BTTH : The Fallen Genius

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Chapter 90: Striking the Snake at Its Weakest Point

Qingshan Town, Wolf Head Mercenary Group.

In the main hall, a man with a face full of scars and a murderous look in his eyes sat in a tiger-skin chair. His hands were continuously tapping on the armrests, coldly gazing down at the trembling Mu Li, who was kneeling below.

This man was none other than Mu Li's father, the leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group, Mu She.

"You're telling me, the ten team members you brought, were all killed by a three-star Dou Practitioner named Xiao Yan?"

After hearing Mu Li's recount, Mu She's expression turned colder, and a flash of red light appeared in his eyes as he stared at his son.

"You think I would believe such an absurd statement from you?"

"Father... Father! How could I dare deceive you!"

Upon hearing Mu She's displeased words, laced with a hint of murderous intent, Mu Li fell to the ground with a thud, his head pressed tightly to the floor, not daring to raise it as he recounted Xiao Yan's actions.

"When I first encountered Xiao Yan this morning, he instantly killed two second rank magical beasts, the Scarlet Ice Snakes! And in that cave, every time he made a move, he killed one of our members in an instant! I barely escaped with my life, father!"

Listening to Mu Li's recounting, Mu She's brow furrowed deeply.

A three-star Dou Practitioner who could instantly kill two second rank magical beasts, and also kill multiple Practitioners much stronger than him with just one hand.

Such an outrageous claim was something Mu She would never have believed before, because it was absurd.

However, Mu She also couldn't believe that anyone in the Wolf Head Mercenary Group would dare deceive him, especially his own son.

Taking a step back, even if Mu Li had fabricated the lie to cover up the loss of his team members, he would never use such a ridiculous reason.

Therefore, there was only one explanation.

Mu Li was telling the truth.

Xiao Yan truly had strength far beyond his level, just as Mu Li had said.

But even so, it was hard to believe.

"Report!!!"

Just as Mu She was deep in thought, a member of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group suddenly burst into the hall, kneeling down to report to Mu She.

"Leader! Our spy just sent word that Xiao Yi Xian and a man entered Qingshan Town and have returned to Wan Yao Pharmacy!"

Upon hearing this, Mu Li's eyes flashed with a trace of fear, and he immediately looked at his father with excitement.

"Father! That man must be Xiao Yan! The treasures from that secret chamber must be with him and Xiao Yi Xian! Please, take action!"

Looking at Mu Li's urgency, Mu She's eyes flashed with disappointment, and he slowly closed his eyes.

Although Mu Li was barely acceptable as his son in terms of talent, his temperament and intelligence were far below par.

However, no matter how foolish Mu Li's performance was, he was still his only son, and Mu Li wasn't beyond saving yet.

Mu She sighed deeply, resting his arm against his face, and gestured with his other hand for the reporting mercenary to leave. Once the man left, Mu She slowly spoke.

"Calm down, my son." Mu She's voice was calm and steady, but carried a hint of exasperation. "Forget about Xiao Yan for now. Just think about Xiao Yi Xian. Do you know how many mercenaries in Qingshan Town support her? And with Xiao Yi Xian's backer, Boss Yao, if we make a move on them now, the Wolf Head Mercenary Group will immediately become a target for everyone."

"Are you looking to die?"

When these words came from Mu She's mouth, there was a chilling murderous intent mixed in, causing Mu Li to startle. He hurriedly lowered his head.

"Yes! Father's words are correct! I was too impatient!"

"Wait for now. At least we cannot act with force just yet." Mu She slowly spoke, his eyes flashing with cunning. "In the meantime, spread rumors in Qingshan Town. Tell them that the team you led found a cave in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, but the kind-hearted Xiao Yi Xian, who was allowed to follow for free, poisoned our men for the treasures, and you were the only one lucky enough to escape."

"This..."

Upon hearing Mu She's words, Mu Li hesitated.

It wasn't that he was worried the rumors would harm Xiao Yi Xian, but he doubted if the rumors would have any effect.

"Father, Xiao Yi Xian has a great reputation in Qingshan Town. If we spread such a rumor, I'm afraid no one will believe it. Instead, it might make people resent us."

Mu Li said anxiously. Although the mercenaries in Qingshan Town occasionally mocked Xiao Yi Xian for her mischievous ways, no one actually hated her.

There was one simple reason for this. Xiao Yi Xian had saved their lives on several occasions, and the fees she charged were within their affordable range. She didn't take advantage of them, even when providing life-saving assistance.

Because of these good deeds, the mercenaries would only treat her pranks as jokes and wouldn't take them seriously. No one would harbor ill will toward her.

In addition to the mercenaries, other residents of the town also had no negative feelings toward Xiao Yi Xian, as Boss Yao, her backer, was known for charging very little for medical treatments and had accumulated a reputation for his kindness.

After hearing Mu Li's words, Mu She grew even more disappointed. He wearily rubbed his forehead and spoke with some exasperation.

"Do you have to make it obvious when you spread the rumors that we are the ones behind them?"

Mu She's words made Mu Li suddenly realize, but his brow furrowed again.

"Father, if we are going to spread rumors, why not target Xiao Yan instead? Unlike Xiao Yi Xian, Xiao Yan is an outsider. The people in the town don't know him, so it's easier for them to believe the rumors about him than to believe the ones about Xiao Yi Xian."

"And if Xiao Yi Xian stands up to defend Xiao Yan, do you think the townspeople will believe our rumors or will they believe her?"

"This..."

Mu Li was immediately stumped by his father's words, and his mind finally clicked into place.

Wasn't that obvious? Given the choice between unclear rumors and Xiao Yi Xian's own words, the people of Qingshan Town would definitely believe the latter!

Xiao Yan, as an outsider, had no reputation, but Xiao Yi Xian's reputation in Qingshan Town was enough to protect him.

And once the same rumor was disproven once, it would never work again.

"Strike the snake at its weakest point. To kill someone, you must hit the vital spot and give them no chance to fight back." Mu She's eyes flashed coldly, his scarred hand slightly covering half his face. "Don't worry about whether the townspeople will believe the rumors. You don't need them to believe it. You just need to plant a seed of doubt in their hearts about Xiao Yi Xian's character."

"That seed will grow, take root, and sprout, until it becomes an unshakable towering tree."

"By then, all we'll need to do is give it a little push, and Xiao Yi Xian will have no way to defend herself, and all her accumulated reputation will be wiped away in an instant!"

(End of Chapter)

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For every 100 power stones = 1 chapter

300 power stones = 5 chapter

500 power stones = 8 chapter