However, this also shows that a third-tier grandmaster, without fear of backlash from bad luck, could easily kill this guy. At most, he'd suffer for a while afterward. This also illustrates that the lower the level of the world, the less valuable the protagonist is.
However, even Lin Yang's current fortune in this world is only at the second-tier Crimson level. After all, he can't carry over the various cooldown reduction effects from the main world.
The fact that it could turn a deep red was a result of his current status as the Imperial Preceptor, and his cultivation of both martial arts and body refinement. This meant that even Lin Yang, in a one-on-one fight, could not kill this protagonist destined for greatness.
"The Supreme Taoist? The Imperial Preceptor?" Huo Xiu asked in surprise.
To be honest, the name "Supreme Taoist" is incredibly enviable. Along the way, countless people have wanted to fight Lin Yang because of this nickname.
However, considering that this was a prosperous era and the imperial court was still very authoritative, and taking into account Lin Yang's identity, many martial arts figures collectively fell silent.
Seeing Huo Xiu's curious expression, as if he didn't know anything, Lina Yang couldn't help but laugh.
"Hahaha, great acting, truly great acting. In this world, almost every villain, every bad guy, possesses unparalleled acting skills."
The seemingly kind and amiable old man, Huo Xiu, who disguised himself as completely harmless, was a master of acting. On the surface, he knew nothing of martial arts; he was just a very clever, kind, and socially adept old man.
But who would have thought that this person was the ninth-ranked master of the Heavenly Ranking, the renowned Master of the Green Robe Pavilion?
Then there's Granny Gongsun, the leader of the Red Shoes faction, a super expert ranked third on the Tiger List. She has many aliases and can play any role convincingly; you can tell just by looking at her nicknames.
With so many aliases, such as the female butcher, the peach blossom bee, the five poisonous women, and Granny Bear, Lin Yang was no longer willing to comment on her acting skills.
There's also Elder Mu Daoren of Wudang, a seemingly kind-hearted Taoist who enjoys traveling and is indifferent to worldly affairs, deeply understanding the true meaning of Taoism. Who would have thought that this person is actually the owner of Ghost Manor, the legendary third-ranked Old Knife Handle on the Heavenly Ranking?
In contrast, Hosh's acting at this moment was somewhat exaggerated.
"Huh, what does the Imperial Advisor mean by this?" Huo Xiu asked curiously, seemingly not understanding anything at all.
"Hey, Master of Qingyi Tower, a top expert ranked ninth on the Heavenly Ranking, how long are you going to keep this a secret?" Lin Yang said with a sneer.
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Chapter Twenty-Nine: Virginity Training? Abstinence from Women? Dead Eunuch!
Upon hearing this, even Lu Xiaofeng's eyes widened, and he looked at Huo Xiu with a wary expression. Huo Xiu was really the Master of the Green Robe Pavilion? If someone else had told him this, Lu Xiaofeng definitely wouldn't have believed it.
But this man is the Imperial Advisor, the founder of the Dragon and Tiger Ranking; there is no intelligence in the world he does not know. Could it be that Huo Xiu is truly the ninth-ranked figure on the Heavenly Ranking, the master of the Green Robe Pavilion?
Seeing this, Huo Xiu still didn't react, and chuckled as he shook his head repeatedly, saying, "Haha, Grand Preceptor, you really know how to joke. Just think of the Green Robe Pavilion Master, what a powerful figure he is, and the Green Robe Pavilion under his command is one of the most powerful forces in the world today, with countless experts. This person's jokes are not easy to make. Grand Preceptor himself is not afraid, but this old man's small body cannot withstand it."
After saying that, Huo Xiu pretended to be extremely surprised and wiped his sweat. To be honest, he almost admitted it when Lin Yang first spoke; it was a close call.
Upon hearing this, Lin Yang glanced directly at Jin Jiuling, who was standing to the side. At this time, Jin Jiuling was still the chief constable of the Six Doors, and was under Lin Yang's command.
Upon noticing Lin Yang's gaze, Jin Jiuling smiled and said, "Hehe, I've heard that Boss Huo loves doing business. Well then, I'll do business with Boss Huo as well. As long as Boss Huo is willing to hand over Qingyi Tower, I'll get a hereditary earldom, plus three thousand acres of fiefdom."
"You know, with this status, Boss Huo won't have to worry about anything in the future. After all, a hereditary earldom plus three thousand acres of fiefdom is truly a legacy for generations to come. Even if you don't think about yourself, you should at least think about your descendants."
Upon hearing this, Lin Yang almost burst out laughing. Was this some kind of advice? The man before him, Huo Xiu, was a eunuch in all but name. And to talk to him about descendants for generations was just a blatant slap in the face.
As for the promise of a hereditary earldom and three thousand acres of land, it is true. Moreover, if Huo Xiu were truly willing to openly pledge allegiance to the imperial court as the master of the Green Robe Pavilion and the ninth-ranked figure on the Heavenly Ranking, he could indeed obtain both of these rewards.
After all, along the way, Lin Yang had been constantly investigating, both overtly and covertly, and had gathered a considerable amount of influence from both legitimate and underworld forces. Although he didn't have any noble titles, he had distributed quite a few hereditary positions as a junior officer in the Imperial Guard, or even a centurion in the Imperial Guard.
Therefore, the reward is real. However, Lin Yang was not optimistic about Jin Jiuling's persuasion. Discussing matters of longevity and power with a eunuch left Lin Yang speechless.
Upon hearing this, Huo Xiu's face darkened, and then he paused before saying, "I am really not the master of the Green Robe Pavilion. You have mistaken me for someone else."
Upon hearing this, Lin Yang nodded directly to Jin Jiuling. Seeing this, Jin Jiuling forced a smile and said, "I apologize for the inconvenience."
With that, the precious sword was drawn with a whoosh. Then, an aura of invincibility and domineering confidence swept over him.
Back then, before joining the Six Doors, Jin Jiuling was a lay disciple of Shaolin Temple and the junior brother of Master Bitter Gourd. He possessed exceptional martial arts skills and had received the true teachings of Buddhism, making him incredibly powerful.
Later, through continuous training within the official Six Doors (a government agency), and by repeatedly apprehending notorious thieves, he developed an invincible aura that made him invincible throughout the land. It can be said that most martial arts practitioners would be intimidated before the battle even began, their fighting strength immediately diminished by three points when faced with this aura.
Unfortunately, this time he was facing a veteran actor like Huo Xiu. Huo Xiu's acting skills were already at their peak, yet Huo Xiu didn't react at all. As for the reason for not intervening, it was even simpler. With Lu Xiaofeng here, he wouldn't stand by and watch his 'friend' be killed for no reason.
Just as Huo Xiu had predicted, Lu Xiaofeng struck first despite being late, unleashing his "Lingxi Finger" at the crucial moment, targeting Jin Jiuling's treasured sword. In a mere instant, the sword would automatically stop. Huo Xiu was quite confident in his eyesight.
After all, Lu Xiaofeng was a top-ranked expert on the same level as himself. As for Jin Jiuling, what was he compared to him when he went all out? He could take Jin Jiuling's life within a hundred moves.
Moreover, it wasn't just Huo Xiu who thought this way; Lu Xiaofeng thought so too. However, at this very moment, in this instant, Lu Xiaofeng's sure-fire finger strike encountered a problem.
Just then, Lin Yang, though arriving late, struck first, lightly extending his right index finger and tapping it with seemingly effortless force. A wisp of wind followed. The finger strike wasn't particularly powerful, but the timing was perfectly skillful.
It was precisely because its power was not great, because it contained no killing intent, and because the finger technique itself was extremely exquisite, that Lu Xiaofeng did not sense it in advance.
With a flick of his finger, Lu Xiaofeng's seemingly inevitable "Spiritual Rhinoceros Finger" was momentarily deflected. And in that instant, Jin Jiuling's broadsword arrived directly in front of Huo Xiu.
However, in that very instant, Huo Xiu fully demonstrated to Jin Jiuling what it meant to be a master of the Heavenly Ranking.
"How dare you!"
With a loud shout, Jin Jiuling's long-cultivated, majestic aura shattered instantly. At the same time, with the inhalation of a large amount of air, Huo Xiu was inexplicably raised several inches; his original target was the chest, but now he could only aim for the abdomen.
Then, Huo Xiu's abdomen suddenly deflated, shrinking by at least two inches. This mere two inches bought him another precious moment. Then, a powerful and profound surge of true energy emanated from his body and settled on his abdomen.
Then, with a clang, the sound of metal clashing rang out. Huo Xiu was forced back a full three zhang (approximately 10 meters). He was in a sorry state. His clothes at the waist were torn, revealing the soft armor underneath. Then, he spat out a mouthful of blood, clearly suffering internal injuries.
slap slap slap
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"Brilliant, truly brilliant! Master Huo's martial arts are as powerful as ever. To be able to react and dodge this move in such a short time is no easy feat."
"Putting everything else aside, just this powerful and profound true energy alone is unmatched by many in the world. This true energy is condensed and does not disperse, and is extremely pure, yet it does not have the abruptness of the Golden Bell Cover Iron Shirt technique."