Chapter 29: A Promise Kept When Reserved

The Xumen Clan.

Under the sunset, Xumen Xiong felt a sense of satisfaction.

It had been a fulfilling day.

Or rather, it could be said to have been a perfect day.

He had obtained the Chief Librarian from the Tianhua Library, and the banquet had been a great success.

His father, upon receiving the report, patted his shoulder and did not hold back his praise, saying how proud he was. There could not have been a better day.

And then,

"Brother, you look very pleased."

"Oh, it's you, Li Chan. Isn't it all thanks to you?"

"Did I do anything?"

Piao Lichan felt flattered.

Seeing Li Chan, a sense of pleasure welled up inside him.

The face of the Chief Librarian of the Tianhua Library also came to mind.

'That guy had the same expression as Li Chan.'

The surprised look on his face when he proposed the sworn brotherhood was still vivid.

Hehe, flattered and flustered.

"Your qixian (seven-stringed zither) melted the hearts of the guests. How can you say your contribution was small?"

Li Chan smiled. Bastard.

Just like Li Chan played the qixian for the Xumen Clan, the Chief Librarian of the Tianhua Library would also massage the backs of people for the Xumen Clan. Thinking about that day, Xumen Xiong shuddered with excitement.

After sending Li Chan off, he entered his quarters.

He pulled over the gifts placed to one side and examined them.

Checking the gifts from the Continental Battlefield, Qingyue Sect, and Yanhua Pavilion, he felt disappointed. Just alcohol. How considerate. Ougu Sect also sent alcohol, and Baihua Hall sent silk fabric.

These gifts were worse than nothing.

Useless things.

Only when he saw the gift from the Iron Heart Alliance did Xumen Xiong nod in satisfaction.

Opening the small box, he found sewing tools inside.

Twelve needles of various types.

The needles from the Iron Heart Alliance were so valuable that they were almost a waste to use for sewing.

They had great value as souvenirs. His mother would be pleased if he gave them to her.

He examined the gift box sent from the Tianhua Library.

It was carefully wrapped in silk and had a pleasant fragrance.

Since the Tianhua Library was so humble, the gift must be extraordinary.

Unwrapping the silk, the source of the fragrance was revealed.

To use such precious sandalwood as a gift box. Xumen Xiong suppressed a laugh and opened the box.

Inside were three books.

As expected of the Tianhua Library.

He had already obtained three formation manuals through the Chief Librarian.

Huagong Wangzheng Formation.

Bahuang Dao Yao Shu Formation.

Liuyang Jiulong Formation.

These three books.

Even though he knew about them, they sent books again.

This was extreme flattery.

He took out the books and flipped them to the front.

The moment he confirmed the titles, Xumen Xiong was puzzled.

Huagong Wangzheng Formation.

Bahuang Dao Yao Shu Formation.

Liuyang Jiulong Formation.

'The same books?'

He opened the books. The pages were blank, completely empty. Not a single word, just blank pages.

His face contorted in anger.

'What is this? You bastards from the Tianhua Library!'

It was a clear provocation. Then what was today all about? The good atmosphere? The Chief Librarian of the Tianhua Library who led the atmosphere?

'And the Chief Librarian?'

Report to his father.

He jumped up but could not move his feet.

His father's proud and smiling face held him back. No, this might just be a small sign of dissatisfaction. Anyone can show this level of resistance.

When the Chief Librarian comes tomorrow, it will be fine.

Everyone at the banquet heard that the Chief Librarian would come.

If he doesn't send it, it can be used as an excuse.

Yes, it's not too late to report it tomorrow.

There's no need to upset him unnecessarily tonight.

It's fine. Nothing happened. Yes, nothing happened.

'Maybe... maybe... sending the blank books means that the main family has already taken them and is symbolically offering them willingly.'

Suddenly, he felt much better.

"Hahaha!"

While laughing, Xumen Xiong was tearing the three blank books to shreds.

**

Near the Xumen Clan.

Late at night, three beggars were rolling around on the street.

"Little brother, you shouldn't accept money so easily. Do you understand? Tsk tsk... tsk tsk."

"Senior Brother, at least we have money to eat chicken. Isn't it delicious?"

"Yes, hehe, it's delicious. It's honey."

"It's not honey, it's chicken, stupid Senior Brother. Tsk tsk tsk."

Lying crookedly on the street, the young beggar and the older beggar were tearing into the fried chicken and sucking their fingers. Seeing this, Qiu Yungai, who was nearby, made a face.

"Damn beggars, even eating is so dirty."

"Senior Brother, didn't you just squish a caterpillar with that hand?"

"Yikes!"

Qiu Yungai, startled, quickly moved the chicken breast to his other hand and wiped the original hand on his clothes.

"Your clothes are even dirtier, stupid Senior Brother."

Xiao Tiankai sneered and continued.

"But, Senior Brothers, isn't the Chief Librarian of the Tianhua Library a bit strange?"

"Because of the money he gave?"

"No. He told me to keep clean. If I don't, he said I'll be washed like laundry. It feels like he's looking down on the Beggar Sect, and honestly, it makes me angry. Very angry!"

"What a lunatic."

Yin Angkai chuckled and patted the youngest on the head to comfort him.

But Qiu Yungai was different.

"Stupid guys, it's true. If you're unlucky, that's what will happen."

"Come on, that's ridiculous. Stubborn Senior Brother."

"Senior Brother always opposes things just for the sake of opposing. Stubborn bastard."

Qiu Yungai scowled.

"Look at you guys talking to your heaven-like Senior Brother. You'll die. You brats, even our Master was once washed. He always pretends to know everything."

"Master?"

"Haha, who would wash the leader of the Beggar Sect? Senior Brother is bad."

"Who else, Hou Gong. Not long after becoming the leader, he went to the Martial Alliance. Hou Gong told him to wash because he was dirty. Master laughed and said, 'So what if I'm the leader?' and told him to shut up, but he was dragged to the river."

"Wow..."

"Wow..."

"What do you think would happen if the First Under Heaven decided to wash someone?"

"Shhhhhh~?"

Yin Angkai shook his head, imitating the sound of wet hair.

Dandruff fell in large amounts.

"Yes, he would become very, very clean. But Master said Hou Gong regretted it."

"Why?"

"Seeing how dirty the river became, he was speechless. After that day, Master didn't go near the Alliance for a while."

"Senior Brother, why are you telling such a proper story about Hou Gong? He was so angry that he went to the Green Forest Manor and blew up a mountain, and told the Green Forest King to raise cattle. Is that human?"

"What's the point of talking? Anyway, the cattle raised by the Green Forest are so delicious. I bet they're all eaten now that Hou Gong is gone."

"Hou Gong is bad. Tsk tsk tsk..."

"Anyway, the Chief Librarian of the Tianhua Library is funny. Who does he think he is to tell us what to do?"

"Exactly, who does he think he is? If nothing interesting happens at the Xumen Clan tonight, I'll attack the Tianhua Library. Don't try to stop me. I'll destroy everything!"

"Even if something happens, you should still go."

"Huh... You're right."

"Stupid. Stupid Senior Brother. Tsk tsk tsk..."

"Hehehe..."

**

The Xumen Clan.

Late at night, Xumen Xiong had calmed down.

After finishing a bottle of strong green leaf wine.

'It's fine.'

Thinking about it, it wasn't something to get angry about. The Tianhua Library was just whining. They were expressing their disappointment in the way scholars do. That's all they can do, isn't it?

Perhaps the Chief Librarian of the Tianhua Library is tossing and turning, regretting his actions tonight.

He must be thinking:

The real gift will arrive tomorrow, not today. By tomorrow, today's incident will be forgotten.

Alright, I'll let this slide. I have a big heart.

He raised the wine bottle and poured the last drops into his mouth, feeling a bit disappointed. He considered having another bottle but shook his head and immediately called for a maid.

"Prepare the bath water."

"Yes, Master."

"And..."

He stopped the maid who was about to leave.

"The two new maids are quite beautiful, right?"

He had seen them briefly, and they were pretty with excellent figures.

"Yes, Chao Xiang and You Yan..."

"Good, call them. I'll have them attend to my bath."

"Yes."

The maid's face darkened for a moment, but Xumen Xiong did not miss it. Crazy woman. She must be thinking why she wasn't called. Three is better than two, isn't it? She must be disappointed after expecting a blissful time in the bathtub. She should be grateful for the few times she has been with me.

The two maids entered.

Chao Xiang and You Yan.

Xumen Xiong first scanned them with his eyes. Indeed, they had excellent figures.

He entered the bathtub and raised his arms to make it easier to undress. Chao Xiang and You Yan undressed him. Both were trembling, which made Xumen Xiong smile. They were so cute. After undressing, he proudly revealed his lean, naked body, and the maids blushed, not knowing where to look. Yet, they still glanced at him.

Hehe, they're already deeply in love with me. Know your good fortune, you girls.

He submerged his body in the bathtub and leaned back.

"Undress and come in here with me."

"Huh? Yes..."

The two maids were surprised but quickly resigned. They had already heard what would happen before coming here. When they entered the Xumen Clan, they were full of hope, but this was not the prestigious family they had expected. However, they had no other choice. As the two maids were about to untie their clothes, a loud cracking sound echoed.

Xumen Xiong turned his head sharply to the side, glaring at the two maids with bloodshot eyes. It seemed he was about to kill them for undressing too slowly, splashing water from the bathtub.

But his heart was even more agitated than theirs.

His head had turned on its own. Xumen Xiong felt a chill run down his spine. It was so forceful that his neck ached. Then,

"My neck won't move. Why?"

"Huh?"

When the maids asked, Xumen Xiong wildly flailed his arms. It looked like a child playing in the water.

Splash, splash.

The speed of his movements increased, and water splashed onto his face and the surrounding floor. His head was still turned to the side, and his bloodshot eyes remained the same. Despite the playful water splashing, his terrifying expression made the maids collapse, their legs giving out.

Crack, crack.

Xumen Xiong's neck cracked as he played in the water. It seemed he was trying to loosen it, turning it once, twice, three times. Suddenly, he jerked his head back.

"Ughhh..."

The strange groan made the maids cover their mouths and burst into tears. The water splashing was scary enough, but his current appearance made it seem like his neck would break at any moment.

But fear wasn't limited to the maids.

Xumen Xiong, under the influence of a demonic aura, was terrified. He couldn't straighten his head or stop splashing. He couldn't control his inner energy. The energy inside him moved uncontrollably. Splash, splash. Damn, what's happening? Xumen Xiong focused all his strength into his right hand.

"AAAAAAH!"

The rough cry made the maid guarding outside the quarters laugh bitterly.

'So quick to finish.'

But for Xumen Xiong, it was just the beginning.