“I won’t hide it from you, right now only the Strength Clan has joined the Tang Sect, as well as me, Fatty as well as two other comrades. Even if you can’t trust me, don’t tell me you can’t trust senior Tai Tan?”
Just when Tang San started to speak, his words had drawn Niu Gao’s interest. Thoroughly analysing, using true words as invitation, without many promises, but each of his words sounded very true to Niu Gao’s ears.
This was all the capability Tang San had learned from his aunt in the Moon Pavilion. That year might have seemed a waste, but in fact, Tang San had learned a lot of principles for dealing with people from there. Tang Yue-Hua always said that strength wasn’t everything in the current world. Wielding existing strength, and further adding the ability to handle people, that was a true power.
Tai Tan also listened carefully to Tang San’s words, the smile on his face gradually growing stronger. He was of course very familiar with Niu Gao’s character, and Tang San’s choice of timing to speak was just perfect. Even though Niu Gao had shown a strong front to Huyan Zhen, that was only because Hyan Zhen had offended his bottom line. As a clan chief, would he really not care about the survival of the clan? The answer was inevitably negative.
Niu Gao’s expression was somewhat uncertain, studying Tang San for a long time without speaking. Right now not just they were in the great hall. Ma Hongjun, Tai long, Niu Ben were also here. Niu Ben now understood Tang San’s true purpose in coming here. Hearing him speak, he also simultaneously sank into contemplation, clearly weighing the pros and cons.
Tai Tan patted Niu Gao’s shoulder,
“Before coming here, I already had Tai Nuo start buying up some surrounding properties. Preparing to expand the mansion. I remember in those days I still had your help when building the mansion, this time I will perhaps still have to trouble you. Us brothers have always been separated in two different empires these years, I truly cherish the memories of those days when we every day drank wine and ate meat. I’m not urging you to join the Tang Sect because of that, only, old rhino, do you want to make this gamble along with me? If our gamble fails, big brother can absolutely tell you, my Strength Clan will definitely be ruined before your Defense Clan.”
Niu Gao looked at Tai Tan, their eyes meeting, and he sharply waved his hand,
“Spirit Hall’s bullying is intolerable, fine, old orangutan, I’ll follow you for this bet. Tang San, remember your words today, no matter what happens in the future, us and the Clear Sky School will never have any relation again. This is our bottom line. As long as what you do is to everyone’s benefit, my Defense Clan will support you unconditionally.”
Tang San wore a smile, watching Niu Gao with a steadfast gaze, without saying anything, only forcefully nodding to him.
Tai Tan laughed out loud, spreading both arms to Niu Gao,
“My good brother, welcome to the Tang Sect.”
Niu Gao also smiled simultaneously, forcefully hugging Tai Tan,
“Let’s go, we’ll continue drinking. Just now we let that old brat Huyan Zhen bother us, we can’t let that ruin our mood.”
Once again seated at the table, the atmosphere had clearly changed. The slight hostility hidden in Niu Gao’s gaze as he looked at Tang San had vanished completely. He was always an optimistic person. Since it was already decided, he wouldn’t regret it.
The wine made three rounds, and Tai Tan slightly intoxicated said:
“Old rhino, do you know why I promised young master to establish this Tang Sect with him?”
“Why?”
Niu Gao’s capacity for wine was about the same as Tai Tan’s. Tai Tan was somewhat drunk, naturally he wasn’t much better of.
Tai Tan said:
“Besides those hidden weapons making my heart beat, even more important is the young master. Young master’s twenty, how can he possess his present accomplishments? Now I can tell you too. Five years ago. Do you know about the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament?”
Niu Gao said:
“I seem to have heard of it. Our clan also have some children that followed some academy to participate, their achievement wasn’t up to much.”
Tai Tan laughed out loud, saying:
“In this you aren’t my equal. Tai Long, this brat, was a member of the final champion team.”
“What did you say?”
Niu Gao was inwardly alarmed, even his tipsy feeling retreating a bit, looking at Tai Tan;
“This brat was so outstanding?”
The status of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament was fairly high in the Spirit Master world. It was the best stage for the young generation of Spirit Masters to reveal themselves. Each academy member that could obtain an outstanding achievement were all targets that great sects tripped over each other to recruit.
Niu Ben forcefully clapped Tai Long’s shoulder,
“All right, kid! Uncle didn’t see you were so tremendous. I heard that the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament that time was the most epic in the last several decades. The level of the competing Spirit Masters were all considerably high. Especially Spirit Hall, who sent that trio of youths called the Golden Generation to lead their team. But in the end they were defeated by a dark horse. I didn’t expect you would be a member of that team. let me think, ah, right, it was called something like Shrek Academy, yes?”
Tai Long somewhat embarrassed said:
“Uncle Niu Ben, don’t exaggerate. Even if I counted as a member of the team, I was only a substitute. In the last key competition, I didn’t take the field. The reason our team could defeat Spirit Hall’s Golden Generation, is all young master’s contribution. Young master was not only the vice captain, but also the soul of the team. In the final battle, it was he who single handedly blocked the spirit fusion ability of the Golden Generation siblings, creating the conditions for victory. Finally pulling strongly against the tide, making us the champions. At that time young master’s spirit power was forty something ranked, Spirit Hall’s Golden Generation all over fiftieth ranked.”
Speaking of that battle back then, Tai Long couldn’t help revealing an intense worship in his eyes. He had personally seen the entire fight, and even now he couldn’t forget Tang San’s heroism on the field.
Ma Hongjun wasn’t as calm as Tang San. Grinning, he said:
“I was also in the main force! Tai Long, why don’t you praise me.”
Tai Long laughed out loud, saying:
“Yes, Fatty was also in the main force. He was also stronger than me. Your spirit is the phoenix.”
When father and son Niu Gao and Niu Ben heard Tai Long’s words, they couldn’t keep their expressions from changing somewhat. Tai Tan smiled:
“Now you understand my meaning. Young master’s excellence even makes Spirit Hall jealous. His future prospects are boundless.”
Niu Gao frowned, saying:
“The win will definitely break the tallest tree, don’t tell me Spirit Hall wouldn’t have such thoughts?”
Tai Tan grinned:
“No need to worry about that. First not speaking about whether Spirit Hall could find young master, along with young master’s strength rising, he had one spirit awaken a second time, leading to huge changes in his appearance and demeanor. People who knew him before don’t recognize him when face to face. Moreover, in Heaven Dou City, even if someone wished young master harm, that still wouldn’t be so easy. Our Tang Sect is established in secret, and also won’t go join the struggles between Spirit Master sects, we’re only secretly building our strength.”
Niu Gao said:
“No matter what is said, afterwards we’re also a grasshopper on a string. After this gathering is over, I’ll go eat your food and drink your wine. Humph humph.”
Tai Tan smiled:
“As you wish, there’s enough. Anyway, hereafter the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School will support the Tang Sect financially. With the skill you eat until they’re poor. Thei
r sect is broken, but their wealth hasn’t waned. That is indeed the richest sect under heaven.”
Niu Gao stared blankly a moment,
“I feel more and more like this Tang Sect of ours has some prospects. Since it’s like this, it would be better if we also pulled the Speed Clan along. Their days have been very sad. Always receiving our material assistance. Since the finances aren’t a problem, and Tang San can even talk me into it, I think the old whitebird wouldn’t be much of a problem.”
Tai Tan smiled:
“That fellow most dislikes other people calling him old bird, be careful about his temper! Only, we can consider how to lure him. The two of us are both in the Tang Sect, with him it’ll be even more lively.”
The two wicked old men immediately began to excitedly talk in low voices. Tang San could naturally hear what they said, and for a moment he couldn’t help feeling a chill down his back. So when people got old, they wouldn’t be disturbed by sinister thoughts. Of course, their purpose was still benevolent.
Judging by how it had gone so far, everything was better than anticipated. Only one area made somewhat worried, the Breaking Clan. Judging by how Tai Tan and Niu Gao hadn’t mentioned them at all, clearly that wasn’t an easily convinced clansman. Due to losing more than half the clan from Spirit Hall’s attack, their hatred for the Clear Sky Clan was naturally the strongest. Moreover, they were also the one clan of the four single attribute clans that made the best living. What ways could move them in the end?
……
Next evening, still one day from the time of the four single attribute clan gathering, the Speed Clan arrived.
The Speed Clan fully brought more than ten people. Niu Gai and Tai Tan went out to meet them together, and Tang San, Ma Hongjun and Tai Long also followed behind.
Counting carefully, Tang San discovered that the Speed Clan had brought altogether twelve people, the old man leading them was slim, but seemed extremely well proportioned. His long hair hung across his back, but it was already snow white. If not for his face being as rosy as an infant’s, he would seem even older than Tai Tan and Niu Gao. But Tang San knew that he was really a year younger than Niu Gao. His spirit power was also around the eighty first or eight second rank. That was also the Speed Clan’s clan chief, Bai He[1].
Actually, the Speed Clan’s spirit wasn’t a crane, crane’s didn’t fly fast. The reason why they walked the road of speed was also greatly related to their spirit. Because the Speed Clan’s spirit was a bird with the fastest flight speed, called the Needle-Tailed Swift[2]. It was possessing such a spirit that led the Speed Clan down their cultivation route.
Following next to Bai He was a young woman about the same age as Tang San and Ma Hongjun. The young woman was tall and well proportioned, extremely beautiful. Even if she was a bit thin, her appearance was only slightly inferior to Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing and the others. The expression in her eyes seemed somewhat proud, holding Bai He’s arm, her beautiful eyes looked around hopefully, seemingly very interested in everything around her.
Ma Hongjun took one look at this young woman, and his eyes immediately straightened. He never had any resistance to beautiful women. Secretly swallowing, he stared fixedly at her without blinking, as if about to eat her.
The young woman very soon sensed Ma Hongjun’s gaze, shooting him a look. Turning her head, her beautiful eyes just fell on Tang San. However, what she looked at wasn’t Tang San’s handsome appearance, but rather Xiao Wu in his arms. Xiao Wu’s fur shone like silver, even starting to turn gold at the roots, further with the power she spread, her chubby body seeming extremely cute, she was a fatal killing blow at least to young women.
“Haha, old orangutan, I knew you’d definitely be here long ago. It really is so.”
Bai He laughed loudly and went to greet them, the three elders forcefully hugging.
However, Bai He clearly felt that Tai Tan and Niu Gao’s expressions were somewhat awkward. It seemed as if they meticulously kept their distance, and when hugging he didn’t get the feeling they were honestly happy.
Niu Gao looked at the young woman next to Bai He,
“Xiangxiang came too. Let’s go, we’ll speak inside.”
Bai He’s subordinates naturally had the Defense Clan’s people’s arrangements, and he brought the charming young woman to follow Tai Tan and Niu Gao into the drawing room with doubts in his heart.
“Tea.”
Niu Gao shouted, his expression appearing a bit more unsightly. To the side, Tai Tan also hung his head without speaking.
Bai He frowned,
“What’s up with you two old fellows? Such anxious expressions.”
Niu Gao smiled bitterly:
“You only just arrived, we shouldn’t speak to you about it. But you also know I can’t keep words to myself. Old whitebird, in the future we might not be able to help you again.”
Bai He’s heart shivered, him bringing so many people this time wasn’t just for prestige. The Speed Clan’s days really weren’t easy. The entire clan, from clan chief Bai He and down, everyone were proud, they always believed their Swift Spirit was extremely noble. That’s why they never agreed to join any sect. Coming this time, he originally planned to accept some assistance of the other three clans, supporting his clan. This had also become a tradition among the four clans.
“What’s happened?”
Bai He’s heart steadied a bit, and asked.
Niu Gao sighed, saying:
“You know the Elephant Armored School. Yesterday Huyan Zhen that fellow came. He came to enlist my clan.”
Bai He said:
“On behalf of Spirit hall?”
Right now he couldn’t even pay attention to Niu Gao calling him that name he disliked.
Noi Gao nodded wordlessly.
Bai He’s brows wrinkled,
“Old rhino, you wouldn’t have agreed?”
Niu Gao snorted coldly,
“How would that be possible? Even if my Defense Clan was destroyed, I still wouldn’t be Spirit Hall’s dog. Only, I refused them, I’m afraid the Elephant Armored School will retaliate. As for when, nobody can say. Therefore, I’ve decided to migrate the clan. Leave for Heaven Dou City, mixing with old orangutan. You also know, going to the old orangutan’s place, reopening business there, raising income, it’ll take time. Even the Strength Clan’s support is like a cup of water on a burning cart of firewood for our two clans. Not enough. Therefore, this time, I’m afraid we won’t be able to support you.”
Bai He’s expression clearly seemed a bit artificial. Shaking his head, he said:
“It doesn’t matter. Over these years, without your support, I’m afraid our Speed Clan would long since have ceased to exist. Now that your Defense Clan is in difficulties, I’m already very sorry I can’t help. How can I still ask for resources. I’ll think of a way myself.”
The atmosphere in the drawing room became somewhat depressed, the three clan chiefs didn’t speak up again. Niu Gao and Tai Tan glanced at each other and both saw the smile at the corners of each others’ eyes, and hastily rearranged their own facial expressions.
After a long silence, Tai Tan said to Bai He:
“Old whitebird, I’ll introduce you.”
It was Tang San’s turn.
Bai He looked somewhat blankly at Tai Tan. Tai Tan indicated Tang San to the side, saying:
“This little brother is a swiftly rising genius of a generation in the world of forging. He’s made some hidden weapons, I’ve taken a look, and they seem very suitable for your Speed Clan. I let him follow me so you could take a look. Little San.”
Tang San petted the already fast asleep Xiao Wu, first putting her inside the Wishful Hundred Treasure Purse, then once again pulled out the heroic workhorse Godly Zhuge Crossbow from his chest, walking over and handing it to Bai He with both hands.
Bai He took it with several questions, and the eyes of the young woman at his side were immediately filled with curiosity as she looked at the unassuming black box.<
br />
Tang San didn’t wait for him to ask, taking the initiative to say:
“This thing is called Godly Zhuge Crossbow, forty eight crossbow bolts are hidden inside, including the crossbow bolts, all of it is made from refined iron. Each time the mechanism on top is wound, it can instantly shoot sixteen crossbow bolts from the holes in front, tyrannically powerful. It can break defensive spirit abilities of the fortieth rank and below, and the crossbow bolts are furthermore poisoned. If used to sneak attack before the opponent raises his defense, even fiftieth and sixtieth level Spirit Masters will find it very difficult to escape. If matched with your noble clan’s speed, it’s might can inevitably increase enormously.”
Bai He was shocked,
“You’re saying this thing can break defensive spirit abilities of the fortieth rank and below? You’re certain?”
Sitting at the head, Niu Gao said:
“I already tried it last night. What he says isn’t a bit exaggerated. I heard that this thing is still only the basic version Godly Zhuge Crossbow, and it can still be provided with even stronger crossbow bolts. What do you think of that?”
* * *
[1] Bai He - (白鹤) “White Crane”, thus all the references to white birds.
[2] Needle-Tailed Swift - (尖尾雨燕) literally “needle tailed rain swallow” or white-throated needle tail, while other raptors might beat them in diving speed, the needle-tailed swift holds the record in vertical flight.
Chapter 175: Ghost Shadow Perplexing Steps’ Pure Speed Battle
Tang San said:
“The improved Godly Zhuge Crossbow, since the crossbow bolts aren’t the same, will also have different power. The most powerful can threaten a sixtieth rank Spirit Master going all out on defense. The most ordinary is still a level of power above this basic one. Enough to make forty fifth ranked Spirit Masters hateful. Split into twelve types of crossbow bolts, they’re each Bone Piercing Bolts, Thunderflame Bolts, Armor Breaking Bolts, Edge Cracking Bolts, Devil Suppressing Bolts, Overlord Bolts, Deep Yin Bolts, Dragon Cutting Bolts, Extinguishing Lust Bolts, Dragon Beard Bolts, Meteor Destruction Bolts and Seven Killing Bolts. The most difficult to deal with among them are the Meteor Destruction Bolts and the Seven Killing Bolts. Just that since these crossbow bolts require extremely fine craftsmanship and uncommon materials, the cost is high.”
Douluo Dalu - Volume 01-48 Page 309
