28: Strike first

"Go back and tell Han Xianren that we have no quarrel. Do not come and provoke me."

"Otherwise, bear the consequences yourself."

Zhang Qingxiao cast a cold glance at the Cultivator trembling on the ground, then turned and returned home.

The three Cultivators responsible for watching Zhang Qingxiao looked at his retreating figure, staring at each other in bewilderment, unsure of what to do.

"We should report this matter to Boss Han first."

"Zhang Qingxiao has reached the Qi Refining Fifth Layer; his strength has improved significantly."

"If this isn't handled well, it might bring us considerable trouble."

The Cultivator who knew of Zhang Qingxiao's combat record pulled up the Cultivator lying on the ground, gave a bitter smile, and led the two of them back to Han Xianren.

Upon meeting Han Xianren, the Cultivator who had just been slapped by Zhang Qingxiao recounted the incident, embellishing the details.

"Boss, this Zhang Qingxiao simply does not hold you in any regard."

"Relying on his bit of strength, he acts recklessly. We gave him Face, yet he dared to strike directly."

"If this continues, where will Boss Han's prestige be?"

"For someone like this, we must…"

The Cultivator who had been beaten by Zhang Qingxiao saw Han Xianren's expression growing increasingly ugly and quickly shut his mouth.

"Set the matter with Zhang Qingxiao aside for now. Our focus for the time being must remain on competing for territory with Luo Fei."

"Once we take down Luo Fei's territory, I will definitely help you settle this score."

Han Xianren was also feeling very displeased. After all, he was the boss of this area now, yet Zhang Qingxiao not only refused to join them...

...but now also refused to give him any Face at all.

Regardless of the perspective, he could no longer let things continue like this.

If not for the fact that he had been busy fighting for territory with another faction and was short on manpower, he would have definitely taught Zhang Qingxiao a lesson.

Back at home, the more Zhang Qingxiao thought about it, the more he felt that he had handled today's matter a bit too simply and crudely. Not only had he alerted the enemy, but he had also exposed his own strength.

Han Xianren was not a good person to begin with, and the reason he had targeted him was certainly due to his wealth and Alchemy skills.

This matter had been premeditated by the other party; it was impossible for them to compromise just because of his show of force today.

By striking the other party's men today, it was highly likely that he had angered them. Once they freed up their energy, they would surely turn their spearheads toward him immediately.

"I absolutely cannot sit and wait for death."

"I heard Han Xianren is going to fight for territory with a nearby faction; perhaps I can cooperate with that party."

"For this matter, I need to have someone go and scout out the information first."

"Or I could find someone to act as a go-between to make contact with Han Xianren's opponent."

Thinking of this, Zhang Qingxiao already had a candidate in mind.

He put down the medicinal herbs in his hand and turned to head to Zhou Quan's home.

The only people he could trust around him were Zhou Quan's family and Liang Qiaoer.

Zhou Quan had stayed in the residential area for Utility Disciples for so many years that he had some connections.

Furthermore, this man was glib-tongued and was usually very well-informed.

Letting him help scout for information or act as a go-between was the most suitable option.

Upon arriving at Zhou Quan's home and explaining his intentions, Zhou Quan agreed without the slightest hesitation.

At the same time, he also explained the situation regarding the faction that Han Xianren had recently clashed with.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, what is the character of this Luo Fei like?"

After hearing Zhou Quan's introduction, Zhang Qingxiao asked, somewhat uncertainly.

"Luo Fei's reputation is better than that of Han Xianren."

"In the area he is responsible for, every household still collects one Spirit Stone according to the old rules."

"When receiving Sect mining and planting tasks from him, he only deducts a twenty percent share."

"Relatively speaking, he is better than others."

"However, his strength is likely not as high as Han Xianren's; it is said that he only recently reached the Qi Refining Stage Seventh Level."

"Most of his subordinates are also honest and loyal people."

Zhou Quan hesitated for a moment, organized his words, and then told him everything he knew about Luo Fei in detail.

"Good, then I will leave this matter to you, Fellow Daoist Zhou."

"You must not let Han Xianren's subordinates discover any clues."

Zhang Qingxiao felt reassured. This person was decent enough; helping him kill Han Xianren shouldn't result in him discarding the tool after the work is done.

After leaving Zhou Quan's place, Zhang Qingxiao stayed at home to wait for news.

It wasn't until the evening that Zhou Quan came over to tell him that he had already arranged with Luo Fei to meet at the marketplace tomorrow.

As for Zhang Qingxiao, Luo Fei still placed great importance on him.

The next day, he arrived at the marketplace early in the morning, found a teahouse, and waited.

When he saw Zhang Qingxiao, he didn't put on any airs and quickly stood up to welcome him.

The two sides chatted for a while, probed each other's true strength, and then got down to business.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, I am confident I can lure away the subordinates around Han Xianren, but are you truly confident in killing Han Xianren?"

After hearing Zhang Qingxiao's plan, Luo Fei was still somewhat worried.

Although he had heard of Zhang Qingxiao's reputation, Han Xianren was, after all, a Cultivator at the Qi Refining Stage Seventh Level.

He had also practiced Body Refining just like Zhang Qingxiao, and his strength ranked among the best of the Late Stage Cultivators.

Zhang Qingxiao's name was quite famous, but he was only a Cultivator at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer.

"Heh heh…"

"If not for the worry that he has too many subordinates and I fear trouble, I would be confident in killing him even without Fellow Daoist Luo's help."

"Fellow Daoist Luo, you have absolutely no need to worry about my strength."

After careful consideration, Zhang Qingxiao still believed that he needed to appear strong in front of Luo Fei.

This time, killing Han Xianren would also serve to intimidate Luo Fei.

"Since that is the case, then I will await Fellow Daoist Zhang's good news."

"Tonight, I will lure away Han Xianren's subordinates."

Seeing that Zhang Qingxiao was so confident, Luo Fei no longer hesitated.

In any case, for him, even if Zhang Qingxiao couldn't kill Han Xianren, he could at least stall for a while.

This would give him time to deal with those few capable lieutenants of Han Xianren.

Without those few people, dealing with Han Xianren would be much easier.

After discussing everything, Zhang Qingxiao immediately took his leave and went to the Magical Artifact shop, where he spent two Mid-Grade Spirit Stones to purchase a Mid-Grade Magical Artifact longsword.

At the same time, he also entered a magical robe shop and purchased two sets of high-quality magical robes.

One of them was pure black and had a little bit of defensive capability.

The other was blue, for daily wear, and possessed Formations for gathering Qi and calming the mind.

These two sets of magical robes cost him a total of twelve Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, which made his heart ache for quite a while.

Back home, Zhang Qingxiao first familiarized himself with the newly purchased Mid-Grade Magical Artifact longsword.

Then, as usual, he began Body Refining, sword practice, and Alchemy.

Until evening, he instructed Liang Qiaoer to lock the house securely and to call Sister Zhou Yun next door if anything happened.

Then, he left behind one Golden Light Talisman and two Body Protection Talismans, put on the newly purchased black magical robe, and left the house.

Just as he reached the entrance of the alley, he saw two of Han Xianren's subordinates.

He thought to himself, Han Xianren truly hadn't given up; he had only made his subordinates act more discreetly.

Silently, he came up behind the two of them. Before they could react, Zhang Qingxiao directly fired two Spirit Arrow Techniques.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

The Spirit Arrow Techniques pierced directly through the back of their heads and struck the wall in the alley, emitting two soft sounds.

Zhang Qingxiao took a step forward, came to their side, and steadily supported their bodies. After confirming there were no other Cultivators around, he gently laid their bodies down.

He quickly searched their bodies, found two Magical Artifacts and a few Body Protection Talismans, and then left quickly.

His target tonight was Han Xianren, not these small fries.

The place where Han Xianren lived was not in the alley where Zhang Qingxiao and the others were, but in another alley.

At this moment, Han Xianren's house was brightly lit and bustling with activity.

After Zhang Qingxiao arrived, he did not act immediately, but waited for Luo Fei's move.

After waiting for nearly an hour, just when Zhang Qingxiao was doubting whether Luo Fei was playing him, the other party finally arrived late.