Harry's sign wasn't particularly large, nor was it flashy. Compared to the other signboards and advertisements around the marketplace, it was actually quite small, and hard to read.
Nonetheless, people found him all the same. Once a passerby read the words on the sign, they had no choice but to stop in their tracks, rub their eyes, and read it again.
By now, there wasn't a single person in the vicinity of the entire Swan Sea who didn't know of James and his behavior. Chubby face, burnt robes, and humongous guts were the three phrases people used to describe him. For all the wrong reasons, James Evans was the most famous Outer Disciple ever to enter the Swan Sea Sect.
But even still, James was finding new ways to disregard the rules and stun the sect.
Once people read and digested his sign, they hurriedly ran to their friends to spread the word. 'Hey, James is doing something crazy again!' spread like a plague through the sect, and by the end of the day, the whole sect knew James was offering to slap people for Qi Crystals.
After a crowd had gathered, it didn't take long for the complaints to come in – mainly from the Alchemists.
"James, you can't do this!" one of them angrily berated. "The rules of the Swan Sea Sect say you can't go around attacking people! Do you think the Elders will allow you to use your strength for wicked purposes?"
"I, James Evans, am an upright and virtuous person," Harry proclaimed shamelessly. "I would never do something wicked. Actually, I am offering my services for a righteous cause."
"You? Righteous? Who do you think you're fooling? How is any of this righteous?"
"You see, I will not slap just anybody. If you ask me to slap someone just because you don't like him or her, I definitely will not do that. I am only here to represent the weak, and slap those who deserve it. Further, I definitely won't attack people savagely. At most it will just be some light slaps to teach them a lesson."
Most people held their tongues, not wanting to ask what a "light slap" meant to James Evans.
"For too long, the Outer Disciples of the Swan Sea have been suppressed by their seniors. Instances of Inner Disciples bullying newcomers, and suppressing them with their status and power, are too common. Even worse are those nasty Alchemists, who rob us in broad daylight, then threaten to blacklist us from buying their pills when we retaliate."
"When I heard about that, it was like a fire in my heart I couldn't extinguish. Outer Disciples work so hard to earn a couple of merit points, but then have them taken away the same day by a callous Alchemist. I definitely cannot idly stand by when I see that kind of despicable behavior. I see every one of my fellow Outer Disciples as my dear friends and brothers, well, except Maynard. If you have been wronged, then I will help you get justice."
"For a small fee, of course. I just happen to be short on Qi Crystals right now."
After giving that speech, Harry sat back down and did his best to smile invitingly. It was difficult considering all the incredulous looks he was getting.
'The first part of your speech sounded noble, but you ruined it with the last sentence! You're obviously trying to make money by attacking other people. How can you claim you are upright and virtuous?' many people were having the same thoughts.
More arguing broke out, mostly from the Alchemists stationed in the marketplace, but Harry calmly refuted each person. He stressed that he would only slap people who deserved it, and not just because he was getting paid. He knew that if he started attacking indiscriminately, he would become the most hated member of the Swan Sea Sect. But by aiming at the group that people already disliked, in other words, the Alchemists and bullies of the sect, he felt he could paint himself in a better light, and get the masses on his side.
Not much longer, a group of Elders arrived.
"James!" one of them barked. Harry recognized him as the one from the Alchemy Hall, Elder Nathaniel.
"Don't you know the rules you're breaking? Hah, I've finally caught you now! Follow me to the whipping post!"
"Rules?" Harry innocently asked. "What rules did I break?"
"Do I need to spell it out for you? Slapping people is obviously against the rules!"
"Are you an idiot? Tell me, who did I slap?"
The Elder faltered, unable to respond. True, James hadn't slapped anyone yet!
"You – you – even if you haven't slapped someone, you're threatening to! That's against the rules!"
"Is it? Here's my copy of the rulebook. Why don't you point out the rule for me?" Harry pulled his guidebook out his robes, and shoved it towards the Elder. He had carefully checked the rules, and found nothing stopping him from just offering to attack someone.
That Elder floundered again. Now that he thought about it… he couldn't recall any rule about just threatening to attack someone. After all, cultivators threatened each other all the time. It would be impossible to enforce that kind of rule.
"Fine, perhaps it's not in the rulebook. But you are planning on attacking someone! In the Swan Sea Sect, that's a crime!"
"Is that the Swan Sea Sect's policy now?" Harry rebutted. "You pin a crime on a disciple before he even commits it? Then I may as well accuse you of something right now, in case you do it in the future."
"Enough!" the Alchemy Hall Elder snapped in annoyance.
"Just because it's not explicitly against the rules, it doesn't mean you should do it! Instead of thinking about properly cultivating, you're trying to make money by attacking your fellow disciples! Do you think that behavior is fitting of the Swan Sea Sect? You are disturbing the peace and harmony of our sect!"
"Haha, that's rich, coming from you," Harry sneered back. "Don't you know what your Alchemy Hall disciples do? Instead of thinking about properly practicing Alchemy, your disciples try to make money by robbing their fellow disciples! Do you think that behavior is fitting of the Swan Sea Sect? If you're truly concerned about peace and harmony, why don't you look to your own hall first?"
He tossed the Elder's words right back at him, but more importantly, those words hit the mark. Of course, the Alchemy Hall Elders knew what their disciples were up to, they just didn't care. Over the years, the transgressions that Alchemists committed, and the Elders overlooked, were too numerous to count.
Most spectators were originally agreeing with the Elder's position, but once they heard James' words, they looked at the Elder with funny expressions. True, before James came to the sect, the ones who disturbed the peace and harmony the most were the Alchemists!
The Elder was about to go insane with rage. Why did it seem like James knew exactly what to say to piss him off?
Not willing to deal with this Outer Disciple any longer, he turned to the Elders from the Law Enforcement Hall. In the Swan Sea Sect, the Law Enforcement Hall was the most powerful hall, with the authority to interpret rules and hand out punishments. It was made up of the strongest Elders.
But the Law Enforcement Elders were helpless to the situation. Because they were the most powerful hall, they also had the greatest duty to follow the rulebook and set an example for others. And when they consulted the full rulebook, they couldn't find a rule that James had broken!
Of course, if he actually slapped somebody, he would have broken a rule. But there was no rule against just offering to slap someone. Until James actually did something, they were helpless to punish him.
Furthermore, there was no rule against asking someone to slap another person on their behalf. So, if anyone actually took James up on this offer, they wouldn't be punished either. Only James would – and what was the point of punishing James?
It wasn't just that there was no point, but also that nobody was brave enough to do it.
'This disciple… he's way too shrewd,' the Law Enforcement Hall's Elders sighed and shook their heads. Though they definitely didn't approve of James' behavior, it was within the rules. Nobody had ever thought of doing something this ridiculous, so no one ever discovered this loophole. It would have to be closed – but in the Swan Sea sect, the only person with the power to change the rules was the Sect Master, who said she entered cultivation seclusion and was not to be bothered.
In the end, the Law Enforcement Hall's Elders just left, not knowing what to do. They understood that James was the kind of person who dared to do anything, and couldn't be convinced by just mere words. He even managed to twist his actions to make it sound like he was on the righteous side. And when the Law Enforcement Hall helplessly left, most of the other Elders left too, not knowing what to do either. Only some disciples remained, continuing to stare at his sign.
The rest of the day passed, during which Harry got plenty of stares, but no buyers. Undeterred, he returned the next day and set up his stall in the same spot, patiently waiting. It wasn't until the afternoon until a nervous Outer Disciple stopped in front of his sign.
"A customer?" Harry shot to his feet.
"Yes, I – I've been robbed, by an Alchemist," the nervous Outer Disciple said. "I don't need you to slap him, but if you can just get my belongings back, I'll give you 100 Qi Crystals."
"Who was it? And what did he take?"
"It was that bully Nelson! And he took – "
"Nelson?" Harry interrupted. "Let's go!"
He didn't even care what Nelson took. As far as he was concerned, anything Nelson did was immoral. As soon as this Outer Disciple brought up Nelson's name, he knew Nelson must have done something wicked.
"– my grandfather's… ok?"
"Actually, I need to get some backup first," Harry realized, and then headed off to find his friends.
If he were to confront Nelson, then he'd have to do it in the Alchemy Hall. Would Noah, Nelson's even more arrogant brother, just stand by and let him slap Nelson? Obviously not, so he had to find his friends for some help. He went over to where he knew Shaun and his friends lived, and the Outer Disciple followed him. Once they were there, Harry explained the situation.
"Noah?" Shaun frowned. "That chubby Inner Disciple of the Alchemy Hall? The one with the mole on his ear and always sneering at the disciples of the main sect?"
"Yeah, that's him," Harry confirmed.
"Alright, I'm in," Shaun grinned, and called some more people over while he explained.
"Back when I was an Outer Disciple years ago, that bastard Noah would always take my merit points. I'm not surprised his little brother is following his wicked example. Haha, I wasn't brave enough to attack him, but it's good that you are. We'll definitely stop him from interfering when you teach his brother a lesson. Hey, there they are!"
To Harry's shock, no less than 30 Inner Disciples came running over, most of them people he had never met. But once they heard it was their chance to get revenge on the Alchemists, specifically, the Noah and Nelson siblings, they were all eager to participate.
"On my second day of the sect, that asshole Noah took all my merit points. Damn, I've been waiting five years to get back at him!" one of them exclaimed.
"So what? That's nothing. When I got injured trying to complete a mission, do you know what he did? He charged me 200 merit points for a simple healing pill! He obviously saw my injuries and decided to make a profit!" another disciple loudly told his story.
As the group marched towards the Alchemy Hall, everyone took their turn to air their grievances. Harry was truly surprised. He knew the Alchemist siblings were a pair of unprincipled brothers, but he never imagined they were this depraved. All the loud yelling from the large group attracted plenty of attention, and by the time they reached the Alchemy Garden, it seemed like half the sect was there to join in on the commotion.
"Sawyer, you go call them out," the disciples prodded, and a thin man stepped forward… while unhinging his jaw?
"He's at the high-level of the Qi Absorption Realm, and cultivates a technique that produces a sound attack. Cover your ears," Shaun ordered, and Harry immediately clapped his palms over his ears. The next moment –
"NOAH, NELSON, GET THE HELL OUT!" the roar that came out of his mouth was so loud that Harry leapt in shock. A nearly visible soundwave erupted and traversed across the Alchemy Hall, shaking the very plants of the Alchemy Garden.
'This is how you do it properly!' Harry thought in delight. He hadn't forgotten how Nelson had barged over to his dorm to yell those same words at him. There was no doubt that shout had been heard.
Indeed, the two brothers, followed by a dozen other Alchemists, came out to see the cause of the disturbance. And in a flash, the Inner Disciples surrounded Noah and his fellow Alchemists. They didn't attack them, but just formed a human wall to prevent them from interfering.
"What's going on here?" Noah scowled. "The Alchemy Hall isn't a place where you lot can –"
"Noah, five years ago, you took all my merit points!" one Inner Disciple interrupted.
"Noah, three years ago, you took advantage of my injuries to sell me a healing pill for 200 merit points!" the second one yelled right after, not giving Noah any chance to respond.
"We weren't able to get our revenge, but James is here for us! He'll teach your brother a lesson on your behalf today."
Nelson was standing outside the encirclement, alone with Harry and the wronged Outer Disciple. He was rapidly paling as he realized the situation he was in. Ever since James fought Maynard, he was desperately hoping James wouldn't come after him again. But today, his worst fears came to light.
"James, is this about your offer to slap people for Qi Crystals?" he tried to put up a brave front. "I don't believe you dare when my brother is wat-,"
Pow! Harry immediately slapped him across the face.
"Do you believe it now?"
The only response he got was a howl of pain, and a roar of rage from Noah.
"James! Let go of my brother immediately!"
"You don't have to pay for that one," Harry quickly reassured the Outer Disciple standing by his side, and ignored Noah's ranting. He still remembered those nasty words Noah said to him before forcing him to roll around the Alchemy Garden very clearly.
"Alright Nelson, now that you know I dare to slap you, let's get on with it. I've been told you've robbed something from this friend of mine. I suggest you give it back." Harry gestured at the Outer Disciple, who stepped forward.
"Nelson, on my third day in the sect, you took a family heirloom of mine, which my grandfather gave me before he died. It was the most precious item I owned! Yet, you snatched it from me, and gave me your shitty burnt pills in exchange! I want it back!"
"What are you talking about?" Nelson blearily groaned. Perhaps due to the ringing of his head, he couldn't see or think straight, and wasn't able to recall this incident.
"Nelson, you're really evil!" Harry exclaimed in mock indignation. "You stole such a precious item, and don't even dare to admit it? Or have you robbed so many people that you forgot about it? Either way, if you don't return the item, I will definitely give you another dose of physical medicine today."
"It was a ring!" the Outer Disciple shouted. "It was a silver ring! I told you it belonged to my grandfather, but you took it anyways! And you laughed! You laughed as you stole my grandfather's ring! If you keep pretending you don't know about it, I'll make James slap you until you remember!"
Harry's eyes lit up, and he raised his hand in the slapping posture.
"I remember! I remember!" Nelson yelled, and Harry reluctantly stopped his palm in midair.
"I still have it! It's in my room! If you follow me into my dorm, I'll give it back to you! I promise!" He was screaming and pleading at the top of his lungs, hoping James wouldn't hit him again.
That Outer Disciple collapsed in relief, then turned to Harry.
"James, thank you!" he exclaimed, and actually bowed. Harry could see tears forming at the corner of his eyes.
"When Nelson took my grandfather's ring, I thought I'd never get it back. These last two weeks were the worst weeks of my life. I wasn't able to think about cultivation or earning merit points at all. All I could think about was how disappointed my grandfather would have been. I can't thank you enough! I will definitely pay you 100 Qi Crystals. James, no matter what other people say about you, you will have my respect forever!"
Tears were pouring down his face. In that moment, the moved crowd came to a startling conclusion – James is surprisingly a good person!
Perhaps he was too violent, or too vicious, or had no control over his temper, but at the very least, James didn't bully the weak like the Alchemists did. Too often, those with power abused it for their personal gain. James was using it to help others, and it made the Outer Disciples feel grateful.
However, those feelings were ruined the very next moment.
"Wait, are you sure you don't want me to slap him?" Harry asked. There was almost a pleading tone in his voice.
"Er… there's no need now. He already said he'll give it back."
"But, think about what Nelson took from you. It belonged to your grandfather! It was his last memento, and thus, it cannot be assigned a value. To you, it must have been more precious than all the Qi Crystals in the world! Am I right?"
"Well, that's true…" the disciple admitted slowly.
"Of course it's true! And just look at Nelson's crooked nose, red cheeks, flat face, and crossed-eyes. Those are the signs of an evil-hearted man! Doesn't he look just like a thief? If we don't teach him a good lesson today, then what's stopping him from continuing his despicable behavior?"
'Crooked nose, red cheeks, flat face, and crossed-eyes? You son of a bitch, that's because you attacked me!' Nelson wanted to curse at James. He grew so angry he almost fainted.
'And I already agreed to give it back! Why do you still want to slap me?'
He was a noble Alchemist, above all these lowly cultivators! Since when did slapping him turn into a public spectacle?
But Harry's words seemed to convince that Outer Disciple, because his expression hardened.
"Right, if we don't teach this Alchemist a lesson, he'll just continue his plundering ways! How about you slap him three times?"
"Good, good!" Harry laughed.
"James! If you touch my brother one more time – "
Slap! Slap! Slap!
Each slap was enough to make Nelson see the stars. He cheeks were matching the color of his robes, and the outline of Harry's hand could clearly be seen on his face. A stinging sensation overloaded his mind, and this time, he actually fainted.
'James, fuck you – arrrhhhhhhhhh,' were his last thoughts.
"James!" Noah roared from his position behind Shaun and his friends. Spit flew out his mouth as he ranted in fury. He yelled out all kinds of threats and curses, but James didn't seem to have heard a single word. He was busy staring off into space, seeing visions of the Qi Crystals that would soon be his. And at that moment, the same thought ran through everybody's minds.
'James – what a greedy man!'
A few days later, Harry sat gloomily in the marketplace. After he gave Nelson those slaps, he thought his business would start booming. He even had fantasies of earning a thousand Qi Crystals a day, as people clamored for him to help retrieve their belongings and merit points.
But instead, it was the opposite. Not a single person stopped by!
After some investigation, he found out why. The day after he gave Nelson those beatings, Alchemists no longer dared to extort Outer Disciples. Even the Inner Disciples of the Alchemy Hall were silent and restrained. For the first time, Outer Disciples could safely complete their missions, without fear of losing their merit points.
This would normally be great news. Many Outer Disciples praised James, thanking him for standing up for them. With the threat of James looming over them, the Alchemists didn't even risk looking at the Outer Disciples the wrong way. There had never been so much peace in the sect.
But Harry was angry and depressed.
His whole business hinged on Nelson and his friends extorting the Outer Disciples. When he saw how many people secretly hated the Alchemists, he thought he'd get a huge influx of customers. But as it turned out, once Nelson was slapped four times, he and his friends turned into timid mice that returned all the items they robbed, and even promised to make up all the stolen merit points. They practically begged everyone to not go to James. The Outer Disciples no longer had any reason to seek out James for retribution.
'How can they be so cowardly? How am I supposed to make any money like this? Don't tell me, they're actually going to stop because of me?' Harry thought disappointedly. He had failed to take this into consideration.
He patiently sat in the marketplace for three days, steadily growing more frustrated. But no more customers came with any requests, and every night he returned to his bed, not a single Qi Crystal richer.
That Outer Disciple had delivered 400 Qi Crystals – 300 for the slaps and 100 for the ring – to him, but that was the end of his wealth. It was quite a lot of money, if he were still in Crystal Mine City. But for buying things in the Swan Sea Sect's marketplace, it didn't amount to much. And for the Nameless Technique, it was practically nothing. When he absorbed all the Metal Qi in the privacy of his own room, he found that it was barely enough to strengthen one of his fingers. At this rate, he'd have to slap Nelson hundreds of more times to finish Forging Bone.
The worst part was, after he absorbed the Metal Qi, the Qi Crystals just turned into dust that scattered to the ground. He couldn't even pass off the refined Qi Crystals as currency.
On the fourth morning, Harry sighed and took his sign down, and returned to his dorm. There was no point in staying here any longer if no customers would arrive. Even if they did, they could find him in his house.
'Metal Qi, Metal Qi, looks like I can't find it in the Swan Sea Sect. Will I have to leave and search elsewhere?'
He quickly dismissed that idea. He couldn't risk taking a step out of the Swan Sea Sect. Harry was sure the Ivory Fist Clan had people waiting right outside, hoping he would foolishly exit the sect. If he wanted Metal Qi, he had to find it within the Swan Sea Sect.
'This Nameless Technique will be the death of me,' he grumbled.
As he pondered over this problem in his residence, a voice rang out from the direction of the entrance and across the entire sect, interrupting his thoughts.
"The disciples of the New Port Sect have arrived to challenge the Swan Sea Sect."