Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 3 - Getting On My Nerves

The streets were crisscrossed with many shops around. The Great Yan Dynasty had a vast territory, and Azure Billow City was just one of the many cities.

The best place for herbs and pills in Azure Billow City was the Treasure Pill Pavilion, and Liu Wuxie was on his way there. It didn’t belong to the city lord or any clan. It was a superior existence in Azure Billow City, and the Heavenly Treasure Sect was rumored to be behind it.

Despite being a low-graded pill, the Pulse Guarding Pill was not easy to come by, as it demanded a high level of refinement.

From far away, the plaque of the Treasure Pill Pavilion glittered with three golden characters. A great stream of people flowed in and out of the pavilion.

A vast hall greeted Liu Wuxie as he entered the Treasure Pill Pavilion. The hall had different sections for pills, herbs, and other items. The Treasure Pill Pavilion also offered materials from demonic beasts, such as their furs or cores, which smelled distinctively and radiated a savage aura through the counter.

“Young Master, may I help you with something?” A servant came forth and greeted him warmly, but the depth of his pupils flashed with disdain. Compared to others, Liu Wuxie dressed too ordinarily, and his clothes had faded to white from repeated washing.

“I wish to meet your boss, so please make a report.” Liu Wuxie saw the contempt in the servant’s eyes, and a cold sneer curled up his lips.

“Someone like you is not worth our manager’s time. If you’re not buying anything, leave,” the servant said without courtesy. He tried to push Liu Wuxie away, but Liu Wuxie didn’t budge. A hint of murderous intent flashed in the servant's eyes.

Many people noticed the commotion and paused their activities to watch.

Everyone in Azure Billow City had long heard of Liu Wuxie—his deeds from last night had spread like wildfire. “Isn’t that the Xu Clan’s son-in-law? What is he doing here in the Treasure Pill Pavilion?”

When the servant heard that Liu Wuxie was Xu Clan’s son-in-law, he sneered at him as though he was looking at something disgusting. He ripped off his act and glared at him. “Scram! You’re not welcome in the Treasure Pill Pavilion!”

The Treasure Pill Pavilion wasn’t under the jurisdiction of any forces, giving the servant the liberty to act cockily. This was because the customers who came into the Treasure Pill Pavilion would usually flatter them. This was the position of a mere servant in the Treasure Pill Pavilion, so one could imagine the lofty status of the Treasure Pill Pavilion itself. Even a mere servant wasn’t someone they could offend.

Liu Wuxie’s eyes grew cold, and a chilly aura surrounded the servant, making him stumble in fear. “You sure you want to pass up this deal? Don’t say I didn’t warn you. You won’t be able to handle the consequences if you miss it.”

“How dare a piece of trash like you threaten me?! Since you’re unwilling to leave, I’ll beat you to death before throwing you out!” The servant didn’t hesitate to make a move. He was strong, and he launched a punch at Liu Wuxie’s face with a blast of wind, making his hair flutter.

The servant would not attack anyone else, but Xu Clan’s son-in-law had a bad reputation in Azure Billow City. He was a pest that no one cared about. So the servant felt no pressure to attack him.

But before the servant’s attack could land, Liu Wuxie raised his foot and gave the servant a frontal kick in his abdomen. The servant flew back and crashed into the counter, breaking it. The medicinal materials on the counter spilled on the floor.

The abrupt kick surprised everyone, and they quickly vacated the surrounding area. They didn’t want to get involved in this matter as they would be expelled from Azure Billow City if they offended the Treasure Pill Pavilion.

“Cough...cough...” The servant threw up a mouthful of blood on the ground. Liu Wuxie was soon surrounded by ten or so servants, two of them armed with weapons.

“How dare you hurt someone in our Treasure Pill Pavilion’s territory. Take him down!”

A man wearing a purple robe stood out among the group. He was most likely a supervisor in the Treasure Pill Pavilion. Upon receiving his order, the servants dashed forth, stomping ferociously toward Liu Wuxie.

None of them were weak, and the purple-robed man’s cultivation reached the fifth level of the Houtian Realm. With strong momentum, the ruler in his hand swung down at the back of Liu Wuxie’s head.

Liu Wuxie had no choice but to retaliate as he would die at their hands if he didn’t. He strode the Seven Dipper Steps and easily avoided the incoming attacks before appearing behind them. His figure was like a ghost, waving his way through the crowd and avoiding all the incoming attacks.

Liu Wuxie balled his fists, and his movements were smooth as he performed the Spinning Back Fist. This was a simple punching technique, but it was perfectly executed.

His punch sent five servants smashing against the counter, causing a series of loud boomings. These servants weren’t weak and belonged to the third level of the Houtian Realm.

The purple-robed man roared and descended like an eagle, accompanied by a violent aura that swept all the herbs off the ground. He was on a whole new level compared to those in the third level of the Houtian Realm. Therefore, Liu Wuxie didn’t take the attack head-on and chose to duck instead.

He was more than capable of dealing with someone in the fifth level of the Houtian Realm, but he didn’t want to reveal his strength too early on. He decided to hide his strength until he found the culprit who wanted his life. But striding the Seven Dipper Steps, he easily avoided the incoming attacks, causing the purple-robed man to screech furiously.

The battle in the main hall naturally alarmed the entire Treasure Pill Pavilion as a servant ran to the inner chamber to call for reinforcements.

“Stop!” A bark echoed, interrupting the fight.

Liu Wuxie stopped and stood quietly at the center without a single injury on his body. On the contrary, eight or nine people lay on the ground, wailing in pain because of him.

A burly, old man strode into the main hall. When he noticed the herbs scattered on the ground, he flew into a rage. He fixed his piercing gaze on Liu Wuxie and released a terrifying aura.

The aura of a Xiantian Realm cultivator silenced everyone in the main hall, and they hastily retreated even further, leaving Liu Wuxie alone.

“Why did you assault our staff?”

This old man was in charge of the main hall in the Treasure Pill Pavilion. His name was Lei Tao, and he had served in the Treasure Pill Pavilion for over three decades. In his time here, he never encountered anyone daring to assault their staff in their territory, and Liu Wuxie was the first.

“I have business with your boss. Not only did this person disregard my request, but he even insulted me. He attacked me first, and my action is just an act of self-defense.” Liu Wuxie initially didn’t want to explain. Still, he could only briefly describe the entire incident to smoothly get the ingredients he needed.

“Who the hell do you think you are? Do we have to report to our boss just because of your demands? I suggest killing this person and setting him as an example to others.” The purple-robed man was enveloped in murderous intent, wanting to kill Liu Wuxie. The ruler in his hand began to flicker, and it turned out to be a lethal weapon.

The other servants nodded in agreement, wanting to have Liu Wuxie killed.

Lei Tao naturally knew the infamous Liu Wuxie of Azure Billow City, and someone had already informed him that the person standing before him was Liu Wuxie. So he could only suppress his rage out of respect for the Xu Clan. As for the losses here, he would personally visit Xu Yilin to demand compensation. After all, the reputation of the Treasure Pill Pavilion couldn’t be damaged. “I’m in charge here. Why are you looking for me?”

“There are too many people, and it’s inconvenient for me to discuss it here. Can we find a quieter place?” Liu Wuxie frowned because he didn’t want to talk about it in public, but he maintained a calm gaze even under the pressure exerted by Lei Tao. Unfortunately, everyone misperceived Liu Wuxie’s words, thinking he was snubbing them.

“Who the hell do you think you are?! I think you’re here to cause trouble. I suggest breaking his legs and letting him know the consequences of offending the Treasure Pill Pavilion.” The purple-robed man was relentless and prepared to make a move as long as Lei Tao gave the word. After all, he had all the anger pent up in his chest from how Liu Wuxie dodged all his attacks earlier.

But all he received was a resounding slap that echoed in the main hall, and he flew away like a broken kite, smashing against a wall in the corner.

“You’re starting to get on my nerves!”