Chapter 85: If You Can't Beat Them, Join Them
The gathering was silent, with no one daring to respond to Xiao Yan's question.
Xiao Yan, unsurprised, toyed with the emerald green pill in his hand, smiling faintly. "This here is a Qi Gathering Powder. I'm sure many of you have heard of it."
At his words, a collective gasp swept through the crowd.
The potency of Qi Gathering Powder was well known, even to ordinary people. It could help someone stuck at the ninth level of Dou Qi become a true Dou Zhe (Battle Practitioner) overnight.
For the three family heads and the gathered commoners, this pill was nothing short of a treasure. Yafei, standing nearby, understood its value better than anyone else.
As a fourth grade pill, a single Qi Gathering Powder could sell for anywhere between 100,000 and 300,000 gold coins equivalent to the annual profits of one of the city's three largest families.
"I had a relative who owed a debt of gratitude to a Hun family elder many years ago," Xiao Yan explained, his tone calm yet firm. "I've been sent to repay that debt. If I can find a descendant of that elder, not only will I give them this Qi Gathering Powder, but I'll also offer other gifts."
Xiao Yan scanned the group and smiled. "I hope this clears up any doubts about my intentions. I didn't come here to harm anyone."
A Fraudulent Claim
The crowd's excitement was palpable. For the ordinary folk of Wu Tan City, a single Qi Gathering Powder was enough to completely change their lives.
An old man stepped forward from the group, trembling slightly. His expression was a mix of excitement and hope. "I… I am Hun Yan! My grandfather once saved a young man's life, who promised his descendants would be repaid one day. I never thought this day would come."
The old man's tone was warm and friendly, as though Xiao Yan were his long lost grandson.
Xiao Yan's smile froze. This old fool thinks he can con me?
"Take this fraud out and break his legs," Xiao Yan commanded without hesitation.
A swift kick from Xiao Yan sent the old man sprawling to the ground.
Respecting elders? Not on Xiao Yan's watch. In his past life, he lived by the motto: "Punch the old, kick the young."
At Xiao Yan's signal, two burly guards from the Jia Lie family dragged the old man out, sneering as they went.
"My target is no older than twenty," Xiao Yan announced, his tone cold. "Think carefully before you speak. I may be a nice guy, but I'm not an idiot."
The menacing declaration sent chills through the crowd. Even children understood the lesson: Do not mess with Xiao Yan.
Sorting Through the Souls
"Form a line," Xiao Yan ordered. "State your names and tell me everything about yourselves."
One by one, the Hun named individuals stepped forward to report their personal details. Xiao Yan carefully inspected each person using his soul power, searching for any traces of anomalies or signs of possession by ancient entities.
Behind him, the two Dou Saints standing in hidden spaces double checked his findings. Not even a fragment of a powerful soul could escape their notice.
Not the Chosen Ones
After an hour of meticulous inspection, no one among the group stood out as extraordinary. Xiao Yan sighed in disappointment.
He did, however, take note of a few peculiar names: Hun Dan, Hun Sen, and Hun Yao. These individuals were asked to step aside for further questioning.
Finally, Xiao Yan's gaze fell upon the last individual a little girl, no older than four or five. She held a lollipop in her mouth and had two more tied to her waist.
Watching her happily savor the candy, a mischievous thought crossed Xiao Yan's mind.
"Little kids shouldn't eat too much sugar. Hand those over!" Xiao Yan snatched the two lollipops tied to her waist, unwrapped one, and began eating it himself.
"Wahhh!" The girl burst into tears, her once joyful expression crumpling.
But Xiao Yan simply chuckled, reveling in his small act of mischief.
"You just wait!" the little girl shouted through her tears. "When I grow up, I, Hun Xin, will definitely get my revenge!"
Her voice, though soft and childish, carried a surprising conviction. Her big, watery eyes stared daggers at Xiao Yan.
"Oh, you're gonna avenge this?" Xiao Yan scoffed, flicking her forehead lightly, sending her tumbling backward.
"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river…" the girl began muttering, her voice trembling with determination.
Hearing her words, Xiao Yan's playful expression froze. His sharp gaze turned on her, making her flinch.
"W what if I just give you the candy back?" she stammered.
"You've got yourself into big trouble now," Xiao Yan muttered, picking her up by the scruff like a kitten and placing her in a designated observation area.
"Xin Xin! Xin Xin!" Her parents rushed forward, distraught.
"She'll be fine," Xiao Yan assured them. "Everyone else can collect 1,000 gold coins from the Mittel Auction House tomorrow. You're dismissed."
The Chosen Four
The crowd began to disperse, though Hun Xin's parents lingered nervously.
"What are you going to do with our daughter?" they asked, their voices trembling.
"Relax. She's the one I was looking for," Xiao Yan said casually. "I'll be taking her as my apprentice. Do you have any objections?"
Hun Xin's parents exchanged a hesitant glance but said nothing. They couldn't defy someone of Xiao Yan's caliber.
When the rest of the crowd had left, Xiao Yan examined the four individuals he had retained: Hun Dan, Hun Sen, Hun Yao, and little Hun Xin.
Hun Dan looked the part of a scoundrel, but at nearly thirty years old and still not even a Dou Zhe, he clearly lacked potential.
Hun Sen and Hun Yao, middle aged brothers, were weak two star Dou Zhe warriors too old and too unimpressive to merit further attention.
The real standout was Hun Xin.
A Hidden Gem
The little girl had already finished her lollipop and was now eyeing the candy in Xiao Yan's hand.
"A glutton, huh?" Xiao Yan thought with amusement. Grabbing her wrist, he carefully inspected her veins using his soul power.
Moments later, his eyes widened in shock.
This child had extraordinary talent. With normal training alone, she could reach the rank of Dou Ling or even Dou Wang. In the Jia Ma Empire, such potential was exceedingly rare.
More importantly, she had the audacity to recite "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river."
"She might truly be chosen by fate…" Xiao Yan mused, his thoughts conflicted. Hurting her could provoke disastrous consequences. What if the heavens decided to punish him with a falling rock or some other absurd accident?
A phrase floated into his mind: "If you can't defeat your enemy, join them."
Recruiting the Rival
Xiao Yan handed the last piece of candy back to Hun Xin and asked with a warm smile, "Little one, would you like to become my apprentice?"
Hun Xin stared at him with a pout and shook her head, still upset.
"Audacious! Rejecting me is a path to ruin!" Xiao Yan thought, though his face remained gentle.
"If you become my apprentice, you'll get all the candy you want," he offered. "You'll swim in a sea of sweets every day."
Hun Xin's eyes sparkled, and her mouth began to water.
(End of Chapter)
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