31: Chapter 31 Interest Rates Increase

Before the pile of rocks at Wild Wolf Slope, the atmosphere was as frozen as a stagnant lake.

Han Meng gripped the black wooden tablet, his fingers trembling slightly.

The tablet was the size of a palm, made of a material that was neither metal nor wood, and it felt icy to the touch. The grimacing ghost totem carved on the front was twisted and hideous, appearing to squirm like a living thing under the dim twilight.

"The Nether Path..." His voice was dry. "Sir, this is a Soul-Chasing Order from the Nether Path!"

Lu Zhao furrowed his brows slightly.

Shen Qingqiu stepped forward to take the tablet, examining it for a moment before her expression changed: "It is rumored that the Nether Path specializes in assassinations, taking money to do the job without asking about right or wrong. Once a Soul-Chasing Order is issued, it is a fight to the death. This corpse... is a messenger."

"A messenger?" A-Fei's eyes widened.

"When a Soul-Chasing Order appears, a Nether Path assassin will arrive within three days."

Shen Qingqiu looked at the corpse. "This person has no wounds, and his face is dark and blue; he died of poison. The person who killed him intentionally dumped the body here and stuffed the token into his clothes—this is to tell us that Yangjiao Ravine has been targeted."

He Shan gripped his longbow: "Who did this?"

"The Xuanshuang Sect," Lu Zhao said slowly.

He crouched down and checked the corner of the corpse's clothing. Inside the tattered cloth, a corner of scorched yellow paper was revealed.

Lu Zhao pulled it out and unfolded it. The handwriting on the paper was sloppy: "Lu Zhao, possessor of a trash Spiritual Root, hiding in Yangjiao Ravine of Black Mountain. Kill him and bring his head to the Xuanshuang Sect for a reward of three hundred Spirit Stones and three bottles of Qi Refining Pills. Capture him alive, and the reward is doubled. — Issued by the Enforcement Hall."

Below the text, the vermilion seal of the Xuanshuang Sect was stamped.

"A kill order." Lu Zhao stood up and handed the paper to Shen Qingqiu. "The Xuanshuang Sect has placed a bounty on my life. The Nether Path accepted the contract and sent someone to scout the area, and by the way... to make an example of me."

Everyone was silent.

Three hundred Spirit Stones was a huge sum for a Cultivator at the Qi Refinement Stage. Three bottles of Qi Refining Pills could save months of bitter cultivation.

This bounty was enough to make countless Loose Cultivators green with envy, let alone the Nether Path, who made their living doing this.

And in Yangjiao Ravine, there were only twenty or so able-bodied men, most of whom had just touched the threshold of the martial path.

"Sir," He Shan suddenly spoke up. "What do you plan to do?"

Lu Zhao looked up at him.

He Shan stared straight at him: "You said earlier, there are two paths. If you leave, the disaster won't reach us; if we stay together, we carry it together. Does that still count?"

Lu Zhao nodded: "It counts."

"Alright then." He Shan grinned. "I'm not leaving."

He turned and looked at the ten households of villagers who had followed him—Granny Xue, Zhong Tiegu, Qin Wan, Yan Meng, Wen Qian, Tian Dali, A-Fei, Song Shouren, and Han Meng, who had just recovered from his injuries. Further away, the elderly, weak, women, and children who hadn't followed were standing at their own courtyard gates, peering over.

"Sir has been here for three months." He Shan's voice was not loud, but every word was clear. "He taught us to read, practice martial arts, farm, and forge. When the Liu Family bullied us, Sir fought back; when the Funiu Gang bullied us, Sir killed them back. Now the Xuanshuang Sect wants Sir's life—"

He paused.

"My life, He Shan's life, was saved by Sir from the blade of Liu Three-Knives. If you want me to pay it back, fine. But if you want me to watch Sir be forced away by a kill order, and crawl back into this broken village to continue being a coward—"

He spat.

"Then I would rather have died under Liu Three-Knives' blade back then."

Yan Meng stepped forward and stood silently to Lu Zhao's left.

Han Meng threw the Soul-Chasing Order onto the ground and stood to the right, grinning to show his white teeth: "When I was a bandit, I was a coward, a weathercock. For the first time in my life, I want to be a real man."

Zhong Tiegu walked over carrying his iron hammer and rumbled: "Iron needs to be tempered a thousand times, and so do people. As long as the hammer is here, the man is here."

Granny Xue leaned on her cane and tremblingly squeezed to the front, tapping the ground with her cane: "Medicine treats those not destined to die; martial arts saves those with affinity. I have lived for sixty-three years; it's enough. If Sir isn't leaving, this old woman isn't leaving either."

Qin Wan didn't speak; she just stood silently behind Granny Xue, clutching an embroidery needle in her hand, the tip glinting coldly in the twilight.

Wen Qian straightened his collar and said softly: "Words written on paper fade, but those carved in the human heart do not. The principles Sir taught, the students have not yet memorized."

Tian Dali scratched his head: "The land has just been plowed, and we need to sow seeds next spring. Sir said we were going to plant new grain seeds, and I haven't learned how yet."

Song Shouren stood with his arms crossed and said only four words: "Principles cannot bend."

A-Fei was the youngest, squeezing to the very front, looking up: "I run fast! I can report to Sir!"

Ten households, not one missing.

Lu Zhao looked at them, speechless for a long time.

He suddenly remembered a sentence from a book he had read in his past life: "Peaches and plums do not speak, yet a path forms beneath them."

He didn't speak, but bent down and picked up the Soul-Chasing Order that Han Meng had thrown on the ground. The wooden tablet was icy, the ghost face hideous.

"Since we are not leaving," he straightened up, "then hold onto your lives tightly."

Everyone roared in agreement.

The night deepened.

In Lu Zhao's room, the oil lamp was like a bean. Shen Qingqiu, He Shan, Yan Meng, and Han Meng sat in a circle, with the kill order and the Soul-Chasing Order spread out on the table.

"The Xuanshuang Sect's move is poisonous," Shen Qingqiu tapped the table lightly. "On the surface, it's a bounty, but in reality, it's a probe. If we don't react, there will definitely be stronger assassins later; if we flee, it plays right into their hands—the fugitive charge is confirmed, and they can legitimately mobilize more forces to encircle and suppress us."

"Then we won't flee," Han Meng said. "Kill one if one comes, kill a pair if two come."

"Can you kill them all?" Shen Qingqiu looked at him. "The Xuanshuang Sect has three thousand Disciples and hundreds of deacons at the Qi Refinement Stage. Killing Wang Tong was already a narrow victory. If those who come are at the sixth or seventh level of the Qi Refinement Stage, or even the Foundation Establishment Stage..."

She didn't finish, but everyone understood what she meant.

Lu Zhao was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked: "Why doesn't the Xuanshuang Sect just send experts directly?"

Shen Qingqiu was taken aback.

"They may not be certain that we killed Wang Tong," Lu Zhao said slowly. "When Li Baichuan questioned us, although he was suspicious, he had no solid evidence. If they sent a Foundation Establishment expert directly, the commotion would be too great, and it wouldn't look good for the Qinglan Sect—after all, Yangjiao Ravine is under Qinglan's jurisdiction."

He paused.

"So the bounty is using someone else's knife to kill. Letting Loose Cultivators and assassins probe for them. If we can withstand a few waves, it proves there is indeed something strange; if we can't, we die and that's that, without harming the Xuanshuang Sect in the slightest."

"Then the first wave..." He Shan asked.

"It won't be too strong," Shen Qingqiu continued, a look of contemplation flashing in her eyes. "The Xuanshuang Sect wants to maintain its face. If the first wave is too weak and dies, it's embarrassing; if it's too strong, it looks too deliberate. The most likely scenario is a deacon at the Middle Stage of the Qi Refinement Stage leading a team, followed by two or three Disciples—ostensibly to 'investigate a traitor,' but actually to scout the area and make an example of us."

"Just like Wang Tong?" Han Meng said.

"Yes," Shen Qingqiu nodded. "Wang Tong was at the fifth level of Qi Refinement, which is considered average in the Xuanshuang Sect's Enforcement Hall. Since he died, if the Xuanshuang Sect immediately sends someone stronger, it amounts to admitting that the person they sent before was useless. Given the Sect's bureaucratic temperament, they will at least wait for a period of time to let this matter 'cool down'."

"How long?" Lu Zhao asked.

"At least half a month, at most a month," Shen Qingqiu said. "During this period, those who come to seek death will most likely be Loose Cultivators who have accepted the bounty, or low-level assassins from the Nether Path."

Lu Zhao nodded and looked at He Shan: "The outer traps need to be increased."

"Understood," He Shan said. "I will arrange more shifts for the Listening Wind Pavilion personnel, rotating day and night. I will take people to bury bamboo spikes on that small path behind the mountain tomorrow."

Yan Meng said: "I plan to increase the training for the War Martial Hall. Twenty-three people, divided into three groups, with each group taking turns on night watch, and the remaining two groups practicing combined attacks during the day."

Han Meng said: "I know a few Loose Cultivators in the black market who can buy some information. If any big fish enter the mountain, perhaps we can know in advance."

Lu Zhao agreed to each one, and finally looked at Shen Qingqiu: "Can the Concealment Array be optimized further?"

"Yes," Shen Qingqiu said. "If we can find earth-element spiritual materials to draw earth Qi into the array, it can be maintained for a long time, and even Divine Thought probing below the Foundation Establishment Stage can be deceived. But the spiritual materials..."

Lu Zhao took out the martial stele fragment from his bosom and placed it on the table.

The fragment was the size of a palm, grayish-black all over, with faint patterns flowing on its surface. It felt warm and moist to the touch, and there was even a sense of pulsation.

Shen Qingqiu's eyes lit up: "This is..."

"A martial stele fragment," Lu Zhao said. "It came from underground and contains the essence of the earth. Can it be used?"

Shen Qingqiu held the fragment, closed her eyes to sense it for a moment, and opened them, unable to hide her joy: "Not only can it be used, it's a perfect match! The aura within this fragment is ten times purer than ordinary earth-element spiritual materials! If we use it as a medium to draw earth Qi into the array, the power of the Concealment Array... will at least be able to deceive those at the Early Stage of the Foundation Establishment Stage!"

She paused and then frowned: "But the fragment needs to be refined into an array base. The refining process requires continuous infusion of True Qi, and it cannot be interrupted. You just finished carving the Legacy stele, and you went through the battle with Wang Tong..."

"It doesn't matter," Lu Zhao said. "I can rest for two days."

Shen Qingqiu looked at him and didn't try to persuade him further.

The hour of the Rat (midnight).

Everyone dispersed, leaving Lu Zhao alone in the room.

The oil lamp was about to go out, the flame flickering. He sat on the edge of the heated brick bed, his gaze falling on the rough wooden bow hanging on the wall—that was a gift from He Shan, saying it was a hunter's customary gift upon meeting.

The bow body was polished smooth, with deep finger marks where it was gripped.

He reached out to take it down and stroked the bowstring. The string was made of twisted ox tendon and was taut. He tried to pull it, but it didn't budge—with his current strength, drawing this bow was easy, but he didn't pull it fully, only halfway, and slowly released it.

Hum—

The bowstring vibrated lightly, the lingering sound echoing.

He remembered what He Shan had said: "If Sir doesn't leave, we won't leave either."

Ten households, twenty-three able-bodied men, thirty-seven elderly, weak, women, and children. They didn't know how big the Xuanshuang Sect was, didn't know how strong a Qi Refinement Cultivator was, and didn't know what that Soul-Chasing Order meant.

They only knew that three months ago, a young man named Lu Zhao came to the village and taught them to read, practice martial arts, forge, and farm. When the Liu Family came to collect taxes, he stood at the village entrance; when the Funiu Gang came to plunder, he charged into their bandit den; when Boss Wu wanted to massacre the village, he was the one charging at the front with a blade.

They didn't understand what Spiritual Roots, cultivation levels, or Sects were.

They only knew—Sir was good to them, so they couldn't let Sir carry it alone.

Lu Zhao put down the bow and looked out the window.

Outside the window, the moonlight was dim, and the distant mountains were like ink. Further away were Black Mountain, Funiu Mountain, the Qinglan Sect, and the Xuanshuang Sect. Those high-and-mighty Sects, those Cultivators who viewed Mortals as ants, those mouths that would easily say "Kneel and receive the order" or "Those with low Aptitude deserve to be ants"—

He closed his eyes.

In his spiritual platform, it suddenly became clear.

A set of incantations gushed out like a spring, every word distinct: "Golden Bell Cover the body, Iron Clothing protects the frame. Qi and blood serve as the guide, tendons and bones serve as the root. External force applied to the body, not a shred of damage; internal breath circulates, forming its own school..."

He opened his eyes.

The incantations for the first three levels of the "Golden Bell Cover"—Iron Clothing, Copper Body, Silver Physique—were clearly imprinted in his spiritual platform.

Not just the incantations, but also the cultivation essentials, the route of Qi and blood circulation, and... a killing move.

[Iron Clothing · Immovable].

Use Qi and blood to condense on the surface of the body to form an invisible protective shield. When cultivated to Major Achievement, one can withstand a full-force blow from a Middle Stage Qi Refinement Cultivator without injury.

Lu Zhao closed his eyes and circulated his Qi and blood according to the incantations.

At first, it was stiff; the Qi and blood rampaged through his Meridians, making him sweat from the pain on his forehead. But he gritted his teeth and persisted, guiding it over and over, combing through it again and again.

He didn't know how much time had passed.

Suddenly, his skin tightened!

It was as if something invisible was pressed against his skin, a thin layer, there yet not there. He reached out to touch it, and it felt warm, even having a slight elasticity—that was the protective Qi shield formed by the outward release of Qi and blood.

Although it was as thin as a cicada's wing, and could only be maintained for a few breaths.

But, he succeeded.

Lu Zhao opened his eyes, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

Outside the window, the eastern horizon was turning a fish-belly white.

That night, he had sat for four full hours.

The next morning.

In the village, smoke curled from chimneys, women were lighting fires to cook, children were chasing and playing, and the able-bodied men were busy with their own tasks after breakfast—He Shan took people to bury bamboo spikes behind the mountain, Yan Meng took people to practice combined attacks on the threshing ground, and Han Meng changed into tattered clothes and limped towards the black market.

Everything was as usual.

Only Lu Zhao knew that everything was different.

He stood under the old locust tree at the village entrance, watching the busy village before him, watching those familiar faces. He Shan's wife, with a big belly, carried a basin of dirty water and poured it into the ditch; Zhong Tiegu's wife squatted at the gate of the courtyard washing clothes, cursing her husband for forging until midnight again last night; Granny Xue sat on the threshold drying medicinal herbs, a group of children surrounding her, listening to her tell of her experiences traveling from village to village practicing medicine in her early years.

The sun rose.

Sunlight spilled onto the village, onto those dilapidated adobe houses, onto the mottled bark of the old locust tree, and onto that deep knife scar.

Lu Zhao reached out and stroked the knife scar.

The knife scar was left by Liu Three-Knives. That day he broke into the village and slashed the old locust tree with one blow, saying he wanted to cut it down for firewood. He Shan stood in front of the tree, saying the tree was older than the village and couldn't be cut. Liu Three-Knives slashed at He Shan—

Then, Lu Zhao made his move.

That was the first time he had displayed his martial arts in front of the villagers.

The first move of "Wudang Long Fist", the starting move.

One punch, blasting away Liu Three-Knives' long blade.

Two punches, shattering his wrist.

Three punches, shattering his Dantian.

From then on, the Liu Family dared not step into Yangjiao Ravine again.

Lu Zhao withdrew his hand and turned around.

Shen Qingqiu didn't know when she had arrived behind him, leaning against the tree trunk, and said softly: "Have you decided?"

"Yes."

"Can you handle it?"

Lu Zhao didn't answer, only looked to the north—the direction of the Xuanshuang Sect.

After a long time, he spoke.

"Some debts..."

The voice was very light, but it was like a stone falling into a deep well.

"If you pay back a day late, the interest grows by one part."

Seven days later.

Lu Zhao was in his room cultivating the second level of "Golden Bell Cover", "Copper Body", when he suddenly heard a sharp whistle from afar—that was the early warning trap set by He Shan, which would emit a piercing sound that would resound throughout the village when triggered.

He opened his eyes and leaped up.

When he pushed the door open and went out, He Shan had already run over from the direction of the back mountain, his face livid.

"Sir!" He panted heavily, his voice trembling. "Three people have come on the northern mountain path! Black clothes, wearing Xuanshuang Sect waist tags! The one in the lead..."

He swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

"His aura is even fiercer than Boss Wu's!"

Lu Zhao's gaze tightened.

On the distant mountain path, three black shadows were speeding over. In the night, their faces could not be seen, but the jade tags at their waists could be faintly seen glowing with a cold light in the moonlight.

In the village, everyone woke up.

The women and children hid in the houses, and the able-bodied men grabbed their weapons and gathered at the village entrance.

Shen Qingqiu walked quickly to Lu Zhao's side and whispered: "At least the fifth level of Qi Refinement, at least... the sixth."

Lu Zhao nodded.

He looked at the three black shadows getting closer and closer, and slowly clenched his right hand into a fist.

Under the moonlight, his knuckles turned white.

The three black shadows stopped ten zhang outside the village entrance. The person in the lead was middle-aged, with a sinister face. His gaze swept over everyone and finally landed on Lu Zhao.

"Are you Lu Zhao?"

His voice was not loud, but it made everyone's eardrums ache.

Lu Zhao stepped forward: "It is I."

The corners of the man's mouth curled into a cold sneer.

"Xuanshuang Sect Enforcement Hall deacon, Wang Tong's Senior Brother—Zhao Hanshan."

He leisurely took off the jade tag from his waist and shook it in the moonlight.

"My Junior Brother died in Black Mountain, and the last mission before he died was to come to your Yangjiao Ravine."

He put away the jade tag and looked up.

"Speak, how do you want to die?"