Subsequent Disposition

"His life force was draining too quickly; even forcibly reconnecting it with spiritual energy was useless. He would have died before you even arrived."

Yang Lingqing shook her head. "I attempted a brief interrogation, but he was already on the verge of death. He could not speak, and his mind had fallen into chaos. I could not extract any useful information. Elder Yu, Town Chief Gao, I must ask you to see what evil technique this person used."

Gao Hui had already heard the full story from Zhao Qi on the way here and had formed a rough idea.

Now, seeing Zhou Qing with his own eyes and working alongside Elder Yu to examine the body with techniques, he was even more certain.

"It must be the Blood-Drinking Method of the Blood Feather Hall," Elder Yu said in a deep voice.

Gao Hui nodded, his expression grave. "Indeed. This method requires a certain level of aptitude. It also demands the long-term consumption of rare flowers, poisonous herbs, and the Essence Blood of the living. It generally takes three years to nurture. After three years, the dharma body can be formed."

"Afterward, spiritual energy is forcibly infused from the outside. At the cost of the dharma body's entire lifespan, it grants the user battle prowess comparable to the late stage of Qi Gathering in an extremely short time."

Hearing this, Zhao Qi turned to Yang Lingqing. "I reviewed this child's records. His family did indeed move to the South Bank from elsewhere a little over three years ago."

A little over three years ago was precisely when the "Twenty-Four Secret Treasure Grounds" incident occurred, an event where the Sect suffered heavy losses after their initial clash with the Wangchao.

Judging from the Zhou Qing incident, it seemed the Sect had not only struck back directly that day but had also prepared hidden moves in the dark, aiming to undermine the various forces of the Wangchao through internal infiltration.

"Hmm, in that case, the matter is clear."

Yang Lingqing led the three deeper into the cellar. This was where the Blood Feather Hall cultivator, whom Chen Yang had knocked unconscious, was imprisoned.

Her explanation to Gao Hui was that Liu Zihao had personally controlled the Formation, temporarily expanding its range to the South Bank and discovering this man.

Subsequently, the Yang family had used a high-grade, late-stage Qi Gathering Heart-Attacking Talisman to capture him.

"The other four intended to commit a massacre. We had no choice but to use those few treasured Five Thunder Talismans at the bottom of our coffers to annihilate them."

Yang Lingqing shook her head. "It is a pity we could not capture them all alive."

The Heart-Attacking Talismans and Five Thunder Talismans she mentioned were all pre-arranged explanations based on their Immortal Venerable's abilities.

Some were exchanged from the Wangchao Treasury, and some were purchased from the markets. Even if someone truly investigated, their origins could be verified.

"Patriarch Yang, you need not blame yourself. If you had not prepared so thoroughly for the Yang family, a far greater disaster might have unfolded today. Rest assured, the Wangchao will compensate your family for these losses."

Gao Hui spoke with lingering fear, "It is a great fortune that there were no heavy casualties. Since this incident occurred within the Yang family, it certainly will not be an isolated case. I wonder if Patriarch Yang could hand this person over to me, so I may report the matter to the Wangchao!"

"Of course. Town Chief Gao may take him away."

Knowing the gravity of the matter, Gao Hui bound the man and immediately set off, rushing back to Baishi to report to his superiors.

After he left, the three members of the Yang family returned to the Restricted Grounds.

Zhao Qi went to find the two children who had newly arrived on the mountain, while Elder Yu and Yang Lingqing went straight to the Ancestral Hall.

"Thank you, Immortal Venerable, for intervening to save us. Otherwise, the common people of our South Bank would have suffered a bloody massacre!"

The two bowed together, thanking Chen Yang for slaying the four evil cultivators of the Blood Feather Hall the previous day.

Elder Yu and Yang Lingqing were unaware of the existence of the Power of Prayer. In their eyes, Chen Yang's actions were entirely to protect the people under the Yang family's rule.

Chen Yang naturally held this intention, but part of the reason was also that he did not want these four to ruin the devout believers accumulated in the South Bank over the years.

The South Bank possessed the largest population and was the main source of his daily Power of Prayer. He could not allow it to be destroyed by these scoundrels from the Blood Feather Hall.

To prevent such a situation from recurring, Chen Yang had Yang Lingqing issue a decree for monthly mountain worship.

Afterward, he would spend some time each month sweeping the area with his spiritual sense, leaving no opportunity for those petty schemers.

Leaving the Ancestral Hall, Elder Yu met the two newly arrived children in a separate courtyard.

"Disciple Yang Liu pays respects to Elder Yu."

"Disciple Dai Wei pays respects to Elder Yu."

"Good, both of you are excellent."

With new cultivators joining the family and the main branch's third generation securing its successors, Elder Yu was naturally overjoyed.

"Yang Liu, you will be the first third-generation cultivator of our main branch. From now on, you must stay grounded, remain diligent and tireless, and shoulder this heavy responsibility."

"Yang Liu will remember Elder Yu's teachings."

Elder Yu nodded with a kind smile, then looked toward Dai Wei. "Zhao Qi told me about your actions. Calm in the face of crisis; you have the makings to accomplish great things. Are you willing to take me as your master and return to Sanglu Valley with me to cultivate?"

Hearing that he could follow the family's ancestor to cultivate, Dai Wei was momentarily stunned. He immediately bowed deeply and said, "Ancestor above, please accept this disciple's bow!"

"Hahaha, excellent! This old man is in high spirits today, so I shall expound the Dao for the two of you!"

The two children immediately sat cross-legged on their meditation cushions, focusing entirely as Elder Yu explained the various profound mysteries of Cultivation to them.

While the Dao was being expounded on the mountain, there was no idleness down below.

Starting from the day after the turmoil ended, the North Bank began bustling with activity according to Yang Lingqing's arrangements.

The North Bank had originally been divided in a tripartite standoff among the Zhao, Liang, and Xie families. Now, because Dai Wei had been chosen to ascend the mountain, the vacant land recently cleared on the west side of the North Bank also found its owner.

The North Bank was merged into one large village, named Chongyang.

This name was quite meaningful. The imperial capital of the Tiger-Chasing Kingdom was named Chongtian, meaning "revering Heaven to establish the kingdom."

And this village was called Chongyang, substituting the character for "sun" in place of the surname "Yang," signifying that the clans at the foot of the mountain all revered the Yang family and stood under their banner.

Both Yang Lingqing and Elder Yu were very satisfied with this name.

As for Chen Yang, there was no need to say more. He was absolutely delighted when he heard the name.

"Chongyang, Chongyang is wonderful!"

On the South Bank, because the final disposition regarding the Zhou family had not yet been handed down, boundary demarcation and naming had not yet begun.

The Zhou family head was named Zhou Liang. When he learned the news of Zhou Qing that day, he turned pale with shock. Filled with terror, he led his entire household, young and old, to kneel by the riverbank. They knelt there for an entire night until Yang Feiyun finally arrived.

"Zhou Qing of the Zhou family has committed a grave crime. In my view, your entire clan should be executed. At the very least, you should be expelled from the South Bank."

Yang Feiyun spoke in an icy tone.

"We have been wronged! Please, Great Master, investigate this clearly! We... we truly had no idea what that degenerate son was doing!"

Zhou Liang wept profusely, tears and snot streaming down his face. Blood from his bruised forehead trickled down his jaw and onto his chest.

"Enough! Get up!"

Yang Feiyun swept his cold gaze over the Zhou family and shouted, "It is only because the Patriarch is benevolent! Considering your Zhou family's decent conduct in the South Bank over the years, she decided not to pursue this matter after verifying the truth. That is the only reason you still have your lives today!"

Hearing that the Patriarch would not press the matter, the entire Zhou family wept tears of joy. Zhou Liang endlessly thanked the Patriarch for her grace in sparing their lives.

"Do not just speak empty words. The South Bank is about to demarcate boundaries and build walls. Your Zhou family is a prominent household. If you truly wish to thank the Patriarch for her grace, let your actions speak," Yang Feiyun said.

"Yes, yes, of course!"

Zhou Liang agreed wholeheartedly, "Please rest assured, Patriarch and Great Master. My Zhou family will spare no effort to accomplish this task for the people of the South Bank!"

Yang Feiyun then visited the other prominent households of the South Bank, handing down various assignments. The South Bank also began its preparations in an orderly manner.

The fear and anxiety left in people's hearts from the previous day's disaster gradually dissipated amidst the intense bustle of activity.

88.181.249.5

ns88.181.249.5da2