Chapter 211 Abandoning Good and Following Evil

“Brother, you seem unusually serious today,” Yun Yanshuang teased, her tone light and playful as she observed her elder brother’s contemplative expression.

“Hah! Do I? Maybe it’s because I’ve been watching the struggles between the families, the clashes among rogue cultivators, and the fall of the Tongshan Xia Clan. It stirs thoughts, I suppose.”

“Everyone is striving to protect their families—brother, you, and I are no different.
Yan Tian, Wen Xuan, Wen Yu, and all the elders and relatives of the family work tirelessly. Even though they may act ruthlessly and manipulate others in the outside world, their ultimate purpose is singular—to safeguard the clan!”

“Haha! That’s right. Everything is for the family!”

“Enough of this talk. I’m going to help Mother prepare dinner. Tonight, we’re having a braised demon boar trotter!”

“Demon boar? Brother, when did you hunt that?”

“Haha! Just after returning from Tongshan County, I went for a stroll in the nearby mountains and happened upon a demon boar in the Embryo Breath stage. I killed it and brought it back as a treat!”

“Hehe! I’ll come help too!”

Elsewhere, in a quiet room, Yun Yunrui was reporting to Yun Yunyang about recent developments involving the Sun brothers.

“According to the reports from the family’s agents, Sun Fenglin and Sun Fengxuan have been secretly meeting with Su Shengyun multiple times recently,” Yun Yunrui said.

“And what came of it?”

“Following your instructions, the Sun brothers deliberately sought private meetings with Su Shengyun. At first, Su Shengyun refused, wary of attracting suspicion. But over time, as their efforts continued, their relationship grew closer.

Rumors suggest that the Su family discovered this and expressed dissatisfaction. Some even petitioned Su Yinglong to remove Su Shengyun from the family registry entirely!”

“And what of Su Yinglong?” Yun Yunyang asked with a faint smile, sipping his tea calmly. Around him, other Yun family members listened with interest.

“At first, Su Yinglong firmly defended Su Shengyun. However, as the meetings between Su Shengyun and the Sun brothers became more frequent, doubt began to creep into his heart.

Now, the Su family has quietly reduced the cultivation resources allocated to Su Shengyun, redirecting those resources to the other three spiritual-rooted members of their family.”

“Hmm, it seems we’re almost ready,” Yun Yunyang said, setting down his teacup with a knowing smile.

“Yunyang, does this mean it’s time for the Yun family to make its move?” one of the elders asked.

“Precisely.”

“Since there’s already a rift between Su Shengyun and Su Yinglong, this is the perfect moment to act!”

“How should we proceed?”

“You mentioned earlier that Su Yinglong has begun to withhold cultivation resources from Su Shengyun. Is that correct?”

“Yes.”

“If you were Su Shengyun, how would you feel about such treatment?”

“Resentful, of course!”

Yun Yunyang’s eyes glimmered with understanding, his intentions becoming clear to the room.

“Haha! Exactly. Resentment is precisely what we need.”

“If Su Shengyun harbors resentment toward the Su family, it will be far easier for us to sway him to our side. Without him, the Su family’s other three spiritual-rooted members won’t amount to much.”

Yun Yunrui nodded, catching on to the plan.

“Yunrui, inform the Sun brothers that the next time they meet with Su Shengyun, they should offer him ample cultivation resources. Their goal is to draw Su Shengyun’s loyalty entirely to the Sun family. Once that happens, the Su family will be left vulnerable.”

“I’ll take care of it immediately!” Yun Yunrui replied, bowing before leaving the room.

In the Yun family marketplace, at the residence of the Sun brothers, Su Shengyun paid his usual visit.

“Uncle Fenglin, Uncle Fengxuan,” he greeted politely.

“Why do you look so weary today?” Sun Fenglin asked, feigning ignorance. He knew well that Su Shengyun’s worsening situation within the Su family stemmed from their own machinations.

“It’s nothing. I’ve just been a little overworked in my cultivation recently, and the family hasn’t had any spare resources for me to use.”

Su Shengyun spoke cautiously, unwilling to reveal the full extent of the Su family’s hostility toward him.

“If you’re in dire need of cultivation resources, your Uncle Fengxuan and I have plenty. Take what you need—there’s no need to be polite with us.”

Sun Fenglin’s words were warm and inviting, but beneath his kind facade lay a sharp intent to pull Su Shengyun further into their web.

“Brother, you seem unusually serious today,” Yun Yanshuang remarked with a teasing grin, watching her elder brother’s contemplative expression.

“Hah! Do I? Perhaps it’s because I’ve seen the feuds between the clans, the battles among rogue cultivators, and even the downfall of the Tongshan Xia Clan. It stirs these thoughts, I suppose.”

“Everyone is fighting for their families—brother, you, and I are no exceptions.
Yan Tian, Wen Xuan, Wen Yu, and all the elders and kin of the family—they may act ruthlessly and calculative outside, but their ultimate purpose is singular: everything is for the family!”

“Haha! Exactly, everything for the family!”

“Well, enough of this talk. I’m off to help Mother prepare dinner. Tonight, we’re having a braised demon boar trotter!”

“Demon boar? Brother, when did you hunt that?”

“Haha! Just after returning from Tongshan County, I went for a stroll in the nearby mountains. I came across a demon boar in the Embryo Breath stage, killed it, and brought it back as a treat!”

“Hehe! I’ll come help too!”

Meanwhile, Yun Yunrui was briefing Yun Yunyang on the recent developments regarding the Sun brothers.

“According to the latest reports, Sun Fenglin and Sun Fengxuan have been meeting with Su Shengyun in secret quite frequently,” Yun Yunrui said.

“And?”

“Following your instructions, the Sun brothers deliberately sought private interactions with Su Shengyun. At first, Su Shengyun was wary of suspicion and refused their approaches.
But over time, as the brothers persisted, they grew closer.

The Su family eventually caught wind of these meetings. Dissatisfied, some within the family even urged Su Yinglong to expel Su Shengyun from the family registry!”

“And how has Su Yinglong responded?” Yun Yunyang asked with a slight smile, casually sipping his tea. Around him, several other Yun family members leaned in, intrigued by the unfolding scheme.

“At first, Su Yinglong staunchly defended Su Shengyun. But as the frequency of Su Shengyun’s secret interactions with the Sun brothers increased, doubt began to cloud his mind.

Now, Su Shengyun has become a target of suspicion. The Su family has deliberately reduced the cultivation resources allocated to him, redirecting them to the other three spiritual-rooted members of their family.”

Yun Yunrui relayed the information with precision, his tone steady.

“It seems the time is ripe,” Yun Yunyang remarked, setting down his tea.

“Yunyang, does this mean it’s our Yun family’s turn to act?”

“Indeed.”

“Since a rift has already formed between Su Shengyun and Su Yinglong, this gives us the perfect opportunity to strike.”

“How should we proceed?”

“You mentioned that Su Yinglong has started withholding cultivation resources from Su Shengyun. Is that correct?”

“Yes.”

“If you were Su Shengyun, how would you feel about such treatment?”

“Resentful, of course!”

A gleam appeared in Yun Yunyang’s eyes, and the others began to catch on to his plan.

“Haha! Exactly. Resentment is what we need.

If Su Shengyun harbors dissatisfaction with the Su family, it will only be a matter of time before he drifts away. Without him, the Su family’s other three spiritual-rooted members will be of little consequence.”

Yun Yunrui nodded in understanding, already anticipating the next steps.

“Yunrui, instructed the Sun brothers to offer Su Shengyun more cultivation resources during their next meeting. They must go out of their way to win his loyalty.

Once Su Shengyun pledges his allegiance to the Sun family, the Su family’s foundations will crumble without him.”

“I’ll see to it immediately!” Yun Yunrui said, bowing as he left to carry out the orders.

In the Yun family marketplace, Su Shengyun arrived at the Sun brothers’ residence as usual.

“Uncle Fenglin, Uncle Fengxuan,” he greeted respectfully.

“Why do you look so weary today?” Sun Fenglin asked, his tone feigning concern. He already knew the answer—Su Shengyun’s worsening position in the Su family was entirely by design.

“It’s nothing. I’ve just been tired from cultivation recently. The family hasn’t had any spare resources to support my training, that’s all,” Su Shengyun replied tersely, unwilling to delve into the growing tensions within his family.

“If you’re in need of resources, your Uncle Fengxuan and I have plenty. Take what you need—there’s no need to stand on ceremony with us,” Sun Fenglin offered warmly.

Though his tone was kind, his true intent was sharp and calculated, aimed at pulling Su Shengyun further into their fold.

 

Chapter 212 Strike While the Iron is Hot

Yun Family Marketplace.

Disguised as a middle-aged rogue cultivator, Yun Yanshui casually chose an empty spot on the bustling market street. After settling down, he retrieved a blue cloth from his storage pouch and spread it out before him. He then placed an assortment of spiritual items he had looted from Wang Liyuan onto the cloth.

“Come one, come all! Take a look, take a look! Grade 3 Yellow-tier healing pills, Grade 3 Yellow-tier spiritual weapons, and Yellow-tier spiritual herbs ranging from Grade 3 to Grade 5! Don’t miss out!”

His enthusiastic shouting quickly drew the attention of several rogue cultivators nearby.

It didn’t take long before someone approached and asked, “Brother, how much for the Grade 3 Yellow-tier healing pill?”

“Thirty low-grade spirit stones!”

Yun Yanshui grinned, showing a full set of bright white teeth.

“So cheap?!”

The rogue cultivator was taken aback. He was familiar with the usual market prices—Grade 1 Yellow-tier healing pills went for twenty low-grade spirit stones, while Grade 2 typically cost around thirty-five.

“Well, what do you think, brother? Interested?”

Yun Yanshui chuckled. He had already decided to sell these items at a low price. After all, they were spoils taken from Wang Liyuan. Selling them cheaply was still pure profit.

“Can I examine the quality of the pill first?”

Wary of being scammed, the rogue cultivator cautiously requested to inspect the pill.

“Here you go.”

With a casual wave of his hand, Yun Yanshui sent a Grade 3 Yellow-tier healing pill flying out of its jade bottle and into the cultivator’s palm.

“This really is a Grade 3 Yellow-tier healing pill, and the quality is excellent!”

The rogue cultivator’s eyes lit up as he examined the pill in his hand.

“How many of these healing pills do you have? I’ll take them all!”

“There are fifteen in total.”

“Here’s four hundred and fifty low-grade spirit stones. Count them if you like.”

Without hesitation, the cultivator produced a pouch and handed it to Yun Yanshui.

Weighing the pouch in his hand and scanning it with his spiritual sense, Yun Yanshui quickly confirmed that the amount was accurate.

“Here you go, brother. These healing pills are all yours!”

“Thank you! If you ever have more healing pills for sale, I’ll be sure to visit again!”

The cultivator cupped his hands in farewell and left.

“Anyone else? Come take a look! These are going cheap, and once they’re gone, I’m packing up!”

Having completed his first sale, Yun Yanshui resumed his loud calls.

More and more rogue cultivators began to gather, intrigued by the quality and prices of the spiritual items he offered. The word quickly spread throughout the marketplace, and cultivators began flocking to his stall, eager to snatch up the best deals before everything was gone.

At the Sun brothers’ residence in the Yun family’s marketplace, Su Shengyun sat quietly before Sun Fenglin and Sun Fengxuan. In front of him was a pouch brimming with over three hundred low-grade spirit stones—far exceeding the monthly resources he received from the Su family.

“Uncle Fenglin, Uncle Fengxuan, why are you helping me so much?”

Su Shengyun broke his silence, staring at the pouch before him with a complicated expression.

“You may have joined the Su family and taken Su Yinglong as your sworn father, but never forget that the blood flowing in your veins is Sun blood, not Su.

In the Su family’s eyes, you will always be an outsider. The only ones who truly care for you are those of us who share your blood.

Surely, after all these years, you must know how the Su family truly treats you,” Sun Fenglin said, his tone earnest yet heavy.

Hearing this, Su Shengyun clenched his fists, a flicker of doubt crossing his face.

When he first joined the Su family, Su Yinglong had indeed treated him well. But recently, things had changed. The once-genuine care had been replaced by cold suspicion. Resources were withheld, and Su Shengyun found himself increasingly alienated.

Deep down, he realized the truth: the Su family had only accepted him because he was useful. Once his value was exhausted, his fate would be grim.

“Now, your Uncle Fengxuan and I have pledged ourselves to the Yun family and even married Yun family daughters.

The Yun family has promised to support the Sun family’s resurgence. As your uncles, we hope you will consider returning to us. Stop serving those who see you as expendable.

The Su family is not your home—they are your enemy!

They stole the Sun family’s cultivation resources, murdered many of our kin, and even enslaved some of our surviving relatives.

You should know this better than anyone!”

Seeing the hesitation in Su Shengyun’s eyes, Sun Fenglin pressed further, striking while the iron was hot. For weeks, he had worked to build trust with his nephew, and this was the moment to seal the deal.

“I…”

Su Shengyun looked up at his uncle, his voice faltering as conflicting emotions churned within him.

Before he could finish, the door burst open.

A group of people stormed in, led by a young woman clad in fitted battle attire. Her ponytail swung behind her as she strode forward, exuding an air of authority and sharpness.

“Su Shengyun, so you really do intend to betray the Su family!” she declared, her voice ringing with righteous fury.

“Su Yue?! Why are you here?”

Su Shengyun froze in shock as he watched the young woman storm into the room with a group of followers.

The girl before him was Su Yue, the daughter of Su Yingwen. She had been discovered by a Wang family rogue cultivator as a spiritual-rooted talent and was taken in to learn the ways of cultivation.

“Why am I here? Grandfather sent me to secretly follow you, curious to see why you’ve been sneaking off to the Yun family marketplace so frequently.

And now, it seems my suspicions were correct—you truly intend to betray the Su family!”

Her tone was sharp and accusatory, and her eyes burned with fury.

“Su Shengyun, my grandfather took you in as his sworn son, going against the will of many in our clan to elevate you into the Su family’s direct line.

And this is how you repay him?”

Su Yue’s anger was palpable, her voice trembling with indignation.

“Su Yue, I haven’t—”

“Haven’t?”

“I heard everything you said just now!”

“Su Shengyun, hear me clearly: from this day forward, you are no longer a member of the Su family!”

With a shout, Su Yue’s spear trembled in her hand before she lunged forward, aiming to pierce Su Shengyun through.

Whoosh!

Sun Fenglin moved in an instant, stepping in front of Su Shengyun and catching Su Yue’s thrust with his bare hand. His expression remained cold and unyielding.

“Shengyun is my nephew. Do you think I’ll let you act so recklessly?”

“Let go!”

Su Yue’s brows furrowed as her voice rose in defiance.

“And if I refuse?”

“Then I will kill you!”

Su Yue’s face twisted with rage as she released her spear without hesitation, drawing a short blade from her boot. With a quick step forward, she swept the blade toward Sun Fenglin’s throat.

But Sun Fenglin remained calm.

With the slightest lean backward, he easily dodged the fierce strike. His sleeve whipped forward, coiling around Su Yue’s arm and forcing her to release the blade.

With a casual flick of his wrist, he sent a gust of force surging toward Su Yue, her body spinning through the air before crashing through the window and landing on the street outside.

“Miss!”

The Su family guards accompanying Su Yue were stunned, their faces pale with fear. Seeing their young mistress so easily overpowered by Sun Fenglin, they didn’t dare retaliate. Instead, they rushed out of the room to tend to her.

“Uncle Fenglin, wasn’t that a bit… excessive?”

Su Shengyun’s voice was hesitant, his expression conflicted.

“I’ve already told you—Su family is not your family. They are the enemies of our Sun clan! I hope you remember that.

If you refuse to heed my advice, don’t blame me for what happens next.

Did you see how that Su family girl treated you just now? Or how Su Yinglong has been doubting and guarding against you? He even sent people to follow and spy on you.

Do you still insist on your misplaced loyalty?”

Sun Fenglin’s voice was cold, his gaze piercing as he looked at Su Shengyun.

“Uncle Fenglin, I… I understand,” Su Shengyun replied, lowering his head.

“Good. For the time being, don’t return to the Su family. Stay with us instead. Later, we’ll figure out a way to free our kin still under Su family control and rebuild the Sun clan.

One day, you’ll find that your true family can rival—even surpass—the Su family.”

“I will follow Uncle Fenglin’s instructions,” Su Shengyun said resolutely.

Crash!

A muffled thud echoed across the marketplace as Su Yue, flung through the window by Sun Fenglin, landed unceremoniously on the street outside. By sheer misfortune, she landed directly on Yun Yanshui’s makeshift stall, crushing several spiritual herbs into a ruined mess.

The sudden spectacle left the rogue cultivators in the vicinity stunned. A wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd as they instinctively stepped back, wary of the brewing tension.

Yun Yanshui, who had been leisurely making a tidy profit moments earlier, now stood frozen in disbelief, staring at the wreckage of his stall. His eyes flickered between the scattered herbs and the dazed figure of Su Yue sprawled amidst the ruins.

The air was thick with an uneasy silence, the onlookers unsure of what chaos might erupt next.

 

Chapter 213: Never Return

“That… damned bastard!”

Thrown onto the street by Sun Fenglin, Su Yue’s entire body throbbed with pain. Worse than her physical injuries, however, was the humiliation she felt as the surrounding rogue cultivators cast her looks of astonishment and amusement. Her face flushed with anger and shame, her humiliation turning quickly into fury.

“I’ll kill him!”

The thought of losing face because of Sun Fenglin filled her with rage. Gritting her teeth, Su Yue pushed herself up, ready to leave and vent her wrath on him.

“You’re not going anywhere.”

Yun Yanshui stepped forward, blocking her path with a swift movement. His tone was cold as he stared at her. “You’ve ruined the spiritual herbs on my stall, and you think you can just leave? Not happening.”

“I didn’t do it on purpose!”

Glancing at the mess she’d made of his stall, Su Yue snapped back irritably.

“I don’t care whether it was intentional or not. You destroyed my goods—valuable spiritual herbs I was preparing to sell. You’re not leaving until you compensate me,” Yun Yanshui replied, his voice sharp and uncompromising.

“How much?”

Knowing the marketplace was filled with potentially powerful rogue cultivators, Su Yue chose to swallow her pride. She resolved to pay and be done with it so she could focus on dealing with Sun Fenglin.

“Not much. Five thousand six hundred and eighty-seven low-grade spirit stones,” Yun Yanshui said with a mocking smile, counting the amount on his fingers.

“What kind of herbs cost that much? You might as well be robbing me!”

Su Yue’s expression twisted in disbelief as she heard the outrageous number.

“They were all Grade 3 to Grade 5 Yellow-tier spiritual herbs, over thirty in total. The amount I’m asking is already quite reasonable,” Yun Yanshui said, his tone calm but firm.

“I don’t have that many spirit stones!”

“Then you’d better find a way to come up with them. Otherwise, you’re not leaving here,” Yun Yanshui retorted.

“You dare threaten me? Do you even know who I am?”

Su Yue’s brows furrowed, her frustration mounting.

“I don’t know, and I don’t care. Pay up, or you’re not taking another step.”

“I’d like to see how a rogue cultivator like you plans to stop me!”

Her patience snapped, and her face darkened further. Su Yue turned to leave, but before she could take a step, an oppressive aura descended upon her, pinning her to the ground. She found herself completely immobilized, her limbs trembling under the immense pressure.

“A Qi Refinement cultivator…”

The rogue cultivators watching from the sidelines were stunned, their expressions shifting to awe and fear.

Su Yue’s face turned pale as terror gripped her. She had assumed Yun Yanshui was just a slightly stronger Embryo Breath rogue cultivator. To her shock, he was a true Qi Refinement stage cultivator—far beyond her expectations and even more powerful than her master.

“Miss!”

The Su family guards rushed through the crowd, their alarm evident as they saw Su Yue subdued by Yun Yanshui’s spiritual pressure.

Clang!

More than ten guards drew their weapons simultaneously, charging toward Yun Yanshui.

“Stop! You’re no match for him!” Su Yue shouted desperately, trying to call them off.

But it was too late.

With a wave of his sleeve, Yun Yanshui unleashed a blade of spiritual energy that pierced through the heads of every guard in an instant.

“Elder… elder, I am Su Yue of the Blue Scale Su family. Please forgive my earlier insolence—I failed to recognize your greatness.

If you let me go, I swear that my family will compensate you for all your losses once I return,” Su Yue stammered, her face pale as she knelt before Yun Yanshui.

“The Blue Scale Su family?” Yun Yanshui murmured softly, his gaze narrowing slightly.

He had heard of the Su family before. They were backed by the Yulin Wang Clan, with two rogue cultivators stationed in their ranks—individuals rumored to have been planted there by the Wang Clan itself.

“Yes, yes! Elder, you’ve heard of my family?” Su Yue said, a glimmer of hope flickering in her eyes.

“And if I have? Do you expect me to let you go?”

“No, elder. As I said, if you release me, I will personally ensure my family compensates you for everything.”

“And what if I release you and you don’t return?” Yun Yanshui asked, his lips curling into a cold smile.

“Then… then perhaps you could come with me to my family and collect the compensation in person?”

“Very well,” Yun Yanshui said, his grin widening.

He was fully aware that his family had been secretly supporting the Sun brothers, intending to weaken the Su family and restore the former glory of the Blue Scale Sun Clan. This was an excellent opportunity to investigate the Su family further—especially to assess whether the rogue cultivators stationed within their ranks were indeed under the Wang Clan’s influence.

As Yun Yanshui withdrew his spiritual pressure, Su Yue let out a breath of relief. Trembling slightly, she climbed to her feet, her gaze toward him now filled with reverence and fear.

“Elder… please… follow me,” she stammered.

Without another word, she turned and began leading the way, Yun Yanshui following closely behind.

Just as Su Yue emerged from the crowd, she spotted Sun Fenglin and his companions exiting the pavilion ahead. A surge of hatred flashed across her eyes, impossible to conceal.

“Elder… I… I wonder if I could trouble you with something?”

She turned toward Yun Yanshui, recalling his overwhelming Qi Refinement strength. Surely, someone as powerful as him could deal with Sun Fenglin and the others with ease.

“You’re quite demanding, aren’t you?” Yun Yanshui’s gaze narrowed, his tone cold.

“Please don’t be angry, elder! I wouldn’t expect your help for nothing—I’m willing to offer a generous reward of cultivation resources in return,” Su Yue pleaded hurriedly.

“Oh? Go on, then. Let’s hear it,” Yun Yanshui replied with a faint smile.

“Elder, those three ahead of us have a grudge against me. When I fell and ruined your stall earlier, it was because of Sun Fenglin. I hope you can eliminate them for me. If you do, I will make sure you are handsomely rewarded!”

“That’s going to be difficult,” Yun Yanshui replied curtly.

“Elder, I’m serious. I promise I’ll compensate you generously!”

“I said it’s difficult, so it’s difficult,” Yun Yanshui repeated, his tone firm.

“Then, elder, what do you—”

“Enough nonsense. Just hurry up and lead me to your family so I can get paid and leave!” Yun Yanshui snapped, his irritation evident.

Seeing his stern demeanor, Su Yue dared not press further. Frustrated, she cast a resentful glance at Sun Fenglin and his companions disappearing around a corner, but she kept her thoughts to herself.

Blue Scale County, Su Family Estate.

“Miss!”

The guards at the gate bowed respectfully as Su Yue returned with Yun Yanshui in tow.

“Where is my grandfather?” Su Yue asked.

“The family head is in the council hall, discussing matters with the elders,” one of the guards replied.

“I need to see him.”

“This way, miss.”

The guard gestured politely to invite her in, but when Yun Yanshui stepped forward to follow, another guard immediately blocked his path.

“Where do you think you’re going, you filthy beggar? Dressed like that, you dare try to barge into the Su family estate?”

Hearing the insult, Su Yue froze. Turning around, her face went pale as she realized the gravity of the situation. Without hesitation, she stepped forward, drew the guard’s blade from his waist, and brought it down in one swift motion.

Thud!

The guard’s head hit the ground, blood pooling around his lifeless body.

“Elder, please forgive him. He was ignorant and didn’t know his place,” Su Yue said, bowing deeply to Yun Yanshui.

“No harm done,” Yun Yanshui replied indifferently, stepping over the corpse as he followed Su Yue inside.

The unfortunate guard never understood why his life had ended so abruptly, while his fellow guards stood frozen in shock. Their faces turned ashen as they stared at their fallen comrade, then shifted their gaze to the mysterious figure who commanded such respect from their young mistress.

In their hearts, a mix of fear and curiosity brewed. Who exactly was this man, and what kind of power did he wield?

Inside the Su Family Council Hall.

“I’ve said it before—outsiders cannot be trusted.

Yet, you insisted on bringing that Sun clan remnant into our direct line, even making him your sworn son. And now look at the result!”

The elders in the hall glared at Su Yinglong with unconcealed displeasure.

“I’ve heard that Su Shengyun has been getting closer to the Sun brothers. It’s only a matter of time before he betrays our family!”

The criticism came in waves, but Su Yinglong sat in silence, his expression dark. Finally, after a long pause, he spoke.

“If Shengyun truly has thoughts of betrayal, then when he returns, I will ask the cultivator to eliminate him. We cannot afford to let him become a threat to the Su family.”

“You should have done this long ago,” one elder said sharply.

“Exactly! Killing Su Shengyun would solve a potential threat and save the family a considerable amount of cultivation resources.

Those resources could be better allocated to Yue’er and the other two, helping them improve their strength.

After all, only Yue’er and her kin carry the true bloodline of the Su family. They are the ones who genuinely have our family’s interests at heart!”

The elders nodded in agreement, their voices echoing their support for the decision. Su Yinglong remained silent, his gaze heavy as he weighed the burdens of his position.

 

Chapter 214 Here To Collect My Debt

“Grandfather!”

From outside the council hall, Su Yue’s voice echoed, drawing the attention of Su Yinglong and the gathered Su family elders. Moments later, Su Yue entered the hall, leading Yun Yanshui inside. She offered a respectful bow toward Su Yinglong, seated at the head of the room.

“Yue’er? What news?”

Su Yinglong ignored the man accompanying Su Yue, his concern focused solely on the matter of Su Shengyun.

“As you and the elders suspected, Su Shengyun indeed harbors intentions of betraying our family,” Su Yue began.

“During this trip, he even accepted significant cultivation resources from Sun Fenglin. I witnessed everything clearly.

I was so furious that I wanted to kill him on the spot, but Sun Fenglin’s strength far exceeds mine, so I couldn’t succeed.”

Su Yue recounted her experiences at the Yun family marketplace in detail, leaving nothing out.

“That ungrateful wretch!”

Su Yinglong’s face twisted in fury, his hands clenching the armrests of his chair tightly. It was clear he was imagining killing Su Shengyun himself.

“I treated him as if he were my own son, and this is how he repays me?”

“Su Shengyun deserves to die!”

“To think we wasted so many resources on him!”

The surrounding elders echoed Su Yinglong’s anger, their indignation filling the room.

“Grandfather, rest assured,” Su Yue began again, her tone resolute, “I will ask my master to—”

“Enough.”

Before she could finish, Su Yinglong raised a hand to silence her, his gaze now fixed on Yun Yanshui.

“And who might this esteemed guest be?” he asked.

“Oh! Grandfather, this… this senior is someone I met at the Yun family marketplace,” Su Yue quickly explained, bowing as she introduced Yun Yanshui.

“A senior?”

Su Yinglong’s eyes narrowed. He knew his granddaughter’s personality well—arrogant and domineering. For her to show such respect to someone and even address them as “senior,” this individual must be extraordinary.

Realizing this, Su Yinglong quickly rose from his seat and approached Yun Yanshui, bowing deeply. “I am Su Yinglong. It is an honor to meet you, senior. May I ask your name?”

“Just a nameless rogue cultivator. No need for introductions,” Yun Yanshui replied indifferently.

“Then, esteemed senior, what brings you to my Su family estate?”

“My business here is simple,” Yun Yanshui said with a faint smile. “Your granddaughter owes me a significant sum, and I’ve come to collect it.”

“Owes you money?”

Su Yinglong and the elders exchanged confused glances, while Su Yue’s face flushed with embarrassment. She hastily explained the events at the marketplace.

“Five thousand low-grade spirit stones?!”

When they heard the amount, the room erupted in disbelief. Several of the elders, ignoring Su Yue’s warning looks, began to curse at Yun Yanshui openly.

“What kind of spiritual herbs are worth that much? This is daylight robbery!”

“Exactly! Does he think the Su family is an easy target? If he wants five thousand spirit stones, he’ll have to take them over our dead bodies!”

“Get out now, or don’t blame us for being rude!”

“Uncles! Elders! Please, stop talking!” Su Yue pleaded, her voice filled with urgency. But her words fell on deaf ears, and the elders continued to hurl insults at Yun Yanshui.

“Enough!”

Su Yinglong’s stern voice cut through the commotion. He understood that the man before them was not someone they could afford to provoke lightly. If the elders’ reckless words angered him, the entire Su family might face disaster.

At his command, the room fell silent. Though still brimming with resentment, the elders reluctantly returned to their seats.

“My apologies, senior,” Su Yinglong said with a forced smile, bowing once more. “Please forgive the rudeness of my family members.”

“Elder, I hope you’re not offended,” Su Yue added quickly, her voice trembling. She feared that if Yun Yanshui were provoked further, he might kill everyone present, and no one in the Su family would be able to stop him.

“I’m not angry,” Yun Yanshui replied with a faint smile. “All I ask is that each of those who insulted me just now slap themselves in the face. Then we’ll call it even.”

“What arrogance!”

“To think he’d dare humiliate us like this!”

“This is the Su family’s estate, not some place where outsiders can throw their weight around!”

The elders, who had been grumbling under their breath, now erupted in fury once more.

“Should I make the first move, then?” Yun Yanshui said, his voice calm but cold as he turned his gaze toward Su Yinglong. “Because if I do, the results might be… unfortunate.”

The chilling undertone in his words silenced the room again.

“Senior, your request might be… excessive,” Su Yinglong said carefully. He knew the elders’ loyalty to the family ran deep, and forcing them to humiliate themselves would surely breed resentment. However, the man before him was clearly someone they couldn’t afford to cross.

Suppressing his frustration, Su Yinglong chose his words with great care, hoping to defuse the situation without escalating it further.

“Excessive, you say?”

Yun Yanshui murmured softly, his voice barely audible.

Without warning, he raised a finger, releasing a sharp burst of spiritual energy. The energy streaked through the air like an arrow, piercing the head of one of the most vocal Su family elders.

The elder’s body froze, his eyes wide with disbelief, before collapsing lifelessly into a pool of blood.

The entire room fell silent in stunned horror.

“Yinglong, this man is out of control! He just killed Elder Yingsheng!” another elder shouted, his voice trembling with rage.

“Annoying,” Yun Yanshui muttered, flicking his finger again. The complaining elder was silenced instantly, his body crumpling to the ground, lifeless.

The council hall was now utterly still.

The remaining Su family elders, who had been brimming with indignation moments ago, were now paralyzed by fear. Their anger was replaced with an overwhelming realization of Yun Yanshui’s terrifying power.

Even Su Yinglong, who had just witnessed two of his clan members slaughtered before his eyes, did not dare to show a hint of anger.

As for Su Yue, her face had gone completely pale, her body trembling uncontrollably. She was too terrified to even raise her voice, fearing that one wrong word might provoke Yun Yanshui to annihilate everyone present.

“Finally, some peace and quiet,” Yun Yanshui said lazily, using his pinky to clean his ear as if nothing had happened. His eyes shifted to Su Yue, who stood frozen in place.

“The payment,” he said casually. “You promised me the money as soon as we arrived at your family estate. Don’t make me lose my temper. If I do, I can’t guarantee what might happen next.”

Su Yue snapped out of her stupor, her voice trembling as she stammered, “E-elder, p-please don’t worry! I-I’ll give it to you! My family will pay, I swear!”

“Yes, senior, our Su family will compensate you for your losses,” Su Yinglong added quickly, his tone obsequious.

Though five thousand low-grade spirit stones was no small amount, the Su family had accumulated significant wealth over the years, thanks to the Yulin Wang Clan’s support. Scraping together the payment was possible, albeit with some difficulty.

“Yingxun, fetch the spirit stones for our honored guest immediately!” Su Yinglong barked, turning to one of the still-shaken elders.

“Y-yes, right away!”

Yingxun stumbled as he left the hall, his fear evident in his unsteady steps.

Time seemed to drag on, but eventually, Yingxun returned with a storage pouch containing the full payment. Handing it to Su Yinglong, he seemed relieved to have completed his task.

“Senior, please verify the amount,” Su Yinglong said, bowing deeply as he handed the pouch to Yun Yanshui.

“You’re quite sensible. Very well, I’ll let this matter rest,” Yun Yanshui said with a faint smile. He opened the pouch, scanned its contents with his spiritual sense, and confirmed the amount was accurate.

Satisfied, he stowed the pouch and turned to leave.

Thud!

As soon as Yun Yanshui’s figure disappeared into the distance, Su Yue’s legs gave out, and she collapsed to the floor. Her entire body felt drained, as if all her strength had been sucked away. Her lips were pale, and her hands trembled uncontrollably from the lingering terror.

“Yue’er!”

Su Yinglong rushed to her side, helping her to her feet.

“We were so close… so close to the Su family’s destruction…” Su Yue stammered, her voice shaky and uneven.

“What kind of person was that man to frighten you like this?” Su Yinglong asked, his brows furrowed deeply.

“Grandfather… that man… he’s a Qi Refinement stage cultivator!”

Hiss—

The words sent a collective shudder through the room. Su Yinglong and the remaining elders all drew sharp breaths, their faces paling visibly.

The realization hit them hard—Qi Refinement cultivators were leagues beyond their reach, and they had been lucky to escape with their lives.

The elders, who had moments ago dared to curse and insult Yun Yanshui, now found themselves trembling. Cold sweat trickled down their backs as they thought of how close they had come to provoking him further.

They now fully understood: their Su family had walked right up to death’s door—and only by sheer fortune had they managed to step back.

 

Chapter 215: Making Trouble

“Let go of my sister! Let go of my sister!”

A frail-looking boy, dressed in tattered clothes, rushed desperately toward a group of Su family guards, attempting to free his older sister from their grasp.

But the boy, weak and sickly, was no match for the trained guards. One of them sneered before landing a vicious kick to his stomach, sending him flying several meters. He hit the ground with a dull thud, curling up in pain as his face turned deathly pale.

“Hmph! A worthless Sun clan brat dares to challenge us?”

“Exactly. Your sister should be honored that we’ve taken a liking to her. Once we’ve had our fun, we’ll return her to you. What’s your hurry?”

“If you interfere again, I’ll cut your head off right here. You’re nothing more than a slave under our Su family—killing you would be nothing.”

The guards jeered cruelly, their words cutting deep.

The young woman they held struggled in vain to break free. Her eyes darted toward her injured brother, worry and despair filling her gaze.

“P-please, let me check on my brother. You… you want me, don’t you? Just let me see him and make sure he’s okay, and then… I’ll go with you willingly.”

Her voice trembled as she begged, her delicate face pale with fear.

Slap!

One of the guards struck her across the face without hesitation.

“A mere slave dares to negotiate with us?”

“Take her to the side room, brothers. Let’s show her what happens to those who resist!”

“Ha! Sounds good!”

The guards dragged the young woman toward a nearby room, their faces twisted with vile grins.

Tears welled in her eyes as terror and despair consumed her. She struggled frantically, but her resistance only provoked more blows from the guards.

Whoosh!

A sharp sound cut through the air.

In the midst of her hopeless struggle, a figure suddenly appeared. With a casual wave of his sleeve, the newcomer unleashed a force so precise and deadly that it decapitated the guards in an instant.

Blood sprayed across the young woman, freezing her in place.

She stared in shock at the headless bodies that now littered the ground. For a long moment, she couldn’t move, couldn’t think. Then, the reality of the scene hit her, and she let out a piercing scream.

Her cries immediately drew the attention of other Su family guards.

Clang, clang, clang!

A dozen guards rushed toward the scene, their weapons drawn. When they arrived, they found the lifeless bodies of their comrades, a blood-soaked young woman, and a man in tattered robes standing nearby.

The man was none other than Yun Yanshui, who had just finished collecting his debt and was preparing to leave the Su family estate.

“You’re quite ruthless,” an aged voice called out calmly, cutting through the tense air.

Yun Yanshui turned toward the source of the voice and saw an elderly man dressed in white robes standing atop a nearby rooftop. The man radiated the aura of a Embryo Breath cultivator at the eighth-stage peak.

Beside him stood a cold-faced middle-aged man clutching a long blade in his arms. This one carried the aura of a seventh-stage Embryo Breath cultivator.

“Ruthless? Hardly. I was just in a bad mood and decided to kill a few mortals for fun. Is that a problem?”

Yun Yanshui smirked, his tone dripping with mockery as he looked at the elderly man.

Initially, Yun Yanshui hadn’t planned to intervene. However, when he noticed the despicable behavior of the guards, he decided to use the opportunity to draw out the two rogue cultivators who had been hiding in the Su family’s shadow.

Now that they had finally revealed themselves, his goal was achieved.

“This is the Su family estate. It’s not a place for you to vent your frustrations,” the middle-aged man with the blade said, his tone icy and hostile.

His role was to support the Su family in secret, ensuring no one caused trouble within their territory. But now, this rogue cultivator had already killed two elders in the council hall and a group of guards outside.

It was a blatant display of defiance, as though he didn’t even consider the two of them worthy of attention.

“And what if I want to vent here? What are you going to do about it?” Yun Yanshui replied with a smile, his voice filled with casual disdain.

As he spoke, he waved his sleeve, sending a violent gust of wind sweeping through the courtyard.

The dozen Su family guards rushing to the scene were caught in the terrifying gust that emanated from Yun Yanshui’s sleeve. In an instant, their bodies disintegrated into ash, scattering into the air.

The same gust tore through the inner courtyard, reducing pavilions, towers, and other structures to rubble. Dust and debris rose in a towering cloud, accompanied by a deafening rumble that echoed across the estate.

“How about that? I just killed a bunch more. What are you going to do about it?”

Yun Yanshui chuckled, his gaze locking onto the middle-aged cultivator clutching a long blade. His voice carried an unmistakable tone of mockery and challenge.

“You’re courting death!”

Infuriated, the middle-aged cultivator’s expression turned dark as he prepared to attack.

“Don’t act rashly! This man’s cultivation is far beyond our league!”

The elderly white-robed cultivator urgently transmitted his voice to his companion, his tone laced with warning.

The middle-aged man hesitated, his eyes flickering toward the destroyed buildings and the ease with which Yun Yanshui had annihilated their comrades. Slowly, he regained his composure. The sheer power behind that casual attack was far beyond what an ordinary Embryo Breath cultivator could achieve.

“Why are you targeting the Su family? We’ve done nothing to provoke you,” the white-robed elder said, his voice calm but wary as his sharp eyes studied Yun Yanshui.

“No particular reason,” Yun Yanshui replied nonchalantly. “I just felt like causing a bit of trouble here.”

“This is nothing but senseless bullying!” the middle-aged cultivator spat, his anger boiling over.

“Come closer and say that again,” Yun Yanshui said with a smirk.

With a casual wave of his hand, a powerful suction force surged toward the middle-aged man. Before he could react, his body was dragged through the air, and Yun Yanshui’s hand clamped tightly around his throat.

“Now, what was it you said about me being unreasonable? Care to repeat that for me?”

Fear flooded the middle-aged cultivator’s eyes. Though he was a peak seventh-stage Embryo Breath cultivator, he couldn’t muster even the slightest resistance against Yun Yanshui.

“Please, senior, calm your anger! If you’re here to save that pair of siblings, we can release them! Just spare my companion’s life,” the white-robed elder interjected hurriedly.

“Save them? You misunderstand. I didn’t kill your men for the siblings’ sake. That was merely incidental—I did it for you two,” Yun Yanshui replied with a faint smile.

With a sudden twist of his hand, a sickening crack echoed as he snapped the middle-aged man’s neck.

The lifeless body slumped to the ground as Yun Yanshui casually reached for the storage pouch at his waist. With a flick of his wrist, he pulled it free.

“You’re just after cultivation resources!” the white-robed elder exclaimed, his voice trembling as he watched Yun Yanshui’s efficient looting.

Realizing he stood no chance against such a foe, the elder’s face darkened. Without a moment’s hesitation, he turned and fled.

Whoosh!

Before he could take a second step, Yun Yanshui appeared in front of him as if by magic. A wave of oppressive spiritual pressure bore down on the elder, forcing him to the ground, unable to move.

“Think carefully before you act! The Su family is supported by the Yulin Wang Clan!” the elder blurted, his voice trembling as he tried to muster a threat.

“Perfect. I’ve been meaning to kill someone from the Yulin Wang Clan,” Yun Yanshui said coldly, his smile vanishing.

The pressure around him intensified, and the white-robed elder didn’t even have time to scream before his body was crushed into a mangled heap of flesh and blood.

Like before, Yun Yanshui reached down and claimed the elder’s storage pouch, tucking it away with practiced ease.

“Should I just wipe out the entire Su family while I’m at it?”

He glanced around the sprawling estate, stroking his chin in thought. Now that he had confirmed the Su family was indeed backed by the Yulin Wang Clan, the temptation to deal a decisive blow lingered in his mind.

“No, better leave it to the Sun brothers. My uncle has plans for this,” he muttered, shaking his head.

Deciding against further involvement, Yun Yanshui turned and sauntered out of the Su family estate.

As he strolled through the grounds, the Su family’s servants and guards fled in terror, treating him as though he were a plague. None dared step in his way.

Even Su Yinglong and the other family heads, who had rushed to investigate the commotion, could only watch helplessly as Yun Yanshui departed.

“G-grandfather… I-I brought a demon into our home,” Su Yue stammered, her voice quivering with fear as she struggled to process what had happened.

She stared at the corpses of her two masters, who had fallen so easily to Yun Yanshui. Regret gnawed at her—if only she hadn’t followed Su Shengyun, this calamity might have been avoided.

“Inform the Wang Clan. This is beyond us. Only the Wang Clan can handle this,” Su Yinglong said grimly.

He had no time to reprimand his niece. His mind was focused entirely on the overwhelming power of the nameless rogue cultivator.

Against such a foe, only the Yulin Wang Clan’s cultivators might stand a chance.

 

Chapter 216 Changes Too Fast

“They were killed?!”

Wang Qinglin frowned deeply as he listened to the report from one of his disciples.

“Yes. Word from the Su family indicates that the two rogue cultivators our clan secretly stationed with them were killed by an unknown rogue cultivator. This individual is exceptionally powerful. The Su family dares not confront him directly and has requested our intervention.”

“I see. You may leave.”

“Disciple takes his leave.”

The decision to support the Su family and counterbalance the Yun family had been made long ago by Wang Qinglin’s elder brother, Wang Qingshan. Wang Qinglin had been well aware of this arrangement.

“Chongtian,” he called.

“Ancestor, I am here,” Wang Chongtian replied immediately, stepping forward and bowing respectfully.

“Dispatch someone to investigate the situation. Find out who this rogue cultivator is and where he came from.

Additionally, send four more rogue cultivators to take over the stationing at the Su family.”

After a brief pause, Wang Qinglin gave his instructions.

“Your disciple obeys.”

“And what of Huang Immortal? Have you uncovered anything regarding his situation?”

“No, ancestor. We have investigated thoroughly, but Huang Immortal has had no contact with the Upper Three Clans.”

Wang Chongtian’s voice carried a tinge of frustration as he answered.

“What of his movements?”

“No leads at all,” Wang Chongtian admitted.

Wang Qinglin’s frown deepened. “If that’s the case, why did Huang Immortal kill Liyuan?”

“This matter is truly perplexing,” Wang Chongtian replied with a shake of his head. “Moreover, Huang Immortal isn’t even known to use a bow.”

“Doesn’t use a bow?” Wang Qinglin asked, surprised.

“Yes. The one who killed Liyuan was a bow-wielding cultivator. I suspect someone disguised themselves as Huang Immortal to commit the act.”

Wang Chongtian shared his deduction.

“Very well. I understand.”

“Ancestor, should we continue investigating this matter?”

Wang Qinglin sighed. “If they went so far as to impersonate Huang Immortal to kill Liyuan, they must have covered their tracks thoroughly. Continuing the investigation might prove fruitless.”

The cultivator who had killed Wang Liyuan was shrewd and meticulous—a difficult opponent to pursue.

Though he acknowledged the logic in his ancestor’s words, Wang Chongtian felt a pang of frustration. His son had been slain, and yet the Wang family couldn’t uncover even the faintest lead. The thought was unbearable.

“Enough. Don’t just stand there. Handle the Su family’s situation,” Wang Qinglin ordered, dismissing him with a wave.

“Understood,” Wang Chongtian replied, bowing once more before leaving to carry out his orders.

Yuncang County, Yun Family Manor.

“The two rogue cultivators stationed at the Su family were killed?”

Yun Yunyang was enjoying wine with his clan brothers under the shade of a willow tree outside the estate when the news was relayed by a Yun family member.

“Yes.”

“When did this happen?”

“Apparently, just yesterday.”

“And who killed them?” Yun Yunyang asked, his tone calm yet curious.

“It was reportedly an unknown rogue cultivator. The individual is said to be a Qi Refinement cultivator and exceptionally powerful.”

“Haha! It seems Brother Tian’s spirit is watching over Fenglin and Fengxuan from the afterlife!”

Hearing this, Yun Yunyang burst into hearty laughter.

“Yunyang, with the Su family losing their two stationed rogue cultivators, this presents us with the perfect opportunity to make our move,” Yun Yunrui suggested with a sly grin.

“Indeed,” Yun Yunyang nodded in agreement. He turned to another clan member nearby. “Head to the family’s marketplace and deliver this news to Fenglin and Fengxuan. Once they hear of it, they’ll know exactly what to do.”

“I’ll leave at once.”

The Yun family member smiled, mounted a steed, and rode off toward the family’s marketplace in Yuncang County.

“The Su family must have run out of luck to provoke a Qi Refinement cultivator of all people,” Yun Yunlin remarked with a grin, taking a swig of strong liquor.

“Sometimes, the twists and turns of fate are beyond what we can anticipate,” Yun Yunyang mused, his gaze thoughtful as he swirled his cup of wine.

“I thought it would take some time to help the Fenglin brothers deal with the Su family and restore the Blue Scale Sun Clan. But now, with the two rogue cultivators stationed at the Su family killed, our plans have accelerated significantly,” Yun Yunyang remarked with a smile.

“The Wang family will surely not sit idly by once they hear of this,” another clan member cautioned.

“The Su family has the Wang family behind them, but the Fenglin brothers have the Yun family,” Yun Yunyang said confidently.

“If the Wang family sends people to support the Su family, it will give us a reason to openly support the Fenglin brothers.” He took a sip of wine, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“They were killed?”

Sun Fenglin’s face showed shock as he listened to the Yun family member’s report.

“Yes. I came to inform you and your brother of this. What you choose to do next is entirely up to you,” the Yun clan member said with a smile before leaving.

“Brother, should we act?” Sun Fengxuan asked, turning to his elder brother.

“This is an incredible opportunity. How could we not?” Sun Fenglin’s voice was cold, a glint of determination in his eyes.

“With Shengyun on our side and the Su family’s two stationed rogue cultivators dead, their remaining three spiritual-rooted descendants won’t pose much of a threat. Our chance to revive the Sun clan is here.”

He stood, his expression resolute.

“Fetch Shengyun,” Sun Fenglin ordered.

“Understood.” Sun Fengxuan nodded and left quickly.

Moments later, Su Shengyun entered the room and bowed respectfully. “Uncle Fenglin, what’s the matter?”

“The two rogue cultivators stationed at the Su family were killed!”

“What?! When did this happen?” Su Shengyun’s face was filled with shock.

“Yesterday.

Now, your Uncle Fengxuan and I plan to go to Blue Scale County, free our imprisoned clan members, and eliminate the Su family.

But first, I need to know where your heart truly lies. Do you stand with the Sun family or with the Su family?”

Sun Fenglin’s gaze was intense, waiting for Su Shengyun’s answer. He needed absolute clarity—if Su Shengyun still aligned himself with the Su family, he wouldn’t hesitate to act against him.

After a long silence, Su Shengyun finally spoke, his voice steady. “Uncle Fenglin, you were right all along. The Sun family’s blood runs through my veins. The Su family will never truly accept me as one of their own.”

“Haha! That’s what I wanted to hear!”

“Then there’s no time to waste. Let’s move out now!”

Yun Family, Backfield

“Be good, Wenxin. Let Uncle Yanshui hold you for a little while,” Yun Yanshui cooed as he sat by the edge of the field, his pants rolled up, cradling Yun Wendong’s infant daughter, Yun Wenxin.

The baby giggled, her tiny mouth opening in delight as Yanshui teased her.

Nearby, Yun Wendong and his wife, Lu Qingrong, watched the scene with warm smiles.

“Not working at the courthouse anymore?” Yun Yanshui asked, glancing at Yun Wendong.

“No, I’ve temporarily returned to the clan to help out and take care of Qingrong and Wenxin. Once the child is older, I might return to the courthouse,” Yun Wendong replied with a smile.

“Good. That means we brothers can spend more time together!”

“Exactly! Being here with family is far more relaxing than the courthouse grind,” Yun Wendong laughed.

“Yanshui, Wendong, you two chat. I’ll go prepare lunch,” Lu Qingrong said, gently taking Wenxin from Yun Yanshui’s arms.

“We’ll have spirit lotus soup. It just arrived from Yantian!” she added with a smile.

“Thanks, Sister-in-law!” Yun Yanshui said cheerfully.

“No need for thanks, Yanshui!” Qingrong replied, leaving with Wenxin in her arms.

The brothers continued chatting, helping to clear the field.

“Brother!”

A shadow appeared as Yun Yanshuang suddenly materialized like a phantom.

“What’s the matter?” Yun Yanshui asked.

“Father is looking for you,” she replied.

“Alright, I’ll head over now.” Yun Yanshui handed his hoe to Yun Wendong and followed his sister back toward the main estate.

“Dealing with the Su family?”

“Correct. The Fenglin brothers have already left for Blue Scale County. However, with the Wang family backing the Su family, they’ll likely face interference.

That’s why I need you to support them in secret and prevent the Wang family from intervening,” Yun Yunyang instructed.

“Understood. Leave it to me,” Yun Yanshui replied with a nod.

 

Chapter 217 Don’t Know Life or Death

Lanlin County, Su Family Estate.

“Stop right there! What are the three of you trying to do?”

The Su family guards at the gate shouted as they noticed Sun Fenglin and his two companions approaching with an intimidating aura.

Sun Fenglin’s face was cold and expressionless. With a casual wave of his sleeve, a terrifying burst of energy surged forth, striking the guards and sending them flying. The force was so immense that the tightly shut Su family gate was blown apart, shattering into splinters.

The guards crashed to the ground in lifeless heaps, their breaths extinguished in an instant.

Inside the Su family courtyard, the commotion drew the attention of other guards, who rushed to the front yard to investigate.

Clang!

A dozen guards unsheathed their weapons, their expressions tense as they faced Sun Fenglin and his group.

“Where is Su Yinglong? Tell him to get out here!” Sun Fenglin demanded, his voice icy and unwavering.

The Su family guards exchanged uneasy glances. They knew full well that Sun Fenglin was a cultivator, a foe far beyond their capabilities as mere mortals. Quietly, one of them slipped away to deliver the news.

Su Yinglong and the Su family elders sat in anxious silence, awaiting news from the Wang family.

The deaths of the two rogue cultivators stationed at the Su family had left them defenseless. Without reinforcements from the Wang family, the Su family had no means of resisting the Yun family’s growing aggression, especially with only three spiritual-rooted descendants among their ranks.

“Master!”

A guard burst into the hall, his voice urgent.

“Is it news from the Wang family? Have they sent reinforcements?” Su Yinglong asked, his face lighting up with hope as he rose to his feet.

“N-no… It’s Sun Fenglin and his brother—they’ve come for us!”

“Damn it! Those two have come knocking after all!” Su Yinglong’s expression darkened, unease creeping into his voice.

“Why hasn’t the Wang family sent anyone yet?”

The elders echoed his worry, pacing like ants on a hot stove.

“Who knows? We sent word to them yesterday, and still no response!”

“Could it be… the Wang family has abandoned us?”

“Impossible,” Su Yinglong replied firmly. “The Wang family needs the Su family to counterbalance the Yun family. They’ve invested significant cultivation resources in us over the past year—there’s no way they’d abandon us halfway.”

Hearing this, the elders nodded in agreement.

“For now, let’s confront the Sun brothers. If it comes to it, we’ll invoke the name of the Yulin Wang Clan,” Su Yinglong declared after a brief pause, his tone icy.

With those words, he led the Su family elders and the three spiritual-rooted descendants to the front yard.

When they arrived, the sight of the slain guards and the Sun brothers standing confidently greeted them.

As Su Yinglong’s gaze shifted, it fell on the figure of Su Shengyun standing behind the Sun brothers. His expression turned stormy.

“Shengyun, is this how you repay me?”

Under Su Yinglong’s cold and piercing glare, Su Shengyun instinctively lowered his head, unable to meet his gaze.

“Shengyun is my nephew. He carries the blood of the Sun family, not the blood of a thief like you,” Sun Fenglin said as he pulled Su Shengyun behind him, his eyes locking onto Su Yinglong with a fiery intensity.

“Good! Very good! I, Su Yinglong, must have been blind to raise an ungrateful wolf in my midst!” Su Yinglong spat, his voice laced with venom.

“But don’t think you’ve won, Sun Fenglin. If this boy can betray me, he’ll betray you just as easily.”

“That’s not your concern,” Sun Fenglin replied coolly.

“I’ve come here for one purpose only: to demand the return of the wealth your family plundered from mine and the release of the Sun family members you’ve enslaved.

If you refuse…”

Sun Fenglin’s eyes gleamed coldly as he raised his hand.

Boom!

A deafening explosion erupted as a surge of energy tore through a group of Su family guards, shredding their bodies into bloody pieces. Flesh and blood splattered across the courtyard, the scene both horrific and chilling.

“…I will kill every last member of your Su family!”

Watching Sun Fenglin’s unrestrained brutality, Su Yinglong’s face turned a deep shade of green with rage.

The Su family elders and the spiritual-rooted descendants, including Su Yue, stood frozen, their expressions dark and filled with suppressed fury.

“You think the Su family is defenseless, Sun Fenglin?”

“Of course, I do,” Sun Fengxuan sneered, stepping forward with an icy smirk.

Had the two rogue cultivators still been stationed at the Su family, the Sun brothers would never have dared to launch such a bold attack. But now, with the power vacuum, they had seized the moment.

“Sun Fenglin, don’t think my Su family is so easy to trample upon! We have…”

Before Su Yinglong could finish, four figures descended into the courtyard as if from nowhere.

At the forefront stood an elder clad in black robes, his aura revealing him to be a Embryo Breath cultivator at the seventh stage.

Beside him was a strikingly voluptuous woman in a crimson dress, exuding an aura equally powerful.

The third figure, a burly middle-aged man with a greatsword strapped to his back, radiated the oppressive strength of a Embryo Breath cultivator at the seventh-stage peak.

The final arrival was a young man, no more than seventeen, dressed in fine robes and wielding a folding fan. He was the strongest of the four—a Embryo Breath cultivator at the eighth stage.

“Looks like we arrived just in time for the fun,” the young man remarked, his lips curling into an amused grin as he surveyed the carnage of the Su family guards and the presence of Sun Fenglin’s party.

“So much anger in one so young,” the black-robed elder muttered, his gaze lingering on the mutilated remains of the guards before settling on Sun Fenglin.

“These three have strong life energy. They’d make excellent nourishment,” the crimson-dressed woman said, her eyes glinting with a predatory gleam as she licked her lips hungrily while staring at Sun Fenglin and his companions.

“Enough talk. Let’s get to work,” the burly man growled, unsheathing his greatsword. With a thunderous roar, he swung it directly at Sun Fenglin.

The sheer force of the strike was overwhelming.

Sun Fenglin reacted swiftly, activating a talisman that conjured a shield of light, narrowly blocking the blow.

However, the burly man didn’t relent. In a flash, he closed the distance and swung his greatsword horizontally like an axe.

Bang!

The impact sent Sun Fenglin flying like a ragdoll, blood spraying from his mouth as he crashed to the ground.

“You dare storm the Su family with nothing but your pitiful sixth-stage cultivation? Who gave you the courage?” the man taunted, not bothering to finish Sun Fenglin off immediately.

As he spoke, Sun Fengxuan and Su Shengyun leapt to their feet and charged forward.

“Hmph.”

The burly man snorted disdainfully. With a mere burst of spiritual pressure, he forced the two to the ground, immobilizing them.

“Hey, old sword, don’t kill them! I need them for my cultivation! If you ruin my cauldrons, I’ll make you pay!” the crimson-dressed woman warned sharply.

“Relax. I know what I’m doing,” the man replied, slightly annoyed.

“Many thanks to the four immortal masters for arriving in time! Without you, my Su family would have been in grave danger!”

Su Yinglong quickly approached with the Su family elders in tow, bowing repeatedly to express his gratitude. His face beamed with relief, and the weight on his shoulders seemed to lift.

Turning his attention back to the restrained Sun brothers, Su Yinglong’s expression turned mocking.

“Sun Fenglin, did you really think that just because the Su family lost two rogue cultivators, you could storm in here as you pleased?”

“Hah! Foolish dog, you’ve overestimated yourself!”

Then, his gaze shifted to Su Shengyun, who was pinned to the ground by the spiritual pressure. His tone turned icy as he spoke:

“And you, Su Shengyun. If you return to the Su family now and acknowledge me as your father again, I may consider forgiving everything you’ve done. I’m willing to let bygones be bygones.”

The courtyard fell silent as all eyes turned to Su Shengyun.

Even Sun Fenglin and Sun Fengxuan, battered as they were, looked at him intently. This was the moment of truth—would he waver?

“I acknowledged a thief as my father once. I will never do so again!” Su Shengyun’s voice rang out, steady and resolute.

“And from this moment forward, I am no longer Su Shengyun. My name is Sun Congyun!”

His gaze burned with hatred as he glared at Su Yinglong.

“You Su family oppressed me, humiliated me, and enslaved my brothers and clansmen. I’ve endured your cruelty for too long.

I swear, I will not rest until every last one of you is eradicated. Especially you, Su Yinglong!”

The courtyard was silent, save for the venomous echo of his words.

 

Chapter 218 Waiter, Check Out

A Wanderer’s Redemption Is Worth More Than Gold!

For a year, Sun Congyun had lived in disgrace, serving as a lapdog to the Su family, despised by all.

But now, at this moment of life and death, he stood resolutely with the Sun brothers. It was a testament to the blood of the Lanlin Sun Clan coursing through his veins—a legacy he was determined to honor.

“Haha! Well said, Yun’er!”

In the distance, Sun Fenglin, pale and battered, let out a hearty laugh.

Moments ago, he had feared that Sun Congyun, overcome by fear, might waver and return to the Su family’s fold. But hearing these words filled his heart with pride.

“Yun’er, you truly are one of us. My brother and I were right about you.”

“Don’t worry. Even if we don’t make it out of this alive, your uncle and I will join you in the afterlife. You won’t face the journey alone!”

Sun Fengxuan, pinned to the ground by the oppressive force of the burly rogue cultivator, turned to look at his nephew with a faint smile.

For years, he had harbored resentment toward his nephew for betraying the Sun clan. But now, for the first time, his view of Sun Congyun began to change.

“Haha! Uncle Fenglin, Uncle Fengxuan, after spending this time with you, I’ve thought about everything.

This time, even if I die, I will die as Sun Congyun. I will die as a proud member of the Lanlin Sun Clan!”

Sun Congyun’s laughter rang out, unrestrained and fearless. For the first time, his heart felt unburdened, his resolve unshakable.

Watching Sun Congyun, still laughing in the face of death, Su Yinglong’s face darkened ominously.

The Su family elders, too, wore grim expressions.

“I told you all before—he is not one of us, and his heart never will be!”

“Enough, Master! Give the order! Sun Congyun—no, that traitor doesn’t deserve to live another moment!”

The elders stepped forward, their indignation spilling over as they urged Su Yinglong to act.

“Immortal masters, I leave this matter in your capable hands,” Su Yinglong finally said, bowing to the burly rogue cultivator.

“Let me handle this. Such prime cauldrons shouldn’t go to waste,” the crimson-dressed woman interjected with a cold smile.

She stepped forward, licking her lips greedily as she approached the immobilized trio. Without a care for those watching, she began loosening her robe, ready to harvest their essence for her cultivation.

But just as she reached for her belt, a streak of energy sliced through the air at lightning speed.

Thwip!

Before she could react, the energy pierced her forehead, splattering a spray of blood across the courtyard.

Her body froze mid-motion before collapsing into a pool of blood.

“Who dares launch a sneak attack?!”

The black-robed elder’s voice boomed as he leapt into action, his body soaring toward the direction of the attack.

But before he could reach his target, another streak of energy shot out, slicing cleanly through his neck.

Thud!

His headless body crashed heavily to the ground, while his severed head flew through the air, landing squarely in Su Yinglong’s trembling hands.

“Ahhh!”

Su Yinglong screamed, the bloodied head slipping from his grasp as he stumbled back, his face pale with terror.

“Damn it! Whoever this is, their strength is extraordinary!”

The burly rogue cultivator unsheathed his greatsword once more, gripping it tightly as he scanned the area with a mixture of dread and vigilance.

Beside him, the young man with the folding fan looked equally shaken.

The fan in his hand expanded, transforming into a massive screen that emitted a radiant, protective glow. Simultaneously, he activated several shield talismans, layering them in front of the glowing screen.

“The one who struck… their cultivation is far beyond ours. Likely at the ninth stage of the Embryo Breath realm—or even higher!” the young man muttered, his voice tinged with fear.

“Can you sense their presence?” the burly cultivator asked in a low tone, his eyes darting warily across the courtyard.

Among the four rogue cultivators, the young man with the highest cultivation was the most perceptive.

“I can’t sense a thing,” the youth admitted, his face clouded with frustration. “Whoever it is has deliberately suppressed their aura. I can’t track them.”

“Should we attack?” the burly man asked, his tone uncertain.

“We’d be outmatched,” the youth replied grimly. “And without any sign of their position, how could we even begin to fight?”

For the first time, a sense of helplessness washed over him. He had come to the Su family estate with the confidence of his superior cultivation, thinking this would be a simple task—eliminating Sun Fenglin and his companions. But now, it was clear that these three were being protected by a hidden master, and one of terrifying power.

“It must be someone from the Yun Cang Yun Clan,” the burly man speculated, his voice low and tense. “They’re the only ones backing the Sun brothers, and there are only two spiritual-rooted cultivators stronger than us: Yun Yantian and Yun Yanshuang.

The question is, did the siblings come together, or is it just one of them?”

As a rogue cultivator under the Yulin Wang Clan, the burly man was well aware of the political landscape. It made sense to assume that the Yun Clan would have sent someone to aid the Sun brothers, especially considering their growing rivalry with the Su family.

But despite his deductions, he was far off the mark.

The Yun Clan had indeed sent someone, but it wasn’t Yun Yantian or Yun Yanshuang. Instead, it was Yun Yanshui—a seemingly unremarkable clan member, often underestimated. Yet in truth, Yun Yanshui was no ordinary man. Hidden beneath his humble exterior was the cultivation of a Qi Refinement-stage expert.

Lanlin County, Tea House.

In a private room overlooking the town, Yun Yanshui sat sipping tea, his disguise that of an unassuming traveler. With his divine sense, he calmly observed every movement within the Su family estate.

Under his watchful gaze, nothing escaped him. The moment the rogue cultivators raised their defenses, Yun Yanshui chuckled softly.

Setting down his teacup, he flipped his hand, and the Dark Azure War Bow materialized in his grasp.

After years of refining and enhancing it, the bow had become a spiritual artifact of the fifth tier, its power formidable.

As the yin-yang pattern in his dantian spun, streams of energy converged into the bowstring. A shimmering arrow of pure spiritual energy formed in an instant.

Whoosh!

With a sharp twang, the arrow shot forth, its path a perfect arc as it streaked toward the Su family courtyard a thousand meters away.

In the Su family courtyard, the young man and the burly cultivator were deep in discussion, speculating on which Yun Clan member had come to aid the Sun brothers.

Suddenly, the youth froze, his expression twisted with fear.

He sensed it—a chilling, overwhelming presence that sent shivers down his spine. Scanning with his divine sense, he saw a terrifying spiritual arrow cutting through the sky, its force shaking the air as it hurtled toward him.

This arrow carried an oppressive aura so intense that even the young man, at the eighth stage of the Embryo Breath realm, felt suffocated.

In a desperate bid to defend himself, he watched in horror as the arrow pierced layer after layer of defensive talismans, shattered the radiant barrier of his folding fan, and continued unabated.

Thwack!

The arrow struck true, piercing his forehead with ruthless precision. A burst of blood and brain matter sprayed into the air as the young man’s lifeless body crumpled to the ground.

“Damn it! It’s neither Yun Yantian nor Yun Yanshuang!”

The burly man’s eyes widened in shock as he watched his comrade fall. His mind reeled as he realized the hidden attacker was someone entirely unknown—someone far beyond his expectations.

“Who exactly have you offended, Su family?!” he roared, glaring at the trembling Su Yinglong, who had collapsed in fear.

“I—I don’t know!” Su Yinglong stammered, his voice shaking. “I really don’t know!”

Who had the Su family offended?

Aside from the mysterious rogue cultivator who had come to collect a debt, Su Yinglong couldn’t think of anyone else.

“This is your fault, Su family!” the burly man snarled, his voice bitter with resentment.

He turned, ready to flee, knowing full well that staying any longer would mean certain death.

But as he leapt into the air, another arrow tore through the sky.

Whoosh!

Instinctively, he raised his greatsword to block.

Crack!

The arrow shattered the spiritual artifact like glass and continued its path, driving through his skull with ease. His body tumbled lifelessly to the ground.

Yun Yanshui lowered his bow and stowed it away. Reaching into his pouch, he tossed a handful of silver coins onto the table.

“Waiter, check, please,” he said with a satisfied smile, rising to leave as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.

 

Chapter 219 God Helps Me

Dead.
All dead.

Su Yinglong and the Su family members stood frozen in shock, their eyes fixed on the fallen rogue cultivators sent by the Yulin Wang Clan. One after another, these powerful reinforcements had been slain, leaving the Su family utterly defenseless.

A suffocating sense of dread gripped their hearts, their confidence shattered like glass.

“Haha! The heavens are on my side!”

Sun Fenglin’s laughter broke the oppressive silence. Though his body was battered and his wounds severe, he couldn’t suppress his elation.

Gritting his teeth through the pain, he swallowed a healing pill. As the medicine worked its magic, he slowly pushed himself to his feet.

Freed from the oppressive force of the slain rogue cultivators, Sun Fengxuan and Sun Congyun also rose, their eyes gleaming with resolve.

“Now,” Sun Fengxuan declared coldly, his gaze fixed on Su Yinglong, “it’s time for the Sun family to collect its debts.”

Without hesitation, Sun Fengxuan launched himself toward Su Yinglong, a murderous intent blazing in his eyes.

“You will not harm my grandfather!”

Su Yue snapped out of her stupor, grabbing a spear from a nearby Su family guard. Her spiritual energy surged through her body as she thrust the weapon forward with lightning speed, aiming directly at Sun Fengxuan.

“Hmph!”

With a dismissive snort, Sun Fengxuan swept his sleeve, effortlessly catching the spear and wrenching it from Su Yue’s grasp. He spun the weapon in his hand and hurled it back with lethal precision.

Whoosh!

The spear shot through the air like a thunderbolt, piercing Su Yue’s chest. Blood sprayed from the wound, painting the ground red.

But the spear did not stop there. It continued its deadly trajectory, impaling several Su family elders standing behind her.

“Block them! Stop them!”

Su Yinglong’s face twisted in fear as he watched his granddaughter fall, her life snuffed out in an instant. His voice trembled as he barked orders at the remaining guards.

Then, like a cornered rat, he turned and fled toward the rear of the estate.

“Yun’er, go assist your Uncle Fengxuan!”

Sun Fenglin, his voice low but firm, placed a hand on Sun Congyun’s shoulder.

“I understand, Uncle.”

Nodding, Sun Congyun leapt into the fray. In his hand was a short black blade, its edge gleaming with a cold, menacing light.

The blade danced in his grip, slashing through the air with lethal precision.

With each flicker of its icy glow, a Su family guard fell, their cries of pain echoing briefly before being silenced forever.

“Traitor, Sun Congyun!”

Two Su family cultivators emerged from the chaos, one wielding a saber and the other a longsword. They flanked Sun Congyun, striking in unison.

“I was born of the Sun family. What betrayal is there in returning to my roots?”

With a sharp retort, Sun Congyun charged forward to meet them.

Despite their combined efforts, the two were no match for his fifth-stage Embryo Breath cultivation.

In mere moments, their heads rolled across the blood-soaked ground, their bodies collapsing in lifeless heaps.

“Does anyone else wish to fight?”

As more Su family guards poured into the courtyard, desperately trying to hold back the relentless Sun brothers, a cold, commanding voice rang out.

All eyes turned toward its source.

Sun Fenglin stood tall, his hand gripping Su Yinglong by the neck.

“Drop your weapons!” he commanded, his gaze sweeping over the guards. “The Su family is finished. Is it really worth dying for?”

The courtyard fell silent as the guards exchanged uncertain glances.

It wasn’t long before one of them, realizing the futility of the fight, threw down his weapon and raised his hands in surrender.

His act of self-preservation sparked a chain reaction.

Clang! Clang!

Weapons clattered to the ground as one by one, the Su family guards chose to surrender.

After all, they were mere mortals, ill-equipped to challenge the might of cultivators.

“You worthless cowards!”

One of the Su family elders, witnessing the mass surrender, was consumed by rage.

“Have you forgotten who fed and clothed you all these years?” he bellowed. “Pick up your weapons and fight! Fight, damn you!”

“Disobey me, and I’ll kill you myself!”

His furious screams echoed in the now-silent courtyard, a desperate attempt to reclaim control over a battle already lost.

The Su family elder stormed forward, his rage boiling over as he grabbed the collar of a nearby Su family guard. His voice was a shrill roar, his face twisted with fury.

“You ungrateful wretch! Who fed you all these years? Who gave you shelter? Fight! Pick up your sword and kill them! Or I swear, I’ll kill you myself!”

Squelch!

Before the elder could utter another word, the guard thrust his blade into the elder’s stomach without hesitation.

The elder’s face contorted with shock, his lips parting as if to speak, but no words came. His body crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

The guard wiped the blood off his blade and looked up at Sun Fenglin with an air of resignation.

“We were just doing our jobs, protecting the Su family because they paid us. But now, the Su family is finished. We have no reason to oppose someone like you.”

With a bow, the guard turned and left the courtyard, his footsteps calm and deliberate.

One by one, the other Su family guards followed suit, throwing down their weapons and retreating.

“Sun Fenglin!” Su Yinglong shouted, his voice a mix of anger and desperation. “Don’t think your victory here means anything! Let me tell you, the Su family has the Yulin Wang Clan behind it. Those four rogue cultivators were sent by them!”

Pausing for dramatic effect, he sneered.

“Do you understand the consequences of what you’ve done? You’ve angered a force far greater than you can imagine!”

Sun Fenglin merely chuckled, shaking his head in amusement.

“You think I didn’t know about the Yulin Wang Clan’s involvement?” he replied coldly. “Do you honestly believe the Yun family, my family’s backer, isn’t aware of who supports you? Let me be clear: we came here with the full blessing of the Yun family.”

Leaning closer, his tone turned icy.

“If the Yulin Wang Clan dares to make trouble for us, they’re welcome to try. The real question is whether they have the courage to go against the Yun family.”

Su Yinglong’s expression faltered.

“Don’t be ridiculous! The Yun family can’t possibly compare to the Yulin Wang Clan! The Yulin Wang Clan is one of the Three Great Families, their power immeasurable. Why would they fear the likes of a minor family like the Yun family?”

Sun Fenglin laughed again, his voice dripping with disdain.

“Oh, Su Yinglong, you truly are clueless. Do you know why the Yulin Wang Clan hasn’t taken direct action against the Yun family? Why they’ve gone through the trouble of supporting your pathetic Su family instead of attacking us outright?”

“What are you implying?!”

Su Yinglong’s face turned ashen. For years, he’d questioned why the Yulin Wang Clan hadn’t simply eradicated the Yun family. He had assumed there were strategic reasons, but Sun Fenglin’s words hinted at something deeper.

“The reason is simple,” Sun Fenglin said with a sneer. “Even the Yulin Wang Clan fears the Yun family.”

Boom!

The revelation hit Su Yinglong like a thunderclap. His knees buckled, and his complexion turned deathly pale.

“No… That’s impossible!” he stammered. “The Yulin Wang Clan is one of the Three Great Families. Their foundation is centuries deep. How could they possibly fear a small, upstart family like the Yun family?”

“Believe whatever you like,” Sun Fenglin replied with a dismissive wave. “But the truth remains. Your ambitions were nothing but a joke, Su Yinglong. You thought your Su family could rise to rival the Yun family? Pathetic.”

With those final words, Sun Fenglin snapped Su Yinglong’s neck, ending his life.

Turning to the trembling Su family elders, Sun Fenglin’s voice cut through the courtyard like a blade.

“Where are my Sun family’s people? Where are the slaves you’ve taken from us?”

One of the elders, unable to withstand Sun Fenglin’s piercing gaze, shakily raised a finger toward the rear courtyard.

“They… They’re in the dungeon,” the elder stammered.

“Fengxuan, Yun’er, go. Find them. I’ll handle things here.”

The two nodded and dashed toward the rear courtyard, their steps swift and determined.

The entrance to the dungeon was hidden beneath a long rectangular table in a pavilion. Pushing it aside, they revealed a dark passageway.

As they descended into the depths, the air grew colder, and the faint sound of chains echoed around them.

When they reached the end of the tunnel, the sight that met them froze them in place.

Sun Fengxuan’s blood boiled with rage, his eyes burning crimson as he beheld the horrors before him.

“Those beasts!” he roared, his voice trembling with fury.

In the dim light of the dungeon, they saw their family members mutilated beyond recognition. Some had been turned into human swine, their limbs severed and their bodies submerged in vats of wine.

Children, no older than five, were shackled by iron collars, their bodies covered in bruises and scars. They huddled in corners, nibbling on scraps of spoiled food.

And the women—what had been done to them was so vile that words could not capture the atrocity.

Sun Congyun stood paralyzed, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails drew blood.

“How could I have been so blind?” he muttered, his voice cracking with grief.

A wave of self-loathing surged through him as he remembered the past year, a year he had spent serving the very people who had subjected his kin to such horrors.

Slap!

Without warning, he struck himself across the face, the sound echoing in the dungeon.

“I’m a fool!” he cried, his voice choked with guilt. “A damn, worthless fool

 

Chapter 220 A Life Worse Than Death

“Stop blaming yourself! The priority is to save our people!”
Sun Fengxuan placed a firm hand on Sun Congyun’s shoulder, his voice tinged with grief yet resolute.

Without waiting for a response, he darted forward, stopping in front of a mutilated middle-aged man floating in a vat of wine. His voice cracked with emotion as he called out, “Seventh Uncle!”

“Is… is that Fenglin? Or… Fengxuan?”

The man, blind and dismembered, struggled to discern who stood before him. His once sharp senses dulled by the torment he’d endured.

“It’s me, Fengxuan!”

Looking at his uncle’s pitiful state, Sun Fengxuan felt a knot tighten in his throat. Memories of the past flooded his mind—his seventh uncle standing against his father during the family strife. Yet now, faced with the horrors inflicted on their kin, all grievances faded into insignificance.

“And your brother?”

“He’s outside, keeping an eye on the Su family scum!”

“Ha… good! Excellent!”

The mutilated man let out a bitter laugh, blood seeping from the empty sockets where his eyes once were. Tears mixed with blood as they trailed down his disfigured face.

“When you leave, tell your brother… kill them. Kill them all! Make those bastards from the Su family pay in blood!”

His voice trembled with rage and despair.

“I know… I know I wronged you and your brother during the family conflict. But I beg you, avenge our people. Avenge our family!”

“This past year, the Su family has treated us like animals. It’s been unbearable… utterly unbearable!”

“They slaughtered your uncles like livestock, feeding their bodies to dogs. Your aunts and cousins were violated, their dignity stripped away. The children—our future—were beaten, humiliated, and left to starve.

“Fengxuan, don’t forget this. Don’t ever forget this!”

The seventh uncle’s voice, heavy with sorrow and fury, echoed through the cold, damp dungeon.

Sun Fengxuan’s eyes scanned the room, taking in the battered, emaciated forms of his surviving kin. His fists clenched tightly, nails biting into his palms.

“Seventh Uncle, let me get you out of here,” he said with a heavy sigh.

“No, leave me. Save the others.”

“I’m nothing but a cripple now, a useless shell of a man. The Su family made sure of that. I can’t live like this anymore, floating in a vat like a corpse. Please… give me peace.”

“But—”

“Fengxuan!” His uncle’s tone turned desperate. “You wouldn’t let me live out this nightmare, would you?”

Sun Fengxuan’s hand trembled. He looked into his uncle’s empty eye sockets, then slowly nodded.

“I understand…”

Tears streamed down his face as he reached out and gripped his uncle’s neck. With a swift motion, he ended his suffering.

“Seventh Uncle… this vengeance will be ours,” he whispered, his voice hoarse.

“Fengxuan Uncle, the others have been freed!” Sun Congyun reported as he approached, his face pale but resolute.

Sun Fengxuan took a deep breath, composing himself. His gaze swept over the group of survivors—twenty in total, mostly children and women. The elderly had long succumbed to the horrors of their captivity.

“Take them outside,” he instructed firmly.

“I’ll handle the rest.”

As Sun Congyun led the survivors out, Sun Fengxuan lingered in the dungeon. With a heavy heart, he pulled out a Fireball Talisman.

The faint glow of the talisman reflected in his eyes as he muttered softly, “May you all find peace.”

The talisman ignited, releasing a torrent of flames that engulfed the dungeon.

The intense heat consumed the bodies of his deceased kin, the blaze crackling and roaring with a ferocity that matched his anguish.

Sun Fengxuan stood still, watching the flames erase the evidence of the atrocities committed here.

When the fire began to spill out into the passageway, he finally turned and exited the dungeon.

As he emerged into the courtyard, the fire surged behind him, leaping up like a vengeful serpent and setting the nearby pavilion ablaze.

The once grand structure groaned and creaked under the inferno’s weight before collapsing in a fiery heap.

The thunderous crash sent clouds of ash and smoke billowing into the sky, the embers dancing like sparks of rebellion.

“Rest in peace, my kin,” Sun Fengxuan murmured, bowing his head.

When he looked up again, his eyes burned with renewed determination. “This vengeance will not end here.”

“Are we really… saved, sister?”
A bruised and battered young boy gazed up at the azure sky, his voice trembling as he stared at the crumbling, blazing pavilion. His words carried disbelief, as if clinging to a fragile hope.

He feared it was all a dream. A cruel, fleeting fantasy that would dissolve, leaving him back in that dark, fetid dungeon. Back to the endless torment at the hands of the Su family’s cruel heirs, powerless to protect his sister from their vile acts.

“Yes, we are saved!”
Next to him, a young girl with torn and tattered clothes pulled him into a tight embrace. Her tear-streaked face held a mix of relief and grief, as tears poured freely down her cheeks.

“We’re finally free…” she whispered, her voice breaking into sobs.

Nearby, a woman clutched the lifeless body of an infant in her arms. She collapsed to her knees, wailing uncontrollably. The baby’s abdomen bore a gaping wound, its tiny body mutilated—a testament to the Su family’s inhuman cruelty.

Sun Fengxuan and Sun Congyun stood in silence, watching their kin cry out and release years of pent-up agony and despair. Their hearts ached, weighed down by sorrow and anger.

“Look after them!”
Sun Fengxuan’s voice broke the silence. He turned to Sun Congyun, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.

“Uncle Fengxuan, where are you going?”
“To finish this,” he replied, his tone cold and resolute.

Su Family Courtyard

The remaining Su family elders and heirs cowered in fear, huddled on the ground like frightened animals. Not one of them dared move under the oppressive aura of Sun Fenglin, who sat in their midst.

The once proud and domineering Su family was reduced to trembling wrecks, their fate hanging by a thread.

Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed through the courtyard. Sun Fengxuan approached, his expression murderous, his aura charged with unrelenting fury.

His gaze swept across the huddled figures, locking onto them with a piercing intensity that sent shivers down their spines.

“Who mutilated my seventh uncle and threw him into a wine vat?”
His voice was as cold as the grave.

The Su family elders and heirs exchanged nervous glances, none daring to speak.

Whoosh!
Sun Fengxuan extended his hand, and a surge of energy yanked one of the elders into his grasp. He gripped the man’s neck with unyielding strength.

“Speak. Who did it?”
“I… I don’t know!” the elder stammered, his voice quaking with terror.

Crack!
Without hesitation, Sun Fengxuan snapped the man’s neck and tossed his lifeless body aside.

With another wave of his hand, a second elder was pulled forward.

“It wasn’t me! It was Su Yingchun! He assaulted your seventh uncle’s wife, and when your uncle fought back, he flew into a rage and mutilated him. He’s the one who threw him into the wine vat!”

“And Su Yingming! He helped him!” another elder blurted, pointing at a wiry man with shifty, triangular eyes.

“Both of you had a hand in this?”
Sun Fengxuan’s voice dripped with venom as he grabbed Su Yingchun and Su Yingming.

Before they could beg for mercy, he severed their limbs, gouged out their eyes, and tossed them into the courtyard’s water vats.

Their agonized screams echoed across the courtyard, sending chills down the spines of the remaining Su family members.

“Who butchered my fifth aunt’s child?”
Sun Fengxuan’s voice thundered once more.

The Su family heirs hesitated, their gazes shifting toward a young boy, no older than seven or eight, hiding in a corner. He was dressed in fine clothes, his face pale with fear.

Whoosh!
Sun Fengxuan pulled the boy forward with a flick of his wrist, holding him by the neck.

“Please! I’m sorry! Don’t kill me!” the boy shrieked, his small hands clawing at Sun Fengxuan’s grip.

“A child with a heart this black… Why should I let you live?”

Sun Fengxuan’s voice was laced with disdain as he pressed his palm against the boy’s abdomen.

With a sickening crunch, his palm burst through the boy’s stomach, leaving a gaping hole. Blood poured from the wound as the boy’s lifeless body slumped to the ground.

“Who abused the women of my family? Who chained our children like dogs?”
Sun Fengxuan’s fury showed no signs of abating.

He turned his gaze back to the cowering Su family, his eyes burning with wrath.

“One by one, I’ll make you pay for every sin you’ve committed against the Sun family,” he growled.

These scum didn’t deserve a quick death. They would suffer, just as his kin had suffered.