Bai Xiu found Schnauzer’s dejected appearance rather amusing and was about to call out to him when a sudden commotion erupted outside.
Soon, over a dozen martial artists stormed upstairs. One of them pointed at Schnauzer and shouted, “That’s him! He was with that woman yesterday!”
The shout jolted Schnauzer into recognition—this was the lackey of yesterday’s bully.
The onlookers in the inn immediately scattered. Being outsiders, they knew better than to provoke these local thugs.
Xiao Zhuang, sensing trouble, quickly pulled Bai Xiu aside. If the husky got arrested, they could always break him out at night—confronting the thugs head-on would be suicidal.
Despite being the young master of the Snow Wolf Clan, raised with elite education and trained by family martial artists, Schnauzer was swiftly surrounded. He summoned his innate treasure blade, “Shattered Ice,” moving with the grace of a swimming dragon, his blade gleaming like the sun over snowy plains.
In that moment, his pent-up fury at being deceived erupted. The lone wolf in a foreign land charged into the throng, unleashing a breathtaking blade technique.
Moments later… he was beaten to a pulp, unrecognizable even to his own mother!
Crouching in the corner, Bai Xiu and Xiao Zhuang facepalmed in unison. This foolish dog could only catch a couple of mice—facing a dozen Foundation Establishment fifth-level thugs, how could an eighth-level like him lose so miserably?
Besides, if he couldn’t win, why not run or surrender? Anything would’ve been better than taking a beating!
Xiao Zhuang hesitated, “Sister Xiu, isn’t it bad to just watch him get beaten?”
Bai Xiu soothingly replied, “How about you close your eyes first, Shisan? Don’t worry, they’ll tire out soon!”
True to her role as the team’s brains, the fox spirit guessed right—the thugs soon dragged the unconscious fool away to claim their reward.
After the Wu family’s men left, the inn buzzed with chatter about the fight. Some gloated, speculating on the handsome young master’s fate.
A waiter muttered, “What did he do to offend the Wu family? They sent all their elite martial artists and even stationed a few Golden Core cultivators outside—just to capture a Foundation Establishment guy?”
Bai Xiu and Xiao Zhuang exchanged glances. This seemed more serious than expected—surely, stealing a few Spirit Stones wasn’t worth this much trouble!
Opting for simplicity, Bai Xiu booked a room and led Xiao Zhuang inside to strategize. With Bai Xiu at Foundation Establishment ninth level and Xiao Zhuang at fifth, facing a family with Golden Core cultivators head-on was impossible.
Bai Xiu sighed, “I know there are tigers on the mountain, but I really don’t want to go there!”
Xiao Zhuang fretted, “What a waste of our 250 Spirit Stone Flying Boat tickets! Sister Xiu, can we reschedule?”
Bai Xiu rolled her eyes, “Forget it—they’re probably waiting for us to walk right into their trap. Taking a Flying Boat again will be tough.”
“No worries there,” Xiao Zhuang said optimistically. “I remember our family’s Talisman Compendium has flight talismans. We can make a flying basket ourselves—it’ll do.”
“Our priority is rescuing Brother Xue!” Bai Xiu interjected, her face paling at the mention of a flying basket. “Don’t even bring that up—even the professionally made ones crash constantly. I’m not risking your unlicensed contraption. I’ll go gather intel on the streets. If you’re tired, rest up. We’ll need all our energy for the big operation tonight.”
After Bai Xiu left the inn, the System’s cheeky voice rang out again, “Aren’t you afraid that vixen might run off?”
Xiao Zhuang shook his head, “If he wanted to run, he’d have done it outside the city. I think Bai Xiu is alright, quite loyal.
Tong Ge, I feel tonight’s battle will be tough! Is there any way to instantly raise me to Golden Core level?”
The System fell eerily silent for a moment before replying firmly, “Of course there is!
Host, first use an iron hammer to crush your balls to boost your Spiritual Power, then I’ll exchange for a Cultivation version of the Sunflower Manual. How’s that?”
“Not great at all. A sparrow flying with phoenixes soars high, even Erlang Shen’s dog is called Howling Celestial Hound.
As my System, can’t you wish better for me?
Would following a eunuch bring any glory?”
The System chuckled, “I’m just helping the host face reality. Small fries should develop discreetly – you didn’t get the male lead script, nor do you have the qualities of a Dragon Pride.
Every inch has its purpose, please strive to utilize your own advantages instead of daydreaming!”
Advantages? What advantages?
Xiao Zhuang was quite open to advice. His greatest advantages currently were his tough luck and broad, imaginative thinking.
Thinking of this, he suddenly had an inspiration, “Tong Ge, your little brother needs some technical support. Any recommendations for cheap, bulk-purchasable volatile aphrodisiacs?”
“Huh? What do you need that for? With your hardware, you don’t meet the requirements!”
Xiao Zhuang sweated, “Tong Ge, what are you thinking? It’s not for me.
Just need something cheap and effective. Check my Wrath Points – buy as much as we can afford.”
The System’s search engine was indeed fast, replying moments later, “Perfect timing. Some harem novel Dragon Pride is clearing defective products. The effect is undeniable, except one ingredient was mistakenly made into a gay version.
The guy’s straight as steel pipe, currently has no intention to change orientations, so he’s transferring them to those in need out of noble generosity.
I calculated – your current Wrath Points can buy ten kilograms.”
Damn, mixing aphrodisiacs by the kilogram? This guy’s impressive!
Truthfully, Xiao Zhuang was genuinely envious. Both transmigrators, both bound to systems – look how well that guy’s living.
Xiao Zhuang only envied briefly. Though he didn’t get the Dragon Pride script, he could still try the discreet leveling path.
The most important thing now was acquiring the drugs. Since he just needed aphrodisiacs, whether straight or gay version didn’t matter – just pitied the Wu family’s chrysanthemums.
That harem guy was quite decent too – 10kg of aphrodisiacs came with 0.5kg of antidote. His five thousand Wrath Points were absolutely worth it.
With the main props secured, Xiao Zhuang got busy packaging and drawing talismans, preparing for the night’s big battle.
Bai Xiu was out all day, only returning at dusk.
The fox spirit was indeed skilled at intelligence gathering, having uncovered much useful information.
The Wu family was a second-rate clan in Thousand Feathers City, with their worst relationship being with the equally powerful He family in the southern district.
Coincidentally, the He family also operated Flying Boat business, with a departure scheduled for the boundary gate tomorrow morning.
If they could rescue Schnauzer tonight and hide in He family territory, they could escape first thing tomorrow.
Bai Xiu gulped down a bowl of cold tea, “I’ve already bought tickets for the He family’s Flying Boat. The hardest part now is how to rescue that dumb dog!”
The Wu family isn’t stupid either. They must have anticipated we’d try to break someone out of prison tonight. A direct confrontation definitely won’t work.
Then there’s the matter of how to evade pursuit after rescuing that dumb mutt. It’s quite a distance from the Wu family residence to the southern part of the city.
And where are we going to hide?
Although the two families don’t get along, if we directly seek protection from the He family, they’ll certainly refuse.
As long as we can survive this night, we’ll be safe once we board the Flying Boat. The He family would never allow the Wu family to search their Flying Boat.”
After listening to Bai Xiu, Xiao Zhuang smiled smugly. “Don’t worry, Brother Xiu. If we can’t use force, we can use strategy. I’ve prepared a special gift for the Wu family.
You rest for a while first. I’ll make more Swift Movement Talismans and Strength Talismans. You carry the dumb mutt and run toward the He family while I cover our retreat.
Once we reach the outer wall of the He family compound, stick on the Invisibility Talisman and slip inside – then we’ll be safe.
If the Wu family tries to force their way in, the He family will deal with them. We’ll just sit back and watch them fight!”
“Is this really going to work?” Bai Xiu sounded somewhat worried. “Isn’t it too dangerous for someone of your cultivation level to cover our retreat?”
Xiao Zhuang slyly pulled out a paper bag. “Look what I’ve got here?”