It was impossible for Hall Master Tang Sha to back down.
In front of so many gang members, if he didn't even dare to take a single palm strike from someone else, he wouldn't be able to be a hall master anymore.
In a few days, he would become the biggest joke in the capital's underworld; everyone would say he was as timid as a mouse, scared to pee his pants by a limping little girl.
These Jianghu people lived for their reputation.
If he were to be slandered like that, his reputation as 'Poisonous Mantis' would be completely ruined.
By then, it was likely that there would be no place for him in the Money Gang.
Ankang had precisely calculated this point, which was why she made such a demand in front of everyone.
Moreover, this was indeed for the safety of Xiao Cui and her grandfather.
The Three Little Ones would eventually return to the palace; they could protect Xiao Cui and her grandfather for a while, but not forever.
Since that was the case, let the professional Money Gang be responsible for protecting the safety of the grandfather and granddaughter.
The Money Gang had been rampant in the West Market for so many years; protecting this pair of grandfather and granddaughter should not be a problem.
If something went wrong, then Ankang would have a reason to destroy the Money Gang.
If it were just an ordinary small gang, Ankang could have Xu Lang and the others destroy it, which would be an easy matter.
However, when the Changan County Yamen officials also got involved and showed a protective stance, Ankang realized that the Money Gang was not something they could easily eradicate.
"Indeed, the Money Gang's accumulated power is so deep; it's not something that happened overnight."
"This is the capital, and I wonder who is behind them?"
Although Ankang was encountering such a situation for the first time, she quickly understood the key.
Even if she killed the current Hall Master Tang Sha and all the Money Gang members, the matter would not end.
Instead, after the Three Little Ones left, Xiao Cui and her grandfather would fall into a very dangerous situation.
Therefore, Ankang could only use this method to tie the safety of the grandfather and granddaughter to the survival of the Money Gang.
Even if she returned to the palace later, if something happened, Ankang could ask the Two Chief Eunuchs for a small favor.
Given Li Xuan's face, the Two Chief Eunuchs should not refuse.
Moreover, Ankang was only dealing with the Money Gang, not the people behind it, so it should not make things difficult for the Two Chief Eunuchs.
Even if it didn't work, Ankang could also use the next opportunity to leave the palace and bring the Flower-Clad Eunuchs to destroy the Money Gang.
With her identity as a princess, as long as Ankang wanted to, there were plenty of ways to destroy the Money Gang.
Ankang only put forward this demand after she had thought of a way to destroy the Money Gang.
Firstly, it was to establish her authority, and secondly, it was to let the Money Gang know that she had the power to destroy them.
Only then could the safety of Xiao Cui and her grandfather be guaranteed.
This was the best method Ankang could think of.
Hall Master Tang Sha was silent for a long time, finally preparing himself mentally, stepping forward two steps, and saluting Xu Lang from a distance.
"Please enlighten me."
However, Xu Lang didn't even look at Hall Master Tang Sha, but instead turned to look at Ankang.
Ankang smiled slightly, pointed at Hall Master Tang Sha, and then stated her demand: "He has to go back and deliver the message; he cannot die."
Upon hearing this, Xu Lang understood Ankang's request, bowed to Ankang, and went to carry out the order.
And when Xu Lang turned to face Hall Master Tang Sha, a cruel smile involuntarily appeared on his face.
It had to be admitted that the Flower-Clad Eunuchs of the Internal Affairs Bureau were one of the most useful tools in this world.
Xu Lang immediately took a stance, extending both palms.
He saw deep blue water-element true qi condense and take shape around his body, continuously swirling around his hands.
Seeing this scene, Hall Master Tang Sha's eyes instantly bulged, revealing a look of horror.
"Qi Manifestation, a Fifth-Rank Master!"
Hall Master Tang Sha couldn't help but exclaim, his heart rate instantly soaring to 250, filled with trepidation.
In the blink of an eye, two water dragons had already formed on Xu Lang's palms, tightly coiling around his arms, their aura as deep as an abyss and as vast as the sea.
Hall Master Tang Sha, scared, let out a roar, directly tearing his upper garment, then concentrated all his strength and assumed the stance of Mantis Boxing.
A green light flashed on Hall Master Tang Sha's body, and a vague outline of a praying mantis's sharp blade could be faintly seen on his elbows.
However, compared to the two lifelike water dragons on Xu Lang's arms, it was a world of difference, completely incomparable.
Li Xuan widened his eyes, carefully observing the different true qi condensed on their bodies.
He was still a long way from condensing true qi.
In the past few days when he left the palace, Li Xuan had not stopped cultivating.
However, the difficulty of Yin-Yang dual cultivation was simply too abnormal.
Even with Li Xuan's extraordinary talent, he found the slow progress of taking one step forward and half a step back a bit unbearable.
The Yang Deficiency Qi Induction Method and the Yin Weak Qi Gathering Technique were both extremely weak Qi Sensing Realm cultivation methods; this was something Li Xuan had only recently realized.
But if he wanted to cultivate both Yin and Yang, only these two methods could help him achieve it.
Otherwise, other overbearing cultivation methods simply did not offer the possibility of dual cultivation.
And the current actions of Xu Lang and Hall Master Tang Sha provided Li Xuan with an excellent opportunity to observe how others' true qi operated.
Xu Lang's true qi was undoubtedly water-attributed, while Hall Master Tang Sha's true qi looked like wood-attributed; Li Xuan could only make a rough distinction based on the color of the true qi.
Moreover, from the state of their true qi, it was not difficult to see the gap in their realms.
From Hall Master Tang Sha's exclamation, Li Xuan realized that Xu Lang was a Fifth-Rank Master.
Then, Hall Master Tang Sha, who was a notch lower but could also use true qi, was most likely in the Sixth-Rank realm.
Of course, it was not ruled out that Hall Master Tang Sha was a fake Fifth-Rank.
After all, the cultivation resources in the palace were far better than those available to people in the Jianghu; even Flower-Clad Eunuchs could easily enjoy cultivation resources that these Jianghu people could not.
And after seeing Hall Master Tang Sha also prepare himself, Xu Lang then smiled disdainfully and launched his attack.
"Twin Dragons Playing with a Pearl!"
Xu Lang pushed his palms forward fiercely, and the two water dragons on his arms immediately intertwined and lunged forward, moving at an astonishing speed.
At this instant, Hall Master Tang Sha understood that this was a move he could not block.
His body had not died, but his spirit had already been defeated.
Even though Hall Master Tang Sha resisted fiercely afterward, he could only watch helplessly as the two water dragons that smashed into him instantly shattered his protective true qi, and then he was struck by an irresistible force, flying backward like a meteor, smashing into the crowd and causing successive casualties.
The intertwined water dragons formed a spiral force, surging more and more fiercely, breaking the bones and muscles of all the Money Gang members behind Hall Master Tang Sha.
This was not all; as the two water dragons' moves aged, they then suddenly separated.
One carried Hall Master Tang Sha, then exploded violently in the crowd, overturning all the gang members around Hall Master Tang Sha.
Hall Master Tang Sha bore the brunt, covered in blood, his eyes rolled back, and his consciousness blurred.
The other one made a turn above their heads and smashed into the pile of Money Gang members behind them.
After the water dragon exploded violently in the crowd, all the people behind them were blown away, their bodies a bloody mess, and even severed limbs were scattered all over the ground.
With just one move, Xu Lang completely dealt with the Money Gang members who had previously blocked them tightly, along with their Hall Master Hall Master Tang Sha.
However, Xu Lang, who had used this move, was also slightly panting, clearly having expended a considerable amount of energy.
Li Xuan estimated that the difficulty of that fancy move just now should not be small.
He couldn't help but be stunned when he saw the water dragon turning in the sky just now.
He didn't expect true qi could be used in such a way.
No wonder Xu Lang, at such a young age, became a small leader among the Flower-Clad Eunuchs; he indeed had some real skill.
Xu Lang quickly took a deep breath, calmed his internal breath, and then quickly came to Ankang's side, kneeling on one knee to report.
"Miss, please give further instructions."
After Xu Lang had just displayed his power, he showed no arrogance, still maintaining an extremely respectful demeanor in front of Ankang.
Li Xuan couldn't help but secretly nod.
"As expected of the Flower-Clad Eunuchs of the Internal Affairs Bureau, truly reliable."
Before, when Li Xuan roamed around the palace, he disliked places where there were Flower-Clad Eunuchs.
Because then he couldn't enter and exit freely as usual and eavesdrop on various gossip.
Li Xuan had even been driven away by a Flower-Clad Eunuch before; at that time, seeing the Flower-Clad Eunuch guarding against even a cute Little Cat, he even called him a pervert.
But now that the Flower-Clad Eunuch had become his teammate, it was truly a delightful experience.
Ankang was also stunned, not expecting Xu Lang's moves to be so spectacular.
She couldn't discern the technical content of the move, but she could still see the results it produced.
Ankang also didn't expect that so many people would be taken care of by Xu Lang with one move.
And not only the Money Gang Hall Master Hall Master Tang Sha, but also the gang members he brought suffered heavy casualties.
Ankang could already smell the strong scent of blood coming from behind her.
She didn't even need to turn her head to know how miserable these Money Gang members were.
Ankang came back to her senses, looked at Xu Lang kneeling before her, nodded, and praised, "Well done."
And Xiao Cui and Xiao Cui's grandfather, standing beside Ankang, were already stunned.
The grandfather and granddaughter looked forward, then looked back, feeling as if they were dreaming.
They were completely unable to connect the Money Gang members who usually acted so rampantly with the scattered remnants of soldiers on the ground.
Xiao Cui excitedly looked at Ankang and Xu Lang, who had caused all this, her eyes filled with gratitude, as if she had vented a deep grievance.
And Xiao Cui's grandfather remained silent, having already resigned himself to fate.
He already knew that his and his granddaughter's lives would henceforth be left to fate, completely beyond their control.
Caught in the disputes between important figures, small fries like them were utterly helpless.
But Xiao Cui's grandfather didn't realize that, in fact, long ago, he had lost control of his own destiny.
It was only because he had always been safe and sound, and the bullying he endured was within his tolerance, that it gave him the illusion that he could still control his life.
When someone coveted Xiao Cui, his illusion of controlling his life was shattered.
People can choose not to contend, but they must also have the ability not to be robbed by others.
"Let's go see that Hall Master."
Ankang said so.
Yu'er immediately pushed the wheelchair, leading Ankang and Li Xuan forward.
The Flower-Clad Eunuchs formed a line, protecting the Three Little Ones in the middle.
Xiao Cui and Xiao Cui's grandfather also followed closely behind Ankang.
Hall Master Tang Sha was now sprawled on the ground, breathing weakly, his breath like a flickering candle.
But as Ankang had requested, Xu Lang had spared his life.
The difference in their realms was so vast that Xu Lang was able to defeat Hall Master Tang Sha while still controlling his injuries.
However, Hall Master Tang Sha's consciousness was already hazy, making conversation impossible.
Xiao Cui, who was standing by, watched as the Money Gang's influential figure, whom she had only heard about before, now lay gasping for breath like a dead dog. Her initial filter of fear towards the Money Gang shattered considerably.
"So the Money Gang is nothing special after all."
"In the face of true power, he is as helpless as we are."
At this moment, Xiao Cui's firmly held beliefs collapsed, but it gave her a sense of exhilaration, as if she had been freed from shackles.
After checking Hall Master Tang Sha's condition, Ankang looked at Xiao Cui and her grandfather.
"He will remember what I said earlier. If anything happens to you from now on, I will make sure the Money Gang pays the price for you."
Ankang said in a calm tone.
But it was precisely this calm tone that made Xiao Cui and her grandfather feel absolutely certain.
Didn't they see how Hall Master Tang Sha was beaten into such a state without even uttering a word of disbelief?
Xiao Cui believed Ankang's words implicitly.
Although Xiao Cui's grandfather also believed Ankang, he couldn't help but worry, feeling that their troubles as grandfather and granddaughter might not be few in the future.
"Today, thank you, Miss, for saving our lives."
Xiao Cui's grandfather pulled Xiao Cui down to their knees, performing a full kowtow.
Although he worried about their future life, he wasn't so muddled as to be unable to distinguish right from wrong.
If Ankang hadn't been here today, he would have been trampled to death by Lord Xiong, and his granddaughter would have been defiled.
Regardless, Ankang helped them avoid such a tragic fate.
Being alive today was already a bonus; as for future troubles, they could be dealt with later.
Xiao Cui's grandfather had lived his entire life worrying excessively, and it was rare for him to truly relax.
However, this couldn't be said to be Xiao Cui's grandfather's fault, because everyone possesses their own survival wisdom.
This wisdom is acquired in each person's unique environment, after suffering numerous setbacks and paying many unbearable prices.
Perhaps it seemed foolish to outsiders, but it was the best he could do in such an environment.
Ankang quickly tried to help them up, but couldn't do so immediately.
Both the grandfather and granddaughter sincerely thanked Ankang, kneeling without reservation. Ankang, being in a wheelchair, naturally found it difficult to help them up.
It was Yu'er who was quick-witted, stepping forward to help, and only then were the grandfather and granddaughter able to stand up again.
"You don't need to thank me; I just wanted to meddle in this matter."
"I feel satisfied this time, but I'm afraid it might bring you trouble in the future. If something happens to you because of me, I won't feel good about it."
Ankang had been in frequent contact with the Two Chief Eunuchs of the Internal Affairs Bureau recently, and thus had learned some of their open-mindedness.
Such an attitude should not appear in a teenage girl.
After all, Ankang's age is still a time filled with beautiful expectations for the world and the future.
However, Ankang's unique experiences, coupled with constant exposure to the Two Chief Eunuchs, led her to gradually develop some of the open-mindedness of an elder in dealing with matters.
Li Xuan also noticed that Ankang had begun to not expect the outcome of things so much anymore.
If she wanted to do something, she would do it; if she was willing to do it, she would do it.
And she wouldn't hope for or anticipate outcomes she couldn't control.
Focusing one's energy on what one can control, and not wasting energy on what one cannot control, is a rare kind of wisdom.
Xiao Cui and Xiao Cui's grandfather couldn't understand Ankang's mindset, only thinking that she was comforting them, and quickly said:
"Miss, the life-saving grace you showed us today, Xiao Cui and I will never forget."
"As for other matters, Miss, you don't need to say more."
"If Miss hadn't acted righteously today, Xiao Cui and I would have been finished long ago."
"Being able to live through today is already a second chance given by Miss. How could this old man resent Miss? Wouldn't that be worse than a beast?"
Xiao Cui's grandfather said excitedly.
Xiao Cui's eyes reddened upon hearing these words.
Things had happened too quickly just now; only now did she have time to feel the lingering fear.
Thinking about how Lord Xiong almost stomped on her grandfather, and her own fate after being dragged away by Lord Xiong, Xiao Cui's eyes couldn't help but turn red, and tears streamed down her face.
Although everything was over now, the emotions only surged up at this moment, making Xiao Cui's tears unstoppable.
"It's alright, Xiao Cui."
"Everything is over now."
Ankang hugged Xiao Cui, comforting her.
Xiao Cui wiped her tears, nodding repeatedly, but she couldn't stop crying for a while.
Ankang and Yu'er exchanged glances, filled with sympathy.
Xiao Cui was around their age, yet she had to endure such things.
Xiao Cui's grandfather silently walked to his stall and began to pack up his belongings.
Due to the previous conflict with Lord Xiong, the items on the stall were already in disarray.
Then came the crowd of onlookers, followed by the arrival of the Money Gang's members, making it a complete mess.
Xiao Cui's grandfather silently picked up the usable knotwork from the ground, minimizing their losses.
Upon seeing this, Xiao Cui quickly wiped her tears, and even though she couldn't stop crying, she hurried forward to help.
Ankang asked the Flower-Clad Eunuchs to help, and they quickly packed up the grandfather and granddaughter's belongings.
Xiao Cui's grandfather packed two bundles, and he and Xiao Cui each carried one on their backs.
Ankang planned to send them home. After leaving the West Market, she invited Xiao Cui and her grandfather to get into the carriage.
Inside the carriage, the grandfather and granddaughter were very ill at ease.
It was their first time riding in a carriage, and such a fine one at that, so they inevitably felt uncomfortable all over.
"What are your plans next?"
Ankang asked.
Xiao Cui silently looked at her grandfather.
Xiao Cui's grandfather sighed involuntarily, then realized his impropriety, showing an embarrassed expression and forcing a smile at Ankang.
Ankang shook her head, revealing a faint smile, indicating that it didn't matter.
"Running away is not an option; even if you leave the capital, you can't escape the Money Gang."
Hearing this, Ankang frowned and asked:
"Is the Money Gang's influence not limited to the capital?"
Xiao Cui's grandfather nodded, then replied:
"The Money Gang claims its power spreads throughout the world, but its main influence is still in the north. In the south, I hear there are several other gangs that are equally matched."
Li Xuan was somewhat surprised to hear this.
Didn't Xiao Cui's grandfather's words imply that the Money Gang's position in the north was unshakable?
He had originally thought the Money Gang was just an underground gang in the capital. It seemed Li Xuan had underestimated them.
"Then you indeed cannot leave the capital."
Ankang said seriously to the grandfather and granddaughter.
Xiao Cui's grandfather also agreed, saying, "That's right, Xiao Cui and I at least have Miss's protection in the capital."
Saying that, Xiao Cui's grandfather also grinned:
"Speaking of which, it's just bad luck for the Money Gang that they had to make the capital their base."
Hearing this, Ankang also smiled.
If the Money Gang's headquarters weren't in the capital, but somewhere else, it would have been troublesome.
Although Ankang was confident in handling the Money Gang in the capital, once outside the capital, Ankang had no good solutions.
She might have opportunities to leave the palace, but leaving the capital was not easy.
The carriage took Xiao Cui and her grandfather home.
Coincidentally, their home was in Baoning Ward, a place Li Xuan had visited once before.
But saying it was a coincidence was also a kind of inevitability.
Baoning Ward was a famous slum in the capital. If you wanted to find cheap housing, this was definitely the place.
Most young people who came to the capital hoping to make a name for themselves also started here.
Whether it was food, clothing, housing, or transportation, everything was the most economical in the entire capital. Aside from the poor public order, there were no other problems.
"Miss, we will still go to the West Market tomorrow to set up our stall. Your custom-made knotwork will definitely be delivered to you then."
Xiao Cui said seriously to Ankang.
Originally, the custom-made knotwork Ankang ordered had already been made, but it had been soiled during the earlier chaos.
Therefore, Xiao Cui was unwilling to deliver such knotwork to Ankang, so they agreed for her to pick up the goods tomorrow.
Ankang looked at Xiao Cui's serious expression and couldn't help but say:
"You don't have to force yourself. Rest for two days before continuing to set up your stall."
"It's alright." Xiao Cui stubbornly shook her head, then insisted, "Miss, I'll wait for you at the West Market tomorrow. We'll meet without fail."
Since Xiao Cui had said so much, Ankang no longer tried to persuade her.
"Alright then, Xiao Cui, we'll see each other tomorrow."
The Three Little Ones bid farewell to the grandfather and granddaughter, and Li Xuan silently noted down their residence.
Speaking of which, this place was not far from Baoning Inn, making it an area Li Xuan was relatively familiar with.
"I hope the Money Gang will be sensible."
Li Xuan thought to himself.
The stroll through the West Market ended there, and the Three Little Ones also returned to Xingqing Palace in the carriage.
They still had things to do tomorrow.
Not only had they arranged to pick up the custom-made knotwork from Xiao Cui, but they also had to go to Changan County.
They wanted to see how the Changan County Magistrate handled cases, and whether he could properly punish Lord Xiong and his group.
If not, Ankang could use this opportunity of leaving the palace to investigate a case to do even more.
"Officials who protect underground gangs should be cut into a thousand pieces!"
Ankang thought angrily.
From the attitude of those constables today, it was not difficult to see that there was something fishy between the Changan County Yamen and the Money Gang.
Tomorrow, Ankang had to find a way to warn the Changan County Magistrate, and then see who else was backing him.
Before going to sleep, Ankang huffed and puffed in bed, then pulled up her quilt, patted Li Xuan's backside, and said:
"Sleep!"