Then Let's Settle the Score

"Linghu, what do you think of this matter?"

On the return journey, Elder Yu asked.

Yang Linghu pondered for a long moment before speaking. "I was originally very opposed to Tian Yu's view. But thinking on it carefully just now, I feel it carries some weight."

"If cultivators from both sides act together, suppressing the Yin qi within the valley shouldn't be difficult or require too much effort. Even if the Yin qi eventually erupts, our family won't be affected. At worst, restarting the distant mine will simply have to wait a few more days."

"From a purely interest-based perspective, if our family agrees to this, we can easily obtain a Marrow-Washing Pill and also earn a favor from Tian Yu."

Yang Linghu voiced his thoughts, but then added another sentence.

"Yet I still feel something is off, though I can't quite put my finger on it."

Elder Yu nodded upon hearing this. "Mm, I also sense something amiss. I fear we might be walking into this man's scheme. It is better to return home and let Lingqing decide."

They had traveled halfway when they happened to encounter Yang Lingrui coming from the opposite direction.

With Wu Tong left in Zhao Qi's care, Yang Lingrui had immediately set off toward the north.

Yang Linghu spotted the familiar figure from afar. He froze for a moment, and then his face lit up with great joy. He called out, "It's Lingrui! He's back!"

Yang Lingrui descended from the air and raised his cupped hands in a respectful salute.

"Elder Yu, Brother Linghu, Lingrui has returned safely."

"Good, good, good! It is good that you are back!"

Seeing Yang Lingrui safe and sound, Elder Yu breathed a sigh of relief.

The three of them made their way back together. Along the way, Yang Lingrui recounted everything that had occurred at the Dharma Assembly.

Hearing that Yang Guanfeng was doing fine at the border, both Yang Linghu and Elder Yu felt greatly reassured.

"As expected of the Ancestor-he remains outstanding wherever he goes!"

"Looking at it now, the Family Head was absolutely right to take Han Wang with him."

Next, Yang Lingrui spoke of the gains from this trip.

When they heard that the family currently possessed over a thousand Spirit Crystals, Elder Yu and Yang Linghu were completely dazed, almost believing their ears were playing tricks on them.

"Brother Hu, this is the spiritual treasure I bought for you. They are a fine pair of Tiger-Head Bracers, suitable for the mid Qi Gathering stage."

Yang Lingrui retrieved the Tiger-Head Bracers.

"Whoa! Let me take a look!"

Yang Linghu slipped on the bracers. The size was a perfect fit, and they didn't hinder his flexibility in the slightest. As he infused them with spiritual energy, three phantom tiger claws, roughly seven cun long, extended from the finger clasps.

"Such an excellent treasure! I absolutely love it! Thank you, Lingrui!" Yang Linghu said joyfully.

"Elder Yu, I originally brought back a set of Black Iron Soft Armor for you, but..."

"Ah, say no more. That item saved your life, which makes it far more valuable than if it were worn on my old bones," Elder Yu said, waving his hand.

After listening to Yang Lingrui's account, the duo's perception of the Sanglu Valley matter and Tian Yu's proposal shifted slightly.

Upon returning to the compound, Elder Yu summoned Yang Lingqing to the ancestral hall to deliberate on the matter.

After listening to Elder Yu's summary of the situation, Yang Lingqing fell into deep thought.

Yang Linghu was the first to speak his mind. However, once he finished, Yang Lingrui shook his head.

"Brother Hu, what you say makes some sense, but in my view, if we act this way, our family will truly be no different from the Su family."

Yang Lingrui spoke with a solemn expression. "I believe we cannot accept that Marrow-Washing Pill, and we must intervene in this matter. Tian Yu is merely using sophistry. During the Beast Tide, our family provided shelter to the surrounding commoners free of charge. Whether they stayed or left, and whether they joined our Clan Soldiers, was entirely up to them. We never forced anyone."

"Furthermore, our family has never truly exploited the mortals under our rule, nor have we used the power of cultivators to seize things by trickery or force. That is the fundamental difference between us and them."

Hearing Yang Lingrui's words, Yang Linghu found himself agreeing with this side too. Faced with these two conflicting arguments, he genuinely couldn't tell which was right. He began scratching his head with both hands in frustration.

"Agh! My head is itching! I can't figure it out! Lingqing, quickly enlighten me!" Yang Linghu urged.

Thus, the gazes of the three once again converged on Yang Lingqing.

Yang Lingqing pondered for a brief moment, and then a faint smile curved her lips.

"Our Town Chief Tian has certainly laid out a masterful calculation."

Yang Lingqing continued, "What the two of you said makes sense in its own right, but from the very beginning, you were already being led by the nose by Tian Yu. He completely derailed your perspective."

"Led by the nose? What do you mean by that?"

"The matter of Sanglu Valley did not arise because of our Yang family. Therefore, what does it have to do with us?"

Yang Lingqing explained patiently, "As the old saying goes, 'In poverty, one minds oneself; in success, one aids the world.' Our Yang family is no great, prestigious clan. For us to safeguard our own small patch of land right now is already an incredible feat. Where would we find the spare strength to aid the world?"

As soon as these words left her mouth, Yang Lingrui and Yang Linghu both experienced a sudden flash of clarity, understanding her point.

Elder Yu also cast an appreciative glance at Yang Lingqing.

Fortunately, the Yang family had a younger generation capable of succeeding Yang Guanfeng; otherwise, who knew how many losses they would suffer from hidden schemes.

"Tian Yu brought forward that 'mortal theory' to subtly guide your thoughts without you noticing. If you follow his logic, you fall straight into his trap."

"If we accept the Marrow-Washing Pill and suppress the Yin qi, what happens when the Yin qi eventually erupts and causes severe casualties among the commoners? If the Wangchao investigates thoroughly and slaps a label on us for 'abetting evil and harming the region,' can our family withstand the consequences?"

"On the other hand, if we refuse the Marrow-Washing Pill but still intervene, wouldn't we just be acting as his pawn? Our Yang family would expend men and effort to resolve the issue, yet the ultimate credit with the Wangchao would land squarely in Tian Yu's pocket. What benefit would our family receive? I am afraid we would only get a hollow phrase like, 'Thank you for the Yang family's assistance, Tian Yu is deeply grateful.'"

With just a few short sentences, Yang Lingqing pierced right through to the crux of the matter. The others instantly realized the truth.

"Exactly! This matter originally had nothing to do with us!"

Yang Linghu slapped his thigh, cursing angrily. "This Tian Yu's mind is so insidious! Our family has no grievances or enmity with him, yet he plots against us like this. It is truly infuriating!"

Yang Lingrui remained silent, but a stark chill surfaced in his eyes.

He had also fallen into the trap. Because of what they had witnessed with the Su family, hearing Tian Yu's discourse on mortals had provoked an impulse in him to prove that the Yang family was different from those aristocratic clans.

Looking back now, his mindset was still far too naive.

"Alright, there is no need to be so quick to anger. According to what I just said, we actually still have to handle this matter," Yang Lingqing noted.

"We still have to handle it? Won't that just be playing into his hands as a pawn?" Yang Linghu asked, thoroughly perplexed.

"Of course we must handle it. However, how we handle it, when we handle it, and how much effort we put into it—that is where the artistry lies."

As she spoke, a trace of a smile still lingered on Yang Lingqing's face. Yet in the very next breath, her entire aura shifted, and a rare, chilling ferocity swept across her expression.

"Since this Town Chief Tian loves to scheme against others so much, then I shall sit down and settle the score with him properly. Let us see who laughs and who weeps when all is said and done!"

As these words echoed, even Chen Yang, who was lying nearby and listening in, felt a small jolt of surprise. He had never seen Yang Lingqing make such an expression before.

Oh ho, it's rare to see Lingqing so fired up. Looks like another good show is about to begin!

He mused internally, I can only pity this fellow named Tian. Of all the people you could choose to scheme against, you just had to target the Yang family. You are going to suffer a miserable defeat~

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