Volume Three: Rising Fame Chapter Eighteen: The True Master

“Come down to talk?”

Qingyang De and Li Yu exchanged glances, feeling as if someone was asking them to stand up and give away their seat in their own home. Yet, this matter aroused his vigilance, so he did indeed step down, curious to hear what the other would say.

Seeing Qingyang De comply so docilely, Qing Gaoyang assumed he feared the power of the City Lord’s residence, and grew even more arrogant. Noticing Li Yu still perched atop his exotic beast, unmoved, he furrowed his brows but said nothing.

“You tell me first, how does the City Lord’s residence have authority over the army?”

Qingyang De spoke bluntly.

He was genuinely intrigued, and took the matter seriously. He had always fought at the border and never imagined that in a place so close to the rear, such things could occur.

The army and local officials, though both appointed by the Ming Dynasty, were in practice dominated by the Qing clan in Qingshan County. All affairs were decided and commanded by the Qing family.

Within Qingshan County, civil and military officials were strictly divided, each cooperating but forbidden from meddling in each other’s business. Weapons and armor within the forces were tightly regulated; apart from wartime reserves, all retired gear had to be destroyed, stored, or reforged.

But regardless, these items were never allowed to circulate!

Li Yu stood by as a spectator. He was unaware of the intricacies, but seeing Qingyang De’s stern demeanor, he simply watched the old man’s self-satisfied expression.

‘They’re going to meet a miserable end soon,’ he mused.

“It’s managed, that’s all. Why ask so much?” Qing Gaoyang bristled, his beard quivering. “Look at the armor these men are wearing—it’s proof enough!”

Qingyang De nodded, seeing was believing. Clearly, something along the line had gone wrong.

“Let me tell you, the one deepest inside is the City Lord’s only son. As long as you release him, turn a blind eye, you’ll establish a connection with the City Lord. If you want military merits, you can take the rest, but best handle it here first.”

As he spoke, Qing Gaoyang even made a throat-slitting gesture, his eyes cold as he gazed at the bandits with whom he had shared drinks many times.

These men now knew their identities, so they couldn’t be allowed to live. He might as well leave it to the young man before him, saving himself the trouble later.

“You’re quite demanding, telling me to do this and that. Qingshan County has so many cities—who knows which one you’re from?”

Qingyang De didn’t bother with further words, simply shook his head.

“Teber City. Now you know which great city’s master you’re befriending?”

“Teber City?”

Qingyang De recalled, forming a vague impression of the city. If he remembered correctly, its lord did indeed have a single son, though the boy’s talent was lacking.

He scrutinized the middle-aged man, who appeared about thirty-four or thirty-five, his Daoist cultivation at the early eighth grade—matching the description.

With that, he turned to the bored youth nearby and asked, “Li Yu, who do you think is the master of Teber City?”

Li Yu, hearing the question, understood Qingyang De’s temperament—one who never forgave a slight. He replied lazily, “Of course it’s the Qing clan. If you look closer, it should belong to the Lord of the County.”

“So that’s my father, then.”

Qingyang De arched his brows, then swung back onto the beast. “Seize them all, bring them back!”

With that, he and Li Yu rode away, and behind them, there was no cry of battle.

The old man stood frozen.

This was an overwhelming suppression; the other side had no intention of resisting.

Qing Gaoyang murmured, “The Lord of the County… Li Yu…”

Not until he was shackled did he realize—Li Yu’s name had once escaped the lips of the City Lord’s wife.

He vaguely remembered her complaining that her child lacked Li Yu’s talent, remarking that someone had earned the title of ‘seed’ merely by bloodline, and had even ordered the city to gather lightning-attributed spiritual plants for the Qing clan.

“It’s over… we’ve stirred up a hornet’s nest!”

Qing Gaoyang muttered.

Of all this, the two had no knowledge, both possessing sixth-grade cultivation. A mere probe revealed that the best among the bandits was only eighth-grade, while the Qingyang Army that arrived were all eighth-grade Daoist cultivators.

There was no chance of a comeback.

“You weren’t involved in the whole operation, so you don’t quite grasp its implications. But someday you might have to take on part of it yourself,” Qingyang De said with a smile to the puzzled Li Yu.

As they left the village, some surviving villagers knelt on the ground, guarded by Qingyang Army soldiers.

These were the ones Qingyang De had arranged for rescue in advance, a tactic to flush out the bandits and provoke their attempt to flee.

Some wept in grief, others cried out, and most shouted their thanks.

The two did not linger, but the scene struck Li Yu deeply, stirring his emotions.

‘Strength—wherever you are, only strength is the foundation!’

Had he not received the system, he wouldn’t even qualify to become stronger, let alone touch the hidden forces of Blue Star. The same held true in this other world; without talent, he would have perished in the Stone Village at the very start, and forget about living peacefully within the Qing clan.

Whether it was Stone Village or this nameless settlement, calamity befell only because they lacked power. Even with a fourth or fifth-grade cultivator, or perhaps a sixth or seventh-grade, such tragedies would never have happened.

Li Yu did not dwell long on these thoughts, soon gathering himself.

“Should we keep managing this matter?” Li Yu asked.

Judging by the reaction, this was likely an internal affair of some magnitude, but they were to attend the Hundred Families Assembly, and he thought it unwise to let this issue bog them down.

At least, he wanted to confirm whether the secret realm associated with the assembly contained the Snow Fox Demon Vine before considering anything else.

“No need for us to handle it. The Hundred Families Assembly is the priority,” Qingyang De said, smiling at Li Yu, understanding how much the matter weighed on his mind.

“We’ll report it, and someone will investigate. After all, this is no small issue.”

This was no time of peace; the territory bordered three sizable clans, recent conflicts frequent. At such a crucial moment, an open violation of Qing clan rules would certainly prompt a thorough investigation once reported.

Li Yu nodded, “And the people?”

“There will be arrangements, along with compensation. This is the Qing clan’s failure, after all.”

After returning to the garrison, the two parted ways. Qingyang De had much to do, initially thinking this a coincidence, an incident he could use to teach a few lessons.

Unexpectedly, it had revealed a major problem, requiring him to write a report overnight.

“My head aches!” Qingyang De scratched his head.

This involved the City Lord… He would have to consider it carefully.