The speaker stood at Jia Tianlong's side, a dwarf barely three feet tall.
The dwarf appeared to be in his forties, gaunt and thin. He wore a red robe with gold thread embroidery, gold rings on his fingers, a thick gold chain around his neck, and several gold bells tied at his waist. When he opened his mouth to speak, it glinted with gold, revealing what were clearly gold teeth. His overall appearance was that of a vulgar nouveau riche.
At this moment, his face wore a look of obvious impatience, clearly displeased with Jia Tianlong's indecisiveness.
That such a wretched-looking dwarf, dressed like a country bumpkin, could be so disrespectful to Jia Tianlong made the loyal Iron Guards nearby glare furiously.
The dwarf noticed their displeasure but gave a cold, derisive laugh, completely ignoring them. Instead, he addressed Jia Tianlong haughtily: "Gang Master Jia, you spent three thousand taels of gold to summon this Superior from Golden Light Temple all the way here. Don't tell me we're just going to watch all night! If you have someone you want me to deal with, say the word now. Surely you haven't brought me to fight the Sect Master of the Seven Mysteries Sect? He's too weak—you could handle him yourself. Was it worth paying me such a fortune?"
"The Sect Master of the Seven Mysteries Sect is not worthy of your intervention, Immortal Master. I need your help against his three martial uncles. Although they've long been declared dead, they've actually been secluded in a secret chamber on Sunset Peak, undergoing a Life and Death Meditation. Their power has likely reached an extraordinary realm, far beyond ordinary experts. They are the Seven Mysteries Sect's greatest support, and only you, Immortal Master, can handle them." Jia Tianlong spoke humbly, without a trace of disrespect.
He had encountered this red-robed dwarf by chance in a Taoist temple near the barbarian territories. The dwarf called himself Jin Guang Shangren, claimed immense magical power, and had personally demonstrated the art of the flying sword and the Indestructible Golden Body technique.
Having witnessed these powers firsthand, Jia Tianlong was deeply awed, realizing the dwarf was a legendary cultivator. He immediately sought to build a good relationship.
Upon learning the dwarf's obsession with gold, Jia Tianlong spared no expense, showering him with wealth and flattery. This eventually won the dwarf over, securing a promise of one-time assistance.
Therefore, Jia Tianlong treated the dwarf with the deference of a junior, never daring to show any disgust at his arrogance. He knew all too well that his small Wild Wolf Gang was no match for Jin Guang Shangren.
Upon hearing this, Jin Guang Shangren let out a burst of wild laughter. When it subsided, he said arrogantly, "Just a few mortals. Leave them to me! No matter how high their skill or how strong their martial arts, they are no match for my flying sword. You can rest easy!"
"That's a great relief, Immortal Master! I will honor the promised payment, and after success, I'm willing to add another two thousand taels of gold as a bonus!" Jia Tianlong was overjoyed and immediately raised the stakes. He knew this being was no saint, so it was best to let gold do the talking.
Jin Guang Shangren's face, as wrinkled as an orange peel, cracked into a thin smile. He nodded with satisfaction, clearly appreciative of Gang Master Jia's tact.
With Jin Guang Shangren's guarantee, Jia Tianlong hesitated no longer. He immediately ordered the Wild Wolf Gang members to advance to the summit of Sunset Peak, preparing to attack the Seven Mysteries Sect's headquarters—the Qixuan Hall.
The sheer number of people surging up the peak made it a strenuous effort for Jia Tianlong and his Iron Guards to finally reach the front of the stone hall.
This was the first time Gang Master Jia laid eyes on his mortal enemy's main hall, and he was struck by its magnificence. His own headquarters now seemed like a dog kennel by comparison—an utter eyesore.
On the dozens of acres of flat ground atop Sunset Peak, several stone halls built from massive azure blocks rose from the earth—one large hall surrounded by six smaller ones.
Though the dim torchlight in the night obscured their full grandeur, their dark, towering, rugged, and imposing presence still awe-struck the newly arrived members of the Wild Wolf Gang and the other smaller factions. For a moment, they didn't launch an attack but simply surrounded the halls completely, leaving no gap.
"After all, it's a sect with over two hundred years of heritage. Its financial resources aren't something my little gang, barely risen for ten years, can compare to. How extravagant!" Jia Tianlong thought secretly.
He had already made up his mind: as soon as the Seven Mysteries Sect was destroyed, he would move his headquarters here. Such magnificent architecture was befitting of his status as a regional overlord.
Jia Tianlong glanced at the dark, gaping entrance of the main hall opposite him, then at his subordinates around him. Finally, he slowly raised his right hand.
In an instant, the entire Sunset Peak fell silent. Every eye fixed on his raised palm. They knew that once that hand fell, the brutal battle to annihilate the Seven Mysteries Sect's headquarters would begin.
"Wait!"
Just then, a cold voice suddenly came from the dark entrance of the main hall.
Then, a rhythmic *clack, clack, clack* of footsteps echoed from within, growing clearer and clearer.
Finally, a middle-aged man in white appeared at the entrance. A wooden hairpin held his hair in place, and he carried only a single long sword in a white scabbard. His face was deathly pale, but his eyes burned with piercing intensity. Wherever his gaze fell, it pierced like a keen sword, chilling the heart.
He stopped several zhang from the entrance and slowly surveyed the crowd surrounding him, his face devoid of any fear.
Finally, his eyes settled on Jia Tianlong's raised right hand, then shifted from the hand to Jia Tianlong's face.
"Jia Tianlong," the middle-aged man called out the gang master's name.
"Wang Juechu!" Jia Tianlong shouted back just as defiantly, naming the other's identity.
"Come to think of it, this is the first time two leaders like us have met face-to-face, isn't it, my dear Sect Master Wang?" Jia Tianlong spoke in a very leisurely tone, a mocking smile playing on his lips, as he slowly lowered his raised right hand.
Wang Juechu returned his gaze expressionlessly, saying nothing. The atmosphere began to tense.
"Sect Master Wang, did you come here alone to surrender?" Jia Tianlong asked with a teasing smile.
"You are correct. I came to discuss the terms of surrender," replied Wang Juechu, the master of the Seven Mysteries Sect, his voice as cold as ice.
(End of Chapter)