Chapter 127: Chapter 124: The Hunt

When Shen Wenxing returned to the Huang Family in Huangyan Town, he was somewhat surprised to find the family estate intact.

Wei Qiuling noticed his curious expression, “Is something wrong?”

Shen Wenxing shook his head, saying to himself, “I didn’t expect those from the Immortal Sect to have a compassionate side.”

Wei Qiuling looked over, puzzled.

Shen Wenxing explained, “The day the Immortal Sect disciples attacked the Huang Family, fearing complications due to my presence, they only took the Blood Toad and then retreated.”

“I thought they would return in a few days to wipe out the Huang Family completely…”

Hearing this, Wei Qiuling’s elegant brows slightly furrowed.

“It is indeed strange…”

This group could massacre an entire family and certainly wouldn’t show mercy to the Huang Family.

Yet over two months had passed, and the Huang Family was still intact.

“Let’s go take a look.”

Wei Qiuling spoke, and the two of them walked towards the Huang Family estate.

The two members of the Huang Family standing at the gate spoke as they approached, “Sorry, the Huang Family isn’t receiving visitors recently…?”

“Eh!? Are you Young Master Shen?”

One of them realized Shen Wenxing looked familiar and quickly cupped his hands in greeting.

Shen Wenxing nodded, “This is Immortal Wei from Luoxia Mountain. We are here to investigate the people who attacked the Huang Family that day.”

Immortal Wei from the Immortal Sect!?

The two were suddenly alert, glancing at Wei Qiuling and quickly bowing, “Greetings, Immortal!”

“Young Master Shen, Immortal, please come in.”

The courtyard doors opened, and the two walked inside.

At that moment, the elder patriarch of the Huang Family, Huang Yushui, was personally instructing the remaining family members in cultivation. Seeing outsiders arrive, he was about to get angry when his gaze fell on Shen Wenxing.

“Young Master Shen!?”

The old man approached and greeted him with a bow.

After returning the gesture, Shen Wenxing introduced, “Elder, this is Immortal Wei from Luoxia Mountain.”

“Immortal Wei, this is the patriarch of the Huang Family, Huang Yushui.”

Upon hearing that she was an immortal from Luoxia Mountain, Huang Yushui hurriedly performed a grand salute.

Wei Qiuling merely nodded, her gaze elsewhere.

Huang Yushui felt a bit awkward and looked to Shen Wenxing for help.

Shen Wenxing whispered, “Immortal Wei is here to investigate the culprits from that day; it’s best if the family members step back for now, Elder.”

Huang Yushui nodded repeatedly and had the family members practicing in the courtyard leave.

Once everyone had left, Wei Qiuling said, “Brother Shen, shall we begin?”

Shen Wenxing nodded and approached her.

“What do you need me to do?”

Wei Qiuling formed a hand seal and said, “Relax your heart and mind, recall the events of that day, and do not resist.”

Shen Wenxing nodded, then closed his eyes and began recalling the scenes of his confrontation with the masked Immortal Sect disciple that night.

A warm finger suddenly touched his forehead, causing Shen Wenxing to shiver slightly, then feel a faint Divine Sense sweep through his Sea of Consciousness.

Outside, Wei Qiuling’s eyes shimmered with a strange radiance, her pupils vaguely projecting the scene of Shen Wenxing knocking out the masked Immortal Sect disciple with a single punch that night.

Simultaneously, a hair-thin strand of azure qi appeared in the surrounding air, slowly drifting towards the two of them.

Wei Qiuling’s elegant brows furrowed slightly.

The scene in her eyes flickered and vanished, and the strange light also gradually dissipated.

It seemed she felt something, her eyes flashing with confusion, which was quickly followed by realization, and then anger…

Ultimately, her emotions returned to calm, though her expression was slightly colder.

Shen Wenxing opened his eyes and asked anxiously, “Immortal Wei, how is it?”

Wei Qiuling nodded, her voice calm, “I have found the answer, but it’s somewhat troublesome.”

Hearing this, Shen Wenxing let out a sigh of relief.

He had been worried he might not be able to help at all.

“Let’s go.”

After sweeping her gaze around, Wei Qiuling said and walked directly towards the Huang Family’s courtyard door.

Shen Wenxing turned to Huang Yushui, cupping his hands, “Elder, we will take our leave now; I will visit you another time.”

Huang Yushui quickly returned the gesture, watching the two leave, a hint of disappointment flashing across his face.

He had hoped that with the Immortal from the Immortal Sect visiting this time, the Huang Family might seize the chance to converse a bit, at least to become acquainted.

Yet from start to finish, Immortal Wei hadn’t spoken a single word to him.

The Immortal Sect indeed still looks down on the Huang Family.

Outside the courtyard, Wei Qiuling narrowed her eyes slightly, seemingly lost in thought, while Shen Wenxing didn’t dare disturb her.

After a long while—

She turned, a faint smile on her face, “Brother Shen, do you practice Body Refining Techniques?”

Shen Wenxing was slightly taken aback, realizing that Wei Qiuling must have seen the scene of him fighting the masked Immortal Sect disciple just now through some secret technique, so he did not deny it.

“It’s a Body Refining Technique I acquired from the outskirts of an ancient relic in Wen’an.”

“To be frank with you, Immortal, I lack a Spirit Root, so I have no choice but to cultivate in this way.”

Wei Qiuling chuckled softly, “Brother Shen, don’t belittle yourself; there are many cultivation systems in the Cultivation Realm, and Body Cultivation is considered quite formidable among them.”

“In the Qishan Range where Luoxia Mountain is located, there is an Immortal Sect composed of Body Cultivators, called the Vajra Sect.”

“The Vajra Sect’s strength ranks among the top in the Qishan Range’s many Immortal Sects; their disciples are monsters that many Immortal Dao Cultivators are unwilling to face.”

As the conversation turned to this, Shen Wenxing’s expression changed, and he asked, “Does Immortal Wei understand Body Cultivation?”

“To be honest, since obtaining this Body Refining Technique, I have had no guidance, and have made little progress.”

He had been practicing the Azure Dragon Force for several years but had only grasped the basics so far; his progress was indeed slow.

Wei Qiuling shook her head apologetically.

“I am not very familiar with Body Cultivation.”

“The essence of Body Cultivation is refining one’s body; it is said that all body refining techniques were created by ancient sages observing the beasts.”

“The aim is to refine one’s physical body to rival fierce beasts.”

“It is said that each body refining technique requires a great deal of demon beast essence blood, primordial pills, and heavenly and earthly treasures, experiencing life-and-death trials to achieve the Great Success Realm.”

“Relying solely on Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi to temper one’s qi and blood might not suffice.”

“Brother Shen might try experimenting in this regard.”

Shen Wenxing suddenly realized, understanding that he needed demon beast essence blood and primordial pills!

This reminded him of that Iron-spine Demon Wolf from before.

After he and his father killed it, they didn’t dare consume any of its flesh or blood, which all ended up in little Black’s belly, along with the primordial pill that was also eaten by that guy.

It seems that in the future, we should be more careful when encountering demon beasts.

“Thank you, Immortal Wei, for your guidance!”

Wei Qiuling smiled mildly and nodded, “I didn’t really help much.”

“However, the next time I return to Luoxia Mountain, I can specifically investigate the related ancient texts, which might provide some assistance to Brother Shen.”

After Shen Wenxing thanked her again, the two mounted their horses and hurried towards Black Water Pool.

As they reached the outskirts of Jinliu Village, Wei Qiuling reined in her horse and said, “Brother Shen, let’s part ways here. I will head to Fengxian County to discuss handling the culprit with Li Heshan.”

As Shen Wenxing cupped his hands in farewell, Wei Qiuling urged her horse into the snow and rode away into the distant darkness.

Watching her departing figure, Shen Wenxing frowned slightly.

He felt that ever since returning from the Huang Family, Wei Qiuling had become somewhat unusual.

Moreover…

Suddenly, the words she said before leaving flashed in his mind.

“Discussing with Li Heshan…”

Hadn’t she always referred to Li Heshan as “Senior Brother Heshan” before?

After pondering for a moment, he didn’t pay much attention, gently shaking the reins as he rode back home.

By late night, Shen Yuan had not gone to sleep, nor was he cultivating in the Black Water Pavilion.

At this time, he was sitting in the front courtyard chamber, hands wrapped, staring at the furnace in front of him, lost in thought.

The sound of Shen Wenxing returning home reached him, and he came out of the chamber to stand at the doorway and called out.

“Eldest.”

Hearing the call, Shen Wenxing came to the chamber and asked in surprise, “Father, why haven’t you slept yet?”

Shen Yuan gestured for him to sit down.

“How did the investigation go?”

Shen Wenxing poured a cup of hot tea for himself and refilled Shen Yuan’s cup before speaking, “Immortal Fairy said it’s already been clarified, so I didn’t ask much more.”

“As for the matters of the Immortal Sect, we’d better stay out of it.”

Shen Yuan, with his hands wrapped, sat cross-legged on the stool, frowning and nodding, “That’s right, our family isn’t qualified to meddle in the matters of the Immortal Sect.”

“But I can’t shake the feeling that something’s off. Pondering over it these days, a suspicion has arisen in my heart.”

Shen Wenxing put down the teacup in his hand, puzzled.

“What is Father suspicious about?”

Shen Yuan’s expression turned serious as he gripped the lid of the teacup and spoke in a deep voice, “I suspect that the one who wiped out the Xu Family is a disciple from Qiyun Valley…”

After his words landed, the chamber was engulfed in silence.

Shen Wenxing looked at Shen Yuan and didn’t rush to express his opinion, his mind starting to repeatedly recall all the events that had transpired.

“Crack!”

The wood burning in the furnace made a crisp sound, bringing him back to his senses. Meeting Shen Yuan’s gaze, he replied in a deep voice, “Now that you mention it, Father, if it was really Qiyun Valley’s doing, a lot of things make sense.”

“When we followed Immortal Wei to the Huang Family, we thought the remaining family members would surely be silenced.”

“And on that day…”

The father and son exchanged their doubts and thoughts, going over various incidents in between, almost confirming that the culprits were those few from Qiyun Valley’s Cliff Mountain Courtyard!

“Father! This…” Shen Wenxing’s face was grim.

Shen Yuan waved his hand, thought for a moment, and instructed, “Just keep this to yourself, let it rot in your stomach.”

“Luoxia Mountain should be aware by now, let’s see how the two sects will resolve it.”

“In the coming days, focus on improving your strength. Turmoil is not far away…”

Shen Yuan slowly got up, hands clasped behind him, and walked outside.

Watching his departing figure, Shen Wenxing felt uneasy inside.

As the days approached the year-end festival, the Martial Arts Hall and the Academy were also on holiday.

One early morning, Zhao Shuan came to the manor, bumping into Shen Wenxing upfront.

“Uncle Zhao.”

Shen Wenxing greeted him.

Zhao Shuan smiled and said, “I was just about to find you.”

“With the year-end festival approaching, everyone’s idle and clamoring to go hunting in the mountains.”

“So I thought, why not organize an event, with some incentives added, to make it more enjoyable?”

Shen Wenxing gave it some thought and agreed it was a good idea.

In these chaotic times, the village kids have been practicing martial arts at the Martial Arts Hall for almost a year, yet haven’t experienced actual combat.

Martial artists need a fighting spirit. By organizing a hunting competition led by the Shen Family, not only can it stimulate their sense of competition, but it also serves to train them.

It can also help foster their loyalty to the Shen Family.

As for incentives…

After pondering for a moment, Shen Wenxing said, “Uncle Zhao, let’s do it this way.”

“You can call the villagers together and notify them that the hunt will be scheduled for three days from now.”

“Tell them that the Shen Family will provide twenty Body Tempering Pills as rewards.”

“The hunting will last for three days, with ten Body Tempering Pills awarded to first place, five pills to second place, three pills to third place, and two pills to fourth place.”

“For fifth to tenth place, each will receive fifty taels of silver.”

Upon hearing the rewards, Zhao Shuan grinned broadly but then asked, “Shouldn’t you discuss this with your father?”

Shen Wenxing smiled and shook his head, “It’s fine; this is a good thing. I’ll inform Father later; every year or two, we can hold such an event.”

“Alright, alright!” Zhao Shuan responded repeatedly, “I’ll go tell everyone now!”

Watching Zhao Shuan leave excitedly, Shen Wenxing shook his head with a smile. It was only when he turned to go back that he noticed Shen Yuan standing in the courtyard with his hands behind his back.

“Father…”

“You did the right thing.”

Shen Yuan nodded in satisfaction and said, “These kids will eventually serve the Shen Family; letting them see blood early is good.”

“However…”

“Go find your father-in-law and ask him to bring the Martial Arts Hall instructors to help out.”

“While letting the kids gain experience is good, we must avoid major injuries.”

Shen Wenxing cupped his hands and replied, “I almost forgot about this.”

“With my father-in-law and Brother Qi now in the Innate Realm, having them there can ensure the villagers’ safety.”

“Father, I’m off.”

Shen Yuan nodded, watching Shen Wenxing disappear beyond the courtyard door, a thoughtful murmur escaping his lips:

“Having comprehended the True Spirit Oath, it’s time to pass on the Five Elements Breathing Technique…”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep