The two young men looked at Xiao Ming, unsure if he was telling the truth. They were hesitant to act, yet dared not.
Seeing their reactions, Xiao Ming knew his words had had an effect. He said, "I, Xiao Ming, never lie. Call your leader immediately and have him come over. I'll talk to him."
After much deliberation, the two decided to call their leader and explain the situation.
The leader of the Heavenly Saint Sect didn't believe Xiao Ming's words at all. Xiao Ming immediately took out his phone and opened his mobile banking app, showing the balance to the two young men.
When they saw that Xiao Ming indeed had over ten million, they became agitated. Their voices trembled as they relayed the situation to their leader.
A person with over ten million in wealth wanted to join the Heavenly Saint Sect, and the leader also grew excited. The sect's rule stated that upon joining, individuals could keep some living expenses, with the rest handed over to the sect for communal use.
"Good, you wait there. I'll be there soon," the leader, Zhao Qixian, said happily.
While waiting for Zhao Qixian, Xiao Ming asked the two young men about the Heavenly Saint Sect.
They informed Xiao Ming about their leader, Zhao Qixian, who was a master of the Earth Realm's mid-stage. He had founded the Heavenly Saint Sect ten years prior, claiming to be a celestial being descended to save the common people.
Zhao Qixian had created his own set of Heavenly Saint Divine Arts, which relied entirely on comprehension and talent for cultivation. Those with aptitude and talent could reach the Profound Realm in a year and the Earth Realm in two years. Those without talent and comprehension could only linger in the Yellow Realm even after ten years of practice.
An hour later, Zhao Qixian arrived at Xiao Ming's room with a few subordinates.
Zhao Qixian was a refined-looking man, wearing small spectacles. A large black mole sat on his fair, clean face.
Upon seeing Zhao Qixian, the two young men immediately perked up.
The shorter one gruffly shouted, "Xiao Ming, why aren't you getting up to pay your respects to the Heavenly Saint?"
Xiao Ming glanced at Zhao Qixian and asked, "Leader Zhao, are you sure you want me to get up?"
Zhao Qixian offered a gentle smile and said, "Young man, politeness is important. I am the Heavenly Saint, and while I won't fuss over it, basic courtesy is still necessary."
Xiao Ming nodded and slowly stood up.
Just as everyone expected Xiao Ming to politely greet the Heavenly Saint, a crisp sound was heard, followed by a slap.
No one, except Zhao Qixian, saw how Xiao Ming moved.
Five red finger marks instantly appeared on Zhao Qixian's face. By the time he thought of retaliating, Xiao Ming had already sat back down on the sofa.
Everyone was stunned. Zhao Qixian was the strongest in the Heavenly Saint Sect. He had seen Xiao Ming slap him but couldn't react. He knew the gap in their strength was immense.
"Leader Zhao, do I still need to get up?" Xiao Ming asked.
Zhao Qixian hurriedly said, "No, it was I who was blind and offended you, little brother."
Zhao Qixian's quick apology surprised the Heavenly Saint Sect members standing nearby.
The high-ranking members of the Heavenly Saint Sect knew Zhao Qixian's true nature. On the surface, he was refined, but in reality, he was full of schemes.
"It's good to admit when you're wrong. Sit down. I have something to say," Xiao Ming said, gesturing to the sofa.
Zhao Qixian sat down nervously. Xiao Ming continued, "Just now, they two said that if I joined the Heavenly Saint Sect, you would help me resolve my current predicament."
Zhao Qixian shot the two young men a glare, thinking, "Of all the people you had to trick, you chose him. You're trying to get me killed."
Despite his inner resentment, Zhao Qixian dared not show it.
"Little brother is right. Our Heavenly Saint Sect is excellent at helping others solve problems."
Xiao Ming nodded and said, "Good. Tomorrow morning, gather your men and come with me to the Nangong family's estate. I want Nangong Qinyu killed."
Upon hearing Xiao Ming's words, Zhao Qixian almost fell to the ground in shock.
The Nangong family was the foremost of the eight martial arts families. What was the Heavenly Saint Sect? A rabble. Sending them to attack the Nangong family was suicidal.
"Little brother, you must be joking. Hehe," Zhao Qixian said with a dry laugh.
Xiao Ming's eyes widened. "Joking? I came to Chuanxi precisely to cause trouble for the Nangong family. Make arrangements now. Tomorrow, you'll come with me to Mianyang City and smash their Zhen Dong Company first."
"Little brother, the Nangong family is the head of the eight martial arts families. Their patriarch is at the Heaven Realm, and even their ancestor is at the Heaven Realm. If we dare oppose the Nangong family, we'll be walking into our deaths."
"Get it straight, it's the Nangong family who wants to oppose us, not the other way around. They are the ones courting death."
"But, but our Heavenly Saint Sect members aren't strong enough. We can't possibly shake the Nangong family," Zhao Qixian stated truthfully.
Xiao Ming nodded. "I know. I'm not counting on you to shake them. Just cause some disturbance. Find some trouble for them. No need for brute force."
Zhao Qixian understood Xiao Ming's intentions and breathed a sigh of relief. "Disturbing them is no problem. Just tell me when to start."
As long as he didn't have to confront the Nangong family head-on, Zhao Qixian felt much more relaxed.
With Zhao Qixian agreeing to help, Xiao Ming asked, "Leader Zhao, what position will I have if I join the Heavenly Saint Sect?"
Xiao Ming decided he wanted to firmly grasp control of the Heavenly Saint Sect. He also needed some people to run errands for him; otherwise, doing everything himself would be too tiring.
Zhao Qixian rubbed his face. "In our Heavenly Saint Sect, positions are based on strength. You, how about this, I'll pass on the position of leader to you."
Zhao Qixian was certain Xiao Ming wouldn't want to be the leader of the Heavenly Saint Sect, which was why he offered it.
Xiao Ming shook his head. "Being the leader is boring. Everything would come to me, and that's too much hassle."
Xiao Ming thought for a moment. "How about I be the vice-leader? You'll still be the leader of the Heavenly Saint Sect. When I need something, you can send people to help."
Xiao Ming wasn't trying to seize power, and Zhao Qixian would remain the leader, only occasionally using people. Zhao Qixian was very satisfied with this outcome.
The two continued to chat and grew closer, talking past midnight before Zhao Qixian finally left Xiao Ming's room.
As he was leaving, Zhao Qixian asked, "Little brother Xiao Ming, you said you are the young master of the Mad Saber Sect. Is that true?"
Xiao Ming nodded. "Of course, it's true. I never lie."
The Mad Saber Sect was a reclusive sect; ordinary people had no knowledge of its existence.
Three years ago, Zhao Qixian had coincidentally met a cook. They became close friends and even swore brotherhood as sworn brothers. This cook was from the Mad Saber Sect.
"I know someone from the Mad Saber Sect. Do you want me to notify him to come over?" Zhao Qixian asked.
Xiao Ming shook his head. "I'm leaving tomorrow morning. If he wants to see me, he can find me in Mianyang City."
As soon as Zhao Qixian left the hotel, he immediately called his sworn brother Liu Dayong and told him he had met the young master of the Mad Saber Sect.
Liu Dayong had no idea that the Mad Saber Sect had a young master. He laughed and said, "Brother, are you sure you haven't been scammed? Our Mad Saber Sect doesn't have a young master."
The fact that the Mad Saber Sect had no young master proved that Xiao Ming was a swindler.
However, this swindler was too powerful, and Zhao Qixian dared not expose him. Exposing a swindler stronger than oneself carried a risk to his life.