Chapter 144: Zou Sijiu

Chapter 144: Zou Sijiu

【Muscle-Twisting Bone-Displacing Hand (Seventh-Grade Technique) learning complete, Seventh-Grade Early Stage (0/100)】

【Chu Wu Shadow Dart (Seventh-Grade Movement Art) learning complete, replaced Leaping Abyss Step (Eighth-Grade Perfection)】

【Chu Wu Shadow Dart advanced to Seventh-Grade Early Stage (50/100)】

【Bitter-Cutting Tendon-Lock (Seventh-Grade Body Tempering) learning complete, replaced Golden Bell Shield (Eighth-Grade Perfection)】

【Bitter-Cutting Tendon-Lock advanced to Seventh-Grade Early Stage (50/100)】

【Consumed 193 Mastery Points, Bitter-Cutting Tendon-Lock advanced to Seventh-Grade Late Stage (43/100)】

【Sequence】: Martial Dao Sequence Seven — Solitary Tyrant

【Techniques】: Bajiquan (Eighth-Grade Perfection), Poilu Saber (Eighth-Grade Perfection), Muscle-Twisting Bone-Displacing Hand (Seventh-Grade Early Stage 0/100)

【Movement】: Chu Wu Shadow Dart (Seventh-Grade Early Stage 50/100)

【Body Tempering】: Bitter-Cutting Tendon-Lock (Seventh-Grade Late Stage 43/100)

【Internal Art】: Jumang Art (Seventh-Grade Perfection)

【Mastery Points】: 0

The hidden door slid open, like dense fog shrouding a deep ravine torn asunder by a single thread.

In an instant, dragon chants rose from the ravine depths, an enraged flood dragon surging from the abyss, scales flying, claws raised, hornless dragons coiling, horned dragons crouching.

This pawnshop, situated at the Door of Obstruction within the Qimen Dunjia formation, inexplicably erupted with a crashing roar like surging tides.

The originally bright, gentle light was instantly replaced by piercing crimson radiance.

Every preset defense mechanism activated at once, frigid killing intent permeating the room.

Zou Sijiu's suit jacket hem fluttered, his slicked-back hair slightly disheveled, both eyes fixed on the figure slowly emerging from the hidden door.

That crashing surge of unknown origin — it was unmistakably the sound of the other's blood churning!

"Really going to play the double-cross routine?"

Li Jun lifted the conical hat from his head, revealing a face brimming with eagerness.

He gently rolled his shoulders, the sound of his bones moving like muffled thunder rolling.

Even that segment of the Flying Dragon Sword, arrogant and unruly within his chest, dared not release the slightest trace of corruption now.

It obediently shrank deep within flesh and blood, barely enduring beneath the crushing pressure of tyrannical sinews and bones.

In merely the time to drink a cup of tea, the sickly tiger that had just entered had metamorphosed into a crouching beast leaping from the abyss!

"Good fellow, how many shots did you take in one go? Judging by this posture, at least two or more, right? Tsk tsk, no wonder everyone else hides in shadows while he alone dares show his edge — such talent is truly rare."

"Could it be that the Martial Dao Sequence's decay has reached a point where the corresponding genes sensed danger, triggering a rebound from rock bottom, beginning to manifest dominantly? Otherwise, under conditions comparable to a dead end, how could a genius of this caliber be born?"

"That's possible — extremity reverses, fortune gathers. Could it be the era of 'city walls change, the king's banner changes' has arrived again? I'll have to ask Huangliang to divine a hexagram when I get back."

Zou Sijiu severed the chaotic thoughts in his mind, right hand pressing against his restlessly swaying tie, left hand raised to snap his fingers.

The flashing warning crimson light instantly ceased, warm-toned lighting reigniting to illuminate the smile on his face, radiating visible enthusiasm.

"Guest, you jest. Our Peace Hotel is a century-old establishment — never once has there been an incident of the shop bullying customers, or betraying trust."

"An honest man, huh?"

Li Jun sighed with some regret, interest fading: "Then why not open the door?"

Zou Sijiu rubbed his temples, forcing his amiable expression: "The door will open, of course. But as a valued guest of the Peace Hotel, duty compels me to offer a word of advice."

"A tall tree catches the wind. This Chongqing Prefecture lacks nothing — least of all hyenas drawn by the scent of money, their numbers among the highest in the Imperial Southwest. The Solitary Tyrant may be strong, but open spears are easily dodged, hidden arrows hard to guard against."

Li Jun wasn't the least bit surprised Zou Sijiu had guessed his identity.

After all, Wu Yahua had used his own real name as the storage credential.

He'd used that old man's name to retrieve the items — no different from announcing himself.

But given that old fox's scheming depth, he probably trusted the Peace Hotel immensely, otherwise he wouldn't have left such a gaping vulnerability.

Yet Zou Sijiu expressing goodwill for no apparent reason now — it surely wasn't simple customer service.

"How so? You run a pawn and insurance business, now you care about your clients' safety too?"

Zou Sijiu smiled: "Just a small complimentary kindness."

Li Jun shook his head: "I'm not used to inexplicable kindness from strangers."

"Not inexplicable."

"Then even less needed," Li Jun grinned, "I have no money."

Zou Sijiu bared his teeth: "No charge."

"I'm not buying anything either."

"Not selling goods!"

"Fine. Since that's the case, I'll accept your kindness — open the door."

This kid was a total rogue!

Watching Li Jun play dumb, Zou Sijiu's expression turned helpless, switching hands to rub his other temple.

"Alright, I'll speak plainly then. I want to discuss a deal with you, guest."

Beating around the bush, finally willing to get to the point.

Li Jun's smile turned mocking: "Is this you personally wanting to talk, or representing the Peace Hotel?"

"Me personally. Nothing to do with the Peace Hotel."

"Speak. I'm listening."

Zou Sijiu snapped his fingers, a series of mechanical clicks immediately sounding, the room's furnishings rapidly transforming.

The pawnshop counter retracted into the walls, a solemn yamen main hall pushed into place, the hidden doors on both sides replaced by weapon racks bristling with arms.

In mere moments, the interior had transformed from a pawnshop into the White Tiger Hall.

Not only that — Li Jun keenly sensed his own position beneath his feet quietly shifting.

From southeast to southwest, from the Door of Obstruction to the Door of Death.

Seeing Li Jun's teasing gaze, Zou Sijiu muttered: "Ceremonial sense — it's important!"

Li Jun surveyed the surroundings: "Looking at this setup, the business you want to discuss is murder and robbery?"

"Doesn't count,"

Zou Sijiu gritted his teeth, "Murder and robbery — the targets would have to be 'people.' Those cow-nosed Daoists don't count as people!"

Li Jun's interest piqued: "You want to take on the Daoist sect?"

"Qixia Group — just a company of the Daoist Sequence. They don't represent the Daoist sect."

"What's the grudge?"

"Business conflict."

Zou Sijiu spoke lightly, dismissively, yet Li Jun caught the scent of a hatred buried fathoms deep.

This was deliberate misdirection!

After the beating Zhao Ding had given him, Li Jun’s nose for the stench of "conspiracy" had grown preternaturally keen.

His tone turned frigid. "Since this is a jurisdictional clash between your two Sequences, what business is it of mine?"

"The enemy of my enemy is a friend."

Li Jun let out a hollow laugh. "Does a lone tyrant need friends?"

"In Chengdu Prefecture, you may be the world's enemy, but this is Chongqing Prefecture—the Daoist Sequence cannot blot out the sky with a single hand."

Zou Sijiu’s voice was low, grave. "The lone tyrant of yesteryear needn't play the solitary hero today."

"What profit is there for me in cooperating with you?"

"Name your price, coin or goods. And you have a trouble I can resolve."

"What trouble?"

"I can help you repair that damaged Mo Jia Core!"

Li Jun’s figure blurred, instantly closing the distance to Zou Sijiu.

So fast Zou Sijiu never even had time to react.

Five fingers shot out, clamping directly around the other man's throat.

Li Jun hoisted this Follower of the Yin-Yang Sequence with a single hand, a savage, wild aura settling in his brows and eyes.

"You know my affairs remarkably well, don't you?"