The relentless pursuit by numerous bandits lasted for days and nights. By the time He Quanming and his group escorted the gold back to He Family Village, the affair that had shaken all of Taicang County was essentially drawing to a close.

He Yitian had repeatedly urged his father that the two of them should hurry back to Taicang County to ascertain the situation.

However, all these suggestions were firmly dismissed by the seasoned and thoughtful He Quanxin. Although He Quanxin generally did not involve himself deeply in the family's affairs, at this moment, he displayed unwavering resolve.

In his view, the horse bandits had been attacking Taicang County for several days; even if they rushed there at their fastest pace, they would certainly be too late. Moreover, since He Yiming had already gone, if even he couldn't resolve the matter, then the father and son pressing forward would simply be courting death.

Rather than risk danger, it was better to escort the gold forward; under no circumstances could this shipment of gold be lost.

Even if the He Family were utterly destroyed amidst the flames of war, with this gold, the family could be rebuilt from the ruins.

Yet, upon their return, they finally learned the full account of what transpired. The legends surrounding He Yiming, in particular, had already circulated in at least ten different versions, and even some of the household retainers who were present at the scene offered conflicting narratives. However, regardless of the version, one point was certain: in the mouths of the tellers, He Yiming had already transformed into something less than human—a monster...

※※※※

With a burst of shouts, ten large carts rumbled into the He Estate, and under He Yihai's arrangements, the more than one hundred people from the Yuan family were settled in.

After the battle at Xu Family Fort, even He Yihai had matured considerably. At this time, he began assisting He Quanyi in managing the mountain stronghold.

In fact, the third-generation disciples from the Three Great Families all seemed to have matured overnight after experiencing such bloody, life-and-death combat. They began gradually engaging with the core of the family and methodically started taking over responsibilities.

He Quanxin brought Yitian and first proceeded to the main courtyard of the He Family.

Old Master He had already returned from Xu Family Fort and was staying in the main residence. As for the women, children, and younger dependents who had fled into the mountains to avoid the unrest, they had long since returned, and the entire family was reunited, basking in harmony.

When the horse bandits besieged the city, the patriarchs of the Three Great Families stood shoulder-to-shoulder against a common foe, setting aside all personal reservations. But once the bandits retreated, their calculating minds immediately began stirring. It was certain, however, that so long as Xu Yinjie and Cheng Ningsheng hadn't gone mad, they would absolutely not take the initiative to antagonize the He Family again.

In Taicang County, the He Family Village—the most recent of the three lineages—was undoubtedly positioned to become the premier family among the Three Great Families, holding an absolute advantage.

Entering the main courtyard, He Quanxin and his son immediately spotted He Wude in the main hall.

At this moment, a palpable weariness permeated He Wude’s frame; after all, he was advanced in years, and his energy could not compare to that of the younger men.

"Father, you have been terribly frightened this time," He Quanxin approached and bowed deeply.

He Yitian also offered a profound bow, then immediately stood up and moved behind the elder, gently kneading and beating his back.

He Wude nodded with satisfaction, deeply gratified by his grandson’s demeanor and technique.

"It was a blessing that Yiming returned this time," the Old Master sighed. "Had he not returned so abruptly and slain those four bandit leaders at the tenth layer of Inner Strength in one go, those ruffians might not have dispersed so easily."

He Quanxin’s brow twitched slightly. "Father, we were fortunate that Yiming was present when we went to the Yuan family this time as well. Otherwise, I fear my son and I might not have returned safely either."

He Wude started inwardly. Although his eyes had already seen them both and he knew that their presence meant they were unharmed, hearing those words caused his heart to tighten involuntarily.

"What happened? Tell me everything properly."

"Yes."

He Quanxin recounted everything he had witnessed and heard without hesitation. When he mentioned Lü Xinwen, even his own emotions betrayed a slight tremor. The impact He Yiming had delivered upon him at that time was simply too profound.

He Wude nodded slightly. He too was privately thankful that he had allowed He Yiming to accompany them; otherwise, this rescue mission might not only have yielded no benefit but could have cost them the elder son and the elder grandson as well.

However, no one could have imagined that the seemingly insignificant Fan family could be connected to a Transcendent Realm expert.

Yet, a strange notion simultaneously crossed their minds: perhaps no one would have imagined that within the Taicang He Family, a Transcendent Realm master would suddenly emerge.

If the existence of such a powerful figure were known, no matter how bold those horse bandits were, they would scarcely dare to provoke the family again.

Then, when He Quanxin mentioned the gifts bestowed by the Yuan family, He Wude’s brow furrowed.

A moment later, he said, "Quanxin, you made a mistake this time. Accepting the fifty thousand taels of gold was fine, but taking a twenty percent dormant stake in the Yuan family's shops was unacceptable." He stated gravely, "The Yuan family currently resides outside Zheng Tong Commandery City, where the great established families possess deep roots that we, in our minor squabbles, cannot compare with. The Yuan family is involving you merely as a means to tether Yiming to their chariot."

He Quanxin offered a bitter smile. "Father, of course, I understand, but this matter was ultimately up to Yiming to decide, and it was difficult for me to object."

He Wude snorted lightly. "You are Yiming's grand-uncle; why couldn't you..."

As he spoke, the image of He Yiming, letting out a long cry and stepping onto the wind that day, his single blade striking such terror that four thousand men grew faint-hearted, suddenly flashed into his mind.

At this moment, he asked himself: if He Yiming were present and had made a decision on a matter, would he still possess the courage to refuse or decline?

Upon this realization, a wry smile crept onto his face. The might of a Transcendent Realm master could hardly be described by mere words.

Though this was his own grandson, he could no longer be viewed with the same ordinary perspective.

"Yitian, go find Yiming now. He went into seclusion again after returning. Alas... he's already a Transcendent Realm expert; why must he work so hard?"

He Yitian acknowledged the order, his hands dropping slightly as he respectfully withdrew from the room.

However, he mused to himself that the Old Master seemed to be complaining about something, yet his expression and attitude held not a shred of true blame. The elder held his sixth nephew in remarkably high regard.

Seeing He Yitian depart, He Quanxin asked with confusion, "Father, why did you send Yitian away?"

He Wude’s expression turned solemn. "You mentioned just now that the Yuan family also gifted two women to Tian'er and Ming'er. What is the meaning of that?"

A look of conflicting emotions—half laughter, half tears—appeared on He Quanxin's face. "Father, these two women are reputable daughters of the Yuan family. One of them is even the direct offspring of Yuan Chengzhi, which is why I allowed them to be accepted."

He Wude’s face stiffened, and he let out a soft snort.

He Quanxin quickly added, "Father, Yiming has already advanced to the Transcendent Realm. Even if he takes several concubines, it poses absolutely no issue. The drain of female companionship is negligible for a Transcendent Realm expert."

He Wude sighed, "You know nothing! I’m not speaking of Yiming; I’m speaking of Tian'er. Do you not even consider his future prospects?"

He Quanxin hastily pulled out a jade bottle from his robes. "Father, look at this. With this item, it is of no consequence if Tian'er takes an additional consort."

He Wude opened the jade bottle with skepticism. Immediately, a wave of delicate fragrance filled the air.

His expression shifted instantly. He recognized the contents of the vial and then looked at He Quanxin with an expression of disbelieving inquiry.

"Father, these are Essence Gold Pills, all sent by Yiming," He Quanxin hesitated slightly. "From the tone of his voice, it seems he possesses more Gold Pills of a similar nature."

He Wude nodded heavily. Although there were only three pills in this jade bottle, he knew their immense value. If used properly, the strength of the entire family could be greatly enhanced.

"Indeed, with these few Gold Pills, Tian'er should be fine. However, Tian'er was just married last year; taking a concubine now might make the Cheng family lose face."

He Quanxin stated clearly, "Father, you can explain the circumstances of our trip to the Yuan family to our in-laws. I trust they will understand."

He Wude pondered for a moment, then finally nodded silently. If he were in the same position, he suspected he would have made the same choice.

"Quanxin, how is that woman who accompanied Yiming?"

"I do not know," He Quanxin replied with a wry smile. "I only know their origins and names, but everything was agreed upon by Yiming himself."

"Yiming again?" He Wude asked in surprise.

"Yes."

He Wude remained silent for a long time, finally letting out a deep sigh. "Yiming has finally grown up, and he is beginning to voice his own opinions."

He Quanxin lowered his head, feeling a pang of emotion. He hadn't expected that among the third generation of the He Family, the first to assert their own voice to their elders would not be the eldest son and grandson, He Yitian, but the sixth son, Yiming.

"In a moment, summon Quanming, Quanyi, as well as Yitian and Yiming here. Bring those two women along too," He Wude commanded sternly. "Since Yiming accepted that woman, it is time we grant him some familial standing."

※※※※

"Sixth Brother, you are truly incredible," in He Yiming's room, He Yitao’s face shone brightly. "Truly worthy of being a Transcendent Realm expert—you're practically inhuman."

He Yiming rolled his eyes. He genuinely couldn't tell if this was praise or a subtle jab.

Following closely behind He Yitian was He Yitao, the youngest of the third generation.

After He Yiming became a Transcendent expert and returned to He Family Village cloaked in a thick scent of blood, he immediately used the excuse of closed-door training to evade the strange gazes of everyone around him.

He Yitao had tried multiple times to seek out his Sixth Brother to inquire about the battle at Xu Family Fort, but under He Quanyi's watchful eye, his wishes were never granted.

This time, with He Yitian's return, he seized the opportunity to follow, leaving He Quanyi to shake his head and sigh helplessly. He had lived his life cautiously, yet the son he begot was as mischievous as a monkey, impossible to restrain—truly vexing.

"Sixth Brother, tell us, how did you manage it? Slaying two thousand men with one strike, killing eight tenths of the remaining four thousand, with less than two tenths escaping?" He Yitao's eyes glittered, bright as stars. "Were they all standing still waiting for you to strike them down?"

He Yiming was momentarily stunned. "Yitao, what exactly are you talking about? Where did you hear such nonsensical rubbish?"

He Yitao pleaded innocently, "Sixth Brother, this is what the household servants said! They were people who followed Grandfather in that battle. They said you slew two thousand men in the rear guard of the bandits with a single blade, and then with another strike, you cut down the majority of those remaining. Afterward, the bandits all knelt down begging for mercy, and your benevolence spared their lives."

He Yiming’s mouth gaped open. Although he was now a supreme Transcendent Realm expert, upon hearing a feat exaggerated tenfold, the skin on his scalp still prickled slightly.

He looked towards his elder brother, only to find He Yitian watching him with a face full of curiosity, clearly awaiting his explanation.

With a long sigh, He Yiming said, "Elder Brother, Yitao is still young, so I won't press him. But even you—do you believe it?"

He Yitian hesitated for a moment. "If this were a legend about anyone else, I might not believe it. But concerning Sixth Brother... I wouldn't dare say anything."

Indeed, he had witnessed too many miracles surrounding his sixth brother. After countless unexpected events, a peculiar feeling had settled in his heart: that whatever happened with his sixth brother seemed entirely possible.

Including the feat of slaying two thousand men with one strike. If this had happened to anyone else, He Yitian would have scoffed dismissively. But if it were his Sixth Brother...

Even though his logic screamed that it was impossible, a part of him remained half-believing, half-doubting.

He Yiming felt the two gazes filled with eager expectation and finally fell utterly silent.

He shook his head, suddenly feeling a heavy burden settle upon him. Those around him believed in him so completely, treating him like an omnipotent immortal. While this touched him deeply, it also made him slightly apprehensive. If one day he failed to meet their expectations, how disappointed would they be?

This thought flashed through his mind and was immediately suppressed with iron will. After so many trials, his resolve was already as hard as bedrock. A momentary distraction, for him, was like a ripple beneath a massive pillar supporting the heavens—it vanished in an instant, posing no threat.

"Elder Brother, Yitao, I can tell you truthfully: this is simply a rumor," He Yiming stated firmly. "No single person can slay two thousand cultivators with one strike; that is utterly beyond human capacity."

As he said this, a sudden question surfaced in He Yiming's mind.

When he executed that strike, he had exerted every ounce of his strength, virtually unleashing all the power of a nursing infant just to barely conjure a shower of blade light that enveloped an area the size of a two-hundred-man formation.

If those two hundred men had not been arranged in a neat formation, packed tightly within a small area, but had been dispersed, his single strike absolutely could not have achieved such overwhelming, unbelievable might.

The power of that one strike, he suspected, would be a unique occurrence that would never be repeated.

However, a terrifying notion faintly stirred in his heart. If his movements had been faster, if his True Qi had been stronger, if his figure had truly merged with the entire mountain rain, could he then have encompassed the entire mountainside with a single blade?

If he truly reached such a state, then never mind two thousand men—perhaps even twenty thousand would be unable to withstand that peerless strike.

Of course, this idea was far too wild; even he only allowed himself a brief contemplation. How could human power truly compare with the entirety of nature? Only reckless madmen would entertain such a thought.

He Yitian and He Yitao exchanged a glance. They both noticed the sudden bewilderment flickering in He Yiming’s eyes and were greatly puzzled.

"Sixth Brother, what are you thinking about?"

He Yiming awoke as if from a dream, offering an awkward smile. "Nothing, I was just caught up in a question regarding a martial technique."

The He Yitian brothers marveled. Perhaps only by keeping the way of martial arts paramount at all times could such an incredibly strong person be forged.

"Sixth Brother, so you didn't actually kill two thousand with one strike," He Yitao said, clearly disappointed.

He Yiming chided him without warmth, "Yitao, you need to be more realistic. One strike, two thousand? What will you be then? You couldn't even cut down two thousand stalks of wheat with one sweep."

As he said this, a realization suddenly dawned on him. He slapped his thigh. "I understand now."

He Yitao asked confusedly, "Understand what?"

He Yiming turned his head and stated with certainty, "Elder Brother, do you remember Lü Xinwen?"

"Of course."

"It was rumored that this man massacred an ancient family that had stood for a thousand years, killing without measure, thus earning the title 'Butcher of Blood,'" He Yiming sighed wryly. "What good is 'killing without measure' if a thousand people scatter in flight? How could he possibly kill them all? This is clearly just sensational deception."

He Yitian gasped in astonishment, then relaxed his features.

Although this was merely speculation, looking at the treatment He Yiming currently received offered a strong confirmation.

A Transcendent Realm expert was formidable, but if everyone scattered and fled, he still only possessed two hands and two feet; how many could he possibly pursue?

Suddenly, a gentle yet firm voice drifted in from outside the door: "Yiming, Yitian, come out with me. Father has something to command."

He Yitian and He Yiming immediately stood up. As for He Yitao, he shrank his neck and silently slipped into He Yiming's inner room, not daring to even stick his head out.

He Yiming and his elder brother exchanged a knowing smile. Facing their Third Uncle, Yitao truly feared him like a tiger.