Chapter 1326: Historic Moment

Not only was Xu Xiaoshou startled, but everyone around him also looked strangely at the sudden address. This was too absurd! Xu Xiaoshou was already an eccentric person, prone to random outbursts where he might suddenly adopt an explosive persona or turn into a raging giant during conversations—it was all par for the course. People had grown somewhat accustomed to his fits over time. They could understand him calling himself "Ben Zuo" or "Xu Shao," but now Ba Zun An was joining in with "Shou Ye"... What on earth was his angle?

Everyone's first instinct was to laugh, but when they glanced at Ba Zun An, they saw that despite his awkward and bizarre delivery, there was a serious undertone in his words. He was playing it straight while also toying with them!

"You... what did you say?"

Xu Xiaoshou struggled to contain his emotions. His lips twitched upward slightly, but he quickly realized it made him look cheap, so his face contorted as he stared at the "Shou" character token, unable to process it for a long moment.

"I said..."

Ba Zun An smiled faintly and waved the token in his hand.

"Shou Ye, your token is ready. Just nod now, and the position of second-in-command in Sheng Nu will be yours."

Second-in-command! That second "Shou Ye" wiped away the odd expressions on everyone's faces, while the words "second-in-command" left them all thunderstruck.

Shui Gui's face froze.

Xiao Kongdong's mouth hung open.

Zhu Yike, standing at the back, felt stars explode in his vision as he looked at Shou Ye and the legendary figure addressing him as such, like a mortal gazing upon a true dragon.

Han Ye, the tiny white weasel in Lei Xier's palm, wore a ghostly expression. He had heard the full story in Zhen Huang Dian about Shou Ye's relationship with Ba Zun An, but reality was even more terrifying than the tales. Was Ba Zun An really using "you" and "Shou Ye" as titles, offering the second-in-command spot as bait, just to rope in Xu Xiaoshou? Sure, there was some playfulness in the address, but who else in the world could make Ba Zun An speak in such an outlandish and respectful tone?

"I..."

The person in question, Xu Xiaoshou, reached out his hand, which trembled slightly—how embarrassing. He quickly suppressed it. Now that he fully understood Ba Zun An's words, he couldn't stop his mouth from stretching into a grin. Him! And Ba Zun An! Xu Xiaoshou could trash-talk him or grumble about him internally, but he had to admit Ba Zun An's accomplishments. Just from that earlier duel with Xiao Kongdong—one poem against one sword—it was like fighting a fake opponent, yet it showed how effortlessly brilliant and terrifying Ba Zun An was at his peak. If you wanted to nitpick, even Xu Xiaoshou could only point out something trivial, like the fact that he was still breathing.

Ba Zun An was just a step away from becoming a true legend—all he needed was to die! Once he passed, even his Ten-Stage Sword Finger might become a lost divine technique, studied obsessively by future generations in search of sword intent. And that was without mentioning his personal sword, his Sword Observation Canon, or his mastery of various sword arts.

Now, this very figure was inviting him to join Sheng Nu, taking over Sang Lao's position as second-in-command, even above Shui Gui...

"Hey... ahem, um!"

"What? What did you say? I didn't quite catch that?"

Xu Xiaoshou cleared his throat and asked seriously, though his facial muscles were twitching. He kept his external expression calm, but the flesh on his cheeks kept spasming, held in check only by his "Bianhua" ability. This was just too shameless! Once was understandable, twice was pushing it, but three times? Even the diminutive white weasel could see that Shou Ye was playing dumb, clearly addicted to the flattery.

Yet Ba Zun An acted like a complete fool, oblivious to it all. He smirked and fell for it again, patiently.

"Need me to say it a fourth time, Shou Ye?"

"Hehehe..."

Xu Xiaoshou couldn't hold back his laughter anymore. He turned to his junior sister.

"I was originally going to refuse him..."

Lei Xier saw the cheap grin on Xu Xiaoshou's face and couldn't help but smile.

"You can do it."

"But he's being so sincere!"

Three times with "Shou Ye," and in public no less... Who could resist that? Even if it were Shui Gui, he'd probably say, "Fine, no need to decide—I'll help you out for free this once!"

When Xu Xiaoshou turned back to Ba Zun An, he even thought the old guy looked rather handsome, with those murky eyes exuding the charm of a mature man. But he told himself not to get carried away and tried to control his smile, forcing a calm tone.

"I should refuse you, to be honest..."

"I'm the lord of Tian Shang Di Yi Lou. If I become your Sheng Nu second-in-command, wouldn't that be beneath me?"

"No, no, no."

Ba Zun An waved his hand with a smile, interrupting.

"You're misunderstanding me, Shou Ye."

Damn it, don't say it again... please...

Xu Xiaoshou's lips quirked up, and he nearly agreed on the spot. He forced his mouth back down.

Ba Zun An continued, "Tian Shang Di Yi Lou has already separated and stands independently, noble in its own right."

"Just like Wu Xiu and me. From now on, you and I will only have an equal partnership."

"I won't order you around, and I won't try to. You won't take orders either. We'll discuss, plan together, and assign tasks equally—no one above the other."

He paused, and that strange, playful look returned to Ba Zun An's face.

Xu Xiaoshou's heart sank. He sensed trouble and reached out to cover the old man's mouth, trying to interrupt.

But the words were already out:

"Think of it another way—you're actually above me!"

"You're the lofty lord of Tian Shang Di Yi Lou, now graciously taking on the role of Sheng Nu second-in-command. That makes all of us in Sheng Nu proud, doesn't it?"

I...

Xu Xiaoshou's hand froze in midair, his interruption thwarted. Even his "Bianhua" faltered as he chuckled and turned to Lei Xier, pointing at Ba Zun An.

"He... he..."

"He's too good with words!"

Lei Xier couldn't wipe the smile from her eyes; she was nearly dying from the absurdity of their banter but replied calmly, "You look like a fool right now."

Yeah, I really do look like a fool! With Ba Zun An talking like this and giving so much face, even a toe would know there's a big pit ahead. He'd tricked me so many times before—how could I still be tempted like this?

Xu Xiaoshou scanned the faces around him, finally reining in his emotions and steeling himself to refuse. He looked at Ba Zun An.

"Shou Ye, you're really not going to give me face?"

That damned guy beat him to it!

"Regardless, just think of it as doing me, Ba Zun An, a favor, okay?"

Shit!

Xu Xiaoshou couldn't hold out any longer. He'd borrowed Ba Zun An's face so many times before, and now he realized just how powerfully effective it was! He was too smooth. This move would even defeat Yue Gong Nu.

"Fine!"

"Today, I'll give you that face, Xu Xiaoshou!"

Tian Shang Di Yi Lou was just starting out and couldn't truly break away from Sheng Nu. With Ba Zun An's repeated sincerity, even a stranger would be swayed—let alone him.

"I'll take this token."

"Even if you're going to trick me again, I'll accept it."

Xu Xiaoshou waved his hand boldly, grinning as he grabbed the "Shou" character token. Only when the cold token touched his palm did he snap back from his fluffy cloud of euphoria: "But I'll tell you this—if you trick me too far, I'll walk away without a second thought!"

This Ba Zun An... what a terrifying silver tongue, wielding an illusion sword technique without even triggering spiritual awakening, lifting people straight to the clouds!

"Received fright, Passive Value: 1."

"How could that be?"

Ba Zun An smiled and extended his hand.

"Let's cooperate well."

Xu Xiaoshou lowered his head, staring quietly at that hand—the one with only four fingers. This was a historic moment! To his companions in Tian Shang Di Yi Lou, and to those who might join us later—if we get tricked in the future... don't blame me! Blame Ba Zun An for being too persuasive!

Xu Xiaoshou took a deep breath to calm the tidal waves in his heart and, under everyone's watchful eyes, gripped that hand firmly.

"Cooperate well..."

Splat!

A strange sound rang out, and blood splattered.

Xu Xiaoshou stared dumbly at the four fingers he'd just ripped off with his right palm, his eyes instantly losing their light. A chill rose from his feet, shooting straight to his skull.

"Holy shit!!"

"Sorry! I didn't mean to! I was too excited and forgot you're... you're handicapped right now..."

"Ah, no, that's not what I meant! Sorry, really sorry..."

Xu Xiaoshou snapped back and desperately apologized. He even grabbed Ba Zun An's wrist, hurriedly exhaling life spiritual energy like he was nurturing a delicate plant, trying to reattach those four fingers and restore the man's dignity, pretending nothing had happened.

Splat!

Another strange sound.

Xu Xiaoshou's words cut off abruptly. In that moment, his soul nearly left his body as he stared blankly at the severed wrist now in his left hand... then back at the bloody fingers in his right... then at Ba Zun An's face...

So serious.

Why had the world gone quiet? A beautiful melody echoed in Xu Xiaoshou's mind.

"Hiss!"

A wave of gasps erupted from the side.

Mei Ji Ren's paper fan dropped on the spot.

Lei Xier covered her forehead and shielded her eyes.

Shui Gui's scalp tingled, and he stumbled back, his body freezing like he'd fallen into a Jiu You cold cellar.

Xiao Kongdong muttered, "Amitabha," and fainted backward; Zhu Yike instinctively reached to catch him but ended up collapsing together.

Han Ye had never felt sleep so appealing; his little legs kicked, and he started snoring.

"Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha."

Xu Xiaoshou threw his head back and laughed four times, his voice bold and hearty: "What a fine day with gentle breeze and warm sun, under the vast Void Heaven!"

He quickly stuffed the fingers from his right hand into his left palm and reached into the void.

"Ha. Ha."

"All will be forgotten; the past is mere smoke... Come forth, my treasure!"

He reached again.

"Ha. Ha."

"Where's my Shi Zu Shadow Staff?"

He reached once more.

"Yohoh?"

"Though you can't see it, it exists."

"This thing was a gift from Kong Yu Hen—bet you didn't know Xu Xiaoshou and Kong Yu Hen are acquainted, the one from Yue Zhui Wine..."

"Enough."

Ba Zun An cut him off coldly.

"Sorry, really sorry, I didn't mean it."

In his panic, Xu Xiaoshou couldn't summon the Shi Zu Shadow Staff and was mortified. A spatial rift opened just in time, like a lifesaver. Xu Xiaoshou's figure shifted.

The next second, he cried out tearfully: "Boss, don't play like this!"

"At least leave the fingers and wrist so I can give them back!"

"Pfft."

Lei Xier burst out laughing, covering her mouth.

In that instant, everyone awoke from their " slumber," horrified as they looked at her.

The second true body stared at her with utter relief, as if she were a savior.

Even Ba Zun An glanced sideways.

Lei Xier's smile froze, her face turning red, her ears practically dripping blood.

"Sorry, I didn't mean it either."

She murmured so softly it was almost inaudible, her voice trembling.

As soon as she finished, Lei Xier's silver hair began to change color, turning black, and her body started to shrink—it was the invincible escape technique passed down in their sect!

But it got stuck halfway. Her hair turned half silver, half black, and when she opened her mouth, a reluctant lolita voice emerged, panicked and shrill: "I don't want to go out!"

"No, you have to."

"Don't come in!"

"No, I will."

"It was you who laughed; it's not my fault!"

"Ah!!"

That final scream came from the usually aloof Lei Xier.

The scene descended into chaos.

Everyone stared wide-eyed at the successfully escaped Xu Xiaoshou, then at the failed escape of Lei Xier, feeling the world had become wonderfully absurd.

Ba Zun An took a deep breath.

He was generally unfazed and knew people would overlook it, but now...

"Enough, really! You two."

Ba Zun An clenched his other fist, his knuckles cracking, his eyes twitching.

The world fell silent in an instant.

Lei Xier was stuck midway, her hair half silver and half black; the second true body held his breath, afraid to make a sound.

Everyone behind them didn't even dare close their eyes, fearing any noise would draw attention.

Dead silence spread over Void Island.

Ba Zun An was about to speak again, to break the silence and show his magnanimity, letting bygones be bygones.

But then, a spatial rift slowly opened in the void...

So slowly. So quietly. Like a turtle crawling.

As if, by doing so, no one would notice—as if all the wide-eyed people were blind!

From the rift, a hand silently emerged, gently poking the second true body's waist.

Then, it started stuffing fingers into his palm.

First one, second one...

After the fingers, it stuffed in the short section of wrist.

Hmm? Realizing it wasn't enough, the hand stealthily moved to the left, shoving Ba Zun An's wrist into the second true body's left palm...

Not a sound was made.

But under everyone's gaze, the silence was deafening.

"I've put up with you for too long!"

"Since Tian Sang Ling Palace, I've wanted to kill you!"

Ba Zun An's eyebrows shot up in fury, and with a roar, he summoned Mei Ji Ren's fallen paper fan, transforming it into a fierce airborne sword thrust.

"Fine! Kill me then! I deserve it! I don't deserve to live!"

The second true body roared in agony, shutting his eyes and unleashing his ultimate technique, trying to retreat by advancing and appeal to Ba Zun An's conscience.

Ba Zun An, with his excellent temperament and capacity for forgiveness—especially since Xu Xiaoshou had just joined Sheng Nu and they agreed on equality—halted his force at the last moment, not venting his anger on this innocent stand-in.

Only then did everyone feel their hearts, which had leaped to their throats, settle back.

But just then.

As Ba Zun An withdrew his power, the unrestrained paper fan "whoosh" opened on its own.

That sound was piercing!

Louder than Zu Yuan Di Jie itself!

Everyone turned to look at the paper fan Ba Zun An held by its end, raised high.

The fan's surface bore bold, flourishing characters: on the side everyone saw, "It's all good."

On the side Ba Zun An saw, "Impressive."

Mei Ji Ren's heart seized, nearly stopping.

Ba Zun An, like a puppet on strings, mechanically turned his head toward the immortal-like Mei Ji Ren.

The old sword saint had already closed his eyes, another opened fan in front of his face.

On it, two bold characters: "Apologies."

You didn't mean it either?

"Uh."

Ba Zun An grunted, his chest heaving as blood trickled from his lips.