Volume 2 Chapter 43: The Blood Butcher - Martial God

Chapter 43: The Blood Butcher The sun was a bright red, nestled among clouds woven from crimson leaves, while the azure sky was sliced into ribbons by tree branches, entwining the sun and the clouds. Amidst this captivating scene, He Yi Ming swiftly traversed the fields, entering the Yuan family estate. Though it was already daytime, He Yi Ming's speed was astonishingly fast; even if someone had seen him, it would appear like a mere blur, not realizing someone had passed right under their nose. He Yi Ming had just reached an epiphany atop the mountain, merging the Cloud and Rain Seal with the innate agility techniques of the Xiao brothers, drawing from the natural rain and mist and creating a new lightweight movement technique. He named it the Cloud and Rain Ascension Technique. Although it was the first formal technique he had created, its power exceeded the innate techniques of the Xiao brothers by far. However, this was because the Xiao brothers were accomplished in the postnatal realm and thus could not fully wield their innate technique. If an innate master were to fully master the Xiao brothers' technique and reach its pinnacle, the superiority of one technique over the other would depend on personal prowess. In the absence of an innate master, whenever He Yi Ming deployed his technique, he became swift and elusive, moving like a ghost, invisible to all. Upon returning to his room, He Yi Ming felt waves of emotion. If he were still on the mountain peak, he would have let out a long howl to vent his excitement. The cultivation of the innate realm is markedly different from the postnatal experience. In the postnatal realm, internal strength must be cultivated step by step. Even with He Yi Ming's extraordinary talent and physique, it took about six months to master a stage to its peak. But the innate realm was wholly different. That morning's enlightenment atop the mountain did not just produce a lightweight movement technique; it also enhanced his internal innate energy to an incredible degree. During that enlightenment, it was as if his body had ascended to a new level, capable of containing multiples of his previous innate energy. Currently, his innate energy was more than double what it was yesterday; such a transformation naturally filled him with joy. His eyes swept around the room, immediately aware that someone had been there, though they had touched nothing, merely entering and leaving. Even the broadsword he had left under the covers remained untouched. He furrowed his brows briefly before relaxing. The only ones likely to enter without his consent were his uncle or elder brother. The Yuan family servants likely did not have the nerve. With a quick glance, He Yi Ming chuckled. Although his clothes had dried under the heat of his internal energy, they were a bit creased. He changed into a fresh set, placing the soiled garments in a basket by the window. This was a rule of the Yuan family: once the clothes needing washing were placed there, a servant would take them, saving guests any trouble. Clearly, Yuan Chengzhi and the others had gone to great lengths to ensure guests were comfortable at the Yuan estate. He Yi Ming left his room and, upon a brief stroll in the courtyard, arrived at his elder brother's door. His ears twitched slightly, immediately picking up the long, steady breath sounds from inside. To He Yi Ming's ears, the breathing evoked a sense of standing on boundless plains. He praised inwardly, recognizing his elder brother was diligently cultivating his internal strength, making his breath long and powerful. Through his innate perception, He Yi Ming understood that He Yi Tian had made significant progress in his earth-based practice, deeply grasping its essence. It aligned with his innately composed nature, suggesting that in a few years, even without an Elixir of Limit, he could reach the pinnacle of the seventh layer. When he could surpass the seventh layer and advance to the eighth, however, was anyone's guess. After listening outside for a while, only when the breathing abruptly became fine and rapid did He Yi Ming gently knock on the door. Through the breathing, he already knew his brother had finished his cultivation. This wasn't the He family household; lengthy cultivation wasn't possible here. He Yi Tian had just finished his session when he heard the knock, and upon opening the door, his face lit with joy, albeit followed by a teasing admonition, "Sixth brother, where were you last night? Did you go after that masked man?" He Yi Ming sheepishly scratched his head, letting out a couple of awkward laughs, and then entered the room. He Yi Tian shook his head slightly, looking at his somewhat cheeky brother, feeling a bit resigned but then suddenly pausing, his gaze becoming scrutinizing. He Yi Ming was momentarily puzzled, asking, “Brother, what’s wrong?” He Yi Tian frowned, “Strange, you seem different from yesterday.” He Yi Ming was inwardly startled. His emotional upheaval from yesterday, combined with his enlightenment at dawn, had indeed changed his disposition, and his innate energy was significantly more robust. But his brother's perceptiveness was startlingly keen to notice such subtle changes. Laughing heartily, He Yi Ming replied, “Brother, you’re overthinking it. I’m still me, aren’t I?” He Yi Tian was momentarily confused by the rhetorical twist, then sighed, concluding with amusement, “You little rascal, always spinning tales.” His face grew stern, “Yesterday's man was at the tenth layer of internal strength, and a fire-based practitioner at that. You dared to pursue him?” He Yi Ming forced a smile and quickly pleaded, “Brother, please spare me the lecture. I returned safe and sound, didn't I?” He Yi Tian harrumphed softly, still somewhat dissatisfied. With a flick of his hand, He Yi Ming conjured a small jade bottle out of thin air, producing it as though by magic, and grinned at his brother, brimming with pride. He Yi Tian exclaimed in surprise, unsure how his sixth brother had managed such a feat. The sleight of hand was beyond his own capability. In reality, this was due to He Yi Ming’s mastery of a unique hand seal technique, making his moves incredibly swift, a level unattainable without such aptitude. “Brother, do you know what this is?” He Yi Tian glanced, showing slight disdain, “What, trying to bribe me? I’m not interested.” Grinning, He Yi Ming uncorked the bottle, pouring out a golden pill. The pill was pale yellow, and once out, it twirled nimbly in He Yi Ming's palm, filling the room with a peculiar fragrance. He Yi Tian's demeanor grew serious. Though he’d never seen a golden pill, the invigorating aroma alerted him to its value. “What exactly is this?” “This is a golden pill.” “A golden pill?” Startling upright, He Yi Tian's eyes flickered with disbelief. Hesitantly, he murmured, “Sixth brother, is this the pill that breaks through the limits?” He Yi Ming shook his head slightly, “No, brother. That one's called the Limit Breaker Pill. This here is the Vitality Pill.” A hint of disappointment crossed He Yi Tian's face, “What’s it for, then?” “The Vitality Pill enhances one's vitality. Upon consumption, it greatly boosts energy, and if one cultivates internal strength during this period, it can significantly hasten progress, even reaching the peak of their current layer,” He Yi Ming explained earnestly. He wasn’t wrong; even for someone at the ninth layer, this pill was invaluable. For He Yi Tian, who was at the seventh layer, it would undoubtedly accelerate him to the seventh layer’s peak. A trace of excitement brushed He Yi Tian’s face. Though not as hyperbolic as the Limit Breaker Pill, for a cultivator, this was still a rare treasure. To claim indifference would be a lie. He Yi Ming handed the pill over, “Its effects are significant. Even a ninth-layer expert should only consume one every ten days. I reckon one a year should suffice for you.” He Yi Tian carefully accepted it, hesitating before asking, “Where did you get this? Did you encounter the masked individual?” Before yesterday, He Yi Ming didn't possess this treasure. Now that he returned with it, it naturally raised suspicion. He Yi Ming shook his head slightly and said, “Brother, there's no need for concern. Our ten-day agreement with the Fan family isn't far off. You should take it now and hasten your internal energy to this layer's peak.” He Yi Tian looked at the golden pill in his hand, unable to suppress the temptation, and sat back down, consumed the pill, and his expression immediately changed as he began circulating his internal energy. Stepping back, He Yi Ming left his brother’s room, gently closing the door. A tiny thread of his true energy discreetly manipulated the inner latch, locking it as if by an invisible hand. He then sought out the Yuan family steward overseeing this courtyard, instructing him to inform others that his brother was deep in cultivation and should not be disturbed. The steward obediently complied, not daring to show any reluctance. Satisfied with his behavior, He Yi Ming made his way to his uncle’s residence. From afar, he heard voices and a peculiar sound, like pebbles knocking, from inside the room. He imagined the scene vividly. He Quanxin and Yuan Chengzhi, in the room, were enjoying tea and playing chess. Smiling slightly, He Yi Ming felt more in tune with controlling and sensing his true energy, and it seemed to be growing incrementally, though he didn't know when it would reach its fullest. Uncle's door was ajar, and He Yi Ming softly called from the doorstep. He Quanxin responded cheerfully, “Yi Ming, come in.” Though outwardly composed upon learning of He Yi Ming’s disappearance, He Quanxin had been worried until He Yi Ming’s safe return laid his concerns to rest. He Yi Ming approached them, glanced at the chessboard briefly, and then looked away. In matters of arts like music and chess, he never delved into such disciplines. To him, the chess pieces were best suited as makeshift projectiles. “Uncle, Brother asked me to tell you he plans to seclude himself in cultivation for a few days,” He Yi Ming conveyed. He Quanxin set aside his chess piece and asked in surprise, “Why would Yi Tian suddenly have this idea? Is this the time to retreat for cultivation?” With Yuan Chengzhi present, He Yi Ming didn’t wish to disclose the golden pill matter, so he merely smiled ruefully, “Perhaps my brother had a sudden urge.” He Quanxin glared at him, clearly not buying the explanation, but, swayed by Yuan Chengzhi’s presence, chose not to pursue it. Looking to change the subject, He Yi Ming inquired, “Uncle Yuan, may I ask you something?” Yuan Chengzhi laughed heartily, “Yi Ming, please, there's no need for formality. Ask away. If I know the answer, I won't withhold it.” “I'd like to know if you are familiar with Lu Xinwen?” He Yi Ming asked respectfully. “Lu Xinwen?” Yuan Chengzhi inhaled sharply, his face involuntarily showing a hint of astonishment. “Why are you asking about him, my dear nephew?” Noting his reaction, He Yi Ming’s heart tightened, but he smiled, unaffected, “I heard his name mentioned while accompanying my brother to the county city. They said he's a formidable figure.” Relieved, Yuan Chengzhi nodded slightly, “You’re correct. He’s indeed an extraordinary person.” Curious, He Quanxin asked, “Brother Yuan, who is this prestigious person? Could he be the head of a great family?” Yuan Chengzhi sighed wryly, “If he were just a head of a great family, I wouldn’t speak so highly of him.” Pausing, admiration crept into his visage, “Lu Xinwen, as the story goes, was an orphan who wandered the world. With talent and diligence, he became renowned in martial arts, and many powerful families attempted to woo him, but he showed no interest. Eventually, his indifference angered a millennia-old prestigious family, leading to an ambush by three fighters of equal caliber. Yet, he carved a bloody path and vanished.” He Quanxin’s expression shifted slightly, aware that three equal-level fighters signified tenth-layer internal experts, lending credence to Yuan Chengzhi’s emphasis. “And afterward?” He Yi Ming pressed, “He couldn’t disappear forever, could he?” Yuan Chengzhi nodded slightly, “Indeed. After a decade of silence, twenty-five years ago, Lu Xinwen reemerged. His first act was to wipe out the entire millennium-old family responsible, earning the moniker Blood Butcher.” At this, Yuan Chengzhi’s face bore a trace of dread. “He left no survivors.” He Quanxin’s complexion changed significantly, eyes wide with shock. “An innate expert?” “Correct,” Yuan Chengzhi confirmed, “The family held four mixed ninth and tenth-layer experts. Only an innate master could annihilate them without leaving witnesses.” He Quanxin pondered, “How did he become an innate expert?” Yuan Chengzhi smiled wryly, “There are many tales, but the most credible suggests he found a lair of a former innate practitioner and acquired an innate elixir, allowing him to breakthrough.” He Quanxin clicked his tongue, eyes filled with envy. Such fortune demanded ancestral blessings. He Yi Ming suddenly looked up, asking calmly, “Uncle Yuan, how many were in that family?” “Top to bottom, including servants, there were at least a thousand,” Yuan Chengzhi replied. “A thousand?” He Yi Ming was taken aback, thinking for a while. “Uncle Yuan, if a thousand people scattered and fled, how could one person kill them all?” Shaking his head, Yuan Chengzhi answered matter-of-factly, “I don’t know, but an innate master should manage.” He Yi Ming rolled his eyes, noting Yuan Chengzhi’s over-indulgence in the legend of innate masters. Though formidable with an endless supply of true energy, they were still human. If a thousand spread out, even an innate master couldn’t wipe them all. Such a feat would require not an innate master, but a deity. He was sure there was an underlying reason, though it eluded him for the moment. With a long sigh, Yuan Chengzhi said, “One must repay enmity with vengeance, eradicated entirely to the roots; such decisiveness is a man’s duty.” He Yi Ming was momentarily stunned, looking at Yuan Chengzhi with faint peculiarity. Killing over a thousand, including the elderly, women, and children, was deemed a man’s duty by Yuan Chengzhi. This mindset... He understood but couldn't accept it for himself. Nevertheless, learning this news slightly changed his expression. Lu Xinwen’s vengeful nature was beyond measure. If he learned his disciples perished by He Yi Ming’s hand, he wouldn’t let matters rest quietly and could endanger the family. Then, recalling the Xiao brothers' threats of enlisting Lu Xinwen to obliterate the He family, he realized that taking action or not made little difference. They wouldn't spare his family either way. Thus, his resolve strengthened. Despite Lu Xinwen's early entry into the innate realm over twenty years ago, He Yi Ming felt no apprehension or fear, only steadier resolve. Before entering the innate realm, it was a mysterious aspirational goal. Yet, post-entry, he understood that while time played a role, the most crucial element in cultivation was enlightenment. An instant of realization could exponentially amplify power. As his fists quietly clenched, He Yi Ming thought, if Lu Xinwen comes, let him taste the might of the Broadsword's Mountain-Crushing Thirty-Six Styles.