Book 2 Chapter 62: After the Great Battle - Martial God

**Chapter 62: After the Great Battle** The relentless pursuit of the bandits lasted for several days and nights. When He Qian and his companions finally returned to He Family Village with the transported gold, the entire incident that had stirred all of Taicang County had largely come to a conclusion. He Yi Tian had repeatedly suggested to his father that the two of them should quickly return to Taicang County to assess the situation. However, these proposals were consistently rejected by the prudent He Qian Xin. Though He Qian Xin usually did not involve himself much in the family's affairs, at this moment, he displayed an unyielding resolve. According to him, the bandits had been attacking Taicang County for several days already. Even if they rushed as fast as possible, it would most certainly be too late. Moreover, since He Yi Ming had already gone, if even he could not handle the situation, then their father-son duo risking themselves would be akin to courting death. Rather than take risks, it was more prudent to ensure the safe transport of the gold; this treasure was invaluable and must not be lost. Even if He Family Village had perished amidst the chaos of war, with this gold, the He family could be rebuilt from the ruins. However, upon their return, they learned the details of the events, particularly the legendary tales of He Yi Ming, which had circulated in over ten versions. Even among the He family servants who had witnessed it firsthand, there were various accounts. Yet regardless of the version, one thing was unanimously agreed upon: He Yi Ming had become an almost mythical figure in their eyes… ※※※※ With shouts echoing around them, ten large carriages trundled into the He family compound. Under He Yi Hai's arrangements, over a hundred people from Yuan Jia were given accommodations. After the battle at Xu Jia Bao, even He Yi Hai had matured significantly. He had started to assist He Qian Yi in managing the manor. In fact, the third-generation heirs of the three great families, having experienced the bloody turmoil of battle, seemed to grow up overnight. They began to gradually take on core family responsibilities and seamlessly prepared to assume leadership. He Qian Xin, accompanied by He Yi Tian, first arrived at the grand courtyard of the He family. He Lao Ye Zi had already returned from Xu Jia Bao and was residing back in the grand courtyard of the He family. The women and children of the He family, who had fled into the mountains to escape the chaos, had long since returned, resulting in a joyful family reunion. When the bandits were at the city gates, the patriarchs of the three great families banded together against the common enemy without selfish intentions. But once the bandits retreated, their personal ambitions quickly began to stir. However, it was certain that as long as Xu Yin Jie and Cheng Ning Sheng did not go mad, they would definitely not initiate hostilities with the He family again. In Taicang County, the He Family Village, despite its shortest history, was destined to take a dominant position and become the premier family among the three great houses. Entering the He family’s grand courtyard, He Qian Xin and his son immediately saw He Wu De in the main hall. At that moment, He Wu De exuded a sense of weariness; after all, he was old and could not match the vigor of the young men anymore. “Father, it must have been shocking for you this time,” He Qian Xin bowed as he spoke. He Yi Tian also bowed deeply, then immediately moved to stand behind the elder, gently massaging his back. He Wu De nodded contentedly, gratified by his grandson’s attitude and technique. “This time, we were truly fortunate to have Yi Ming,” the old man sighed. “Had it not been for his sudden return and vital strike against four tenth-level inner strength bandit leaders, those ruffians might not have scattered so easily.” He Qian Xin's brow slightly furrowed as he spoke, “Father, during our trip to the Yuan family, we were equally fortunate to have Yi Ming with us. Without him, I'm afraid my son and I might not have returned smoothly.” He Wu De was taken aback. Although his eyes saw the two of them safe and sound, indicating there should have been no troubles, his heart couldn’t help but tighten upon hearing these words. “What happened? Tell me everything clearly.” “Yes, Father.” Without hesitation, He Qian Xin relayed all that he had witnessed and experienced, with even his emotions showing slight fluctuations when mentioning Lu Xin Wen. The impact He Yi Ming had made on him then was profound. He Wu De nodded slightly, silently grateful that He Yi Ming had accompanied them initially; otherwise, this rescue mission might have ended with no gains, and perhaps even the loss of his eldest son and grandson. Yet, who could have anticipated that a minor Fan family would be connected with a congenital expert? Nevertheless, an eerie thought passed through their minds simultaneously: who could have foreseen that the He Family in Taicang would unexpectedly harbor a congenital warrior? Should such a powerful individual’s existence be revealed, those bandits, regardless of their audacity, would never dare provoke them so readily. As He Qian Xin mentioned the gifts from the Yuan family, He Wu De’s brow furrowed involuntarily. Moments later, he said, “Qian Xin, you made an error accepting them. Accepting the fifty thousand taels of gold is one thing, but the twenty percent non-voting equity in Yuan’s shops cannot be taken.” He continued in a grave tone, “The Yuan family now resides outside Zhengtong County City. The deep foundations of large families there are beyond what smaller entities like us can compare. The Yuan family involving you is merely a strategy to bind Yi Ming to their chariot.” He Qian Xin chuckled bitterly, replying, “Father, of course, I understand, but since this matter was Yi Ming’s decision, I couldn’t very well oppose him.” He Wu De snorted softly, then said, “You’re Yi Ming’s uncle; why couldn’t you…” As his thoughts drifted, the memory of He Yi Ming’s day of triumph—when he roared against the wind and decimated four thousand bandits with a single strike—flashed vividly in his mind. At that moment, He questioned himself: if He Yi Ming were present and made a decision about something, would he have the courage to refuse or dismiss it? Contemplating this, a wry smile formed on his face. The might of a congenital warrior is beyond mere words. Although he is his grandson, He must now view him through a lens that exceeds ordinary considerations. “Yi Tian, go find Yi Ming; he has retreated into seclusion again since his return. Sigh… Already a congenital expert and yet working so hard.” He Yi Tian acknowledged respectfully, his arms slightly lowered, and exited the room with deference. Yet in his mind, He reflected that although the old man seemed to be complaining, his expression and demeanor didn’t harbor any semblance of reprimand. The elder indeed has quite a different regard for Sixth Brother. Seeing He Yi Tian leave, He Qian Xin asked inquisitively, “Father, why did you send Yi Tian away?” He Wu De’s expression turned serious, “You mentioned that the Yuan family also gifted two women to Tian and Ming. What is that about?” He Qian Xin’s face reflected a mix of humor and helplessness. “Father, these two women are pure maidens of the Yuan family. One of them is even Yuan Cheng Zhi’s legitimate daughter, which is why I allowed them to accept.” He Wu De’s face darkened as he let out a snort. Quickly, He Qian Xin added, “Father, Yi Ming has already reached the congenital stage, so it's perfectly acceptable for him to take more concubines if he desires. The depletion caused by women is insignificant for a congenital warrior.” He Wu De sighed, “You know nothing. My concern isn’t about Yi Ming, it's about Yi Tian. Are you disregarding his future?” Hurriedly, He Qian Xin took out a jade bottle from his pocket, saying, “Father, look at this. With this, having an additional concubine for Yi Tian isn't an issue.” Doubtful, He Wu De opened the jade bottle, and a fragrant aroma wafted out. His expression changed instantly as he recognized the contents of the bottle, and he gazed at He Qian Xin in disbelief. “Father, these are golden elixirs for vitality, all sent by Yi Ming,” He Qian Xin hesitated slightly before continuing. “From Yi Ming’s tone, it seems he might have other similar elixirs.” He Wu De nodded emphatically. Even though there were only three elixirs in the bottle, he understood their immense value and potential impact on the family’s power dynamics. “Yes, with these elixirs, Yi Tian indeed has no issues. But Yi Tian just married last year, taking a concubine now might not sit well with the Cheng family.” He Qian Xin asserted confidently, “Father, you can openly discuss our trip to the Yuan family with the in-laws. I’m sure they’ll understand.” He Wu De pondered briefly before nodding silently. In his position, he would likely make the same choice. “Qian Xin, what do you think of the woman accompanying Yi Ming?” “I’m not sure,” He Qian Xin admitted with a bitter smile. “All I know are their backgrounds and names, but this was all Yi Ming’s own decision.” “Yi Ming again?” He Wu De asked in surprise. “Yes.” He Wu De remained silent for a long time before heaving a deep sigh, “Yi Ming has finally grown up and started voicing his own intentions.” He Qian Xin lowered his head, feeling a mix of emotions. To his surprise, among the third generation of the He family, it wasn't the eldest son and grandson, He Yi Tian, who first voiced their opinions to the elders, but the sixth son, Yi Ming. "Later, summon He Qian Ming, He Qian Yi, Yi Tian, and Yi Ming to come here, and bring those two women as well," He Wu De commanded solemnly. "Since Yi Ming has accepted the woman, it's time to assign him some family assets." ※※※※ "Sixth Brother, you are truly incredible," He Yi Tao said with sparkling eyes in He Yi Ming's room. "Being a congenital expert is simply beyond human." He Yi Ming rolled his eyes, unsure if this remark was a compliment or an insult. He Yi Tao, the youngest of the third generation, had followed closely behind He Yi Tian. After He Yi Ming returned to the family village as a congenital expert, shrouded in a bloody aura, he used the excuse of seclusion to avoid the curious stares of others. He Yi Tao had tried numerous times to hear firsthand about the battle before Xu Jia Bao, but under He Qian Yi's watchful eye, he hadn't succeeded. This time, with He Yi Tian back, he seized the opportunity to tag along, despite He Qian Yi's resigned sighs about how he, a cautious man, ended up with such a rambunctious and uncontrollable son, much like a mischievous monkey. “Sixth Brother, tell me how you did it. One strike to kill two thousand, and four thousand slain by eighty percent with less than twenty percent escaping,” He Yi Tao’s eyes shone brightly, eager with curiosity. "Did they stand still and wait to be killed?" He Yi Ming was taken aback. "Yi Tao, what nonsense are you talking about? Where did you hear such wild tales?" Innocently, He Yi Tao replied, “Sixth Brother, these stories come from the household servants. They followed Grandfather and claimed you slew two thousand bandit rear guards with one strike, then decimated over half of the remaining bandits with another, forcing the rest to kneel and beg for mercy, which your benevolent heart granted.” He Yi Ming gaped in disbelief. Though he was now an unparalleled congenital expert, hearing such wildly exaggerated battle feats made his skin crawl. He glanced at his elder brother, who also looked at him with keen interest, seemingly awaiting an explanation. Sighing deeply, He Yi Ming said, “Elder Brother, Yi Tao is still young, but do you believe such rumors?” He Yi Tian hesitated. “For other tales, perhaps not. But regarding you, Sixth Brother, I can't be so sure.” Indeed, he had witnessed too many miracles from his Sixth Brother. After numerous surprises, he harbored an odd belief that no matter what happened with Sixth Brother, it seemed possible. Even a feat as extraordinary as slaying two thousand with a single sword stroke—if attributed to anyone else—He Yi Tian would scoff. But if it were his Sixth Brother... Reason told him it was impossible, yet his heart wavered. He Yi Ming, overwhelmed by their hopeful gazes, felt a heavy burden. They believed in him so completely it was as if they considered him capable of the impossible. Moved, yet anxious, he feared someday disappointing their expectations. This thought flitted through his mind before he forcibly quelled it. After so much tempering, his resolve was as firm as a rock. A moment's uncertainty was like a passing wave against a mighty pillar, gone before it posed any threat. “Elder Brother, Yi Tao, let me tell you honestly, it’s purely a rumor,” He Yi Ming stated firmly. “No one can kill two thousand cultivators with one stroke; it’s beyond human capability.” As he spoke, a question arose in his mind. When he had executed that strike, he had exerted himself fully, harnessing every ounce of his inner strength to barely unleash a blade light that covered a formation of two hundred people. Had they not been arrayed in a compact formation, densely packed in a small area, instead dispersing, his strike would never have achieved such an awe-inspiring impact. Striking two hundred at once—under different circumstances—would be entirely impossible. In truth, that strike’s power seemed a singular, unmatched feat. Yet a terrifying thought remained: if he were faster, if his true energy were stronger, if his form could encompass the entire mountain’s storm, could he cover an entire landscape in one strike? If he truly mastered such a level, two thousand or even twenty thousand might not withstand this unparalleled blow. However, this notion was too crazy. Even he only entertained it fleetingly. How could human strength genuinely compare to the vastness of nature? Anyone contemplating such was likely a madman overestimating themselves. He Yi Tian and He Yi Tao exchanged glances, noting the sudden bewilderment in He Yi Ming's eyes, and were deeply puzzled. "Sixth Brother, what are you thinking?" He Yi Ming snapped back to reality with an embarrassed smile. "Nothing much, just pondering a technique issue for a moment.” The Yi Tian siblings marveled, realizing that such single-minded dedication to martial arts might be what forged such an extraordinary individual. "Sixth Brother, so you didn’t really kill two thousand in one strike," He Yi Tao said, noticeably disappointed. He Yi Ming replied, slightly exasperated, "Yi Tao, be realistic. A single strike to cut down two thousand? What do you take them for? Even reaping wheat, you couldn't cut two thousand in one swing.” Suddenly inspired, he slapped his thigh. "I understand now." Perplexed, He Yi Tao asked, “What do you understand?” He Yi Ming turned to He Yi Tian confidently, “Elder Brother, you remember Lu Xin Wen, right?” “Of course.” “She was rumored to have massacred a millennia-old family, hence called the Blood Butcher,” He Yi Ming said with a bitter smile. “What merciless slaughter? When a thousand scatter, how can she kill them all? It’s simply exaggerated nonsense.” He Yi Tian had an epiphany and felt relieved. Although speculative, observing He Yi Ming's current reputation lent it significant credence. Even though congenital experts were formidable, if people dispersed, he only had two hands and two feet; how many could he truly pursue and kill? Abruptly, a calm yet powerful voice sounded from outside: "Yi Ming, Yi Tian, come with me. Your father has something to discuss." He Yi Tian and He Yi Ming immediately stood, while He Yi Tao, with a swift motion, darted into He Yi Ming’s inner chamber, not daring to show his face. The Yi Ming brothers exchanged a chuckle. When it came to their third uncle, Yi Tao truly seemed terrified, much like a tiger. (To be continued. For more chapters, please visit www.qidian.com, support the author and authentic reading!)