Volume One: Tempests in a Small Town Chapter 27: Visitors from the Yuan Kingdom

Zhang Lie led the members of the Zhang family outside, only to be greeted by faces brimming with mockery and scorn. As soon as the Zhang family appeared, those gathered outside the manor immediately sprang into action.

“Criminals of the Zhang family, have you thought it through?”
“Reveal the secret of the Dragon Burial Abyss, and we’ll spare your lives.”
“A secret of such magnitude isn’t something you can keep. Speak up now, and you might suffer less.”
“The Dragon Burial Abyss is a resource for all cultivators of our continent, yet you seek to monopolize it? Your crime deserves death a thousand times over.”
“Refusing to talk, are you? No matter, we have plenty of time—we can play as long as we wish.” Liu Tianqing stroked his chin, his voice laced with amusement.

Voices clamored from every direction as they pushed forward, eager not to miss their chance at profit, each fearing to fall behind and lose out on their share.

When the crowd finally settled into a semblance of silence, Zhang Lie stepped forward and spoke in a frail, aged voice, “Lord of the Southern Border, Elder Wang, Elder Lin, esteemed seniors, we truly do not know the secret of the Dragon Burial Abyss. These accusations are nothing but the slander of thieves against our Zhang family. I beseech you, distinguished elders, to see through their schemes and not be deceived by petty villains.” With that, he bowed deeply to them all.

He knew well that these people might not believe him. Even if they did, they could still refuse to spare the Zhangs. But as the leader of his family, Zhang Lie could not simply stand by and watch his house destroyed by his own inaction.

“Hmph, you claim ignorance? Eighteen years ago, Zhang Qingyu and Yuan Qiuling entered the Dragon Burial Abyss and emerged unscathed. How do you explain that?” Wang Zewei sneered.

The crowd echoed, “How do you explain it?”

Watching his once-kind “master” in this guise, Zhang Yu stared coldly at Wang Zewei, silent, his handsome features etched with contempt and a trace of bitter resentment.

Two days ago, he had a master of profound cultivation, belonged to the most powerful sect in the Kingdom of Liu, and had a small, warm family.

Now, his master had become his enemy, his sect was forever lost to him, and even his family teetered on the brink of extinction.

Within three days, he had plummeted from joy to despair. Yet none of it mattered anymore.

At the very least, he had seen the truth of this world.

Though these men were wolves eager to devour them, Zhang Lie could only grovel, hoping his explanations might grant them mercy.

Such was this world—right and wrong meant nothing, only strength prevailed.

Zhang Lie, still bent low, continued, “The spatial turbulence within the Dragon Burial Abyss transports people randomly. My son and his companion survived only because they happened to be sent to a safe place. Though the odds are slim, over the course of a million years, many intruders have likewise found themselves in safe locations. I pray Elder Wang will see reason.”

“Still not admitting it?”

“Zhang family criminals, we’ve given you your chance. Refuse to speak and we’ll show no mercy.”

“There’s no point wasting words. Seize them all and torture them—we’ll make them talk.”

“I have a few Heart-devouring Pills here. The victim suffers seven days of agony as the poison gnaws at their heart, finally dying as it’s consumed bit by bit. Perfect for dealing with those who refuse to cooperate.”

Upon hearing Zhang Lie’s claim of ignorance, the crowd grew frantic and began shouting fiercely. Their grand display was not to be swayed by mere words; they would not let the Zhang family go.

“Please, we truly know nothing—let us go...” Zhang Lie tried to plead further, but they gave him no chance.

Lin Ye acted without hesitation, kicking Zhang Lie with a surge of immense spiritual energy. Already gravely wounded, Zhang Lie had no strength to resist and was sent flying into a stone table, which exploded instantly.

“Father!” Zhang Qingcang was the first to react, leaping to Zhang Lie’s side.

“Patriarch!” The Zhangs cried out in alarm, rushing to his aid. These people had no regard for reason, striking at the slightest provocation.

Sadly, all they could do was silently endure. They did not even possess the power to resist; now their very heads were trampled beneath others’ feet. All that remained was to beg meekly for the faintest hope of survival...

“Patriarch, are you alright?”

“Grandfather!” Zhang Yu choked out, holding the barely breathing Zhang Lie in his arms.

Zhang Qingcang glared at Lin Ye, his eyes burning with anger. He spoke slowly, “Elder Lin, you want the lives of the Zhang family, don’t you? I wonder if my life is worth that of two ordinary disciples.”

With that, he reached for his blade, intent on ending his own life. Had they not killed one person yesterday and two today? Then he would offer his life to them. He could not bear to watch his loyal clansmen die before his eyes.

“Don’t do it, Patriarch!” The Zhangs hurried to stop him.

“Hahahaha!” Lin Ye laughed heartily. “I’ve changed my mind. Forget killing one or two—today, if you don’t speak, I’ll kill you all.”

Watching their pain, he felt an inexplicable pleasure.

“You—” Zhang Qingcang glared at Lin Ye; if looks could kill, Lin Ye would have died hundreds of times.

“Enough talk. Let’s just seize them all.” Someone grew impatient, eager to strike first, but others would not be outdone. Some quietly summoned their spiritual weapons, others began chanting incantations.

In that moment, the air seemed to freeze—the battle was about to erupt.

On one side stood the small, powerless Zhang clan. On the other, the kingdom’s nobles and lords, elders from mighty sects, and powerful independent cultivators.

It was a battle without suspense. Their elaborate preparations were merely to capture as many Zhangs as possible, so they might reap greater rewards when the Dragon Burial Abyss opened.

No one believed the Zhangs knew nothing of the Abyss’s secret. The matter was too important; even if there was only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, they would pursue it.

Just as the situation reached a critical point, a majestic voice echoed through the air: “Wonderful, truly wonderful.”

Everyone was startled—could something have changed?

A massive, ancient spirit vessel sped toward them.

When it came to a halt, the crowd could finally see clearly.

Four qilin beasts drew a huge bronze-hued spirit boat, floating in midair. Upon its deck stood dozens of well-equipped guards, each exuding an aura of deadly violence.

At the head was a tall, middle-aged man dressed in splendid robes, his bearing marking him as a figure of great authority. Two elders followed close behind him.

It was surely he who had spoken moments before.

Before the crowd could ponder further, the man descended with all his guards, striding step by step into the center of the gathering.

Liu Tianqing, Wang Zewei, and the others fixed their gazes upon him, tense and wary.

For on the spirit vessel flew a massive flag, emblazoned with a single, bold character: “Yuan.”