Li Daoqiang's eyes narrowed slightly, a playful smile spreading across his face.
"If I, the stronghold master, were to act personally, what difference would it make whether you all are involved or not?"
Bai Xiaosheng shook his head and replied calmly with a smile, "Chief, those people aren't easy to crack. Even threatening their lives might not force them to hand over their secret manuals. Besides, other matters aren't simple either—like finding them, or handling the aftermath. The ones who possess the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms are pillars of the righteous path. I'm sure you don't want an irreconcilable conflict with them. We can pin it on another faction and handle it ourselves, ensuring they never suspect you."
Li Daoqiang's gaze shifted slightly as he nodded inwardly.
*Professional.*
It was clear the Green Dragon Society had done this many times.
Turning his eyes, he asked with interest, "What if I want to use it openly and honorably?"
Using it openly would render the framing tactic useless.
"In that case, I'd suggest you target the Fire Cloud Evil God and obtain the Tathagata Palm. He's a villain of the evil path—no one will say a word no matter how you deal with him. Of course, the Tathagata Palm is a Buddhist divine art. If you acquire it and use it before the world, it will surely draw the attention of the Buddhist sect. What happens then, I can't say for sure; it all depends on your decision, Chief." Bai Xiaosheng said seriously.
"The Fire Cloud Evil God, Gu Jianhun—do you know where he is and how strong he is?" Li Daoqiang asked calmly.
"According to the latest intelligence, he's founded a Hell's Gate. As for his strength, he's been mad for years, with a fierce bloodlust, arrogance, and disdain for others. This doesn't align with the Tathagata Palm, a Buddhist divine art. So he likely hasn't broken through to the level of a supreme expert." Bai Xiaosheng said with considerable confidence.
Li Daoqiang pondered for a moment, then suddenly said dismissively, "Forget it. Following your methods, sneaking around all the time—it's no fun. I prefer to act openly and aboveboard."
Bai Xiaosheng was speechless. After a pause, he said, "Chief, would you like the Great Vajra Palm?"
Li Daoqiang's interest piqued again. "Do you have it?"
"If you want it, we can provide it." Bai Xiaosheng said firmly.
"But I still want the thirty million taels of silver."
Li Daoqiang paused, his tone settling.
Bai Xiaosheng was truly exasperated and said with a bitter smile, "Chief, thirty million taels is far too much. If we offer that to invite you into the society, then wouldn't we have to offer the same to invite other dragon heads? That's absolutely out of the question."
Seeing Li Daoqiang unmoved, he said earnestly, "Chief, though we can't give you what you want, I can assure you this: once you join the Green Dragon Society, anything you desire can be obtained by paying the appropriate price."
Li Daoqiang glanced at him indifferently, unswayed, and said calmly, "Don't tempt me with empty promises. In my business dealings, I'm particular about one thing: cash on delivery."
Bai Xiaosheng sighed, his expression hesitant. After a few breaths, he said sincerely, "Chief, fifteen million taels of silver, plus the secret manuals for the Great Vajra Palm and the Cloud Dispelling Palm. This is our final offer. If you're unwilling, I'll have to leave with regret."
Li Daoqiang's mind stirred. *Cloud Dispelling Palm!*
He feigned surprise and said, "Is it the Cloud Dispelling Palm of Xiong Ba from the World Society?"
"Exactly." Bai Xiaosheng nodded in confirmation.
*Could Xiong Ba be among them? Is he one of the dragon heads?*
Li Daoqiang mused inwardly, his face showing a contemplative, hesitant look.
Bai Xiaosheng didn't interrupt, waiting quietly.
After a long moment, Li Daoqiang smiled and said, "Fine, I'll agree to join. But if this Green Dragon Society doesn't meet my expectations, don't blame me for leaving."
"Haha, rest assured, Chief—the Green Dragon Society won't disappoint you." Bai Xiaosheng said with confident delight.
Li Daoqiang's expression remained noncommittal, though he felt a hint of anticipation inside.
"Chief, please wait a few days. In that time, someone will come to verify whether you have the strength of a supreme expert. That's when you'll formally enter the Green Dragon Society, and the silver and secret manuals will be delivered to you." Bai Xiaosheng bowed slightly, speaking with even greater respect.
"Fine." Li Daoqiang replied casually.
"Then I'll take my leave." Bai Xiaosheng said, rising with a smile.
"Don't forget the toll fee." Li Daoqiang said warmly.
Bai Xiaosheng's smile froze. *Even after joining the Green Dragon Society, he still...*
"Heh, Brother Bai, you'll have to forgive me. Other things can be negotiated, but rules can't be broken."
Li Daoqiang, as if reading Bai Xiaosheng's thoughts, reminded him out of consideration for the Green Dragon Society.
Bai Xiaosheng barely maintained his smile and bowed, "I understand."
With that, he pulled a small box from his wide sleeve.
Clearly, he had prepared it in advance—originally for a failed negotiation, but now he had to pay even after succeeding.
A million taels of silver was no small sum anywhere.
Li Daoqiang reached out and took it, casually inspecting it before warmly seeing Bai Xiaosheng off.
One million bandit points credited.
He was in a good mood.
Of course, the more important matter was the Green Dragon Society.
Fifteen million taels of silver, plus the Great Vajra Palm and Cloud Dispelling Palm techniques—another substantial gain.
And a bigger stage, with more channels for trade.
Li Daoqiang's face showed an expectant smile.
He waited patiently for a few days.
That day, he sensed a powerful aura approaching.
A supreme expert!
Along with Bai Xiaosheng's presence.
*They're here!*
Stopping his cultivation, Li Daoqiang looked north.
Before long, Bai Xiaosheng requested an audience.
"Chief, the Green Dragon Head has arrived. Please follow me to meet him." Bai Xiaosheng said respectfully.
"Let's go." Li Daoqiang agreed readily.
The two left the Black Dragon Stronghold and flew north.
After crossing dozens of miles, atop a mountain peak, Li Daoqiang saw a figure.
Dressed in white robes, appearing in his thirties, handsome and elegant, exuding an extraordinary aura.
Their eyes met instantly, each sizing up the other.
After a breath, the figure spoke first with a smile, "Chief Li, I've long heard of your reputation."
His tone was warm and polite.
"Haha, I've long admired the Green Dragon Head." Li Daoqiang replied with enthusiasm.
"Chief Li, let's begin." The Green Dragon Head said directly, his smile still present but with a hint of seriousness.
"Fine. This place isn't convenient—how about we move elsewhere?" Li Daoqiang said calmly.
"Lead the way, Chief." The Green Dragon Head gestured.
The next moment, Li Daoqiang flew into the distance, with the Green Dragon Head following closely.
Bai Xiaosheng quickly trailed behind.
After traveling hundreds of miles, they stopped in a desolate mountain forest. Li Daoqiang turned to face the approaching Green Dragon Head.
They stood several zhang apart.
In silence, both their expressions grew serious.
Suddenly—
"Boom!"
Two auras, like towering mountains, erupted and clashed violently.
Invisible ripples spread outward, stirring waves in the void.
The next instant, the Green Dragon Head and Li Daoqiang struck simultaneously.
Two palm prints, like small hills, collided.
"Bang!"
A brilliant flash of gold and cyan light.
A deafening roar echoed through the sky.
Below, the forest seemed to writhe like a dragon turning over, battered by a gale.
A dozen-zhang mountain peak split apart, and trees within a hundred-zhang radius were uprooted, leaving chaos everywhere.
Li Daoqiang and the Green Dragon Head were both pushed back by the shockwave, eyeing each other.
"Haha, Chief Li, your reputation is well-deserved. I welcome you formally to the Green Dragon Society." The Green Dragon Head suddenly laughed loudly, his tone warm.
Li Daoqiang's golden light faded, and he replied with a calm smile, "You're too kind, Green Dragon Head. But I'll only consider myself a member once I receive what I asked for."
"Naturally." The Green Dragon Head said casually, glancing at Bai Xiaosheng, who had just arrived.
Bai Xiaosheng understood and produced the prepared items.
A small box.
Li Daoqiang took it and gave it a quick inspection.
A stack of large-denomination gold notes totaling 750,000 taels.
Two martial arts manuals.
Glancing at the Great Bandit System, he saw an additional 1,500 bandit points.
"Haha, excellent, Green Dragon Head—you're straightforward. From now on, I'm officially a member of the Green Dragon Society." Li Daoqiang declared boldly.
"Welcome. The Green Dragon Society won't disappoint you." The Green Dragon Head said warmly.
Bai Xiaosheng bowed respectfully, "Subordinate greets the Dragon Head."
Li Daoqiang glanced at him but paid it no mind.
"Bai Xiaosheng, introduce the true Green Dragon Society to the Chief." The Green Dragon Head instructed.
"Yes."
With that, Bai Xiaosheng's expression turned serious as he addressed Li Daoqiang respectfully, "Dragon Head, as you know, the Green Dragon Society is a platform centered on the Green Dragon Head's forces, formed by many heroes. Now, including you, there are six dragon heads. There are sixteen non-dragon heads. Among the dragon heads, aside from the Green Dragon Head, none know each other's identities—only their code names. As for non-dragon heads, the dragon heads can know their identities. Dragon Head, what code name would you like?"
Li Daoqiang's expression remained unchanged as he asked with interest, "What are the code names of the other dragon heads?"
"The Green Dragon Head, the King Dragon Head, the Twin Dragon Head, the Heavenly Dragon Head, and the Nether Dragon Head." Bai Xiaosheng said seriously.
Li Daoqiang silently pondered these five code names.
The Green Dragon Head was obviously the man before him.
The other four—just from their code names—were hard to guess.
After a brief pause, he said firmly, "From now on, call me the Black Dragon Head."
"Yes."
Bai Xiaosheng immediately acknowledged and continued, laying out the true Green Dragon Society before Li Daoqiang.
(Chapter 1, thanks for your support. Please subscribe for the full story.)
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