Chaotic World Book
Chapter 329 - 322 Distract East, Strike West

Chapter 329: Chapter 322 Distract East, Strike West

The majority of people had not expected Xia Chichi’s meteoric rise.

Although everyone knew she was a prodigy, treasured by Vermilion Bird and groomed to be the next Sect Hierarch, it was still too bizarre. Zhao Changhe, ranked first on the Hidden Dragon List, couldn’t even make it onto the Human List, yet she, ranked third on the Hidden Dragon List, shot up directly to number fifty-eight on the Human List... In fact, she was actually at fifty-seven now, since Tian Lingzi at fifty-two gave up his spot, shifting the ranks below him.

The climb in rankings had elevated her above Yue Hongling, a long-renowned figure considered to represent the younger generation!

Yue Hongling was initially at number sixty-eight on the Human List and moved up to sixty-seven following He Lei’s death. Breaking through the Secret Realm earlier than Xia Chichi, her list of victories amounted to only one, defeating Chi Li, taking over Chi Li’s sixty-five, and with Hu Lie’s disqualification, she moved up to sixty-four.

This was considered more reasonable, inching forward step by step.

The result was Xia Chichi suddenly overtaking Yue Hongling... It was quite shocking to see that many fans felt indignant on behalf of Yue Hongling. Who knew how Yue Hongling would feel upon seeing this? Would she be provoked to challenge someone higher ranked to bolster her spirits?

On closer consideration, Xia Chichi and Zhao Changhe had a lot in common—anonymity for the first half of their lives, with a late rise starting last year.

Xia Chichi received the full-fledged cultivation of the Four Symbols Sect, her background much more solid than Zhao Changhe’s. Considering that, was Zhao Changhe’s ascent even more rapid? But being fast at the Mystical Gate Level is futile. How many have stagnated in the Secret Realms for a lifetime, unable to break through? Xia Chichi’s breakthrough came even earlier than some people’s initiations into their sects—which was simply outrageous.

Oh, and even earlier than her own.

No matter what others thought, Xia Chichi herself did not care about being on the Human List, but she was delighted to out-rank Yue Hongling.

You always looked down on me, always had that ambiguous relationship with him, a woman of low status and worth.

Now I’m ranked higher than you, aren’t I? Call me ’sister’, haha!

Wait, that’s not right... there’s an old woman with the surname Tang ranked even higher; can’t base it on rankings... Oh well, why compare with an old woman? Let’s see how I subtly mock her until she dares not speak when she’s in front of me!

Xia Chichi was practically humming a tune on her way back to the city, and continued humming as she entered the Money Gang.

...

At this moment, Yang Qianyuan was reaching the pinnacle of his life at the Main Base of the Money Gang.

He witnessed with his own eyes the Gang Leader of Money and many high-level powerhouses fall into Tian Lingzi’s trap and die, and managed to flee just in time to see Ye Wuzong carrying the toxic spider inside. Meaning there was a high probability that Tian Lingzi would not return to reorganize the remnants of the Money Gang. Moreover, Thief Saint had always shown no interest in syndicates like gangs...

Doesn’t it mean that the remnants of the Money Gang are now leaderless, waiting for him to take command?

Yang Qianyuan might have been a new low-ranking member, but that didn’t mean he lacked martial might! After all, he also came from an Aristocratic Family with profound heritage.

Looking around at the remnants of the Money Gang, he was actually the strongest one left...

So with a longsword in hand, he successively challenged the Money Gang’s leaders at all levels, emerged undefeated across the Main Base, and effortlessly suppressed the crowd. He stood proud and haughty: "Who else dares to object?"

"We are willing to serve under Boss Yang as the new Gang Leader!"

"Apart from Gang Leader Yang, who else is worthy to be our leader?"

"Exactly, Gang Leader Yang even has Mr. Wang Daozhong as his backing!"

Yang Qianyuan’s face briefly stiffened; he now suspected that sallow-faced man was likely not Wang Daozhong... But no matter, he had seen it for himself; that couple was also curled up on the ground, poisoned, barely alive, and probably wouldn’t survive...

At that moment, a flash of golden light streaked across the sky.

Yang Qianyuan gazed skyward, lost in thought: "So it was them..."

He couldn’t help feeling somewhat defeated. Although he had long passed the age of twenty-five and the Hidden Dragon List was irrelevant to him, he had never even made it onto that list... let alone the Human List. That couple was young, the center of attention, so enigmatic and prominent, while he...

He gathered himself; wasn’t his moment to rise starting now? Considering he hadn’t offended that couple and had even served them well, regardless if they emerged from the poison house or not, they wouldn’t trouble him, right?

Just as he thought so, the hall doors burst open, and Xia Chichi strolled in leisurely with her hands behind her back.

Yang Qianyuan’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly scurried to Zhao Changhe’s side, thick-skinned, calling out, "Mr. Wang Daozhong... Have you returned?"

Zhao Changhe grinned, "Young Yang looks spirited. Have you become the Gang Leader?"

Yang Qianyuan responded with a forced smile, "It’s all thanks to Mr. Wang’s support."

"Oh... being a Gang Leader must’ve brought you many treasures. Wang would like to borrow something from you; would you be willing to part with it?"

Yang Qianyuan, sensing something ominous, still braced himself, "Mr. Wang, you jest. Whatever you want, just take it."

Zhao Changhe amiably said, "My wife would like your head."

Before he even finished speaking, Yang Qianyuan was already running for his life.

But he stopped abruptly; Xia Chichi, appearing like a ghost, had blocked his path somehow.

Yang Qianyuan shouted angrily, "I have always served you well; when have I ever wronged you?"

Zhao Changhe replied indifferently, "Your brothers and sisters-in-law probably never wronged you either. To advance your status, we used you for our benefits. Using your logic, does Wang Daozhong’s rationale seem fair to you?"

Yang Qianyuan, panicking, screamed, "You’re being shameless! You’re not Wang Daozhong at all; you’re Zhao Changhe, merely at Mystical Gate Eighth Layer. If we all attack together, we might not lose!"

However, no one in the entire hall heeded him.

Who cares whether he is Zhao Changhe or Wang Daozhong? Who would risk their life for you?

Yang Qianyuan said angrily, "If it weren’t for believing that Wang Daozhong had our back, Boss Qian wouldn’t have been so reckless and fooled. This guy impersonating Wang Daozhong is practically responsible for our boss’s death. Don’t you want to avenge him?"

No one paid him any attention.

Xia Chichi seemed to be listening to his performance on purpose, waiting until Yang Qianyuan had finished speaking before she suddenly struck with a playful smile.

Yang Qianyuan discovered in despair that he couldn’t even block a single move and lost consciousness in an instant.

So, this is Human List number fifty-seven...

Xia Chichi, holding onto Yang Qianyuan, whispered to Zhao Changhe, "I’ll take this guy out of the east gate. You try heading towards Fire Flame Kunlun. Do you think old man Ye will believe we’re splitting our forces? Ostensibly, the sword pills are with you, but in reality, I’m using the excuse of capturing Yang Qianyuan to make off with them."

Zhao Changhe’s heart stirred, "But if he really believes that and comes after you, only to find nothing, what if he takes it out on you?"

Xia Chichi laughed, "Do you think that just because the Venerable said he won’t look after me, he really won’t?"

Zhao Changhe suddenly realized, Oh right, Vermilion Bird is here. Even if not ranked as highly as Ye Wuzong, it wouldn’t be much difference. It’s not easy to bully him. And if the sword pills aren’t on Chichi, Ye Wuzong wouldn’t necessarily insist on fighting to win. He’ll probably turn around to find me, and by then I’ll already be in the Secret Realm.

That will do.

Whether or not Chichi can secure the sword pills in one fell swoop.

No sooner said than done, Xia Chichi picked up Yang Qianyuan and sped off towards Liu Tuzhang’s place, where a caravan prepared to transport fabrics was already ready to go.

Xia Chichi stuffed Yang Qianyuan into the vehicle and led the group swiftly out of the city.

Sure enough, Ye Wuzong appeared beside the caravan after a short while, staring coldly at Xia Chichi riding ahead without saying a word.

Xia Chichi gave a charming smile, "Why such an expression, senior?"

Ye Wuzong’s face looked as if he had eaten excrement, "You actually don’t have the sword pills on you?"

Xia Chichi laughed, "How does senior know?"

"I’ve put a trick on the sword pills. If I’m close enough, naturally, I have a way to sense their aura," said Ye Wuzong with a stern face. "Otherwise, how would I find them if you buried them in any random pit?"

Xia Chichi laughed, "Senior is impressive."

"Impressive my ass," Ye Wuzong’s face soured even more.

It was foreseeable that they would split their forces. With his overwhelming Qinggong, even if he pursued the wrong one, he could easily turn back to chase the other. It didn’t really matter. But logically speaking, Xia Chichi would be the one wanting the sword pills. It made sense to chase her first; otherwise, if Vermilion Bird made a move to assist outside the city, it would be easy for her to escape with the sword pills.

What was the point of Zhao Changhe running into the mountains with them? How well would he know the terrain here? They could easily catch up with him later. Besides, if you allow that man to run off with it, aren’t you afraid he’d pocket it himself?

It only made sense to assume that the sword pills would be with Xia Chichi, yet they were not.

Even the anticipated assistance from Four Symbols Venerable was non-existent. Aren’t you afraid I’ll kill you in a fit of rage?

Old Ye, who was embarrassed by his wrong judgment, asked sternly, "He’s off flying with the sword pills alone, aren’t you worried he’ll keep them for himself?"

Xia Chichi laughed, "Then he wouldn’t be him at all. He wanted the sword pills for me in the first place; he wouldn’t even look at them otherwise, let alone pocket them."

Ye Wuzong asked, "What if you guessed wrong?"

Xia Chichi replied, "Senior, do you want to make a bet?"

"Forget it," Ye Wuzong said. "Where is your Zhuque Venerable? She’s not here; aren’t you afraid I’ll harm you? Or did you think she was here and didn’t expect she wouldn’t be?"

Xia Chichi replied, "I wasn’t sure whether she was here either. I always had to try..."

Ye Wuzong, looking curious, said, "You know she might not be around, and you still took this risk?"

"This is something I want for myself. Shouldn’t I take some risks for it? Can’t rely solely on men, can I?" Xia Chichi smiled, "Furthermore... whether the Venerable is hidden nearby, I’m not certain, but in fact, neither is senior. You want to steal the sword pills, not to show off. Since they’re not on me, there’s no need for senior to waste time attacking me here when you can go after Changhe, turning things upside down."

"Tsck..." Ye Wuzong nodded with a hint of admiration, "A gallant woman you are. With you in the Four Symbols Sect, it’s hard to say whether your rebellion will succeed, but becoming the most dominant force in the Central Plains is indeed within reach."

Xia Chichi gave a fist salute, "Senior’s magnanimity is something even I admire greatly. The Four Symbols Sect truly wishes to collaborate with the Thief Sect, not just to cozy up, but with sincere intentions."

Ye Wuzong, twirling his mustache and squinting at Xia Chichi, suddenly asked, "You trust your little man so much, wouldn’t you like to know who taught him the Disguise Technique?"

Xia Chichi’s expression stiffened for a moment.

Seeing her reaction, Ye Wuzong knew that nothing he said could have the same effect.

Do you think you can play Old Ye for a fool and I can’t give you some trouble?

I can still catch up to the sword pills, you go deal with troubles in your own backyard.

Ye Wuzong’s figure disappeared in a flash, his voice still floating in the air, "It was one of my unworthy disciples, named Sisi, better looking and more coquettish than you. He could vouch for Sisi to retrieve the secret book, what do you think their relationship is?"

Xia Chichi, with a twisted face, instructed Liu Tuzhang, "Send Yang Qianyuan back to the Main Base for now, we’ll deal with the Yang Family later."

Liu Tuzhang, terrified by her expression, asked, "What about you, Holy Daughter?"

"Of course I’m going to find my man! Do you think he wants to slip away and hide in the Secret Treasure for three days? Not knowing that he’s probably fooling around with some nonsensical lowly woman who popped up out of nowhere!"