simply by completing system tasks, Duan Lang's ambition multiplied after discovering that effort would bring rewards.
He was not content with merely being a hall master of the Tianxia Society, and he even began to feel increasingly dissatisfied with being subordinate to Xiongba.
Violence, alcoholism, lust, arrogance, and tyranny—these traits of early fame manifested in him, and he began to crave more.
To achieve more, he needs not only his own efforts, but also systematic support.
So, seizing the opportunity of this mission, Duan Lang accepted the dangerous task that had already been logged into the system, wanting to embark on an adventure.
Fortune favors the bold, and Duan Lang fears no danger whatsoever.