Chapter 104: Gaining a Little Renown

Two days later, at the Scripture Depository.

Yang Xing sat in a corner on the first floor. Beside him lay several volumes, including "The Withered Wood Scripture," "Gu Poisoning," "The Chronicles of Priest Wang’s Strange Tales," "Strange Lands and Foreign Regions," and "Travels Through Mountains and Wilds."

These miscellaneous texts in the Scripture Depository were available for reading, though a certain fee was required. The art of poison was vast and profound; learning it was useful for either preventing future ambushes or setting them for others.

"Junior Brother Yang Xing."

A crisp, melodious voice rang out. Yang Xing turned to see a woman dressed in goose-yellow palace-style robes, her features quite sweet.

"Who are you?"

"I am Qi Ruolan from the White Tiger Academy."

The woman cupped her hands in a salute and brought out a stack of silver banknotes. "Junior Brother Yang Jie has gone into seclusion. Your goods at the Thousand Illusions Pavilion have been sold. After deducting the series of fees, there are seven hundred taels remaining."

Yang Xing closed his book and accepted the silver. "Many thanks, Senior Sister Qi."

Qi Ruolan glanced at the books on the table and remarked, "Junior Brother Yang, you have been quite the center of attention lately. I didn't expect you to remain so calm and composed."

The destruction of the Seven Wolves Stronghold had indeed caused quite a stir within the Four Absolutes Sect. After all, those were seven masters of the Transformation Qi stage. If a master of the Dan Qi stage had struck, it would have been normal, but the key was that Yang Xing had not yet reached that level. This demonstrated his formidable real-combat prowess.

Yang Xing waved his hand dismissively. "It is hardly anything worth mentioning."

Qi Ruolan smiled, noncommittal. It was as Yang Xing said; such notoriety came and went quickly. Tomorrow, an inner-court disciple might break through to the Dan Qi stage, or the day after, a senior might defeat a famous expert—any of these events would soon overshadow this matter entirely.

"In that case, I shall not disturb you further, Junior Brother Yang." Qi Ruolan cupped her hands again. "If you ever need any favors, you can come directly to the Heavenly Origin Pavilion to find me."

"Senior Brother Yang Jie mentioned this to me. As it happens, I do have something I would like to ask you, Senior Sister." Yang Xing pondered for a moment before asking, "Do you know where one might purchase horses?"

Qi Ruolan smiled. "I know the manager of the Lin family's horse ranch. I can get you a better price. If you have time, I will take you to the ranch tomorrow to take a look."

Yang Xing nodded. "Very well."

After a few more polite exchanges, Qi Ruolan took her leave.

Yang Xing thought to himself, "Yuniang and her family should have returned to Liyang County by now. Su Jiangfeng mentioned that Liyang County is very peaceful these days..."

Xingyuan Prefecture was over a thousand miles away from Hezhong Prefecture, a round trip taking nearly two months. Furthermore, since Zhao Tiezhu had not been back for many years, he would certainly stay for a while to visit relatives and friends. By his calculations, they should have arrived back.

***

Liyang County, the Han residence.

The main hall was bustling with guests, cups being raised and drained in a lively atmosphere. At this moment, all the major and minor factions of Liyang County were gathered here, including Chen Ang, the deputy leader of the Golden River Gang; Jin Biao of the Thunderbolt Martial Arts Hall; and even Liao Wuyi, the leader of the Black Mountain Bandits.

"Nowadays, Liyang County enjoys favorable weather and peaceful times, the people live in contentment, and every trade is thriving. All of this is due to Lord Liu's contribution." Jin Biao of the Thunderbolt Martial Arts Hall raised his glass. "Come, let us all toast to Lord Liu."

"Indeed, a toast to Lord Liu!"

The crowd rose in unison and drained their glasses.

Liu Chengfeng smiled faintly and finished his drink. "Moving forward, you shall each attend to your duties. Chen Ang, continue to recruit experts; do not overlook other counties. Hall Master Jin, you are responsible for training disciples to be sent to the Golden River Gang. Your monthly stipends will not be lacking."

Liu Chengfeng looked toward the leader of the Black Wind Mountain and commanded, "Liao Wuyi, you continue to gather intelligence. If there is the slightest sign of trouble, report it to me immediately."

Liao Wuyi cupped his hands. "Since the New Year has just passed, there hasn't been any trouble on the road, except for the Seven Wolves Stronghold being wiped out..."

Liu Chengfeng asked, "The Seven Wolves Stronghold was wiped out? What happened there?"

Liao Wuyi said with lingering fear, "It was a young man named Yang Xing. He broke into the Seven Wolves Stronghold single-handedly. All seven leaders were killed, and not a single one escaped..."

"Yang Xing!?"

Upon hearing this name, Jin Biao and the others from the Thunderbolt Martial Arts Hall widened their eyes. Seeing this, Liu Chengfeng couldn't help but ask, "What is it? Do you know this person?"

Jin Biao hurriedly rose and said, "Lord Liu, do you remember Lang Shanghai from the Golden Red Martial Arts Hall? He died at the hands of Shen Lin's disciple, Yang Xing. Later, both Yang Xing and Shen Lin’s wife and daughter disappeared."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ang frowned. "So it was him!"

Chu Sheng, leader of the Guangchang Martial Arts Hall, wondered, "Could it be someone with the same name?"

Liao Wuyi suddenly recalled something. "By the way, it is said that this man is an inner-court disciple of the Four Absolutes Sect."

Jin Biao nodded upon hearing this. "Then that must be him. Shen Lin was previously a disciple of the Four Absolutes Sect."

"Oh?" A gleam appeared in Liu Chengfeng’s eyes.

Jin Biao said in a low voice, "After the Martial Arts Hall Association, I investigated this Yang Xing. He lived in Spring Breeze Alley; his family was poor, and his natural talent was quite ordinary, but he was exceptionally diligent in his martial arts training. It is said he had a childhood sweetheart..."

Chen Ang said with concern, "You say that Shen Lin and the disciples of the Debao Martial Arts Hall died at our hands. Might this Yang Xing seek revenge?"

Hearing this, Liao Wuyi showed a look of unease. The strength of the Seven Wolves Stronghold was greater than his Black Wind Mountain, and if they were wiped out, Black Wind Mountain would certainly be no match.

"I didn't expect that among Shen Lin’s disciples, there was such a talent."

Liu Chengfeng sighed, then ordered, "Chen Ang, go to Spring Breeze Alley and investigate."

"Lord Liu, a brilliant move!" Chen Ang’s eyes lit up. "It is said that Yang Xing is a man who values loyalty. When he was at the Dark Qi stage, he risked offending the Heavenly Wolf Gang just to help his senior brother. If we were to get our hands on his childhood sweetheart..."

As he spoke, he hurried out of the hall. The other hall masters exchanged glances, remaining silent. This tactic was indeed quite ruthless.

A look of cruelty appeared in Liao Wuyi’s eyes. "Since there is enmity, we should strike first and force him to submit."

Liu Chengfeng glanced at them but said nothing.

Before long, Chen Ang ran back, overjoyed. "I’ve confirmed it. Yang Xing does indeed have a childhood sweetheart named Zhao Yuniang. She went to her ancestral home in Xingyuan Prefecture before the new year and only returned to Liyang County five days ago."

"Her family has no idea that Yang Xing is in the prefectural city. For the past few days, Zhao Yuniang’s father has been searching for him, and Zhao Yuniang has been weeping every day."

"I suspect that Yang Xing must be missing his childhood sweetheart deeply."

Chen Ang recounted everything he had discovered, including his own speculations.

"Good, very good!" Liao Wuyi laughed heartily. "Lord Liu, with this Zhao Yuniang in our hands, Yang Xing will be like a turtle in a jar."

"What are you planning to do?" Liu Chengfeng frowned and shouted coldly, "When did I ever say we were going to deal with Yang Xing?"

"This..." Liao Wuyi’s smile froze.

Liu Chengfeng said indifferently, "Shen Lin and the disciples of the Debao Martial Arts Hall were killed by Lang Shanghai, and Lang Shanghai died at the hands of Yang Xing. What does any of this have to do with us?"

Jin Biao asked in a low voice, "Then what does Lord Liu intend to do?"

Liu Chengfeng said with a smile, "Yang Xing is a talent, and he is a man who values loyalty. He is also currently a disciple of the Four Absolutes Sect. Why shouldn't we try to befriend him?"

"This subordinate understands." Chen Ang cupped his hands. "I will immediately send men to watch his childhood sweetheart and report as soon as there is news of Yang Xing."

"You don't understand." Liu Chengfeng said calmly, "What we must do now is prepare a carriage and safely escort Zhao Yuniang and her family to the Four Absolutes Sect."

With that, he looked at Jin Biao. "Hall Master Jin, since you are somewhat acquainted with Yang Xing, I will leave this matter to you."