A thin, fragrant mist thick with the stench of blood spread through the air, while blossoms of blood bloomed across the ground.
The illusory Spirit-Transforming Needle flashed and struck Duan Wuxin. In an instant, it stirred a surging tide of spiritual power in his mind, shattering his consciousness into fragments.
"Guh... ngh..."
Veins bulged across Duan Wuxin's forehead, his expression twisted into a ferocious grimace. Violent spiritual power rampaged through his mind, and blood poured nonstop from his eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. The sight was horrifying.
"Fifth Grade Martial Art, Thousand River Moon Reflection Sword!"
Greater Yin True Essence surged through Lin Yiqing's body. The Refined Iron Sword in his hand erupted in a brilliant silver light, then came down on his opponent with the force of a thousand jin.
Duan Wuxin's face turned from red to purple. Roaring filled his mind, and the world seemed to turn upside down. It felt as if his entire head had exploded with his consciousness, scattering like dust.
Blood blurred his vision. Through the haze, he could just make out a streak of white light shining...
"Shhk!"
Blood gushed from his headless neck, while Duan Wuxin's head, eyes wide, rolled heavily to the ground. Its impact struck the hearts of everyone present just as hard.
"We... won!" "We're saved!"
The people in the caravan stared blankly for a moment, then began talking in disbelief.
"Phew!"
At last, Lin Yiqing could no longer hold back a relieved breath. Victory was often decided in a split second, and only now did he dare let his nerves ease a little.
"Hiss, what a little monster. At such a young age, he actually fought and killed a Lesser Origin Pellet Realm expert with the strength of the Late Earth Yuan Stage!"
Old Smoke Ghost drew a sharp breath, unable to hide the shock in his eyes as he looked at Lin Yiqing.
"Retreat! Retreat!"
Seeing this, the black-clad men on the nearby battlefield hurriedly called to their comrades and fled into the woods. Duan Wuxin was dead, and their morale had collapsed. The rest were no longer a threat.
"Uncle Tie!"
A gash ran from Tie Hu's chest to his waist, nearly splitting him open. Blood poured from the wound, soaking the ground beneath him.
Lin Yiqing hurried to Tie Hu's side. Seeing how serious the injury was, he immediately panicked. Killing someone was easy, but saving one was a hundred times harder.
"It's all right. He's still breathing. Let me take care of him!"
Steward Xia said as he stumbled over to Lin Yiqing. After this battle, he held the boy in even greater awe. A person like him was destined to become one of the brightest stars beneath the heavens.
The Wanjin Chamber of Commerce caravan had several medicine masters on hand to treat any poisoning or injuries that might occur. Once the battle ended, they hurried to bandage and treat the wounded.
Seeing the medicine masters carry Tie Hu away, Lin Yiqing felt much more at ease. Tie Hu was a good man, and he did not want to see him die.
"Steward Xia, the supplies... More than half the supplies are gone."
Just then, a capable-looking guard, wounded and bloodied, came over to report. The battle had been extraordinarily fierce, and both sides had suffered heavy losses.
No one had paid attention to the supplies during the fighting. Now that they were counting them, they found that a great deal was missing.
"Hmph! Blood Sword Hall, we'll remember this grudge. Once we're back in Yan City, we'll settle the score!"
Steward Xia's face flushed red. He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth as he spoke.
"Forget the goods that aren't worth much. Let's rest, then continue on to Wuling City!"
At that, Lin Yiqing fell into thought. It seemed the caravan had been split into two groups, one traveling openly and the other in secret, to transport the goods. He just didn't know where the hidden group was.
"No, maybe it's him..."
Lin Yiqing glanced discreetly at Old Smoke Ghost. In such a fierce battle, the man had barely been injured. He'd spent the whole fight sitting on the sidelines, doing little more than stirring the pot.
Moreover, he had been mysterious from the very beginning. It was entirely possible he was carrying a large quantity of valuable goods and had kept it secret to avoid word getting out.
Thinking back over the whole battle, Old Smoke Ghost had taken part, but most of the time he had just played both sides and gone through the motions. And the man was clearly a powerful expert who cultivated both Yuan Power and spiritual power.
Then the means of transport... was the Universe Bag!
As if he'd sensed Lin Yiqing's gaze, Old Smoke Ghost looked up and met his eyes. A kind smile appeared on his wrinkled face.
"This man really is unfathomable."
Lin Yiqing gave Old Smoke Ghost a long look. He decided to leave it at that. There was no need to invite trouble.
All he wanted now was to complete his task properly and collect the reward that belonged to him.
Then Lin Yiqing went to rest beneath a tree. This battle had brought him great benefits, and he wanted to take the time to absorb them. He had become more adept at using his spiritual power, and his combat experience had grown considerably.
"In a little while, I'll be able to try breaking through to the Heavenly Yuan Stage."
Feeling the unusual activity of his Greater Yin True Essence, Lin Yiqing thought to himself.
Absorbing Greater Yin Qi had nearly pushed him straight through to the Heavenly Yuan Stage, so he had spent this time suppressing his cultivation, afraid that advancing too quickly would leave his foundation unstable.
Now, though, he no longer needed to worry. After all this tempering, his Yuan Power obeyed him like an extension of his own body.
Perhaps they had received word in advance, but the Wuling City Chamber of Commerce manager came out of the city early to receive the supplies. Lin Yiqing returned safely to Yan City with Steward Xia and the others.
The only one missing on the way back was Old Smoke Ghost. That confirmed Lin Yiqing's suspicion: the man really was the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce's true secret courier!
"Little friend Lin, why not stay at my residence a while longer?"
Steward Xia was a little surprised when Lin Yiqing came to say goodbye. He hadn't expected him to leave just after they had settled his payment.
"No, I didn't get to explore Yan City properly last time. I'd like to look around and see what it's like first."
Lin Yiqing waved a hand. Steward Xia had already seen to Tie Hu and the others, so there was nothing else for him to worry about. He planned to find out whether Yan City had any places where he could continue growing stronger.
"Your talent is the finest I've ever seen. I plan to recommend you to the president as a manager of the Chamber of Commerce. What do you think?"
Seeing that Lin Yiqing was about to leave, Steward Xia hurriedly asked. If a genius like him joined the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce, the benefits to the organization would be beyond measure.
Lin Yiqing gave a small smile and shook his head, then cupped his fists. "Thank you for the offer, Steward Xia, but I've always been used to wandering. For now, I have no plans in that regard."
"Alas, in that case, I won't try to keep you. This is a small token of my gratitude. I hope you'll accept it."
Seeing that he couldn't persuade Lin Yiqing to stay, Steward Xia sighed. If the boy joined their Chamber of Commerce, then a few years from now, the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce might well rule all of Yan City.
Then he took out a golden token and a Universe Bag from his robes and handed them to Lin Yiqing.
The golden token was antique and imposing, its surface covered in cloud patterns, with the words "Wanjin Chamber of Commerce" engraved on it. Lin Yiqing didn't refuse. After taking a quick look, he put it into his Universe Bag.
"The Wanjin Chamber of Commerce will always be your friend. Whatever you need, little friend, just ask. If there's anything we can do, the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce won't hesitate to help!"
Looking at Lin Yiqing's still-youthful face, Steward Xia spoke solemnly.
"Heh, then thank you for your kindness, Steward Xia. I'll be in Yan City for a while, so I may have to trouble you again."
Lin Yiqing smiled and cupped his fists in salute. Then, carrying the Refined Iron Dagger, he headed into the city.
"Farewell!"
Before you continue