Chapter Eighty-Nine: The Minor Clan

Jiang Xiaotian’s dislike for the Dragon City authorities was still running very high, but what irritated him most was that every one of their actions had a justification, all of it supposedly for the sake of the majority.

At least one thing that scruffy-bearded man had said was true: no one could guarantee that once the Ouyang family, after being suppressed by the Zhao and Li families for so many years, obtained the treasure, they would not do something extreme.

Not to mention the other two families. They were already thorn in the authorities’ side. How could they be allowed to get their way?

The only thing Jiang Xiaotian found a little satisfying was that he could beat up Zhao family members at will.

He straightened his appearance and decided not to think about all those useless things for the moment.

After changing into a new set of clothes, he looked at himself in the mirror and could not help but sigh at how dashing he looked.

At last, he looked more or less presentable. If he went out now, no one would mistake him for a beggar, and he still had a bit of money on him.

There was a dedicated forum for martial artists, and someone had sent it to Jiang Xiaotian as a form of assistance.

Quite a few major families were recruiting there, and even the Ouyang family had posted a notice. The response was naturally overwhelming, since no matter what, the Ouyang family was on home turf and held the advantage.

The other major families were similarly full. Jiang Xiaotian had even wanted to join the Ouyang family, only to discover he could not even squeeze in.

Besides, for convenience, he had set his own level as an early-stage outer-power martial artist. Among unaffiliated martial artists, reaching the early stage of outer power at his age was considered decent. But in the Dragon City scene, it was not much to brag about. In this treasure hunt, let alone outer power, even inner-power experts were everywhere. Going there with his strength would have been no different from delivering a head on a plate, so naturally nobody wanted him.

What was more, to prevent accidents, the authorities had restricted eligibility: only local martial artists could sign up.

Although Jiang Xiaotian was not from Dragon City, he still managed to get registered smoothly. That was the power of having backing.

Fortunately, someone eventually came looking for him: a lesser-known martial arts family.

Following the address they gave him, Jiang Xiaotian arrived at a massive villa. Sure enough, martial artists were not poor.

He called to explain his purpose, and soon a young man came running over to open the door for him.

The fellow was quite enthusiastic, and since they were both young men, they quickly struck up a conversation.

His name was Wang Zhen, also a martial artist at the early stage of outer power. That was not especially impressive in a place outside the city, and within the city it was not exactly strong either.

Wang Zhen hurriedly welcomed Jiang Xiaotian inside.

There were already quite a few people inside, both young and old, but seated in the host’s position was a girl. She was not very old either. She glanced at Jiang Xiaotian with curiosity, then withdrew her gaze and did not keep examining him.

She probably thought he was too weak, since Jiang Xiaotian had deliberately lowered his aura to the level of an early-stage outer-power martial artist.

At a glance, nearly everyone here was a martial artist, though their strength was average. Most were at the early stage of outer power. Only one elder was somewhat stronger, having reached the mid stage of outer power.

Because of that, his status was different from the others. He sat beside the girl and rested with his eyes closed.

“Wang Zhen, this is Jiang Dali, right?” the girl asked.

Wang Zhen nodded and quickly introduced him to everyone.

It turned out they were also a small family, though not a large one—just a few relatives. The younger generation had achieved modest success; some had barely crossed the threshold into martial arts, and some were at the early stage of outer power. In Beihai and Linhai, that would have counted as a decent accomplishment.

But in Dragon City, they could only be obscure little figures. After all, family children like Ouyang Zijing stepped into inner power with ease. The gap was as vast as a chasm.

Still, this treasure hunt was open to everyone, so even they, despite their lack of strength, wanted a share of the action. They knew they had no hope of actually seizing the treasure, but at the very least they could broaden their horizons.

For that reason, their leader, Wang Xuening, had spent a great deal of money to hire a mid-stage outer-power expert to protect them.

The girl seated in the main seat was Wang Xuening. She had a very good figure, with full curves and a slim waist. Jiang Xiaotian could not help glancing at her a few more times.

She had said nothing until Wang Zhen mentioned the mid-stage outer-power martial artist, at which point she spoke up.

“You can all just call him Master Lin. He is older than us and stronger than us, and I’m sure everyone has heard of Lin Family Fist. It is his family’s secret, never-handed-down technique!”

There was an uproar, followed by applause and a warm welcome.

The younger members of the Wang family were all around twenty, so they were basically all young people. With Master Lin there, he stood out like a crane among chickens, and he was also the strongest one present.

One had to know that the difference between early-stage and mid-stage outer power was no small matter. It would not be an exaggeration to say that even if Wang Xuening and the others attacked together, they might not be Master Lin’s match.

That was why they treated the old man with such respect.

Naturally, Jiang Xiaotian, who had come to the door for free and uninvited, appeared to have almost no presence at all.

He was only early-stage outer power, no different from the others, and he had no reputation to speak of. He probably was not even Wang Xuening’s match. He was clearly just here to make up the numbers.

That suited Jiang Xiaotian just fine. It saved him from attracting unnecessary attention.

As for that Master Lin, from start to finish he did not even look at Jiang Xiaotian properly, treating him as if he did not exist.

After that, more and more martial artists arrived, all young people for the most part. Of course, their strength was also not impressive, and one even turned out to be a complete beginner who had not even reached early-stage outer power.

Only then did Jiang Xiaotian understand that Wang Xuening had only recruited young people. They were not here to seize the treasure anyway; they were just here to broaden their experience, so having no generation gap made communication easier.

At their age, they were all roughly the same. Anyone older either had already joined a major family or had been born into one, and there was no way they would come here just for the excitement.

Once it looked as if everyone had arrived, Wang Xuening naturally had to lay down the rules.

Since the authorities had not yet issued any official notice about the exact form of the treasure hunt, this was still the stage of recruiting and assembling forces, and nobody had any intelligence.

However, Wang Xuening had no intention of competing, so she gave everyone a warning right from the start.

“Everyone, though we are all martial artists, our strength is not much to boast about. We all need to be self-aware. Once we get there, do not clash with anyone else under any circumstances. Of course, I mean just in case. If fighting really does break out, help if you can, run if you can’t, and whatever you do, do not drag down your companions.”

Jiang Xiaotian could not help but smile.

That was true enough. Once the real treasure hunt began, the city park would certainly be packed wall to wall, and friction would be inevitable.

Moreover, according to the authorities’ prediction, casualties were probably going to be significant. Fortunately, at the level of outer power there should not be any major conflicts. Even if they fought, it would be no worse than children brawling, not a matter of life and death.

Jiang Xiaotian was also thinking that perhaps his members from the Falcon Squad would participate too. Since they were infiltrating, they had to play their roles well. If their strength was not low, they would probably be pulled into the action as well. In that case, the matter of the masked man would have to be set aside for the time being.

By then, the city park would be full of people. Even if that fellow showed up, he would not dare reveal himself. Once that piece of trash exposed itself, it would surely be attacked by everyone present. It would be strange if it did not die.

He came back to his senses and found that Wang Xuening was still talking about related arrangements, including lodging.

Although Jiang Xiaotian had joined without getting paid, at least food and accommodation were provided. And since the Wang family was not weak in martial arts but still had money, the treatment was quite good.

Of course, it could not compare with Master Lin’s. His food and lodging were definitely better than everyone else’s.

When the introductions were finally over, the group spent some time getting acquainted.

Wang Xuening chatted with everyone for a bit, at least enough to get a sense of what each person looked like.

But when she came before Jiang Xiaotian, she seemed somewhat displeased.

“I just said all that. Did you hear it clearly? I remember your name is Jiang Dali, right? You seemed to be spacing out the whole time.”

Jiang Xiaotian could not help finding it amusing. He had thought it was all nonsense and had naturally not paid attention. He had not expected this girl to be so serious.

“I remember everything. Don’t worry. I won’t cause trouble for you,” he said calmly.

Wang Xuening responded with an “Mm,” then reminded him once more.

“Your strength isn’t much to speak of. Even as an early-stage outer-power martial artist, you’re rather shallow. You probably may not even beat Wang Zhen. When the time comes, keep a low profile, and be respectful toward Master Lin. Do you understand?”

Jiang Xiaotian nodded, then extended his hand, intending to shake hands with Master Lin beside her as a friendly introduction.

But Master Lin acted as if he had not seen it. He even tucked his hands behind his back and glanced at Jiang Xiaotian.

“Anyone who shakes my hand must either be worthy of my respect or stronger than me. Tell me, what gives you the right to shake my hand?”

Seeing that he was angry, Wang Xuening immediately grew anxious and hurriedly explained, “Please don’t be offended, Master. He’s new here and doesn’t understand the rules! I apologize to you on his behalf!”