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Chapter 55: Severing the thread of vexation!

Translator: Radiant

Editor: Radiant

"This You Yue… Why did she not tell me when her brother came? It seems that we'll have to buy more food for dinner tonight. " Xue Ying suddenly frowned, under the state of being 'One with the World', he could clearly hear everything within the vicinity - even a buzzing housefly. Thus, he distinctly heard whatever You Yue and her brother discussed, ,

…

Within You Yue's house.

"Father let you come visit me because of this matter?" You Yue lightly said.

"Yes." Kong Hao spoke, "Father told me to tell you that… this Si Clan has the highest status within the entire Azure River County! Regardless of whether it is those from the overt positions - the Military Officers, the County's prefecture magistrates, the mayors of various towns, or those from the obscure sides - the aggressive bandits, wealthy merchant guilds and several factions hiding within the County, they all know how powerful the Si Clan is!"

"The Si Clan is the heavens of the Azure River County! The Si Clan is Azure River County, and Azure River County is the Si Clan! Whoever is charged guilty by them, would be judged as guilty even if he is innocent!" Kong Hao continued, "As for Si Chen, he is basically the favored heir of the Si Clan. Becoming a Meteor mage two years ago at 18, the elders look upon him highly… In the future, should he rank up to becoming a Silver Moon mage, his status would be even more frightening."

"Father also said that it is fine if you are not interested in marrying Dong Bo Xue Ying, but it would be better if you could become the wife of Si Chen. He said should this happen, then our Kong Clan could ride on the power of the Si Clan to become one of the most powerful Clans in the entire County."

Kong Hao curled his lips, "But of course, sister, I'm always supportive of you regardless of your decision. This father of ours really is too pragmatic, however he added on something along the lines of how hard it is to actually get married with that young master Si Chen at the end!"

"Humph."

Kong You Yue softly chided, "Father is precisely this kind of person!"

With that single sentence, she affirmed her brother's observations.

"Ai…"

"Under father's strict orders, I need to get closer to Dong Bo Xue Ying." You Yue sighed, "Even though I've been trying my best, and the fact is we are actually much closer than before, he still does not acclaim that I'm his girlfriend!"

"He does not like you?" Kong Han asked.

"Not exactly. He's been too focused on the arts of spear. Other than me and several other female servants within the castle, Xue Ying does not even interact with any of the other young girls outside." You Yue said, "Though Xue Ying looks cold on the outside, he is actually quite friendly once you get to know him. I believe that over time, if our relationship continues on developing, with his character, we should get wed in the future."

"Yet being with him is really boring." You Yue shook her head, "I'm afraid that he still does not know the fact that someone who does not coax a girl is entirely unromantic! Compared to some of my fellow disciples in the Great Mage's Building, he is totally lacking in this area."

"Sis, do you not like Dong Bo Xue Ying?" Kong Hao was startled.

"When I first came here years ago, I actually quite admired him. However, over the years as I followed under teacher's teaching on magic, after understanding how big the world is, I kind of feel that he is quite ordinary. He is just merely a fanatic towards training on his spear techniques."

…

On the roof of the castle.

After entering the state of 'One with the World', Xue Ying could see even the expressions on You Yue's eyes, face and everything clearly. The moment she said that he is a martial arts fanatic, he saw… no, he FELT how her mouth actually cocked with disdain.

Xue Ying face turned paler and paler.

Indeed, he did not actually love Kong You Yue that much - he did not have that fiery passion to want to spend the rest of his life with her! After all, undertaking any Bronze Order mission was an extremely risky venture that could make him lose his life anytime. Yet being human, they were not cold blooded animals. Spending 6 years together, there ought to be some form of relationship.

Though the moment he heard Kong You Yue's words, Xue Ying did not dare believe this…

"She is actually such a person!"

It was as if his heart was being suppressed by a gigantic rock…

It was overbearing.

He… He was actually the one being deceived all this time! To think that his impression of You Yue was someone who admired him so much that should he want to wed her, it would be a carefree and easy task! But reality was… Kong You Yue did not even love him genuinely at all.Right! He himself did not show any interest towards her, and had been focusing on his spear techniques all along. He did not know how to coax her…

"But why would she deceive me all this while…?"

"Damn, damn damn."

Xue Ying's heart was burning with fury. Six years of what seemed to be a simple love, or to a lesser extent, friendship…

Yet he was kept in the dark all along! It had been a guise since the beginning!

"She is such a person." Initially, Xue Ying's impression of You Yue was of someone who was lovely and understanding, yet now he felt that she was extremely… disgusting!

Right.

He did not have a lot of friends, and You Yue could be considered to be one of his better friends! But he was being deceived by her, with her actually thinking he was a martial arts fanatic.

"Why am I so angry? What is there to be angry about? I was never passionate about her or tempted by her." Xue Ying had a self-deprecating laugh. Though no matter how much he tried in consoling himself, six years of facade was still something that made him extremely uncomfortable.

******

You Yue laughed, "Compared to him, young master Si Chen is much more intelligent and knowledgeable. Even though he acted a bit silly at times, he still had the heart to coax others."

"Si Chen is chasing after you?" Kong Hao was dumbstruck.

"Mn." You Yue nodded.

Indeed, Kong You Yue had several attractive qualities - her was quite pretty as well as loveable! From youth , she was trained to understand the hearts of other people. With such confidence, under her relentless subtle guidance, young master Si Chen was gradually paying more attention to her and even started chasing after her. Though she had been keeping her distance from him for this period, keeping Si Chen around under her leash.

"You like Si Chen?" Kong Hao was startled once again.

Kong You Yue paused for a bit, before saying, "A bit."

How was this possible?

How could she fall in love with someone so easily? Though it was a fact that she felt that this 'Si Chen' was a much better prey than Dong Bo Xue Ying! He was younger, more handsome, and most importantly, someone with a huge background! On the other side, Xue Ying could be compared to a woodblock, not romantic at all.

"Sis, what are you going to do then?" Kong Hao was curious.

"I haven't fully decided yet. Let's see how it goes for now." You Yue had actually decided long beforehand what she was going to do.

Even if he was her little brother, some things should still be kept a secret! Otherwise, letting her brother know of her decision would affect his impression of his sister being someone too ruthless and cruel. That wouldn't be good at all.

…

Xue Ying gave off a cold aura as he walked on the stone roads inside the castle. None of the servants dared to approach him. They could feel their Lord's mood was not good at this juncture.

In a few moments, Xue Ying reached the door to Kong You Yue's courtyard.

"Bang."

Pressing on the door, the door to the courtyard immediately broke apart. Xue Ying pushed the broken door aside and entered.

"Who is it?" You Yue's voice was still full of warmth and mild curiosity. The moment she and her brother came out from the house, they saw Xue Ying standing right in the middle of the courtyard.

"Brother Xue Ying!" Kong You Yue shouted with joy.

Yet they only saw Dong Bo Xue Ying standing there silently. The atmosphere felt as if it solidified into a form of pressure, causing both brother and sister to tremble.

"I would have never thought that you are actually such a person." Xue Ying spoke in a somewhat hoarse voice, "I know that I'm not a romantic person, and am a fanatic who only knows how to train in spear techniques."

Kong Hao's eyes became wide open.

Kong You Yue was startled as well.

How did he know?

But 'not romantic' and 'martial arts fanatic' precisely implied that Xue Ying somehow knew of what they had been talking a moment ago. Thus, it was pointless covering up the matter.

"Brother Xue Ying, I'm sorry. This was all done under my father's order." You Yue tried explaining, "I really did not want to do it."

Xue Ying gazed coldly at her

After understanding 'One with the World', he could clearly observe the expression on Kong You Yue's face before she spoke. The disdain when she proclaimed how he was a martial arts fanatic… that expression was something that he did not see before in the past 6 years. Yet after entering the state of 'One with the World', after seeing that expression once, she could no longer lie to him.

Being gazed upon by Xue Ying, You Yue felt an invisible oppression upon her, making her nervous, and causing turmoil in her previously calm heart. She was someone who understood a person's heart, and thus would know how to react in any scenario. Yet right now, being gazed upon by Xue Ying actually made her totally flustered.

She did not know, this was precisely the pressure caused by one's spirit strength!

After entering 'One with the World', Xue Ying's spirit strength became so strong that under his gaze, the pressure created was no less than more than ten thousands of people staring at a single person!

"I'll leave. I'll leave right at this moment."

Kong You Yue did not explain anymore. She immediately turned back into her home and began packing up her things.

He stood in the courtyard silently. After a short while he saw Kong You Yue and Kong Hao both carrying a trunk each, hurrying out of the place.

…

"Miss You Yue."

The soldiers outside the city gate all still greeted her courteously.

You Yue could only force herself to smile, before bringing her brother out of the castle towards the Great Mage's building.

'How did he discover that I was talking to my little brother?' You Yue looked backwards at the Snowrock Castle. She knew it was going to be very tough the next time she wanted to enter the castle, 'Without making Si Chen fall hard for me, breaking up with Dong Bo Xue Ying is really not worth it. It would be for the best that I finish the business with Si Chen…'

'Forget it. Since he found out, it would be pointless to regret any longer.'

'Humph. What is there to be proud of as a martial arts fanatic.'

'He is only a big fish in this small Water Rites Town, compared to the Si Clan, what is he? But still, getting a staff and a robe from him is considered not bad after all.' You Yue thought to herself silently.

…

"I can't believe she's such a person. I, Dong Bo Xue Ying am surely blind." With a leap, Xue Ying immediately reached the roof of the castle. He sat there overlooking the entire Snowrock Castle. "Being deceived so easily, it seems that I've interacted with too few people."

"Forget it. Let this be a learning experience for me."

Xue Ying was after all, still a Great Spear Master. After comprehending the state of 'One with the World', his control over the realm of spear techniques became even greater, reaching that of deities.

His mind was as sharp as a spear,

As fast as the cutting blade!

Since this woman actually had the heart to deceive him, chasing her out of the castle would be for the best as he did not want to be entangled up with such matters.

"She is she. I am I. Maybe just like father and mother… finding love in the midst of a life and death situation is more suited for me?" Xue Ying laughed spontaneously, raising his head up as he gulped down bowls of wine. After training his spirit until this particular realm, there was obviously no deep longing feelings towards cutting off the relationship of such ordinary friendship.

"Mn. I've already entered the realm of One with the World. What method would be the best for me to become a Transcendent?" Xue Ying started pondering over the many routes he could take, and the eventual one that would allow him to enter the ranks of Trascendents. It was, after all, the ranks of a Transcendent he had been aiming for all along!Chapter 56: Blood Rain of Dark Ice Spear Technique

Translator: Radiant

Editor: Radiant

Snowrock Castle, martial fields.

"Whoosh…"

The moment the Flying Snow God Spear was displayed, snow flakes began fluttering everywhere.

Within the surroundings of fluttering snowflakes, a single thread like flash could be vaguely seen! A black-robed Xue Ying was fully concentrating on his spear techniques. At that moment, the spear technique he was utilising was completely different from that of the Drifting Snow of Dark Ice Spear Technique. Drifting Snow would instead have spear-flowers blooming when utilised! Xue Ying's extent of withdrawal for every movement he executed was relatively small.

The rotational force though was immense! Furthermore, there were large amounts of the energy from the world aggregating at the spearhead.

With a powerful rotational force and a great amount of borrowed world energy, the moment the long spear withdrew a little, a second spear attack would immediately burst out explosively! Within the shadow of the two attacks in a single motion, a thin thread could faintly be seen by the naked eye.

Countless spear shadows, countless threads.

It was as if they were formed by continuously pouring rain.

This was precisely the second stage of the "Dark Ice Spear Technique" - Blood Rain!

"With this single move, I'm able to utilise almost the entirety of the energy of the world and reach an incredible realm. Borrowing the strength from nature, I can speed up my spear techniques even more." Xue Ying was startled. The person who created this technique, ancestor 'Gu Yuan Han' had indeed reached an otherworldly stage with his pursuit of speed incorporated into his arts of the spear. Even though Xue Ying himself had already comprehended One with the World, merely learning this technique still took six days.

If he attempted to create such a technique himself, one that fully utilises a body's full strength to create a rotational force when using a spear and the energy from the world, it would be entirely impossible.

Of course, that Frost Knight, Gu Yuan Han, decided to pass down this spear technique only after he stood at the highest point of all Transcendents.

"After comprehending the Blood Rain of the Dark Ice Spear Technique, I feel that my spear techniques are even faster now. If I were to meet with that Demonic God Emissary, killing him would be so much easier." Xue Ying grinned. With such fast spear techniques, the enemy would have a hard time defending, which increased the chances of them revealing a flaw which Xue Ying could fully utilise to kill!

"Xue Ying." A person came into the martial field - Zong Ling. Zong Ling sighed, "Your spear techniques have already reached the realm of perfection, and yet you still practice it relentless every single day. You are making me feel ashamed of myself, thus I've come to ,at the very least, train my strength."

"The more I train in the arts of spear, the smaller I feel in this big world outside." Xue Ying looked up at the sky, "The great natural world has so many mysteries! We are all merely mortals. Sometimes, after training my spear arts for a while, I feel how tiny I am. Even if my spear technique is profound… compared to the nature of the world, there's a world of difference and it's something which can not be compared at all."

"Haha, that's enough. That nature of the world you are talking about is something that we cannot even feel. Isn't that more pitiful?" Zong Long teased at him.

Xue Ying laughed.

He only began feeling this way after comprehending One with the World. Knowing that his spirit could fly with the winds, ascend with the flames, understand the massive world and the earth, and flow together with the river… It was precisely because of how clear these feelings were that he felt how mysterious nature was, and how his heart began feeling reverence towards it.

For instance, there was his spear technique. The moment he utilised it, he could feel the wonders of how water flowed as part of nature. But when his spirit melded with water fully, he began feeling how natural the water flowed… and how simple and crude his spear technique was! It was like a small child trying to draw out the wonders of nature.

Of course, only when one enters the realm of 'One with the World' could they feel such a distinct and strong feeling.

Uncle Zong," Xue Ying asked curiously, "Why did I not see Qing Shi today? Did he even come back in the afternoon?"

"From what I heard, Qing Shi and his little girlfriend brought several soldiers down the mountain early to Water Rites Town to play." Zong Ling began displaying his sword arts as a warm up with the six scimitars wielded by his six arms. "Being young sure is good!"

"Oh?" Xue Ying nodded. Qing Shi and his little girlfriend had an extremely good relationship. Going to the Water Rites Town to play together actually happened quite frequently - once every few days, thus he did not feel surprised.

******

Sunset.

There was a team of soldiers waiting by side of the road. Beside the road were a couple of teenagers, leisurely strolling while appreciating the beautiful flowers and scenery.

This couple of teenagers in a relationship were Qing Shi and Ji Rong.

"This little flower is really beautiful. Here, it's only summer that we get to see grass and flowers. Other than that, the other three seasons are extremely cold, even to the point of snow covering the entire place." Ji Rong picked down a small yellow flower, inserting it into her hair. Turning around, she laughed, smiling beautifully at Qing Shi, "Am I beautiful?"

"Beautiful! Within this entire Water Rites Town, there's no one else as beautiful as you." Qing Shi laughed.

Even though they had an argument a few days ago, Ji Rong did not mention anything about that matter since, thus allowing their relationship to recover gradually. This time when they went out to play in Water Rites Town, there relationship was certainly good.

"You are so sweet!" Ji Rong said, "I didn't even know you were this sweet in the past! Though speaking about beautiful girls, there's only sister You Yue who is more beautiful than me. Oh yeah, speaking of that, I realised that sister You Yue has not been in the castle grounds these past few days? What happened? Did she fall out with your brother?"

"Mn." Qing Shi nodded, "I noticed that too. I've asked my brother before, but he told me not to ask anymore. He said that sister You Yue will never set foot again into the castle, and even asked me to keep some distance away from her."

"It seems they broke up." Ji Rong commented.

"Maybe," Qing Shi laughed, "Actually, my brother hadn't even started dating sister You Yue before."

Ji Rong laughed.

She was feeling proud and joyful after hearing that. Amongst the disciples under Bai Yuan Zhi, even though she was full of confidence in regards to her looks and temperament, with You Yue around, she could not even reveal her beauty! Actually, if one were to judge based on appearance, You Yue was quite beautiful. Her eyes were captivating. It was just that Ji Rong's stature was quite small, but still, her figure was relatively good for a petite girl. Kong You Yue was slimmer and taller than Ji Rong. Adding on You Yue's good relation with everyone, many disciples actually liked her a lot. Coupled with the relationship she had with Dong Bo Xue Ying, it was obvious she had become famous among the disciples.

Da da da! Sounds of horse hooves were heard hitting heavily on the road beside them.

A crimson-armoured knight was advancing.

At the head of the riders, there was a triangled-eyed 1 youngster wearing luxuriant clothes. Looking around, he seemed to be spirited.

"Brother Zhao, this Water Rites town is really a remote and small place. Compared to our County City, this place is lacking. Though the two beauties sent by the mayor are actually quite satisfying." The white-robed triangled-eyed teenager laughed. Beside him was a cold-looking grey-robed rider, "Young master, you have played enough. When we enter the army, you must remember to follow the rules obediently. If it was elsewhere, the Lord could leverage upon his power to give you protection! Though you could not mess around in the army."

"Do not worry. The moment I enter the army, I'd definitely not mess around." The white-robed triangle-eyed teenager said.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up. Looking at the distant Dong Bo Qing Shi with Ji Rong, he began salivating, "Brother Zhao, look at that! A beautiful lady in front of us, full of flavour."

Ji Rong was only 16 this year, yet her figure was quite well-developed. Being a female mage, her temperament could not be compared with an ordinary female. With that small yellow flower on her head… it made this white-robed triangle-eyed teenager's heart itch even more. Even though female mages were rare, beautiful female mages were even harder to find. It was precisely this combination of rarity that resulted in wealthy aristocrats going crazy over after them.

"Hey, this lady over here." The white-robed triangle-eyed teenager shouted out, the Snowstrider horse beneath him immediately went out of the road, heading towards the couple. He grinned, "This brother will bring you around to play, alright? That silly brat beside you is too young, and still does not know how to relish in a beautiful girl's taste. Let this brother show you."

"Humph."

Qing Shi and Ji Rong's expression turned soured slightly. The soldiers beside them were even more furious after hearing that, with most of them taking out their Star Breaking Crossbow.

"Who are you?" Qing Shi coldly answered. At least within the Water Rites Town, nobody dared to provoke him.

"Young master." That grey-robed rider recognised the marking on the armours worn by these soldiers. He came closer to the white-robed rider, saying softly, "This is Water Rites Town Snow Eagle Territory's soldier. Snow Eagle Territory's Lord is Dong Bo Xue Ying. At 15, he killed a Silver Moon Wolf King in the Mountain Range of Desolation. Right now, he should be a Silver Moon Knight! We are quite close to the legion currently, so let's not invite trouble alright?"

Snow Eagle Territory, Dong Bo Xue Ying?" The white-robed triangle-eyed teenager frowned. If he was within the Azure River County, why would he care about this Dong Bo Xue Ying? His clan in the county had immense power and the news of how Si Clan had the most power was heard everywhere! They were obviously still quite a big and powerful clan, that could look down upon such a remote clan within this remote small town.

However, he only had a team of escorts with him currently, with the head of the escort team being a Meteor Knight. Facing Lord Xue Ying was still quite a difficult task for him.

Even though his heart already backed down, that white-robed triangled eyed teenager still arrogantly said out, "Who am I? Humph, humph, you people belonging to a lowly clan in this small remote town do not have the qualifications to know me!"

"You listen to this carefully." Ji Rong, who was standing beside Qing Shi, furiously exclaimed, "He is Snow Eagle Territory's Dong Bo Qing Shi! His brother is the lord of Snow Eagle Territory's Lord Dong Bo Xue Ying! You dare to have your liberties with me… Qing Shi, why are you not reacting to what he said, letting him have his liberties with me?"

"Apologise to her." In front of his girlfriend, Qing Shi did not dare to lose face, instantly thundered out, "If not, you don't have to think about escaping this Water Rites Town!"

"You… Outrageous," Initially, that white-robed triangle-eyed teenager wanted to back down, yet because of his habit of being arrogant, became furious immediately. He had a cold glint in his eyes, "Merely a clan of this remote land, yet you dare to be arrogant in front of me? Totally unknowing of your own status! Go, kill all the men while leaving that beauty for me to take away."

Making his decision, after killing them, he would immediately join up with the army before Dong Bo Xue Ying finds out about this matter.

"As you command." Those soldiers with him were already used to his command of slaughter.

"You dare!" Qing Shi was startled. Recognising a person wrongly would mean slaughter?

"Go."

The grey-robed rider frowned at that, even though he still listened to the orders, jumping down from his horse, before displaying a green-coloured protective Qi. With a lightning speed, he came killing towards them. Looking at such a scene, the soldiers of Snow Eagle Territory were all shocked. A Meteor Knight? The soldiers from Snow Eagle's Territory were all panicking even though their Star Breaking Crossbow could kill a Meteor knight.

However, only when over a hundred Star Breaking Crossbow simultaneously surround a Silver Moon Knight could he be taken down. Otherwise, with his speed, it was extremely hard to aim at him.

"Quick, dodge! Everyone aim at that white-robed teenager." The soldiers were experienced, immediately separating out to avoid being slaughtered easily by their enemy.

"Kill."

The crimson-armoured soldiers came charging towards them.

Yet the distant white-robed triangled teenager actually took out a shield in front of him. Even with a shield, he still went hiding at a far distance away. He was obviously not afraid of the Star Breaking Crossbow, coldly stating, "This brat, you dare to act arrogant in front of me? You are definitely seeking death."

"Ah." The Meteor Knight was having an easy time slaughtering these ordinary soldiers. Within a moment, a soldier from Snow Eagle's territory who vainly tried to dodge his attack was killed in one blade.

Even more crimson-armoured soldiers came pouring in, charging towards Dong Bo Qing Shi.

Qing Shi had never encountered such a situation before, and thus, began panicking immediately. The spell matrix in his mages equipment could obviously not hold up against so many people, especially in the presence of a Meteor Knight.

With a flip of his hand, a spell scroll appeared in his hand. This was precisely what Xue Ying gave him amongst the many spell scrolls. It was a grade five spell scroll.

Chapter 57: His background?

Translator: Radiant

Editor: Radiant

"Not good!" The grey-robed Meteor Knight trembled upon seeing the teenager take out a spell scroll.

The teenager focused on him. Clearly, this young man targeted the Meteor Knight with whatever powerful magic the scroll contained.

Hong! Hong! Hong! Hong! Hong! Hong!

Several huge green thunderbolts flashed down from the clear sky, striking the ground and creating a virtual forest of electrified green flashes! Among these densely packed thunderbolts… eight of them, twisting, struck the Meteor Knight. The knight had no time to dodge. With a hong, his entire body was atomized into ashes.

Normally, without a spell scroll, even a Silver Moon mage would require significant casting time before being able to cast such a powerful grade-five thunder spell; however, the power such a magic would produced would be unimaginable.

"No!" The white-robed triangle-eyed man cried, hiding far away behind his shield. He gaped in terror at the scene of his knight's destruction, and exclaimed with his eyes wide-open, "I—"

Hong!

His body was also disintegrated into fragments! He was simply too weak and had no hope of withstanding the powerful thunderbolt attack.

A total of 99 mighty green thunderbolts rained down from the sky, resembling a grove of large tree trunks. Such was the grade-five spell - Thunderbolt Forest!

Qing Shi was barely strong enough to focus the falling thunderbolts on that Meteor Knight. He did not have the mental strength to guide the other thunderbolts, falling like a great green forest, to any other directed target. As Qing Shi could only do his utmost to ensure the thunderbolts struck in the general direction of their enemies, it was to their fortune that a single powerful thunderbolt actually struck that triangle-eyed teenager.

"Ah Ah Ah Ah." Some of the crimson-armoured riders were struck by the spell and also immediately perished.

Because Snow Eagle Territory's soldiers had already been spread apart in a fairly wide-spread pattern and their numbers quite few, as Qing Shi guided the 'Thunderbolt Forest's barrage towards the direction of the enemies, none of his soldiers were struck.

"Escape."

"Quick, escape."

Those 20 crimson riders who were fortunate enough to escape from the Thunderbolt Forest area of effect, immediately leaped onto their horse and rapidly retreated from the place."Xiu." "Xiu." "Xiu."

The soldiers of Snow Eagle Territory though, realizing the opportunity, shot their Star Breaking Crossbows at the retreating foes.

"It's alright now," Qing Shi pulled on his girlfriend's hand.

"I… I… " Ji Rong was still terrified, "We almost… almost died. It's really fortunate that you, Qing Shi, had that powerful spell scroll with you."

"My brother gave me it to me to use as a protective treasure," Qing Shi never continued on after that, because Xue Ying had actually ordered him keep quiet about the information regarding the existence of his spell scrolls. He only exposed them because of today's near-death incident…

Soon, the Snow Eagle Territory's soldiers returned from chasing after the escaping crimson riders…

"Young master Qing Shi, most of the enemy soldiers actually escaped. Because using the Star Breaking Crossbow is so difficult, 16 of them actually escaped from us," The head of the escort team said.

"Clean up this place. We will head back to Snowrock Castle now." Qing Shi, who felt uneasy, commanded.

…

Evening.

After getting the message from his servants about his brother's deadly encounter, Xue Ying along with Zong Ling and Tong San waited at the castle gate for Qing Shi's return. As the drop-bridge slowly lowered and the castle gates opened.

Outside the castle, Qing Shi and his entourage carried with them several of the crimson rider corpses.

"I'll return to the Great Mage's Building first," Ji Rong said in a low voice,

"Mn," Qing Shi nodded.

The door was open.

Qing Shi walked towards Xue Ying, head lowered, "Brother."

"Go back and rest first. We'll talk more tonight," Xue Ying did not blame his brother for his actions. After all, he could see how flustered Qing Shi was after dealing with a life and death situation for the first time. Qing Shi lightly nodded and disappeared into the castle.

You, follow me," Xue Ying commanded.

The captain of the escort team immediately respectfully followed.

The two of them strode through the castle.

"What happened?" Xue Ying asked. Zong Ling and Tong San also with him, listening to the explanation given.

"My Lord, today, as usual, we were escorting both the young master and Miss Ji Rong to Water Rites Town," That captain described, in detail, what exactly had happened to them. After finishing his report, he sighed, "It is really fortunate that young master Qing Shi used that spell of his. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been just the two of our brothers-in-arms dying today."

That grey-robed Knight had been too fast. Before being struck by the Thunderbolt Forest spell, he had already killed two Snow Eagle Territory soldiers.

Xue Ying nodded, "Double the pensions given to those who died! As for their families, we will continue supporting them. To the other soldiers who went with you, give each of them 10 pieces of silver."

"Thank you my Lord," Captain Wu said gratefully.

"Do you know who that white-robed young master is?" Xue Ying asked.

"No, I don't. But by his spoken accent, it seems that he isn't part of our Water Rites Town," Captain Wu replied.

Xue Ying frowned.

Trouble was brewing.

Without a doubt, Xue Ying's little brother had killed of a child of some nobility. Whether this matter would be blown up, only time would tell! According to the laws of the empire, Qing Shi acted entirely in self-defense! If the young master who died was part of an ordinary clan, then this matter would probably be considered closed. However, if white-robed young man originated from a big clan, then this matter would not be so easily solved. Trouble would definitely come knocking on their door.

"Xue Ying, since the young-master Qing She killed is not part of Water Rites Town, then investigating his identity would be hard. The entire Azure River County is too big, having so many clans of nobility. Who knows which clan he is from?" Zong Ling's head throbbed just imagining searching for this youngster's identity among the myriads of noble houses in the county.

"Did you bring the young man's body with you?" Xue Ying asked.

"Yes, we carried what we could back with us. However, the white-robed young master was actually totally disintegrated by the thunderbolt that struck him and nothing was left behind. However, the Meteor Knight's body is still around with us. But because of being struck by several of the thunderbolts, it's going to be hard for us to identify him." Captain wu said.

"Are there any hostages?"

"At the time, our brothers were all so furious that we did not give any mercy to the enemies. Every time we shot them with our Star Breaking Crossbow, it was a fatal wound. We even killed those too heavily injured to fight back," Captain Wu said, "No hostages were kept."

After hearing all this, Xue Ying a baleful aura began leaking from his body.

Identifying one's enemies should not be this difficult.

'Damn it!'

If anyone dared accost him and accused him using the law, Xue Ying would argue that his brother was victim and had acted in self-defense! On the other hand, if someone tried to illegally get revenge, regardless of whether they were the strongest person in Azure River County - Si Liang Hong or the terrifying Xiang Pang Yun… Xue Ying did not fear. Xue Ying wondered if he was worrying too much over this matter. Whichever noble clan this dead young master was from should not be so powerful.

"Investigate," Xue Ying commanded, "Use their belongings to see if you can find any clues as to who they are."

"I'll go arrange it," Zong Ling said. He was meticulous and thorough in his work as well as his thoughts, "Three hours is enough."

"If you still can't find out where they are from, I guess I'll have to ask Dragon Mountain Manor for help," Xue Ying concluded.

******

The Third Division stationed within Azure River County was actually located somewhere near the Mountain Range of Desolation.

Usually, those guards stationed within the various towns of Azure River County were from the Si Clan. As for those stationed at the Mountain Range of Desolation, they were actually the Empire's soldiers! Being the army of the empire, they were even more powerful and more mysterious. The Si Clan could only borrow on some relations they had with the empire to influence those empire soldiers stationed within their territory. However, it was impossible to have total control over these soldiers.

As for the backing behind the empire's army, it was a powerful force. Whenever a huge troop of army entered the Mountain Range of Desolation, a Transcendent would be behind the scenes to command the troops!

The Third Division, within a spacious house.

"Second elder."

"Young master has passed away."

A few soldiers awkwardly stood there.

Sitting in front of them was a one-eyed officer. The one-eyed officer's expression turned so gloomy that tears could be seen forming in his single eye. "Young master actually died? All you useless trash, trash! My big brother will definitely become crazy, definitely! Tell me, who was the one who did this. And why did he die?"Yes," The soldiers all hurriedly described the whole incident.

The more the one-eyed officer heard, the more his facial expression twitch.

The fact that he could become the commander of the Third Divisions logistics department was all due to his brother who spent a huge sum of gold and utilised his connections for this to happen. His brother was actually insane. In the entire Azure River County, everyone called him the loyal dog of the Si Clan! But why did they use the word 'dog' as an expression? It was precisely because his big brother was so batty, that he would frequently do very crazy things like a mad dog.

As for that young master 'Cui Hu' who died? He was his brother's only son!

"Snow Eagle territory, Dong Bo Xue Ying's little brother? Dong Bo Qing Shi?" The one-eyed officer gritted his teeth, "How dare he kill someone from our Cui Clan! Dong Bo Qing Shi must die! His brother must die too! The entire Snow Eagle Territory must compensate for his death!"

Initially, during the encounter, these soldiers did not know who the other young master was. All they knew was that he was just from the Snow Eagle Territory's controlling clan. But due to Ji Rong exclaiming his name, they now knew he was actually Dong Bo Qing Shi - Xue Ying's little brother. As a result, they understood who the enemy was.

"Better send a message as fast as possible to my big brother," One-eyed officer did not hesitate at all. Utilising the Empire's army network, he sent a message in order to inform his brother at Azure River County! After all, being the commander of the logistics department, sending such a simple message to his home was a small matter easily accomplished.

…

On the high mountain 16 km away from where the Third Division was located.

A coyote with a snow white body and pitch-black legs stood, watching the Third Division from a place far away. A faintly dark qi surrounded the coyote. While this canine looked to be only a few months old with some tenderness still in its body, its eyes expressed a desolate sadness and an endless hatred.

He had just been birthed to this world not long ago, yet his mother was already killed by people.

Moments ago…

Soldiers had also killed the coyote's father before bringing his father's corpse into their camp. Using his natural born instincts, the young coyote was able to follow the soldiers all the way to this location, yet it did not enter their camp precisely because it was afraid.

"Child," A gentle voice was heard beside the coyote amongst the dark qi congregating beside it. That dark qi eventually form into a black-robed, white-haired old man. With an expression full of love, he asked, "Do you hate humankind?"

The coyote eyed this old man, before angrily growling despite his natural inclination toward gentleness.

Hate.

Definitely hated them very much!

"Your parents were just some ordinary creatures, yet you have in your hands, an extraordinary power. However, this power must be fully controlled before you could have the opportunity to take your revenge against humankind," That black-robed, white-haired old man stretched out his hand, displaying a strange bone scepter in it, "I shall grant you this opportunity."

Omm-

A surge of a blood-coloured stream of energy gushed out of the bone scepter, enveloping the coyote's body. The coyote began transforming under the blood-red magical stream, slowly, it became more and more upright, with its fur disappearing from the naked eyes and its four legs turning into human limbs. That canine-head slowly transformed, with human facial features gradually appearing.

In just a moment, a naked child of five-six years old stood right where the coyote was.

"This is your human body - a true human body. No one will be able to discover any flaws indicating you aren't a human," The black-robed, white-haired old man said, "Only when you are able to fully assimilate into the humankind world could you have a better opportunity to take your revenge. Let's go. But before you enter the world of humans, it's better if you follow me for 10 years. For now, call me… father!"

"Yes. Fa… ther?" The child stuttered. Although he stammered out his words, what came out was still coherent.

"Really extraordinary. Turning into a human just moments ago and yet, he can already speak," The black-robed, white-haired old man smiled, "Let's go."

A sea of black qi enveloped both of them…

And followed the two as they disappeared into the background.