After a moment of contemplation, Li Daoqiang organized the rough plan in his mind, then, brimming with energy, went to where Blood Saber Elder and the others were.
"Chief."
Blood Saber Elder and the others immediately bowed, their reverence even more pronounced than before.
No other reason—he had suddenly tossed them a captured Grandmaster, limp as a dead dog.
To them, it was utterly shocking.
Their awe for their chief naturally deepened.
With a casual wave, signaling them to rise, Li Daoqiang turned his gaze to Bian Bufu, who had already woken up but whose power was still sealed by him.
Seeing him look over, Bian Bufu's eyes flickered, then he looked away, an uncontrollable fear rising in his heart.
What had happened last night was too vivid for him.
Before he could react, a hand had grabbed his neck, sealed his power, and then he was trampled underfoot like a dog.
More importantly, the aura of death—he couldn't forget it even now.
Just a little more, just a little more, and he would have been crushed to death alive.
That terror of watching death descend had shattered everything.
Seeing Li Daoqiang now, he couldn't help but feel a shadow of dread.
Li Daoqiang offered a slight smile, stepped forward two paces, and said casually, "Blood Saber, stay. The rest of you, leave."
"Yes."
The others acknowledged and filed out. Blood Saber Elder stepped forward, ready to receive orders.
"This man is Bian Bufu, an elder of the Demon Sect's Yin Kui Sect in the Song Kingdom. You should know him. I won't kill him or cripple his martial arts. For now, let him secretly join my Black Dragon Stronghold, staying hidden in the Yin Kui Sect. Blood Saber, can you manage that?" Li Daoqiang said calmly.
Blood Saber Elder's eyes narrowed. After a brief thought, a fierce grin spread across his vicious face, and he said confidently, "Chief, just leave it to me."
Bian Bufu froze, then panicked.
"Li, Chief Li, you, you can't do this. I paid for it," Bian Bufu stammered in fear.
"Yes, the Yin Kui Sect is willing to pay, but I see you as a talent and want to invite you to join the Black Dragon Stronghold, to become family. Do you have any objections?" Li Daoqiang said evenly, his eyes like an abyss, looking down at Bian Bufu from above.
Bian Bufu shuddered, the words of refusal stuck in his throat, unable to come out.
But agreeing—he neither wanted to nor dared.
So he just shut his mouth, saying nothing.
Blood Saber Elder sneered inwardly. For a member of the Demon Sect, saying something so laughable.
Paying for safety was just a show for the world, a way to rake in more money.
No matter how much they kept their word, it couldn't hide the fact that this was all about banditry from start to finish.
A notorious Demon Sect member, in a situation where no one would know, thinking Li Daoqiang would keep his word? Was he stupid?
Did he really think Li Daoqiang was some kind of gentleman?
Ridiculous.
He was greedier and more lawless than anyone.
Because he was the one who made the rules.
Blood Saber Elder's heart churned with cold laughter, and the last shred of respect he had for the Grandmaster's status quickly faded.
But those thoughts stayed locked in his mind; he wouldn't dare breathe a word.
Li Daoqiang didn't care about Bian Bufu's silence. With a gesture, he signaled Blood Saber Elder to proceed, then walked to the side, sat down, and watched with interest.
Having Bian Bufu join the Black Dragon Stronghold was just for plunder points and an experiment.
He wanted to see if someone who joined secretly, clearly not sincere, could still yield plunder points.
If so, that would be great.
Even if the guy died later or betrayed him, half the plunder points would still be his, free for the taking.
This kind of setup could be expanded.
Besides, dropping a chess piece on a whim might come in handy someday.
"Heh heh." Blood Saber Elder, receiving Li Daoqiang's signal, laughed with a hint of excitement. He walked up to Bian Bufu, a strange pleasure welling up inside him.
Feeling Li Daoqiang's presence nearby, his courage swelled. So what if he was a Grandmaster?
Now he was at their mercy.
With a sinister grin, he said, "Bian Bufu, I've heard of you."
Bian Bufu's eyes sharpened. Li Daoqiang was one thing—he feared him.
But this mere Xiantian-level Blood Saber Elder dared to call himself 'elder' in front of him?
Rage flared inside him, but he didn't dare show it, keeping his head down in silence.
Blood Saber Elder wasn't in a hurry. He chuckled twice more and said slowly, "You heard the chief. From now on, you're part of the Black Dragon Stronghold, undercover in the Yin Kui Sect. How about it?"
As he spoke, he drew his blood saber and pointed it at Bian Bufu.
Bian Bufu, playing dead in silence, grew scared. He glanced at Li Daoqiang, who showed no sign of intervening.
Watching the blade edge closer, he couldn't help but growl, "Blood Saber, what are you doing?"
"Heh heh." Blood Saber Elder's face was all smiles, smug. "Don't worry, I'll follow the chief's orders—won't kill you, won't cripple your martial arts.
But aside from those two things, there's plenty I can do, hahahaha."
Bian Bufu couldn't help but shrink back, watching Blood Saber Elder's almost manic laughter, a chill running through him.
Nearby, Li Daoqiang felt quite satisfied. Look at that villainous face—perfect material for a lackey.
The laughter stopped. Blood Saber Elder swept his blade down, stopping right at Bian Bufu's crotch, and said with a malicious grin, "How about we start here? Lose this, and your martial arts won't be affected."
Bian Bufu's body trembled, his eyes blazing with fury as he glared at Blood Saber Elder.
He wanted to spit out threats, but with Li Daoqiang right there, he didn't dare.
Yet the sharp blade's aura near his groin made it impossible to stay silent.
Blood Saber Elder didn't stop. He continued, "After this, we'll cut off one finger from each hand—that won't affect your martial arts either.
Then the ears, just the outer part, careful not to ruin your hearing.
Then the nose and tongue, and finally the skin.
Plenty more. No rush, we'll take it slow. I'm really curious how far you can hold out."
With an eager, excited look, he raised his blade to strike.
Terrified, Bian Bufu broke down and shouted, "Wait! I'll join, I'll join!"
He turned to Li Daoqiang, swallowed, and said respectfully, "Chief, I'm willing to join."
Li Daoqiang smiled, nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Blood Saber Elder, giving him a 'keep going' look.
Blood Saber Elder understood, nodded respectfully, and turned to Bian Bufu with a hint of regret. "Agreed so quickly, Brother Bian? That's a bit fast."
Bian Bufu shot him a cold, murderous glare, his heart seething with killing intent.
Bastard, just wait. One day, I'll make you die a miserable death.
Blood Saber Elder knew exactly what Bian Bufu was feeling, but found he wasn't afraid.
Li Daoqiang was still here. Even if Bian Bufu hated him, what could he do?
What could he do to him?
Heh heh heh.
Laughing arrogantly inside, he relished the thrill of bullying through borrowed power.
So what if I'm not a Grandmaster?
A Grandmaster now trembled under his threats, too afraid to speak up.
But while his heart was wild, he didn't slack off. With a grin, he said, "Good, since Brother Bian is willing to join the Black Dragon Stronghold, we need to show some sincerity, right?
So, Brother Bian, write down all your martial arts.
Also, write a letter of allegiance in blood.
Besides swearing loyalty to the chief, you'll curse out the Yin Kui Sect and Zhu Yuyan and the rest. I'll teach you how to curse.
How about it?"
Bian Bufu's face twisted, grinding his teeth at Blood Saber Elder.
Too ruthless.
Even if the Sacred Sect didn't care much about appearances, leaking their sacred martial arts and cursing too harshly—
If it got out, even the senior sisters wouldn't let him off easily.
Thinking this, his heart trembled.
He wanted to refuse, but he didn't dare.
Suddenly, he realized that Li Daoqiang's promise last night not to kill him or cripple his martial arts was probably for this very moment.
The fear deepened.
Because the deliberate setup showed he was ready to follow through.
Li Daoqiang, meanwhile, was even more pleased.
Not bad. Blood Saber had executed exactly what he had in mind.
To be honest, he could have said those things himself.
But a Bian Bufu wasn't worth him stooping to such a slightly underhanded display.
So he left it to Blood Saber Elder.
The man didn't disappoint; without needing a hint, he smoothly carried it out.
Soon, Bian Bufu gave in and began writing down his martial arts.
Li Daoqiang checked on the spot. With his martial arts expertise and his innate War God talent, it would be very hard for Bian Bufu to fool him with fake manuals.
It seemed Bian Bufu knew that too, or was just too scared, because Li Daoqiang found nothing wrong.
After the martial arts manual, came the letter of allegiance.
"I, Bian Bufu, today deeply feel that Chief Li of the Black Dragon Stronghold is unmatched in martial arts, righteous and noble, the greatest hero under heaven.
Thus, I betray the Demon Sect and the Yin Kui Sect, voluntarily joining the Black Dragon Stronghold, offering all my martial arts, and from now on, I will be utterly loyal to the chief, or die a miserable death.
Also, what nonsense Sacred Sect—it wasted decades of my prime, just a bunch of madmen's delusions.
Especially the Yin Kui Sect, a pack of women and fools. Zhu Yuyan is the biggest waste under heaven, no wonder she always loses to those nuns...
...
I wish the Yin Kui Sect would disband soon, or join the Black Dragon Stronghold, so it stops being so disgusting."
Blood Saber Elder's smug voice rang out, making it up as he went.
Bian Bufu's hand trembled as he wrote.
Even if the Sacred Sect didn't care about appearances, if the senior sisters saw this...
His heart quaked with uncertainty, but he still didn't dare resist, writing obediently.
Finally, Li Daoqiang looked over the letter of allegiance, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "Good. Bian Bufu, from now on, you're a man of the Black Dragon Stronghold.
But you'll have to endure for a while, undercover in the Yin Kui Sect, contributing to the stronghold's glory.
Understand?"
"Yes, I understand. I won't let the chief down." Bian Bufu, knowing when to yield, bowed immediately.
"Mm, now tell me everything you know." Li Daoqiang nodded, a hint of a smile on his lips.
Suppressing his emotions, Bian Bufu began to speak slowly.
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