Chapter 117 - Tie Sha Vows Allegiance, the Underworld Gates of the Black Market Open - Part 2

“What is it, General?” Zhao Xiantong froze mid-step.

General Mammoth said, “First, capture a few locals and figure out what happened here.”

Zhao Xiantong snorted. “General, in a backwater like this, how could there possibly be any—”

Before he could finish, General Mammoth seized him by the collar and hoisted him clean off his feet with a single hand. “You fool, how long have you been out in the Central Plains?!”

Zhao Xiantong’s eyes bulged, but he swallowed his retort and lowered his gaze.

“Yes, that was my mistake. I assumed this remote border wouldn’t hide any real masters, so I let my guard down.”

General Mammoth tossed him aside. “Find out exactly how these people were killed.”

“Yes...right away.”

“Hold on,” General Mammoth said, voice dropping. “That white bird up there... It’s been watching us the whole time.”

Zhao Xiantong looked up and finally noticed the white finch perched high against the wind. A flicker of recognition crossed his face, and his body tensed.

“You think...?” General Mammoth asked.

“I mean...it shouldn’t be, right?” Zhao Xiantong forced a shaky laugh. “This isn’t the Central Plains. How could—”

Before he could finish, General Mammoth stepped forward and cupped his fists toward the sky. He called out loudly, “Senior, we’re only passing through. If we’ve caused you any disturbance, please accept our apologies.”

At those words, the ragged soldiers behind him fell unnaturally quiet. Not a single sneer or snicker rose from their ranks. They had all known true despair before, terror beyond imagination.

But still, this wasn’t the Central Plains. How could an undying husk be here?

Usually, such beings could only manifest where the gates of the underworld frequently opened—places wreathed in dark energies and ancient secrets.

To these soldiers, undying husks were an unknown, a terrible mystery, and a forbidden domain. Even the fiercest bandits or the best-trained armies avoided such places, fully aware of what lay in wait.

Li Yuan, of course, knew nothing about undying husks. He only watched in silence, heart pounding. It dawned on him that his own ability might not be unique—somewhere in the Central Plains, there were likely others with similar powers.

Li Yuan had no desire for two sixth rank powerhouses to step any further into this territory. Zhao Xiantong was dangerous enough, but General Mammoth could easily become unstoppable.

If that man truly entered the county, Li Yuan would have nowhere to run. And even if he did slip away, how could he protect those he cared about?

Li Yuan's heart thudded in his chest, cold sweat trickling down. In a rush, he thought of using what the enemy believed against them like the empty fortress strategy, anything to scare them off.

So the white finch perched on the horn of Antelope Pass suddenly drifted down and settled atop one of the impaled heads, coolly surveying the soldiers. Its piercing gaze finally landed on General Mammoth, as though studying him from afar.

The sight of a bird that seemed almost...aware was enough to confirm everyone’s suspicions.

Zhao Xiantong swallowed hard. He hastily put the severed head back on its stake, then darted away, unwilling to come even a step closer to that strange white finch.

Li Yuan’s heart, pounding a moment ago, began to slow. He had the finch remain perfectly still, its uncannily human eyes observing the ragtag army with chilly detachment.

General Mammoth gave a short bow. “If you have no further objections, Senior, we’ll take our leave. We’re only passing by...no need for trouble.”

With that, he waved an arm, and Zhao Xiantong along with the battered troops slowly retreated, veering west.

There were more counties than just Flowerpath, Southsky, and Gemhill on this border—no sense risking their lives here if they could go somewhere else.

They wanted to be local warlords, not martyrs. If they really wanted to die, they could have stayed in the Central Plains.

When they were far enough away, Zhao Xiantong said, “General Mammoth, there’s also Bluepond County nearby. They’ve got more seventh rank warriors over there, but they’re still no match for us. It’ll just take a bit more effort to capture. Let’s head that way.”

“Fine. Once we’ve taken Bluepond, we’ll come back and investigate this place more thoroughly,” General Mammoth said. “We need to figure out exactly what’s going on around here. If it’s too dangerous, we’ll move on.”

“Yes, sir,” Zhao Xiantong agreed. Then, after a pause, he murmured, “Is it possible that bird was—”

“No,” General Mammoth cut him off. In a low voice, he explained, “Martial artists in the living realm draw their power from blood, but the soul itself is a forbidden domain.

"Any misstep in manipulating the soul can lead to madness or death. There’s no mortal who can let their spirit wander freely outside the body. Only aberrations—undying husks—and...ghosts—can do that.”

Meanwhile, Li Yuan watched them fade into the distance, then exhaled a heavy sigh of relief.

Close call

, he thought.

Yet it was more than just luck. Had he not wiped out the Fragrant General earlier... Had he not impaled those heads at the gorge entrance... This incoming force would have likely marched in without hesitation and unified with the Fragrant General’s men. After gathering intel on the region, they would have eventually zeroed in on the Blood Blade Patriarch.

Then they would have tested him by capturing members of the Blood Blade Sect, setting up elaborate traps to see if he came to save them—and how. Each time he intervened, his true abilities would be exposed. Li Yuan would have been forced to act, but always on uncertain footing, as though treading on thin ice above a bottomless abyss.

And when General Mammoth realized the so-called Blood Blade Patriarch wasn’t as fearsome as rumored...that would be the end of everything.

Li Yuan didn’t catch the talk about undying husks. Even so, he could still sense that ominous pressure hanging over him.

At present, he had two priorities. First was studying the life chronicle, his true path to growing stronger. Second was figuring out who else might possess an ability like his, the power to observe others through a bird’s eyes.

The first concern formed the backbone of his real strength; the second was the tiger skin he used to intimidate his enemies.

These thoughts flashed through Li Yuan’s mind as he nudged his horse onward through the mountains.

Soon after, he reached a slope where he dismounted, removed the saddle, and sent his horse home on its own.

He circled around Little Ink Mountain to bag some random game, then headed back from the direction of Little Ink Village.

When Li Yuan finally returned to the inner district, a gate attendant called out warmly, “Elder Li, back from hunting? It’s been a while!”

Li Yuan’s good nature was well-known. He was the one who spearheaded reducing the grain tax for local farmers, and his family also ran porridge stands at the entrance to Silver Creek.

To the townspeople, the Li family practically embodied compassion and generosity, so even the gate attendants felt at ease greeting him.

Li Yuan returned the greeting with a friendly smile, “Yes, I used to be a hunter, and I couldn’t resist heading out one more time now that winter’s here. My hands were itching for it, hah!”

That was more than enough to make the attendant’s day. Bowing quickly, he watched Li Yuan depart.

˙·٠✧🐗➶➴🏹✧٠·˙

Back at Residence No. 9, Li Yuan first asked Auntie Wang to heat some water. Then he went inside, pulled out the Spirit-Release Technique manual, and once again focused on the section with the soulless replica of the life chronicle.

The water soon boiled, and Li Yuan scattered herbs into the steaming bath. Stripping down, he settled in for a thorough soak. Afterward, he dressed in loose robes and rocked gently in a reclining chair.

That night, having been away for several days, he happily indulged in the warmth of his two wives—Yan Yu and Xue Ning. The reunion passion carried on late into the evening.

Li Yuan wrapped his arms around Yan Yu’s waist while Xue Ning lounged languidly against him, her hair flowing over smooth shoulders. A few soft breaths and quiet moans underscored their closeness.

Amid the gentle afterglow, Yan Yu murmured, “I’ve heard rumors about a bandit army outside the county that was annihilated by the Blood Blade Patriarch. The survivors escaped in a frenzy, pleading for his mercy.”

Xue Ning added, “And the townsfolk are all singing praises, saying he’s protecting the people.”

Li Yuan replied matter-of-factly, “I was the one who took care of them.”

Silence fell between the two women. Both were clever enough to guess why he had only mentioned going hunting at Little Ink Mountain. He hadn’t wanted them to slip up—not by blabbing secrets, but through an unguarded look or reaction.

A complicated mix of awe and apprehension flashed across Xue Ning’s features.

Li Yuan noticed and pulled her close. She tensed for a moment, remembering just how powerful these bandits had been—thousands strong, led by the notorious Fragrant General.

“Does it...does it frighten you?” he asked softly.

She hesitated. Deep down, it was hard not to be afraid when someone she loved had killed so many—criminals or not. She lowered her gaze. “Anyone who knows you’ve killed that many people, even if they were evil, would be uneasy. I’m sure Yan Yu feels it too...”

Li Yuan looked over at Yan Yu, who only huffed in protest. “You might not be a saint, but you’re certainly more merciful than most. If an Immortal or a bodhisattva descends to rid the world of monsters, isn’t that a good thing?”

Li Yuan shook his head. “I’m no bodhisattva, and I didn’t do it because they were evil. I did it because they threatened our safety.”

He then told them about Zhao Xiantong and General Mammoth, leaving both women stunned. Their confusion deepened. How on earth did their husband manage to wield such incredible power?

Sensing their growing awe, Li Yuan pulled them both close again. Leaning toward Xue Ning, he murmured, “Would you be willing to have a child with this terrifying man?”

A flush rose on her cheeks. “You mean...you still have the energy?”

“Plenty.” He then turned to Yan Yu. “Yan Yu, want this so-called bodhisattva to grant you a child too?”

She blushed and playfully swatted him. “You’re so brazen. Still...wouldn’t it affect your cultivation?”

Li Yuan reflected that once someone reached sixth rank, fathering children became significantly harder. Better to seize this relatively safe moment to secure his family’s future. Even if he should live for a hundred, a thousand, or ten thousand years, there would still be descendants to carry on.

“No,” he said firmly.

Yan Yu reddened, wiggling her hips in a gentle challenge. “Alright...if you can manage.”

Xue Ning snuggled in, whispering, “I want one too...”

The three of them passed another steamy night together. By morning, both women were so exhausted they could barely get out of bed, only managing feeble protests behind a tangle of blankets.

Li Yuan, refreshed, rose early and told Auntie Wang to look in on his wives. An older woman herself, Auntie Wang immediately understood the situation—and was delighted by the possibility of new life in the household.

Li Yuan went to the dining hall, where he finished his breakfast just as Xiao Lan rushed in, announcing, “Master, Sect Master Tie wants to see you in the Blood Fury Hall. Something about checking on your progress taming beasts.”

Li Yuan nodded and rose to his feet. “Alright. I’ll head over.”