Chapter 59: Sky-high Bounty, Shocking The Prefecture【going Premium Tomorrow!】
This man is named Shi Yong, who has mastered Eagle Claw kung fu, able to split stones and break wood, and possesses a pair of sharp, piercing eyes that can discern the finest details.
He was originally the bandit chief in the mountains, gathering hundreds of men and plundering the local villagers.
Later, because he robbed a certain noble clan’s merchant caravan, he was surrounded and exterminated by the government, his subordinates were all killed or wounded, and he himself was thrown into prison.
Hua Shouren admired his bravery and pardoned his crimes, recruiting him to work under his command.
For characters like Shi Yong, there were several others by Hua Shouren’s side, all Entering Force Martial Artists.
Guo Wei was no exception, always having several Entering Force Martial Artists protecting him.
Besides recruiting wandering Jianghu experts, there were also masters cultivated within the family; with the world in unrest, these great families all understood the importance of martial power.
They gathered the strength of the masses while not overlooking individual masters.
For noble clans like the Guo Family and Hua Family, they would cultivate martial artists within the family and also send talented disciples into some major sects, building good relations and connections while learning advanced martial arts.
However, passing the qi and blood barrier is difficult; besides talent and perseverance, one also needs a bit of good luck.
Therefore, even with abundant resources in great families, not everyone can succeed, which is why they cast their gaze toward Jianghu to win over masters for their own use.
In normal times, Hua Shouren would maintain a superficial politeness toward Shi Yong, but now with grief in his heart, he only looked at Shi Yong with a pair of indifferent eyes.
Shi Yong’s heart skipped a beat, knowing that Hua Feiyun’s death had exhausted Hua Shouren’s patience; now was not the time to show off, so he hurriedly lowered his head respectfully and said: “Family Head, this subordinate discovered that the wounds of those killed or injured, the angles of the injuries, the traces… their martial arts style is very similar to those of the ‘Flying Sky Yaksha’ who has been causing a stir in the prefecture city recently, so this subordinate suspects that the ‘Flying Sky Yaksha’s’ true identity is that Hong brat…”
“‘Flying Sky Yaksha’, are you sure?”
“This subordinate still has some confidence in these eyes of mine; though I dare not say completely certain, I have seventy to eighty percent certainty.”
Hua Shouren and Guo Wei beside him heard this, their faces darkening further.
A black-clothed steward behind Guo Wei looked very unnatural and suddenly spoke up: “Family Head, this lowly one suddenly remembered that a few days ago in Qingxu County, there was a major case where the Huang Family was wiped out; Qingxu County Lieutenant Zhang Anping reported that the killer was also called ‘Hong Yuan’.”
Guo Wei abruptly turned back, glaring at the steward: “Why didn’t you say so earlier?”
The steward lowered his head, flustered: “This matter wasn’t big; this lowly one just suddenly remembered it, and at the time it was under the Commander’s management, so I didn’t take it to heart.”
Guo Wei snorted coldly: “After we return, go receive twenty heavy strokes yourself.”
“Yes!” The Guo Family steward respectfully acknowledged, not daring to show the slightest resentment, though his heart felt bitter; seeing Guo Wei’s attitude, he dared not take those twenty strokes lightly—they would surely be laid on heavily.
In fact, it was precisely because this steward was from a branch of the Guo Family that the punishment was not heavier.
More and more pieces of the ‘Hong Yuan’ puzzle were coming together, and Guo Wei and Hua Shouren were gradually piecing together an image in their minds.
Audaciously bold, ferociously savage, regarding laws and nobles as nothing!
What was most alarming was his martial arts prowess, which had reached a shocking and horrifying level.
Both men had grim faces as they continued searching Moon Embracing Garden for clues and interrogating confessions, spending more than an hour before returning to that manor.
The two dismissed the others and sat facing each other.
“Originally, I thought those people were scared out of their wits and exaggerating, but now it seems that this kid single-handedly crushing hundreds of elite fighters is true.”
Guo Wei spoke first, deep wariness in his eyes.
The Guo Family’s foundation lay in Golden Soup Camp; originally, Guo Wei handled family affairs while Guo Zhen served as Left Commander, but with Guo Zhen’s death, Guo Wei had taken over.
Guo Wei was also well-versed in military matters and clearly understood the terror of a top master who could match hundreds of elite fighters.
“Even Microscopic Level doesn’t have that kind of combat power…”
Guo Wei said softly.
For noble clans like Guo Wei and Hua Shouren, Microscopic Level was no longer an unattainable grandmaster; they had naturally come into contact with them and even witnessed their skills, knowing the scope of Microscopic Level combat power.
“That little beast probably has innate divine strength, with battlefield deterrence surpassing Microscopic Level, but that doesn’t mean Microscopic Level can’t kill him.” Hua Shouren shook his head.
Throughout history, there have always been some prodigiously talented individuals who, even without practicing martial arts, could dominate battlefields, breaking armies and slaying generals; such people are rare, one in a century, but not nonexistent.
However, battlefields involve broad, sweeping movements; once switched to Jianghu fights, it might not work.
Of course, ordinary martial artists couldn’t handle them either, but with a Microscopic Level master’s adaptability, once close, they could even kill such fierce generals in one strike.
Therefore, though Guo Wei and Hua Shouren were extremely grave, they had not lost their desire for revenge.
Guo Wei pondered briefly and looked at Hua Shouren: “I heard that Brother Hua’s beloved daughter entered Profound Ice Sect; could we perhaps ask a Profound Ice Sect master to act?”
Mingzhou’s three major sects carried great weight; even an ordinary disciple demanded courteous treatment from a noble clan like the Guo Family.
Hua Shouren’s gaze flickered, his cheek twitching, as he waved his hand: “Profound Ice Sect is in Mingzhou Prefecture, the journey is far and inconvenient. Moreover, my daughter sent a letter a few months ago saying she is in secluded cultivation, so it’s not good to disturb her.”
This was a refusal.
Guo Wei felt some regret.
The Guo Family and Hua Family originally had comparable power.
But with the Hua Family Young Lady entering Profound Ice Sect a few years ago, and reportedly gaining the sect master’s favor, the Hua Family’s power had been expanding, occasionally even daring to compete with top three clans in Linjiang Prefecture like the Wei Family and Xiang Family.
Hua Shouren seemed afraid Guo Wei would press further and added: “Grain Transport Gang’s Jin San is also dead; we can contact Grain Transport Gang. With their vast network of eyes and ears, they should quickly find that little beast’s whereabouts.”
“Moreover, Grain Transport Gang also has a Microscopic Level master; perhaps we can ask him to act…”
Guo Wei nodded: “Grain Transport Gang has a base in the prefecture city too; I’ll go invite someone to discuss shortly, and those wandering knights, as well as masters from black and white paths, can’t be left idle.”
Guo Wei’s gaze was sharp: “This time in Moon Embracing Garden, many noble great families’ heads and gang leaders were killed; it can’t be just us acting, letting them reap benefits. Our two families each put up twenty thousand taels, have them put up sixty thousand, making one hundred thousand taels for the reward bounty.”
“One hundred thousand taels of silver—which Jianghu martial artist wouldn’t be tempted? Even masters from other prefectures and counties will be drawn here upon hearing; best to draw some Microscopic Level ones too…”
Guo Wei sneered repeatedly: “With this one hundred thousand taels, make that Hong surname have no path to heaven or hell.”
Hua Shouren’s expression showed some hesitation.
Guo Wei thought he was stingy with money and hurriedly said: “This kid is ferocious and rampant; if we can’t crush him at once, our two families will hardly sleep soundly. Moreover, we can’t strike lightly—once we act, it must be a thunderous blow, using every borrowable force, leaving him no chance of survival. Brother Hua, don’t begrudge a bit of wealth.”
Guo Wei’s gaze was icy cold, thinking how he had only sent Guo Ju to capture Yang Jinbao, but the opponent had anticipated it and first delivered a warning shot.
And after the opponent left, Guo Wei learned Yang Jinbao had fled long ago, his household servants and concubines all dismissed, leaving only an old butler.
Yet for these insignificant people, the opponent had risked entering the city again, intimidating on the street.
For such a character, if not killed in one strike, how ruthless would the retaliation be?
Hua Shouren shook his head: “Brother Guo misunderstands; Hua was just thinking, why not ask ‘Ghost Fan Tower’ to act?”
“Ghost Fan Tower?!” Guo Wei’s face changed dramatically, somewhat tempted, but after a moment’s thought, he still shook his head: “Forget it; Ghost Fan Tower is too dangerous and mysterious—Guo has no desire to deal with them.”
Ghost Fan Tower was one of the world’s three major assassin organizations!
Placed in the martial world, it was a major force that could shake Jianghu with a stomp; though the Guo Family and Hua Family were influential in Linjiang Prefecture, compared to Ghost Fan Tower, they were utterly insignificant.
Hua Shouren said: “Indeed, Hua was inconsiderate!”
“In that case, let’s not delay—act immediately. Our two families must also gather manpower; once that little brat’s movements are detected, we can mobilize thousands at any time. If we can trap him in one place, perhaps we can even save this one hundred thousand taels…”
East City District, Wei Family Mansion.
Several Wei Family elders gathered in a hall, brilliant lamplight illuminating everywhere.
“What did the Old Master say?” one elder asked.
“The Old Master sent word for us to handle it ourselves.” someone replied.
“Handle it ourselves?! That means the Old Master doesn’t want to get involved—sigh! In the end, he’s still a Wei Family man!”
“A daughter married out is like spilled water.” An elder with full silver hair but ruddy complexion sneered: “She’s not a Wei Family member anymore, but a Zhou family member. Send a letter to Zhou Wenjie; Pearl married him, so she’s his now, and now that she’s dead, it’s time for him to show some attitude!”
“Very well!” The others nodded.
Soon, people in Linjiang Prefecture City noticed the atmosphere in the prefecture city had changed, becoming grim and tense, as if overnight it had entered midwinter.
The prefecture city’s three guards—besides Iron Wall Guard—Golden Soup Camp and White Scale Guard were frequently mobilized, patrolling key roads, especially around major noble clan areas, with heavy troops guarding and strict defenses.
On the second day, a shocking piece of news spread through the prefecture city.
Thirty li outside the city at Moon Embracing Garden, a great fire broke out; a fierce person ran amok, killing countless from noble clans, including the Hua Family Young Master, Golden Soup Camp’s Left Commander, Grain Transport Gang’s third head…
Like a heavy bomb dropped into a lake, the prefecture city completely boiled over; everyone was stunned by the news, incredulous, but more and more detailed information followed.
That fierce person was surnamed Hong, named Yuan; besides committing the Moon Embracing Garden massacre, he was also the perpetrator of several gang exterminations recently—none other than the much-rumored ‘Flying Sky Yaksha’!
Soon after, the Hua Family, Guo Family, Grain Transport Gang, along with nearly twenty noble great families and gang forces jointly issued a reward bounty to hunt that fierce person.
The bounty was so massive that everyone who saw it was instantly shaken, even doubting their eyes.
One hundred thousand taels!
A dazzling one hundred thousand taels of silver!
The already boiling prefecture city now exploded completely, confirming the rumors’ truth; the news spread from the prefecture city to all directions in just a few days.
Like a gale sweeping through, it quickly reached over a dozen counties in Linjiang Prefecture and even spread to other prefectures.
In an instant, while countless people were shocked by fierce person Hong Yuan’s ruthless hands, they were also stimulated by the one hundred thousand tael reward bounty to red-eyed frenzy, losing reason.
Righteous and evil paths alike mobilized!
Countless Jianghu martial artists swarmed out, fully searching for Hong Yuan’s whereabouts; information about ‘Hong Yuan’ also spread, and in just days, batches of martial artists flooded into Qingxu and Yangquan Counties.
And while many martial artists were searching for traces, Hong Yuan and the Yang brothers—Yang Erhu and Yang Jinbao—had already arrived at the border between the two prefectures, disembarking from a small boat. Looking toward the shore, they happened upon a sacrifice.
“Hm?!”
Hong Yuan’s gaze probed, unconsciously narrowing slightly.
Originally thinking it was just an ordinary sacrifice, he unexpectedly saw at the center of a hundred or so gathered people, before an altar, an old witch in gaudy clothes with wrinkled face holding a small infant wrapped in red silk, dancing and chanting strange, piercing incantations.
In front of the old witch was a bonfire pile, with a copper basin on a wooden rack surrounded by many flames.
As the old witch finished her incantation, she shouted a strange phrase, raising the red silk wrap high to the sky; the hundred or so around her all shouted in unison, kowtowing!
Yang Erhu saw this scene, his face turning cold as he rushed forward.
Yang Jinbao pulled him back, sighing: “What are you doing? See those people? They’re all nearby villagers. Even if you go now, what can you do? Kill them all? Can’t be saved.”
“Save once is once.”
Yang Erhu had already seen the old witch placing the red silk wrap toward the copper basin; not daring to delay, he rushed over. Some worshippers saw this intruder and stood up cursing: “Who are you? Can’t you see we’re sacrificing to ‘Fertility Venerable’? You dare offend the deity?”
Some even angrily stood, swinging fists at him; the old witch on the altar waved repeatedly, directing people to seize him.
Yang Erhu smashed through the crowd with three punches and two kicks, leaped onto the altar, snatched the wrap from the old witch’s arms, felt the little infant inside, and his face turned iron-blue as he kicked the old witch in the chest.
He then flipped and leaped to the other side of the fire, flying another kick; the copper basin and burning wood flew up, scattering toward the crowd.
Scaring the crowd to dodge frantically; some went to help the old witch but immediately cried out in horror: “The immortal granny is dead, the immortal granny is dead…”
The rest also paled in terror, no longer minding Yang Erhu, and scattered in panic.
“Martial Uncle, what’s going on?” Hong Yuan looked to Yang Jinbao.
Yang Jinbao sighed: “What else? Just some rural wild sacrifice. When my brother and I traveled the world, we’ve seen countless such wild sacrifices—not fresh at all!”
“In the Great Yin World, many state prefectures have countless depraved god and evil sacrifices, too many to count. It’s said that at the founding, the Imperial Court banned evil god worship, but later, with bans proving futile, they grew lax and let it be.”
Hong Yuan nodded; Great Yin was adept at slacking off.
He suddenly recalled that from Yangquan County to Qingxu County, then to the prefecture city, though he hadn’t paid much attention, he had indeed noticed many abandoned shrines in rural areas, county towns, and villages.
Of course, today’s scene was the first he had witnessed.
Yang Erhu had already walked over hugging the red silk wrap, his face ugly, and said to the two: “This child is already out of breath; find a place to bury it.”
Yang Jinbao inhaled, patted Hong Yuan’s shoulder: “Don’t think too much; for such depraved god sacrifices, don’t learn your teacher and meddle like this. It’s fine in the countryside, but if you encounter major sects, it’s extreme trouble, even life-threatening.”
“You must know, many evil god sects have even been passed down from before Great Yin, with foundations so deep it’s unimaginable.”
“Hm?!” Hong Yuan nodded, then suddenly froze, seemingly spotting a punchline.
