Volume 2 Chapter 41: Relentless Retribution - Martial God

Chapter 41: Relentless Retribution A gentle night breeze blew in from afar, and the stars twinkled warmly in the clear sky. He Yiming trailed far behind, for a master of innate strength need not shadow his prey closely. Even from this distance, he could easily follow the masked man from afar. What surprised him was that instead of heading towards Zheng Tong County, the masked man only traveled about a thousand meters after leaving the Yuan family estate before stopping in a sparse woodland. This grove, planted by the Yuan family, seemed a bold choice to loiter in. Yet, considering the Yuan family, who among them could truly pose a threat to such a man? The grove was not solely occupied by the masked man. As soon as he entered, two others swiftly emerged like phantoms. Although He Yiming couldn't see them directly, he recognized them as the Xiao brothers who had accompanied Fan Hao the day before. "Senior Brother, did you see He Quanxin?" Xiao Yifan asked urgently. Though the grove was somewhat distant from the Yuan estate, the clamor within could not be hidden even at night. Their impatience was evident. The masked man, who was Zhuang Yuan, nodded slightly, "I did. He is formidable, his inner strength surpassing mine by a margin." Pausing, he added, "No wonder you two couldn't defeat him even together. With him around, he indeed poses a significant threat." Xiao Yilin’s cold voice suddenly cut in, "Senior Brother, if you and Fan join forces, surely you can eliminate He Quanxin." Zhuang Yuan glared at him, rebuking, "Nonsense! Were it known that I, Zhuang Yuan, needed to gang up on someone, wouldn't it be a laughingstock? And what would our Master think if he found out?" The Xiao brothers fell silent to the scolding, clearly holding great fear of their Master. "Senior Brother, if Fan himself were to make a move, could he defeat He Quanxin?" Xiao Yifan asked suddenly. Zhuang Yuan snorted derisively, "While Fan Shuhe reached the tenth level of inner strength earlier, his practice is of the water element. Against an earth-element wielder of the same tier, what chance does he truly have?" Xiao Yifan fell silent, knowing how simple this truth was, even a novice could grasp it. After a moment of contemplation, Zhuang Yuan said, "You two really rushed blindly into this. Part of your trial went awry when you entangled yourselves in such matters. Our Master will surely reprimand you once he finds out." Xiao Yifan gave a bitter smile, "Senior Brother, we share a decades-long friendship with Fan. Before our martial skills were fully honed, he saved our lives. Now that he's asked for our help, we can't just stand by." Zhuang Yuan sighed lightly, "Very well then. Since you owe him a debt, it must be repaid. Yet if neither Fan nor I are match to him, only our Master could handle this." The Xiao brothers exchanged glances, joy sparking in their eyes, "Senior Brother, will Master intervene in such a minor matter?" With resignation, Zhuang Yuan replied, "Usually not. But for his most cherished disciples, he might make an exception." The Xiao brothers quickly protested, "Senior Brother, you are the Master’s most cherished disciple." Zhuang Yuan waved his broad sleeves, saying, "Didn't Master give you protective treasures? How could he not favor you two? Even I, your senior, am envious." The Xiao brothers grew even more embarrassed under the light jibe. Zhuang Yuan patted them on the shoulders, "Still, you both have reason to be proud. Managing to master an innate combat skill while still postnatal is already remarkable. So, pursue your trainings wholeheartedly and try to step into the innate realm. Don’t disappoint Master." The Xiao brothers nodded repeatedly, albeit with a bitter smile on their faces. Ascending to the innate realm was no easy feat. Without the inner core of a spirit beast over five hundred years, how could one break through so easily? As though recalling something, Zhuang Yuan fished out a jade bottle from his sleeve, handing it over, "Master left this elixir for you." He Yiming and the Xiao brothers were simultaneously surprised, not expecting such a treasure on him. "Senior Brother, what is this elixir?" Xiao Yifan asked, equal parts surprise and delight. "It’s a Vital Energy Elixir. It can elevate your inner strength to the pinnacle of the ninth level within a short time," Zhuang Yuan remarked wistfully. "There are four pills inside. Remember, take only one within ten days; otherwise, the excess energy could prove counterproductive." The Xiao brothers agreed hastily as they took the jade bottle. Xiao Yilin hesitated briefly before asking, "Senior Brother, if you took the Vital Energy Elixir, could you surpass He Quanxin?" Zhuang Yuan shook his head slightly, "The elixir’s miraculous effects are for those below the tenth level. Once reaching the tenth, its efficacy greatly diminishes." With that, the Xiao brothers stored the elixir away. While not an elixir to breach the bottleneck limit, the Vital Energy Elixir was nonetheless hugely valuable and hard to come by for practitioners. Their joy was palpable from their excited expressions. "Senior Brother, when shall we meet with Master?" Xiao Yifan inquired. “No need to reach out.” Zhuang Yuan casually replied, “Master should arrive tomorrow. Once here, he should not refuse your plea.” Xiao Yifan nodded heavily, a malice flickering in his eyes briefly, "If Master agrees, I will implore him to eradicate the He family entirely." From a distance, He Yiming involuntarily raised his head, a wave of shock and disbelief washing over him. He couldn't fathom what grudge Xiao Yifan held against the He family to provoke such a terrifying wish. Unlike He Yiming, Zhuang Yuan was unsurprised, even speaking as if it were a matter of course, "If Master truly intervenes, naturally we should wipe out both the He and Yuan families." A chill surged up from He Yiming’s heart, so intense it pierced even his innate strength. "Senior Brother, it's said that the He family resides afar in Tianluo Country. Do they possess treasures in their family?" Xiao Yifan’s voice carried a faint hope. Zhuang Yuan shook his head slightly, “Hard to say. But since they have experts at the tenth level of inner strength, it’s possible.” Xiao Yifan laughed, “Senior Brother, if we find treasures at the He family, we’ll save some for you.” Zhuang Yuan burst into laughter, “Good to see your brotherly intentions.” Their composed conversation painted the He family in Tianluo as already at their mercy. He Yiming’s heart went cold as he looked skyward, a strange thought taking root. The He family, household together with staff, numbered over a hundred. Did they truly hold no weight in the eyes of these three? He didn't doubt their words, for the nonchalance with which they discussed exterminating his family chilled him deeper than any foe before. Slowly, He Yiming's gaze shifted, a dark, violent undertone pervading his clear eyes. Taking deep breaths, he made no effort to hide his presence, his breath echoing clearly in the silent night. The trio in the grove twisted their faces in shock. Though not of innate status, the pronounced breath within this range couldn't escape their detection. Like a gust, they were suddenly before He Yiming, establishing a loose perimeter. Yet, when they got a look at He Yiming’s face, their expressions turned comically incredulous. In their minds, anyone able to elude their senses at such proximity had to be someone of He Quanxin’s caliber, not a mere youth. Zhuang Yuan furrowed his brows, asking in a deep voice, "Young man, who are you?" Xiao Yifan quickly added, "Senior Brother, this is He Quanxin's nephew. We saw him yesterday at the Yuan family. His skills are noteworthy." A flash of lethal intent reflected in Zhuang Yuan's eyes, "A He family member, is it? Remarkable for someone so young to elude us. Quite impressive," he murmured to himself, "Pity, quite the pity." He Yiming's gaze swept over the three of them and finally settled on Xiao Yifan. He calmly asked, "I am unclear about something. Would Senior Xiao mind enlightening me?" Xiao Yifan initially had no intention of responding, but for some reason, upon meeting He Yiming's eyes, he inexplicably changed his mind. "Speak," he said. A look of surprise flickered across Zhuang Yuan and Xiao Yilin's faces, but they quickly understood. Xiao Yifan must be toying with a mouse before the final kill, they presumed. Lowering his gaze, He Yiming asked quietly, "Our He family has no grievance with you. Why do you wish to annihilate us completely?" Xiao Yifan sneered, "Who says you need a grudge to wipe out an entire family?" His voice carried a tone of blatant disregard, "Even if your family hadn't meddled with the Yuan family affairs, I'd still destroy you all just because I don't like you." He Yiming's brows twitched slightly; his heart grew even colder. Before today, he believed winter's ice was the coldest thing in the world. But now, he realized there was something colder than ice—the human heart, unfathomable and unyielding. When a person's heart turns cold, it's a hundred times harsher than the winter chill... Something deep inside him ached suddenly, as if pierced by an invisible thorn. Lifting his head, he spoke with an odd undertone in his voice, "Such callous disregard for life... Aren't you afraid of the law's punishment?" "The law?" Xiao Yifan's face twisted in an amused expression, as if hearing the world's funniest joke, he laughed, "What is the law? It's something to oppress the common people. How can it apply to us?" His laughter carried no exaggeration or doubt, as natural as describing the sun rising in the east and setting in the west, full of confidence. He Yiming slowly nodded, "I see. As long as someone is stronger than you, strong enough to ignore the law, they can dispose of your life at will. Is that right?" Xiao Yifan chuckled, "Boy, you've finally grasped it. But unfortunately, it's too late." Zhuang Yuan grew impatient, saying, "Second Brother, is this amusement over? Let’s finish this; we still need to greet Master." "I understand, Senior Brother," Xiao Yifan replied. Yet, he too was puzzled about his own strange mood today, indulging a soon-to-be-dead youth in conversation, unusual for him. Shaking off the thought, he moved decisively. Pivoting, he closed the distance in an inexplicable manner, aiming a casual sweep at He Yiming with his arm. He wasn’t careless being dismissive; instead, it was He Yiming's youth. For a master with ninth-layer inner strength, how could he consider a teenager of sixteen or seventeen a threat? He Yiming reached out, placing his hand calmly in front of his chest, as if intending to block the incoming strike. A cold grin spread across the trio’s faces, filled with mocking cruelty. They envisioned He Yiming being swept aside, possibly meeting his end from that single blow. Yet, their smiles froze instantaneously. Xiao Yifan's arm crashed against He Yiming's palm, but instead of being flung away, He Yiming stood his ground, unmoving. His expression unchanged, his eyes were serene, untouched by worldly concerns. Powerful energy struck like a stone cast into the sea without causing a ripple. Suddenly, Xiao Yifan’s heart tightened, seized by an invisible hand, momentarily pausing his breath. With his ninth-layer inner strength and enhanced by his golden armguard's extraordinary power, even He Quanxin, who boasted tenth-layer inner strength, couldn't overlook his capabilities in their previous encounter. While exchanging blows, he had made He Quanxin tremble slightly, if nothing more. But now, in front of this young man, Xiao Yifan’s immense strength seemed utterly ineffective. The youth stood like a mountain, a true mountain, against which his might splashed helplessly. Both Zhuang Yuan and Xiao Yilin sensed this startling development, their breaths shifted from calm to hurried, inner energy roiling like a wild sea. Still, they hesitated, finding it inconceivable that such power resided in this young individual. Under the trio's scrutiny, He Yiming's open hand clenched around Xiao Yifan's arm, gripping over the mystical golden armguard. Xiao Yifan struggled fiercely to pull away, horrified to find his efforts were futile against He Yiming's hold, akin to restraining an ant. A peculiar sensation swept over him. In He Yiming’s presence, he felt like an ant, ready to be crushed at any given moment. His eyes widened, regarding He Yiming as though witnessing a specter. He had experienced such emotions only before his Master, an innate realm powerbearer. Unexpectedly, the dreaded thought surfaced in his mind. His face drained of all color. Terrified, he tried to shout out his discovery, yet felt a potent force surge from his armguard into his body, and in an instant, his strength evaporated. Though unfamiliar, the force overwhelming him rendered both him and Senior Brother Zhuang Yuan as insignificant as ants. In the corner of his eye, familiar figures advanced towards him and the young man, not fleeing but closing in. He wished to bellow, to urge them to escape as far away as possible. Yet, deep down, he recognized the futility of escape for them both. In final desperation, a faint, insect-like sound escaped his throat. It was unclear even to him what he had attempted to express, leaving him questioning whether he had spoken at all. Worse, the sound seemed to retreat away. Suddenly, the grip disappeared, and Xiao Yifan's body began to collapse. In his last moments, he saw only a pair of calm eyes, devoid of emotion, ascetically detached from the mortal world.