News and Imperial Decree

"Come out," Yang Lingrui said to the inside.

The person inside heard the voice and tremblingly walked out.

When Scarface saw Yang Linghu, covered in wounds but still alive, his heart tightened.

Seeing Yang Lingrui, who had already entered the Qi Gathering Mid-stage, he panicked even more and simply knelt down with a plop.

The two thought he would beg for mercy, but unexpectedly, he said, "I beg you, seniors, I'm willing to be your slave, please, save my elder brother! Save him!"

"Your elder brother isn't dead yet?"

Yang Linghu was also a bit surprised. Liao Feng had only had half a breath left back then.

Scarface quickly nodded.

The two exchanged a glance and had him lead the way.

After entering the cave, they saw a changed Liao Feng, barely hanging on to life.

"Years ago, my elder brother and I explored a cave mansion and obtained a bead. Now, my elder brother holds that bead in his mouth, which is how he's managing to stay alive," Scarface said, wiping away tears. "But this can't go on. In three days at most, my elder brother will run out of energy and die."

"I see."

Yang Linghu immediately asked, "What are your names, and where are you from? Why were you with that Zhang Chen?"

Scarface didn't dare to be vague when questioned and recounted his experiences one by one.

His name was Han Wang, and he, Liao Feng, and the effeminate man killed by Yang Linghu were sworn brothers.

They were originally rogue cultivators from the Eastern Wasteland. Later, they joined the Seventh Prince's rebel army. Then the Eastern Wasteland split, and the country fell into chaos. Even cultivators like them couldn't protect themselves, so they could only flee to the surrounding areas.

This turned them into bandits, and they entered the territory of the Tiger Chasing Dynasty.

Then the three encountered Zhang Chen. Because he had that Jade Pendant, they couldn't do anything to him. To survive, they agreed to work for him.

Speaking of Zhang Chen, Han Wang asked how he was.

When he learned that Zhang Chen was dead, he clapped his hands and cheered, "Good riddance! Good riddance!"

He had personally witnessed the fight between the three. If that damned Zhang Chen hadn't betrayed them at the critical moment, how could his elder brother have ended up in such a miserable state?

"Thank you, seniors, for avenging my elder brother!"

"You hate Zhang Chen, but not me?" Yang Linghu chuckled.

Han Wang said, "We attacked you first. You were merely defending yourself. But that Zhang Chen was a true traitor and scoundrel!"

"Heh, interesting. However, we can't save your elder brother, and we won't. Give him a quick end."

Hearing this, Han Wang's expression dimmed, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.

"Do you still know about the situation in the Eastern Wasteland?" Yang Linghu asked.

"I know... I know some things. We followed the Seventh Prince to many places back then," Han Wang said.

Hearing his words, Yang Linghu and the other returned to the cave entrance to discuss.

"What should we do? Kill him?" Yang Lingrui asked.

Yang Linghu pondered for a moment, "We don't know much about the current situation in the Eastern Wasteland. Let's take this person back to the family and let the elders question him before making a decision."

"Alright, then we'll spare his life."

They returned, and Yang Linghu said to Han Wang, "Take out that bead. Keeping him alive like this is just torture. It's better to give him a quick death."

Although Han Wang felt reluctant, he had to admit that Liao Feng's current state of being alive but wishing for death was even more agonizing.

After taking out the bead, Liao Feng exhaled his last breath and became still.

After burying his body, the three returned to the Yang Family.

Inside the Yang Family's forbidden area.

Yang Lingqing had lost the mood to meditate. It wasn't until Chen Yang sent her a thought, informing her that Yang Linghu was not in danger, that she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

At that moment, Yang Guanfeng and Zhao Qi also returned home from White Stone Town, bringing with them a very important piece of news.

The Dynasty had issued a decree, ordering all families and sects under its jurisdiction to send people to the eastern border to quell the rebellion.

The list issued specifically named the Songshan Yang Family, ordering Yang Guanfeng to go.

"They want Old Ancestor to go? How can that be!"

"It's not just me. Wang Xiong, Zhang Tianqi, and the heads of families from White Stone Town and Willow Leaf Town are all on the list."

Yang Guanfeng stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the sky. "This is the Dynasty's method of weakening the families under its rule. Even though our Yang Family has separated from the towns and become independent, as long as we remain within the territory of the Tiger Chasing Dynasty, we cannot disobey the decree."

Yang Lingqing was displeased but could only shake her head helplessly in the face of reality.

"The Eastern Wasteland is in chaos internally, and the borders are no longer controlled by anyone. I'm afraid it's a miasma of corruption, with tigers and snakes lurking about. It's extremely dangerous," Yang Lingqing sighed.

Yang Guanfeng stepped forward, patted her shoulder, and smiled, "Don't be discouraged. I'm at ease leaving the family in your care. Moreover, this trip is not without its benefits."

Since the Dynasty was mobilizing so many people, they naturally had to offer corresponding rewards.

Any family that sent people could receive spirit crystal rewards from the Dynasty each month, based on the number of people and their cultivation levels.

"Just consider it a long trip away from home to work as a laborer."

"The Old Ancestor still has the mood for jokes."

As they spoke, the Pine Forest Thick Earth Array showed signs of activity.

"Old Ancestor, it's Lingrui and Linghu returning!"

The three went to greet them, and upon seeing Yang Linghu covered in wounds, everyone was startled.

Yang Guanfeng quickly took him inside to examine him carefully. Fortunately, they were all superficial injuries to the body and did not damage his cultivation foundation. He just needed a period of rest and recuperation.

After instructing Zhao Qi to look after Linghu, Yang Guanfeng returned to the main courtyard.

At this time, Han Wang was already kneeling on the ground awaiting interrogation.

"Old Ancestor, this person is a minor leader of that group of bandits, and he's from the Eastern Wasteland."

"Oh? The Eastern Wasteland?"

Yang Guanfeng walked forward and gave Han Wang a brief look up and down, quickly discerning most of his background.

"You started your path by cultivating a bronze skin and iron bones, didn't you?"

"That's right!"

"You practice leg-based martial arts, is it a snapping kick or a whip kick?"

"Replying to Senior, it's a snapping kick!"

Just two simple questions caused Han Wang to break out in a cold sweat, feeling immense pressure.

He hadn't even told Yang Lingrui and the other one about the cultivation technique he practiced or the martial arts he learned, yet Yang Guanfeng had seen through it at a glance. How could he not be terrified?

"Hmm, you're from a bandit background. According to the rules, you should be beheaded."

"This humble one understands! Thank you, Seniors, for sparing my life! This humble one is willing to swear a blood oath to repay your kindness!"

Seeing his understanding, Yang Guanfeng witnessed the blood oath on the spot.

"Your life is spared, but you cannot escape punishment."

He said, "Since you know something about the Eastern Wasteland, you will accompany me to quell the unrest on the border. This can be considered making amends for your past deeds."

Upon hearing that he had to return to the Eastern Wasteland, Han Wang instinctively felt a pang of fear.

After all, he had fled to Tiger Chasing to save his life back then. He never expected to revisit the same place now.

However, he also knew very well that being able to live was already a stroke of luck. He had no choice and no right to refuse.

So, he gritted his teeth, hardened his heart, and agreed, "Han Wang is willing to follow and serve Senior!"

"Good. Rest in the outer courtyard for the next two days. We will depart together on the third day."

"Yes!"

Over the following two days, Yang Guanfeng had a deep conversation with Elder Yu and spoke at length with the three children.

At midnight on the second day, while everyone else was resting, Yang Guanfeng went to the ancestral hall alone.

He first paid his respects to the ancestors and then walked closer, kneeling before Chen Yang.

"Yang Family Patriarch, Yang Guanfeng, pays respects to the Immortal Venerable."

"Immortal Venerable, your divine abilities are boundless. You have saved my Yang Family from peril countless times and protected the juniors of my Yang Family. The Yang Family will remember your great kindness for eternity!"

"Guanfeng has dedicated his life to his family. I am content with what I have achieved so far. Unfortunately, I am not in control of my own destiny and am about to embark on a long journey. My heart is restless and cannot find peace, so I have come to disturb you. I hope the Immortal Venerable will forgive me."

"This journey is likely fraught with peril. Guanfeng is prepared not to return home. If the family declines in the future with no successor, or if disaster strikes and great calamity befalls us, Guanfeng dares to ask the Immortal Venerable..."

At this point, Yang Guanfeng's weathered face trembled uncontrollably. It was evident that he was struggling internally.

Chen Yang was also moved. He thought Yang Guanfeng was going to ask him to preserve the Yang Family's bloodline in times of crisis.

But the next moment, when Yang Guanfeng spoke again, Chen Yang felt his heart jolt.

"Guanfeng dares to be an unfilial sinner!"

"If a great calamity truly befalls us, please do not let the Yang Family burden you. Just pursue your Great Dao!"