"120 Gold Soul Coins each, are you robbing us!"
Bai Chenxiang glared at Tang San in anger.
Tang San was not intimidated by Bai He's displeasure and said sincerely, "Senior, please calm down. Our Tang Sect does business with honesty."
Titan chimed in at the opportune moment, "I can vouch for him. Old White Bird, this price is practically at cost. If you're willing, you can buy one for your granddaughter for self-defense."
Bai He furrowed his brow, not replying. He was indeed tempted by the Zhuge Divine Crossbow, but the price...
Seemingly sensing Bai He's hesitation, Tang San smiled slightly, "How about this. Business or friendship, either way, we remain amiable. I shall present this Zhuge Divine Crossbow to you as a token of our first meeting."
Bai He was taken aback, the chill that emanated from him dissipated. He looked down at the Zhuge Divine Crossbow, truly befitting of its golden price tag, and then at the amiable Tang San.
"This..." He was conflicted, but he understood that 120 Gold Soul Coins was no small sum. It was one thing for the Ming Clan to accept support from the other three sects, but accepting a gift from an outsider was another matter entirely.
Though reluctant, Bai He hardened his resolve and refused, pushing the Zhuge Divine Crossbow back to Tang San. "I cannot accept a gift without earning it."
Tang San did not take it back, but instead presented another proposition. "How about this. I have always admired the astonishing speed of the Ming Clan. Why don't I have a spar with your granddaughter, Miss Bai? If I win, the 100 Gold Soul Coins are mine. If I lose, this Zhuge Divine Crossbow will be your stake, how does that sound?"
Tang San's words made Bai He's heart flutter again. It was like finding a great item while shopping, but being deterred by the price. At such times, a clever salesperson would offer a buy-one-get-one deal, subtly hooking him in.
"This..."
"If you want to compete in speed with our clan, I accept. I will spar with you."
While Bai He was still contemplating, Bai Chenxiang, extremely confident in her clan's speed, stepped forward and accepted Tang San's challenge.
Bai He glanced at his granddaughter and then nodded. He clearly did not believe that their clan's most prized speed would be outmatched by a young man.
With her grandfather's approval, Bai Chenxiang felt more assured. She tilted her chin with a hint of pride and asked, "How do you wish to compete?"
Tang San smiled gently, "The duration will be the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, right here in this reception hall. If you can touch any part of my body, you win. Otherwise, I win."
"Alright! Bai Chenxiang of the Ming Clan, I await your guidance!" Bai Chenxiang declared loudly.
Tang San gracefully gestured, "Tang Sect, Tang San, I await your guidance."
Tang Sect? Hearing of this unfamiliar sect, Bai He fell into thought.
Titan and Niu Gao stood on either side of Bai He, grinning and placing their hands on his shoulders.
Niu Gao: "Old White Bird, let me tell you, this Tang San is extraordinary."
Titan: "Indeed. He established the Tang Sect and is planning to go against the Spirit Hall."
They leaned closer to Bai He, nudging him like old friends, "The Old Ape and I have already joined him. What do you say..."
Bai He's eyelids twitched. He stood up from his seat, distancing himself from their antics. "You two are something else. Alright, I still need to see who this person really is!"
Over there, Tang Sui had already taken out a stick of incense from her soul tool. After glancing at the contestants who were in position, she flicked her finger. Sparks ignited at the tip of the incense. "Then, the match begins."
The moment the last syllable faded, Bai Chenxiang had already charged forward with incredible speed. Tang San's eyes also glowed with a layer of purple-gold light. With a leap of the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Steps, he agilely evaded Bai Chenxiang.
So fast! He inwardly tensed, not daring to underestimate her speed in the slightest, and prepared himself with utmost vigilance.
Tang Sui watched her brother and Bai Chenxiang spar, their movements coming close multiple times, nearly touching. She couldn't help but frown slightly. Although with the speed boost from the Blue Silver Emperor's right leg bone and the combination of Ghost Shadow Perplexing Steps, dealing with Bai Chenxiang was more than enough, but...
Tang Sui subtly glanced at Bai He, who was stroking his white beard and intently watching the spar. Her gaze flickered for a moment, and before he could notice her attention, she calmly shifted her gaze back.
Bai He, who had seen nothing, felt a hint of confusion in his eyes.
The outcome of this match was not surprising; Tang San emerged victorious. Bai Chenxiang, who had used her soul skills but still couldn't touch a single strand of Tang San's hair, looked at the burning incense and then met Tang Sui's eyes. Tang Sui returned a friendly smile.
Bai Chenxiang bit her lip and turned away, looking at Tang San, who seemed to have not moved from his original position. Unconvinced, she said, "Tang San, if you have the guts, let's have another match! A long-distance speed race!"
"Enough," Bai He's voice cut in as he stood with his hands behind his back. He tossed the bag of Gold Soul Coins to Tang San. In a flash, he was standing beside Bai Chenxiang. Even Tang Sui couldn't see how he moved, and the air around them was not even disturbed.
This is tricky. Tang Sui fell into contemplation. Meanwhile, Tang San and Bai He were engaged in a polite exchange.
After the pleasantries, Tang San revealed his true intentions, like a predator baring its fangs. With a charming smile, he extended an olive branch. "The Ming Clan simply lacks a suitable space to showcase your abilities. Senior Bai He, why don't we have another match?"
"If Senior loses, I hope you will consider joining the Tang Sect. The Tang Sect will provide your clan with a complete set of equipment and all necessary resources, and will not impose any commands. What do you say?"
Bai He's eyes flashed. He finally understood Tang San's primary objective for being here. His gaze turned sharp and scrutinizing.
"Young man, you have quite an appetite." He said sternly.
Niu Gao, who had been watching, couldn't help but interject, "Hey, Sect Master, I'm not going to lie to you. It's fine for young people to have pride, but if they're too arrogant, they'll only bring trouble upon themselves!" He said earnestly, "You know, Old White Bird's speed is unmatched!"
"Then, shall I, the Vice Sect Master, spar with Senior Bai He?" Tang Sui's cheerful voice interjected, drawing the attention of others to her, who had been acting as a background character.
Tang San was surprised. He looked at Tang Sui, who had volunteered. The siblings' eyes met briefly in mid-air. Tang San pondered for a moment and gave a subtle nod, ceding the spotlight to Tang Sui.
With her brother's affirmation, Tang Sui had no reservations and declared, "If I lose, the Tang Sect will provide your clan with a complete set of hidden weapon equipment for free, including one Zhuge Divine Crossbow, two sets of Silent Sleeve Darts, one Tight Back Flower Decoration Crossbow, one Sand-Shot Crossbow, and two Leg Crossbows. How about it?"
Titan frowned slightly. "Vice Sect Master, this set of equipment alone would cost at least five hundred Gold Soul Coins per person. The Ming Clan has over two hundred members!"
Tang Sui's smile remained unchanged. "Just over two hundred people. My little stash is more than enough." The ill-gotten gains from the City of Slaughter over the years had accumulated into a terrifying sum, not to mention the unwavering support from a group of fanatics who adored her. After all, wealth was not of paramount importance in the City of Slaughter; some people's entire assets were less valuable than a cup of Yellow Springs Dew.