Martial Sage from the Vajra Skill

Sun Tao began his tale from the moment the three of them went to pay their respects to Xiao Hua. He explained that Xiao Hua, showing no regard for old times, had quickly sent them away. He added that after that first meeting, Xu Yang had warned Lin Wei of his ill intentions, but she had brushed him off with the saying, "A fine gentleman seeks a fair lady."

He went on to describe how Xiao Chen, wanting to latch onto the powerful Su Family, tried to dump Lin Wei, but she had desperately clung to him. He continued the story right up to the point of Lin Wei’s "accident," admitting that while he and Xu Yang knew what was really going on, they didn’t dare to make it public.

Despite all this, Xiao Hua still abused his authority as a Steward to send Xu Yang on a mission to exterminate the bandits at Qingfeng Stronghold.

Throughout his account, he mentioned several times that both he and Xu Yang had tried to persuade Lin Wei, but she refused to listen to their warnings.

Lin Cheng’s eyes were bloodshot, and his energy was faintly threatening to spiral out of control.

He had thought his daughter’s relationship with Xiao Chen was a fortuitous match, never imagining it would become her Life-Shortening Talisman. He felt a pang of self-reproach; when he had first learned about Lin Wei and Xiao Chen, he too had hoped his daughter could marry up into the Xiao Family.

"This must have been difficult for you," Lin Cheng said, his voice low. "You two are not to blame for this. You’ve already done everything you could."

’To be targeted by a Task Hall Steward... If not for Xu Yang’s sharp perception, they both would likely be dead by now.’

’He had no right to blame anyone for Lin Wei’s death. Xu Yang had already done more than enough.’

"If I can’t kill that animal Xiao Hua, who’s worse than any pig or dog, then I’ll kill his whelp, Xiao Chen," he snarled, a cold light glinting in his eyes. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

He too had fought his way through the Purple Sun Sect for a decade. He was no pushover.

His Cultivation was inferior to Xiao Hua’s, but he could still kill Xiao Chen to get his revenge.

Sun Tao shook his head and said softly, "Master, there’s no need for you to act. Xiao Chen has already gotten what he deserved. A few months after Junior Sister Lin Wei’s accident, Xiao Chen died somewhere out in the world. They never even found his body."

’Xiao Chen is already dead?’

Lin Cheng’s spirits lifted. "Dead? Excellent! How wonderful! That animal Xiao Hua has finally tasted the pain of losing his own child."

He was overcome with joy to hear that one of the culprits responsible for his daughter’s death was gone.

Sun Tao nodded. "Yes. The heavens have opened their eyes. Xiao Chen died out there and never managed to latch onto the Su Family. It’s just a pity that old dog Xiao Hua was merely punished with a post at the Cyan Mountain Garrison. I didn’t get to see the look of utter despair on his face myself."

"This wasn’t the work of the heavens."

Lin Cheng’s gaze burned as he stared at Xu Yang. "You killed that animal Xiao Chen, didn’t you?"

The world believed Xu Yang’s talent was only slightly inferior to Lu Ren’s, but Lin Cheng knew it far surpassed it. He had mastered the Wind and Thunder Strength not long after beginning his training. By the time of the Martial Arts Examination, he had likely already comprehended the Mixed Element Strength.

Lu Ren had already reached Gang Qi Great Success in the Purple Sun Sect. How could Xu Yang possibly still be at a mere Gang Qi Minor Achievement?

’A man so cautious he would hide most of his strength even during the Martial Arts Examination would never reveal his full hand in a perilous place like the Purple Sun Sect.’

He knew Xu Yang’s personality all too well. What he showed the world was never more than a fraction of his true strength.

Sun Tao’s eyes went wide as he stared at Xu Yang in disbelief.

’Master is saying Junior Brother Xu killed Xiao Chen?’

’How is that possible?’

Xu Yang cupped his hands. "Your eyes are sharp, Master. It is true, I was the one who killed Xiao Chen."

RUMBLE...

Sun Tao felt a roar thunder through his mind, and his eyes bulged. ’It really was Junior Brother Xu who killed Xiao Chen! Doesn’t that mean he reached Gang Qi Great Success a long time ago? How else could he possibly have killed Xiao Chen?’

"It really was you!" Lin Cheng thought, secretly relieved.

’Thankfully, I’m not a gossip. Since Xu Yang didn’t want his secret exposed, I never revealed it. Even when I asked Xiao Hua to look out for them, I never revealed Xu Yang’s true talent. Otherwise, Xiao Hua would never have allowed Xu Yang to develop.’

"Junior Brother Xu..." Sun Tao felt his mouth go dry.

’At the time of Xiao Chen’s death, it seemed that not even people like Li Chuyang had reached Gang Qi Great Success yet.’

’Did Junior Brother Xu break through to Gang Qi Great Success even before Li Chuyang?’

’Does that mean Junior Brother Xu is the true number one of the Ten Heroes?’

A storm of emotions churned within Sun Tao. He opened his mouth and managed to say, "Junior Brother Xu," but couldn’t find any other words to follow.

Xu Yang said, "Senior Brother Sun, I must ask you to keep this a secret. That old dog Xiao Hua may have been banished to Cyan Mountain for a year, but he’ll be back soon. The Su Family will also be investigating this. My life is in your hands."

Lin Cheng, realizing that in his agitation he had exposed Xu Yang’s secret, immediately said in a stern voice, "If you dare breathe a word of this to anyone and endanger your Junior Brother Xu’s life, I will personally kill you."

Sun Tao’s expression turned grim. He raised his hand and swore, "I, Sun Tao, swear on my life that if I reveal so much as half a word of what I’ve heard today, may the heavens strike me down with lightning and may I die without a proper burial!"

Though stunned by what he had heard, he understood the gravity of the situation.

Suddenly, all his previous questions were answered.

’No wonder Lin Cheng suddenly began to value Xu Yang so highly. His true talent far, far surpassed Lu Ren’s.’

’Reaching Gang Qi Great Success before even Li Chuyang and the others... If word of this got out, it would send an earthquake through the entire Purple Sun Sect.’

Lin Cheng nodded in satisfaction. He knew Sun Tao’s character well.

If Sun Tao weren’t such a trustworthy person, given Xu Yang’s guarded nature, he never would have admitted the truth in his presence.

This proved that Xu Yang trusted Sun Tao, which was why he was willing to admit to killing Xiao Chen in front of him.

"Thank you for avenging Xiaowei," Lin Cheng said with great sincerity.

Xu Yang shook his head. "That father and son wanted me dead, and I couldn’t just wait for them to kill me. I failed to save Senior Sister Lin Wei, so the only thing I could do was kill them to avenge her.

Rest assured, Master. When I am strong enough, I will send that old dog Xiao Hua to the underworld to atone for his sins against her."

Lin Cheng was overjoyed. "Then I’m counting on you. Otherwise, I can only watch helplessly as my daughter’s murderer lives out his days in peace."