Chapter 274: Top-Level Expert Recruited

“You know me?” asked the young man, instantly guarded.

“I’ve heard of you,” Li Xiaofei replied calmly.

The man before him was none other than the Ye family’s grand enforcer, who had fled without looking back during the battle that destroyed the Ye Mansion. He was an odd character, to say the least. However, was his sudden visit today to avenge the Ye family?

Li Xiaofei had already begun gathering starforce qi, preparing to strike at a moment’s notice.

“Then you must know how strong I am,” the young man said smugly. “The Ye family once coveted my unmatched cultivation and offered me a fortune to recruit me. I am a rare Five Spirits Realm expert, and in Liuhe Base City, my strength stands at the very peak.”

Li Xiaofei maintained his composure as he asked, “So, why are you here?”

The young man leaned back, hands behind his head, and replied arrogantly, “I heard that the Cloudy Sky Gang is now the number one faction in Liuhe Base City. I’m here to offer you an opportunity.”

“An opportunity?” Li Xiaofei asked, curious despite himself. “What kind of opportunity?”

The young man smirked. “The opportunity to recruit me.”

Li Xiaofei stared at him for a moment. “You mean to say you want to join the Cloudy Sky Gang?”

“You could put it that way, but it doesn’t mean I’ll be your dog.” The young man responded, his tone full of pride. “Our relationship should be one of mutual cooperation. That’s the pride of a Five Spirits Realm expert. I don’t bow to just anyone. As the pinnacle of martial prowess in Liuhe Base City, I value my reputation and honor deeply.”

Li Xiaofei was speechless.

How do you have the guts to talk to me about reputation and honor?

If he hadn’t seen firsthand how this so-called grand enforcer had fled the Ye family’s downfall like a scared animal, he might’ve believed him. Li Xiaofei realized that this man had no idea he was speaking to the one who had destroyed the Ye family. He wasn’t here for revenge; he was here to join the Cloudy Sky Gang.

Since the Ye family was destroyed, the grand enforcer had become a stray dog looking for a new backer. Or more precisely, a new fool to milk.

"And why would I want to cooperate with you?" Li Xiaofei asked.

The young man replied, “I’ve been observing the Cloudy Sky Gang for a while. The gang’s strength and influence have grown rapidly under your leadership. You’ve now become the top faction in Liuhe Base City. However, your gang has one fatal flaw.”

“And what might that be?” An amused Li Xiaofei asked.

The young man declared confidently, “You lack a top-level expert to oversee things.”

Li Xiaofei’s interest was piqued as the young man continued.

"The current prosperity of the Cloudy Sky Gang is entirely thanks to you, Li Xiaofei. You’ve nearly reached the pinnacle of martial strength in Liuhe Base City and are one of the few in the Five Spirits Realm. However, the strength of the rest of the Cloudy Sky Gang is, frankly, underwhelming. This kind of power gap is dangerous for any faction or family."

Li Xiaofei nodded, acknowledging the truth in his words. "I have to admit, you’re making a good point. But so what?"

The young man pressed on, "You’ve likely noticed this vulnerability, which is why you’ve used poison techniques to boost the gang’s combat capabilities. While effective, it’s only a temporary fix. When faced with true powerhouses, poison has its limitations."

"And your suggestion?" Li Xiaofei asked.

"My suggestion is that you recruit me."

Li Xiaofei raised an eyebrow and said, "Go on."

"With me on board, the Cloudy Sky Gang will have not one but two Five Spirits Realm experts. It’s like double insurance. Even if you leave for university or are otherwise occupied, you won’t need to worry about any other forces challenging your dominance with me guarding the gang. Sounds good, doesn’t it?"

The young man finished his pitch with a smug smile.

Li Xiaofei rubbed his temples and said, "I have one question."

"Go ahead."

"The Ye family paid you handsomely to protect them, yet they were wiped out. Why?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean that the Ye family was annihilated, yet here you are, perfectly fine, sitting in front of me. Your so-called strength and reputation don’t seem that impressive. If you couldn’t protect the Ye family, why should I believe you can protect the Cloudy Sky Gang?"

The young man waved him off. "Ah, that was just bad luck for the Ye family. I happened to be away when their enemies attacked. By the time I returned, they were already dead. How could you blame me?"

"Then you should be seeking revenge for the Ye family."

"That’s completely wrong."

"Oh?"

"The Ye family paid me to protect them, not to avenge them. Their bad luck isn’t my responsibility. Besides, the Ye family did plenty of evil in the city. They got what was coming. I was just exploiting their resources; I was never truly working for them."

"Honestly, I’ve never met a Five Spirits Realm expert as shameless as you."

"I'm just being truthful. My conscience is clear."

Li Xiaofei chuckled. "So, what if the Cloudy Sky Gang hires you, and when trouble comes one day, you conveniently happen to be away as well? Wouldn't that be a waste of resources?"

"No worries. We can draft a supplementary agreement. If the Cloudy Sky Gang gets wiped out, I’ll avenge you, but that’ll come at an extra cost."

"You really are something else."

"I'm just a straightforward guy. Also, please, no personal attacks."

"Alright, let's hear your terms."

"My terms are very modest. Ten bottles of sixth-generation Starforce Reagents or an equivalent amount of star cores per month, plus a million star coins as pocket money. Heh, how about it? This price is quite reasonable. The market rate for a Five Spirits Realm expert is much higher."

"I refuse."

"Too expensive? Okay, I’m willing to negotiate. Name your price."

"We'll provide you with food, shelter, and a place in the Cloudy Sky Gang."

"What? Are you joking?"

"No joke. In addition, I can provide you with ancient martial arts manuals."

𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Heh, martial arts manuals? What kind of combat techniques couldn’t I get my hands on? Why would I care about your ancient manuals?"

"Don’t speak too soon."

Li Xiaofei smiled and tossed over a handwritten copy of One Yang Finger.

The grand enforcer casually caught it, glanced at the title, and chuckled as he flipped it open, "Finger techniques? Are you trying to teach a master how to wield a sword? I’m already a grandmaster in finger techniques. This little manual sounds unimpressive; how could it possibly..."

But as he continued reading, his expression shifted, growing more serious. Soon, he was completely absorbed as he focused intently on the page. By the time he finished, his demeanor had become deeply reverent.

"This ancient martial finger technique... it's extraordinary. It’s indeed a true legacy of Great Xia martial arts. But if you think this alone will buy my loyalty, you’ll have to do better. I’m worth far more..." His tone was now hesitant. He was clearly reconsidering his position.

Li Xiaofei chuckled inwardly as he said, "I’ll give you a manual of similar quality every three months."

"Really?" The grand enforcer was shocked. "How... how do you have access to so many ancient martial arts manuals?"

Li Xiaofei smiled mysteriously and replied, "That’s a secret."

The grand enforcer seemed to grasp something in that moment. His eyes widened with understanding as he exclaimed, "No wonder you've risen so quickly, like a comet streaking across the sky. You must have support from a top-tier ancient martial faction. Alright, I agree! From today onward, I will serve as an enforcer of the Cloudy Sky Gang."

Li Xiaofei nodded, "I’ll announce it publicly. Additionally, in two days at the Martial Arts Conference, I want you to appear publicly as the Cloudy Sky Gang’s Elder Guardian."

"Good," The grand enforcer agreed without hesitation.

Li Xiaofei nodded in satisfaction. Though this guy was certainly eccentric, his cultivation was undeniably that of a Five Spirits Realm expert. Having him stay with the Cloudy Sky Gang, even just as a figurehead, would serve as a powerful deterrent.

Both parties were simply using each other, nothing more. He was greedy, but not malicious. A collaboration, though tentative, seemed possible.

"By the way, I don’t know your name yet," Li Xiaofei said.

"My name is Xiao Bidao," he grinned. "I’m from the Tian Sheng Xiao family."

The Tian Sheng Xiao family?!

Li Xiaofei couldn’t help but take a sharp breath at the mention of the powerful clan.