I Become a Martial Arts God in the Chaotic Demon World

Han Zheng's tone was ice-cold, very impolite.

The situation in the stronghold became tense as over a hundred Red Flag Thieves, sensing trouble, immediately drew their weapons and watched Han Zheng warily, ready to fight at a moment's notice.

However, Li Tianbao didn't show anger this time; he only smiled amiably and said, "Brother Su is overthinking it. That wasn't my intention at all; I was just curious."

Han Zheng was so angry he laughed and said, "Curious, are you? Then let me enlighten you, Great Master.

You've not heard of me because your band of pirates is ignorant and confined to roaming Smoke Wave Lake; how many of the people big and small on Southern Mountain path do you really know?

As for how I managed to escape from the Martial Arts Grandmaster's grasp, well, that's naturally because of this!"

As his words faded, a sudden sound of thunderous rage rose around Han Zheng.

Almost in the blink of an eye, Han Zheng's figure appeared in front of Li Tianbao, a fist carrying a fierce and biting Gang Qi, smashing down suddenly!

Li Tianbao's face changed dramatically.

Such speed!

With a Fist Seal, Li Tianbao's hands shimmered with an icy blue Gang Qi. A seal struck down, booming like the roar of a giant whale and erupted with a mighty blast.

Fist Seal collided, instantly releasing a deafening hum of Gang Qi. Han Zheng stepped back three paces, while Li Tianbao only stepped back half a step.

"With my speed, even if a Martial Arts Grandmaster were here, what could they do? Garrison Captain Xu Cunbao of Kai Ping Prefecture indeed has formidable strength; even Yin Taiqing of Guiyuan Sword Pavilion died at his hands.

But with my speed, that old Xu Cunbao would still not be able to catch me!

As for why I didn't hide after being put on the wanted list, why I came to Smoke Wave Prefecture, why are there so many 'why's?

This master does as he pleases, comes and goes as he wishes. If I can't stay in Southern Mountain path, I'd just go to West River Road to enjoy women - what can the Demon Cleansing Bureau do to me?"

The surrounding Red Flag Thieves, seeing Han Zheng dare to make a move, gathered around, brandishing their weapons with a face full of killing intent towards Han Zheng.

Chen Lao San and Fang Dahai, however, were somewhat at a loss.

This situation was completely different from what they had imagined.

In their view, their stronghold had attracted a grandmaster of the Xuan Gang Realm; the Great Master should have been eager to keep such a skilled person in the stronghold, yet now they were engaging in a fight?

Looking at the surrounding Red Flag Thieves, Han Zheng scoffed with disdain.

"Thinking that you bunch of stinking fish and rotten shrimp can stop me? It's pure delusion!

I initially wanted to kill these two subordinates of yours and take a boat straight to West River Road.

It was only at their earnest pleading that I came to your worthless Five Elders Mountain.

Now, it seems like it was all for nothing!"

With that, Han Zheng turned and left.

"Brother Su, wait a moment!"

Seeing Han Zheng about to walk away, Li Tianbao, instead of being alarmed, felt relieved and quickly stood in front of him.

If Han Zheng had answered all of his questions straight and expressed a desire to stay on Five Elders Mountain, Li Tianbao would have definitely become suspicious. Even if he didn't resort to violence, he would have expelled Han Zheng from Five Elders Mountain.

But the current Su Liu Yun appeared full of youthful pride, overwhelmingly arrogant, and acted provocatively without restraint, even openly resorting to violence and showing no courtesy, now wanting to leave as he pleased – this, instead, put Li Tianbao at ease.

In his eyes, Su Liu Yun was likely the disciple of some old demon on Southern Mountain path, proud and arrogant in his youth, behaving recklessly, blatantly committing crimes in Kai Ping Prefecture without a hint of caution.

Nonetheless, there was no doubt about his strength.

Su Liu Yun specialized in speed-based movement techniques, his speed so fast that even Li Tianbao almost couldn't react.

Moreover, that punch had proven that although young, his early stage cultivation of Xuan Gang Realm was solid, being pushed back only three steps by him, demonstrating significant strength.

Keeping such an expert of the Xuan Gang Realm in Five Elders Mountain would surely increase the strength of the Red Flag Thieves considerably.

At this moment, Li Tianbao truly wished to keep Han Zheng.

"How is it, do you really think you can keep me?"

Han Zheng sneered, "The Demon Cleansing Bureau of Kai Ping Prefecture can't do anything with their Xuanjia Guards, and yet you think your little stronghold can detain me? What a ludicrous daydream!"

Li Tianbao hastily said, "Brother Su, you've misunderstood. I never meant that, nor was I trying to deliberately insult you. We have so many brothers here at Five Elders Mountain, and I always need to be extremely cautious with any outsiders entering our territory.

Brother Su, you're so young yet have already reached the Xuan Gang Realm, standing out among the best in Southern Mountain. Surely you won't hold a grudge against me for this?

Now that Brother Su has come to Five Elders Mountain, if you were to leave just like that, wouldn't it seem like I, Li Tianbao, am petty and narrow-minded?

How about this? Brother Su, you can stay for a few days at Five Elders Mountain, a good chance to lay low.

I shall immediately throw a grand feast to welcome you and help you settle in. What do you say?"

As he spoke, Li Tianbao also scolded the Red Flag Thieves surrounding them.

"What are you showing your weapons for? Is this how you treat a guest? Put them away!"

Li Tianbao was arrogant at first but now humbled himself, adopting a very low posture.

To someone as young and exceptionally strong as Su Liu Yun, who was also proudly temperamental, this was precisely the kind of treatment they relished.

If you confront him with strength, he'll outmatch you, so it's better to soften your tone and show respect to make him feel valued.

Sure enough, after pondering for a moment, Su Liu Yun huffed and said, "Since that's the case, I'll stay for a few days.

But just to be clear, I have no interest in joining your Red Flag Thieves.

There's not even a woman in sight here, something I can't stand. Once things cool down, I'll be on my way."

Li Tianbao grinned and said, "Of course, there's no problem, Brother Su. You're free to leave whenever you wish."

Though he said this, Li Tianbao had already decided he would use these next few days to understand Su Liu Yun's character thoroughly, determined to make him stay.

After seating Han Zheng, Li Tianbao immediately ordered the feast to be prepared, with an array of lavish dishes to show Han Zheng respect.

As the leader of the Red Flag Thieves, Li Tianbao, the Great Master, certainly displayed boldness.

Once he was certain Han Zheng was no reason for concern, he immediately assumed the posture of someone honoring a sage, brushing up his favorability with utmost respect.

When the banquet began, Li Tianbao raised his cup and said, "This cup is to welcome Brother Su to Five Elders Mountain. Brothers, let's all toast to Brother Su!"

All the Red Flag Thieves present lifted their cups; Han Zheng drank a cup and glanced around before saying, "Great Master, the number of your Red Flag Thieves seems quite few. There are less than a hundred men here; can you even muster a full crew?"

Li Tianbao chuckled and said, "That's where you, Brother Su, show your inexperience. We river pirates are not like the bandits on land. Take the Blood Wolf Thieves next door; they have Heavy Armored Cavalry that can stand firm against the Great Zhou military.

But we dominate Smoke Wave Lake with speed, where smaller boats are easier to handle. Big ships are actually harder to control.

We Red Flag Thieves do have big ships, obtained from years of plundering, even some that could carry a thousand men but they're just for show, not practical.

When we raid merchant fleets, five or six guys in a small boat strike swiftly like a pack of wolves, encircling the big ships. Attacking from all sides, we can take control in an instant.

That's why small boats have their advantages. At least here in Smoke Wave Lake, it's not the number or size of your boats that dictates your power.

The number of men is the same; although we of the Red Flag Thieves are few, every one of us is an elite, all battle-hardened, and we can stand toe-to-toe with the Xuanjia Guards of the Demon Cleansing Bureau!"

Li Tianbao was just boasting at this point.

The strength of the Red Flag Thieves might still be considered decent, but they were no match for the Xuanjia Guards.

"Also, it's not just these men in the Red Flag Thieves; there are still more than twenty men stationed around the fortresses, manning the Siege Crossbows and the array passageways connecting to Five Elders Mountain. We can't afford to be short-handed there."

Han Zheng nodded knowingly, pretending to speak offhandedly, "So while we're here drinking and feasting, there are still brothers out there in the cold? That doesn't seem quite right. Why not invite them in for a drink?"

Li Tianbao hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

He didn't want to snub Han Zheng's face, and besides, it wouldn't take long just to have a drink.

In reality, those Red Flag Thieves also sometimes skimped on their duties, taking it easy during shift changes.

But it's unlikely that outsiders would attack Five Elders Mountain precisely when they were slacking off, so it wouldn't do any harm.

As Li Tianbao had people call those guarding the fortresses, Han Zheng looked down, a sharp glint in his eyes.

Finally, everyone on Five Elders Mountain was gathered.