Chapter 164

163. Chapter 163: New Grudges, Old Feuds

Li Yi paused at his master Zhao Ge's words, then instantly understood the situation upon seeing the expressions on Zhao Qian and Rong Niang's faces.

It turned out Master intended to bring the three of them together.

Wait, why three?

Could Master truly be so reasonable and righteous, utterly unconcerned with my deceitful behavior of courting two women at once? Or does the name Meng De possess some mysterious power that alters Master's thoughts?

Zhao Ge continued: "Meng De, don't overthink it. I've already asked Zhao Qian and Rong Niang—they both agreed. As I see it, take them both with you. There's nothing urgent happening in San Yang City; letting them accompany you will broaden their horizons."

"Master, I want to go with Senior Brother too," the skinny monkey chimed in at the worst possible moment.

Zhao Ge glared, barely restraining a kick that would've sent him flying—was he sending his daughter and Rong Niang to follow Li Yi just for a sightseeing trip? He was trying to bring them together, to help this worthy disciple settle down before some seductive demon woman lured him away and stole him from his family.

Good water shouldn't flow into someone else's field; if my own daughter marries my own sworn disciple, it's kin bound to kin—and the martial school will surely thrive.

The skinny monkey shrank his head after the glare, silent now.

At that moment, Zhao Qian and Rong Niang both gazed at Li Yi with shy, hopeful eyes, waiting for his reply.

But Li Yi sighed, helplessly saying: "Master's kindness is beyond refusal—having Rong Niang and Zhao Qian beside me would spare me many troubles. But not this time. The matter isn't settled, the enemy isn't dead. Taking Zhao Qian and Rong Niang back now invites disaster. Also, today, because of yesterday's ghost incident, someone came to me: the Meng family of Qingzhou has sent a Qi Condensation expert with five Qi Orifice experts straight toward San Yang City. I'm still deciding how to eliminate them."

"What? A Qi Condensation expert?"

At these words, Zhao Ge's face darkened instantly; his desire to unite his disciple and daughter vanished, replaced by sharp unease and dread.

Not just him—Rong Niang, Zhao Qian, the skinny monkey—all their eyes narrowed in terror.

A Qi Condensation expert?

At this realm, such a martial cultivator was the undisputed master of Xingzhou.

No one could ignore the threat of a Qi Condensation expert.

Such a master, once appearing, reduced Qi Orifice cultivators to kneeling, head-bowing supplicants—no right to even speak.

"Why on earth have we drawn such a powerful enemy?"

Zhao Ge muttered, then quickly recalled: "It's because of yesterday's lifespan, isn't it? I heard my daughter mention it—you raided the Ghost God's spirits last night and seized over three hundred years of lifespan. That's why my daughter and Rong Niang both broke through to Blood Cultivation—they gained twenty years of life from you."

"But that act enraged the Ghost God, and now this calamity has come."

"Father, it's all my fault! I was the one who provoked the Ghost God before, and now I've brought this retribution upon you, Elder Brother, and the entire martial school. It's all my doing—if I hadn't angered the Ghost God, none of this would've happened." Zhao Qian immediately knelt, her face filled with guilt.

Li Yi said: "This has nothing to do with you. Don't blame yourself—I was the one who got carried away killing spirits last night."

"No, Meng De, this truly is connected."

Zhao Ge's face darkened: "Last month, on the first day of the month, in San Yang City—on a night when ghosts roamed—my daughter left her window open in her chamber. A Ghost God spotted her and tried to drag her away. I sensed it, gathered my blood qi, and punched at it. But it was too strong—it instantly crushed me, damaging my soul. That's why I'm still wounded. But because of that, the Ghost God abandoned its plan to take my daughter."

"I thought the matter ended there. But last night, you killed spirits and stole lifespan. Now, new grudges and old hatreds have merged—the Ghost God has finally decided to send someone to San Yang City."

"So that's it." Li Yi nodded. He'd already suspected the Ghost God that wounded his master was the same one targeting him.

Because territory in San Yang City is fixed—each Ghost God claims its own domain; it doesn't shift arbitrarily.

"Father, just hand me over. Maybe there's still a way to make peace. There's no need to sacrifice you, Elder Brother, and everyone in the school for my life. It's all my fault—if I hadn't provoked the Ghost God, none of this would've happened."

Zhao Qian knelt, gripping Zhao Ge's hand, hoping to save everyone by sacrificing herself.

Zhao Ge's face twisted in anguish—he cursed his own weakness, his inability to break through to Qi Condensation. If only he could reach that realm, he wouldn't fear the Ghost God or dread the coming enemy.

"Rong Niang, help Zhao Qian up. Don't let her kneel so easily." Li Yi spoke calmly.

"Yes, Senior Brother." Rong Niang hurried to pull the junior sister up, preventing her from kneeling again.

Li Yi continued: "Zhao Qian, this isn't your fault. The Ghost God is the one at fault. Don't blame yourself because you're weak. In my view, weakness isn't guilt. Master, don't worry—I've already decided. Tomorrow at noon, I'll meet that Qi Condensation expert beneath Daqing Mountain."

"What? Meng De, you'll challenge a Qi Condensation expert? No, absolutely not! I know your strength—you're peerless among Qi Orifice cultivators. But challenging someone one realm higher? There's no chance of victory." Zhao Ge's face paled. "Meng De, don't act on impulse. You must leave immediately."

"Tonight, enter the Ghost Street, flee the Four Seas and Eight Provinces. Wait until your power grows immensely, then return for revenge. With your potential and talent, you don't need to fight for temporary pride."

Li Yi said: "If I flee, Zhao Shi Martial School will be purged. Only by killing that Qi Condensation expert will the Meng family of Qingzhou believe we're strong enough to resist them—and the Xingzhou Fan family will mediate, ending this. If we run today, all the ground we've gained will collapse."

"Then it won't be just one or two lives lost—everyone's lives will be forfeit."

At these words, Zhao Ge fell silent.

A Qi Condensation expert coming to purge them—no one could bear that cost. The Zhao Shi Martial School, painstakingly built, would be drowned in blood; no one would survive.

"We can flee the Four Seas and Eight Provinces—follow Senior Brother." The skinny monkey suggested.

"That's a good idea," Zhao Ge's eyes lit up, turning to Li Yi.

But Li Yi looked toward the sky: "Heaven is collapsing. We can't keep running. Master, don't say more—I've made my decision. Besides, I still have the sniper rifle. This battle isn't without hope."

"Firearms?" Only now did they remember—Li Yi possessed a powerful firearm capable of killing enemies kilometers away.

"Meng De, can that thing kill a Qi Condensation expert?" Zhao Ge now sounded uncertain.

He knew firearms could kill Qi Orifice cultivators—he'd tested it. The Liu patriarch of the Canal Transport family had lost an arm from a grazing shot and vanished instantly; a direct hit would leave no trace.

"There are two types of ammunition. Zhao Qian used only the first type. The second is far more powerful—designed to kill supernatural beings. In your terms, the second type is for hunting dragons." Li Yi said.

At these words, everyone's eyes narrowed sharply.

The skinny monkey gasped: "No way, Senior Brother! That thing's that powerful? I've seen Junior Sister carrying it every day and never noticed!"

"Would you notice? You've never been hit by one—how would you know?"

Zhao Ge scolded, then turned serious: "If the firearm's power is truly that great, we might have a chance. But this must be kept secret—no word must reach the Qi Condensation expert. If he learns of it and prepares, we're finished."

"But the firearm was already seen in San Yang City. Many know of it. Keeping it secret is hard."

"That's why I chose to challenge him early—and outside San Yang City. The Qi Condensation expert won't enter the city, and as an outsider, he won't have received word of the sniper rifle. By the time the battle begins, even if he finds out, it'll be too late." Li Yi's eyes flickered—he had his own calculations.

"That makes sense."

Zhao Ge's spirits lifted—he realized Li Yi's challenge was brilliant. Then he understood: "No wonder you chose the foot of Daqing Mountain—backed by the mountain, the enemy can only approach from one side. Outside Daqing Mountain, the plains are wide open—you'll spot them the moment they appear, maximizing the firearm's advantage."

Zhao Ge then realized something else and lowered his voice: "Skinny Monkey, go to the school and bring over the Blood Cultivation disciples. Seal this place—no one enters or leaves from now on. Anyone who disobeys, kill them. The Zhao Shi Martial School's entire future hangs on this plan—no room for carelessness."

"Master, don't worry. I'll say Senior Brother and you are in deep cultivation and need guarding." The skinny monkey was quick—he found an excuse, saluted, and dashed off immediately.

Zhao Ge said: "Meng De, use your spiritual sense to check if any ghosts are eavesdropping. If you find any, kill them immediately—don't let them warn anyone."

Only now did Li Yi understand the value of having an elder nearby—such seasoned tactics were something he still needed to learn. He nodded and began scanning the surroundings.

Due to last night's events, he found no ghosts in his residence—no risk of ghostly betrayal.

Zhao Ge's caution was wise—better safe than sorry.

"Meng De, I know you say these things to reassure me, but never speak of such matters lightly—even when you must, do so in private." Zhao Ge added.

"Master is right. I'll remember." Li Yi nodded.

But speaking out had its benefit—everyone's confidence surged. They were no longer terrified; all prepared for tomorrow's battle.

When hearts are steady, no great endeavor fails.