"Does the Dragon Head not have the authority to command others either?" Li Daoqiang questioned.
Bai Xiaosheng wasn't surprised by the question and smiled affirmatively. "The Azure Dragon Society is a platform—a place for everyone to cooperate and trade. Even the Dragon Head cannot order other members around."
For someone like Li Daoqiang, getting him to obey anyone's commands was impossible, even for a peerless expert. Naturally, the Azure Dragon Society wouldn't set such a rule.
"Then what rights does the Dragon Head have?" Li Daoqiang asked curiously.
"You'll only know that after you join the Azure Dragon Society, Chief," Bai Xiaosheng replied with a smile.
Li Daoqiang gave a soft snort inwardly, not surprised. For someone who wasn't a member, Bai Xiaosheng had already said plenty.
He had to admit, if everything Bai Xiaosheng said was true, the Azure Dragon Society was indeed a decent place. At least it suited his needs and was more fitting for him.
But...
"I understand. I'll think it over carefully. Once I've made a decision, I'll let you know immediately," Li Daoqiang said seriously.
"Then we'll await your good news, Chief." Bai Xiaosheng nodded in salute.
"Hmm." Li Daoqiang gave a noncommittal response.
"There's a Qian's Cloth Shop in Jingzhou City. If you've made up your mind, Chief, you can send someone to notify us anytime. I'll take my leave now." Bai Xiaosheng smiled.
"Won't you stay a few more days at Black Dragon Stronghold? Let me fulfill my duties as host," Li Daoqiang offered politely.
"No need. I have urgent matters to attend to. We'll talk another day, Chief." Bai Xiaosheng shook his head with a smile.
"Very well." Li Daoqiang nodded, then suddenly shifted his tone. "Have you said everything you needed to say?"
Bai Xiaosheng was momentarily puzzled, unsure of Li Daoqiang's intent, but still nodded. "Yes, I have. Is there something you need, Chief?"
"Yes, there is one thing." Li Daoqiang nodded seriously.
"Please speak, Chief. If it's within the Azure Dragon Society's power, we won't refuse." Bai Xiaosheng quickly extended goodwill.
Li Daoqiang smiled, seemingly pleased with the response, and said with a straight face, "Brother Bai, look around—this is a mountain stronghold where we rule as bandits. Since you're passing through, shouldn't you leave a toll for safe passage?"
Bai Xiaosheng was genuinely stunned, a flicker of confusion in his eyes. Then, with a mix of surprise and disbelief, he looked at Li Daoqiang.
A toll!
At this moment, in this situation, asking a grandmaster-level expert for a toll!
It was absurd, unheard of. Even with his composure and experience, he wondered if he'd misheard.
Blinking to steady himself, Bai Xiaosheng said calmly, "Chief, are you joking?"
"Brother Bai, you jest. I never joke. Passing through Black Dragon Stronghold requires a toll—it's the rule. And I'm a man who values rules above all," Li Daoqiang said, as if sharing a casual joke among friends.
Bai Xiaosheng's eyelids twitched. He was now certain Li Daoqiang wasn't joking.
At that moment, he felt a strange sensation, recalling the most emphasized trait in Li Daoqiang's evaluation: greed for wealth.
This Li Daoqiang was truly obsessed with money, so avaricious it didn't suit a young man. Which young expert wasn't full of fiery passion? How could anyone be so blatantly money-hungry?
Should he have expected nothing less from someone dead set on being a bandit?
His thoughts shifted elsewhere. Li Daoqiang wasn't simple—demanding money might have other motives.
While pondering, he forced a smile. "How much do you want, Chief?"
At the mention of money, Li Daoqiang, acutely aware of his own poverty, seemed even more cheerful. "I have fixed prices here, Brother Bai, as you know. For grandmasters, I've set two rates: one million taels for ordinary grandmasters, two million for top-tier ones. Brother Bai, I'm not sure which level you're at."
As if realizing something, he added casually, "Brother Bai, how about we test it out?"
Bai Xiaosheng, suppressing his irritation and displeasure, felt a chill run down his spine. Suddenly, it was as if a wild beast had locked onto him.
He quickly shook his head, firm in his reply. "Chief, I'm far from being a top-tier expert. One million taels—I'll have it delivered as soon as possible."
He wasn't sure of Li Daoqiang's true intentions, but he didn't want to fight. One million taels was nothing to him, so he'd concede. Consider it a way to build a connection with Li Daoqiang.
A greedy expert was one of their favorite kinds.
Li Daoqiang, seeing Bai Xiaosheng dismiss one million taels so casually, felt a pang of envy and greed. Another fat fish—no, likely a fat sheep.
But the stakes were too high; he couldn't make a move.
Smiling, he said, "Brother Bai, don't sell yourself short. There's plenty of false talk in the martial world. Let's test it out. I'm a man who values facts and fair deals. I won't charge you a single coin more. Come on, let's try."
With that, he stood up.
His surging aura erupted like an angry ocean, crashing down on Bai Xiaosheng like a mountain.
Bai Xiaosheng's face changed. The overwhelming pressure left him no time to speak. As he raised his true energy to resist, he tried to refuse again.
But Li Daoqiang struck.
He took a step forward and threw a punch. The fist lacked the terrifying aura, appearing plain and ordinary.
Yet in that moment, Bai Xiaosheng's eyes filled with fear. In his sight, that fist consumed his entire focus, his entire field of vision.
Unstoppable. Unblockable.
Instinctively, his true energy formed a barrier, but the fist turned into a palm, piercing through the energy as if it didn't exist. The hand grabbed his throat.
Instantly, suffocation set in, and all his strength drained away.
"Chief... you?" Bai Xiaosheng's face flushed red as he stared at Li Daoqiang, inches away. Shocked by the sudden attack, even more stunned by the strength.
Peak grandmaster level, without a doubt! Otherwise, even if he wasn't a fighter, he wouldn't have been caught in one move.
As for a higher level, he couldn't be sure. First, there was Li Daoqiang's age. Second, even he couldn't confirm such strength.
Li Daoqiang still wore a smile. Seeing Bai Xiaosheng's expression, he said with a hint of regret, "So you really are just an ordinary grandmaster."
He released his grip, unashamed. "Brother Bai, I was just testing your strength. You don't mind, do you?"
Bai Xiaosheng took a few deep breaths, suppressing his shock and a surge of anger. He forced a smile. "Of course not. Your strength is remarkable, Chief. I'd say you're not far from the peerless realm."
"Brother Bai, you flatter me. I'm still far from that level," Li Daoqiang said dismissively. "By the way, Brother Bai, how will you pay that one million taels?"
Bai Xiaosheng, inwardly frustrated, could only reply, "I'll head to Jingzhou City immediately to arrange the funds for you, Chief."
"That won't do. Cash on delivery—that's the rule." Li Daoqiang shook his head firmly.
Bai Xiaosheng's anger flared, unable to stay calm. Damn rules—all made up by you!
But with the situation against him, he patiently said, "Then please send someone with my token to collect the one million taels."
"That works." Li Daoqiang agreed readily.
Soon, Ding Dian set off personally to retrieve the one million taels. Meanwhile, Li Daoqiang and Bai Xiaosheng continued chatting in the assembly hall.
Over an hour later, Ding Dian returned, glanced at Bai Xiaosheng, and handed the banknotes to Li Daoqiang.
Li Daoqiang checked them, then smiled at Bai Xiaosheng. "Good, fair and square. Brother Bai, you're free to go."
Bai Xiaosheng breathed a sigh of relief, glad Li Daoqiang hadn't pulled any more tricks. He stood, cupped his fists in salute. "I'll take my leave, Chief. We await your good news."
"Hmm, rest assured." Li Daoqiang replied politely.
Bai Xiaosheng left quickly. Li Daoqiang chuckled and pocketed the banknotes.
"Chief, this...?" Ding Dian asked curiously.
"Oh, nothing. Just an interesting place inviting us. Don't worry about it." Li Daoqiang said lightly.
Ding Dian understood. Li Daoqiang hadn't agreed and didn't want to elaborate. He nodded, reported a few matters from the Enforcement Hall, and left.
Li Daoqiang's smile slowly faded. He snorted inwardly. Acting mysterious and superior in front of me? Dream on.
The Azure Dragon Society was a good place, at least for him. But now wasn't the time to join.
First, he didn't know if Bai Xiaosheng's words were true. Second, whether chasing women, doing business, or buying things—anything easily obtained was never valued as much as what came with difficulty.
Especially for a cabal like the Azure Dragon Society. Only by showing greater strength would they yield more and take him seriously.
As for revealing his peerless-level strength outright to become a Dragon Head, it wasn't impossible. But Black Dragon Stronghold's foundation was too weak, and he'd only made a name for himself a few months ago. Becoming a Dragon Head would involve complications he didn't need.
Better to wait until he was stronger and crush them directly.
Besides, he was wary of being schemed against by those cunning leaders. Peerless-level schemers were all sharp as tacks. Dealing with them required caution, and the stronghold's weak foundation could be a vulnerability.
He himself likely wasn't strong among peerless experts, so there was no need to dive into intrigue and calculations now.
As always, wait until he was stronger and crush them outright. Wasn't that better?
So, take it step by step. No rush. Slowly fleece them—that was nice too.
Like the million taels in his pocket, falling from the sky, delivered to his door.
He believed that with the Azure Dragon Society around, such opportunities wouldn't be rare.
Glancing at the bandit system, where the points had increased by a million to over nine million, he deeply understood one thing.
The road ahead was long!
He was still very, very poor. Too poor.
(Thanks for the support.)
...