Chapter 86

Fighting is definitely necessary, but I want to take command; this time, don't let me stay cooped up in the city again.

Yang Hongyue also came; during this period, her relationship with Qin Mingyue has been getting better. Most of the time the two are together, giving Shen Tianxing many bold ideas about married life!

You must hold the city; I'm taking the troops out. Do you think the other two cities won't seize the chance to attack Leiming City? Even if there's only a one-in-ten-thousand possibility, you have to stay; otherwise, if they come, who will defend the city? We can't let Old Man Yang do it, can we?

Yang Hongyue had nothing to say; in matters of marching and warfare, Yang Tieqiang is indeed much more mature, but he's old after all.

Anyway, no matter what, I can't argue with you; fine, we'll guard the city. If anyone blindly shows up, this general will surely annihilate them all.

Yang Hongyue resigned herself; Shen Tianxin smiled, about to make a couple of teasing remarks, when the voice of Hong Yi came from nearby.

It has been detected that assassins from the Black Shadow Tower of Jingcheng have already infiltrated Leiming City; the assassins' target is to take away Li Miaozhu, whose medical skills are exceptional.

Congratulations, Host, you have triggered a side quest: protect the medical sage Li Miaozhu. Please, Host, immediately go to protect Li Miaozhu's safety and slay five incoming assassins.

Completing the quest rewards 500,000 Killing Value points, activates the secondary profession of Medical Arts, five advanced catapults, five advanced ballistae, a summon token for a superior tier-one troop type, and fifty thousand taels of silver.

Shen Tianxing stroked his chin; the Black Shadow Tower assassins are Sun Zhongquan's men, and their purpose in coming to Leiming City is to take Li Miaozhu, whose medical skills are exceptional. So who is ill—the Emperor or Sun Zhongquan?

Hongyue, I heard your young aunt is a disciple of a divine doctor, able to cure almost any illness—is that true?

Yang Hongyue froze for a moment, not understanding why Shen Tianxing suddenly asked that, but she nodded anyway.

Pretty much, anyway—my grandfather had a few serious bouts before, and my young aunt cured them all; look, he's now hopping about, isn't he?

Also, back in Tianlao, it was thanks to my young aunt's several acupuncture sessions that my grandfather survived Sun Zhongquan's torment; of course, the Small Return Pill you gave also really helped.

My young aunt also wanted to ask you for a pill to study, but I've been busy too, and I forgot to ask; why not just give me one now?

Giving one is fine, but I need to go see your young aunt; I have something I'd like to consult her about.

Yang Hongyue looked doubtful, knowing her young uncle is only thirty, her young aunt is twenty-six and quite pretty—could Shen Tianxing have some ulterior motive?

What's with that look? I still understand seniority; I merely received intel that the Black Shadow Tower assassins are coming to seize your young aunt—possibly because Sun Zhongquan or the young emperor is ill; otherwise they wouldn't dispatch those assassins.

Then what are we waiting for? Hurry up—we must ensure the safety of my young uncle and young aunt.

Yang Hongyue grabbed Shen Tianxing's hand and left; Qin Mingyue was somewhat amused and exasperated, but didn't follow.

The Yang family lives in the manor Shen Tianxing previously bought in Leiming City, mainly because Yang Hongyue hasn't married him yet, and the Yangs are her natal family; it wouldn't be proper for them to live together with him.

The two mounted their horses as they left, and soon arrived at the present Yang residence.

Hongyue, Tianxing, how come you're here? Are you discussing the wedding? It's about time you did.

Yang Hongyue's eldest uncle, Yang Xingzhao, was practicing spear in the front courtyard; seeing Shen Tianxing and Yang Hongyue enter, he immediately lowered his spear, smiled, and asked.

Eldest uncle, I don't have time for this now; we're here to find the young aunt. Is she in the mansion? Tianxing received word that Sun Boquan sent people to seize the young aunt; they may already have entered the city.

Yang Xingzhao frowned, his face also somewhat grim.

Your eldest aunt and your young aunt went to get your wedding necessities and dowry for three days from now; they left just an hour ago and should be returning soon. Xing Yun accompanied them, so likely no danger, but we can't be sure—let's go look for them together.

In the midst of speaking, Yang Xingzhao picked up the spear he had just set down; he also has the strength of Seventh Grade Eighth Layer, so he can still help.

Alright, we'll split up; whoever finds them first will immediately bring them to the Taishou Fu, where there are enough guards—it's the safest place.

Shen Tianxing reminded Yang Hongyue and Yang Xingzhao; the two nodded, then the three left the Yang residence, each mounting their horses and heading in three different directions to search for Li Miaozhu.

At that moment, Li Miaozhu was with her elder sister-in-law Fan Shaoying in a jewelry shop picking out gold and silver ornaments when they heard a commotion outside; turning, they saw the patrol troops Shen Tianxing had dispatched in the city—now presumably called city patrol soldiers.

They look like they're searching for someone; I don't know if it's another round of catching spies like before, but if it's us, we could still help Tianxing and let him see the strength of our Yang family's female general.

Elder sister-in-law, I've only just reached Sixth Grade Second Layer—I'd just be getting in the way; unlike you, who have already reached Seventh Grade Perfection, stronger than my elder brother. I heard Hongyue went to the Taishou Fu and gathered a lot of good medicinal herbs to send you, so you can calm down and prepare to break through to Eighth Grade.

Li Miaozhu felt envious, of course—her martial arts talent isn't high, so it's just pure envy.

I knew you'd eventually ask about the medicinal herbs; if you like, pick some, and besides, if we really use these herbs to break through, won't we also need you to help me refine them?

Elder sister-in-law, if you say that, then I won't hold back; but it's strange, hearing Hongyue say that Tianxing's martial dao realm seems to fluctuate between high and low.

Sometimes it feels like Eighth Grade, even approaching Ninth Grade; other times it seems only Sixth Grade. I don't know what constitution this is—I'd really like to seize him and study him, but I'm afraid Hongyue won't agree, and of course mainly because I don't want to scare Tianxing.

These two still don't know that the patrol troops acted on Shen Tianxing's transmitted order, which is why the whole city is searching for them.

If you speak nicely, it might still work; Tianxing is someone who listens to others' opinions. Leiming City is now quite prosperous, although it's still a bit inferior to Jingcheng, but it's already not bad—after all, Leizhou is relatively barren.

Fan Shaoying holds an extremely favorable impression of Shen Tianxing; if it weren't for the fact that he's already with Yang Hongyue, she'd want to marry her daughter to him.

Forget it; this is just a passing thought, not something that absolutely needs research.

Li Miaozhu replied with a smile; Fan Shaoying still wanted to say a couple more things, but suddenly sensed something amiss, quickly snatched the silver hairpin from the tray and flung it outward.

Ah......

A shrill cry rang out, and several figures swiftly appeared, lunging at the two; one of them had the silver hairpin lodged in his shoulder.

Seeing five attackers rush in, all of them Seventh Grade masters, Fan Shaoying hesitated not at all; her internal force exploded fully, she thrust both palms forward, and the invisible internal force formed a huge barrier that blocked the five and also sent them staggering back.