Chapter 86: Pushed Beyond Endurance

Shen Yinuo shot Lu Yan a big eye roll and said, “I haven’t figured out exactly how I’ll repay you yet. In any case, I owe you for saving my life, so just remember to pay me back someday. As for the one-year martial cuisine agreement, it still stands—about eight months left, and I haven’t forgotten.”

Since Shen Yinuo had said so, Lu Yan had nothing left to argue, and naturally nodded in agreement.

He then set his two broken ribs back in place, used his muscles to secure them, and kept circulating his vital energy to nurture and heal the injury. He believed that in just a few days, his wounds would recover completely.

“What are your plans next?” Shen Yinuo asked.

“I’m leaving.”

“Where to?”

“Herbal City.”

He had originally planned to go to Qingyang City, relying on Zhou Zhengkong’s connection, slowly developing, and perhaps even obtaining the Zhou family’s top martial arts. But now, he had to change his mind.

He had seen the true face of the Liu family’s patriarch—this was a calamity capable of exterminating the clan. The Liu patriarch would never let him go and would surely pursue him madly after this. If Lu Yan wasn’t killed, the Liu patriarch would never be able to rest easy.

Qingyang City was too close to Changfeng City—only one hundred eighty miles away, hardly any safer than staying under the nose of Changfeng City. It was too dangerous.

So Lu Yan decided to go to Herbal City instead. Though Herbal City wasn’t much farther from Changfeng City, the Li family was a master-level clan, with several internal force masters guarding it. The Liu patriarch, having stepped onto the Martial Spirit path, would never dare to enter Herbal City in person. Even if he sent other martial lords, they would have to proceed cautiously. Thus, it was much safer than Qingyang City.

Moreover, Lu Yan had a scheme to set in motion. Once it was in place, his safety would increase significantly.

At the headquarters of the Green Bamboo Gang, after meeting with Wang Lin, Lu Qingshan, and others, Lu Yan let them rest in a side hall.

In the council hall, Lu Yan sat at the head, with Wang Lin and Zhang Jun standing to his left and right, and thirteen figures lined up below. These thirteen were the main elites of the Green Bamboo Gang and the Tiger Gang—all martial artists who had broken their limits. The leaders were Li Quan and Cao Hu.

After years of rigorous training, Li Quan had successfully achieved his second limit break.

They studied Lu Yan with curiosity, for he was not disguised now, but showing his true face. Previously, he had gone by the name Lu Shan, disguised with tree sap smeared on his face, but now, pressed for time, he had no chance to put on a disguise. The art of shifting one’s appearance couldn’t replicate the effect of tree sap. Besides, there was no longer any need to hide his identity.

“I am Lu Shan,” Lu Yan spoke, imitating Lu Shan’s voice. His vital energy surged, radiating a powerful aura.

“Greetings, Chief!” Li Quan, Cao Hu, and the others hurriedly bowed.

With his token, and Wang Lin and Zhang Jun, two top experts of the Crimson Guard, standing by, there was no reason for doubt. They had always known that their chief came from the Crimson Guard.

“This is my real appearance. The disguise was just for convenience,” Lu Yan explained casually, then continued, “I believe you’ve heard about what’s been happening in Changfeng City. Tonight, the Liu and Wu families have gone to war. Next, the Wei family will certainly intervene, and the Crimson Guard has become cannon fodder. I am about to leave Changfeng City. If you wish to follow me, you may come with me. If not, you’re free to leave and forge your own path—I will not stop you.”

Li Quan, Cao Hu, and the others exchanged glances.

The Liu and Wu families had actually gone to war. The tense atmosphere in Changfeng City these past few days was familiar to them, but they hadn’t expected the two great clans to truly launch an all-out battle.

“Wherever the Chief goes, I will go. I am willing to follow the Chief for life, serving faithfully,” Li Quan was the first to respond.

“That guy is a fierce rival,” Cao Hu shot Li Quan an annoyed glance, then quickly said, “Wherever the Chief goes, I will follow, fearless of any hardship or danger.”

Lu Yan’s appearance was far younger than they had imagined. At such an age, possessing such unfathomable power, his future was limitless. Only a fool would leave; naturally, they clung to his side, hoping for their own rise to glory.

Even if they left Lu Yan, what could they do? Join another gang? But newcomers would never be trusted or valued so easily.

“We are willing to follow the Chief,” the others echoed, bowing deeply.

“Good. Since you trust me, I will never forget you. So long as I have food, none of you will go hungry,” Lu Yan clapped his hands.

He had not immediately left Changfeng City with his family, but called together the members of both gangs for a reason—he had more important matters to arrange.

“I am about to depart for Herbal City, but you cannot all come with me. I have more crucial tasks for you.”

“Some of you must stay in Changfeng, infiltrate other gangs, and monitor the city’s developments. Then, report to Li Quan when you find an opportunity.”

“Also, send several people to other cities—Qingyang, Snake City, and so on—to spread rumors that the Liu patriarch has broken through as a master.”

Lu Yan began his arrangements.

A master?

Everyone’s faces changed, including Wang Lin and Zhang Jun.

“What are you afraid of? The Liu patriarch breaking through as a master—do you think the Wei family will allow such a threat in their own territory? They will surely send troops to wipe out the Liu clan, leaving them too busy to trouble us,” Lu Yan said.

Everyone considered this and realized it was true, their worries eased.

“Very well, make arrangements at once,” Lu Yan ordered.

Li Quan and Cao Hu immediately began choosing who would stay in Changfeng and who would go to other cities to spread the news.

Once everything was settled, the rest followed Lu Yan and set out southward.

“Father, Mother, follow Wang Lin and the others on the road ahead. I have one more thing to do, and will catch up soon,” Lu Yan said his farewells to Lu Qingshan, Wang Lin, and the others, then returned home.

He took out a sheet of white paper and wrote a line: I have made arrangements. If I die, the secret will be exposed. If I live, it shall remain forever hidden.

This was meant for the Liu patriarch.

The Liu patriarch had seen his true face; it would not be hard to uncover his real identity.

Lu Yan had no intention of exposing the Liu patriarch as a Martial Spirit—not yet. It would do him no good.

If word got out that the Liu patriarch was a Martial Spirit, the Liu clan would be destroyed. Yes, the Liu clan would fall, but whether the patriarch himself would be killed was uncertain.

Martial Spirits had astonishing vitality, and the Liu patriarch was a master-level Martial Spirit. If he survived, he would surely seek revenge against Lu Yan with ruthless fury.

But if Lu Yan withheld the news, the Liu patriarch would be cautious, fearing exposure, and would not dare to act recklessly.

He had another consideration as well.

If the Liu clan was destroyed, Changfeng City would inevitably fall into the Wei family’s hands. Once the Wei family took over the bloodline vein, would they discover the secondary hidden bloodline vein? There was a significant risk.

Now, by only spreading the news of the Liu patriarch’s breakthrough as a master—not as a Martial Spirit—he could incite a war between the two great clans, leaving them too distracted to exploit the vein.

The chances of the secondary bloodline vein being discovered were greatly reduced.

That vein was the foundation of a master-level clan; Lu Yan would not give it up so easily. Changfeng City—he would return one day.

He left the note, then rejoined Wang Lin and the others, setting out for Herbal City under cover of night.

When they arrived at Nine Curves City, Lu Yan bought two carriages, speeding up their journey considerably.

Above the Liu clan’s bloodline vein, the slaughter had ended.

Outside the old fortress, corpses were piled up, and six bodies hung from the walls. These six were Wu clan martial lords.

Seeing the Wu lords all dead, the remaining Wu army surrendered on the spot, except for the direct descendants of the Wu clan, most of whom were killed, with only a few escaping.

Inside the fortress:

“Patriarch, here are the portraits of all Crimson Guard members you requested. Please review them,” Liu Yuansong presented a stack of portraits carefully, for the Liu patriarch radiated a savage aura, like a beast ready to pounce.

The Liu patriarch took the portraits, flipping through them quickly. Soon, he pulled out one—it was Lu Yan.

Beside the portrait was Lu Yan’s information.

“This Lu Yan—find him, bring his head to me. No, once you find him, inform me at once. This boy is no weakling; he must have helpers, otherwise he could never have killed Yuanfu,” the patriarch said coldly.

“Yes, Patriarch,” Liu Yuansong bowed.

The Liu clan immediately mobilized, searching the city for Lu Yan.

Soon, the note from Lu Yan’s house was brought before the patriarch.

Bang!

The patriarch slammed down his hand, shattering the note and table to dust.

“Wretched brat, you dare to mock me,” the Liu patriarch’s face twisted with rage, murderous intent surging.

(End of Chapter)