Super Soldier

Since he didn’t have to help with the business in the noodle house, Xiao Bing called Master Hou and told him about what had happened last night. Then he went shopping with Yezi and intended to buy some nourishing products for Su Xiaoxiao’s mother.

Master Hou was shocked upon hearing that Sima Hongchuan was sent to kill Xiao Bing, and was even more so when he was told that the killer had died by Xiao Bing’s hand.

It was impossible for Master Hou to not know Sima Hongchuan, given the intelligence system he had. He even knew that although the mightiest person in the Long family now was Lord Long, it was Sima Hongchuan who was considered to be the protector of the family. He was the pillar of the family before Lord Long had returned. But he did not want to be involved in the conquest of the underground world. He was merely responsible for the safety of the family, otherwise he could have united the underground in the whole province on his own.

Even Master Hou deemed this man troublesome. However, he was told that this man was killed by Xiao Bing. How could he not be shocked?

Master Hou hurriedly summoned Mu Tingchuan, his most trusted adviser. Soon after, Master Hou, Mu Tingchuan, and Miyamoto Shinji were in the room.

Mu Tingchuan frowned as well when Master Hou finished speaking. “Master Hou, this Xiao Bing is truly powerful, but he is still at the Transforming Strength stage, while that Sima Hongchuan is an Innate Master. You said that he killed Sima Hongchuan himself. I’m afraid that he wasn’t telling the truth,” Mu Tingchuan said vigilantly.

Master Hou sighed. “That’s what I thought as well. But Sima Hongchuan’s death is certain. Something like that will come to the surface sooner or later. And I believe that he would never lie to me. Alas, it seems that the importance I attach to this Xiao Bing is not enough. I had not expected that he has someone who could kill someone as powerful as Sima Hongchuan. Miyamoto, are you confident enough to kill Sima Hongchuan?”

Miyamoto Shinji stood beside Master Hou, his clothes white as snow. When Master Hou finished talking, he said, “I was told that Sima Hongchuan was an Innate Master. Yet, the level of the Innate can also be divided into Elixir-strength, Star-strength, and Void-breaking. Surely he isn’t at the Void-breaking level. Because word has it that there is only one person who has reached that level—the leader of the Dragon Gate. If Sima Hongchuan was at Elixir-strength, I might be able to kill him. But if he was at Star-strength, the chance will be much less.”

Master Hou sighed. “So it’s fair to say that, at the least, there is one man who is no less powerful than you who is at Xiao Bing’s service. Who might that person be?”

“There are two men who might be that person. One is called Gao Fei and the other is called Lil Bei. I was told that Gao Fei killed all the guards in the Northern Manor before, and up to now, he only showed a small part of his strength.”

Master Hou nodded. Then Mu Tingchuan continued, “This mysterious Xiao Bing is like a beast sleeping soundly beside Master Hou’s feet. But no one knows when he will wake up or who he shall bite.”

Master Hou smiled. “I know what you are about to say. You take Xiao Bing as a threat, whereas I take him as my alley because I already fixed my eyes on the Long family, who was about to start a war against us at any time. But you still believe that we should deal with our problems at hand first.”

Mu Tingchuan smiled bitterly. “Indeed Master Hou takes a longer view.”

Master Hou said gravely, “I wasn’t blaming you and I understand your opinions. However, we should unite whatever forces that can to come to our aid and put trust in each other. We don’t have extra energy to suspect our allies with for now. Anyone who desires greatness must have a broad mind.”

Looking at Master Hou, Mu Tingchuan nodded in approval.

Master Hou smiled. “This Xiao Bing has surprised me a lot. Don’t you think it’s a wise choice that I didn’t seek vengeance on him for the Peony Fairy? Now Sima Hongchuan is dead, which is a huge strike for the Long family. And now we know that there is a master who is able to kill Sima Hongchuan on our side, which at least gives us have a greater chance to win.”

“We originally had a 20 percent chance of winning, now that number has increased to 30,” said Mu Tingchuan.

Master Hou grinned. “The Long family is a powerful family. 30 is quite a large number. The odds will constantly be changing and no one can always be safe. Even the wise man Zhuge had never expected that Liu Chan would lose his kingdom. And brave as he was, Liu Bei died of disease in Baidi City. And the ambitious Cao Cao had not foreseen that the world would be taken by the Sima family. I have done my part, and the gods have a plan for the rest. Maybe I can destroy the Long family and maybe I will be defeated no matter how hard I try. The gods will decide who shall win.”

Mu Tingchuan sighed. “Master Hou’s comprehension of winning and losing is truly impressive. If you can destroy the Long family, you will definitely unite the underground world in the whole country and become the first emperor ruling it, given your unique mentality.”

Master Hou faintly smiled. Unlike Lord Long, on him there was no dominance that seemed to conquer everything. Nor did he have the canniness of Zhuge Jiangnan. However, there was a world contained in his heart. He was a rational man who would never be bothered by emotion. A man like him might be the scariest, even if he knew nothing about martial arts.

Xiao Bing went to the mansion of the Su family after he bought some nutritional products. Yezi went straight to the kitchen to help Li Chunlan with cooking after she asked Su Xiaoxiao to leave. She wanted Xiao Bing to talk to this girl because the two hadn’t had a good conversation in a long time.

Su Xiaoxiao became somewhat reserved when she was sitting opposite Xiao Bing on the couch. But she still looked aloof, which made her reservation very difficult for others to discern. The two fell silent for a moment. Then the girl asked, “How have you been recently?”

“Pretty good.” Xiao Bing smiled. “It’s not like we haven’t met recently. I see you studying with Maggie every day.”

“But you have been really busy and you scarcely come to the noodle house, let alone talk to me alone. I find that Maggie is truly a talented girl. Sometimes, I’m even shocked by what’s inside that girl’s head.”

Xiao Bing laughed. “I’m also shocked by her intelligence as well. The girl is truly a prodigy.”

Su Xiaoxiao said, “Brother Bing, all of Yezi’s family members are gone… If you and she won’t mind, you can move into our house. My sister’s room is vacant…”

“I know.” Xiao Bing seemed slightly depressed at the mention of Su Xiaoxiao’s sister.

Having noticed the dismay on Xiao Bing’s face, Su Xiaoxiao sighed and spoke in a low voice. “There’s no need to be sad. It’s all in the past now. And my mom still doesn’t know about it.”

Xiao Bing nodded. It was indeed something in the past, but he had not taken vengeance for this woman, which was still an entanglement in Xiao Bing’s heart. He once thought that he would find some evidence in Su Xiaoxiao’s place, but he failed. Maybe that one had lied to Su Peiya just for some money or maybe it was just a trap designed to kill Su Peiya and make Xiao Bing suspect his brothers in the Dragon Gate.

Anyway, no matter what the reason was, Xiao Bing decided to get back to the Dragon Gate after his strength was restored and begin to search for the people who set that trap for Su Peiya.

Xiao Bing asked smilingly, “How’s your mom been lately?”

“She’s quite good.” Su Xiaoxiao sighed. “Ever since she had left the hospital, especially after you started helping the business in the noodle house, the burdens on my mom’s shoulder were removed. She had been so tired these years and I have never seen her so blithe before.”

“Alas, she had experienced so much and it’s time for her to enjoy life. You should suggest to your mother that she should rest at home or take a walk outside more often. You ought to meet her demands as best as you can. I’m in the noodle house. There is nothing that she needs to worry about.”

Li Chunlan heard what Xiao Bing just said when she walked out of the kitchen. She was touched. “Xiao Bing, Peiya is so fortunate to have you as her friend. You don’t need to worry about me. I have become so much better after I left the hospital,” said she in a soft voice, smiling.

Xiao Bing grinned. “Not only has auntie’s body become much better, but you also will live to a ripe old age.”

“I like that sweet tongue of yours. All right, I should leave you two. Dinner is almost ready. Yezi is really a lovely girl. Though she’s not very good at cooking, she’s still one of the few girls who have such diligence.”

Xiao Bing guffawed. “Auntie, that doesn’t sound like a compliment.”

Li Chunlan seemed a little shy. “It is. She’s not like my Xiaoxiao or Peiya… She’s from such a big family, and girls from big families usually aren’t this polite and handy.”

Yezi craned her head out of the kitchen and glared at Xiao Bing and then she smiled. “Auntie, I like your compliment. The dish has been fried. How much salt should I use?”

Li Chunlan chuckled. “Just leave it to me. Lil Bing, go and wash your hands. Dinner is almost ready.”

“Okay.”

Smiling, Xiao Bing stood up and walked to the kitchen with Su Xiaoxiao. The tap was turned on and the two put their hands into the water in unison. Their hands accidentally touched and then they both withdrew their hands as quick as a frightened animal. Su Xiaoxiao averted her eyes shyly. Then their four eyes met and Su Xiaoxiao rapidly hid from Xiao Bing’s gaze, timidly.

In fact, Su Xiaoxiao was as beautiful as a girl next door and was aloof as a lotus that just rose above water. She was an innocent but cold beauty. She was rarely this shy, and the timidness stirred Xiao Bing’s mind. His eyes were opened wide uncontrollably.

In a moment, they both could hear their beating hearts.

“Thump, Thump, Thump!”

The two reached out their hands simultaneously. “You first.”

Once again, Xiao Bing’s hand touched her smooth and soft hands.