Legacy of the Spirit Stone

Chapter 41 – Messages and Will

"Come out," Yang Lingrui called into the cave.

The person inside, trembling, slowly emerged.

Scar-faced Man saw Yang Linghu, covered in wounds but still alive, and felt a jolt in his heart.

Seeing Yang Lingrui, who had already reached Mid Qi Condensation, he panicked even more and simply fell to his knees with a thud.

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The two thought he would beg for mercy, but to their surprise, he said, "Please, I beg you, I am willing to serve you like a horse or ox, just save my big brother! Save him!"

"Your big brother isn't dead yet?"

Yang Linghu was also surprised, as Liao Feng was barely breathing at the time.

Scar-faced Man quickly nodded.

The two exchanged a glance and then asked him to lead the way.

Inside the cave, they saw Liao Feng, barely recognizable, clinging to life by a thread.

"Years ago, my brother and I discovered a cave dwelling and obtained a pearl. Now, my brother holds that pearl in his mouth to keep himself alive."

Scar-faced Man wiped away tears as he spoke, "But this is not a long-term solution. In three days at most, my brother will die."

"I see."

Yang Linghu then asked, "What are your names and backgrounds? Why were you with Zhang Chen?"

Scar-faced Man dared not be vague and recounted his story in detail.

His name was Han Wang, and he, Liao Feng, and the Effeminate Man, whom Yang Linghu had killed with a punch, were sworn brothers.

They were originally rogue cultivators from the Eastern Wasteland and later joined the Seventh Prince's rebel army. After the Eastern Wasteland split and chaos ensued, even cultivators like them couldn't protect themselves and had to flee to the surrounding areas.

Thus, they became bandits and entered the territory of the Tiger-Chasing Dynasty.

Then the three met Zhang Chen, who had a precious jade they couldn't contend with, so they agreed to work for him to survive.

When Han Wang asked about Zhang Chen's fate and learned he was dead, he clapped his hands in delight, "Good riddance! Good riddance!"

He had witnessed the fight between the three. If not for Zhang Chen's betrayal, his brother wouldn't have ended up in such a miserable state.

"Thank you, seniors, for avenging my brother!"

"You hate Zhang Chen but not me?" Yang Linghu laughed.

Han Wang replied, "We attacked you first, and you were just defending yourself. But Zhang Chen was a true traitor and scoundrel!"

"Haha, interesting. But we can't save your brother, nor will we. You should give him a quick end."

Hearing this, Han Wang's expression darkened, and he felt a deep sadness.

"Do you know the current situation in the Eastern Wasteland?" Yang Linghu asked.

"I know... I know a bit. We followed the Seventh Prince to many places back then," Han Wang said.

Hearing this, Yang Linghu and Yang Lingrui returned to the cave entrance to discuss.

"What should we do? Kill him?" Yang Lingrui asked.

Yang Linghu thought for a moment, "We don't know much about the situation in the Eastern Wasteland. Let's take him home and let the elders question him before deciding."

"Alright, let's spare his life."

The two returned, and Yang Linghu said to Han Wang, "Take out that pearl. Keeping him alive like this is torture. Let him die peacefully."

Though Han Wang was reluctant, he had to admit that Liao Feng's current state was worse than death.

After removing the pearl, Liao Feng exhaled his last breath and fell silent.

After burying his body, the three returned to the Yang Clan.

In the Yang Clan's Forbidden Zone.

Yang Lingqing was too distracted to meditate until Chen Yang sent a message, informing her that Yang Linghu was safe, which allowed her to relax.

At that moment, Yang Guanfeng and Zhao Qi also returned home from White Stone Town, bringing significant news.

The Dynasty had issued a decree requiring all families and sects under its rule to send people to the Eastern Frontier to quell the chaos.

The list included the Pine Mountain Yang Clan, specifically naming Yang Guanfeng to go.

"They want you to go, Ancestor? How can that be!"

"It's not just me. Wang Xiong, Zhang Tianqi, and the heads of the families from White Stone and Willow Leaf Towns are also on the list."

Yang Guanfeng, hands behind his back, looked to the horizon and said, "This is the Dynasty's way of weakening the families under its rule. Even though our Yang Clan has become independent from the towns, as long as we're on Tiger-Chasing's land, we can't defy the decree."

Yang Lingqing, though displeased, could only shake her head helplessly in the face of reality.

"The Eastern Wasteland is in chaos, and the border has long been unguarded. It's likely filled with smoke and danger," Yang Lingqing sighed.

Yang Guanfeng patted her shoulder with a smile, "Don't be discouraged. With you at home, I'm at ease. Besides, this trip isn't without benefits."

Since the Dynasty is mobilizing people on such a large scale, they must offer corresponding rewards.

Families that send people will receive Spirit Crystals from the Dynasty every month based on the number of people and their cultivation level.

"Think of it as going on a long trip for work."

"Ancestor, you still have the mood to joke."

During their conversation, the Pine Forest Earth Array was activated.

"Ancestor, Lingrui and Linghu have returned!"

The three went to greet them, and upon seeing Yang Linghu covered in wounds, they were all shocked.

Yang Guanfeng quickly took him inside for a thorough examination. Fortunately, the injuries were only physical and hadn't damaged his cultivation foundation. With proper rest, he would recover.

After instructing Zhao Qi to take care of Linghu, Yang Guanfeng returned to the main courtyard.

By then, Han Wang was already kneeling on the ground, waiting to be questioned.

"Ancestor, this is the leader of the bandits, from the Eastern Wasteland."

"Oh? The Eastern Wasteland?"

Yang Guanfeng approached, gave Han Wang a quick once-over, and learned most of his background.

"You've cultivated the Copper Skin and Iron Bones technique, right?"

"Yes!"

"Your martial arts are leg techniques, are they springing kicks or whip kicks?"

"Senior, they're springing kicks!"

With just two simple questions, Han Wang was sweating profusely, feeling immense pressure.

He hadn't told Yang Lingrui and Yang Linghu about his cultivation techniques or martial arts, yet Yang Guanfeng saw through him at a glance. How could he not be terrified?

"Being a bandit, according to the rules, you should be executed."

"I understand! Thank you, seniors, for sparing my life! I am willing to swear a Blood Oath to repay your kindness!"

Seeing his willingness, Yang Guanfeng witnessed the Blood Oath.

"You can escape death, but not punishment."

He said, "Since you know something about the Eastern Wasteland, come with me to the frontier to quell the chaos. Consider it a way to atone for your sins."

Hearing he had to return to the Eastern Wasteland, Han Wang instinctively hesitated.

After all, he had fled to Tiger-Chasing to save his life, and now he had to return.

But he knew he was lucky to be alive and had no choice or right to refuse.

So he gritted his teeth and agreed, "Han Wang is willing to follow and serve you, Senior!"

"Good, rest in the outer courtyard for the next two days. On the third day, we'll depart together."

"Yes!"

In the following two days, Yang Guanfeng had a deep conversation with Elder Yu and spoke at length with the three children.

On the second night, while everyone was resting, Yang Guanfeng went alone to the ancestral hall.

He first paid respects to the ancestors and then approached, kneeling before Chen Yang.

"Yang Clan's head, Yang Guanfeng, pays respects to the Immortal Lord."

"The Immortal Lord's powers are boundless, saving the Yang Clan from danger many times and protecting our descendants. The Yang Clan will remember the Immortal Lord's great kindness for generations!"

"I have lived my life for the family, and I am content with what I have achieved. But now, I am about to embark on a journey, and I can't help but feel uneasy. I come to disturb you, hoping for your forgiveness, Immortal Lord."

"This journey may be perilous, and I am prepared not to return. If the family declines with no one to carry on, or if disaster strikes, I boldly ask the Immortal Lord..."

At this point, Yang Guanfeng's weathered face trembled, showing his inner struggle.

Chen Yang was moved, expecting Yang Guanfeng to ask him to preserve the Yang Clan's bloodline in times of crisis.

But in the next moment, when Yang Guanfeng spoke again, Chen Yang was shocked to his core.

"I boldly ask to be the unworthy sinner!"

"If disaster truly strikes, I ask the Immortal Lord not to be burdened by the Yang Clan and to pursue the Great Dao freely!"