43: Chapter 43 Five Poisons Sect? Azure Mist Sect?

The tranquility of Green Mist Valley was shattered by a flurry of urgent hoofbeats and Liang Qihui's panicked cries.

Liang Chengye, who was processing a new batch of beast hides, stepped out of his workshop at the sound. He saw his niece, Liang Qihui, her face pale and covered in dust, gallop into the Manor, with Liang Qizhi, who was in charge of the shop, following close behind.

"What happened? Is there trouble at the shop?" Liang Chengye's heart tightened as he hurried to meet them.

Liang Qihui leaped off her horse, caught her breath, and spoke rapidly, "It's not the shop, it's the town! The town suddenly announced a city-wide curfew. The atmosphere is incredibly tense, and there are several times more cultivators patrolling the streets!"

"A curfew?" Liang Chengye frowned. In a small place like Heishan Town, a curfew was rarely imposed unless something major happened. "Do you know the reason?"

Liang Qizhi, standing nearby, took over the explanation. "I asked a patrolman I'm acquainted with, and he told me privately. He said that a few hundred miles to the north, the mountain gate of the Five Poisons Sect was breached by the Qinglan Sect!"

Five Poisons Sect? Qinglan Sect?

Liang Chengye and Liang Shouye, who had arrived upon hearing the news, exchanged glances, both seeing the gravity in each other's eyes.

The Five Poisons Sect was a notorious local evil sect, known for its ruthless methods and expertise in using poison and controlling insects. They had a long-standing grudge against the self-proclaimed righteous Qinglan Sect.

And the Qinglan Sect was exactly where the Wu Family's nephew was currently cultivating.

"The mountain gate was breached... and then?" Liang Shouye asked in a heavy voice.

"The people of the Five Poisons Sect have scattered and fled!" Liang Qizhi lowered his voice. "I heard that several groups of remnants are fleeing in our direction! The news was personally released by the Town Head, ordering every household to close their doors, strengthen their defenses, and prepare to resist potential attacks!"

The Town Head? That elusive Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator?

If even he had come forward to give a warning, the situation was indeed severe.

These fleeing evil cultivators were like stray dogs; they would do anything to replenish their supplies, plunder resources, or even kidnap people for their cultivation practices.

Although Heishan Town had some family forces, it still faced the risk of being overrun by a group of desperate evil cultivators.

"You did the right thing. Closing the shop and returning to the Manor immediately was the correct move."

Liang Chengye gave his daughter an approving look. The foundation of the Liang Family was in Green Mist Valley; the shop was merely an extension.

At this time, the safety and strength of the family's core members had to be consolidated.

"But Father," Liang Qizhi looked toward the back mountain with a worried expression, "with something this big happening, should we... inform Grandfather?"

Hearing this, a flicker of hesitation crossed Liang Chengye's face.

His father was currently in seclusion. If he were disturbed now, it might disrupt his state of mind or even lead to cultivation deviation... but it also seemed inappropriate not to inform him of such a major external threat.

"Let's not disturb Big Brother for now." Liang Shouye, standing nearby, spoke decisively, making the choice for Liang Chengye. "Big Brother entrusted the family business to us before his seclusion because he believed we could handle any changes. He is at a critical juncture right now and must not be distracted. If the time truly comes when we need his intervention, it won't be too late to wake him then."

He looked at Liang Chengye and the two juniors, his tone steady. "Although our Liang Family has a shop in town, our foundation is ultimately here. If we don't stand with the town, there might be some gossip afterward, but so what?"

"For a rogue cultivator family like ours, the priority is to preserve ourselves and continue our lineage. If the town holds, we will naturally be fine; if it doesn't... then we just need to hold this valley."

Liang Chengye nodded; his uncle's words calmed his mind.

Indeed, what the Liang Family needed most right now was not a hollow reputation, but tangible survival and growth.

The Nether Shadow left by his father, the leathercraft skills he had explored himself, Blue Winter Star's Stasis Field and trade routes, and those terrifyingly powerful otherworldly firearms... these were the family's trump cards. They had to be used where they mattered most, not easily exposed or wasted in conflicts that had nothing to do with them.

"Uncle is right." Liang Chengye's gaze grew firm. "From this moment on, the Manor enters a state of alert. Check all defensive formations and take inventory of weapons and ammunition. Strengthen the patrols around the back mountain entrance."

He turned to his daughter, "Qihui, you are meticulous. You'll be responsible for reassuring the women and children in the Manor and preparing emergency supplies."

"Yes, Father!" Liang Qihui replied.

"Qizhi, come with me. We'll check the perimeter traps and early warning systems of the Manor one more time," Liang Shouye called out.

Orders were quickly passed down. The small Liang Family Manor was like a precision machine; upon learning of the external threat, it immediately began to operate efficiently and discreetly. There was no panic, only the steady response of those who had weathered many storms.

As for the crisis Heishan Town might face, and the potential gossip afterward...

Liang Chengye stood before the Manor, looking toward Heishan Town with a calm gaze.

The path of a rogue cultivator family has always been to seek survival first, and then strength. The opinions of others were of no concern.

-

The atmosphere in Green Mist Valley suddenly grew tense.

Though there were no drums or loud shouting, a silent urgency had quietly seeped into every corner of the Manor.

The mortal servants and relatives, who were originally busy with farm work and household chores, now put down their tasks and were quickly gathered together.

Liang Chengping returned to the grenade launcher position, set up on a high point of the back mountain that offered a wide field of vision while being shielded by rock formations.

The muzzle pointed toward the valley entrance and the direction of potential enemies. He himself remained almost constantly by the launcher, repeatedly checking ammunition and calculating the firing range to ensure that if anything changed, he could unleash the strongest firepower at maximum speed.

The other family members with spiritual roots—Liang Chengye, Liang Qiming, Liang Qizhi, Liang Chengan, and Liang Qiming, who had urgently returned from his rotation at Blue Winter Star—were all fully armed.

Liang Chengye had the Nether Shadow sword embryo hanging at his waist, Liang Qiming still carried his laser rifle along with a full stock of talismans and medicinal pills, and the others were also given Agripinaa Autoguns or modified Heavy Bolt Pistols, with plenty of ammunition.

The Liang Family's population could certainly not be called flourishing, especially with their limited number of cultivators.

In Liang Shoushan's line, besides himself, there were his son Liang Chengye (Qi Refining Sixth Layer), grandson Liang Qiming (Qi Refining Level Three), granddaughter Liang Qihui (Qi Refining Level Three), and second grandson Liang Qizhi (Qi Refining Level Two), who could be considered the core cultivator strength of the family.

In Liang Shouye's line, only his eldest son Liang Chengping (Qi Refining Level Four) possessed spiritual roots; the rest of his children and even his grandchildren were mortals. None of the children from the second wife Liang Shoushan had taken in his early years had spiritual roots either.

Therefore, the Liang Family actually had only six combat-ready cultivators. Since Liang Shoushan was currently in seclusion, only five were available.

However, the Liang Family's mortal base was not small.

The descendants of the brothers Liang Shoushan and Liang Shouye, distant relatives who had joined them in the early years, and loyal servants accumulated over several generations added up to dozens of people, including many in their prime.

In the past, these mortals were only responsible for managing the thirteen acres of spirit fields and newly reclaimed wasteland, handling chores, and looking after the Manor. Now, the situation had changed.

The Manor's storehouse was opened, and crates of well-maintained bolt-action and semi-automatic rifles were carried out.

These were the earliest firearms the Liang Family had obtained from Blue Winter Star. Although their power was far inferior to the automatic weapons used by cultivators, they were simple in structure, easy to learn, and had a large reserve of ammunition.

Under the organization of Liang Chengye and Liang Shouye, all healthy adult male mortals, and even several bold and meticulous strong women, were gathered to receive emergency firearms training.

"Look at the notch in front! This is called the front sight! The notch, the front sight, and the target—three points in a line!"

"Keep your hands steady! Breathe slowly! Pull the trigger decisively!"

"Reload! Fast! Don't just stand there!"

On the training ground, shouts, the sound of bolts racking, and sporadic test shots rose one after another.

The training was very rudimentary, aiming only for them to be able to complete basic aiming, firing, and reloading under pressure to create a certain density of fire.

As for accuracy and tactical coordination, it was truly difficult to expect much in such a short time.

But even so, when dozens of dark muzzles pointed toward the valley entrance together, that aura of stern killing intent still calmed the nervous mortals and gave Liang Chengye, who was in charge, a bit more confidence.

One more gun meant one more line of fire.

Faced with the potential harassment of evil cultivators, these slightly armed mortals could at least serve to delay or harass the enemy, and even protect the women and children in the Manor to some extent.

The Manor's defensive formations were all activated. Although they were only the most basic warning and protection restrictions, they were better than nothing. Sentry posts, both visible and hidden, were placed at all key roads and walls.

Liang Qihui led several meticulous women to inventory and gather grain, fodder, drinking water, medicine, and other emergency supplies, making full preparations for a possible long-term siege.

The entire Liang Family was like a tightened bowstring, waiting in the silence. Cultivators and mortals, at this moment, were closely bound together for their collective survival.