Chapter 679: Obtaining the Xuan Yuan Snow Dew Pill, Demolishing the Home, Rampaging, Killing

Song Tingting fell into a deep sorrow upon hearing it.

The falling flowers wish to cling, but the flowing water pays no heed.

Li Qinlan, standing nearby, felt a quiet surge of delight for reasons she could not explain.

Just as you took your leave from Xie Yuan, the tinkling of jade pendants reached your ears; two maids in moon-silk skirts carried brocade boxes and blocked the steps like drifting clouds.

The lead elder woman had silver hair coiled into a high bun, a green jade flat pin slanted through it, her bearing elegant and noble.

“Madam Yan!”

Su Shishi spoke in surprise, and several of the courtesans bowed in respect.

This was the old nanny who had always accompanied the owner of Qimochunfang—effectively the manager of the entire establishment, having overseen it for nearly thirty years.

Though Su Shishi held a position far above others, she still treated her with deep respect.

The elder woman bowed to you. “Lord Guan, please stay a moment.”

“My mistress is unwell and could not come herself; she has sent these humble gifts to apologize for the disturbance today.”

You were slightly puzzled—who was the owner of Qimochunfang, and why would they do this?

Xie Yuan had once been a true playboy, frequenting the Western Wing Pavilion and well-versed in the gossip of the quarter.

He whispered, “Behind Qimochunfang, aside from the Li family, the real master is said to be the Emperor’s own younger sister, the widowed Princess Long.”

As you pondered, the old woman smiled, fine wrinkles spreading at the corners of her eyes. “Lord Guan, do not refuse yet—what’s inside this box may be precisely what you need right now.”

The maids lifted their slender hands, and the brocade box opened with a soft click. On the left, an black iron waist token glowed faintly in the dusk, bearing a red plum blossom defiantly blooming in snow—its stamens painted in cinnabar, the emblem of Qimochunfang.

Xie Yuan’s face turned startled. “Is that… the Plum Blossom Token? I heard whoever holds it is exempt from all expenses, and Qimochunfang will spare no effort to aid them.”

Xie Xuan could hardly believe it—the Plum Blossom Token had been issued fewer than a dozen times; every known bearer was a figure with immense influence in Bianjing.

What merit does Xie Guan possibly have?!

The elder woman nodded slightly, her smile carrying hidden meaning. “The Sixteen Floors of Qimochunfang welcome you at any time, Lord Guan.”

Su Yun, however, turned his gaze to the other brocade box, his expression one of surprise.

Your eyes, however, locked onto the Yueyao celadon vase on the right. Even unopened, a crisp medicinal fragrance pierced its glaze, piercing straight into your heart and spleen. You were startled—your true qi suddenly accelerated its circulation, a change that left you deeply puzzled.

“This elixir is the Xuan Yuan Snow Dew Pill—a treasure for nurturing the dantian in martial cultivation. It helps break through the three critical passageways: Tian Tu, Shen Que, and Bai Hui, aiding martial artists in surging past the upper three realms.”

“Made by blending jade marrow with snow lotus from Mount Tian, balancing yin and yang, it moistens the dantian and sea of qi, repairing hidden meridian injuries. It triples the speed of internal energy circulation, lasting seventy-seven days.”

“Among martial cultivators, this elixir is a rare treasure—no side effects, priceless and unobtainable. These four pills are enough to sustain half a year of body tempering.”

Su Shishi could not help but be astonished—this was indeed the Xuan Yuan Snow Dew Pill, extraordinarily precious.

Upon hearing this, your eyes brightened, yet your expression turned thoughtful as you studied the old woman known as Madam Yan once more.

Her face was lined with wrinkles, but the contours of her brows and eyes still revealed the beauty she must have possessed in youth—time never defeats a true beauty.

Moreover, through the “Five Dragon Prosperity Method” of the Yin Fu Jing, you sensed her aura—she was at the middle stage of Primordial Spirit cultivation.

This overt attempt at alliance was unexpected, and her precise knowledge of your martial cultivation base must have come from your recent clash with Pei Feng.

Your spirit stirred slightly as you scanned the surroundings—someone had been watching this place since you entered Qimochunfang.

Now, time is pressing. You are stuck at the sixth level of martial cultivation, diligently training your body. Though you possess the Nine Swords to stimulate your skin and acupoints, you still lag far behind your Primordial Spirit cultivation.

Time is running out!

These four Xuan Yuan Snow Dew Pills arrived at the perfect moment—you are no fool.

You calmly accepted the brocade box. “Such a generous gift—I cannot refuse.”

Madam Yan’s wrinkles relaxed into a smile like autumn chrysanthemums blooming. “The gates of Qimochunfang remain open for you at all times, Lord Guan.”

She bowed slightly and departed.

You tucked the Plum Blossom Token and the pills into your sleeve and walked out alongside Xie Yuan.

In the twilight, Su Shishi gazed at your back, her eyes gleaming—someone skilled in both poetry and martial arts was rare enough; how much rarer to reach the middle stage of martial cultivation at such a young age? Only the most exceptional heirs of Bianjing’s Nine Families possessed such cultivation.

And why would the owner send such a priceless gift?

She had only met the owner a few times; the woman rarely showed herself, and her nature remained an enigma.

Her true identity was indeed the Great Qi Princess, overseeing every matter within the brothel—spoken of by the courtesans as both awe-inspiring and unfathomable.

Perhaps due to Su Xiang’s influence, the entire brothel had always treated Su Shishi with deference, never issuing direct orders.

With the Princess’s vision, what merit could a mere upstart scion of a family possibly have to warrant the use of the treasured Xuan Yuan Snow Dew Pills?

The woman in the colorful skirt stood aside, pondering silently—why had the divine bird recognized Xie Guan, then flown away?

Li Qinlan touched the dagger hidden at her thigh—though this daughter of the Nine Great Clans had softened slightly toward you, she still firmly believed the betrothal must be broken; she would never be a mere ornamental doll in her household.

Su Yun recalled the current turmoil within the Xie family—why did they seem determined to eliminate Xie Guan, who was clearly a prodigy?

Brothers are bound within the same walls; how much more so when they share blood.

It was already dusk!

You and Xie Yuan boarded the carriage.

The carriage rolled slowly over the blue stone pavement; outside the curtain, the lanterns of Bianjing flickered past like fireflies.

Xie Yuan, furious, glared at you. “Brother Guan, you’ve kept this from me! When did you attain this level of martial cultivation?”

“Sixth brother, I never hid it from you.”

Xie Yuan blinked. “When did you ever tell me?”

“You don’t mean that Second Master begged you to take you as a disciple and taught you the Nine Swords, do you?”

“Brother Guan, do you think I’m Wu Tong? That naive girl who believes everything you say?”

Xie Yuan frowned. “So your martial cultivation also came from Second Master?”

You shook your head. “My martial cultivation was taught by the Tian Shi of San Zhen Sect.”

Xie Yuan cut in. “Fine, fine, I won’t ask anymore. I even claimed that San Zhen’s founder Lu Chen said I had an extraordinary bone structure—do you believe that?”

You nodded. “He really did say that.”

“Brother Guan, I never realized your face was thicker than Bianjing’s city walls.”

Young hearts hold no heavy burdens; anger comes fast and fades quickly.

Xie Yuan grinned again. “Fine, I believe you. But you’ll have to teach me a few moves of Second Master’s Nine Swords.”

You thought for a moment, then agreed.

The carriage rolled along the Western Wing Long Street; you lifted the blue silk curtain, watching the shifting lanterns outside. Inside you, the pure yang qi of the Yang Fu Jing gradually subsided, and the Nine Swords’ true intent, once wrapped, stirred back to life.

The Xie family’s carriage emblem caused passersby to scatter instantly; the vehicle moved without obstruction.

After about half an hour, the stone lions before the vermilion gate and the plaque reading “Dingyuan Marquis Mansion” came into view.

Madam Zhuge had already sent servants to wait at the gate for Xie Yuan—you, unusually, felt a pang of envy.

With parents alive, there is always support, always a few steps back, always warm porridge waiting at home.

You were alone. After bidding Xie Yuan farewell, you walked alone through layer upon layer of courtyards.

The sky was clear, the moon bright, the stars sparse.

Before you reached the courtyard, you heard loud, chaotic noise from within.

“Creak—”

You pushed open the courtyard gate.

There, Wu Tong and Lu Ya, two young maids, stood blocking the inner door; Wu Tong’s face was tight with worry, clutching a heavy black spirit tablet.

Xie Renfeng, accompanied by the previous coachman and five or six guards, blocked the courtyard.

The sound of the gate opening startled everyone.

Xie Renfeng’s previously composed expression slowly turned toward you.

“Xie Guan?” He narrowed his eyes, a flicker of shock crossing his face. “You’re still alive?”

Wu Tong’s face relaxed. “Young Master, you’ve returned.”

You looked around the ruined courtyard, at the spirit tablet in Wu Tong’s arms—your mother’s.

A surge of rage rose in your chest; the ten years of suppression, the Nine Swords within your heart—seven of them had already begun to converge, and a great, silent, cyclical force of boundless destruction was forming.

Your eyes grew bloodshot, but a calm energy surged in your chest, restoring your composure.

You opened your eyes again, concealing all traces of murderous intent.

“Seventh cousin, what is your intent?”

Wu Tong and Lu Ya stepped behind you.

Wu Tong gritted her teeth. “They’ve come to tear down the house.”

Xie Renfeng brushed dust from his gold-threaded sleeve, speaking slowly. “I already told you before—I asked Grandmother for this house, and she gave her royal word.”

“I thought you’d never return, so I came early to clear out the clutter.”

He deliberately stretched his words, no longer hiding his tone. “Didn’t expect you to be so stubbornly alive.”

You spoke coolly. “It seems you’re quite close to He Lan the True Artisan.”

Xie Renfeng smoothed his sleeve, proudly declaring, “Of course. My family, the Xie, commands respect—even the Crown Prince of Changsheng Heaven must bow to us.”

Wu Tong’s eyes filled with unhidden dread—she had just heard Xie Renfeng say the Young Master was dead today, and she could not believe it.

But his reply just now filled her with terror—these people had long plotted his death. How could they be so ruthless?

If the Young Master were gone, how could she possibly go on living? Tears welled in her eyes.

Lu Ya quickly gripped Wu Tong’s hand, whispering soothing words.

“Then if that’s the case, please leave, Third Cousin.”

Xie Renfeng smiled. “Since I’ve come, how could I leave without tidying up?”

Moonlight spilled across the courtyard.

Xie Renfeng gazed at the flowers, grasses, and neatly arranged tables and chairs within.

“These vulgar objects are fit to remain in the Xie household? Smash them clean!”

Five or six guards did not hesitate—Xie Guan was merely a bastard son, insignificant. They raised their clubs and moved to strike.

“Dong—”

The great tripod slammed into resonance, its entire body trembling; the ancient, simple pan-chi patterns along its surface rippled like fish scales, and the obscure inscriptions now clearly emerged, each character radiating a terrifying pressure.

The four-sided tripod with dual handles erupted with myriad rays of rosy light, swirling with thick, ancient, and primordial chaotic energy.

The characters above froze instantly.

1. Act now. (Hint: May benefit the future.)

2. Ignore it. (Hint: May benefit the future.)

3. Act covertly. (Hint: May influence the future.)

4. Participate personally. (1/3)

5. May predict the future once. (1/2)

Yu Ke paid no attention to the four options that appeared, but to the anomaly emanating from the tripod.

This was the first time the “Kun Kun Ding” had exhibited such abnormal vibration.

Could it be related to Xie Guan, the “Heaven-Man Reincarnated”?

Yu Ke looked again at the options and eliminated “Participate personally,” “Predict,” and “Act covertly.”

Only the first two options remained; both hints were identical: may benefit the future.

Yu Ke stared at the characters above, recalling Xie Guan’s experiences in this life.

Without hesitation, he made his choice.

1. Act now. (Hint: May benefit the future.)

【You slowly opened your eyes; a flash of cold light pierced your gaze, like moonlight reflected in a deep pool, chilling to the bone.】

【Xie Renfeng turned pale instantly, a bone-deep chill crawling up his spine. This pampered nobleman felt for the first time what true martial intent meant—like suddenly spotting a dragon gliding beneath the water in a vast marsh, his scalp prickled, his hair stood on end.】

【In an instant!】

【A clear radiance, like moonlight, descended upon the courtyard; the moonlight there froze as if solidified.】

【All the guards stiffened, unable to move.】

【Xie Renfeng had already reached the fourth realm of martial cultivation—Spring Thunder—and possessed one martial killing technique.】

【But he never cared for martial arts, studying them only to appease his mother, Lady Zhao, and had spent countless elixirs to reach this level.】

【He had no experience fighting others; none of the guard masters dared harm him.】

【His instinct screamed “run,” yet he felt breathless, his limbs icy, his body as heavy as lead, unable to shift even a hair’s breadth.】

【In your mind, the “Demon-Slaying Sword” blazed with brilliant light—this sword cleaves the soul. You activated only a fraction of its power; otherwise, these guards, all below the third realm, would not merely have frozen—they would have died instantly.】

【You stepped forward slowly; your blood qi surged like boiling water, the six postures of the “Taizu Holy Monkey Stance” flowing through your sinews and bones, every muscle and fiber exploding with thunderous roars.】

【Your momentum rose relentlessly; power coalesced along the edge of your palm, tearing a shrill whistle from the air—as if even space itself trembled beneath this overwhelming force.】

【Your blood qi churned like a furious tide, each wave higher than the last, surging to its peak—】

【Six Postures United: Holy Monkey Smashes the Stone Tablet!】

【Xie Renfeng’s pupils shrank to pinpricks; all mockery vanished from his eyes, replaced only by the terror of death. He wanted to scream, to beg—but his throat was gripped by an invisible hand, unable to produce even a whisper.】

【“This Xie Guan… how is he martial?!”】

【The six postures fused instantly into one, forming a terrifying fist imprint that crashed down upon his chest like a falling mountain.】

【Vast blood qi poured into Xie Renfeng’s body like a breached dam; the sound of snapping bones echoed like firecrackers, his five viscera and six bowels shattered.】

【Blood spurted from all seven orifices; his body flew backward like a ragged sack, slamming into the courtyard wall—bricks and stones shattered!】

【The guards finally snapped back to reality, faces pale with horror, mouths gaping in shock.】

【“He’s… killed someone!”】

(End of Chapter)