Chapter 473: Xu Xiaoshou Is Good at Everything, Just Too Modest

“The famous sword... it went back?”

Gu Qing Er looked incredulously at the famed Blazing Python, which had returned to its original place. He could clearly feel that under the pressure of his 'Peerless Enchantress,' Blazing Python, also a renowned sword, simply couldn't endure such humiliation. It had indeed flown out. But where did the power that pulled it back to its original spot come from?

“Xu Xiaoshou, how is this accounted for?” Gu Qing Er asked.

Xu Xiaoshou had just recovered his senses from the shock. He never expected that a situation which seemed like a complete dead end would actually take such an unexpected turn. If the famous sword had truly been pulled out at that moment, Xu Xiaoshou admitted he wouldn't have had the nerve to renege on the deal. But now...

“What do you say?” he said with a smile, a renewed sense of delight spreading across his face.

This restriction was incredibly effective! A sword pulled out is like spilled water, but under this restriction, spilled water can be reclaimed. At this point, it wasn't a question of whether to renege on the deal. Indeed, Gu Qing Er failed to completely break this strange restriction, which means he didn't successfully pull out the sword.

“The sword has returned to its original place. According to the rules, you failed to pull it out. If you want to continue trying...” Xu Xiaoshou paused, then slowly extended a fist. “Yes, add a zero.”

“You!” Gu Qing Er's face turned green. After a long pause, he finally blurted out, “You're a scoundrel!”

Xu Xiaoshou spread his hands, looked at the famous sword, and said, “So did you pull it out?”

“I clearly pulled it out just now!” Gu Qing Er argued.

“Just now,” Xu Xiaoshou emphasized. “And now?”

Gu Qing Er: “...”

Seeing the other side remain silent, Xu Xiaoshou smiled helplessly. “According to your logic... if I were to pull out your famous sword now and then put it back into your scabbard, would the ownership of that sword also be mine? If you could truly take the sword away, I'd have nothing to say. But you pulled it out and then let it fly away; that should be your problem, shouldn't it?”

Xu Xiaoshou explained calmly, showing no signs of urgency. Gu Qing Er, however, grew anxious. He tried to speak, but the young man opposite him continued to interrupt.

“Returning to the point, the opportunity I gave you was to pull out the sword within three breaths... If you can take it, that's your skill. If you can't, how can you blame me?”

“I...” Gu Qing Er was completely choked. He vaguely felt that something was off. But still, if this 'famous sword returning to its place' was another one of Xu Xiaoshou's tricks, then how was he supposed to play this? Who knew that this time, after pulling out the sword, it would go back on its own? Even if he could curb the famous sword's movement the next time he pulled it out, would Xu Xiaoshou have a third trick up his sleeve to summon the sword away?

Passive Value: Cursed, +1.Passive Value: Remembered with ill will, +1.

Xu Xiaoshou laughed gleefully, completely unconcerned by the other party's resentment. Honestly, for a famous sword, it was already commendable that he wasn't going back on his word. This guy indeed couldn't break the latter part of the restriction. He couldn't possibly say something like, “You just pulled out the sword, so I'll give it to you!” Not to mention that's not how business is done. Just the act of 'giving' it away, Xu Xiaoshou himself wasn't sure he could manage. After all, he didn't possess a famous sword of his own that could be considered superior!

“Do you want to continue?”

This soul-searching question extinguished all of Gu Qing Er's anger. He fell silent. He pondered if there were any other countermeasures. He glanced at Shouye... Forget it!

“Second Senior Brother, I'm out of money.” Gu Qing Three looked over with pleading eyes, pitifully saying, “Adding another zero for another attempt, I can't afford that!”

Gu Qing Er's face twitched. Right. Little Junior Brother only has three hundred million. How can we continue? Xu Xiaoshou was too much of a swindler. Why was it that everyone else only started at one million, but for them, it was one hundred million? And he clearly had pulled it out...

“Damn it!” The more Gu Qing Er thought about it, the angrier he became.

Passive Value: Cursed, +1.

Gu Qing Three looked at the stalled situation, then suddenly his eyes gleamed, and an idea sparked in his mind. “Second Senior Brother! I've got it! You lend me your famous sword, and I'll use your method to force Blazing Python out, then pin it down?”

Xu Xiaoshou's heart tightened. How did this kid suddenly become so quick-witted? Trying to exploit a bug in front of me? “You...” He was just about to raise the price to end these two brothers' game experience. Could he truly be undermined by a joint effort like this? But then he suddenly had another thought. Perhaps, the famous sword's move just now wasn't its last trick? Perhaps even if this thing were forcibly bound to a master, it could still backfire on the master and refuse to be used?

It had to be admitted. Gu Qing Er was the strongest young sword cultivator Xu Xiaoshou had encountered so far. Perhaps, besides the Senior Brother who had yet to make a move, there were probably only a handful of peers in the world who could suppress this person. But...

If the famous sword didn't even want a continent-level prodigy like Gu Qing Er, then what was it waiting for? Xu Xiaoshou secretly glanced back at the famous sword, suddenly feeling an inexplicable palpitation. He nodded.

“Alright.” “You don't even have to...” Xu Xiaoshou pointed at Gu Qing Three, then looked back at Gu Qing Er, slowly saying, “I'll give you another chance. No need to add money; it's still one hundred million. As long as you can break the restriction and take the famous sword, this item will be yours.”

Everyone: ???Passive Value: Doubted, +246.

Gu Qing Three's jaw dropped immediately. “This...” Is this still Xu Xiaoshou? Is this still that stingy Xu Xiaoshou who would pluck a feather from a passing goose? How did he suddenly become so generous? Even Yu Zhiwen and Shouye were startled by Xu Xiaoshou's words. Considering Gu Qing Er's methods just now, it was conceivable that if he used his full strength, forcibly taking this famous sword might not be a problem at all. After all...

“He's from the Sword Mausoleum!” Shouye's heart grew anxious. But his thoughts stalled, and he suddenly realized that given Xu Xiaoshou's character, he wouldn't do such a good deed without a hidden motive. Then... “Holy power?” Shouye wondered with surprise. Could it be that Xu Xiaoshou also noticed the fleeting holy power fluctuation earlier? Did he realize there was something wrong with the famous sword? “But that holy power wasn't caused by Xu Xiaoshou, was it? If not him, then who?” At this moment, looking at the famous sword before him, Shouye's heart suddenly clenched. It couldn't be, could it? It couldn't be that he just came here to slay a ghost beast, to provide support and smooth the path for the future successor, and in doing so, he might just stumble into some kind of... Half-Saint's scheme? “This.”

Passive Value: Startled, +1.

“Second Senior Brother!” Gu Qing Three rushed to his Second Senior Brother, grabbed his sleeve firmly, and gently shook it. “What an opportunity! Such a great opportunity! If he tried again, the famous sword would be theirs!” He tried hard to convey his meaning with his eyes and was sure Gu Qing Er received the message. Even so, under everyone's gaze, an even more astonishing reply emerged.

“No need.” Gu Qing Er waved his hand, completely nonchalant.

“Huh?” At that, the entire crowd was utterly dumbfounded. “Is he crazy? What a great opportunity! This guy, wasn't he from the Sword Mausoleum? While the origin of famous swords in the world might be unknown to most, traces of almost all famous swords' final resting places can be found in the 'Sword Mausoleum'! Even the Eighth Sword Immortal's former strongest sword, 'Qingju,' was suspected to be within the 'Sword Mausoleum.' If anyone talks about sword collecting techniques in the world, these guys are unrivaled. And now, a golden opportunity is right before him, and he... gave up?” The scene erupted in an uproar.

Even Xu Xiaoshou felt surprised. He didn't want the famous sword because he vaguely sensed something was wrong with it. But Gu Qing Er... There's no reason for him to refuse!

“Why?” Xu Xiaoshou asked aloud. Gu Qing Er didn't reply but countered, “Is this your sword?”

“Naturally.” Xu Xiaoshou nodded.

“Have you claimed it?”

“Not yet.” Xu Xiaoshou said nonchalantly, “If I really claimed it, I wouldn't be bringing it out to scam people.”

“Then I understand.” Gu Qing Er waved his hand dismissively. “Little Junior Brother, let's go!”

Gu Qing Three was utterly bewildered. “Why? Senior Brother, that sword...”

Gu Qing Er sneered, “If the original owner of a famous sword can't even pull it out, what right do I have to be able to pull it?”

These words were not transmitted secretly. Everyone present heard them clearly. “What does that mean?” Everyone realized something was wrong. “What does this guy mean? Is he implying that Xu can't pull out the sword either, and that he's deliberately placed it here just to make a quick buck? Impossible! If he can't pull it out, how dare he put the sword here and let others try?”

“You're an idiot,” someone immediately slapped their forehead, realizing. “It's precisely because he can't pull it out that he's simply leaving this famous sword here to make money!”

“That's it! Why didn't I think of that!” At this, everything clicked into place, and everyone understood. “If Xu could pull it out, how would he dare to conduct such a transaction here with one of the only twenty-one famous swords in the world? Business, business... Heh, ultimately, who would dare to do this business without confidence?”

The scene escalated from quiet murmurs to growing shouts, finally turning into outright curses and reproaches. “Xu Xiaoshou, you're too brazen! Leaving an unpullable famous sword here to scam everyone's money? It's absolutely absurd! How dare you do something like this? Who gave you the audacity? Aren't you afraid of everyone ganging up on you? Even if you want to do business, at least you should have verified the goods yourself before putting them out, right? How is this any different from fraud? You dog! Give me back my money! You cursed scoundrel! Billions! May you die a terrible death!”

The discussions and arguments finally devolved into outright furious insults. All sorts of offensive words came pouring forth. Even Yu Zhiwen, knowing they weren't directed at her, felt a pang of discomfort in her heart. “Xu Xiaoshou...” She looked over with slight concern, wanting to see Xu Xiaoshou's reaction. To her surprise, the guy was completely unfazed. In fact, under such reproaches and curses, his face even showed a look of enjoyment.

“That's it?”Passive Value: Reprimanded, +231.Passive Value: Cursed, +244.Passive Value: Insulted, +165.Passive Value: Resented, +241.

The information bar was scrolling so fast it was practically smoking. Xu Xiaoshou looked at the rapidly flashing numbers, his heart nearly bursting with joy. Come on! Scold me, insult me! Turn your hatred into the source of my power, water the still-tender seedling in my heart!

Finally, as if they had grown tired of cursing, seeing Xu Xiaoshou remain silent, everyone's offensive words gradually softened, eventually fading away. The scene fell into an eerily strange silence. “Heh, no more talking? Stunned by the scolding? If you're smart, hand over the money obediently, and then offer up your name...”

The information bar finally stopped scrolling. “Had enough cursing?” This time, Xu Xiaoshou couldn't stand it any longer. He swept his gaze directly over the audacious person who had spoken last. With a glare and the pressure of his nameless sword aura, the fellow, who was only at the peak of Innate cultivation, immediately felt his legs go weak and nearly collapsed on the spot. “You!”

“If you've cursed enough, may I explain something now?” Xu Xiaoshou asked with a smile.

“Go on, explain yourself! I'd like to see what nonsense that broken mouth of yours can spew out!” Some people succumbed to Xu Xiaoshou's intimidation, but naturally, there were also those who weren't afraid of power.

Xu Xiaoshou smiled as he looked at that person and slowly said, “First, regarding this transaction, I have never used coercive methods. I have repeatedly confirmed the money you were to pay, and you did so voluntarily, correct?”Passive Value: Cursed, +220.Passive Value: Resented, +169.

“Second, the rules for pulling the sword were also determined by you. Even the queue was formed by yourselves. On this point, I never used force, did I?”Passive Value: Backbit, +238.Passive Value: Affirmed, +11.

“Third, the ownership of the famous sword belongs to me. Whether I can pull it out or not, and how I choose to use it, I presume it doesn't need the approval of you 'outsiders' present here. Am I wrong?”Passive Value: Cursed, +87.Passive Value: Supported, +6.

The entire audience fell silent. Xu Xiaoshou's words seemed to possess a magical quality. Just these three sentences. No matter how indignant or anxious the other party's emotions were, he simply stated a few undeniable truths in a calm, narrative manner. Those people were rendered speechless.

“It's not like that...” Someone shook their head, thinking this wasn't right, but no matter how they tried to voice it, every way they thought of seemed even more wrong.

“Then how is it?” Xu Xiaoshou looked over calmly.

“I, you...” “It's not like that!” The person struggled for words, finally saying, “Why is the famous sword's ownership yours? Just because there's a Red-robed figure covering for you, just because of his single statement? I disagree!” he said hatefully.

Shouye smiled. Xu Xiaoshou also smiled. “You disagree, but what can you do about it?”

“I...” “I can't do anything.” Xu Xiaoshou sighed, “Being weak is the original sin, but I don't blame you. Indeed, with the Red-robed Senior's approval, the famous sword is mine!”

“Senior!” Someone else spoke up indignantly. “We still don't understand why Xu Xiaoshou can own the famous sword. Is it just because he was the first to arrive? It's true that treasures belong to those who are fated to possess them. But Xu Xiaoshou might not even be able to pull out the sword. Why should he get ownership of the famous sword? If that's the case... Everyone is dissatisfied!”

Xu Xiaoshou was about to speak again, but Shouye stopped him, slowly stepping forward. “If I say the sword is his, then it is his. Red-robed figures never need to explain their actions.”

“I...” Everyone almost spat blood in anger. Compared to Xu Xiaoshou, who was still willing to speak, the Red-robed figure was completely unyielding. No matter how logically sound the arguments were, if Shouye didn't speak, he still wouldn't.

Gu Qing Er stopped. He had already led his Little Junior Brother to the end of the line, but at this moment, he couldn't help but turn back. “Senior, honestly, I've always trusted the Red-robed figures, but today, I must respectfully disagree with your actions.” There was no defiant gesture. But this single statement expressed Gu Qing Er's truest attitude.

“Exactly.” Gu Qing Three echoed. They participated in pulling the sword not for Xu Xiaoshou's sake, but for Shouye's.

Shouye looked at them, his expression still unperturbed. “Some things, Red-robed figures don't need to explain, and you have no right to hear them.”

At this, even Xu Xiaoshou was a little dumbfounded. Well, I'll be. The most arrogant speaker he had ever met was Shouye when he wasn't directly communicating with Xu Xiaoshou. That tone... Xu Xiaoshou put himself in their shoes and almost jumped up to slap the old man a few times. One could imagine how uncomfortable those young cultivators, whose faces had turned purple from being choked, must have felt.

“I don't have the right either?” Gu Qing Er retorted with a smile. He carried a sword wheel on his back, on which rested nine spirit swords. The spirit swords, without wind, gently moved on their own. This silent confidence, that imposing aura, directly sent a shock through everyone's hearts.

“You really...” Shouye thought to himself, 'You really don't.' After all, in this world, only the Eighth Sword Immortal had ever been able to slay a ghost beast with a Grandmaster's cultivation, throughout all of history. You're still far from it, young man! But Shouye stopped himself in time. Some honors and secrets belonging to the Red-robed figures indeed didn't need to be explained; it was their duty. But Xu Xiaoshou wasn't a Red-robed figure yet! Shouye, as per custom, could certainly ignore the noisy crowd before him. However, the ensuing consequences wouldn't just be limited to the public directing their resentment at the Red-robed figures. Instead, Xu Xiaoshou would be the primary target. Not explaining the truth was a trivial matter for him. But for Xu Xiaoshou, it could lead to ruin! Scanning the agitated crowd before him and then glancing at Xu Xiaoshou's calm face, Shouye suddenly felt a stark contrast. Even at this point, if he didn't speak, Xu Xiaoshou wouldn't proactively reveal it. This guy's character is truly impressive...

Shouye slowly closed his eyes, for the first time considering the feelings of others. “You truly have no right!” He said solemnly. Then, amidst Gu Qing Er's disdainful smile and the crowd's eye-rolls to the heavens, he sighed softly.

“Xu Xiaoshou killed a ghost beast. The famous sword is a reward given by a Red-robed figure. What's wrong with that? And what about you?” Shouye coldly snorted, angrily flinging his sleeve. “You demand ownership of a famous sword—where does your confidence come from?!”

This reprimand left everyone utterly stunned. “What? A ghost beast? Xu Xiaoshou killed a ghost beast?” Surprise and uncertainty began to appear on everyone's faces. Then, as their eyes met, the last trace of uncertainty deep within their pupils finally vanished completely, turning into utter shock!

“Are you kidding me? A ghost beast? If I'm not mistaken, ghost beasts are usually at the Throne level or higher. Xu Xiaoshou... killed a ghost beast?! How old is he? What's his cultivation level? My god!” Many in the crowd clutched their heads, their eyes wide with shock. Even Gu Qing Er, at this moment, was completely speechless with shock.

Xu Xiaoshou killed a ghost beast? His pupils constricted, and he immediately recalled the moment Zhang Taiying's death was reported during the City Lord's Mansion night banquet. It was classified as a ghost beast, subsequently killed by a Red-robed figure. Xu Xiaoshou, it seemed, was also completely absent at that time. And when he returned, he was even accompanied by the old City Lord of the City Lord's Mansion and several great Throned experts! Gu Qing Er clenched his fist. At that time, everyone was actually suspicious about this matter. But no one dared to believe that mere Xu Xiaoshou could slay a ghost beast. But now... With Shouye's affirmation, Gu Qing Er immediately concluded. The ghost beast at the City Lord's Mansion must have been killed by Xu Xiaoshou!

“So...” “So his true strength has already reached this level?” Gu Qing Er clenched his fist.

“Xu Xiaoshou, did you really kill the ghost beast?” Gu Qing Three also didn't believe it. But no one dared to disbelieve words spoken by a Red-robed figure!

“No.” Xu Xiaoshou calmly shook his head. He had indeed never killed a ghost beast. Zhang Taiying was a fake. The Black Nether in Zhong Qu's body had only been defeated just before he transformed. Even chasing it away was a stretch. If Shouye hadn't appeared in time, he would probably have been gone. Therefore, he could only answer truthfully. However, this 'truthful' answer completely changed meaning in everyone's eyes.

“So you really did kill it...” “So your strength has reached the point where you can kill ghost beasts. Then why did you... humiliate me like that on that day?” Gu Qing Three was nearly in tears of anger. So Xu Xiaoshou's strength that day was faked? The others also felt a surge of powerlessness. If it were other types of contests, it might be fine. Things like combat power, sword techniques—perhaps there would indeed be a hope of competing. But a ghost beast... Heh!

Passive Value: Respected, +211.Passive Value: Admired, +242.Passive Value: Envied, +63.

Shouye glanced at Xu Xiaoshou with a hint of appreciation. Honestly, for the young man to say that at this moment truly exceeded his expectations. There was no arrogance, no haughtiness. Nor was there the completely unrestrained joy that other young cultivators would display after receiving such exaggerated praise. A simple 'No' hid his achievements and fame deep within.

“Xu Xiaoshou...” “Ah, Xu Xiaoshou is good in every way, except he's too modest.” Shouye shook his head, smiling.

Passive Value: Appreciated, +1.