Chapter 24

Bai Cangdong did not outright refuse, and Zheng Hao perked up: "Do you know about the Divine Martial Association?"

"What Divine Martial Association?" Bai Cangdong frowned.

"Really? You don't even know the Divine Martial Association? It's the largest armed martial arts store in Daolun City. And I heard that our Divine Martial Association is just a branch, with many branches in other cities. The main Divine Martial Association is in Divine Martial City." Zheng Hao gave a brief overview of the Divine Martial Association.

"This is somewhat interesting, go on." Bai Cangdong had never been to an armed store or a martial arts store before, so he naturally didn't know the reputation of the Divine Martial Association.

"The president of our Daolun City branch of the Divine Martial Association is Meng Yuxi. He has a son named Meng Xiaoquan, who doesn't get along with us brothers at all. We often have duels to determine who is the best, and the format is a five-man relay battle. In the past, we had our wins and losses, but in the last few months, Meng Xiaoquan has somehow hired two experts. Since then, we haven't won a single time. If you're willing to help us win this duel, we won't treat you badly."

"Don't talk about those empty promises. Tell me what I can get out of it."

"It depends on what you want. If you want life span, I can definitely give you up to 100,000. If you want armed equipment, you can choose any baron-level equipment. If you want martial arts, we have plenty of baron-level techniques. You can learn any one you want." Zheng Hao said.

Bai Cangdong turned and walked away. He had no interest in duels for those things; it would just be a waste of time.

"Hey, don't go. We can talk about it. If you think it's not enough, we can negotiate." Seeing that Bai Cangdong wasn't listening, Zheng Hao became anxious and finally said, "If you can really help us win, I can give you a viscount-level armed equipment."

"You have viscount-level armed equipment?" Bai Cangdong looked at Zheng Hao in disbelief.

"I can't possibly hunt viscount-level undead myself, but my father is a viscount. So I do have viscount-level armed equipment. However, without the life essence light, we can't fully utilize the power of viscount-level equipment, so many viscount-level equipment are not much stronger than baron-level equipment for us."

Bai Cangdong knew this too. The Lingluo Sword in his hands was just a slightly sharper sword; it couldn't fully unleash its power.

"Viscount-level armed equipment wouldn't be very useful to me. If you can get me some Jade Essence Pills, I might consider helping you." After using the Jade Essence Pills last time, Bai Cangdong knew their benefits. They were essential for survival and prolonged battles, and using them at critical moments was better than any armed equipment or martial arts.

"Don't joke with me. Jade Essence Pills are only available in the Count's residence and don't circulate outside. How could I possibly get them?" Zheng Hao said with a bitter face.

"Then there's no way." Bai Cangdong turned and walked away. He had no interest in getting involved in Zheng Hao's affairs.

"Wait, you want Jade Essence Pills to restore your vitality, right? I have a martial art that, while not as effective as Jade Essence Pills, can still help. Unlike Jade Essence Pills, which are used up in one go, the longer you practice, the stronger the effect. How about it, are you interested?" Zheng Hao said urgently.

"Is there such a martial art?" Bai Cangdong stopped and looked at Zheng Hao in surprise.

"Yes, of course. It's an exclusive secret technique that my father obtained from the altar in the past." Zheng Hao said proudly.

"Your father actually broke an Eternal Crystal!"

Zheng Hao was slightly embarrassed: "Not exactly. My father followed the Count and broke the Eternal Crystal together. At that time, my father was a baron, and the Count was a viscount. After breaking the Eternal Crystal, this martial art appeared, but it was only at the baron level, so the Count directly rewarded it to my father."

"Is the martial art recorded in a book?"

"No, it's engraved on a crystal plate, called 'Internal Dan Art.'"

"Alright, bring me the crystal plate, and I'll help you in the duel."

"Uh, can you give it to me after we win the competition..."

"I'll only fight after I get the crystal plate. You can think about it and come back to me when you decide." Bai Cangdong waved and walked away.

A martial art on a crystal plate is the original version. Those recorded in books are just copies. Bai Cangdong didn't know if the crystal plate was just a medium or had other functions, but getting an original martial art was still very good.

Of course, Bai Cangdong would never fight first and then get the reward.

Bai Cangdong returned home, opened the door, and was slightly dazed. He saw Lady Honglian lying on his bed, holding a beautiful wine glass and red wine, her cheeks slightly flushed, looking incredibly alluring.

"Cough, Lady, this is my house, and that bed is mine," Bai Cangdong coughed lightly.

"This small and messy room, and this hard bed, can't possibly belong to a lady like me," Lady Honglian said with a smile.

"If it's not yours, why are you here?"

"I came to find you because I have something to ask. You promised to help me, and now you have the chance to do it." Lady Honglian pointed to a pile of things on the bedside table. "Those are your disguises for pretending to be the Masked Baron. You'll wear them and go with me to a place tomorrow morning."

"How should I act and what should I say?" Bai Cangdong frowned.

"You don't need to say anything, just do as I tell you." Lady Honglian refused to reveal any details.

"Lady, you're not going to make me kill or set fires, right?" Bai Cangdong looked uneasy. Lady Honglian's reluctance to reveal any details made him very uneasy.

"Don't worry, how could I let you do such things? This will only benefit you, not harm you. Just do it with peace of mind." Lady Honglian stroked Bai Cangdong's cheek.

"I'm reassured by your words." Bai Cangdong said, but he was still uneasy, not knowing what Lady Honglian was up to.

"Rest well. Do you want me to stay and keep you company?" Lady Honglian looked at Bai Cangdong with a smile, her blouse slightly open, revealing a pair of smooth, white, half-spheres.

"I dare not trouble you, Lady. You should also go back and rest." Bai Cangdong swallowed hard.

"Truly a seductress." After Lady Honglian left, Bai Cangdong let out a long sigh.

Since Lady Honglian didn't want to tell him what they were going to do, Bai Cangdong didn't think about it too much and slept until morning.

In his sleep, he felt his nose itching and couldn't help but sneeze, sitting up.

Bai Cangdong saw Lady Honglian in a tight black outfit sitting by the bed, holding a feather and smiling at him.

"Good morning, Lady." Bai Cangdong's eyes swept over Lady Honglian, the tight outfit accentuating her curves, making her look almost breathtaking.

Bai Cangdong thought to himself, "With this outfit, who wouldn't recognize you just by your figure?"

"It's not early. We should set off. Do you want me to help you change?" Lady Honglian's eyes swept over Bai Cangdong.

"I dare not trouble you, Lady." Bai Cangdong grabbed the clothes and mask from the bedside and put them on under the covers.

"Nice, you really have the air of the Masked Baron." Lady Honglian praised as Bai Cangdong got out of bed fully dressed.

"Lady, where are we going now?"

"You'll know when we get there." Bai Cangdong was taken to a carriage by Lady Honglian, and they left Daolun City, heading east to Sanyang Lake.

Sanyang Lake got its name because it looked like three small circular lakes connected together. From a distance, you could see the reflection of the sun in each of the three small lakes, hence the name.

On one of the small lakes, a small wooden boat was slowly drifting. A girl with delicate features sat at the bow, while a young man sat at the stern, rowing the boat.

"Miss Xiangfei, it's an honor to have you accompany me on this boat ride." The young man smiled. "I haven't congratulated you on your promotion to viscount yet. Here's a gift for you, please accept it."

The man placed a wooden box in front of Li Xiangfei.

"Miss Xiangfei appreciates your kindness, but my father forbade me from accepting any gifts. As his daughter, I must follow his orders." Li Xiangfei did not take the box.

Meng Xiaoquan took back the box and smiled. "Since it's the Count's order, I won't force you, Miss Xiangfei."

The boat slowly moved on the lake. Meng Xiaoquan chatted animatedly, but Li Xiangfei was not very enthusiastic, only responding politely.

Meng Xiaoquan didn't mind and continued to chat, occasionally glancing at the lake, as if waiting for something.

Li Xiangfei was lost in thought, looking at the lake, when suddenly the boat shook violently. A huge wave rose from the lake, and a giant black monster emerged, opening its massive mouth to bite the boat.

"Crack!"

Li Xiangfei and Meng Xiaoquan both jumped into the lake to avoid the monster's attack. The boat was bitten into pieces, scattering debris on the lake.

"Be careful!" The monster raised its head again, lunging at Li Xiangfei in the water.

Li Xiangfei leaped out of the water, golden life essence light surging from her palm, striking the monster's head. However, the monster's body flashed with black light, colliding with Li Xiangfei's life essence light, and both collapsed and dissipated.

"A viscount-level undead!" Li Xiangfei's face finally changed.