Letter

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

Sooner or later, he would need a team of his own.

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

He had previously used only fist techniques against his enemies. Now that he had the Moonlight Saber and Moonlight Sword, he could consider cultivating saber and sword arts as well.

Moonlight Saber and Moonlight Sword... those were the names he had given that saber and sword, concise and clear.

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 saber momentum like the tides, layer upon layer, each wave rising higher than the last. If one did not strike, so be it; once one struck, it would blanket heaven and earth, vast and majestic in momentum.

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

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

Since he intended to forge a team 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 as well and strengthen them.

As before, what was useful was not the wondrous fortune of this place. What was truly useful was Source Crystal!

Without Source Crystal, 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 over Falling Moon Peak.

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

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

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

He did not think Yang Yi intended to do anything harmful to his weapon. Yang Yi could even impart the Body Tempering Art—what was a mere weapon worth? If Yang Yi liked it, Shen Qian would gladly spend every last coin of his fortune gathering all kinds of sabers and swords for him.

He was asking purely out of curiosity.

And he still had not figured out what last night's anomaly 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."

As soon as he finished speaking, a brilliant beam suddenly descended from the sky and shot straight into the pit.

"It's happening again!" Shen Qian looked up at the radiant pillar of light, slightly dazed.

Now it was certain. The anomaly here was connected to Yang Yi; otherwise, there was no way to explain such a coincidence.

While the group was busy at Falling Moon Peak, a fast horse arrived lightly at Qiao Family Fort, delivering 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 I still have these old bones. Fighting others to the death will not be a problem, and I certainly will not let Heavenly Saber Gorge fall! As for Wuliang... his injuries were severe before, and he is still recuperating. It truly would not be convenient for him to deploy. I hope my eldest niece will forgive him."

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

Qiao Yaoyao forced out a smile. "Second Uncle, you overstate it. Although the clan's situation is not very good, it has not reached the point where we need you to act personally. You should stay home, eat and drink well—that alone would be a blessing to us juniors."

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

Qiao Yaoyao said, "I'll dispatch someone else there. Since Wuliang's injuries have not healed, he should recover properly. We can discuss it again after he has recovered."

Second Uncle Qiao nodded slightly. "It can only be this way. In the end, Wuliang is still too disappointing. Your second uncle is ashamed."

"Second Uncle need not blame yourself. Wuliang was injured for the Qiao Household. He has merit, not fault."

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

"Report!" Someone hurried in and went straight to the desk, presenting 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 tightened. Yang Yi and the others had only departed a few days ago—why had a letter already been sent back?

Judging by the travel time, the 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 happened over there?

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

Qiao Yaoyao hurriedly tore open the envelope and skimmed through it at a glance.

"Ah?" Once she saw the contents clearly, she cried out.

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

Second Uncle Qiao knew about the Qiao Household's many personnel deployments. He was one of the Household's upper ranks, so how could he fail to grasp such basic intelligence?

Yang Yi and the others had sent a letter back so quickly, and it was most likely not good news. It was highly possible they had been ambushed upon arrival. This was most likely a plea for reinforcements!

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

Her eyes were full of disbelief.

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

"Yes!"

"Utter nonsense!" Second Uncle Qiao had finished reading the letter by then, and he was unwilling to believe it a hundred times over.

Just look at what the letter said.

After Yang Yi's group of three arrived at Falling Moon Market, they killed Black Wind Stronghold's Seventh Chief Duan Hong and Golden Saber Hall's Hall Master Shi Zhongtang that very day. Using the Bloodbane Pill, they subdued Deputy Hall Master Lu Qianshan, then immediately led Golden Saber Hall to attack the stronghold, beheaded Black Wind Stronghold's Fifth Chief Cloud Leopard and more than seventy bandits, and had already taken the Falling Moon Market stronghold.

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

"Does he think he's True Blood? I investigated that stronghold in Falling Moon Market before. It is as solid as a fortress—how could it possibly be taken so casually? Someone must be impersonating him to send this letter!" Second Uncle Qiao was beside himself with fury.

"Whether it is an impersonation will soon be known." Qiao Yaoyao also scarcely dared believe the letter's contents.

She did indeed think highly of Yang Yi. Otherwise, she would not have made him lead this mission. But high regard was one thing—this was far too fast.

So fast that it was unbelievable.

Before long, Qiao Yingquan arrived with the supply list Yang Yi had signed when he previously collected his Attendant supplies.

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

The two exchanged a look.

"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 success. How could it happen so quickly? Has that brat gone mad dreaming of merit?"

"Not necessarily..." Qiao Yaoyao said. "Second Uncle, you know what happened in Clearwind City last time. Yang Yi's strength cannot be measured by an ordinary Lan Blood."