Chapter 1361: Creating from Nothing is a Miracle, Skillful Governance as He Ting

Taking the black gold bounty?

The killers of San Zhu Xiang were all stunned.

Ever since Xu Xiaoshou had slain Rao Yaoyao with his sword and become known as "Shou Ye," who in the world of assassins didn't feel a chill of fear at the mention of his name?

The era when Xu Xiaoshou was an easy target was long gone.

His strength had earned the recognition of everyone!

If time could be rewound, it's unlikely that so many assassins would gather on Gu Yin Ya again.

Upon hearing Shou Ye's name, they would avoid him like the plague—how could they possibly step forward?

—Xu Xiaoshou was infamous for his vengeful nature!

After he rose to fame, even his dark past was dug up.

Back then, when he was still weak, a man named Zhang Xin Xiong had offended him, leading to the destruction of Zhang Xin Xiong and his entire Zhang family.

In that incident, Xu Xiaoshou was even suspected of manipulating Hong Yi.

Assassins cherished their lives—who would dare underestimate such a petty and vindictive person?

Even if they discovered Xu Xiaoshou's whereabouts, they might not dare report it, fearing that if they couldn't kill him, they would face his covert retaliation later.

But this Xu Gusheng...

Was he just a bold novice, or outrageously arrogant and reckless?

"He's really gone mad!"

"Yes, after wiping out so many assassins here, he must think he's unstoppable."

"Little does he know, mere two Tai Xu levels are nothing in Shou Ye's eyes. As for those below Tai Xu... they wouldn't even catch his attention."

"That's right. The opponents Shou Ye faced in Tian Kong Zhi Cheng were said to start at Ban Sheng level and go up without limit—he even beat a Dao Dian Zhu flying."

"Hush! Stop transmitting messages. I suspect he can hear us. And... no, his guard isn't weak either."

The hall was deathly quiet.

Yet, in the shadows, many were whispering among themselves.

Once they noticed Xu Gusheng glancing back subtly, they all fell silent.

Some thought bitterly that if San Zhu Xiang's true leaders—like Jin Zu or Shuang Dai—were here today, this Xu Gusheng wouldn't dare act so boldly...

"Xu Gongzi, please follow me to the second floor."

The San Zhu Xiang official bowed respectfully.

Though he had already thought highly of Xu Gusheng, hearing those words now filled him with surprise.

It wasn't surprising that Xu Xiaoshou's black gold bounty had reached such a lucrative level in such a short time.

That guy was even more troublesome than a gold badge hunter!

So, regardless of whether the intelligence Xu Gusheng provided was true, his audacity in claiming to take the black gold bounty earned the official's genuine respect.

In recent times, the gold badge hunters under his charge—either like Xie Lao who had gone missing or others who had all withdrawn from Shou Ye's bounty—had given up without exception.

"Lead the way."

Xu Xiaoshou said no more and followed the official up to the second-floor room amid the gazes of awe and fear.

The door closed.

A Ling Zhen activated.

The soundproof barrier followed suit.

Xu Xiaoshou didn't need to break it; with one glance, he knew this Ling Zhen couldn't harm him.

A mere third-grade Wang Zuo Ling Zhen—easily shattered.

The chance of this official transforming into Dao Qiong Cang was slim.

—Though Xu Xiaoshou appeared reckless, he was well aware of San Zhu Xiang's depths and remained vigilant at all times.

"Xu Gongzi, please have a seat."

The official smiled warmly as he poured tea and bowed. "My surname is Zhou. You can call me whatever you like."

"Hmm, Xiao Zhou."

Zhou official nearly spilled the tea from the shock but steadied himself and looked up with a laugh. "Xu Gongzi, were your earlier words sincere?"

As soon as he spoke, he met the young master's unfriendly gaze. "Does this gongzi speak like he's farting?"

Is this guy covered in thorns? His words are so sharp... Zhou official's mouth twitched as he respectfully handed over the tea and apologized. "It was Zhou's mistake. Xu Gongzi's words carry the weight of nine tripods; it's just that my ears aren't working well. Please don't take it to heart."

Xu Xiaoshou took the tea, glanced at it, and his mind flashed with related information from "Culinary Mastery."

Summary: Non-toxic.

Only then did he look up and seriously size up Zhou official.

A fat, big-eared Tai Xu.

A scheming villain hiding a knife behind his smile.

His killing intent was well concealed—probably because he hadn't killed much lately—but he must have been an assassin in the past.

This was only the third time Xu Xiaoshou had seen a Tai Xu so obsequious.

"If your ears don't work, get them fixed. If you can't talk, get someone else to attend to this gongzi..."

After taking a sip of tea, the young master's Xu Gusheng aura seemed to ease a bit:

"Not bad, it's good tea!"

"Does San Zhu Xiang have many Tai Xu like you, Zhou official?" he shifted the topic.

Zhou official forced a smile, thinking to himself, Is this questioning or interrogation? Is this even about business?

On the surface, he remained calm. "Not many, just some odd jobs."

"Not many—how many exactly?"

"Uh..."

"Can't say? Inconvenient? Or looking down on this gongzi and not wanting to say?"

Even with Zhou official's deep composure, he was pressed to change expression and quickly replied, "No, no, Xu Gongzi. San Zhu Xiang has about seven or eight officials like me."

"Seven or eight managing such a large headquarters? Handling all those gold badge hunter orders? Are you stupid, or do you think this gongzi is a fool to be deceived?"

"Uh..."

"Be honest. This gongzi is just curious; it shouldn't involve San Zhu Xiang's secrets. Of course, if you really can't say, I won't force it."

Zhou official's face turned pale.

Feeling the atmosphere in the room drop to a freezing point, he felt like he had walked into a wolf's den!

This isn't forcing—what is?

"Thirty-two people..." Zhou official said reluctantly.

"Impressive! That's really a lot—more than I expected." Xu Xiaoshou clicked his tongue inwardly but kept a calm face: "So, with thirty-two people, how many gold badge hunters does each one handle?" This was intelligence he'd read from souls.

"Cursed, passive value, 1."

"Not hiding anything from you, Zhou official—I know Xie Lao, and he recommended I come to you."

"Xie Lao?"

Zhou official was moved.

He was one of the hunters under his charge, with single-line contact—outsiders couldn't know.

"Where is Xie Lao now? I haven't seen him in a long time..."

"Dead."

The young master smirked, and Zhou official's words halted.

He had guessed as much.

That person could even slay Rao Yaoyao—hunters taking the black gold bounty were just rushing to serve as dishes for the King of Hell.

"Zhou official, you seem quite interested in Xie Lao's death?"

"No, no, no!" Zhou official jumped in fright. "Xu Gongzi, don't mess with me. I'm not interested at all. If you keep saying that, I'll really have to get someone else to receive you."

"Then you still haven't answered my earlier question—about the thirty-two officials and their responsibilities..."

"Xu Gongzi, please don't make this hard for me!" Zhou official looked distressed. "I really can't say."

The young master leaned back, crossed his legs, and stared at the man with a half-smile for a long time: "Zhou official, do you think we're negotiating?"

Zhou official's heart skipped a beat, his thoughts short-circuiting for a moment.

Has he gone mad?

Does he want to kill me?

I haven't offended him...

"Three!"

Zhou official wiped away cold sweat. "Normally, only about twelve officials like me move in both light and dark circles. The gold badge hunters under them number at most three each, and some have none."

"So there are over thirty gold badge hunters..." Xu Xiaoshou was a bit surprised. "I heard San Zhu Xiang has far fewer top hunters than that."

"You're joking, Gongzi. Excluding those in hiding, the gold badge hunters active in the Zhong Yu dark world these days—ten or so is already good."

"Ten or so..."

The young master murmured, then lowered his head. Zhou official felt a chill run down his spine.

What does this mean?

Ever since they entered the room, the man had dominated the conversation, asking question after question.

What was he planning with all this?

After mapping out San Zhu Xiang's structure, would he have his guard assassinate everyone?

—Nonsense!

"Chatted so much—won't you lose your job over this?" The young master looked up, teasing without worry.

"Heh, you're joking, Gongzi. My life comes before any task."

"Then say a bit more!" Xu Xiaoshou was a master at seizing the moment. "I heard San Zhu Xiang is backed by Sheng Shen Dian Tang—who's your connection?"

Zhou official's vision darkened, nearly storming out. So direct?

"Can't say?"

"This can be said?!"

"Really can't?"

"Xu Gongzi, don't push..."

"Jin Ren."

"Dark Department!"

Zhou official nearly jumped up, his face panicked. "San Zhu Xiang is backed by the Dark Department. Our intelligence sources can reach up to the Yi Department, and beyond that, I truly don't know!"

"It can go higher? Tell me more."

"I..." Zhou official was on the verge of tears. "I really don't know!"

"One question, three 'I don't knows'—what's the point of keeping you?"

"It's not like that..." Zhou official slumped to the ground, his lips turning white.

"You're quite the actor—I'll give you three breaths to perform."

"I..."

"Three, two, one—you can speak now."

Zhou official lifted his head, a mix of anger, shame, and fury in his eyes, with a hint of coldness.

The young master tapped his paper fan in his palm, his eyes lighting up with delight, and said seriously, "Just now, you thought about killing me! I didn't miss that!"

Zhou official met those mad eyes and shivered involuntarily. "Xu Gongzi, how could Zhou dare..."

"Then since you won't speak, you choose death?"

Xu Xiaoshou was uncompromising; dealing with this type meant being unyielding from the start.

Zhou official finally gave in, his lips trembling. "Can't say—truly can't..."

"Jin Ren."

"Rao!"

Zhou official blurted out, then startled himself into jumping up.

After glancing around and confirming the soundproof barrier was still active, he lowered his voice, tearfully. "Xu Gongzi, that's as far as I can go. I really can't say more..."

"Rao?"

"Yes." Zhou official actually started crying, wiping his tears—a seven-foot man shedding pearls for the first time in a soundproof room with another man.

"The Rao of Yue Bei Hua Rao Dao?"

"Wuu... I don't want to die..." Zhou official closed his eyes heavily. "Xu Gongzi, why are you asking all this? What do you really want?"

Xu Xiaoshou watched him amusingly as he pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his tears, waiting a moment before saying, "Just asking to see if San Zhu Xiang can withstand Xu Xiaoshou's retaliation."

Zhou official felt the dark world light up with a ray of hope and widened his eyes. "What do you mean, Xu Gongzi?"

"This gongzi knows where Xu Xiaoshou is... more precisely, my guard Jin Ren saw him while on a mission."

"Oh?"

"Oh what? That's all."

Zhou official was baffled.

This Xu Gusheng had laid out his tactics so clearly—it was impossible to probe further.

He opened his mouth to ask more.

But Xu Xiaoshou wouldn't relinquish control, offering a few slaps and a carrot before asking again: "Tell me more about that Rao situation. Don't worry—if your backers are this strong, this job will likely be safe, all profit and no loss!"

Zhou official fell silent again.

He realized that from the moment they entered the room, Xu Gusheng had him completely in his grasp.

Through him, he was swiftly uncovering San Zhu Xiang's intelligence—what could be said and what couldn't.

Now, with things at this point, his only option was to believe in that "all profit and no loss" line; there was no way back.

Not speaking meant death.

Retreating meant death.

If he spoke and Xu Gusheng's intelligence was fake, San Zhu Xiang would execute him later!

Zhou official sighed deeply and gave up resisting: "Xu Gongzi, do you know about the Sheng Di World Families?"

"The Yue Bei Hua Rao Dao one? What kind of person do you think I am? You can go on."

Zhou official wasn't surprised anymore.

This man had acted so erratically since appearing at San Zhu Xiang; if he had no backing, that would be the real shock.

If it's him, maybe he can take down Xu Xiaoshou...

Zhou official had no time to regret stepping forward to receive Xu Gusheng. Now, it was a dead end either way, so his will to survive drove him toward the only chance.

He leaned closer to Xu Gusheng, even adding a touch of flattery to his face: "Before, it was Rao, but not necessarily now."

"Oh? Go on."

"Xu Gongzi, do you know about the affairs of the Sheng Di World Families?"

"I know a little; I'd like to hear the details."

"It's like this. I heard the five Sheng Di World Families take turns with their 'shares' in each era to come down to Lian Ling Jie... well, for them, it's like descending from heaven to the mortal world! The representative for Rao family before was Rao Yaoyao."

"Hmm, Rao is cute."

"Yes, I heard Sheng Nu Shou Ye used to call her that, heh... Rao's external representative is Rao Keai, holding the position of Hong Yi Zhi Dao Master. But I also know that the highest level San Zhu Xiang can connect to is this Rao family."

"Is it the Rao family, or this Rao Keai?"

"The Rao family! Rao Keai is just the Hong Yi Zhi Dao Master, focused on sword cultivation."

"That makes sense, otherwise her sword wouldn't be so powerful... What about now?"

"It's different now. It seems the five Sheng Di World Families had some conflicts, and even the Sheng Shen Dian Tang's ten-person council changed hands. The one replacing Rao Yaoyao is from the Yue family, and even the 'share' that San Zhu Xiang can connect to at the highest level has been taken by the Yue family ahead of time."

This is interesting... Xu Xiaoshou fanned out his paper fan and tapped his teacup. Zhou official quickly bent down to brew more tea.

Xu Xiaoshou's thoughts extended.

The Yue of Yue Gong Nu?

Is there a way to play this? Does Ba Zun An know about this?

So San Zhu Xiang can even pull in support from the Yue family?

Good thing I only killed a few insignificant people earlier and didn't blow up the headquarters...

Xu Xiaoshou felt this trip was worthwhile. After sipping his tea, he said with interest, "From this, it seems you might actually handle Xu Xiaoshou and Sheng Nu's counterattack. Can you really bring in people from the Yue family?"

Zhou official's eyes grew serious. "If it's Xu Xiaoshou, and the intelligence is real."

This Xu Gusheng was speaking so gravely that even San Zhu Xiang's backers needed confirmation.

Zhou official sensed a great opportunity had arrived.

This wave of fortune and misfortune intertwined—whether they could seize it depended on his own ability.

Xu Xiaoshou glanced at the invisible Jin Ren in the void and suppressed a smile. "I only have a seventy percent chance of finding Xu Xiaoshou. I want a Ban Sheng position, but I don't want to face his revenge. Zhou official, what should this gongzi do?"

"Seven percent..." Zhou official inhaled sharply, his eyes gleaming.

That was Xu Xiaoshou!

Coming and going like a ghost.

Ever-changing, killing without a trace.

Even if he stood right in front of Zhou official, he might not recognize him as Xu Xiaoshou.

And this young master had a seventy percent chance?

"What exactly do you have, Xu Gongzi?" Zhou official stared deeply at the man before him.

Xu Xiaoshou knew the story of "holding rare goods for profit" and that some people, with a little manipulation, could become his own.

He leaned back, hands on the wooden chair's backrest, and smiled. "This gongzi can tell you, but are you sure you can handle what I say next?"

Zhou official swallowed hard, hesitating.

Xu Xiaoshou leaned back further. "If you can't, go get the highest-level person you can contact. I've had my guard tamper with the Ling Zhen here—it won't record our conversation, so you can stay out of it as an innocent bystander."

Won't record?

That means our talk is known only to heaven, earth, you, and me?

Zhou official felt underestimated; Xu Gusheng was deliberately distancing him.

The chance to withdraw was precious.

But the hope of rising to San Zhu Xiang's upper ranks was even more tempting.

Zhou official decided in an instant, clenching his fist firmly. "Xu Gongzi, after chatting this much, Zhou can't possibly stay out of it. You've got a good read on me..."

"How about this—handle the Sheng Nu Shou Ye matter through me alone."

"I'll secure the highest-level resources and assistance from San Zhu Xiang for you and ensure your personal information is absolutely protected during the operation, so no third party knows about you."

"That way, unless Xu Xiaoshou finds and kills me, you'll never be exposed. How about it?"

The young master listened with a half-smile and cut straight to the point: "In that case, this gongzi won't be exposed, but I also won't contact the Yue family directly. As the single-line contact, you'll get the maximum benefit."

Zhou official chuckled. "Heh, Xu Gongzi, I'll be honest—besides your rightful reward, after this, any rewards I get here will be half yours and half mine."

"And if I become one of San Zhu Xiang's main handlers later, with your capabilities and more collaborations like this, we..." Zhou official paused and made a casting motion.

"Cast a long line to catch big fish—a wise choice." The young master nodded, then shifted. "I take seven, you take three."

"Hiss!" Zhou official couldn't help but gasp. This Xu Gusheng was too ruthless!

The more it hurt to be cut, the clearer one became, and the world felt all the more real... Xu Xiaoshou smiled faintly as he watched the greedy Zhou official, knowing that after today, even if his plans were fake, Zhou official would go all out to make them real.

The art of controlling subordinates—Xu Xiaoshou had some insight into it.

"This gongzi can make you, and I can destroy you." He fanned himself lightly.

"Deal!" Zhou official agreed without hesitation, then added, "So now, we're mutual allies..."

"Dare I ask, Xu Gongzi, where did your guard Jin Ren see Xu Xiaoshou?"

In Zhou official's eyes, Xu Xiaoshou was no longer Shou Ye but a stepping stone to advancement, a ladder to climb, a path to fame!

Xu Xiaoshou looked at him with a light laugh but said nothing.

He finally averted his gaze, lightly tapping the tea water with his fingertip to leave two invisible characters on the table:

"He Ting."