Yuan Hao

"Xu Yuan. Someone is following us." After they had walked a short distance, Ran Qingmo's voice suddenly sounded through a voice transmission. Her warning came without prelude, prompting Xu Yuan to raise his eyebrows slightly. The residential alleys in this slum district of Pingshui Bay were long and narrow. The longer stretches ran about twenty zhang, while the shorter ones were barely seven or eight. Intersecting side paths twisted in an intricate web, making tracking exceptionally difficult. Still, the moment he heard her words, he reflexively circulated his cultivation technique and sent his senses probing behind him. Yet even with his sixth-rank cultivation and the amplification of the Blood Yuan Heart Calamity Art, he detected nothing. Frowning, Xu Yuan transmitted back, "Formidable?" Ran Qingmo pondered for a moment, then shook her head. "Not very. From his breathing and heartbeat, he should only be around the seventh rank." Xu Yuan fell quiet for a breath. A seventh-rank following a sixth-rank without being detected—especially when Xu Yuan possessed an Innate Dao Body capable of projecting his intent-soul to investigate. Thoughts churned. Lowering his gaze, he glanced at the barely discernible footprints left in the dirt behind them. Understanding dawned, though his eyes soon narrowed. After a beat, he gave a quiet chuckle. "Looks like our tail is an old hand." "Should we dispose of him?" Ran Qingmo asked matter-of-factly. Xu Yuan glanced at her, the corners of his mouth ticking upward. The world these days was hardly peaceful, particularly in certain commanderies and prefectures. When a woman as beautiful as Ran Qingmo traveled the martial world, trouble was bound to find her. In his past life, even the turn of the millennium had been a chaotic mess, to say nothing of the present era. Walking the open world, ruthless hands were an absolute prerequisite. Just like the blow she had dealt him back then. Yet to Ran Qingmo's suggestion, Xu Yuan shook his head. "No need. We'll go back and find him." With that, Xu Yuan unsealed the Saint's remnant soul. Almost instantaneously, that familiar, resonant baritone sounded in his mind. Dripping with grievance. "Brat Xu, I know some things aren't fit for an old man's eyes and ears, but do you have any idea how I've spent the past dozen days? It's pitch-black and freezing cold inside this soul ring..." "All right, all right. You've endured ten thousand years in there—what's another ten days?" Xu Yuan was caught between tears and laughter. "Lend me some of your soul power." "Tsk." The Saint's remnant soul clicked his tongue. Even as he released his soul power, he grumbled endlessly, "I won't say more. Since this old man puts in so much painstaking effort to help you, just remember to find me a good disciple." Xu Yuan shook his head, choosing not to call him out. The instant their intent-souls connected, Xu Yuan pinpointed the tracker. Sweeping Xu Xinyao up with him, he vaulted into the air and landed directly before the man in the span of a single breath. "..." The deserted alley was utterly silent. Watching three figures in bamboo hats appear before him in the blink of an eye, the trailing man instinctively took a step back, yet his expression hardly changed. Seeing his reaction, Xu Yuan had a fair idea of what he was dealing with. This was a fairly sturdy young man, perhaps twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with plain features that made him look no different from an ordinary farmhand. "A scout?" Xu Yuan cut straight to the point without any pleasantries. An experienced tracker like this was either a local boss from a neighborhood gang or a military scout. Judging by his quick adaptability, it was most likely the latter. If it wasn't the latter, killing him would suffice. Local gang thugs tailing them—especially with Ran Qingmo and Xu Xinyao in tow—were certainly not looking to make polite acquaintances. The man's reaction remained calm. He merely cupped his fists. "Is the young master here looking for the wolf's head?" Xu Yuan knew this was a recognition phrase. Smiling, he replied, "No. I'm looking for the monkey." After a brief pause, the man dropped to his knees and bowed respectfully with cupped fists. "Greetings, Third Young Master." Xu Yuan waved a hand. "Rise. Lead the way." The man stood at once, quickening his pace by a couple of steps as he murmured, "Third Young Master, Commander Yuan has been awaiting you for some time." Guided by the man, Xu Yuan and the two women traversed several street blocks before arriving outside a high-walled compound guarded by sentries. A pair of imposing stone lions sat on either side of the entrance, and the faint ripples of array patterns were visible along the compound walls. Sure enough, even in the poorest districts, wealthy men were to be found—though a place like this had probably not been purchased legitimately. Xu Yuan glanced sideways at the man beside him. Noticing Xu Yuan's look, the man explained under his breath, "Third Young Master, this is the manor of the Pingshui Gang's chief. Well... the Pingshui Gang is the largest faction in these parts, controlling dock cargo unloading, gambling, and the flesh trade." With that, he signaled the guards at the gate to open up. The heavy doors swung inward. As they walked deeper into the compound, Xu Yuan couldn't help a quiet inward smile. Launching a war was never as simple as merely mobilizing troops. Intelligence, supplies, silver—everything required thorough preparation. Xu Yinhe had handed down the decision, the subordinates had set to work, and the various branch forces coordinated with one another. The Pingshui Gang had to be the work of Lou Ji's Black Scale Guards. He hadn't expected them to have planted hidden assets inside Wanxiang City as well. Taking in their surroundings, Xu Xinyao deduced the same. She whispered, "Third Brother, is the leader of this Pingshui Gang with the Black Scale Guards?" "Most likely," Xu Yuan nodded. "It seems Aunt Lou Ji's people are even more capable than we imagined." The chaos of the slums existed primarily for outsiders. For those born and raised here, everyone was essentially a neighbor. Because the slums were so vast and housed many 'attractions' that drew visitors, a sudden influx of a hundred-odd unfamiliar faces might not draw attention. But an increase of over a thousand people in a short period could never escape the local power brokers. For such local gangs to exist at all, they almost certainly maintained 'understandings' with officials. Yet Wanxiang City, bearing the sect's name, was naturally bound by a thousand tangled threads to the Wanxiang Sect. In tense times like these, the slightest slip could trigger a chain reaction. Xu Xinyao nodded in agreement. "No wonder Yuan Hao was able to smuggle his people inside." Though the residence of the largest gang chief fell far short of the Chancellor's Manor in Jingjiang City, it still covered considerable ground. Passing through several courtyards, the party finally entered the rear hall where the master resided. Little bridges arched over flowing water; ornate pavilions and elegant terraces stood amid the scenery, with a flagstone path leading straight to the main hall ahead. Suddenly, a middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair came out to greet them from the hall. A scar crossed his face, carrying a faint, lingering trace of killing intent. He fit Xu Yuan's impression of a gang boss perfectly. The scout leading the way immediately murmured an introduction: "Third Young Master, this is the chief of the Pingshui Gang. This humble subordinate shall take his leave." "Mm. Step down." Xu Yuan nodded and halted, waiting as the other man approached. "Bai Zhao greets the Third Young Master." Reaching them, the middle-aged man did not drop to his knees. Instead, he bowed deeply with clasped hands. This was likely the difference between the Black Scale Guards and the Black Scale Army. Tian'an Martial Hall did not merely teach martial apprentices cultivation methods; it also instilled a collective identity and loyalty—loyalty directed solely toward Xu Yinhe. The specific methods had been meticulously designed by the Chancellor's Manor's retainers to subtly shape minds without provoking resistance. Once they graduated from Tian'an Martial Hall and entered the ranks of the Black Scale Army, this subtle conditioning became even more thorough. Upon meeting direct descendants of the Chancellor's Manor, most would perform a kneeling salute. Lou Ji's Black Scale Guards were different from the army. For the most part, they were bound tightly through shared objectives, mutual interests, and the looming threat of death should they betray their allegiance. Now that the game had become reality, understanding these details only reinforced Xu Yuan's impression that his old man was an absolute monster of a talent. A world protagonist entirely distinct from Qin Mo. No wonder Xu Changge hardly dared utter a peep in front of Xu Yinhe most of the time. Rising from a minor clan in Jingjiang Prefecture, growing step by step into the colossus of today... His thoughts had wandered a bit. Looking at the graying middle-aged man, Xu Yuan smiled. "Where is Commander Yuan?" "Commander Yuan is over here." Bai Zhao smiled and made an inviting gesture. Xu Yuan took the lead, with Bai Zhao falling into step beside him. After a moment's pause, Xu Yuan looked at the servants working in the courtyard and asked softly, "Is it safe for these servants to see us?" Bai Zhao chuckled. "No harm done. They are either deaf-mutes from the neighborhood who cannot read, or confidants this humble one has personally cultivated over the years." "Deaf-mutes?" Xu Yuan was surprised. Bai Zhao replied with candid amusement, "It earns a bit of a charitable reputation, and they cannot leak secrets." As they walked, Xu Yuan cast a searching glance at him and asked, "Did you build the Pingshui Gang entirely on your own?" Bai Zhao offered a modest smile. "Mere luck. That this humble one could achieve what he has today is entirely thanks to Master Yi Tian's patronage." Xu Yuan raised an eyebrow. Yi Tian—a subordinate of that old aunt Lou Ji, and an early-game minor boss along Cangyuan's villain route. Evidently, the man before him did not hold high standing within the Black Scale Guards, not yet worthy of direct contact with Lou Ji. Even so, Xu Yuan couldn't help admiring him, for he could sense that the man was merely a seventh-rank cultivator. A seventh-rank in his forties had likely been even weaker in his youth. The Black Scale Guards would never pour significant resources into a seed planted so casually. Without overwhelming martial power, establishing such a large gang here came down entirely to wits and ruthless skill. With that thought, Xu Yuan said, "Very impressive." A flicker of surprise crossed Bai Zhao's eyes at the praise. He quickly clasped his hands and murmured respectfully, "This humble one thanks the Third Young Master for the compliment." Xu Yuan shook his head and continued forward, asking quietly, "How many men did Commander Yuan bring into the city this time?" "Over three thousand five hundred," Bai Zhao answered without hesitation. Although Commander Yuan had only informed him that the Third Young Master would arrive—without specifying his exact purpose—a noble of the Third Young Master's standing would never come to such a place for amusement in a climate like this. Therefore, the Third Young Master had surely come to oversee operations. After all, war seemed imminent. Hearing the figure of three thousand five hundred, Xu Yuan was inwardly surprised by the size of the force, but he soon raised an eyebrow. "How are they quartered?" "Most are hidden here in Pingshui Bay. The rest this humble one arranged across various inns throughout the city. The spirit blades and armaments accumulated over the past twenty-odd years are barely sufficient to equip them," Bai Zhao answered truthfully. Xu Yuan parted his lips to speak, but before words could form, a young girl with twin topknots suddenly came scampering out from the rear courtyard, followed by a flustered woman. Running toward Bai Zhao, the little girl cheered happily, "Daddy..." "..." Seeing the child, warmth and affection surfaced in Bai Zhao's eyes, yet he did not immediately step forward. Instead, he cast a tentative glance toward Xu Yuan. Only after Xu Yuan shook his head to signal it was fine did Bai Zhao hurry forward. Father and daughter shared a brief moment of laughter before Bai Zhao coaxed the girl away and returned to Xu Yuan's side. "A daughter born late in life. I apologize if it offended the young master." "Not at all." Xu Yuan smiled faintly, then asked, "You didn't send your family away in advance?" "Too dangerous," Bai Zhao answered honestly. Watching the woman carry the little girl away, Xu Yuan asked, "Isn't keeping them here in Wanxiang City the dangerous choice?" Bai Zhao's gaze tightened slightly. "No, Third Young Master, I meant dangerous to the plan. My position is sensitive, and my family usually lives within the city. Eyes might be watching. If their departure were discovered at such a time, it could disrupt the Chancellor's plans." "..." Silence fell. Xu Yuan narrowed his eyes, once again appraising the graying middle-aged man before him. Regardless of whether those three thousand five hundred Black Scale soldiers actually struck, they were a blade meant to be drawn at the negotiating table. In other words, afterward, the Wanxiang Sect would investigate without fail. They hadn't been discovered yet only because the sect hadn't detected signs of large-scale troop movements and remained off-guard. Once a real probe began, it would almost certainly lead straight to the Pingshui Gang. If a sect truly set out to purge an underground city gang, it would be as effortless as crushing an ant. With these thoughts in mind, Xu Yuan raised a hand and patted Bai Zhao on the shoulder. Saying nothing, he walked on in silence. Having received the pat on the shoulder, Bai Zhao merely followed behind, though a barely perceptible smile crept into his lowered eyes. Stopping before an inner courtyard, Bai Zhao bowed to Xu Yuan once more. "Commander Yuan is inside. This humble one shall take his leave." Xu Yuan nodded. "Arrange a courtyard for the two of them." He had no intention of letting Xu Xinyao participate in this discussion. Ran Qingmo said nothing, only giving a quiet nod. Xu Xinyao, however, protested, "Third Brother, I want to—" "Be obedient." Xu Yuan glanced back at her, his gaze brooking no argument. In the end, Xu Xinyao left alongside Ran Qingmo. Watching the two slender silhouettes recede into the distance, Xu Yuan slowly pushed open the courtyard gate before him. Inside lay a pond of clear green water where brocade carp swam. At the center of the pool stood an open pavilion. Stepping inside, Xu Yuan's eyes immediately locked onto the man within the pavilion. He had refined features and looked remarkably young. Clad in scholar's robes, he sat in the pavilion heating a small brazier, quietly warming wine and drinking alone. A scholar? Surprise flickered in Xu Yuan's gaze. He reflexively glanced around the courtyard, wondering if someone else was present. By then, the man had already set down his wine cup, rising to offer a distant bow toward Xu Yuan at the courtyard entrance. "Third Young Master, no need to look further. I am Yuan Hao." "..." Xu Yuan withdrew his gaze and looked once more at the man in the pavilion. Walking toward it, he remarked, "Commander Yuan's appearance comes as quite a surprise." The delicate-featured man gave a soft laugh. "Because my appearance doesn't match the rumors of my love for slaughter?" "Somewhat." Xu Yuan nodded, stepping into the pavilion to study him. "Rather than a general leading troops, you look more like a scholar from the Hanlin Academy. And what's more... you're far too young."