"Your father was too hasty. Cultivators are a threat, and we cannot let minor losses overshadow major gains."
However, after calming down, Zhao Hongwen's desire for longevity intensified, though he kept it hidden.
Zhao Yunhai, too, yearned for eternal life. Though young, the thought of it wasn't exclusive to the elderly.
With these protagonists as stepping stones, Zhao Yunhai was confident he would eventually find the path to immortality, hence his lack of urgency.
His father, on the other hand, saw no hope ahead.
The future was a fog, fueling his desperate yearning.
"This woman isn't dead yet."
Zhao Yunhai uttered words that stunned Zhao Hongwen, filling his face with a mixture of shock and then overwhelming joy.
Zhao Hongwen shot up from his seat in astonishment, "What? She's still alive?"
Then, as if a thought struck him, Zhao Hongwen's expression turned grim.
"This woman cannot be allowed to live."
"To survive an explosion of that magnitude means capturing her alive was likely a fool's errand."
Zhao Yunhai, considering that the woman was neither seen nor confirmed dead, agreed wholeheartedly.
"Yes, I think so too. Threats must be eliminated, otherwise, the consequences will be endless."
Zhao Hongwen inquired, seeking his son's intention, "Are you going to handle this yourself?"
"Yes," Zhao Yunhai nodded in agreement. "Leave this to me."
"I trust no one else," Zhao Hongwen acknowledged with a hum. "This matter has been sealed. No one else will know."
After all, she was an immortal. If news of this spread, it would undoubtedly cause complications and trouble.
Meanwhile, in the depths of the mountains, Xiao Yang was bathing in a river. Soon, an eagle flew down, chirping as if conveying a message.
"What?"
Xiao Yang's expression changed drastically. He quickly put on his clothes and rushed down the riverbank. His hurried demeanor clearly indicated a significant event.
Further down the river, a figure was washed ashore, floating motionlessly. Bloodstains marred their body, and their face was pale and lifeless.
"Fairy Sister."
Upon seeing the figure, Xiao Yang's heart felt as if it had stopped. He immediately scooped up the Fairy Sister and hurried back to his dwelling.
Along the way, Xiao Yang's mind was in turmoil.
Who could have harmed Fairy Sister?
How could such a powerful Fairy Sister be so grievously injured?
After Xiao Yang left, several small birds flew away from the trees by the river.
These birds were high-tech surveillance devices belonging to Si Jinyan, used to monitor Xiao Yang.
The advanced technology of the post-apocalyptic world had enhanced these surveillance methods to such an extent that even Xiao Yang couldn't detect the slightest clue.
Outside the mountains, in a newly constructed, rudimentary underground facility, three individuals were responsible for monitoring Xiao Yang.
"Quickly report to the team leader. This woman actually survived and was saved by Xiao Yang."
"Isn't it coincidental? This woman was saved by the very Xiao Yang we are monitoring. There must be something fishy going on."
"Whether it's coincidental or not isn't up to us to decide; it's up to Young Master Yun."
"That's true."
While they spoke, the three wasted no time in transmitting the intelligence.
Upon receiving the news, Si Jinyan immediately reported it to Young Master Yun.
Zhao Yunhai was neither surprised nor unsurprised. He already had a hunch about this news.
It seemed his guess was correct; that Xiao Yang was indeed the protagonist.
Zhao Yunhai then issued an order to Ah Da.
"Arrange for our people to evacuate everyone from the village at the foot of the mountain."
"Understood," Ah Da replied.
After Ah Da departed, Zhao Yunhai was about to head into the mountains with Si Jinyan when Ah Er arrived with a report.
Ah Er brought someone with him. The moment Zhao Yunhai saw him, he recognized the man's ambition.
"Greetings, Young Master Yun."
Upon meeting, the man immediately knelt on one knee, head bowed low, appearing extremely deferential.
"Who is this?" Zhao Yunhai asked Ah Er, glancing at the newcomer.
Ah Er, seeing Young Master Yun, quickly responded.
"This man is Xiao Yang's senior brother. He defected to us some time ago and has performed exceptionally well in the training camp."
"Initially, I didn't know, but when I was preparing to supplement Si Jinyan's personnel, I found out."
Zhao Yunhai's expression was peculiar as he hummed, "You say you are Xiao Yang's senior brother. Then you should know where your allegiance lies."
Here he comes. The villain has arrived. It's likely this senior brother is the villain who will oppose Xiao Yang.
"Young Master Yun, please rest assured. I left when Xiao Yang was about five years old."
Han Xiu, fearing Young Master Yun's suspicion regarding his loyalty, heavily kowtowed to the ground.
"Don't laugh, Young Master Yun, but when that old man discovered Xiao Yang's special physique, he took him as his last disciple."
"At that time, my only hope of obtaining the unique manual for the Beast Taming Art was completely dashed."
"So, I decided there was no turning back. While that old man was tending to Xiao Yang, I stole the Beast Taming Art and fled."
"Do you want to climb higher?"
Zhao Yunhai looked at him kneeling motionless on the ground and chuckled lightly.
Hearing the light laughter from above, Han Xiu knew this was his only chance.
Recalling the setbacks he had encountered throughout his years in the underworld, he had come to understand a truth upon his awakening.
To establish oneself in this world, strength alone is not enough; one needs backing, not just a strong but empty shell.
He had toiled to reach this point. The person before him could bring him wealth and power.
Thinking of this, Han Xiu, without lifting his head, declared loudly, "This subordinate wishes to make a name for himself."
"I am willing to be a dog at Young Master Yun's feet. Whoever Young Master Yun tells me to bite, I will bite."
"Excellent. For your honest attitude, I will give you an opportunity."
Zhao Yunhai exclaimed with great appreciation, "Bravo!"
Ambition is not a bad thing. If you state it directly, I will provide an opportunity to realize it.
"Thank you for your appreciation, Young Master Yun. This subordinate will serve you wholeheartedly, to the death."
Han Xiu's face lit up with joy, and he kowtowed three times, full of gratitude.
Finally, he was going to make a name for himself.
Old man, do you see this?
Your last disciple has offended a powerful figure like Young Master Yun. How can he possibly survive?
Indeed, Han Xiu was jealous of Xiao Yang's talent and harbored resentment towards the old man for accepting Xiao Yang as his final disciple.
He had been there first, yet received nothing.
Anyone else would likely have similar thoughts to Han Xiu.
Especially since Han Xiu's talent was already rare in the world. If not for Xiao Yang's appearance, it would have been his.
Han Xiu's abilities were also what allowed him to join the Zhao family.
Meanwhile, Ah Da had, within two hours, forcibly relocated all the villagers from the nearby settlements.
Zhao Yunhai had also arrived at the foot of the mountain. Seeing Han Xiu's curiosity about the various cannons set up around them, he said,
"In this era, individual strength ultimately cannot contend with firearms."
"If I were to flatten this place with an artillery strike, where could he possibly escape?"
"As expected of Young Master Yun, this subordinate is in awe."
Han Xiu had initially thought he would need to infiltrate the area, but he never expected such a direct bombardment.
"However, will using these weapons cause trouble?"
Han Xiu was a little worried about causing trouble. This was no small matter, and he didn't understand the Zhao family very well yet.
He only knew that the Zhao family held immense power in Yenching, but he was unaware that the Zhao family was already a dominant force in Yenching and even across the entire Kyushu.
"Hmph, in Yenching, Young Master Yun is the heavens."
Si Jinyan cast a glance at Han Xiu. "You'll get used to seeing things like this the more you experience them."