Chapter 20: The Great Killing Spree

Jiang Ming didn't care.

He really didn't care.

With his own strength, there weren't many people in the world that made him apprehensive. As for being besieged by the powerful of several major sects?

The Xiao and Liang families of Mount Dependence City didn't have that much influence.

The world was in chaos, there were countless bandits, and many forces would be watching, not wanting to get involved without a huge incentive.

Mount Dependence City, Xiao Family.

In the main hall, there were broken pieces on the ground, obviously from shattered teacups.

Family Head Xiao Yingcheng's face was terrifyingly gloomy, releasing murderous intent but forcibly restraining it: "Great Village Master? He actually killed Ming'er? How dare he? How could he? Doesn't he know that Ming'er is my son? The treasure of the Xiao Family? Who gave him the guts!"

"Good, good, very good!"

"I will lead the family elites to capture him, light sky lanterns, and dismember him. I will exterminate his nine generations!"

Xiao Yingcheng was extremely angry.

"Control your anger!" The elder next to him, with slightly narrowed eyes, suddenly shouted loudly, making the hall buzz. "You are the head of the Xiao Family first, and then Xiao Ming's father."

Xiao Yingcheng's face twisted, but he closed his eyes and sat down, taking a deep breath. He forcibly suppressed the rage in his heart but his voice still trembled: "Second Uncle, you know that Ming'er is our meticulously cultivated genius. He is the future of the Xiao Family. Now he is dead at the hands of a nameless person, right under our noses. I can't bear it. Second Uncle, I am now only full of anger and hatred, and not suitable to make decisions. You arrange it!"

"Alright!" Second Uncle nodded, "A team of hundreds suddenly attacked here. They killed many bandits and mountain thieves along their way. Perhaps they are from the Court."

"The leader of the team is called Commander, an evident military title."

"They cultivated a single type of sword skill, extremely ferocious, with perfect cooperation. Only the military could train such a team."

"The later Great Village Master? Such a name might be to deceive people. According to the information returned, he easily passed through the blockade of three villages to reach Ming'er."

"Someone saw Ming'er's long sword being pinched by his fingers and then pierced Ming'er's throat with one finger."

"With Ming'er's strength, unless it was a master-level figure, it would be impossible to kill so easily."

"Lu Yuan has also appeared."

"You should know Lu Yuan. Although he has no sect or background and is friends with many people in the world, he also has some connections with us. But he just watched Ming'er get killed, which doesn't match his character."

"I suspect the Court is going to make a move on us."

"Only the Court could easily hide a master-level expert."

"Rumors from the outside world say that the Shaoyang Scripture has appeared here, and the situation will become very chaotic."

"We cannot move hastily, but we cannot let this vengeance go unanswered!"

"Let's use the mountain bandits who stole our 100,000 taels of silver cargo and cash as an excuse. In order to vent our anger, whoever destroys the village will get the goods, the silver, and a thousand-year-old ginseng. Then, use the appearance of the Shaoyang Scripture in the village as a lure. There will definitely be a large number of martial artists coming to snatch it. After that, just find someone to spread the word that they got the silver."

"Also, send people to guard the surroundings and prevent them from escaping."

"We will watch from the shadows and wait for an opportunity."

"If it really is the Court, eliminate the people of the Six Gates in the city."

Second Uncle's words were well-organized.

That day, the Xiao Family passed the news out.

Undercurrents surged in Mount Dependence City, and many rumors circulated, saying that the legendary Shaoyang Scripture had appeared in Baiyun Village.

Baiyun Village.

Jiang Ming was sitting in a courtyard, surrounded by a pile of books that he was constantly flipping through.

He had already collected many.

Now there were even more in these three villages, nearly a hundred more, which made Jiang Ming overjoyed, so he kept reading.

After finishing each book, he would close his eyes and ponder, turning the knowledge into his own foundation.

Although his cultivation level hadn't increased, his temperament had changed imperceptibly, as if he was ethereal and light, blending into the natural world and as heavy as a mountain.

"Great Village Master!" Chang Qing walked in, placed a bowl of medicinal meal on the table, and respectfully saluted, "Would you like to invite Miss Lan over?"

"No need!" Jiang Ming pointed to the stool next to him. Chang Qing didn't sit down, but he didn't mind and said, "You are a commander now, not a mountain bandit anymore. Remember, don't call me the Great Village Master, call me the Commander. Your squad will be called the Heavenly Martial Army."

"Heavenly Martial Army? Yes, Commander!" Chang Qing was delighted and even a little excited.

From now on, he would no longer be a mountain bandit.

As for why he was called Heavenly Martial? He didn't understand, but he didn't care.

"You hurry up and train your troops. A tough battle is coming soon. Don't forget to tighten our defenses, just guard Baiyun Village, and strengthen our vigilance." Jiang Ming said, "In the next two days, I will further perfect the Seven Kills Sword Skill, and you also need to cultivate hard, striving to step into the Innate Realm."

"Yes!"

When Chang Qing left, Lu Yuan suddenly jumped in, panting, and his eyes lit up when he saw the medicinal meal.

Just as he was about to reach for it, he saw Jiang Ming take it away, and couldn't help but say, "Brother Jiang, you are too stingy. You've eaten several ginsengs in these two days, and I'm running around for you, gathering information, but you won't even let me drink a bowl. This short fuse of mine..."

"Oh, you want to do it?" Jiang Ming drank the bowl in one gulp, chewing on the ginseng and laughing.

Lu Yuan raised his hand, but helplessly said, "You are the most shameless among my friends!"

Immediately afterward, he said seriously, "There is news in Mount Dependence City that mountain bandits have arrogantly stolen 100,000 taels of silver cargo and 100,000 taels of cash from the Xiao Family, as well as a thousand-year-old ginseng, and are hiding in Baiyun Village. Publicly saying whoever gets it can keep it. Who can resist such a temptation? There is also news that the Shaoyang Scripture has appeared in the village. This must be the doing of the Xiao Family, agitating a large number of martial artists to come and fight for it. By tomorrow at the latest, people will come, so you better be careful."

"The Xiao Family is too cautious!" Jiang Ming said in surprise, "Not taking revenge personally, but inciting martial artists to come?"

"I'm surprised too!" Lu Yuan picked up the teapot and began to drink heavily.

"It's good this way. Let my Heavenly Martial Army practice."

"Heavenly Martial Army?" Lu Yuan paused and reacted, saying with amazement, "You really want to go straight? But it's not done like this. Who would admit it? It will also make the Court misunderstand that you want to rebel. If the army surrounds and suppresses you, haha, that would be fun!"

"That's true!" Jiang Ming scratched his head.

He hadn't thought about this when he named Chang Qing and the others casually.

"Forget it, come on, let's see if I can suppress 100,000 soldiers single-handedly."

"Your boasting can cover the sky."

The following day.

Fights continued at the foot of the mountain, but none came up.

Nearing noon, Jiang Ming finally stretched his legs and came out.

"It's time to make a move. I hope there are some good things." Jiang Ming thought as he walked down the mountain.

Starting from today, he decided to make a name for himself, preparing for the next step in his plan.