" Duan Lang, you scoundrel! I trusted you so much!"
"You had some incredible adventure outside, and now you're trying to usurp my position!"
After exchanging blows with Duan Lang for several rounds, Xiongba sensed that his opponent was different from before.
Every move was ruthless and decisive; whether it was swordplay or the occasional punches, palm strikes, or footwork, everything had undergone a dramatic transformation compared to the past.
For someone to undergo such a transformation in such a short time, Xiongba couldn't think of any other reason besides a miraculous encounter.
"So what if I am? What makes you trust me? Everything I have is earned through my own hard work and dedication. If I weren't exceptionally capable, would you even look at me?"
"I've put in so much effort into the affairs of the Tianxia Society these past few years. Since you're incompetent, you should obediently step down and hand over the reins to a more capable person!"
Duan Lang did not deny that he had a fortuitous encounter. In any case, he had blocked the entrance to Lingyun Cave with rocks, so ordinary people could not easily enter.
Moreover, the Fire Qilin inside was not something an ordinary person could fight against. He also looted all the treasures in those caves, and as for the inheritance, he wrote it down and then destroyed it all.
Even if someone manages to get in by sheer luck, they will never have the same extraordinary experience as him.
"You treacherous scoundrel, you really are an ungrateful wretch. Even if you seize power, no one will respect you."
"What's the point of expecting them to submit? I've become the gang leader. Those who obey me will live a life of luxury, while anyone who dares to disobey will die."
"I'm not like you, Xiong Xiongba, who appoints people based on nepotism and listens to the pronouncements of some Mud Buddha. You're nothing but a good-for-nothing."
Xiongba originally intended to win Duan Lang's heart, but unexpectedly, he was rendered speechless by Duan Lang's two sentences.
"Speechless now, huh? In the martial world, it's all about fists, not some kind of destiny or fate."
" Xiongba, you're finished."
"What the Tianxia Society needs is a supreme leader who can guide everyone and rule the martial arts world, not a timid old man like you."
As he spoke, Duan Lang suddenly changed his Sun-Eclipsing Sword Technique, switching to Isshiki sword move from the Black Tortoise True Skill, instantly catching Xiongba off guard.
The blade grazed Xiongba's neck, failing to behead him, but it did shave off Xiongba's beard completely.
It looks ridiculous and laughable.
Duan Lang didn't rush to kill him, but instead looked at Xiongba with a mocking smile:
"Without that beard, you don't look as imposing as before. I just shaved your beard, next I'll chop off your head. Are you ready?"
Duan Lang Lang's smiling face appeared extremely mocking to Xiongba.
The once-powerful and Xiongba Xiong Ba had his beard shaved off in front of his gang members by his former subordinates, leaving his face bruised and Xiongba.
However, a sense of unease also welled up in Xiongba's heart.
Why is he so strong? What extraordinary encounter did he have?
Once a person's mind is in turmoil, their fighting spirit weakens.
Duan Lang's elusive sword Duan Lang not only severed Xiong Ba's beard, but also his Xiongba spirit and ambition.
This man, Xiongba, was both flexible and adaptable.
He wasn't the kind of person who was incredibly powerful from the start, nor was he even a pure martial artist.
More than a martial artist, he is a strategist, capable of fear and cowardice, as he is doing now.
As Duan Lang unleashed his Fire Qilin Sword in a frenzied attack once more, Xiongba's eyes flickered with struggle for a moment before he finally raised his hand and uttered that single sentence:
"Stop! I surrender."
The blade grazed the top of his head, shaving a mark off his hair with a few white strands, making it look like a bald head.
"It's gone down? Really??"
Duan Lang brandished his sword above Xiongba's head, disbelief evident in his eyes.
He only used a fraction of his Black Tortoise True Skill before Xiongba surrendered. How boring.
"Really, I've lowered my price."
After uttering the first sentence, Xiongba's spirit and energy dissipated, and he seemed to age ten years in an instant.
He had no other choice but to surrender; he knew he definitely couldn't Duan Lang in a fight.
That sword strike, like a gazelle's horn, would have killed him long ago if he hadn't dodged in time.
Despite his tumultuous life, Xiongba took it all in stride. He saw it as nothing more than a few humiliations and the loss of power. As long as he could keep his life, he was confident he could make a comeback.
"What a pity. I thought you would fight me hard and eventually be defeated by me. I didn't expect you to surrender so easily."
Duan Lang sheathed his sword, and Xiongba had shaved all the hair off his head.
Despite such humiliation, Xiongba remained silent, indicating that he had truly surrendered.
This greatly disappointed him and made him feel bored.
Since cultivating the Black Tortoise True Skill, in addition to his martial arts skills greatly improving, he also felt an urge to play tricks on people and wanted to trample those he used to look down on under his feet.
Now, having personally humiliated Xiongba, whom he admired most in his childhood, Duan Lang felt no joy.
"I surrender. My martial arts are inferior to the Chief's. Staying in this position would only bring me humiliation. I beg the Chief to spare my life."
Having already made up his mind to save his life, Xiong Ba had already abandoned all Xiongba and spoke with a fawning tone.
Dignity is something that only exists on the edge of a sword; as long as he survives, he will always have a chance to reclaim it in the future.
Once he regains his power, no one will care about any of this.
"Spare your life?"
Duan Lang smirked as he looked Xiong Ba up and down, Xiongba had finally surrendered.
Xiongba once again experienced the fear of not being in control of his own life, and he lowered his head without saying a word.
Time passed slowly, and Duan Lang remained silent, causing Xiongba's heart to grow heavier and heavier.
'This kid, even after I've endured this humiliation, he still wants to kill me?'
In the past, I always held other people's lives in my hands; only when I experienced it myself did I realize how agonizing it was.
Just when Xiongba thought Duan Lang wasn't going to let him go and was preparing to make a desperate move, he heard Duan Lang's hearty laughter.
"Haha! Former gang leader, you jest. Since you're so reasonable, why would I kill you?"
"I only wish for the Tianxia Society continue to flourish and advance bravely, not to eliminate dissidents."
"Former gang leader, you may leave. I'll take care of the Tianxia Society for you."
Duan Lang spoke, he gestured for Xiongba to leave.
Xiongba was stunned for a moment, then bowed respectfully and called out as he retreated:
"Then thank you very much, Chief Duan, for sparing my life. Farewell... uh!"
A blood-red sword tip pierced through Xiongba's protective aura, passing right through his heart.
Even though he never let his guard down, he still couldn't react in time to Duan Lang's attack speed.
"I told you to leave, and you're really leaving?"
"You think you can just walk away after provoking me? Do you really think I'm an idiot, Xiongba?"
Duan Lang smiled faintly, and with a tremor of his Fire Qilin Sword, he shattered Xiongba's heart.
Watching the being who once controlled his life and death being killed by his own hands, the evil intent between Duan Lang Lang's brows grew even stronger.