Chapter Twenty: Unleashing a Bloody Massacre

Jiang Ming didn’t care. Truly, he didn’t care. With his own strength, there were few in the world he feared. As for being besieged by the powerful figures of several great sects? The Xiao and Liang families of Kaoshan City didn’t have that much influence.

The world was in turmoil; countless men had turned to banditry, and with great changes looming, many factions were simply watching and waiting. Without enough allure, few were willing to take the lead.

Kaoshan City, Xiao Family.

The main hall was littered with shards, the obvious remains of shattered teacups. The family head, Xiao Yingcheng, wore a terrifyingly grim expression, his whole body radiating murderous intent, though he forced himself to hold back. “The bandit chief? He actually killed Ming’er? How dare he—how could he? Does he not know Ming’er was my son? The Xiao family’s treasure? Who gave him the audacity!”

“Good. Very good!” he spat out. “I’ll lead our elites myself, capture him, light the sky lantern and execute him by slow slicing, I’ll wipe out his entire clan!”

Xiao Yingcheng was consumed by rage.

“Restrain yourself!” barked the elderly man beside him, his eyes narrowed, the hall buzzing with his sudden shout. “You are first the head of the Xiao family, and only then Ming’er’s father.”

Xiao Yingcheng’s face twisted, but he shut his eyes, took a deep breath, and sat down. He forcibly suppressed his fury, though his voice still trembled. “Second Uncle, you know Ming’er was the genius we poured our heart and soul into, the future of the Xiao family. Now he’s dead at the hands of an unknown nobody, right under our noses—I can’t help myself. Second Uncle, all I feel is rage and hatred. I’m not suited to make decisions now. You handle it!”

“Very well,” Second Uncle nodded. “A force of several hundred suddenly descended upon us, attacking the bandit stronghold without distinguishing friend from foe. Our investigation shows they killed many bandits and highwaymen along the way. Perhaps they’re from the imperial court.”

“The leader is called ‘Commander’—clearly a military address.”

“They all practice the same blade technique, vicious and tightly coordinated. Only the military could train such a force.”

“As for the later bandit chief—such a title may be a ruse. According to reports, he easily slipped past three strongholds to reach Ming’er.”

“Someone saw Ming’er’s sword caught between his fingers, then with a single gesture, he pierced Ming’er’s throat.”

“With Ming’er’s skill, unless his opponent was a grandmaster, it should have been impossible to kill him so easily.”

“And then Lu Yuan appeared.”

“You know Lu Yuan well—no sect, no background, but friends everywhere. We have some ties with him, yet he stood by as Ming’er was killed. That’s not his usual character.”

“I suspect the imperial court is moving against us.”

“Only the court could so easily hide a grandmaster.”

“Rumor has it the Sun Yang Manual has appeared here; chaos will follow.”

“We must not act rashly, but vengeance cannot be ignored!”

“We’ll claim that bandits robbed us of goods and silver worth a hundred thousand taels, and use that as an excuse—whoever destroys the bandit stronghold gets the loot, including a thousand-year-old ginseng. We’ll also spread word that the Sun Yang Manual is in the stronghold, drawing masses of martial artists to attack. Afterwards, we’ll just say the silver was found.”

“Also, send men to guard all directions, preventing escape.”

“We’ll observe in the shadows, waiting for the right moment.”

“If it truly is the imperial court, we’ll use this chance to wipe out the Six Gates in the city.”

Second Uncle spoke methodically.

That day, the Xiao family sent word out.

Kaoshan City was suddenly awash in undercurrents; rumors spread, claiming the legendary Sun Yang Manual had appeared in Baiyun Stronghold.

Baiyun Stronghold.

Jiang Ming sat in a courtyard, a stack of books at his side, flipping through them ceaselessly.

He’d already collected many, but now, from the three strongholds, he’d gathered nearly a hundred more, filling him with joy. He continued to read, and after finishing each book, he would close his eyes to ponder, integrating its knowledge into his own foundation.

Though his cultivation hadn’t increased, his bearing had subtly changed—he seemed both ethereal, blending with nature, and as solid as a mountain.

“Chief!” Chang Qing walked in, placing a bowl of medicinal food on the table and bowing respectfully. “Should I bring Miss Lan here?”

“No need,” Jiang Ming gestured to a nearby stool. Chang Qing didn’t sit, but Jiang Ming didn’t mind. “You’re the commander now, not a bandit. Remember, from now on, don’t call me ‘Bandit Chief’—call me ‘Commander’. Your troop is now the Tianwu Army.”

“Tianwu Army? Yes, Commander!” Chang Qing was delighted, even excited.

From now on, he was no longer a bandit.

As for the name ‘Tianwu’, he didn’t understand, but didn’t care.

“Train your troops well. A tough battle is coming. Don’t forget to tighten the defense—just hold Baiyun Stronghold and heighten the vigilance,” Jiang Ming said. “In the next few days, I’ll further refine the Seven Kill Blade Technique. You must also train hard, and strive to reach the Innate Realm.”

“Yes!”

After Chang Qing left, Lu Yuan leapt over, landing nearby, panting. His eyes lit up at the sight of the medicinal food.

He reached out, but Jiang Ming had already taken it, prompting Lu Yuan to complain, “Brother Jiang, you’re too stingy! You’ve eaten several ginseng roots these days, while I’ve been running errands and gathering intel for you, and you won’t even let me have a bowl? My temper…”

“What, you want to fight?” Jiang Ming smiled, chewing ginseng.

Lu Yuan raised his hand, helpless. “You’re the most shameless friend I have!”

He then grew serious. “There’s word in Kaoshan City that bandits stole goods and silver worth a hundred thousand taels from the Xiao family, as well as a thousand-year-old ginseng, all hidden in Baiyun Stronghold. Whoever gets it, owns it. Who could resist such temptation? There’s also talk that the Sun Yang Manual is in the stronghold. Clearly a trick by the Xiao family, stirring up martial artists to fight for it. By tomorrow, people will arrive. Be careful.”

“The Xiao family is cautious!” Jiang Ming was surprised. “Not seeking revenge themselves, but inciting martial artists?”

“I’m surprised too!” Lu Yuan grabbed the teapot and drank heartily.

“Well, it’s a good chance for my Tianwu Army to test its mettle.”

“Tianwu Army?” Lu Yuan paused, then realized, asking strangely, “You really want to turn over a new leaf? But that’s not how it’s done. Who’ll recognize it? The court might think you’re rebelling—if they send the army to crush you, well, that’d be fun!”

“That’s true!” Jiang Ming scratched his head.

He hadn’t thought of that, having just casually named Chang Qing’s group.

“Never mind—let them come. I’ll see if I can suppress a hundred thousand troops with just one hand.”

“Boasting like that, you’ll cover the sky with it!”

The next day.

Fighting continued at the foot of the mountain, but hadn’t yet reached the stronghold.

Near noon, Jiang Ming stretched and finally walked out.

“It’s time for action. Hopefully, some worthy adversaries,” he mused, heading down the mountain.

From today, he resolved to make his name known throughout the land, preparing for his next move.