Pledge of Allegiance

The night wind carried a chill, sweeping up the dead leaves on the ground.

Outside the Stone House, the atmosphere was taut as drawn bows.

Yan Kui stood in the doorway like an iron tower, his shadow completely engulfing Zhao Rong.

"What if I don't let you search?"

The moment those words fell, the air around them seemed to freeze solid.

The dozen or so Guards behind Zhao Rong drew their sabers in unison, their cold gleams flickering beneath the torchlight.

The fake smile on Zhao Rong's face vanished completely, replaced by a trace of viciousness.

"Warrior Yan, this is the Zhao Family."

Zhao Rong's voice turned shrill. "You may have some Brute Force, but if you think you can Act Wild here, I'm afraid you've miscalculated. I advise you to know what's good for you and step aside!"

He was not certain whether the murderer was Yan Kui.

But as the steward in charge of external affairs, he had a duty to eliminate any uncontrollable, unstable factor. Especially someone like Yan Kui, whose origins were unknown and whose strength was absurdly powerful.

Using a search as a pretext to intimidate or even eliminate him was Zhao Rong's usual method.

"Know what's good for me?"

Yan Kui suddenly laughed.

That smile was somewhat savage, made especially chilling by the firelight.

"I'll give Steward Zhao some advice too. Some doors, once opened, cost lives."

"How presumptuous!"

Zhao Rong flew into a rage. "Get him! Take down this madman! If he dares resist, kill him without mercy!"

"Kill!"

The dozen or so Guards roared and charged forward with their sabers raised.

Though these Guards were also Half-Corpse People, they were clearly far more elite than the little lackeys who had been seizing people earlier. Their movements were perfectly coordinated, their saber techniques fierce and sharp. They had obviously received rigorous training.

However.

Before absolute power, every technique was nothing but flashy frippery.

Yan Kui did not move at all. He merely drew in a deep breath.

The Blood Qi within his body instantly boiled, and a faint layer of red light surfaced over his black skin.

Just as the first saber was about to strike his shoulder.

A crisp clang rang out.

The refined steel saber struck him as though it had hit solid rock, sending sparks flying in all directions.

The Guard felt his palm shake violently. Before he could react, a terrifying rebounding force traveled back along the blade.

"Argh!"

He screamed as the web between his thumb and forefinger split open, and his saber flew from his grip.

And that was only the beginning.

Yan Kui finally moved.

He stretched out both hands, using no technique at all, simply striking left and right as though swatting flies.

Smack! Smack!

The two nearly overlapping cracks exploded like thunder!

The two Guards at the front did not even see Yan Kui move. They only felt a mountain-toppling, sea-overturning force lash across their faces.

Their necks let out scalp-numbing cracks. Their cervical vertebrae shattered instantly, their heads twisting a grotesque three hundred and sixty degrees atop their necks. Their faces turned backward, and the ferocity had not yet faded from their eyes before they were dead beyond death. Like two torn sacks, they flew sideways and smashed heavily into the wall, shaking dust all over the ground.

"What?!"

Zhao Rong's pupils contracted sharply.

Impervious to blades and spears?

He knew Yan Kui was strong, but he had never imagined his defenses were this monstrous! Even the full-force strikes of elite Guards could not break through his defense?

"Form up! Use the Soul Locking Net!"

Zhao Rong shouted sharply.

The remaining Guards swiftly scattered and pulled black fishing nets from their waists. The nets were covered in barbs and talismans, giving off a fishy stench.

This was a weapon the Zhao Family specially used against body-tempering experts. Once someone was caught within it, the barbs would sink into flesh and the talismans would suppress their Blood Qi. Even a peak Bone Refining Realm expert would meet a bitter end.

"A net?"

Yan Kui snorted disdainfully.

Just as those huge nets were about to descend.

The ground beneath Yan Kui's feet suddenly exploded.

He shot forward like a black cannonball, instantly smashing through the encirclement and appearing directly before Zhao Rong.

To capture bandits, first capture their king!

"Y-you..."

Zhao Rong's face drained of color. He tried to retreat, but it was already too late.

A massive hand like an iron pincer clamped around his throat and lifted his entire body into the air.

"Stop!"

"Release the Steward!"

The surrounding Guards were afraid of damaging the vessel for the sake of the rat, and did not dare move again.

Zhao Rong's feet dangled above the ground as he struggled desperately, his face swelling to the color of pig liver. His neck felt as though an iron hoop had locked around it, ready to snap at any moment.

"Yan... Warrior Yan... let's... talk..."

He squeezed out the words with difficulty. The viciousness in his eyes had long since turned to terror.

Yan Kui looked at him coldly, but did not crush him to death immediately.

Killing Zhao Rong would be easy.

But killing Zhao Rong would certainly bring the full-scale encirclement of the Zhao Family High Ranks. With his current strength, he was not afraid, but escaping unscathed with the burden of Lin Xiaowan would not be easy.

More importantly, he had yet to ascertain the depths of the Zhao Family Ancestor.

"Steward Zhao, I already told you. Some doors, once opened, lead to death."

Yan Kui leaned close to Zhao Rong's face, his voice low as a devil's whisper. "Do you believe me now?"

"I... I believe you..." Zhao Rong nodded frantically.

"Very good."

Yan Kui loosened his grip slightly, allowing Zhao Rong to catch his breath.

"I hate trouble more than anything. You brought people in the dead of night to search my room. That makes me very unhappy."

"I... I was presumptuous..." Zhao Rong gasped for air. "I'll take my people and leave right now... right away..."

"Leave? Just like that?"

Yan Kui sneered. "What about those Guards who died just now?"

Zhao Rong froze, then immediately understood. "They were simply inferior in skill! They deserved to die! This has nothing to do with you, Warrior! When I return, I'll say they were attacked by Walking Corpses!"

"Clever."

Yan Kui patted Zhao Rong's greasy cheek. "Also, there really is someone hidden in my room."

Zhao Rong's heart jolted.

So it was true!

But how could he dare ask more now? He could only play dumb. "N-no... there's no one... there's nothing at all in your room, Warrior..."

"No. There is someone."

Yan Kui admitted it unexpectedly.

He turned and glanced at the Stone House. "Bring her out."

The door to the Stone House was pushed open.

Lin Xiaowan emerged trembling. She kept her head lowered, not daring to look at the fierce-looking Guards around her.

When Zhao Rong saw Lin Xiaowan, his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

Wasn't this the Medicinal Ingredient who had gone missing earlier?

So Yan Kui had intercepted her!

"This..." Cold sweat poured down Zhao Rong's forehead. This was someone the Ancestor had personally named!

"Steward Zhao, I heard your family's Ancestor is looking for an 'Extreme Yin Body'?"

Yan Kui looked at Zhao Rong with a smile that was not quite a smile.

Zhao Rong swallowed, unable to tell what medicine Yan Kui was selling from his gourd.

"Y-yes..."

"Perfect. I happened to capture one earlier."

Yan Kui pointed at Lin Xiaowan. "I originally intended to keep her for my own enjoyment, but since Steward Zhao wants her so badly, I'll give her to the Zhao Family as my Pledge of Allegiance."

"W-what?!"

Not only Zhao Rong, but even Lin Xiaowan abruptly raised her head and stared at Yan Kui in disbelief.

Her eyes were filled with despair and the fury of betrayal.

"Warrior... you mean... you're giving her to us?" Zhao Rong thought he had heard wrong.

"What? You don't want her?" Yan Kui raised an eyebrow and made as though to tighten his fingers again.

"Yes! Yes! Of course we want her!"

Zhao Rong was overjoyed.

If he could bring this Medicinal Ingredient back, not only would he be free of blame, he would even be rewarded! As for a few dead Guards? What the hell did that matter!

"However..."

Yan Kui's tone shifted. "I have one condition."

"Please speak, Warrior!"

"I want to meet your family's Ancestor. I have something more important to offer him."

Yan Kui pulled out a silver note from his robes and stuffed it into Zhao Rong's collar.

This display of favor and intimidation completely left Zhao Rong at a loss.

He had demonstrated his strength, given Zhao Rong enough face, and had even voluntarily presented a Pledge of Allegiance. What Brute was this? He was clearly a seasoned old hand!

"Good! Good! Good!"

Zhao Rong agreed repeatedly. "Warrior, you truly are a man meant for great things! I'll report this to the Family Head at once!"

Yan Kui released his hand and set Zhao Rong down.

"Take your people and go."

He waved a hand as though chasing flies.

Zhao Rong clutched his neck and coughed several times before waving at his subordinates. "What are you standing around for? Take that woman away! Withdraw!"

Several Guards stepped forward and roughly seized Lin Xiaowan.

Lin Xiaowan stared fixedly at Yan Kui. There was no longer fear in her eyes, only deep hatred.

"Liar... devil..."

She cursed through gritted teeth.

Yan Kui remained expressionless. He did not even glance at her, allowing her to be taken away.

Only after Zhao Rong and his group had completely vanished into the night.

Did Yan Kui turn and return to the Stone House, closing the door behind him.

"Huff..."

He let out a breath of foul air.

This move had been extremely risky.

But he had to do it.

If he did not hand over Lin Xiaowan, the Zhao Family would absolutely refuse to let the matter rest. A bloody battle would surely erupt tonight.

But by handing over Lin Xiaowan, he could not only resolve the crisis, but also gain an opportunity to approach the Zhao Family's core.

As for Lin Xiaowan...

"Don't rush."

Yan Kui looked at his palm.

When he had brought Lin Xiaowan out earlier, he had secretly stuck a Tracking Talisman, looted from the Black Tiger Gang's Treasure Vault, onto her back.

Moreover, he had planted a thread of unique aura from the Body Nourishing Technique within Lin Xiaowan's body.

"Aren't you an Extreme Yin Body? Then you can help me probe that old monster's true strength."

Yan Kui's eyes were cold as ice.

In this world, if one wanted to survive, if one wanted to win, there could be no womanly softness.

Use every resource that could be used.

Deep within the inner courtyard of the Zhao Family Mansion.

Inside a vast underground secret chamber.

The surrounding walls were covered with ever-burning lamps, but their light was a ghastly green.

At the center of the chamber was an enormous Blood Pool. Dark red liquid churned within it, giving off a sickeningly sweet, bloody stench.

Above the Blood Pool floated a black bead the size of a fist.

It was the Corpse Pill!

Beside the Blood Pool sat a withered old man in meditation. His sparse white hair hung over skin cracked like tree bark. His eyes were shut, and an aura of decay radiated from his body.

This was the Zhao Family Ancestor, Zhao Wuji.

"Ancestor, the Medicinal Ingredient has been brought."

Zhao Rong's respectful voice came from outside the secret chamber.

Zhao Wuji abruptly opened his eyes. His pupils were pitch-black, without even a trace of white.

"Bring her in."

His voice was hoarse, like two bones grinding against each other.

The stone door opened.

Lin Xiaowan, bound hand and foot, was shoved inside.

When she saw the terrifying Blood Pool and the old man who looked like a Fierce Ghost, she was so frightened that she could not even scream, collapsing limply to the ground.

"Heh heh heh... just as expected, an Extreme Yin Body..."

Zhao Wuji stared greedily at Lin Xiaowan and took a deep breath, as though he had caught the scent of some peerless delicacy.

"With your blood, and that Corpse Pill besides, this old man can achieve Foundation Establishment!"

At that moment, Zhao Rong hesitated before saying, "Ancestor, the one who delivered this girl was a Rogue Cultivator named Yan Kui. He is quite formidable and seems to wish to join the Zhao Family. He also said... he has something even more important to offer you."

"Oh?"

Zhao Wuji narrowed his eyes. "Yan Kui? Interesting..."

"Since he wishes to join us, have him come see me tomorrow. As it happens, the Blood Sacrifice Grand Array still needs several protectors."

"Yes."

Zhao Rong withdrew.

Zhao Wuji looked at Lin Xiaowan on the ground but did not act at once.

"No rush... Tomorrow night, on the Full Moon Night, when Yin Energy is at its strongest, will be the best time."

With a wave of his hand, he sent out a stream of black qi that knocked Lin Xiaowan unconscious, then tossed her into an Iron Cage beside the Blood Pool.

Inside that cage were dozens of vacant-eyed young men and women.

Within the Stone House.

Yan Kui sensed the location of that faint aura, and a cold smile curled across his lips.

"Sure enough, it's underground."

"Tomorrow night, the Full Moon Night?"

"Perfect. That will be the time for my harvest as well."

He closed his eyes and began circulating the Body Nourishing Technique with all his strength, adjusting himself to his absolute peak.