Chapter 142: Become A Dog

At the Golden Eagle Guild, a pale Zhao Bufan looked like he was sitting on pins and needles. He had not slept a wink, and it seemed as though he had aged ten years. After returning from the Starry Sky Tower, Zhao Bufan had immediately halted the online attacks on Li Xiaofei and tried every means possible to contact him, attempting to apologize and make peace.

But he couldn't reach him. He even went to the slums in person, but he couldn’t find Li Xiaofei there either. However, it was this trip to the slum that made him realize just what kind of terrifying existence he had provoked.

The king of the slum. Li Xiaofei's deeds could be heard in every corner of the slum. Everyone in the slum clearly admired Li Xiaofei, and countless fervent slum warriors regarded Li Xiaofei as their big brother. They were willing to die for him.

Anyone who dared utter a disrespectful word about Li Xiaofei would receive hostile glares. They might even be beaten up on the spot. How terrifying must someone who was this revered by so many people be?

This was the slum, after all. The savage, filthy, blood-soaked slums. But under Li Xiaofei's governance, the slum was now as peaceful as a top-rated neighborhood. Now, he was a double badge holder and a person highly regarded by the inspector. If he could turn back time, Zhao Bufan would rather have never heard the name Li Xiaofei. He had no idea what he could do. He didn't even have a chance to plead and make peace.

Just as his nerves were stretched to their limit, his portable light core received a new call request. Zhao Bufan looked at it and was stunned. Immediately, he looked like a drowning man who had found a buoy in an ocean.

He answered the call joyfully, "Hello? Steward Ye, yes, it's me... I didn't expect you to remember someone as insignificant as me and even call personally."

"Yes, the recent online exposes about him were all arranged by me. I wanted to sign him at the time, but he didn't give me any face. Yes, I was momentarily out of my mind and didn't realize how powerful he was... I'm regretting it now, Steward Ye. You're a person of great influence in the city. Can you help me plead for mercy? I'm willing to remove all those black posts immediately and apologize to him..."

"What? Continue? "Steward Ye, you mean..."

"Today's morning news? I haven't seen it... I'll go check it now."

"Oh my God, Young Master Ye Chenglong was attacked and killed? Was this... Li Xiaofei's doing?”

“I understand. That little bastard dared to be so arrogant, setting a trap to kill Young Master Ye. Yes, I understand. We can't punish that little bastard within the legal limits..."

"Okay, I'll arrange it right away. Don't worry, Steward Ye. I'm a professional at this kind of thing.”

”Funding? Great, from now on, I, Zhao Bufan, am the Ye family's dog!"

After hanging up the phone, Zhao Bufan's pale face was now flushed. It truly was a case of finding a way out of the impasse. He had thought that offending Li Xiaofei would mean certain doom for himself and the Golden Eagle Guild.

Unexpectedly, that arrogant little bastard Li Xiaofei, had gotten ahead of himself and orchestrated a plot to kill Ye Chenglong, the son of Ye Xiang, the general manager of Yongxing Hotel and a high-ranking member of the Ye family last night.

Although Ye Chenglong wasn't a core member of the younger generation of the Ye family, he was still of Ye family blood. As the leading family in Liuhe Base City, the Ye family had never been challenged like this. If they didn't retaliate, how could they intimidate anyone in the future?

It seems the Ye family is being restrained by the three major powers of the base city, so they can't act openly and need me as their secret weapon.

Zhao Bufan grew more clear-headed. He didn't want to become the Ye family's dog but he had no choice. That little bastard had pushed him too far. Li Xiaofei was unwilling to forgive him even after he had humiliated himself this much. There was no other way. He could only continue down this dark path.

But forming a relationship with the Ye family wasn't bad at all. After all, they were a top-tier martial arts family who had operated locally for hundreds of years. Even the three major powers—the city leader, the commander, and the inspector—had to show some respect to the Ye family.

Moreover, there were rumors of a deep collaboration between the Ye family and the Jiepeng delegation. If they were getting substantial support from the Jiepeng people, the Ye family would undoubtedly become even stronger.

Perhaps, it wouldn't be long before the city leader's position would be held by someone with the surname Ye.

A sinister smile appeared on Zhao Bufan's face. In that case, could he have actually benefited from the disaster? Of course, he needed to protect his own life and survive. After all, those gang members from the slum were ruthless and could annihilate anyone at the slightest provocation.

Zhao Bufan immediately placed an order on the light-network, hiring an expensive bodyguard team. Then, he issued a series of new orders.

Increase the intensity. Let's fight.

***

The moon rose quietly as the sun set. Little Aunt was panting in the small bedroom.

"You've become stronger again." She gasped out.

Li Xiaofei didn't hide it. "I practiced a new martial art today. It's more powerful than the Great Strength Vajra Fist, so it puts a greater burden on the body."

Li Xiaofei had fully practiced the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms in the Secret Time Pavilion. In the original story, it had taken Guo Jing several dozen days to learn the first fifteen palms of the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms. But Li Xiaofei's comprehension and aptitude were a hundred times stronger than Guo Jing's.

His internal strength was also far superior to Guo Jing back when he had first met Hong Qigong. Therefore, it wasn't difficult for him to master the basics of the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms within ten days. But it was just an initial foray. He needed more time and practice to truly master it and make his moves natural and seamless.

Little Aunt didn't ask him where the new martial art came from.

Plop, plop.

Crystal-clear beads of sweat dripped from her hair onto Li Xiaofei’s bareback. Her hands continually moved between the major acupoints on Li Xiaofei’s body. The nightly massage was indispensable.

"Little Aunt, do you have time tomorrow?" Li Xiaofei asked.

"For what?" Little Aunt replied.

"I want to take you and Little Jie to the mall," Li Xiaofei said. "I got some shopping vouchers and tickets for fruits and vegetables. We can go to the big supermarket, buy some good food, and get you and Little Jie some new clothes."

He still hadn’t used the vouchers from the city government's reward.

𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"I... won't go," Little Aunt said, her tone slightly hesitant.

Li Xiaofei knew there was hope as soon as he heard her hesitation.

He quickly said, "Little Aunt, you've worked so hard all these years to raise me and Little Jie. You've never stepped out of the slums. I want to take you out and treat you to a nice meal."

"Don't spend money recklessly," Little Aunt replied. "You both still need a lot of money for cultivation resources."

Li Xiaofei said in a slightly playful tone, "It won't cost much. After all, I'm the leader of a group now, I can afford this... Besides, the three of us have never eaten out at a restaurant."

"Alright then," Little Aunt said, unable to refuse. "Just for half a day."

"Deal," Li Xiaofei said, excitedly twisting his body.

"Oh!" Little Aunt's arm gave way, weakened from the prolonged massage, and she unexpectedly fell heavily onto his bare back.