Chapter 39: Damn, That's Tempting Enough to Lead Someone Astray!

"Young master, I beg you, please take my son as your disciple."

The words stunned Xiao Yang for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. This middle-aged man clearly held considerable status, likely an important figure in the Jiang family. Yet here he was, kneeling openly before Xiao Yang. No matter how this matter unfolded, it was a disgrace to the Jiang family. What kind of situation could drive such a person to kneel?

Curiosity stirred in Xiao Yang's heart.

"Please, stand up," he said, attempting to help Jiang Dachuan to his feet. But Xiao Yang, after all, was only a martial master; the gap between their cultivation realms left him feeling willing but powerless.

"My son truly wishes to learn the sword. Ten years ago, he was considered a prodigy—at six years old, he had already reached the tenth level of martial arts. But after witnessing Lord Zhou Jian’s battle, he became obsessed with the sword, vowing to become Zhou Jian’s disciple. From then on, he refused to train in anything but the sword, refusing to cultivate unless he could train under Zhou Jian."

As the explanation unfolded, Xiao Yang understood. Ten years ago, his own master had dueled a formidable opponent, and Jiang Luo had witnessed it. Since then, the lad had fixed his heart on becoming a sword cultivator, insisting on apprenticing under Xiao Yang’s master and no one else. He refused to train at all unless it was with the sword. It was because of this, not a lack of talent, that Jiang Luo, now sixteen, remained at the tenth level of martial arts—he had not cultivated in ten years.

Xiao Yang’s gaze shifted. This was truly a remarkable character, or perhaps an odd one: to ruin his own prospects just for the chance to become someone’s disciple. Not even a fool would do such a thing.

"Senior brother," Zhou Yan, moved by Jiang Luo’s story, whispered softly.

Xiao Yang looked at Jiang Luo, considered the situation, and decided to give it a try. He would talk it over with his master—after all, whether it was one duck or a flock, they still needed tending. Why not take on another disciple so Meng Changsheng wouldn’t be so lonely?

"Alright, I’ll see what I can do. But let me say this upfront: my master may not agree."

At these words, the Jiang father and son embraced each other and wept bitterly. Xiao Yang couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Was it really such a big deal?

"Thank you, senior brother," Jiang Luo said, then bowed three times to Xiao Yang.

"Stand up," Xiao Yang said, pulling Jiang Luo to his feet and barking at him. "I’ll ask about your situation, but whether it succeeds depends on your own luck."

He spoke ambiguously, for he couldn’t be sure if Zhou Jingpeng would accept the boy after hearing his story. The decision wasn’t his to make.

"Hand over the money first," Xiao Yang demanded, not wanting to waste any more words with the pair.

"Of course, of course!" Jiang Dachuan hurriedly agreed, producing ten promissory notes. Each note was worth no less than a hundred thousand.

Strictly speaking, these notes could no longer be called promissory notes—they were crafted entirely from unknown metals.

"Young master Xiao, please accept them."

Xiao Yang worried his system wouldn’t recognize the currency and took care to test it. After confirming that each note was indeed worth a hundred thousand silver, he nodded.

"We’ll leave for now. In a day, have him come with me," he said, planning to take Jiang Luo back with him. If all else failed, Jiang Luo could serve as a tea attendant on Spirit Sword Peak—it wouldn’t be so bad.

"Yes, yes!" Both father and son nodded eagerly.

"That’s settled, then. I have other matters to attend to," Xiao Yang said to the Jiang family, then turned and headed toward the city gate. This time, he passed through without a hitch; no one dared to stop them.

Inside the city, the buildings had returned to normal. Many were tiled houses. Xiao Yang turned to Zhou Yan and asked, "Junior sister, where is our shop?"

He had never been to North Desert City, so naturally he had no idea where their shop was located.

"Your shop is in the bustling inner city. We’ll have to walk a bit further," she replied mildly.

The two strolled onward at a leisurely pace. As neither wore the sect robes of the Giant Spirit Sect, no one approached them. Zhou Yan, however, drew more than a few admiring glances.

"Junior sister, do you want to wear a veil?" Xiao Yang leaned in.

Zhou Yan glanced at him in confusion. "Why would I wear a veil?"

"The way those men look at you is terrifying. Your senior brother can hardly bear it," he replied, earning a roll of her eyes.

"Hmph!" With a cold snort, she quickened her steps—though she hummed a little tune as she walked, her mood clearly restored.

Xiao Yang hastened to catch up, taking her hand and speaking with solemnity, "There are so many people here. Master told me to look after you. I must protect you closely."

Zhou Yan lowered her head and said nothing, letting Xiao Yang hold her hand.

"Hehe! Today is a good day," Xiao Yang thought to himself, humming a tune inwardly. It was the first time he’d so brazenly taken advantage of the situation. Her hand was soft and smooth—he found it hard to let go.

"According to the deed, our shop should be just ahead," Zhou Yan said as they entered a bustling street.

"The difference is striking," Xiao Yang murmured, stunned by the buildings on either side. The luxury was beyond description.

Nearly every shop gleamed with treasure light. Each signboard was adorned with at least seven or eight gemstones, each the size of a fist. The lettering was done in gold—undoubtedly real gold.

"Good heavens, isn’t this just tempting me to commit a crime?" Xiao Yang muttered to himself. He thought that if he sold all the signboards on this street, he might just reach the rank of Grand Martial Master. The allure of these signboards surpassed even that of a million silver.

"Senior brother, what’s wrong? You look odd," Zhou Yan asked, seeing Xiao Yang staring fixedly at the signboards.

"Ah! I’m just admiring how beautiful these signboards are," he replied with a smile. How he wished he could pry them off overnight and make a fortune.

"Of course. These signboards were crafted by renowned artisans. Each one costs at least thirty to forty thousand silver," she said.

Xiao Yang gasped, glancing up at the signboards. Thirty to forty thousand apiece—this street had at least a hundred shops. If he stripped all the signboards, he’d surely advance to Grand Martial Master.

He fell into a deep dilemma, with two little voices in his head: one urging him to take, the other forbidding it. The voice urging him to take was thrashing the other. Just as the forbidden voice was about to die, Zhou Yan spoke up.

"These signboards aren’t just beautiful—they’re inscribed with master craftsmen’s array symbols. If you approach recklessly, you’ll be attacked," she said, eyeing a golden signboard.

Instantly, the forbidden voice perked up, flipping the situation and knocking out the other.

"Damn! How could I do such a thing? That would be a crime," Xiao Yang realized, snapping out of it. As a proud disciple of Spirit Sword Peak, he couldn’t do something so disgraceful—it would tarnish his master’s reputation.

"Fatty probably ordered one too," Zhou Yan said quietly.

Her words made Xiao Yang’s eyes light up. He couldn’t take others’, but surely he could take his own.

With that, he dragged Zhou Yan toward the street.

"Come on, junior sister, I can’t wait to see our shop," he said—though what he really couldn’t wait for was to claim their own signboard, but he didn’t dare say so aloud.

Driven by eagerness, their pace quickened. Soon, they spotted the shop listed on their deed.

Following Zhao Yocai’s advice, he’d named the place Wealth Gathering Hall, intending it as a gambling house.

From afar, they saw a crowd gathered at the entrance.

"Who would have thought business would be so good?" Xiao Yang muttered. Originally, he hadn’t wanted to open a gambling house, but if business was truly booming, perhaps it wouldn’t be such a bad idea after all.