Rumors of an Aberrant Beast, Schemes Among the Higher-Ups

Within the camp, a piece of news suddenly spread.

A group of youths huddled in a corner, whispering among themselves.

"Have you heard? That little beast Steward Jiang brought back is an aberrant beast!"

"An aberrant beast?!"

"Keep your voice down."

A brocade-robed youth passing by gave a contemptuous smile and remarked casually, "Your news is already outdated."

"That little beast is called a Red Dog Zheng."

"Red Dog Zheng..." Most of the youths looked utterly bewildered.

The brocade-robed youth did not keep them in suspense and explained directly, "That Red Dog Zheng has three tails. It is said to possess a trace of the bloodline of the ancient exotic beast, the Zheng."

"If raised properly, it may one day reach the Blood Exchange Realm. It is also born with the ability to command flames, making it extraordinarily formidable."

As soon as his words fell, the youths all crowded around him, wanting him to tell them more about the ancient exotic beast Zheng.

The brocade-robed youth was immensely pleased with himself. After putting on a slight show of restraint, he began to speak.

Liu Yunche had just finished tidying up and changed out of his tiger pelt when a steward came looking for him, telling him to immediately go to Elder Lu.

Liu Yunche stepped into the tent. Elder Lu and Li Qinwu were chatting when they caught sight of him. Elder Lu said with a genial smile,

"You're here. Come, sit down."

A flicker of surprise passed through the eyes of the steward who had followed Liu Yunche over. He had not expected Liu Yunche to be on such good terms with Elder Lu.

Seeing Elder Lu wave his hand, the steward promptly bowed and withdrew.

Liu Yunche did not appear intimidated. After bowing in greeting, he sat down openly and without ceremony.

Elder Lu smiled warmly and began, "Boy Yunche, tell us everything in detail."

Seeing the investigative looks on the faces of the two elders, Liu Yunche began with how he had accidentally encountered Ma San and the other man burying Demon-Luring Incense.

Likewise, Liu Yunche repeated what he had previously told Shi Qingyue.

An Iron Skin martial artist killing two Flesh Tempering martial artists in succession was simply too shocking. He only said that he had killed two Skin Tempering bandits.

"Boy Yunche, you've improved quite a bit this time. You've seen blood, after all, and have become much steadier."

Elder Lu examined Liu Yunche from head to toe and nodded to himself.

"You flatter me, Elder." Liu Yunche clasped his hands in reply, then continued.

He did not mention at all how he had "torn his clothes to deceive the enemy."

He went on to speak of encountering Shi Qingyue, how the two had traveled together toward Gourd Gorge, and how the Tendon Forging bandit had attacked, only for the two of them to be saved by Senior Brother Jiang Xu and the others.

After Liu Yunche finished, silence fell within the tent.

After a long while, Elder Lu smiled calmly and said in a gentle voice, "Boy Yunche, you may leave first."

Once Liu Yunche had departed, only the two men remained in the tent.

Li Qinwu pondered for a moment before slowly speaking.

"Blackwind Stronghold used Demon-Luring Incense. There must have been some change deep within Azure Radiance Mountain."

"Either some heavenly treasure has appeared, or another opportunity has emerged."

Elder Lu shook his head. "Such matters are often difficult to judge."

After pausing briefly, he continued, "But we cannot let the matter of the Demon-Luring Incense go unguarded. If a Tendon Forging demon beast were to run out from the depths..."

"I will give the order at once for all stewards to heighten their vigilance and not relax their guard," Li Qinwu said.

"Heightening vigilance alone is not enough. Until we uncover what exactly has happened, this old man cannot rest easy."

Elder Lu's tapping finger paused atop the table, and a glint of sharp light flashed in his eyes.

Seeing Elder Lu's confident expression, Li Qinwu smiled faintly. "Elder Lu must already have a plan."

"Call for aid."

"Not only from the academy. The three great Lineages of Verdant Grain County ought to contribute as well. After all, their own descendants are all within Azure Radiance Mountain."

"Whatever lies deep within Azure Radiance Mountain was enough for the chief of Blackwind Stronghold to personally give the order. I imagine those at the Blood Exchange level will also take an interest."

Li Qinwu smiled. "If so, Azure Radiance Mountain will only become more chaotic."

"But that is not necessarily a bad thing. The bandits have run rampant for too long. It is time to set things right."

Elder Lu nodded approvingly, then rose to make preparations.

After the time it took an incense stick to burn, a gray bird flew from the camp toward Verdant Grain County.

Shi Qingyue wore a clean azure robe as she softly asked, "Yunche, what did the Martial Academy elders say?"

"The elders merely asked about what happened, then told me to leave."

"Qingyue, how are your injuries?" Liu Yunche asked with concern.

Shi Qingyue's complexion had become far rosier. Medicine had already been applied to her arms, and the two claw marks had begun to scab over.

Just as the two were about to chat for a while, sounds suddenly came from outside the tent.

"Brother Yunche, we came to see you and Qingyue!" He Wu shouted loudly.

When He Wu, Li Xuantong, and Li Xuansheng entered, Liu Yunche saw that each of them held a little tiger cub in their arms.

Shi Qingyue glanced at them and feigned anger. "Well, you thick-browed, big-eyed lot. You actually abandoned Yunche and me and left ahead of us. You did not even leave behind a message."

He Wu hurriedly clasped his hands and smiled apologetically, his tone full of regret.

"Brother Qingyue, don't be angry, don't be angry. Things were urgent that day, and we left in a rush, causing you both worry. We truly wronged you."

"Today, the three of us have come bearing thorns on our backs to plead guilty. We hope you two will be magnanimous..."

As his words fell, He Wu grinned shamelessly.

Li Xuansheng wore a solemn expression as he clasped his hands.

"Leaving without saying farewell that day was no gentlemanly act. Today, I have come especially to apologize to Brother Liu and Brother Shi."

His grave manner made Shi Qingyue's face flush hotly. Her face turned crimson, and she instead felt somewhat embarrassed.

Just as Shi Qingyue was about to speak, the silent Li Xuantong suddenly opened her mouth.

"Brother Shi, not only did we obtain these tiger cubs, we also found two Blackwater Earth Fungus plants. They are just right for the two of you."

The moment the words "Blackwater Earth Fungus" were spoken, the atmosphere abruptly fell silent, carrying a trace of something strange.

After quite some time, He Wu was the first unable to hold it in. He burst into laughter and waggled his brows at Liu Yunche and Shi Qingyue.

"This Blackwater Earth Fungus is a top-grade remedy for strengthening the kidneys. Qingyue... you two had better seize this opportunity."

After speaking, he did not forget to laugh again.

Hearing this, Li Xuansheng and Li Xuantong could not help but smile as well.

"Get lost! To hell with you. I'm strong and healthy—why would I need such a thing?"

Shi Qingyue waved her hand, her brows knitting as she feigned impatience.

"Brother Qingyue~ Do you truly not want it?" He Wu asked, grinning as he teased her.

He took the two Blackwater Earth Fungus plants from Li Xuantong's hands and stiffly held them out to Shi Qingyue.

Shi Qingyue coughed lightly, turned to Liu Yunche, and said with a serious expression, "Ahem... Yunche, since this is Brother He and the others' kind intention, it would not be right for us to refuse."

As soon as she spoke, Shi Qingyue avoided looking at He Wu, but her hands moved swiftly. She snatched the two Blackwater Earth Fungus plants away in one motion and casually stuffed one into Liu Yunche's hands.

Her speed was so fast that it left everyone dumbfounded.

Liu Yunche looked at the Blackwater Earth Fungus in his hand and accepted it with a smile. "Many thanks to the three of you."

With that settled, the five gathered around the table and sat down.

Li Xuansheng looked toward Liu Yunche, a hint of inquiry in his eyes, and was the first to speak. "I just heard that Brother Liu exchanged two blows with a Tendon Forging martial artist without suffering the slightest injury. You truly deserve your reputation as the genius who attained Copper Skin in a month."

Liu Yunche smiled calmly. "That Tendon Forging bandit underestimated me and did not take me seriously. That was the only reason I was fortunate enough to withstand two blows."

Looking at the youth's composed smile, Li Xuansheng did not think so. Fortunate? Once may be luck, but the second time may not be.

He did not voice those words. Some things were better known only to oneself.

Li Xuantong now viewed Liu Yunche in a new light. Her faint disdain from the beginning had been replaced with a trace of curiosity.

"Brother Yunche, I heard from those who returned that Tao Xiaoyun even extended an olive branch to you. You should make good use of this opportunity," He Wu teased with a smile.

Since the group had experienced the hunt together, He Wu had cast aside his deliberate manner. His words now sounded more like those of a friend, which made Liu Yunche feel quite at ease.

Liu Yunche waved his hand. "Tao Xiaoyun was likely only acting on a passing whim. Besides, I do not lack resources or cultivation manuals when practicing martial arts alone."

"That is true. With your father being a Bone Tempering martial artist, he can ensure your cultivation through Tendon Forging, so you need not worry about resources," He Wu said with a nod.

As Liu Yunche listened, he stroked the Blackwater Earth Fungus in his arms.

Strengthening the kidneys was merely a secondary effect of this item. It could temper the kidney meridians and fundamentally strengthen the kidneys and replenish essence. It was a top-grade treasure coveted by many middle-aged martial artists.