The Heavens: Man Covers the Heavens, Refines Treasures to Become an Emperor

"What? Human traffickers?"

"You scoundrel! How could you do such a heinous thing!"

"We...we just misunderstood that young hero and that young lady..."

"Damn it!"

The crowd's emotions instantly reversed, shifting from blaming Jiang Xuan and the woman to anger and contempt for Hu Debiao. Many looked embarrassed, having been misled earlier.

Someone tried to defend themselves, muttering under their breath.

"This...who would have thought he was a human trafficker? The woman fainted again; we were fooled by him too..."

Jiang Xuan raised his head, his cold gaze sweeping over the people who had spoken up to defend themselves, finally landing on the middle-aged man who had been shouting the loudest, and asked indifferently.

"Didn't you hear her cry for help?"

The middle-aged man felt a chill run down his spine under Jiang Xuan's gaze, but he forced himself to argue.

"What good is calling for help? In this world, who knows if it's true or false? Acting rashly as a chivalrous hero might just get you into trouble; only a fool would do that!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xuan's lips curled into a mocking smile, and his voice clearly reached everyone's ears.

"If your wife, daughters, or sisters were kidnapped today, and they were desperately crying for help, but everyone around them thought the same as you and no one offered assistance, what would you do then?"

The middle-aged man's face instantly turned bright red. He opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.

Those around who initially thought they were right now felt as if they had been choked, their faces changing and becoming extremely ugly.

Jiang Xuan's words were like a needle, piercing the selfishness and indifference deep within their hearts.

Just then, the cultivator on the ground, whose joints had been dislocated, endured the excruciating pain and shouted sharply.

"Hu Debiao! What nonsense are you spouting! Shut up!"

Jiang Xuan turned his gaze to the cultivator, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"So, you're his accomplice?"

The cultivator roared, his voice filled with bluster but his heart was filled with fear.

"So what if it is? Kid, I advise you to mind your own business! There are some people you can't afford to offend!"

"Pfft!"

Before he could finish speaking, a black light flashed.

The cultivator's voice abruptly stopped, a thin line of blood appearing at his throat. His eyes widened as he stared at Jiang Xuan in disbelief, seemingly not expecting the other party to dare to kill him in full view of everyone. Then, his head lolled to the side, and his breath ceased.

"what--!"

When Hu Debiao saw his companion being killed, he screamed in terror, and his crotch instantly became wet, emitting a foul stench.

He was in tears, kowtowing repeatedly.

"Have mercy, sir! Have mercy, sir! I'll talk! I'll tell you everything! We're all from the 'Black Python Gang'! The gang sent us out to capture lone female cultivators or pretty women! It has nothing to do with me! We were forced into it by our superiors!"

"The Black Python Gang?"

"It was those scumbags from the Black Python Gang!"

"The Black Python Gang, which specializes in trafficking women! They deserve to die! They really deserve to die!"

"Kill him! Avenge the women they harmed!"

Upon hearing the words "Black Python Gang," an even greater wave of anger erupted from the crowd. The Black Python Gang was a notorious criminal organization in Yanxia City, specializing in human trafficking and forcing women into prostitution; they were universally hated.

Qi Yunxiao, standing in the crowd, watched things unfold and knew there was no more excitement to be had. In fact, given the Black Python Gang's notorious reputation, it was rather awkward for him, the young master of the Azure Light Pavilion, to remain there. So he decided to leave quietly.

However, as soon as he turned around, a figure appeared in front of him like a ghost.

It was Jiang Xuan.

Qi Yunxiao's face darkened.

"Jiang Xuan, what are you trying to do?"

Jiang Xuan looked at him with a half-smile on his face and secretly transmitted his voice.

"Young Master Qi, don't be in such a hurry to leave. Look, the Black Python Gang has committed numerous evils, incurring the wrath of both heaven and man. This is a perfect opportunity for your Azure Light Pavilion to uphold justice and win over the hearts of the people."

Qi Yunxiao was startled and replied telepathically.

"What do you mean? It's none of your business to interfere in the affairs of my Biguang Pavilion!"

Jiang Xuan's smile became even more meaningful.

"I'm just giving Young Master Qi a suggestion. If Young Master Qi refuses to cooperate... then I'll have no choice but to 'block the entrance of your Biguang Pavilion every day and beat up every member of the Qi family I see' until you're willing to rid the people of this scourge. Anyway, I'm just sitting here doing nothing."

"You!" Qi Yunxiao was so angry he almost spat out blood, his face turning ashen instantly.

He remembered his father's strict order not to provoke Jiang Xuan again, and he also remembered the chilling "Obsidian Scroll". He knew that Jiang Xuan had a powerful figure behind him that even the Azure Light Pavilion feared. This bastard was definitely capable of doing such a shameless thing! At this moment, he was truly suffering in silence, struggling violently inside, and felt so frustrated that he was about to explode.

Just as Qi Yunxiao was struggling with his inner conflict, Jiang Xuan gave him no more time to think and instead addressed the excited crowd, speaking loudly.

"Please be quiet! Listen to me!"

Everyone's attention was instantly drawn to it.

Jiang Xuan pointed at Qi Yunxiao, whose face was ashen and who was frozen in place, and his voice clearly echoed throughout the entire venue.

"This is Qi Yunxiao, the young master of the Biguang Pavilion! Young Master Qi is a man who hates evil as if it were his enemy. He was filled with righteous indignation when he witnessed such atrocities! He has promised me that the Biguang Pavilion will definitely step forward to eradicate the Black Python Gang, this malignant tumor, and restore a bright and clear world to Yanxia City!"

Upon hearing this, the entire audience fell silent for a moment, then erupted in enthusiastic cheers and praise!

"Azure Light Pavilion? It's the young master of the Qi family!"

"Young Master Qi is a man of chivalry and righteousness! We admire him!"

"With the Azure Light Pavilion taking action, the Black Python Gang is doomed!"

"Young Master Qi is truly virtuous!"

Jiang Xuan pressed his advantage, raising his voice even higher.

"Young Master Qi also said that the Azure Light Pavilion has a profound foundation and is full of experts. Dealing with the mere Black Python Gang is just a piece of cake! They will definitely uproot it in the shortest possible time and show no mercy!"

"it is good!"

"Young Master Qi is mighty!" "The Azure Light Pavilion truly deserves to be the pillar of our Misty Cloud City!"

The public's praise surged towards Qi Yunxiao like a tidal wave.

Qi Yunxiao stood there, feeling the expectant and praising gazes around him. His face burned, but his heart was cold and resentful.

He opened his mouth, wanting to deny it, but under the watchful eyes of everyone, especially under Jiang Xuan's threatening gaze, if he refused on the spot, he and Qi Yunxiao would lose all face! Moreover, he would completely offend these incited people!

He was filled with regret; he shouldn't have come down to watch this spectacle! Now, Jiang Xuan, that ruthless star, had put him in a very difficult position, forcing his Biguang Pavilion to fight the local tyrant, the Black Python Gang, to the death!

Seeing Jiang Xuan's slightly mocking gaze, Qi Yunxiao clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms. Finally, he forced out a smile that looked more like a grimace through his teeth, cupped his hands in a gesture of acquiescence to those around him.

There was only one thought in his mind.

Jiang Xuan! I, Qi Yunxiao, will never let you get away with this!
Qi Yunxiao stood there, feeling his face burning. The gazes from the surrounding crowd, which should have been filled with praise and expectation, now felt like invisible whips lashing at his face and heart.

Jiang Xuan, that damned bastard, had already vanished without a trace in the chaos, leaving behind this hot potato, which was forcibly stuffed into his hands.

He was uneasy, unsure whether to stay or leave, as if countless eyes were watching him, urging him to fulfill the "promise" that had been imposed upon him.

"Young Master, what... what should we do now?"

The attendant beside him cautiously approached and asked in a low voice, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible fear.

He had personally witnessed how Jiang Xuan casually crippled a True Martial Realm cultivator, and how he put his young master in a very difficult position with just a few words.

Qi Yunxiao, who was seething with anger, turned around abruptly upon hearing this, glared fiercely at the servant, and growled impatiently.

"What else can we do? Didn't you hear that bastard just confess? Black Python Gang! Go! Grab this piece of trash named Hu Debiao on the ground and take him back to the pavilion for a proper 'welcome'! Do you really want me to follow Jiang Xuan's example and just walk away, leaving behind a laughingstock for being untrustworthy?!"

He practically choked out those words, each one laced with humiliation and resentment.

The servant shrank back at the shout, but secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Dealing with the Black Python Gang was troublesome, but it was much better than being constantly harassed by a menacing figure like Jiang Xuan.

He quickly responded.

"Yes, young master! I will take care of it immediately!"

He swiftly beckoned to the other two guards, who then dragged the limp and groaning Hu Debiao off the ground like a dead dog.

"Young Master is wise!"

As the attendant worked, he didn't forget to whisper words of comfort.

"Although the Black Python Gang has been entrenched for many years and has some power, in the end it is just a group of shady thugs. Compared to... compared to that evil star, they are much easier to deal with."

He didn't dare to call Jiang Xuan by his full name, but his meaning was clear.

Qi Yunxiao's face was so gloomy it could drip water. Although he was arrogant, he was not entirely brainless. After calming down and thinking about it, he had to admit that the servant had a point.

Jiang Xuan has the "Obsidian Sanctuary" behind him, which even his father fears. His own strength is also so strange and powerful. If he really targets him and comes to cause trouble every day, the Azure Light Pavilion will probably never have a peaceful day.

In contrast, eliminating a notorious gang like the Black Python Gang, while costing some manpower and incurring the hostility of some underground forces, would outwardly appear as acting on behalf of Heaven, earning him considerable prestige, and the risks were indeed much more manageable. Thinking this, the pent-up anger in his chest finally eased a little, although the feeling of being forced to do good still made him extremely uncomfortable.

"Take that woman with you too," Qi Yunxiao added curtly, glancing at the woman who was still unconscious beside the carriage.

"Find out where she lives and send someone to take her back safely."

"Yes."

The attendant agreed and was about to instruct someone to do so.

Among the crowd, an older man who was a bit bolder couldn't help but ask loudly.

"Young Master Qi, when will the Azure Light Pavilion make its move against the Black Python Gang? Do you need our assistance?"

Qi Yunxiao's efforts to calm his emotions were instantly reignited. He coldly glanced at the old man, his tone icy and filled with a ruthless venting.

"Rest assured! Since my Azure Light Pavilion has spoken, I will never go back on my word! The Black Python Gang? Hmph, they won't see the sun rise tomorrow!"

Having said that, he was unwilling to linger there any longer. He abruptly flicked his sleeves, and with a heart full of resentment and anger, turned and parted the crowd, striding away. His attendants and guards quickly dragged Hu Debiao away, picked up the unconscious woman, and followed closely behind.

A burst of enthusiastic cheers and praises erupted behind them.

"Young Master Qi truly keeps his word!"

"The Azure Light Pavilion is mighty! It has rid the people of this scourge!"

"Great! The Black Python Gang, those scumbags, are finally going to be finished!"

Hearing the seemingly genuine cheers coming from behind him, Qi Yunxiao paused slightly in his brisk steps, his expression shifting between different emotions.

He was silent for a moment, then suddenly turned around and asked the attendant beside him in a low voice.

"Are they... really praising me?"

The attendant paused for a moment, then nodded quickly, his tone certain.

"Young Master, it's absolutely true! Your promise to eliminate the Black Python Gang has won the hearts of everyone here! We truly believe you have the courage and the sense of responsibility!"

Upon hearing this, Qi Yunxiao's tense expression eased slightly. He slowed his pace and murmured thoughtfully.

"This feeling... isn't too bad."

Being genuinely appreciated after helping others was a rather unfamiliar experience for this young master of a wealthy family, who was used to being respected and also used to bullying others, but it was certainly not unpleasant.

A moment later, his arrogance, typical of aristocratic scions, returned. He snorted coldly and gave an order to his attendant.

"Since the words have been spoken, let's make them count! Mobilize our forces and wipe out those Black Python Gang strongholds tonight! The ringleaders must be executed to serve as a warning to others! Let the people of Yanxia City see that Biguang Pavilion keeps its word!"

"My subordinate understands!"

The attendant understood immediately that the young master wanted to maximize the benefits of this forced "good deed," both to quell public resentment and to gain fame, while also venting the anger he had suffered at Jiang Xuan's hands.

He shook his head inwardly. This young master still lacked experience and composure; his thoughts were written all over his face. But... this was probably the normal behavior of a scion of a noble family.

……

Jiang Xuan didn't go far. He silently watched Qi Yunxiao lead his men away from the shadows of the street corner, observing the heartfelt cheers of the crowd. A faint smile played on his lips. Although Qi Yunxiao was frustrated, this matter was more beneficial than harmful to the Biguang Pavilion. He believed that the old fox Qi Xiaokong would make the right choice. As for the Black Python Gang? It was merely a sideline, eliminating a scourge for the people.

He didn't linger any longer; with a few quick movements, he returned to his secluded little courtyard.

As soon as he pushed open the courtyard gate, he saw a pile of objects shimmering with spiritual light neatly stacked on the stone table. Various metal ingots of different shapes and colors, crystals emitting different spiritual energy, and some auxiliary bottles and jars were the spiritual materials he had previously entrusted Chu Feng to collect for forging the battle sword.

Chu Feng was sitting at the stone table, chatting idly with Xue Jin, who was lying in a rocking chair carrying a wine jar. When he saw Jiang Xuan return, he immediately stood up with a smile.

"Brother Jiang Xuan, you're back? I've brought everything to you. Please check if everything is complete. If anything is missing, I'll go look for it." (End of Chapter)