The nine men on the list all harbored a burning desire for vengeance, wanting nothing more than to devour their enemies' flesh and drink their blood.
"Hmm?"
Teng Qingshan looked at the eighth piece of paper. "Suspicion of connection with my Gui Yuan Sect?"
The person described on the eighth paper was named 'Xue Xin,' hailing from Wu'an Commandery in Yangzhou. The Xue family was an old, established clan in Wu'an Commandery city, boasting two to three hundred years of history. However, by the generation of Xue Xin's father, 'Xue Chengdao,' the family had only three male descendants: Xue Xin, his father, and his second uncle.
Xue Xin was the sole heir of the Xue family!
Xue Xin's childhood and youth were spent leisurely. Influenced by his father, he developed a love for reading from a young age, becoming a renowned scholar in Wu'an Commandery city! But when he turned sixteen, Xue Xin's father, 'Xue Chengdao,' acquired a treasure—rumored to be a calligraphy piece by the 'Poet Sword Immortal,' Li Taibai—the Drifting Clouds Scroll!
Li Taibai was a supreme powerhouse.
Similarly, in the literary world of poetry, Li Taibai held the highest possible status. A single piece of his calligraphy was undoubtedly worth a fortune. For those who loved poetry, this Drifting Clouds Scroll was an absolute treasure.
"This Xue Chengdao actually obtained the calligraphy piece of the Poet Sword Immortal, Senior Li Taibai," Teng Qingshan praised secretly. "But alas, it also brought disaster upon him!"
After obtaining the Drifting Clouds Scroll, Xue Chengdao cherished it carefully.
Unfortunately, his younger brother, 'Xue Chengqian,' inadvertently revealed the existence of the Drifting Clouds Scroll to his friends during a drunken spree, boasting proudly. This single drunken slip-up caught the attention of 'Zhao Fu,' the nephew of the then-Prefect of Wu'an Commandery, who also had a passion for poetry. Zhao Fu visited the Xue residence that very day, offering a hefty sum to purchase the scroll!
Regrettably, if the Xue family had simply sold the Drifting Clouds Scroll, things might have ended there.
But Xue Chengdao viewed the Drifting Clouds Scroll as his lifeblood and refused to sell it? He politely declined Zhao Fu, claiming he didn't possess the scroll at all, and that his brother had merely been boasting in his cups!
"This Zhao Fu is truly ruthless!" Teng Qingshan felt a chill looking at the few simple lines on the paper—'Three days later, the Wu'an Commandery guards arrested the brothers Xue Chengdao and Xue Chengqian and threw them into prison. The next day, they falsely accused the Xue family of being remnants of the Iron Garb Sect, executing the entire clan, including female relatives, for a total of eighteen people. Only Xue Xin escaped.'
Reading these lines, Teng Qingshan sighed inwardly.
In the face of Qinghu Island's tyranny, what was a wealthy family worth? Labeling them 'remnants of the Iron Garb Sect' was all it took to annihilate them.
Three months after the execution of the Xue family, a major event that shocked all of Wu'an Commandery occurred—
A massive poisoning incident struck the Prefect's Mansion of Wu'an Commandery!
Eighty-seven people in the mansion died, but Zhao Fu miraculously survived the poison. Such a high death toll enraged the Prefect of Wu'an Commandery, who immediately ordered an investigation... The investigation ultimately revealed that the poisoning was carried out by the frail young man who only understood poetry, 'Xue Xin'! Immediately, warrants were issued throughout Yangzhou province for the apprehension of this young man, Xue Xin.
Xue Xin went into hiding, concealing his identity, and vanished for three full years. According to my sect's investigation, during these three years, he is suspected to have been associated with the Gui Yuan Sect.
In August of this year, Xue Xin was hired as a 'Security Escort' by a (Biaoju, security transport agency), returning to Wu'an Commandery city. Currently, he is an escort at the 'Changsheng Biaoju' in Wu'an Commandery city, under the false name 'Wu Yi.'
...
Having closely examined this man's information.
"This Xue Xin was merely a scholar before his family was destroyed?" Teng Qingshan was somewhat astonished. "First, he used poison for revenge, and three years later, he became an escort?" At the same time, Teng Qingshan marveled... the intelligence network of the Snow Lotus Sect was formidable, managing to uncover Xue Xin's current identity.
"Vanished for three years? Suspicion of connection with my Gui Yuan Sect during that time?" Teng Qingshan mused.
"Well, let's see what this young man is really like."
Actually, Teng Qingshan could have chosen any of the nine men, but the very phrase 'suspected connection with the Gui Yuan Sect' inclined him toward this Xue Xin.
**
"Roar~~"
The massive body of the Six-Legged Saber Cicada flew through the pitch-black night sky. Teng Qingshan stood directly on its back, facing the wind. The Gale Eagle was also resting lazily on the Cicada’s back.
"Wu'an Commandery!"
"I settled Xiao Jun in Wu'an Commandery back then. I never expected to return to Wu'an Commandery again," Teng Qingshan let out a slight smile. "If this young man, Xue Xin, proves to be a true talent... I will accept him as a disciple, and I can then stand up for him and exact revenge on his behalf!"
Teng Qingshan's objective was—to confront Qinghu Island!
Standing up for a disciple was a perfectly justifiable excuse! Few would ever suspect... that someone would deliberately provoke Qinghu Island.
Whoosh~~ Whoosh~~~
The Six-Legged Saber Cicada tore through the wind, consuming less than half an hour to travel from Nanxing Commandery to Wu'an Commandery.
...
In a tavern across from the Changsheng Biaoju in Wu'an Commandery city.
"Brother Wu Yi, this escort mission really cost you, brother. If it weren't for you, not only might I not have kept my life, but at least one of my legs would certainly have been crippled. I won't offer too many words of thanks; I toast you, brother!" On the second floor of the tavern, three martial artists were drinking together.
"When we escort missions, our lives are hanging by a thread. I helped you this time; next time, you help me... It's all expected, why bother with thanks," replied a youth with a long scar across his face, raising his cup.
The three martial artists ate heartily and drank deeply, clearly celebrating the successful completion of an escort mission, all in high spirits.
In a corner of the tavern, a man in white robes with a long sword strapped to his back was calmly sipping his wine.
"This Xue Xin," Teng Qingshan glanced at the escort named 'Wu Yi.' "No wonder the Prefect's men in Wu'an Commandery didn't recognize him... How is this the frail, bookish young man from before? If not for the intelligence report, I wouldn't believe he was just a delicate youth three years ago."
The escort named 'Wu Yi,' who was Xue Xin, now stood tall at seven feet three inches, with sturdy arms, a broad back, and a fierce scar running from his nose across half his face. His eyes, when opened and closed, were like knives.
"Three years, only three years, from a frail scholar to a martial arts expert," Teng Qingshan observed Xue Xin’s demeanor and gaze, nodding silently.
**
Teng Qingshan observed Xue Xin quietly for three days. The event that solidified Teng Qingshan's decision to take Xue Xin as a disciple occurred one night when Xue Xin visited a dilapidated beggar colony and gave some silver fragments to the children shivering in the cold winter.
"This Xue Xin was wanted by Qinghu Island when he was sixteen. Fleeing across the land... he probably experienced life as a beggar. Perhaps that's why he harbors such compassion for these beggars."
Standing in the dark corner, watching Xue Xin perform this act, Teng Qingshan finally resolved to accept Xue Xin as a disciple.
...
Afterward, Teng Qingshan spent a day in Wu'an Commandery city, spending over a hundred thousand taels of silver to purchase an opulent mansion. The Six-Legged Saber Cicada and the Gale Eagle descended upon this mansion with lightning speed under the cover of night. Teng Qingshan named this residence 'Jing Manor.'
"Xing Yi Quan (Form-Intent Fist)... Form-Intent, Form-Intent. When I clash with Qinghu Island, I shall use the alias 'Jing Yi.'" After purchasing the manor and settling the Six-Legged Saber Cicada and Gale Eagle, Teng Qingshan quietly arrived at the Changsheng Biaoju that very night.
Changsheng Biaoju.
Relying on the sensory perception within his Void Realm expert domain, Teng Qingshan easily located Xue Xin.
"Hmm? No wonder he managed to become a respected escort in just three years." Teng Qingshan stood on the roof of a pavilion, his entire body seemingly invisible within the darkness, looking down upon the young man—Xue Xin—practicing his saber techniques in the courtyard below!
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
Xue Xin stood bare-chested, gripping a Zhanmadao (horse-chopping saber). He moved with lightning speed across the courtyard. The saber he wielded swung, slashed, pulled obliquely, and blocked—each strike seemingly aimed at an invisible enemy. Furthermore, an audible air burst accompanied every downward swing.
Xue Xin’s eyes were sharp as blades as he ceaselessly practiced.
"Hmm? This young fellow isn't using inner strength?" Teng Qingshan felt a slight surprise. Based on his sensitivity to the energies of Heaven and Earth, Teng Qingshan could clearly discern that this made him smile faintly. "This little fellow is utilizing pure physical strength!"
Xue Xin's saber strikes were incredibly fast! Incredibly fierce!
"That makes sense. Three years ago, he knew nothing of martial arts. At sixteen... if he hadn't cultivated inner strength, even if given an inner strength manual, he likely wouldn't achieve much," Teng Qingshan knew well that cultivating inner strength was best started from childhood.
"Moreover, having fled without a teacher, he could only rely on physical power to swing his saber. But judging by the might of his current strikes, he must possess at least several thousand jin of strength," Teng Qingshan noted inwardly.
"But why does the intelligence report suggest a possible connection with the Gui Yuan Sect?"
Although puzzled, Teng Qingshan didn't overthink it, waiting quietly for Xue Xin to finish his practice.
"Hoo!"
Xue Xin sheathed his Zhanmadao, his strong upper body covered in sweat. He gasped softly, his eyes occasionally flashing with cold light: "Grandmother, Father, Mother, Second Uncle... and Eldest and Second Sisters, I will definitely kill those three bastards, Zhao Fu and the others, and avenge you all, definitely!"
Hatred was a daily driver that prevented Xue Xin from relaxing for a moment.
Alas...
The gap between him and his enemies was too vast.
...
In the pitch-black night, Xue Xin was about to return to his room after putting away his saber when—
Swish!
A figure moved as if instantly teleported, abruptly appearing in front of Xue Xin. The figure materialized with eerie solidity; it was Teng Qingshan in his white robes, sword on his back.
Xue Xin gasped in alarm and instinctively took a step back.
"Who are you?" Xue Xin calmed himself.
"Little fellow," Teng Qingshan smiled at Xue Xin. "Last night, you gave some silver fragments to those beggars?"
Xue Xin was even more shocked internally.
"Use your saber to attack me," Teng Qingshan smiled at him. "Remember, use your most powerful saber technique... Perhaps then, I will accept you as a disciple."
"You want to see my saber technique?" Xue Xin couldn't help but feel a surge of surprise. Although he didn't know who the visitor was, he had never witnessed or even heard of such terrifying movement skill... If he could truly apprentice under this person, perhaps his revenge would become achievable.
"Don't worry, I won't draw my sword," Teng Qingshan said with a smile.
"You won't draw your sword? Wh-what if I injure you?" Xue Xin felt a moment of genuine concern.
Teng Qingshan let out an amused laugh. "Injure me? If you can wound me even slightly, I will ensure you reach the Innate Realm within a year."