I Don't Want to Get Hurt, So I'll Max Out My Defense-Chapter 1043 - 1044: The Scapegoat

Chapter 1043: Chapter 1044: The Scapegoat

“Uh… well, gentlemen, there’s no need for such intense language. I, the young master, have still decided to pay the protection fee.”

Han Buzhu said somewhat dazedly, speaking honestly, he was quite bewildered and couldn’t understand what was wrong with these temporarily hired retainers, why had they suddenly decided to refuse Li Xiaobai’s assistance for the sake of the Icy Frost Sect?

Was his face as a young master so significant, that even before setting foot on Ice Dragon Island, he had already captured the hearts of his subordinates?

“Let’s all listen to the young master. When we’re away from home, it’s better to avoid troubles. Afterward, the Icy Frost Sect will compensate all your expenses for this trip, so you won’t suffer any losses.”

Uncle Han also spoke, sensing that something was amiss.

These temporary retainers had been silent and reticent all this time, indifferent to the various overtures from the Icy Frost Sect. Why did they seem like different people now, so passionately eager, when the two genuine experts from the Icy Frost Sect had yet to say anything—were these temps about to execute Li Xiaobai under the banner of the Icy Frost Sect?

If he were killed, that would be one thing, but if he weren’t, wouldn’t that dishonor fall upon his own Icy Frost Sect?

“Humph, forgive my bluntness, but my Icy Frost Sect is a large sect, always priding itself on dominance. When have we ever allowed ourselves to be threatened by others? This youngster’s actions today are a downright insult to us!”

“That’s right, some things are tolerable, but this goes too far! Young master need not heed this kid’s unreasonable demands, openly extorting the Icy Frost Sect, I, Old Niu, am the first to refuse!”

“The Icy Frost Sect is warm as spring breeze towards friends and bitterly cold as winter wind towards enemies. A prestigious sect should act just so!”

“Kill him!”

A group of Heavenly Immortal Realm powerhouses unleashed the power of Immortal Yuan from their Dantians. Apart from a few cultivators, the rest were unexpectedly all experts from the Heavenly Immortal Realm, their aura formidable.

Figures flickered, trailing phantoms as they attacked Li Xiaobai from all directions, while at the same time, four huge Cui Ming Fish burst from the sea, their massive jaws snapping viciously at Li Xiaobai.

“I knew all along that the Icy Frost Sect harbored ill intentions, and now, at last, you have revealed your true colors.”

Li Xiaobai’s face was as placid as an ancient well. A golden chariot appeared under his feet, turning into a stream of light as it plunged into the sea, drawing his enemies’ attention away from the large ship toward the sea.

“Trying to run away?”

“Kill!”

The temps lightly tapped their toes, their figures flickering as they clung on like burrs.

“So that’s the Icy Frost Sect’s plan!”

“Retreat quickly!”

Uncle Huo was so startled his hairs stood on end, he immediately grabbed a few young apprentices and quickly retreated to a corner of the ship to keep their distance from the Icy Frost Sect cultivators.

“Holy shit, someone on the ship is trying to assassinate Young Master Li!”

“The Cui Ming Fish King is within reach, and instead of thinking about working together to overcome the crisis, they’re actually trying to kill Young Master Li. What are they thinking?”

“These cultivators look familiar; they seem to be from the Icy Frost Sect!”

“The Icy Frost Sect wants to take advantage of the Fish King’s attack to kill Young Master Li, but he’s not panicked at all. Instead, he’s actively luring the powerful enemies out to sea. He’s protecting us, and he’s even drawn the Fish King away!”

On the deck, the cultivators were collectively outraged, watching the fierce battle between cultivators and Demonic Beasts in the distance at sea, their eyes full of anger. Li Xiaobai was their savior, yet now, some on the ship were not only ungrateful but were trying to kill him. Such ingratitude; the Icy Frost Sect’s young master’s speech earlier now seemed just for show, with no real concern for the lives of ordinary cultivators!

However, they too were full of anger yet dared not voice it, with too low a cultivation level to openly criticize others.

Watching the righteous indignation of the cultivators on the ship and the ongoing fierce battle between the Cui Ming Fish and the temps in the distant sea, both Uncle Han and Han Buzhu were completely bewildered. This had nothing to do with them!

Why has the Icy Frost Sect suddenly become ungrateful and intent on assassinating Li Xiaobai?

Why did their subordinates suddenly become fanatical devotees trying to slay Li Xiaobai, their minds shrouded in confusion? They did indeed want to eliminate the other party, that’s true, but their plans were all arranged for the Southern Continent. In these sea realms, they had absolutely no intention of making a move; how did they suddenly get blamed out of nowhere?

It felt like a disaster had fallen from the sky. Could it be that someone was deliberately framing the Icy Frost Sect?

“Uncle Han, what is going on here? We haven’t done anything wrong!”

Han Buzhu felt both depressed and infuriated.

“Let’s watch and see how things unfold. Who could have expected that these temporarily recruited cultivators would be so fierce? Overwhelmed with enthusiasm, they just went in for the kill. It seems the previous one hundred thousand top-grade Immortal Stones have already caused them great dissatisfaction. Now, under coercion and inducement, it must have sparked their inner universe to explode, right?”

“But bearing the flag of the Icy Frost Sect is ultimately troublesome. Once the battle dies down, we’ll immediately disassociate ourselves from these people. As for the entourage for the trip to Ice Dragon Island, we’ll reselect from within the sect. We must not offend Li Xiaobai at this critical moment because of these outsiders!”

Uncle Han made a decisive statement. Whatever the cause, these temporary workers could not be used anymore. The current task was to bring Li Xiaobai to the Icy Frost Sect as a guest and not let these fellows tarnish the sect’s image in his eyes!

Above the sea.

Li Xiaobai stood on a golden chariot, hovering above the waves, unfazed as several Heavenly Immortal Realm masters bombarded him.

[Attribute Points +1.2 million…]

[Attribute Points +1.5 million…]

[Attribute Points +1.7 million…]

“Are you all here to kill me because of the sky-high bounty?”

Li Xiaobai, with his hands behind his back, spoke indifferently.

“Yes, we are here on the orders of the Great Thunderclap Temple from the Western Continent Buddha Nation to take your life!”

“It was also us who orchestrated the attack by the Sea Clan Demonic Beast. You might not know that within this sea region, there is a newly appointed Little Prince. We leaked bits of information to him and promised benefits. The previous Sea Dragon Horse and the current Cui Ming Fish are all sent by him!”

“Four Heavenly Immortal Realm Fish Kings, along with our efforts, make up more than ten Heavenly Immortal Realm ambushers. Even if you are an exceptional genius, you would only meet a resentful demise!”

Updat𝒆d fr𝑜m freewebnøvel.com.

The group slowly spoke, their intent to kill chilling.

“So brazen, aren’t you afraid that someone will see through your identities and intercept you halfway?”

“We are now cultivators of the Icy Frost Sect. After the fact, we’ll just dump all the blame on the Icy Frost Sect. If someone wants to make a move and snatch the prize, let them go to the Icy Frost Sect!”

A cultivator with a square-shaped face coldly stated, they thoroughly prepared for a multifaceted ambush; Li Xiaobai was undoubtedly going to die.

“Is that so? Then why don’t you make your move?”

Li Xiaobai said with an amused smile, as Heavenly Immortal Realm cultivators, no matter how many came, were useless. Unless a Semi-Saint or higher cultivation level was involved, they couldn’t harm him.

“Hmph, Brother Cui Ming wants a share of the spoils, we all have to put in the effort!”

The leading cultivator shouted, producing a long spear in his hand aimed at Li Xiaobai’s glabella, bursting forth with a deep red aura that emitted an off-putting stench. Li Xiaobai slightly furrowed his brow; this was clearly a Demon Path Cultivation Technique.

The cultivators behind him did not dare hold back either, unleashing their most powerful forbidden techniques. Various blood-red beams exploded, and a series of Sin Values materialized, all serving as a testament to their demon identities.

The ones coming after me are all Demon Path cultivators, flaunting the banner of the Buddha Nation; the connections here are intriguing. Could it be that the Buddhist Sect doesn’t want to dirty its hands and hired these assassins instead?