Book 15: Chapter 18

With the Power of Alcohol, Turn the Hairpin to the Dark Clouds

Tiangou, smiling, leisurely sat down without caring for the gaze on him. Even though his grey robe came with a hoodie, he chose to leave his forgettable face exposed. He looked more worn out than he should have for someone his age.

Tiangou was exempted from the Fiends Genesis arrests still taking place in the capital. Having said that, none of the arrested dead or alive members of Fiends Genesis in the capital were notable members of the group, though the Seven Stars were never considered suspects in the first place except for Jiang Chen. I stayed in contact with Tiangou after I placed him back in his exam room using Voice Transmission. He left Taishu Hall before I did on the last day of the exam, so n.o.body suspected him.

No words can express my grat.i.tude, Brother Ming. I have filled s.h.i.+tou in on everything.

Tiangou wasnt thankful I placed him back in his exam room. As soon as he woke up, he met up with s.h.i.+tou probably on Gongsun Chus instructions.

Gongsun Chu couldnt get along with Fiends Genesis when he used them as disposable p.a.w.ns. While it was true that he held a high position and was the brains of the group, Tiangou could no longer trust him. s.h.i.+tou was likely Gongsun Chus last gift for Fiends Genesis. Considering s.h.i.+tous skills, there would only be a handful of elites in the capital capable of locating him once he recovered.

How is Brother s.h.i.+tou doing?

Tiangou shook his head. Due to the length of time he was in that state, its hard for him to fully recover. Moreover, he is hurt badly. He was virtually unable to walk when I found him. He slips in and out of consciousness; I a.s.sume he is still slipping back into the illusory world. When he is fine, he speaks identically to back then. When hes in the illusion, though, hell cry, smile and be hostile at random. Its a good thing you didnt take the fire jade.

Tiangou tapped on the box. Thanks to you having someone send it over, we managed to deal with the urgent problem. Had it not been for your timeliness, he mightve hurt people around and himself even more. Otherwise, he would still be a mad man even though he has been freed from the illusion. There is no way we could repay you for it.

Its nothing. Its nothing. I couldnt stop Tiangou from kowtowing to me, so I just had to force a smile. I may have been shameless, but I didnt just let people bow to me. I only felt a little more accepting since he had attacked me, and I had drugged him.

Tiangou was unaware of my relations.h.i.+p with Zero and wasnt aware my subordinate was responsible for s.h.i.+tous severe injuries. I had Zero lend them the Nine Dragons Fire Jade to completely rid s.h.i.+tou of his old problem. I couldnt pay Gongsun Chu much, so I figured Id help him clean up where I could.

It may be nothing to you, but it is tantamount to giving us life. Tiangou got to his feet. That is why I must say it again: sincerely, thank you very much, Brother Ming.

I stood up to reciprocate. You need not thank me. Have a seat.

As we sat back down, I swept the box over to myself. It wasnt easy to sell the box I used to store my celestial spider silk, but it was worth a lot. Plus, I needed the jade to repay my debt.

What plans do you have next, Brother Gou?

We plan to retrieve what belongs to us.

The look in Tiangous eyes signalled that he already had a complete plan. He was loyal to Shang Bies.h.i.+, so it was natural for him to rescue Shang Bies.h.i.+ now that s.h.i.+tou had returned and attained Divine Realm. Although Fiends Genesis wasnt a mighty force, they had grown their forces over the last two decades. Yes, the imperial court was hunting them down, but those in the underground palace definitely werent involved with the fiasco. With s.h.i.+tou and the Seven Stars still alive supporting them, they had a reasonable chance of growing into a group that could rival the Cold Mountain Temple that the Qilin Guards had put under siege.

Is Fiends Genesis really going to return?

I didnt probe into whether they knew Shang Bies.h.i.+s whereabouts or not since that was their privacy and secret. I was under the a.s.sumption s.h.i.+tou knew Shang Bies.h.i.+s location. There was no better time to rescue Shang Bies.h.i.+ than when Uncle Jiyi was busy with his headache. I was willing to bet Fiends Genesis had people watching Cold Mountain Temple already to prevent any information leaks. Shang Bies.h.i.+ wouldve likely added another strong wind to the ongoing tornado once he returned.

Tiangou stopped to think prior to replying, Master once said that we have our principles; it is just that they may not be the same as yours. Fiends Genesis has always been a place for those who are outcasts in your world, but it was never a utopia. We must still struggle to survive; however, we know for whose sake we do what we do. We were and are not p.a.w.ns created for Jiang Chen to use.

I like it. I slammed the table. Its an honour to drink with someone like you. When you finally return, dont forget to invite me. Ill be there to support you.

Tiangou was surprised in a good way. There has never been a better instance of forming a friends.h.i.+p after an exchange of blows. Brother Ming, I am proud to call you a friend.

Tiangou pulled out a small knife from his short, sliced the tip of his finger and then dripped his blood into his cup. If you would please.

I accepted the knife pa.s.sed to me and praised, Its a good knife.

Master personally forged the knife. I hope you accept it as a gift.

Shang Bies.h.i.+ truly is special. I sliced the tip of my finger and dripped a drop of blood into my cup.

After we finished our drinks, Tiangou threw his cup and conveyed, Henceforth, Fiends Genesis is your ally. We will be there with you through thick and thin. All our conflicts in the past are past tense.

From an exchange of blows, friends.h.i.+p grows.

We enjoyed a merry drinking session and set a reunion date before we went our own ways.