Chapter Fifteen: Itching Fleas

Han Cheng District.

“Heh, let them make a scene, the bigger the better!”

Atop a certain rooftop, a man in sect robes watched the two surrounded by layer upon layer of guards, a sinister grin spreading across his face.

If Tianming were here, he would have immediately recognized this as Xie Xin, the outer disciple who had accompanied Pei Xu on their last visit.

Initially, Xie Xin had been extremely reluctant to be sent by Pei Xu to investigate the situation here, but now his face was alight with glee—this time, they had fallen right into his hands.

He still remembered how humiliated he and his senior sister had been—why should a mere Martial Adept be so popular and well-liked? Xie Xin couldn't accept it.

...

“Senior Brother Pei, nothing major happened up ahead—just a couple of people who refused to pay the registration fee!” After saluting the group before him, Xie Xin turned to Pei Xu.

“Do we need to call for reinforcements?” Pei Xu nodded, glancing at Xie Xin as he asked.

“No need, the outer gate guards will take care of it quickly. If we have to step in, what’s the point of all those City Lord’s men?” Xie Xin waved his hand dismissively, grinning.

Pei Xu…

After a moment’s silence, Pei Xu offered no further opinion, instead turning toward an elderly man beside him.

“What must come will surely come. Let us await the outcome,” the old man said, eyes opening—sharp as sword-light, stars glimmering with authority, his gaze piercing and electric as it swept into the distance.

It was as if he could see through the layers of walls, watching the young man who was fighting desperately against the guards, his manner profound and unfathomable.

“Yes, sir!”

As soon as the old man’s eyes opened, Pei Xu and the others responded in unison, instantly bowing their heads.

...

“Congratulations, Tianming has received: Ten Bottles of Itch-Inducing Fleas!”

Heaven-sent opportunity! Seeing the situation, Tianming knew his chance had come.

He quickly retrieved the bottles from his interdimensional space, suspending them mid-air with his Primordial Qi. Then, with lightning speed, he kicked eight bottles toward all directions.

“Quick, get out of the way!” Seeing Tianming kicking those odd objects, a guard outside the encirclement shouted loudly.

“Damn, don’t step on me!”

...

“Not those bombs again—I don’t want to die!”

“Run! He’s a monster!”

...

“Detonate!”

As each bottle of itch-inducing fleas hit the ground, Tianming willed them to explode. In an instant, countless fleas—ten billion upon ten billion, like swarming ants—leapt into the guards’ armor, especially those near Leng Yuansheng.

If one looked closely, each flea carried the aura of a first-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

“Hahaha… what’s there to fear from a few bugs? Watch me!”

At this moment, a burly man stripped off all his clothing and strode out, the scene oddly comical.

The fleas swarmed over his body.

Bang!

With a stomp, a wave of red energy burst from him, and the bugs dropped off instantly. The man’s grin grew ever wider.

“Look, those bugs aren’t dead!”

Suddenly, someone shouted. The fleas had only been stunned; in the next heartbeat, they leapt back onto the burly man.

“What? I’m a third-grade Foundation Establishment cultivator—how can I not kill a few bugs?”

“Ah, the itch! It’s unbearable!”

In no time, the guards behind the burly man were writhing on the ground, scratching madly at themselves and discarding their armor.

“Damn it, get away from me, you cursed bugs!”

Seeing the swarm of insects pouring toward him, the big man was both shocked and terrified. The stabbing itch and pain made his mind go blank, and surges of energy burst from him. The nearby guards suffered for it, knocked flying into the walls by his wild blows.

“You fat bastard, are you trying to get us killed?!”

“Ahh!”

“I want to go home—this is too much!”

...

The guards, writhing in pain and itching, howled pitifully on the ground. Even the iron-willed burly man was paralyzed, collapsing where he stood. Their tight formation shattered in an instant.

“Brother Tianming, I’m back again!”

Before long, Leng Yuansheng landed with a laugh, stepping on one of the fallen guards.

Splurt!

The already suffering guard died instantly under Leng Yuansheng’s foot, blood spurting like a fountain.

“Hahaha, old man, you killed someone!” Tianming burst into laughter at the sight.

“Well, wasn’t it your fault…” Leng Yuansheng shot Tianming a disdainful glance, his tone indifferent.

They could have entered peacefully, but now it was a mess. Who wouldn’t feel aggrieved?

“What could I do? I’m too poor!” Tianming spread his hands, smiling helplessly.

“As if you’re poor—just look at your clothes! Do you know how much those cost? Complaining about money in front of real paupers like us—you’ve come to the wrong place.” Pointing at Tianming, Leng Yuansheng looked exasperated.

As soon as he spoke, the onlookers cast scornful glances at Tianming. This was penny-pinching taken to a whole new level.

“Can I just say… someone gave me these?” Embarrassed by the stares, Tianming offered a sheepish smile.

“Damn!”

Comparisons really are infuriating. Leng Yuansheng cursed inwardly.

“Enough, Tianming—show them who’s boss! Don’t stop until they surrender!” Leng Yuansheng waved his hand solemnly.

Although they had been in the wrong initially, Leng Yuansheng simply couldn’t stand the City Lord’s men—their arrogance on behalf of others, their utter lack of flexibility. Even after all that, they responded with insults and distrust.

“You people—I’ll ask one last time. Are you going to report this or not?”

Turning, Tianming fixed the two ninth-stage cultivators outside the encirclement with a steely gaze, his eyes unblinking.

“This…” The two ninth-grade cultivators looked troubled. Just moments ago, an outer disciple had signaled from above that they must kill or capture these two by any means, to uphold the dignity of the Heavenly Sword Sect—the greatest sect of all. Even their Lord could not afford to offend its inner disciples, let alone them.

“Then die!”

Boom, boom, boom…

At the same time, Tianming didn’t rest. He brought out his Primordial Energy Cannon and, with the accuracy and speed honed by years of shooting games, fired shot after shot while their attention was elsewhere.

Bang, bang!

Streaks of black energy shot forth, carrying immense pressure, blasting into the ranks of guards who were writhing on the ground with uncontrollable itching.