In the Heart, Also at One's Side

Boom!

The surging air current was overwhelming, giving Tiger Walker an almost irresistible feeling. The strong wind hit his face, and he was startled. He reacted immediately, kicking his feet repeatedly and dashing backward, barely dodging the attack of the air current.

Compared to the Tiger Walker, who had achieved mastery of martial arts, Huang Yan's physique was only average. In addition, he was injured and his legs were even more unsteady. He only had time to let out a cry of surprise and throw away his crutch before he was completely enveloped by the shockwave. He couldn't utter a single word of what he had prepared in his heart.

Whew! Whew! Whew!

The air currents were like the wind, with force following, transforming into a pillar of air vortex that enveloped Huang Yan. The surrounding broken leaves were pulled and gathered into it, and mud and sand flew everywhere. The branches, leaves and mud, green and yellow-brown, turned into a curtain.

Enveloped in this mist, even with Tiger Walker's keen eyesight, he could hardly see what was happening inside the vortex. He could only assume that Huang Yan had been murdered, and his heart trembled.

"Mr. Qiu, we came here with no ill intentions, why did you suddenly resort to such cruelty?"

Tiger Walker retreated several steps and roared. His injuries had not fully healed, but he was still full of energy. When he spoke, his muscles and skin trembled and vibrated, making his voice loud and clear!

This is a sonic attack technique used by Tiger Walker to disperse the vortex. However, when the Cultivation Method is activated and the airflow is like a sword, it hits the vortex but is like a mud ox entering the sea, without causing the slightest ripple.

"This..."

Only then did Tiger Walker realize that he had underestimated Qiu Yan. The opponent's skill was far beyond his ability to deal with, and he immediately had the intention to retreat.

At this moment, Qiu Yan spoke up, "You say you have no ill intentions towards me, but I have no connection with you. Why would you harbor such malicious intent? For no reason at all, just for your own mountain stronghold, you're going to cause others to leave their homes, even to have their families destroyed. You must know the true nature of such behavior. You'd better think twice..."

"Huh? How did he know our plans?"

Tiger Walker was taken aback by these words, but before he could ask any questions, a gust of wind rose from the flat ground ahead, and the solid ground beneath his feet suddenly turned muddy, pulling him to the spot!

"Hey! Don't think I, the Pilgrim, am easy to bully!"

As the wind howled, the Tiger Walker's ferocity was unleashed. He roared like a tiger or leopard, his two thick arms swinging violently. His forearms collided together, producing a metallic clang. With a flick of his wrist, something shot out from his sleeve!

Buzz!

The object whistled through the air with a muffled sound, and the air along its path was compressed together by the impact, forming a solid, dark mass. In the blink of an eye, it reached Qiu Yan and unleashed an aura that seemed capable of smashing his head to pieces!

It was just a piece of iron!

This iron-throwing technique has a name: "Iron-Throwing Perfect Circle Hand." It is Tiger Walker's signature skill, which trains the strength and power of the wrist and fingers. He constantly holds and manipulates iron balls made of refined steel in his hands, circulating his energy. Over the decades, he has broken countless iron balls, developing a unique skill in using Refined Steel Essence Qi.

This skill, after refining the power of Power Soul, Qi Soul, Essence Soul, and Heroic Soul, and incorporating Divine Ability power, is even more astonishing in its power. Ordinary ghosts and monsters are no match for it. Even a tiger demon with hundreds of years of cultivation died at its hands, becoming the Tiger Walker's meal after its death, thus fulfilling his fearsome reputation.

In this critical moment, he unleashed his potential and attacked in a fit of rage. As he reached Qiu Yan, he compressed the air into something like a sharp sword. Before the iron pellet even arrived, the shockwave rushed over, making Qiu Yan's clothes flutter loudly.

"Even if I die, I'll take someone down with me!" Tiger Walker's eyes widened, revealing his ruthlessness. But before he was swallowed by the gale, he saw Hu Qi next to Qiu Yan shudder. His bones collided and stretched, and he rose higher and higher. He stretched out an arm, which grew longer and higher, and grabbed the iron ball that flew in front of Qiu Yan!

Crackling! Crackling! Crackling!

The force and True Qi on the iron ball erupted, resounding in Hu Qi's hand. A visible ring of energy spread out, seemingly trying to completely shatter this fleshy hand, but ultimately failed and instead began to subside.

Hu Qi retrieved the iron ball as easily as a monkey picking peaches.

This scene froze in Tiger Walker's eyes, leaving him utterly horrified.

"This person, standing beside Qiu Yan, dressed as a servant, how could he possibly catch my full-force throw? This iron ball was launched with immense mental and physical strength; even for myself, catching it so easily would be difficult. This person..."

To his astonishment, the gale expanded, engulfing him entirely, transforming him into a cyclone that swept up surrounding dry branches, broken leaves, and mud, fixing him in place.

Snap!

At the same time, Hu Qi finally calmed the iron ball that was jumping around in his hand, but his palm was red and swollen, and in many small places, the skin and flesh showed signs of abrasion.

"This person has at least the cultivation of the Central Pivot Soul, and the force of his throw was truly considerable." Hu Qi a deep breath, focused his mind on his palm, controlled his flesh and blood, and his Qi and Blood and qi surged forth, turning his palm bright red in an instant, and the broken skin and injuries healed rapidly.

With that, he threw the iron ball in his hand. The ball landed on the ground, making a sizzling sound and emitting blue smoke.

"Young Master, what do you plan to do with these two people?" Dai Guo approached excitedly, looking at the two vortexes in the distance, wondering if the young master would take the two along to "educate" them.

"Being a teacher is quite interesting, especially since the journey west is long; these two are perfect for leading the horse and carrying the load."

However, before he could make up his mind, Qiu Yan shook his head and said, "Don't let your guard down just because these two people look like ordinary scholars or wandering swordsmen. They also have regular jobs."

"Oh? What kind of work do you do?" Having followed Qiu Yan for a long time, Dai Guo had come to understand some of the "terms from his previous life," so he wasn't surprised and instead asked the question.

Qiu Yan glanced at him and uttered two words—

"Traitor!"

"Oh? So they're traitors! What!" Dai Guo nodded at first, then froze, and quickly said, "Young master, it's not good to get involved with traitors. It's best not to keep these two around to educate them."

"When did I ever say I wanted to educate them?" Qiu Yan shook his head again.

Now, not only Dai Guo, but even Hu Qi became curious. "Since you don't intend to educate them, yet you haven't exterminated them, what is your purpose in keeping them alive?"

Qiu Yan pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "The lives of rebels also have their own brilliance, enough to support a 120-chapter novel. They also represent an aspect of Human Path, arising from the tide of history. Throughout history, there has never been a shortage of rebels. Even emperors and prime ministers could not completely eradicate them. How can such Human Path be easily missed? Killing two people is easy, but encountering a rebel of such status and qualifications again is not easy."

Before he could finish speaking, Qiu Yan flicked his sleeve, and the two vortexes that enveloped Tiger Walker and Huang Yan reacted. Several black wisps appeared on the surface of the vortexes, gradually seeping in, and then suddenly rose into the air, flying far away towards the horizon with two screams.

Watching the cyclone disappear into the distance, Dai Guo unusually became thoughtful. After a while, he couldn't help but ask, "Young Master, you often mention Human Path. What exactly is this Human Path?"

"This question is too big for me to answer," Qiu Yan said, glancing at Dai Guo with slight surprise. "What is Human Path? What is the meaning of Human Path? I am also exploring this question. Not only me, but countless people throughout history have walked this path. It is not something that can be understood in a short time."

"So profound? So this is what you scholars think about all day long." Dai Guo was startled.

Qiu Yan was amused by his expression and shook his head, saying, "It's profound in some ways, but simple in others. Let me ask you, if you're hungry and have no money, how do you fill your stomach?"

Dai Guo grinned. "That's easy, just go into the Lin Zhong and catch some wild game, right?"

Qiu Yan then asked, "Do you want it eaten raw?"

"How can you eat it raw? Thin skin, remove the tendons, steam, stir-fry, or deep-fry!" Dai Guo said matter-of-factly.

Qiu Yan continued, "If there's no Fire Seed, how do you cook? If there are no tools or salt, how does it taste?"

"This... I'm afraid it won't be easy to swallow." Dai Guo scratched his head.

Qiu Yan did not judge, but continued to ask, "Let me ask you again, if you have no martial arts cultivation, but are only strong and healthy, have no money on you, and there is no wild game around, but there is a caravan of merchants, what would you do?"

"This seems like we can be more direct," Dai Guo said, not hiding his thoughts.

Qiu Yan said, "At this time, no matter what you do, it represents a kind of Human Path, but the impact will be different. The aftershocks of this impact are the true mystery of Human Path. Because once you do it, you have various forms of contact with the people around you, and the impact is no longer just on yourself. Countless people doing countless things will affect the whole world."

"I think I understand a little better now," Dai Guo said, frowning.

"Sometimes, you don't need to understand," Qiu Yan smiled. "The secret of Human Path lies both in your heart and in your surroundings."

As they spoke, the group resumed their journey. However, after only a few steps, Eight-Character Ancient Seal Inscription emerged from their bundle and began to spin in mid-air.

"I've been so bored these past few days!"

As soon as the Ancient Seal Script finished speaking, Qiu Yan sneered with his long sword in hand, "You have no composure whatsoever, what kind of path are you cultivating?"

Hu Qi and Dai Guo, however, were not surprised by this.

At the same time, at Jiannan Stove Mountain, Qiu Yan's Divine Spirit Body, carrying the little girl and a Winged Dragon, slowly descended.

The moment he landed, he received a Seven-Colored Divine Sense, which crossed Divine Sense and contained a hint of reproach.

"Marsh Ancestor, please don't be angry. Although the Circuit City God is no longer a threat, the danger hasn't been resolved. Heavenly Soldiers and Generals may still descend to the mortal realm. It's not the time for infighting and bloodshed yet. Instead, we should organize our thoughts and deal with the crisis." (To be continued. Please search for the novel for better and faster updates!)