Chapter 49: Overturned, Rising to the Prefecture's Hope

Several strands of black light, like arrows gone astray, struck Qi Yuxian's back, and a series of mournful howls rose up, as if a beast had suffered a terrifying wound.

A bloody red light, unable to endure, emerged from around Qi Yuxian, but it sprouted countless blood-colored tentacles, and part of it refused to let go, clawing fiercely at Qi Yuxian, causing her beautiful face to show an expression of extreme pain.

"Yuxian?"

Qi Yuanwu stared at this scene, flew into a rage, and simultaneously drew his long saber; a surge of crimson qi and blood intertwined with an unmatched dragon-tiger aura erupted violently from his whole body.

"Monster, make way for this general!"

The crimson blade gang, like a silk ribbon, slashed the blood-red tentacles, instantly severing them.

A thick layer of dragon-tiger aura swept outward, causing countless blood lights to hiss and sizzle, like white snow under a scorching sun, instantly melting.

Zhang Jian watched this scene, a hint of strangeness in his eyes.

Yet his hand was not slow; streams of purifying soul talismans struck into Qi Yuxian's body, helping her dispel that blood-red, sinister qi.

At the same time, a thick layer of scorching red light appeared around him.

Extreme Yang spiritual power burst forth, the temperature inside the bedchamber rose sharply and rapidly, and an invisible heat wave rolled outward.

Furthermore, muffled thunder rumbled and exploded in his semi-enclosed space, and faint crimson heavenly thunder light flickered in the air.

At the same time, twelve walking thunder talismans appeared in his hand, turning into flowing light that sealed off the lower part of that blood shadow.

That flayed blood shadow also sensed the terror of that utmost yang and righteous thunder power, transforming into a red light that shot swiftly out of the room.

But just then, strands of purple rosy clouds flowed and turned above the Qi clan, coming straight toward them.

Within it faintly appeared a phantom of a crimson official seal, which instantly struck the flayed blood shadow.

It sent it flying backward with a frontal blow.

Zhang Jian had long anticipated this scene; twelve crimson thunderbolts surged forth in an instant, rushing onto the blood shadow, and dozens of lightning bolts, like vines, clung to it upon contact—despite the blood shadow's violent struggle, it could not shake off the lightning as if glued.

This caused the blood shadow to emit a series of miserable screams in succession.

Qi Yuanwu and Qi Yuan si, seeing this, could not help but change their expressions.

After a few moments, with a booming thunderclap, like a sudden thunderclap on dry ground.

Amid the roar of thunder, that blood shadow suddenly melted and was directly blasted to death by heavenly thunder.

After slaughtering that blood shadow, the countless crimson heavenly thunder lights that had appeared behind Zhang Jian gradually dissipated.

Zhang Jian watched this scene, a hint of joy in his eyes.

This is the true might of the technique.

This is also the first time he has cast a technique without needing any medium, gestures, hand signs, or chants.

Completed in one breath.

Having done it once, after becoming slightly familiar, he can increase his casting speed and even diversify its application.

Of course, this also means that, unfortunately, he will continue to deepen his comprehension of this technique, entering a completely new realm.

"These heretical ways are actually so terrifying, they can even manipulate heavenly might?"

Qi Yuanwu and Qi Yuan si also furrowed their brows, their eyes fixed on Zhang Jian, utterly shocked.

The impression of that heavenly thunder light flashing continuously sank deep into both of their hearts.

Qi Yuanwu was fine with it, but Qi Yuan si felt some sigh, for in his impression Zhang Jian had always been a gentle, jade-like scholar; he never expected such a fierce side.

The sight of him wielding thunder was enough to overturn his deep-seated impression.

No matter what, Zhang Jian is still his nephew.

His nephew possessing such ability is also a great boon for the current Qi clan.

The blood shadow shattered, but Qi Yuxian was gently caught in Zhang Jian's arms to prevent her from falling.

Qi Yuanwu hurried forward to embrace and take her, his face showing concern.

"Jian brother, will Yuxian be alright?"

Zhang Jian made a quick check; though he actually knew nothing of medicine, his powerful divine sense sensed that Qi Yuxian's body held no lingering sinister qi, so he set his mind at ease and casually comforted Qi Yuanwu with a few words.

"Elder sister Yuxian merely suffered a yin qi stimulation; she may need some time to recuperate, but there's no serious problem!"

Hearing this, Qi Yuanwu's expression eased slightly.

But right now he doesn't know how to explain things to Qi Yi and the Dingyuan Marquis Manor.

Madame Zhou indeed died at the hands of demons, but whether someone else was manipulating those demons behind the scenes, they are completely unaware.

"Since ancient times, there has only been a thousand days of thievery; where is the reasoning for a thousand days of guarding against thieves?"

Qi Yuanwu also knew that Madame Zhou should have been caught up in the prefecture's larger situation, causing her protective talisman to turn into a death-summoning charm.

Qi Yuanwu secretly sighed, yet deep inside he still felt a hint of inexplicable joy.

He hid this expression well; others could only see sorrow filling his handsome countenance.

……

Inside the front hall, many officials in the prefecture city had been waiting for news, yet the thunder that occasionally came from the rear courtyard still made numerous officials and guests tremble with fear.

Meanwhile, before Yu Tongguang stood an old Daoist whose brows were tightly furrowed as he gazed deep into the Qi clan's inner court.

He recalled the news he had received not long ago, and a vague understanding arose in his heart.

"Thunder technique—it seems the one who rescued the Tianxu Lao Dao is this very person?"

"It seems the Qi manor truly has another hidden expert?"

Qingyu Daoist's eyes flashed with a hint of gloom; as the Daoist attached to Assistant Prefect Yu Tongguang, he naturally could not allow any problem to arise in Yu Tongguang's foundation.

This would also affect his cultivation.

Earlier, when dealing with the Tianxu Daoist, the prefecture's office had secretly intervened, aiming to further suppress the Qi manor and reduce the Qi clan's leverage; now the Tianxu Daoist has gone missing, and before them appears someone who seems even stronger as a cultivator, inevitably causing Qingyu Daoist's heart to feel tumultuous.

Yu Tongguang, as well as several other prefecture dignitaries, also had subtle expressions, each different.

The rumbling thunder kept coming; they knew full well what it signified.

Gu Chengyan and Yu You exchanged a glance, their faces showing different expressions.

Gu Chengyan harbored a suspicion, while Yu You's expression changed.

……

Soon after, however, Qi Yi emerged from the rear courtyard with a grim face and immediately announced the lifting of the blockade.

He let the many guests who had come to celebrate the birthday leave one after another.

Although the many officials were somewhat curious, they dared not stay any longer at the Qi Manor, lest Qi Yi change his mind and leave them with their lives there.

The many officials of the commandery hurriedly departed.

Prefect Yu Tongguang also took his leave; before departing he merely offered a condolence to Qi Yi, then turned and left the Qi family.

Yu Tongguang was likewise full of doubts, with many questions in his mind.

Seeing the Qi Manor gradually draped in white mourning, he also felt that the present moment was an excellent opportunity, a chance to act.

Although he did not know who had helped him eliminate a major hidden threat, he knew that the present moment was a heaven-sent opportunity; perhaps he could free his hands to properly manage the overall situation of Phoenix Yang Commandery.

The sudden impact of the birthday celebration was far-reaching.

Many keen-sensed officials inside and outside Phoenix Yang Commandery knew that a storm would soon arrive.

At that time, the Heavenly Void Daoist who had disappeared for a while also secretly entered the Qi Manor.

After the birthday celebration, Zhang Yi did not immediately take Lady Zhang Qi away, but remained in the Qi family, frequently meeting with Qi Yi, only choosing to leave after a while.

……

"With Tianxu stepping forward, it would be enough to completely change my maternal grandfather's attitude, and the Zhang family could also obtain the tripartite support of the three great families; as for whether we could smoothly attain commandery prestige, that would depend on the old man's ability."

Inside the pavilion, Zhang Jian gazed into the distance, his eyes slightly narrowed.

The Zhang family would certainly not be satisfied merely by having the opportunity to become a commandery-prestige family.

This was merely a pretext to paralyze the three great families, and likewise a reason for Prefect Yu Tongguang.

Chaotic times are approaching; heroes contend for supremacy.

Kings, dukes, generals, ministers — where do they come from?

Having secured a cover, the Zhang family will next accelerate the expansion of its wealth and armaments.

"The old man is very shrewd; he will surely make all preparations! For now, my task is to quickly enhance my own cultivation."

Zhang Jian looked into the distance; the Zhang family, choosing expansion and commandery prestige at this time, will surely face more challenges and also the impact of confronting the commandery's overall situation.

This requires relying on him to deter external enemies.

For other heterodox cultivators this might be a trouble, but for him it is likewise a necessary process of entering the world, and rather a novelty.

Because he is not a heterodox cultivator, but an orthodox cultivator.