Martial Sage from the Vajra Skill

With Elder Li Yang’s authority, sending a disciple at Gang Qi Great Success versus an Outer Disciple at Gang Qi Minor Achievement is one and the same—it just takes a single word. ’There’s no doubt someone is trying to use the Yuan Family’s troubles to make a move.’

"The audacity! To use my Yuan Family’s affairs to make a play. Aren’t they afraid of botching it and facing Elder Li Yang’s wrath?" Yuan Yi said with a cold snort.

Yuan Gang glanced at his son, then turned to Xu Yang. "This matter is beyond your ability to resolve, Little Brother Xu. The Yuan Family has no desire to see a genius throw his life away for nothing. Please, you should head back."

Xu Yang shook his head. "I know nothing of the details. If I return like this, I won’t be able to report back properly. Patriarch Yuan, why don’t you tell me about the bandits on Qingfeng Ridge? Even if I can’t resolve the issue, at least I’ll have a valid reason to give when I go back."

Yuan Gang nodded. "You are right, I was being inconsiderate. Five days ago, my Yuan Family’s caravan was ambushed by Tang Chuan and his gang of bandits as it traveled through Qingfeng Ridge. They stole our goods and killed some of our people.

"They then sent a message demanding that the Yuan Family pay a ransom of three thousand taels of silver for the goods, and that we must pay them a toll from now on. Otherwise, they will rob our caravans every single time they see them."

Xu Yang’s brow furrowed. "How strong are they?"

Yuan Gang replied, "Tang Chuan, Lu Lin, and Meng Yuanshu are all at the Minor Achievement in Gang Qi Cultivation stage. They have several dozen minions, and probably three to five subordinates who have just reached the Initial Stage of Gang Qi."

The bandits’ strength was about what he had expected—not too strong, not too weak. ’With my true power,’ he thought, ’wiping them all out wouldn’t be difficult at all.’

However, his apparent strength was only at the Gang Qi Minor Achievement stage. If he annihilated this band of outlaws, Xiao Hua would surely grow suspicious and might even guess that he was the Blazing Blade.

"Patriarch Yuan, how do you wish to handle this?" Xu Yang asked.

Yuan Gang’s voice was cold. "I want to crush these bandits who dared to target my family. The Yuan Family can forgo the goods, but those men must die."

The Yuan Family could not compromise. If they gave in this time, every other vulture on the road would start targeting them.

Xu Yang weighed his options. Should he wipe out the bandits on Qingfeng Ridge, or should he go back and claim he was incapable of handling the task?

On one hand, he risked exposing his true strength and provoking Xiao Hua into taking personal action. On the other, he risked offending the notoriously ill-tempered Elder Li Yang. It seemed that either choice would lead to trouble.

"If I am unable to resolve this, what will the Yuan Family do?" Xu Yang asked.

Yuan Gang replied, "We will, of course, petition Elder Li Yang to send more people."

"I will find a way to resolve this."

After careful consideration, Xu Yang decided to handle the matter for the Yuan Family. Between offending an Elder and a Steward, he chose the Steward.

If Xiao Hua really made a move, he’d still have a chance of survival. But if he offended an Elder, staying alive would be next to impossible.

The fact that Xiao Hua chose this indirect method to harm him showed that he was wary and didn’t dare to kill him outright.

He just needed to buy a little more time. Once he learned how to refine the Gathering Essence Pill, he was confident he could quickly reach Gang Qi Great Success, and perhaps even Marrow Cleansing.

And once he achieved Marrow Cleansing, what would it matter if Xiao Hua himself came for him?

"Fellow Xu, have you thought this through? If Tang Chuan and his two sworn brothers attack you all at once, you will be no match for them," Yuan Gang warned.

Xu Yang gave a wry smile. "Thank you for the warning, Patriarch Yuan. But if I fail, I will certainly be punished upon my return. I’m sure you know better than I the consequences of forcing Elder Li Yang to deal with the same matter twice."

"Against three opponents, I have no guarantee of victory, but I am confident I can protect myself."

Yuan Gang said, "As expected of a Ten Heroes Genius. In that case, I will say no more. Little Brother Xu, if there is anything the Yuan Family can do to help, you need only ask."

He, too, knew Elder Li Yang’s temper. The person using this situation to target Xu Yang had counted on that very fact when they assigned him the task.

"Rest assured, Little Brother Xu. Regardless of the outcome, I will report the full story to Elder Li Yang. Whoever dared to use the Yuan Family’s affairs for their own schemes will be held accountable."

A flicker of rage crossed Yuan Gang’s eyes. This affair was a humiliation for the Yuan Family, and he had no intention of swallowing the insult.

If even a Steward from the Purple Sun Sect dared to use this situation for his own ends, it was no wonder that a gang of bandits like Tang Chuan’s would dare to rob a Yuan Family caravan. The bandits had to be dealt with, but the Steward who orchestrated this couldn’t be let off either. He would serve as another example to establish their authority.

Xu Yang cupped his fists. "Then I must thank you, Patriarch Yuan."

This was precisely the outcome he had hoped for. Xiao Hua may have had malicious intent, but he was right about one thing: this was an opportunity to get noticed by Elder Li Yang. If handled correctly, there were rewards to be had.

At the very least, Xiao Hua wouldn’t dare to move against him so brazenly in the near future.

Before arriving, he had inquired about the relationship between the Yuan Family and Elder Li Yang. After some probing, he understood that the Elder wasn’t ignoring the Yuan Family at all; he genuinely wanted to help them. It was just that Xiao Hua had exploited the situation.

"I’ll trouble you to give me more details about the bandits of Qingfeng Ridge, Patriarch Yuan. And please arrange for some men to accompany me, so that we can transport the goods back once I’ve dealt with the bandits," Xu Yang added.

Yuan Gang nodded and immediately ordered Yuan Yi to arrange for the men.

Half an hour later, a convoy of carriages was parked in front of the Yuan Family manor.

Yuan Gang personally lifted the carriage curtain, inviting Xu Yang aboard, and watched as he departed with the Yuan Family convoy.

"Father, do you really believe that a Martial Artist who is only at the Gang Qi Minor Achievement stage can kill Tang Chuan and his two men?" Yuan Yi asked, watching the convoy’s retreating figures.

A smile glinted in Yuan Gang’s eyes. "He is a Ten Heroes Genius, after all. Even though he only just broke through, he still has some skill.

"If he succeeds, all the better. The Yuan Family can use this to reassert its authority.

"And if he fails, I’ll have the perfect excuse to complain to Elder Li Yang. Daring to use my family’s affairs for personal gain... I’ll make sure Xiao Hua bites off more than he can chew."

He didn’t care whether Xu Yang could actually eliminate Tang Chuan’s gang. As long as Elder Li Yang still cared about the Yuan Family, that was all that mattered.

"Go and prepare a gift. If Xu Yang actually manages to eliminate Tang Chuan’s gang, the Yuan Family will do everything in its power to befriend him and help him secure his position in the Purple Sun Sect."

He had another calculation in mind: this would be a perfect test of Xu Yang’s potential.

If Xu Yang could truly annihilate the Qingfeng Ridge bandits by himself, then the Yuan Family would need a new genius like him to rebuild their connection with Elder Li Yang.

Yuan Yi was stunned. "You want to help him become Elder Li Yang’s disciple?"

Yuan Gang smiled. "And why not? Your younger brother is gone, after all. Elder Li Yang might still cherish his memory, but such sentiments fade over time. Only someone who is both connected to our Yuan Family and a disciple of the Elder can ensure that bond continues."

"I hear this young man is passionate about alchemy, which makes him a suitable candidate. If his talent is decent, and with the Yuan Family’s backing, Elder Li Yang shouldn’t refuse."

Yuan Yi shook his head. "How long has he been at the Gang Qi Minor Achievement stage? Tang Chuan and his sworn brothers have been entrenched at that level for years. Forget killing them—it would be a remarkable feat if he can even survive."

"He’s called a Ten Heroes Genius, but only because he was a replacement for the one who died."

He was not at all optimistic about Xu Yang’s chances of defeating Tang Chuan and his men.

...

The carriage jolted along the road for nearly a full day before finally arriving at Qingfeng Ridge.

The carriage stopped. As the curtain was drawn aside, Xu Yang opened his eyes.

"Master Xu, we’re near Qingfeng Ridge," Yuan Qiang whispered.

He was from a side branch of the Yuan Family and had been assigned to guide Xu Yang to Qingfeng Ridge and transport the stolen goods back if he succeeded.

"Find a place to hide nearby. In three days at most, one day at the soonest, I will eliminate these bandits. Don’t approach the stronghold until you see my signal."

Xu Yang stepped out of the carriage, having no intention of letting these men witness him tear through Qingfeng Ridge single-handedly.

"Understood."

Having given his instructions, Xu Yang strolled into the forest. It wasn’t long before he spotted a stronghold built halfway up the mountain.

Several large banners were planted on the cliff, fluttering in the wind, each emblazoned with a giant character: "Clear."

Qingfeng Stronghold!

At the foot of the mountain below, several abandoned carriages bearing the Yuan Family’s flag stood empty, their cargo long gone.

’They have archers. It would be difficult for an ordinary martial artist at Gang Qi Minor Achievement to breach this place,’ he thought.

The bows carried by the sentries on duty were nearly as tall as a man, with limbs as thick as an arm. These were Breaking Gang Bows, capable of killing Gang Qi experts.

An expert at Gang Qi Minor Achievement wouldn’t die from a single arrow, but they couldn’t possibly withstand several.

Only an expert at the Gang Qi Great Success stage could endure a volley from such bows.

’I should learn archery when I get the chance,’ Xu Yang thought.

The only problem was the exorbitant cost. A bow capable of killing a Gang Qi expert would cost at least five to six hundred taels of silver, and a single arrow would run thirty to forty taels.

Forging a bow powerful enough to kill a Marrow Cleansing expert would be even more terrifyingly expensive.

After observing the terrain and the various visible and hidden sentries, he melted into the forest and disappeared, with no intention of making his move just yet.

Finding a secluded spot, Xu Yang settled in to cultivate. In the blink of an eye, the next day arrived.