Chapter 105: Fifth-Grade Ancient Herb

"So much time has passed; I wonder if that old medicinal herb left behind by the Bai family still remains," the bald warrior muttered, scratching his head.

"Whether it exists or not, we must try. If we can obtain that herb, the General will have enough strength to enter the Fourth Rank. Then, he can coordinate with County Magistrate Li to take Yanggu County."

"By the way, Miss Black Lotus has gone missing within the city, and the Azure King is furious. The General has been scolded because of it. This time, besides securing the herb, we must also search for her whereabouts."

...

In less than a month, Chu You'er had reached the Ninth Rank as a martial artist.

Because she was frail and thin, she had to nourish her body first before refining her Qi and blood, making her progress more difficult than that of an average practitioner. Yet, even so, she had quickly attained the Ninth Rank.

Ever since she began refining her Qi and blood, Su Yang had taught her the "Wild Bull Long Fist." She had now mastered the basics, and upon entering the Ninth Rank, she could condense the "Wild Bull Qi" in her heart, unleashing it with explosive force to injure enemies in combat.

"Master, I want to take revenge," a glimmer of hatred flashed in Chu You'er's eyes.

Her mind conjured the scene from that day when the Plum Blossom Sect had bullied them. If not for them, and their constant extortion for protection money, her grandfather might not have starved to death.

"Although you have reached the Ninth Rank and have the 'Wild Bull Long Fist' to protect you, that Boss Hong has been a Ninth Rank practitioner for a long time. You are no match for him yet. I will use some old herbs to help you temper your tendons and bones. In ten days, I will let you go out to exact your revenge."

Su Yang looked at the obedient and lovely Chu You'er before him, his eyes filled with indulgence.

"You'er will listen to Master," she replied. Although she was eager for revenge, she dutifully respected Su Yang's advice.

...

Night gradually fell.

Five dark shadows appeared at the Su residence. Besides three Sixth Rank warriors, there were two Seventh Rank warriors. Because the Su manor was so vast, they had to capture a servant to ask where Bai Guanguan's courtyard was located.

The estate was so large that the men could not make sense of it and had to force the servant to lead the way. Unfortunately, the rebels underestimated the loyalty of the Su family servants. After turning a few corners, the servant seized a drumstick from the side and struck a gong with all his might.

"Clang!"

A crisp, loud gong sound rang out, echoing through the entire Su manor. The night-shift guards, hiding in the shadows, shivered at the sound and immediately pulled the ropes in their hands.

"Whoosh...!"

Except for the spot where the servant stood, the entire courtyard floor collapsed instantly, revealing sharp spikes below. Smoke and dust filled the air, and yellow soil billowed everywhere!

"No, it's a trap...!"

The rebel warriors were shocked and scrambled to find footing. Fortunately, the five were strong; even the sharp spikes could not pierce their physical defenses. The servant who had struck the gong had long since vanished without a trace.

"This is bad. These people are likely above the Seventh Rank. We are no match. Quickly notify the Master, Mistress Bai, and stewards like Wild Ox and Spring Woman!"

The guarding warrior's face changed drastically. He hurried to inform his team, and they quickly dispersed to spread the word.

"What do we do now?"

One of the Sixth Rank warriors was filled with fury, never imagining he would be rendered so pathetic by a group of ants.

"Kill! Kill everyone here. I don't believe Bai Guanguan won't show herself."

"No. Bai Guanguan is only a Sixth Rank warrior. If she sees the three of us strike, she won't throw an egg against a rock; she will likely flee."

"You mean... we retreat?"

"Retreat!"

The next second, the five exchanged glances, leaped out of the trap, and ran toward the wall.

"Since you are here, why are you in such a hurry to leave?" Just as they were about to depart, a martial arts instructor from the estate emerged, followed by several Ninth Rank warriors.

"You're courting death."

One of the Seventh Rank rebels looked cold, drew his long sword, and prepared to slaughter them all.

"Why be so impatient? Our Master will be here soon. Why not wait a while? If you want to take something from our Su family, it isn't impossible to negotiate."

The leading Eighth Rank warrior felt cold sweat drenching his back. The one who had just struck was clearly a Seventh Rank master, and the four behind him were surely the same.

"Stop!"

The bald rebel's eyes flashed with cunning. He quickly stopped the Seventh Rank warrior and looked at the other two Sixth Rank ones: "We haven't revealed our Sixth Rank strength yet. We might as well wait to lure Bai Guanguan out before acting."

"Hmm!"

"Agreed!"

"A Sixth Rank warrior like Bai Guanguan marrying a Seventh Rank man as a concubine—she must truly be enamored with this Master Su. We will seize him and force her to hand over that old herb."

"For now, avoid killing anyone to prevent revealing our true strength. Otherwise, if they see three Sixth Rank warriors, they will surely call the authorities or flee."

"It's worth a try." The other two Sixth Rank warriors nodded in agreement.

"Fine. I will wait here for your boss."

"By the way, is there someone named Bai Guanguan in your family? Call her out too," the bald warrior said.

"Oh? You know our Mistress Bai?"

"Rest assured, Mistress Bai will come."

The Su family instructor stood with his hands behind his back, his palms slick with cold sweat. If he weren't forcing himself to stand, he would have collapsed. If the enemy struck, he and his brothers would surely die within half a cup of tea's time.

The three Sixth Rank warriors were not afraid of any tricks the Su family might play.

At most, they would notify the authorities!

Since their true strength wasn't revealed, the authorities would likely assume they were only Seventh Rank. If the government sent one Sixth Rank and a few Seventh Rank officials, they could just kill them all, easing the pressure on the rebels besieging the city.

Even if the government sent two or three Sixth Rank officials, they wouldn't fear four of them combined, counting Bai Guanguan. They could always run.

As for a Fifth Rank master appearing?

That was impossible. The four Fifth Rank masters in the city wouldn't be spooked by such a trivial matter into suppressing them.

That was the source of the three rebels' confidence in staying behind.

...

Within half a cup of tea, Bai Guanguan, who was nearby, arrived first. Dressed in white, her figure appeared slender and elegant.

"Mistress Bai."

Seeing this, the instructor sighed with relief. Finally, someone had come to take charge, and he bowed respectfully.

"Who are you people? How dare you cause trouble at the Su residence?" Bai Guanguan was imposing, her tone icy.

"You are Bai Guanguan? The master of the White Ape Martial Hall?" The three rebels exchanged glances, feeling a surge of joy, and asked.

"Yes."

"Good, that's excellent. We were worried you wouldn't come...!"

"Attack!"

As the words fell, the three Sixth Rank warriors and two Seventh Rank warriors lunged at Bai Guanguan.

They were incredibly fast, like arrows released from a bow, attacking with full force without holding back. Their Sixth Rank strength was exposed in full.

"Oh no!"

Bai Guanguan's expression changed drastically. Without a word, she turned and sprinted away. Even if she were strong, there was no hope of winning against three opponents of equal rank. The five rebels pursued her closely, but fortunately, Bai Guanguan was fast, and they could not catch her immediately.

Not long after, Su Yang arrived in a rush. Looking at the churned-up soil and the pathetic trap, he looked at the warriors remaining and asked, "Where are they?"

"Master, it's terrible! The five thugs include three Sixth Rank and two Seventh Rank warriors. They went after Mistress Bai," the instructor said urgently, pointing in a direction.

"Three Sixth Rank?"

Su Yang frowned. Could the Zhou family have made a move?

Kill Bai Guanguan first!

Once she was gone, he, perceived as a Seventh Rank, would be easy to manipulate.

To strike with three Sixth Rank warriors at once—what a grand gesture.

However, Bai Guanguan could not die.

Immediately, Su Yang chased in the direction she had fled, with Black Lotus following close behind. Huo Luoluo, Spring Woman, and Li Ye-niu stayed behind to guard the house.

...

"Boom!"

With a dull thud, Bai Guanguan ultimately failed to escape. Forced to turn and resist, she was no match for the three Sixth Rank warriors and was quickly struck down, severely wounded.

Her hair was disheveled, adding a touch of tragic beauty to her miserable state.

"Who are you people? Why attack me?" Bai Guanguan supported her body, her face full of confusion.

She hadn't offended any factions in Yanggu County. Why would these people target her?

"White Ape Martial Hall—is the White Ape your grandfather?" the three Sixth Rank warriors asked, standing on three sides and surrounding her.

"How do you know that?"

Bai Guanguan was stunned. Her grandfather had been dead for forty or fifty years; even she had never met him. How did these people know?

"Back then, your grandfather possessed an old herb called the 'Green Flesh Tai Sui,' a Fifth Rank treasure. So many years have passed; surely it has grown significantly. Is it still in your possession?" the bald warrior asked.

"Green Flesh Tai Sui?"

"What Green Flesh Tai Sui? I don't know."

"Perhaps my father or grandfather used it long ago," Bai Guanguan said.

"We don't care," the bald warrior said calmly.

"You don't care? Then why ask me?" Bai Guanguan was taken aback.

"You care!"

"I care?"

"That's right. If you hand over the Green Flesh Tai Sui tonight, you will live; we won't make things difficult for you."

"But if you cannot produce it, this is your death day."

"As for where it went, or if it disappeared or was used, that has nothing to do with us. If we don't see the Green Flesh Tai Sui today, we will kill you."

"So, do you know where your family's Green Flesh Tai Sui is?" The bald warrior's tone was calm. "I'll give you a cup of tea's time to consider."

Bai Guanguan was filled with reluctance. She had intended to save that herb for when she reached the Fifth Rank. Never did she imagine these people would get wind of it. Now, it was impossible to keep.

...

In the darkness.

Su Yang had arrived on the scene first; Black Lotus was still trailing behind. He crept into the shadows and quickly identified the five men.

Two Seventh Rank and three Sixth Rank warriors.

His wife, Bai Guanguan, was surrounded, and the situation looked grim. These people didn't know what they were waiting for; they could have easily captured or finished her off.

Su Yang surveyed the area, and finding no ambush, he felt relieved. He continued to advance through the shadows toward the rebels.

Closer, ever closer...!

Hiding in the dark, he knew that any closer and he would be spotted. Su Yang prepared himself, his Fifth Rank Qi and blood brewing within, ready to unleash a full-force strike to take out one of the Sixth Rank warriors first.

...

"Whoosh...!"

A flash of resolve appeared in Bai Guanguan's eyes. She suddenly lunged through the gap between two Sixth Rank warriors, attempting to escape and make one final stand.

However.

She had underestimated the rebels' reactions. The two Sixth Rank warriors quickly blocked her path, and their fists struck her, sending her flying.

Her head spun, and she fell unconscious.

"Trying to run? You're courting death," the bald warrior gritted his teeth in anger.

"Whoosh...!"

But in the next second, a fist imbued with terrifying power came from behind. The bald warrior's expression changed drastically. He hadn't sensed the danger at all, and could only cross his arms in front of his chest, attempting to block the strike.

"Boom... Crack...!"

In the next moment, the Sixth Rank bald warrior was sent flying. His arms were shattered, his chest took a heavy blow, and his internal organs were severely damaged. He collapsed on the ground, unable to rise—even more severely injured than Bai Guanguan.

"Oh no...!"

The other two Sixth Rank warriors saw this and changed color. They lunged at Su Yang, along with the two Seventh Rank rebels.

"Bang, bang, bang...!"

Dull sounds of combat echoed continuously, and the remaining four rebels were soon crippled and collapsed on the ground. Since they already knew his Fifth Rank status, they didn't need to live any longer.

Before they died, Su Yang interrogated them and confirmed they were indeed rebels from outside the city.

He then snapped their necks.

It was a pity they weren't monsters; otherwise, their bodies could have been taken back to serve as nourishment!!

When Su Yang picked up Bai Guanguan to leave, Black Lotus arrived in a rush from behind, looking anxious.

"What happened?"

Looking at the bodies on the ground, Black Lotus asked in confusion.

"They were rebels."

"Any thoughts?" Su Yang looked at Black Lotus and asked.

"No thoughts."

"Black Lotus has chosen to be loyal to Master, so I will no longer have any ties with the rebels. Besides, these people struck at the Mistress first; their death is their own fault for being inferior."

Over the recent period, Black Lotus had realized that since she had chosen to serve the Su family, she should not be double-minded.

She hadn't really been loyal to the Azure King; she had only acted under the orders of her master, the Azure King's consort. Now that she had found a master she truly wished to follow, she no longer needed to concern herself with any rebels.

"Dispose of these bodies."

After Su Yang spoke, he carried Bai Guanguan into the darkness. He watched from the shadows until Black Lotus had finished disposing of the rebel corpses before returning to the manor with Bai Guanguan in his arms.

"You saved me?"

As soon as they entered the Su residence, Bai Guanguan woke up. Her limp body lay softly in Su Yang's arms, and her beautiful eyes stared intently at the man carrying her.