Faith

Although Yang Yi was now working for the Qiao Household, it was only a temporary measure. He could not remain under another's roof forever; one day, he would have to strike out on his own.

Sooner or later, he would need his own core group.

Qin Shen and the others were the first batch he had chosen. There might be more in the future, and perhaps some would be eliminated, but that was not something he needed to consider right now.

He had previously fought enemies using only fist techniques. Now that he had the Moonlight Saber and Moonlight Sword, he could consider cultivating saber and sword arts.

Moonlight Saber and Moonlight Sword... those were the names he had given that saber and sword, emphasizing simplicity and clarity.

Yang Yi returned to the room, took the Azure Sea Tidal Saber Art from the small chest, and studied it while soaking in Hundred Herbs Liquid.

This was the saber art Shi Zhongtang had cultivated. It emphasized a saber momentum like the tides, layer upon layer, each wave rising higher than the last. If one did not strike, so be it—but once one struck, it would blot out the sky and cover the earth, majestic and overwhelming.

Strictly speaking, this saber art was quite good. Unfortunately, at Stone Manor that day, Shi Zhongtang had been beaten senseless by Yang Yi. He had only managed to hastily slash out once before dying. Otherwise, had he truly built up his saber momentum, its follow-up force would only have grown stronger and stronger.

When night fell, Yang Yi brought the others to Falling Moon Peak once more.

Since he intended to build a core group of his own, the benefits he gave them naturally would not be limited to the Body Tempering Technique.

Yang Yi decided to bring their personal weapons into that pit and strengthen them as well.

As he had said before, what was useful was not the wondrous fortune of this place. What truly mattered were Source Crystals!

Without Source Crystals, even if others knew this place was extraordinary, they would have no way to make use of it quickly.

Traces of people coming and going remained all across Falling Moon Peak.

Last night's anomaly had drawn many people from Falling Moon Market here during the day to investigate, but unfortunately, they had found nothing.

Yang Yi had the others stand guard outside while he carried the weapons of the three men into the pit.

"Hall Master Lu, what exactly is going on here? And what does Yang Yi want with our weapons?" Shen Qian asked in confusion.

He did not think Yang Yi meant to do anything harmful to his weapon. Yang Yi had even taught them the Body Tempering Art—what was a mere weapon in comparison? If Yang Yi liked it, Shen Qian would be willing to spend his entire fortune collecting all manner of sabers and swords for him.

He was asking purely out of curiosity.

And he still had not figured out what last night's abnormal event had been about.

Lu Qianshan chuckled. "If you want to know, ask my lord yourselves... All I can say is that our good days are coming."

The moment he finished speaking, a bright beam of light suddenly descended from the sky and plunged straight into the pit.

"It's happening again!" Shen Qian looked up at the pure white pillar of light, momentarily dazed.

Now it could be confirmed. The anomaly here was connected to Yang Yi. Otherwise, there was no way to explain why it had happened so coincidentally.

While the group was busy at Falling Moon Peak, a fast horse arrived quietly at Qiao Family Fort, bearing a letter into the fort.

Xiude Hall was brightly lit, and voices drifted out from within.

"Eldest niece, why not let your second uncle personally take the field at Heavenly Saber Gorge? Your second uncle may be old, but these old bones of mine are still good enough to fight for my life. I will certainly not allow Heavenly Saber Gorge to be lost! As for Wuliang... his previous injuries were severe, and he is still recuperating. It truly would not be convenient for him to move out. I ask for your understanding, eldest niece."

Second Uncle Qiao sat in a chair below, rolling two iron balls in his hand. His tone was calm, yet brooked no objection.

Qiao Yaoyao forced out a smile. "Second Uncle, you're overstating it. The Household's situation may not be very good, but it has not reached the point where we need you to personally act. If you stay home, eat well and drink well, that will be a blessing to us juniors."

"But Heavenly Saber Gorge is extremely important to the Qiao Household!"

Qiao Yaoyao said, "I'll deploy someone else there. Since Wuliang's injuries have not healed, he should recuperate properly. We can discuss it after he recovers."

Second Uncle Qiao nodded slightly. "That is the only way. In the end, Wuliang is simply too disappointing. Your second uncle is ashamed."

"Second Uncle, there is no need to blame yourself. Wuliang was injured for the Qiao Household. He deserves credit, not blame."

"Hearing you say that puts your second uncle's heart at ease. Then you carry on with your work." As he spoke, Second Uncle Qiao rose to his feet.

"Report!" Someone hurried in, walked straight to the desk, and presented a letter with both hands. "A letter from Attendant Yang Yi of Falling Moon Market. Miss, please examine it!"

"Falling Moon Market!" Qiao Yaoyao's expression sharpened. Yang Yi and the others had only set out a few days ago. How had a letter already arrived?

Judging by the travel time, this letter must have been sent out on the very day they arrived at Falling Moon Market. Otherwise, it could not have reached them today.

Could something have gone wrong over there?

Not only was she suspicious, even Second Uncle Qiao, who had been about to leave, could not help but remain.

Qiao Yaoyao hurriedly tore open the envelope and scanned its contents at a glance.

"Ah?" Once she saw what it said, she cried out in surprise.

"Eldest niece, did something happen at Falling Moon Market? Did Yang Yi and the others fail?" Second Uncle Qiao hurriedly asked.

Second Uncle Qiao was aware of the Qiao Household's many personnel deployments. He was one of the Household's upper echelons, so how could he not have access to basic intelligence?

Yang Yi and the others had sent a letter back so quickly. It was most likely not good news. They had very likely been ambushed upon arrival, and this was probably a request for reinforcements!

Qiao Yaoyao did not answer at once. Instead, she carefully read the letter again. Only after confirming that she had not misread it did she hand it to Second Uncle Qiao. "Second Uncle, see for yourself."

Her eyes were filled with disbelief.

After thinking for a moment, she instructed Tie Shan at her side, "Go find the chief steward. Have him bring over the list of supplies Yang Yi signed for."

"Yes!"

"Preposterous!" Second Uncle Qiao had finished reading the letter's contents as well, and he was utterly unwilling to believe it.

Just look at what this letter said.

Yang Yi and the other two had arrived at Falling Moon Market and, that very day, killed Duan Hong, the Seventh Chief of Blackwind Stronghold, and Shi Zhongtang, Hall Master of Golden Saber Hall. They had used the Bloodbane Pill to subdue Deputy Hall Master Lu Qianshan, then led Golden Saber Hall to attack the stronghold's base, slaying Cloud Leopard, the Fifth Chief of Blackwind Stronghold, along with more than seventy bandits. They had already taken the Falling Moon Market stronghold.

At the end of the letter, he had even thoughtfully asked after Miss Qiao Yaoyao's well-being...

"Does he think he's True Blood? This old man investigated that Falling Moon Market stronghold before. It is as impregnable as solid gold, so how could it possibly be taken so casually? Someone must be impersonating him to send this letter!" Second Uncle Qiao thundered in rage.

"Whether it is an impersonation will be known shortly." Qiao Yaoyao also did not quite dare believe the letter's contents.

She did indeed think highly of Yang Yi. Otherwise, she would not have put him in charge of this mission. But thinking highly of him was one thing—this was simply far too fast.

So fast that it was unbelievable.

Before long, Qiao Yingquan arrived with the list of Attendant supplies Yang Yi had previously received and signed for.

Qiao Yaoyao personally compared the handwriting, while Second Uncle Qiao stepped forward to inspect it as well.

The two exchanged a glance.

"So he really did write this letter!" Qiao Yaoyao was slightly dazed.

Second Uncle Qiao said, "Even if he wrote it, he is falsely reporting military achievements. How could it possibly happen so fast? Has that brat gone mad with his hunger for credit?"

"It may not be false..." Qiao Yaoyao said. "Second Uncle, you know about what happened in Clearwind City last time. Yang Yi's strength cannot be measured by the standards of ordinary Lan Blood."