Intercepting the Herbs

Wutan City's winter wind was like a blade tempered in ice. As it swept through the streets, it howled mournfully, whipping up dead leaves and dust into spirals across the blue-brick courtyard of the Jia Lie Family Mansion. Inside the council hall, the atmosphere was several degrees colder than the winter gale outside—Jia Lie Ao sat in the seat draped with White Tiger Skin, his face as dark as ten thousand year old ice. His fingers clenched an empty Herb Inventory List so tightly that his knuckles had turned white, faint traces of blood showing through. The Celadon Tea Cup on the table had long since gone cold, with a thin layer of icy dregs forming on the tea's surface. Tea stains from where he had previously smashed it still clung to the rim.

"Trash! A bunch of trash!" Jia Lie Ao suddenly hurled the list to the floor. The paper struck the ground with a sharp smack, and his roar seemed to make even the roof tiles Tremble slightly. "Is the Miteer Auction House still refusing to budge? They won't even sell us the lowest-grade Green Leaf Grass? Is that woman Ya Fei determined to help the Xiao Clan?!"

The steward standing below trembled all over, his head lowered so far it nearly touched his chest. His voice shook uncontrollably. "P-Patriarch, we went to the auction house three times in all, but each time, Miss Ya Fei's personal maid stopped us at the door. She said... she said that because we have grievances with the Xiao Clan, the auction house has always remained neutral and does not wish to get involved in the conflict between the two clans. Therefore, they have temporarily suspended herb transactions with us." He paused, secretly glancing at Jia Lie Ao. Seeing that the man's expression had not softened in the slightest, he lowered his voice even further. "We also sent people to purchase herbs from every Pill Shop in the Marketplace, but the merchants all said that ever since the Xiao Family Pill Shop opened, Young Master Xiao Yan had nearly bought out all the low-grade herbs within a hundred li of Wutan City. Even the few scattered herbs left cost thirty percent more than usual, and purchases were limited..."

"Xiao Yan! Xiao Yan again!" Jia Lie Ao's chest Heaved violently in fury. He slammed his palm onto the table, jolting the teacup half an inch into the air. Tea spilled over the White Tiger Skin carpet, leaving dark stains. "Ever since that brat appeared, nothing has gone right for our Jia Lie Family! Our Pill Shop business was stolen, we came out worse in the mine vein conflict, and now we can't even buy herbs! They're driving us into a dead end!" He abruptly rose to his feet, the Jade Pendant at his waist chiming softly as it struck against itself. A desperate, ruthless glint flashed in his eyes. "If Wutan City has none, then go to Black Rock City! Black Rock City is a major transport hub, and its herb market is ten times larger than Wutan City's. Even if we have to pay double, bring the herbs back! I refuse to believe our Jia Lie Family will starve to death without them!"

That afternoon, Jia Lie Ao summoned Guard Captain Jia Lie Hu to the council hall. Jia Lie Hu still looked like an iron tower, and the knife scar on his arm gleamed viciously under the sunlight. Jia Lie Ao took out a heavy Money Pouch from a Secret Compartment and dropped it on the table with a clatter. The crisp sound of Gold Coins colliding was pleasant to the ear, yet carried an oppressive weight. "There are ten thousand Gold Coins here. Take ten elite clan members and depart for Black Rock City immediately. Remember, purchase herbs at any cost—buy as much Green Leaf Grass and Qi Condensing Root as possible. Buy Second-tier Demonic Cores too, at least ten. If you can purchase Third-tier Demonic Cores, bring them back no matter the price! Within five days, you must transport the herbs safely back to Wutan City. If anything goes wrong, don't ever set foot inside the Jia Lie Family Mansion again!"

Jia Lie Hu weighed the Money Pouch in his hand, feeling the weight of the coins within. A confident smile appeared on his face as he patted his chest. "Rest assured, Patriarch! I've traveled the Black Rock City road more than twenty times. I know exactly where the bandits are and where the checkpoints lie! Even if we run into some blind little thieves, I'll beat them until they piss themselves. I'll make sure the herbs return safely!" Not daring to delay, he selected ten burly clan members that very evening, all at Fighter Two Star or above. They drove three empty carriages out of Wutan City under the cover of dusk and Raced away toward Black Rock City.

None of this escaped Xiao Yan's notice. Back when the Jia Lie Family had been driven frantic by their herb shortage, Xiao Yan had already guessed that they might purchase herbs elsewhere. He had specifically arranged for two sharp-witted clansmen to disguise themselves as merchants and keep watch near the Jia Lie Family Mansion day and night. That evening, when they saw Jia Lie Hu leading people out of the city with empty carriages, one of the clansmen immediately slipped back to the Xiao Clan and reported the news to Xiao Yan, who was organizing pills in the Alchemy Workshop.

Xiao Yan was placing freshly refined Qi Gathering Powder into Jade Bottles. At the news, his movements paused, and a Sharp Glint flashed through his eyes. He immediately set down the Jade Bottle and summoned Xiao Cheng. "Cousin, Jia Lie Hu has taken ten elites out of the city. Their carriages are empty, and they're heading toward Black Rock City. They must be going to buy herbs. From Black Rock City to Wutan City, they have to pass through Luofeng Gorge. The mountain path there is narrow, with cliffs dozens of zhang high on both sides and only one passage in the middle wide enough for two carriages to travel side by side. It's the perfect place for an ambush. We'll intercept their herbs and cut off the Jia Lie Family's way out!"

Xiao Cheng hesitated, his brows tightly furrowed. "Brother Xiao Yan, Jia Lie Hu is Fighter Four Stars, and he has ten elites at Fighter Two Star or above under him. The strongest clansman we can mobilize is only Fighter Three Stars. If we clash head-on, I'm afraid we'll be at a disadvantage..."

Xiao Yan smiled and shook his head, confidence shining in his eyes. "We don't need to fight head-on. We'll go to Luofeng Gorge and lie in wait. When they return after buying the herbs, they'll certainly be exhausted, and their vigilance will be lower. Then we'll use Anesthetic Crossbow Bolts to take down a few first and throw them into disarray. I'll Deal with the rest." He turned his attention inward, and Elder Yao's voice sounded at just the right moment, carrying calm calculation. "Kid, there's a hidden cave beneath the western cliff of Luofeng Gorge. The Cave Entrance is concealed by shrubs, so it cannot be seen from outside. It's perfect for hiding. There is also a steep slope in the middle of the gorge. Carriages must slow down when passing through it. That will be the best time to strike. It will keep them from looking after both front and rear, while preventing them from fleeing in their carriages."

"Good! We'll do it that way!" Xiao Yan immediately made arrangements. "Cousin, take five clansmen, twenty Anesthetic Crossbow Bolts, and ropes. Set out tomorrow morning and head to the cave in Luofeng Gorge first. Set up the crossbows and be ready to act at any time. I'll arrive afterward, and we'll meet at the cave. Remember, don't expose your identities on the way. Pretend you're merchants doing business in Black Rock City. Don't alert them. Wait for my signal before acting."

Early the next morning, when the sky had only begun to brighten, Xiao Cheng led five clansmen out with crossbows wrapped in oilcloth on their backs. Driving a carriage loaded with a small amount of cloth, they headed leisurely toward Luofeng Gorge. The carriage creaked along the rugged mountain road, mingling with the carriages of other merchants without attracting the slightest attention. Xiao Yan, meanwhile, changed into fitted black clothes suitable for movement, hid the Mysterious Iron Ruler in a cloth case on his back, and used Windwalk Steps alone. Dou Qi circulated beneath his feet as his figure flitted like a ghost through the forest, silently following behind from a considerable distance.

Luofeng Gorge was indeed as Elder Yao had described, with extremely treacherous terrain. The cliffs on either side looked as though they had been cleaved apart by a giant axe, steep to the point of near verticality. A few hardy shrubs occasionally rooted themselves in the cliff faces and swayed gently in the wind. The passage between them was narrow and winding, its uneven surface covered in loose stones and wheel ruts. Any carriage traveling across it had to proceed with utmost care. Xiao Cheng led the clansmen to the hidden cave. It was not large, only just able to hold six people, while the shrubs at its entrance grew so densely that from outside, it looked like an ordinary stretch of cliff wall. They hid inside and stared fixedly through gaps in the shrubs toward the gorge entrance, scarcely daring to breathe.

Day after day passed. By the evening of the third day, the setting sun's afterglow spilled over the gorge walls, dyeing the rocks a warm orange-red. Then, the rumble of carriage wheels came from afar, accompanied by Jia Lie Hu's rough laughter, Clearly Audible to everyone. Xiao Cheng quickly signaled the clansmen to keep quiet and gripped his crossbow tightly. Jia Lie Hu was leading ten clan members into the gorge with three carriages loaded with herbs. Green Leaf Grass and Qi Condensing Root were neatly wrapped in burlap, piled as high as small hills. The burlap had been stretched taut, revealing the outlines of the herbs within. The Second-tier Demonic Cores were stored in velvet-lined wooden boxes fixed in the most conspicuous spots on the carriages. The Jia Lie Family crest was even stamped on top, clearly because they feared theft.

Jia Lie Hu had clearly never expected an ambush. He chatted and laughed with his subordinates as they traveled, his booming voice echoing through the gorge. "This time in Black Rock City, we spent eight thousand Gold Coins to buy so many herbs! We got fifty baskets of Green Leaf Grass alone, thirty bundles of Qi Condensing Root, and fifteen Second-tier Demonic Cores—more than the Patriarch asked for! Once we get back to Wutan City, the Patriarch will definitely reward us with fine wine and meat. Once we refine the pills, we'll crush the Xiao Family Pill Shop and let that brat Xiao Yan know who truly rules Wutan City!"

His subordinates all chimed in, smug smiles on their faces, utterly unaware of the danger drawing near. When the carriages reached the steep slope in the middle of the gorge, their speed indeed slowed. The wheels crushed over loose stones with repeated cracking sounds. Jia Lie Hu personally led the way at the front, occasionally turning back to remind them, "Be careful! This slope is slippery. Tighten the reins and don't let the carriages overturn. These herbs are worth a fortune!"

At that moment, Xiao Yan sprang from behind the boulder where he had been hiding like a leopard. His figure traced a Graceful arc through the air, and the Mysterious Iron Ruler in his hand tore through the air with a fierce Howling wind. With a bang, it smashed heavily into the left wheel of the foremost carriage. A sharp crack rang out as the wheel's spokes shattered instantly. The wheel warped, the carriage lost its balance, and it tipped to one side before overturning with a crash. Green Leaf Grass scattered everywhere, some rolling toward the cliff edge and nearly falling into the valley below.

"Who?!" Jia Lie Hu was Both shocked and furious. He Pulled out the Short Blade at his waist, its surface gleaming with an icy chill beneath the setting sun. He looked around warily and shouted, "Come out! Stop hiding like cowards! If you've got the guts, come out and fight me openly!"

Xiao Yan slowly emerged from beside the carriage, a cold sneer curling at the corner of his mouth. His gaze swept across the panicked Jia Lie Family members. "Jia Lie Hu, it's been a while. Your Jia Lie Family couldn't buy herbs in Wutan City, so you ran to Black Rock City and paid exorbitant prices to be taken for fools. You people have worked hard. But you won't be taking these herbs back to Wutan City."

When Jia Lie Hu saw that it was Xiao Yan, a trace of fear flashed through his eyes. During the Medicine Interception Incident, he had personally witnessed Xiao Yan's strength. But remembering that he had ten men while Xiao Yan was alone, he gathered his courage and roared, "Xiao Yan! You dare block our Jia Lie Family herb convoy? You've got some nerve! Brothers, get him! Take this brat down and let him learn the might of our Jia Lie Family!" With a wave of his hand, the ten clan members immediately Pulled out their Short Blades and closed in on Xiao Yan in a semicircle, Trapping him in the middle.

"Move!" Xiao Yan shouted, his voice booming through the gorge like thunder. It was the signal for Xiao Cheng and the others.

The moment his words fell, Xiao Cheng and the five clansmen in the cave raised their crossbows and pulled the triggers. More than a dozen bolts shot out like meteors leaving their strings, ripping through the air as they Shot towards the Jia Lie Family members. The Jia Lie Family men were completely unprepared. They were still staring at Xiao Yan and had not noticed the ambush by the cliffside at all. "Ah!" "Thud!" Several screams and the sounds of bodies falling rang out in succession. The three clan members closest to the cliff were hit by the bolts On the spot. The anesthetic took effect instantly, their bodies went limp, and they collapsed unconscious to the ground. Their Short Blades clattered from their hands.

The remaining seven clan members turned pale with fright and raised their shields to block the bolts. For a moment, their formation fell into chaos, opening a gap in the encirclement. Xiao Yan seized the chance, darting through the crowd like a ghost. The Mysterious Iron Ruler whirled Air-tight, accompanied by Howling wind as it struck at his enemies. One clan member had just raised his blade to slash at Xiao Yan when Xiao Yan sidestepped the attack and swung the ruler backhandedly into his wrist. A crack sounded, the fracture of bone Clearly Audible. The clansman screamed as his Short Blade fell to the ground, and he rolled around clutching his wrist. Another clansman tried to sneak up from behind, but Xiao Yan seemed to have eyes in the back of his head. He spun abruptly and kicked the man in the chest. The clansman Flew Backwards like a Kite with a broken string, slammed into the cliff wall, began Spitting Blood, and passed out.

Seeing this, Jia Lie Hu's eyes nearly split with rage. Roaring, he charged forward, his Short Blade flashing fiercely as he stabbed straight at Xiao Yan's chest. The blade wind carried fierce Dou Qi; he clearly intended to kill. "Brat, I'll Go all out against you!" As a Fighter Four Stars, his Dou Qi was more abundant than Xiao Yan's, and his moves were more vicious than those of ordinary clan members. But Xiao Yan's movement technique was far more agile. With a light tap of his foot, Xiao Yan drifted backward Several feet like a willow catkin, easily evading the blade. Then, he swung the Mysterious Iron Ruler upward from below, its surging Dou Qi smashing heavily into Jia Lie Hu's knee.

"Ah—!" Jia Lie Hu let out a Heart-rending scream as piercing agony exploded from his knee. Looking down, he saw that it had visibly deformed. Blood seeped through his trouser leg and stained the ground red. His Legs gave out, and he Kneeled on the Ground with a thud. His face turned Pale as Paper, cold sweat beaded densely across his forehead, and his entire body Trembled slightly. He could no longer stand.

The remaining four Jia Lie Family members saw their captain defeated and their other companions either knocked unconscious or brought down. Their fighting spirit was long gone. They looked at one another, threw down their Short Blades, and turned to run toward the gorge exit. Xiao Cheng led the clansmen charging out from the cave, blocking their way. Their crossbows were aimed at the fleeing men. "Trying to run? Leave the herbs behind, or we'll throw you into the bottom of the gorge to feed the magical beasts!" The clan members were so frightened that their Legs went limp. They raised their hands one after another, not daring to move another inch.

Xiao Yan walked up to Jia Lie Hu and looked down from above at him, his eyes cold. "Jia Lie Hu, leave the herbs behind, and I can let you go. If you refuse, every one of you will remain in Luofeng Gorge today."

Jia Lie Hu gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with venom. Yet he knew he was no match for Xiao Yan and could only say bitterly, "Xiao Yan, just you wait! The Jia Lie Family will never let you off! We'll settle this debt sooner or later!"

Xiao Yan could not be bothered to waste words with him. He waved a hand and signaled Xiao Cheng. "Move the herbs onto our carriage. Leave them two empty carriages and let them crawl back to Wutan City themselves."

Xiao Cheng and the clansmen immediately got to work, scrambling to move the herbs from Jia Lie Hu's carriages onto their own. The Green Leaf Grass and Qi Condensing Root filled two large carriages to the brim, while the wooden boxes of Second-tier Demonic Cores were carefully moved over as well. When they opened them, there were fifteen Demonic Cores inside—five more than Jia Lie Ao had requested. Once the herbs were moved, Xiao Yan kicked over Jia Lie Hu's empty carriage. Looking at Jia Lie Hu and the others' wretched state, he led Xiao Cheng and the clansmen away from Luofeng Gorge with the herb-laden carriages in a grand procession. Jia Lie Hu and the others were left behind, trembling with rage yet utterly powerless.

When Jia Lie Hu returned to the Jia Lie Family with four clan members and two empty carriages, limping every step of the way, it was already the morning of the fourth day. Jia Lie Ao had been anxiously waiting in the courtyard for a long time, pacing back and forth. When he saw the empty carriages return, his heart skipped a beat, and an ominous feeling surged within him. He rushed forward, grabbed Jia Lie Hu by the collar, and glared at him with eyes vicious enough to devour someone. "Where are the herbs? Where are the herbs I told you to buy?! Ten thousand Gold Coins, and you brought me back two empty carriages?!"

Jia Lie Hu lowered his head, his voice hoarse and powerless as he recounted the attack at Luofeng Gorge in full, including how Xiao Yan had broken his knee and intercepted the herbs. When Jia Lie Ao finished listening, his vision went dark. His body swayed, and he nearly collapsed, only for an elder beside him to catch him in time. He pointed at Jia Lie Hu, so furious that he could not speak. After a long while, he finally forced out a sentence. "You... you're truly useless! A Fighter Four Stars leading ten elites, yet you couldn't even protect one shipment of herbs! You've disgraced our Jia Lie Family beyond measure!" He abruptly let go. Jia Lie Hu staggered back several steps before heavily Kneeled on the Ground, his face filled with despair.

Jia Lie Ao stared at the empty carriages. He thought of the clan's younger members being unable to improve their strength without pills, the Pill Shop shutting down completely without herbs, and the mine vein still awaiting pill supplies. A profound sense of helplessness welled up within him. He knew that after Xiao Yan intercepted their herbs, the Jia Lie Family had not only lost ten thousand Gold Coins but also missed the best opportunity to refine pills. Meanwhile, the Xiao Clan could use this batch of herbs to further expand the Xiao Family Pill Shop's business and secure its position in Wutan City. The gap between the Jia Lie Family and the Xiao Clan had widened by another great margin.

At that moment, however, the Xiao Clan was filled with celebration. When Xiao Yan returned to the Alchemy Workshop with two carriages full of herbs, Xiao Cheng and the clansmen could not help cheering. In the open space outside the Alchemy Workshop, Green Leaf Grass and Qi Condensing Root were neatly stacked into small mountains, while the wooden boxes of Second-tier Demonic Cores sat to one side, faintly gleaming beneath the sunlight.

Xiao Zhan hurried over after hearing the news. Looking at the mountain of herbs before him and then at Xiao Yan, his eyes reddened with excitement. He heavily patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder. "Yan'er, you're incredible! Not only did you intercept the Jia Lie Family's herbs, but you didn't let any of our clansmen get hurt. This time, the Jia Lie Family is completely out of options! With these herbs, our Alchemy Workshop can refine pills at full capacity. Before long, the Xiao Clan will become the foremost clan in Wutan City!"

Xiao Yan smiled and shook his head, determination shining in his eyes. "This is only the beginning. With this batch of herbs, we can mass-produce Qi Gathering Powder and Clear Spirit Pills. Not only can we meet the cultivation needs of our clan members, but we can also send them to the Miteer Auction House for auction, further expanding our sales. The Xiao Clan's pills will completely dominate Wutan City's market and let everyone know that the Xiao Clan is not to be bullied!"

Within his mind, Elder Yao's voice carried a pleased laugh. "Kid, well done. This interception cut off the Jia Lie Family's way out while giving the Xiao Clan a boost. Two birds with one stone. But Jia Lie Ao definitely won't let this go. You must be more careful in the future. Next, use these herbs to refine pills properly and raise your strength. Let the Xiao Clan's name stand firmly in Wutan City!"

Xiao Yan nodded firmly, turned, and walked into the Alchemy Workshop. He ignited the flame beneath the Medicine Cauldron. Pale blue fire danced at its base, illuminating the warehouse full of herbs and the hope of the Xiao Clan's revival. As for the Jia Lie Family's despair and resentment, they were merely another obstacle crushed beneath his path to rise. In the future, he would refine pills of even higher grades and lead the Xiao Clan toward a broader world.