"Even if he is a Grandmaster, what can a loner do against us?" Luo Tianyang narrowed his eyes, his killing intent solemn.
"That person was rumored to be an unparalleled Master in his time. We killed him by exchanging one Grandmaster for another. I don't believe his son could be stronger."
"Esteemed Chief..." Xue Tian coughed up more blood.
"I have lost this battle, and I am crippled. I understand that nothing I say now can change things. Someone has to bear the consequences of this incident, or the rules of Yin Ren will crumble, and the hearts of the people will be unsettled."
"You understand. That is good." Luo Tianyang nodded with relief, then sighed.
"Elder Tian, do you have anything else to say? I will do whatever I can."
"Esteemed Chief, this old man is a loner. What could I possibly have to do? I only have one request."
"Speak."
"Esteemed Chief, grant this old man... a quick end."
Having spoken, Xue Tian closed his eyes.
He knew he was crippled now, his state of mind shattered. Even if he recovered, there would always be a mental demon on his martial path. Only death could bring him solace.
Luo Tianyang looked at Xue Tian and sighed deeply.
"Elder Tian, as you wish. Rest in peace. Rest assured, I will avenge you."
With that, he applied force to his palm, crushing Xue Tian's skull.
Xue Tian, the Bloodied Protector of Yin Ren, a generation's Grandmaster, finally met his end at the hands of Luo Tianyang.
"Inform Yin Ren that the mission failed. Bloodied Protector Xue Tian has atoned with his death to uphold the rules of Yin Ren."
Luo Tianyang waved his hand towards Xue Tu.
The three of Xue Tu, as if granted a great pardon, retreated warily.
*Bang.*
After the door closed, Luo Tianyang crushed the solid wooden armrest of the chair.
"Ying'er, your father will surely avenge you!"
"This vengeance is irreconcilable!"
"Someone!"
Luo Tianyang called out in a low voice.
The Yin Ren members standing guard at the door respectfully pushed the door open and cupped their hands.
"Esteemed Chief."
"Go and summon the other three Protectors. In a few days, we will have a council meeting in the capital."
"Yes."
...
The sun rose over Luochuan.
After several days of continuous rain, the sky had finally cleared.
Everything had settled.
*Swish!*
Qin Xuan pulled open the curtains. A few rays of sunlight streamed in, and he felt a warmth spread through his body.
"Qin Xuan! What are you doing so early in the morning? Close it quickly!"
Wang Yuyan lazily turned over, patted her hand twice, and pulled the corner of the quilt tighter around herself.
Seeing Wang Yuyan's endearingly clumsy appearance, Qin Xuan couldn't help but smile.
"The sun is out. It's time to get up. You are a cultivator now, and the dense primordial energy in the early morning is the best for cultivation."
"Ugh, cultivation my foot. I want to sleep!" Wang Yuyan rubbed her sleepy eyes.
"Right, aren't we supposed to go back today?"
"I think... so."
"What, are you reluctant?" Wang Yuyan suddenly sat up from the bed.
"You scoundrel Qin Xuan, you're still thinking about Xiong Ziyi from the Xiong family, aren't you! She's so beautiful. I bet you've got wicked intentions."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Qin Xuan rolled his eyes helplessly.
"Why are you acting like a petty, nagging wife?"
"You're still talking." Wang Yuyan wrinkled her small nose.
"The night before last, you took me to save Xiong Ziyi. Hey, I was so badly hurt that day. Couldn't you have taken me back first before going? I think you're just being superficial!"
Qin Xuan covered his forehead with his hand.
"Why are you getting more and more worked up? I couldn't just leave her to die, could I?"
Ever since Qin Xuan and Xiong Zhong went to his house to detoxify Xiong Ziyi, Wang Yuyan had been harping on the matter, constantly bringing it up, which left Qin Xuan feeling very helpless.
"I'm getting worked up? And leaving her to die?" Wang Yuyan put her hands on her hips.
"Fine, Qin Xuan. Do you fancy that Xiong Ziyi! You were already flirting with that little vixen before. I knew something was up!"
"You're not... being unreasonable..."
"Am I being unreasonable again? Are you going to call me unreasonable next? You're just making things difficult." Wang Yuyan, with her messy lion-like hair and eyes wide as copper bells.
"If you go to find that Xiong Ziyi again, I'll... I'll tell Tantai! That you're two-timing and philandering! Hmph, you scumbag!"
"Alright, alright, I was wrong... I was wrong."
As soon as Wang Yuyan finished speaking, Qin Xuan immediately pleaded for mercy.
This woman had changed since that day in the storage room. Even if he accidentally glanced at another woman, if she saw it, it was a mistake. She was even more controlling than Tantai.
"Sigh."
Qin Xuan sighed. If he could do it all over again, he would never have provoked this girl.
"Do you know what you did wrong?"
"I know."
"Then tell me, what did you do wrong?"
"I was wrong to... come to Luochuan..."
"Qin Xuan!"
"Alright, alright." Qin Xuan sat down next to Wang Yuyan and patted her shoulder.
"We're going back today. We should pack up and get ready to leave."
"No!" Wang Yuyan turned her head away, pouting.
"No hug, no soothing!"
Qin Xuan smiled helplessly, shook his head, and pulled Wang Yuyan into his arms.
Wang Yuyan hugged Qin Xuan back, nuzzled her little head against his shoulder, and inhaled the scent of him.
It might not be bad to stay in Luochuan forever.