Song Wenxuan pushed the door open and walked out. Much of the color had returned to his face; after an afternoon of healing, his injuries had improved considerably.
"Young Master Song, are your injuries any better?" Liu Xunjiang, who had been waiting there the whole time, hurried to greet him.
Song Wenxuan shook his head. "I’ve recovered a bit. I managed to expel the Profound Yin Gang Qi, so my condition won’t worsen. Thank you for taking me in, Steward Liu."
Liu Xunjiang shook his head. "Young Master Song, you’re too kind. My uncle and the Celestial Essence expert of your Song Family are dear friends. We’re practically family. How could I possibly stand by and do nothing when you’re in trouble?"
A faint smile touched Song Wenxuan’s lips. "By the way, which expert from the Purple Sun Sect is garrisoned here? If the Wushan Four Fiends show up, I’ll have to trouble him to help fend them off. I should go and pay him a visit so as not to neglect proper etiquette."
Although he was a young master of the Song Family, with a status no lower than that of a Purple Sun Sect Inner Sect Disciple, he was, after all, the one asking for a favor.
Hearing this, Liu Xunjiang’s expression darkened. "There’s no need for a visit. He was completely against letting you in in the first place. I had to use my authority as steward to shut him up."
At these words, Song Wenxuan’s face darkened as well. "Who is it? Who dares to show such disrespect to my Song Family? Doesn’t he know about the relationship between our family and the Purple Sun Sect?"
’Even if there were no relationship between the Song Family and the Purple Sun Sect, how could a mere Inner Sect Disciple dare to treat me this way, considering the Song Family’s power?’
As a young master of the Song Family, he was used to others trying to curry favor with him. This was the first time he had ever been treated this way, and while he was in distress, no less.
A wave of displeasure washed over Song Wenxuan.
"It’s Xu Yang!" Liu Xunjiang said.
’So it was him!’
Song Wenxuan’s eyes widened in realization. ’A disciple of Elder Huoyun, fifth on the Ten Heroes List—no wonder he dared to disrespect the Song Family.’
"He’s only fifth on the Ten Heroes List. Where does he get the nerve to offend me?" Song Wenxuan sneered.
’When I’m away from home, I represent not just myself, but the entire Song Family.’
’Forget about being fifth on the list. Even the number one, Young Master Marquis Jiang Fan, would have to think twice before offending the Celestial Essence expert backing me.’
As far as he was concerned, refusing to provide sanctuary was a direct offense.
Liu Xunjiang also sneered. "He probably thinks he’s guaranteed to reach the Celestial Essence realm. Or maybe it’s because my uncle once offended him, so now he’s deliberately opposing me."
His uncle was none other than Elder Liu Qingyuan of Tianquan Peak.
"Guaranteed to reach Celestial Essence? A country bumpkin like him with no background?" Song Wenxuan’s face dripped with contempt.
’Even a great clan like the Song Family can’t guarantee producing a Celestial Essence expert in every generation. For a hick who crawled out of a mud pit to dream of reaching that realm is just absurd.’
"Well, a man can dream."
Liu Xunjiang smiled. "But let’s not dwell on such an irritating person. I have prepared a meal. Young Master Song, please go and eat something first.
As for visiting him, there’s no need.
If the Wushan Four Fiends do show up, I’ll make sure he goes out to fight them to the death. He’s the garrison for this mining operation. He doesn’t get to decide whether or not he fights."
As they spoke, the two entered the room and sat down.
...
’So you’re that old dog Liu Qingyuan’s nephew. No wonder you gave me that hostile look the moment you arrived,’ Xu Yang realized.
His five senses covered the entire mining operation. Liu Xunjiang’s courtyard was only about a hundred feet from his, and since the two men hadn’t bothered to lower their voices, Xu Yang had naturally heard everything.
Only then did he realize the connection between Liu Xunjiang and Liu Qingyuan.
’Song Wenxuan!’ A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
’My refusal to let Song Wenxuan take refuge at the mine has clearly offended him.’
’Although Song Wenxuan hasn’t said anything, I can already feel the killing intent he’s directing at me.’
’Having a public identity is such a pain!’
’If it weren’t for my current status, I could just intercept and kill Song Wenxuan on the road after he leaves the mine.’
’But I’m the strongest person at this mine. If Song Wenxuan dies on the road right after leaving, Liu Xunjiang will inevitably suspect me.’
’So if I were to kill him, I’d have to kill Liu Xunjiang as well.’
’But I’m here to garrison the mine. If something were to happen here and I, the guard, discovered nothing, that would also be suspicious.’
’First, let’s see if you can even survive your encounter with the Wushan Four Fiends.’
’I might not even need to act personally. If the Wushan Four Fiends find their way here, they certainly won’t let these people go.’
After consuming a Dragon Tiger Great Golden Pill and cultivating for two hours, Xu Yang practiced the Blood Prison Heart Blade Scripture for a while before going to bed.
He remained vigilant all night, but unfortunately, by dawn, the Wushan Four Fiends had still not appeared.
...
The cold wind howled, and the waters of Moon Lake rippled. Four figures, saturated with Evil Qi, emerged from the woods.
"I was wondering where these little rats had scurried off to. So they’re hiding in this Purple Sun Sect mine," the third of the Wushan Four Fiends, Xie Chenglin, said with a laugh. "Do they really think the Purple Sun Sect can protect them?"
The fourth brother, Li Haoning, said, "I heard the person garrisoned here is the fifth disciple of Elder Huoyun from Li Fire Peak, a man named Guan Du. He’s at the Marrow Cleansing Great Success realm, and his strength is just average.
Eldest Brother, let’s just charge right in. We can rob the place while we’re at it and maybe get our hands on some Spirit Iron."
The Wushan Four Fiends were, in fact, two pairs of biological brothers: Li Haoran and Li Haoning, and Xie Chengyou and Xie Chenglin.
They didn’t give a second thought to Guan Du, the supposed garrison here.
The eldest, Li Haoran, snapped, "Use your head. Don’t always suggest charging in. We’ll assess the situation first. If we can turn them against each other, we can pick them off one by one and save ourselves a lot of trouble."
’The mention of Spirit Iron had tempted him, too. We’re going to have to offend the Purple Sun Sect regardless, so why not rob the mine and make off with some Spirit Iron while we’re at it?’
The four strode forward and soon arrived at the entrance to the mining camp.
"We are the Wushan Four Fiends! Hand over the members of the Song Family, or don’t blame us for razing this Purple Sun Sect outpost to the ground!"
The voice boomed like thunder, instantly shattering the tranquility of the mining camp.
The faces of Zhou Jiang and the other guards at the entrance turned pale. Faced with killers like the Wushan Four Fiends, they didn’t dare utter a single word, simply turning and running toward Xu Yang’s courtyard.
"So these are the disciples of the Purple Sun Sect!"
The fourth brother saw this, smiled in satisfaction, and strode into the mining camp.
’They’re finally here!’
A smile played on Xu Yang’s lips. He calmly returned to his room, strapped Red Blood to his waist, and then walked out of the courtyard.
Not far away, a pale-faced Liu Xunjiang and Song Wenxuan’s party also emerged from their courtyard, quickly making their way toward Xu Yang.
The other disciples, who had been sleeping or cultivating in their rooms, also hurried out and began to gather.
"Audacious Wushan Four Fiends! How dare you cause trouble on the Purple Sun Sect’s territory! All disciples, heed my order! Follow me to slay these enemies and uphold the dignity of our Sect!"
SHIING! Liu Xunjiang drew the longsword at his waist, pointing it at the Wushan Four Fiends, who were now standing a short distance away.
However, apart from the two Gang Qi Great Success disciples who had accompanied him, no one answered his call. All the other disciples were looking at Xu Yang.
They would only fight if Xu Yang gave the order.
None of them were fools. They knew that their only chance of victory was if Xu Yang took action. If he didn’t, following Liu Xunjiang would be a suicide mission.
When faced with death, Sect rules suddenly didn’t seem so important.
"Junior Brother Xu, are you just going to stand by and let vicious thugs like the Wushan Four Fiends trample on the dignity of the Purple Sun Sect?" Liu Xunjiang demanded, looking coldly at Xu Yang.
Xu Yang smiled. "The Wushan Four Fiends haven’t killed anyone, nor have they looted the mine. How exactly have they trampled on the Sect’s dignity? Aren’t you making a mountain out of a molehill, Steward Liu?"
"Hahaha... The young brother is right! We only came here to kill the Song Family members. We have no desire to make enemies of our friends from the Purple Sun Sect," Li Haoran’s voice boomed.
’He hadn’t even expected it. Before he could even make a threat, the people from the Purple Sun Sect and the Song Family were already at odds with each other.’
’This was the power of the Wushan Four Fiends’ reputation. Their name alone was enough to frighten the Purple Sun Sect disciples into abandoning the Song Family.’
’I didn’t think the disciples of the Purple Sun Sect would be this naive,’ Li Haoran thought, shaking his head to himself.
’Did this Purple Sun Sect disciple really not consider that after we kill the Song Family members, we would just rob this place as well?’
’The Wushan Four Fiends were no saints. Their vicious reputation was earned through a long history of robbery and murder.’