Chapter 0017: Big Buckteeth

The dwarf-like Bucktooth was relentless, raining punches and kicks on Zhang Xiao, who simply reached out, grabbed the back of Bucktooth’s collar, and hoisted him into the air. Even dangling, Bucktooth wasn’t as tall as Zhang Xiao sitting down.

Irritated, Zhang Xiao snapped, “Enough already! Believe it or not, if you keep this up, I’ll confiscate your lousy bag!”

At once, Bucktooth’s demeanor morphed. Flashing his signature teeth, he grinned obsequiously, “Come now, you’re a magnanimous man, don’t stoop to my level. I just missed you so much after not seeing you for so long, I got carried away, that’s all.”

With a cold snort, Zhang Xiao let go. Bucktooth tumbled to the ground, glanced at the corpse of the Taoist Wu, and clicked his tongue in admiration. “To make you this disheveled, that guy must have been at least Golden Core stage if not Nascent Soul, right?”

Zhang Xiao shot Bucktooth a look, warning him to watch his tongue—there were others around.

Quick to catch on, Bucktooth turned to size up the rest of the people in the hall.

At this moment, the villa’s main hall held only Jiang Yan, Jiang Kongqing, and several of Tiger Zheng’s subordinates—the guards who had first detained them.

Bucktooth slung one hand behind his back, clutched his cloth sack tightly with the other, and barked at the remaining men, “Haven’t you lot learned to scram? Or are you waiting for us to treat you to dinner?”

Those men were already scared out of their wits—a punch to shatter a man’s skull, was Zhang Xiao even human?

Without another word, they fled in a panic.

Bucktooth’s eyes then sparkled at the sight of Jiang Kongqing. He spat into his hand, slicked back his oily center-parted hair, and hurried over with a smarmy grin. “Such a beautiful lady—who would tie you up like this? No appreciation for beauty at all! Don’t be afraid, miss, Grandpa Shu will set you free!”

His approach only made Jiang Kongqing more nervous, and she shrank back instinctively. Who could blame her? Not only was Bucktooth’s appearance unsettling, but what normal person could leap out of a jade pendant?

Unperturbed, Bucktooth reached for her with a grin—until Zhang Xiao strode over and kicked him aside. “Get lost, you lecher! All these years and you still haven’t changed that filthy habit!”

He then untied Jiang Kongqing and Jiang Yan, assuring them, “No need to be afraid. This guy’s a treasure-seeking rat spirit. We have a contract—he’s half a servant of mine.”

At this, Bucktooth bristled, stomping his little legs and jabbing a finger at Zhang Xiao’s nose. “Damn you! Who are you calling a rat spirit? I’m a Treasure-Seeking Rat, a noble lineage among the rat tribe! How dare you insult me like that!”

Zhang Xiao replied lazily, “Isn’t a Treasure-Seeking Rat still a rat?”

Bucktooth nearly choked with indignation.

Jiang Kongqing and Jiang Yan studied Bucktooth more closely—a brush mustache, beady little eyes, and those unmistakable front teeth. He really did bear a resemblance to a rodent. The two exchanged incredulous glances—weren’t spirits supposed to be forbidden since the founding of the Republic?

Jiang Kongqing quickly composed herself and looked at Zhang Xiao. “Who exactly are you? And what is that... thing?” She pointed at Bucktooth.

Bucktooth protested, “I am not a thing! I have a name—Grandpa Shu, remember it!”

His antics finally made Jiang Kongqing laugh.

Zhang Xiao had no intention of explaining further. Instead, he asked about what had happened.

As it turned out, Tiger Zheng had arrived earlier with Taoist Wu and Master Zhang, barging into the Yunshui Villa. The villa’s security, including Steward Zhao, were no match for them and were swiftly subdued. Everyone was locked up to await Zhang Xiao’s arrival, but in the end, it was their own lives they forfeited.

Jiang Yan looked at the chaos—the corpses littering the room—and hesitated. “What... what do we do about all this? Should we call the police?”

He was, after all, just a businessman. He’d never faced anything like this and was at a loss.

Jiang Kongqing, however, immediately stopped him. “No, let’s not call the police. There’s no way we could explain this.”

Zhang Xiao gave her an approving look. “Don’t worry about the bodies—I’ll have Bucktooth take care of them.”

He shot Bucktooth a look. Reluctantly, Bucktooth slung down his cloth bag. “I’ve got a real treasure here!” he announced.

With that, the corpses of Taoist Wu and the others were sucked into the bag. Zhang Xiao then asked where the other captives were being held and sent Bucktooth to release them.

He turned to Jiang Kongqing and Jiang Yan. “I hope you’ll promise not to speak of what happened here today.”

They nodded without hesitation.

“As for your wife’s reburial site,” Zhang Xiao continued, “I’ve already found a suitable location. The feng shui isn’t as good as Pearl Mountain, but it’s a place where wind and water converge, an auspicious spot. The rest is up to you.”

He looked at Jiang Kongqing. “The real reason I came today was to collect the Goddess’ Tear ahead of schedule.”

She considered, then nodded. “You’ve helped my family so much, and today you saved all our lives. Even if you hadn’t taken care of my mother’s grave, if you want the Goddess’ Tear, I would give it to you anytime.”

With that, Jiang Kongqing went upstairs, retrieved an exquisite box from her safe, and carried a medical kit in her other hand.

She handed Zhang Xiao the box. “The Goddess’ Tear is inside.”

Zhang Xiao accepted it without opening it, nodding. “I’ll take my leave, then. I’ll leave the rest to you.”

Jiang Kongqing looked him up and down. “Are you really planning to leave like that? Aren’t you afraid of scaring people?”

Only then did Zhang Xiao realize he still had a bloody hole in his arm from Taoist Wu’s flying sword. Blood was trickling down; it was indeed a frightful sight.

Without another word, Jiang Kongqing opened the medical kit and expertly bandaged his arm.

When she was done, Zhang Xiao remarked, “You’re quite skilled at this.”

Just then, Bucktooth returned, impatient. “I’ve let everyone out.”

Zhang Xiao nodded, gave Jiang Kongqing and Jiang Yan a few more instructions, and left with Bucktooth.

Watching them go, Jiang Kongqing murmured, “That man is like a riddle wrapped in a mystery.”

Jiang Yan simply smiled at his daughter.

…

After leaving the Jiang household, Bucktooth eyed Zhang Xiao. “Are you going to tell me what cultivation level that dead guy was?”

Zhang Xiao responded grumpily, “Fourth stage.”

Bucktooth was astonished. “Fourth stage and he left you in such a state? Don’t tell me it’s happening again?”

Zhang Xiao shot him a glare. “You talk too much!”

Bucktooth muttered, “If that’s the case, when are we ever going to leave if not now?” With that, he made as if to run.

But Zhang Xiao kept walking, not even looking back. “Run if you want. Don’t forget, we have a contract. If I die, you die too. I’m so weak right now, even a shrimp could finish me.”

Hearing this, Bucktooth deflated like a punctured ball and hurried to catch up, whining, “What did I ever do to deserve this?”

Seeing him return, Zhang Xiao chuckled inwardly—he knew how to handle Bucktooth.

He held out his hand. “Hand it over.”

Bucktooth scowled. “What?”

“The Taoist Wu’s flying sword.”

Bucktooth’s face fell. “Zhang Xiao, you bastard! If I hadn’t stashed away that sword, you’d be dead now! It ought to be mine!”

Despite his protests, Bucktooth obediently pulled the silver flying sword from his bag and tossed it over.

Zhang Xiao grinned, “Don’t pretend—your Hundred Treasures Bag was mine to begin with. Keep complaining and I’ll take it back.”

Bucktooth fumed, but had no retort, muttering curses under his breath.

Zhang Xiao studied the flying sword. Its master was dead, so it was now ownerless and could be refined for his own use.

After a while, he tossed the sword and the box with the Goddess’ Tear to Bucktooth. “Keep these safe. The sword isn’t high quality, but it saves me the trouble of forging one. Once I resume cultivating, I can refine it and use it for the time being.”

Bucktooth stashed both items in his Hundred Treasures Bag and tilted his head. “Where to now?”

Zhang Xiao patted his stomach with a smile. “I’m hungry. Let’s eat.”