Chapter 148 – Anger

“Do you think it’s possible to return to Jingli immortal City for a visit anytime soon?” Qianyue asked Xinmo and the twins a few hours after finishing eating. “Tianyue and your uncles have all asked about you, they haven’t seen you in so long. Not to mention all your cousins.”

“I…might be able to get away. I’ll look into it,” Xinmo answered hesitantly.

“It's a little more difficult for us,” Xinjiang answered, looking at her sister.

“But once we’ve formed our Foundation, we’ll definitely be able to visit,” Xinxi added.

“Foundation? Not one visit before then?” Xiaoshi asked.

“I can try and ask, but…” Xinjiang said hesitantly.

“I really don’t understand what the issue is? Just a few weeks of absence is a problem?” Shen Ye asked.

“Just a day without practice is hard to get,” Xinjiang said, “Every day until we build our Foundation is crucial. The younger you are when you try it, the better the chances of success. You have to take it seriously.”

“Yeah,” Xinxi said, nodding, “We don’t have spirit roots, and are already at a significant disadvantage. If we want to stand a chance to compete with the other disciples, we have to work twice as hard.”

“But…” Xiaoshi said, sighing deeply. “Is it really worth it?”

Shu Yang smiled helplessly. He couldn’t really say anything. The children all seemed reluctant to travel all the way to Jingli Immortal City and postpone their training. Shu Yang could somewhat understand them.

“Mom. We have been given an opportunity others can only dream of. We can’t afford to waste it. I’ll try to get a day off more often so we can meet here. That shouldn’t be as difficult in the future. We got permission straight away when we asked this time,” Xinjiang said.

Just as Xiaoshi was about to answer, there was a knock. The door slid open, and a servant stepped into the room. He walked up to Shu Yang and whispered in his ear.

“Senior. A guest has arrived and would like a word with you. Is it convenient?”

“A guest? What guest?” Shu Yang asked.

“He didn't give a name, senior. But…he should be very powerful,” The servant answered, looking a bit flustered.

‘I don’t know anyone here, do I? Could it be that Elder Renmeng? Has she overheard what we were saying`’

Shu Yang rose to his feet. “Let’s take a look, then.”

He then walked to the door, the servant rushing in front of him.

Before he got out into the hallway, he saw a young man through the opening, walking toward him. He wore a kind smile and nodded toward Shu Yang in a friendly manner. The young man was flanked by a middle-aged woman, who looked a lot more unfriendly, wearing a constant small frown on her face.

‘I can’t get a sense of their strength…They should be Foundation cultivators.’

“You want to see me?” Shu Yang asked, coming to a stop at the doorway.

“Pardon the intrusion. My name is Chen Xiao. I was wondering if you might have some time for a quick conversation?” The young man, Chen Xiao, asked.

Shu Yang looked back to his family, and then to the young man. “What is it about, exactly?”

‘Do I know him from somewhere?’

There was something familiar about the man, but Shu Yang couldn’t recall ever seeing him.

“I just have a few questions. I’m sorry, but I’ve heard that you have comprehended fist intent. I’m really curious about these things. I can pay spirit stones for your time and attention,” Chen Xiao said, pulling out a storage ring and handing it over to Shu Yang.

‘So that’s it. But how did he know I arrived in the city? Does word spread so quickly?’

Shu Yang looked inside the ring and saw there were a whole 100 middle-grade spirit stones inside.

“I don’t think I can tell you anything worth this much,” Shu Yang said.

The woman behind the man had never had a good expression, and now she frowned even more. Shu Yang felt a bit uneasy by her look.

Chen Xiao kept the smile on his face, though. “It’s fine. I just want a few minutes to ask a few things. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. Would that be alright?”

Shu Yang didn’t really want to get involved with these people. Especially now that he was busy seeing his grandchildren.

But this Chen Xiao had been very polite the entire time, and he seemed quite powerful. Now that he was willing to pay, and he only asked for a few minutes, with no strings attached, Shu Yang couldn’t really refuse. He had to give the young man some face.

“Alright,” Shu Yang said, nodding. He looked inside to his family again. He had booked the entire floor, and there were a few private rooms there, but he would prefer to go somewhere else.

“Do you have a room?” Shu Yang asked.

“Certainly,” Chen Xiao nodded.

Shu Yang took a few steps back toward the table where his family was seated. “I’ll just go have a talk. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

“Who are those strange people, Grandpa? I don’t recognize them,” Xinjiang said, tilting her head to look behind Shu Yang.

Shu Yang was just about to flick her forehead, reprimanding her, but then he felt a great pressure freezing him stiff in place.

Shu Yang’s heart shook. He recognized that feeling.

‘Golden Core!’

The pressure just washed over him for a second before disappearing.

“Kong Hua!” The young man called out furiously.

Shu Yang didn’t turn to look at him, though; his eyes were focused on Xinjiang, and most importantly, the small trickle of blood that had escaped from her nose.

“Xinjiang!” Tianhu called out in distress, his face pale.

Shu Yang saw that most of his family seemed to be somewhat affected by the pressure. His wife was holding her forehead, also pale.

“You!” Shu Yang turned around to the two people at the door. He was completely furious.

His mind went blank. His granddaughter was bleeding, and his own wife was obviously affected. They had been attacked right in front of him.

Shu Yang didn’t even think. He couldn’t think. His mind only had room for one thought.

‘Kill!’

Shu Yang grasped his sword, and unleashed his sword intent toward the woman who had attacked them. The fact that she was a Golden Core cultivator didn’t matter. Shu Yang needed her dead.

His sword intent had never been fueled with so much rage, and he swung his sword, focusing with all his might to cut her head off her shoulders.

“Are you crazy? Do you want to die?” The woman sneered, easily deflecting Shu Yang’s attack with a wave of her hand.

Shu Yang wasn’t really thinking clearly, but since his sword was useless, he threw it away, cocking his fist as he rushed toward her.

A weight settled over the room, but it didn’t originate from Shu Yang; it came from somewhere behind him.

The woman waved her hand again, deflecting another attack that Shu Yang realized came from Tianhu.

“Protect the kids!” Shu Yang called out, not wanting his son to get involved.

“You’re all insane,” The woman said with a baffled laugh.

“Kong Hua. Stop,” Chen Xiao said calmly, raising his hand.

Shu Yang should probably work with him to de-escalate the situation, but he was too angry. He needed to punch her.

He arrived before her and threw out his fist. Kong Hua raised her hand to block him, but amazingly, she was forced back a step from the impact. The entire corridor behind them collapsed, though. Suddenly, the open sky was visible above them.

“You!” Kong Hua called out furiously, waving her arm, and conjuring a strange force that crashed into Shu Yang’s chest before he had a chance to react.

He flew back, crashing into the wall on the opposite side of the room, coughing up blood.

Shu Yang tried to get up, but stumbled slightly. It was truly terrifying. Just a casual wave of her hand, and Shu Yang was seriously injured.

But before he knew it, he felt a sword intent that sent shivers down his spine, and Kong Hua went flying herself.

“Who are you? What makes you think you can create trouble inside Bian Immortal City?” A woman’s voice questioned from above.

“Master!” Xinxi and Xinjiang called out excitedly.

‘Master? Good.’

“Honey. Are you okay?” Qianyue rushed to his side and asked worriedly.

“I’m fine. How about you?” Shu Yang asked, placing his hand on her cheek, looking for wounds.

“I’m fine,” Qianyue said, smiling, but a few tears ran down her cheek. “I’m fine.”

Shu Yang hurriedly retrieved some 2nd stage healing pills from his storage ring and put one in her mouth. She tried to refuse. “It’s not nece-”

Shu Yang wouldn’t let her finish, forcing the pill into her mouth.

He wasn’t a master in medicine, but he felt her pulse, and looked carefully into her eyes, and she truly did seem fine.

Shu Yang didn’t consider the pill wasted, though.

“Argh,” Shu Yang couldn’t help but clench his teeth in pain as he got to his feet. “Is anyone else hurt? Let’s get everyone a healing pill.”

“Okay.” Qianyue didn’t argue, putting her arm around his waist and helping him stand.

“Are you insane? Do you know who I am? Do you know who he is?” The furious voice of Kong Hua was heard, and she flew up into the air toward Elder Renmeng, a deep cut across her arm.

“Didn’t I just ask?” Elder Renmeng questioned, raising her sword once again.

“Alright. That’s enough.” An old man’s voice suddenly sounded.

Shu Yang couldn’t move. Neither could Qianyue beside him.

The two Golden Core cultivators in the sky were also suddenly still.

There wasn’t any pressure, though. No discomfort. It was a very strange sensation, like every part of his body had a tiny shackle imposed on it.

“Haven’t you caused enough chaos?” The same old voice sounded. And his figure appeared out of nowhere between the two women.

“She attacked my disciples,” Elder Renmeng said.

“I just released a bit of my divine sense. I’m not allowed to reprimand a Qi Refiner when I’m insulted? When my young master is insulted?” Kong Hua questioned.

The old man sighed heavily. “36 years without a fight in the city. What do you take this place for?”

The old man turned to Chen Xiao below and asked, “Who are you?”

The young man had been looking toward the floor, and suddenly jerked his head up at the question. He paused for a moment and then pulled out a token of some kind.

The old man made a gesture, and the token flew into his hand.

“What a mess,” The old man said, shaking his head as he looked at the token. He looked down at Chen Xiao again. “How do you wish to proceed?”

‘No way?’

Shu Yang looked at the young man in despair. How could his opinion matter in front of this old man? What exactly was his background?

Chen Xiao paused once more.

“I’m sorry for this. It’s an unnecessary misunderstanding. How about I offer some compensation? Would that suffice?” Chen Xiao asked.

Shu Yang was somewhat relieved, but more than that, he felt humiliated, and he felt his anger return. His family had just been attacked by these people for no reason, and he had no choice but to take it. No one cared for his opinion. He was too weak.

Chen Xiao, for some reason, turned to look at Shu Yang at that moment, and they locked eyes.

“As for Kong Hua,” Chen Xiao said slowly, “Do as you wish. She has no relationship with me from now on. I brought her here. I’ll take responsibility for what happened. But if you wish to imprison, or even kill her, I have no objection.”

‘What?’

Shu Yang could hardly believe it.

The old man in the sky also seemed a bit taken aback.

But the most surprised was definitely Kong Hua. The expression on her face was priceless. Shu Yang couldn’t help but smile slightly.

“Yo-...Young master,” Kong Hua stuttered. “I’m…What are you saying? I have to bring you home, I…”

“I’ll find another way,” Chen Xiao said with a shrug, “You brought this upon yourself. I tried to warn you, but you didn’t listen. So you deal with it yourself.”

He then turned to look at Shu Yang again. “I’m sorry about this mess. I’ll find you tomorrow and bring compensation.”

After speaking, he turned around and left.

Shu Yang was completely stumped. His mind was still not quite clear, and this strange interaction didn’t help him.

Everything was quiet for a few seconds.

“Let me leave. I’ll head out the city. I’ll leave the province straight away,” Kong Hua said through gritted teeth.

“This…” The old man rubbed his forehead, seemingly in a dilemma.

“In five seconds, I’ll detonate my core. Don’t try my old man!” Kong Hua yelled furiously.

“Just go,” The old man said with a sigh.

‘Seriously?’

Kong Hua was freed, moving her body again. She took one final look at Shu Yang and then flew off.

“That’s how things are done now?” Elder Renmeng asked, frowning as she looked at the figure flying away.

“It is when it’s a Kong Family member,” The old man said.

“Kong? That Kong family?” Elder Renmeng asked, appearing shocked.

“I’ll contact the Sect Master,” The old man said, and gradually faded from view, a final sigh escaping his lips.