Chapter 108: You Still Have a Graceful Mother at Home, Don’t You?

Growth!
Chu You’er grew stronger through battles with himself.

After several rounds, Elder Hong could feel that Chu You’er had become somewhat stronger. This was undoubtedly a genius who grew continuously in combat, and his growth rate was astonishingly fast—so much so that it could be directly felt during the fight.

Elder Hong’s heart grew increasingly desperate.

“Give it my all!”

Finally, Elder Hong gritted his teeth, channeling all his vitality and power into his long blade, and launched a fierce strike at Chu You’er.

“Clang!”

The long blade struck the bluestone slab, but Chu You’er’s staff extended slightly longer and landed squarely on Elder Hong’s head.

Blood splattered, and his brain exploded.

Dead!

...

“Well done.”

Su Yang emerged from the shadows, patting Chu You’er’s head affectionately.

“Thank you, Master.”

After saying this, Chu You’er immediately ran aside, violently retching until he was close to vomiting bile.

That Elder Hong’s father and wife were the first people Chu You’er had ever killed. At that time, Elder Hong had climbed back over the wall, and Chu You’er had suppressed his nausea with great effort.

Now, with Elder Hong dead, Chu You’er could no longer hold back and vomited all of his dinner. Over time, he would grow accustomed to the bloodshed.

Once Chu You’er felt a little better, Su Yang approached, handing him a cup of clean water. “There are still a few more families. Can you keep going?”

“Yes.”

Hatred flickered in Chu You’er’s eyes.

The next few families were ordinary people, not ranked cultivators. They had followed Elder Hong and committed countless evils, so they were receiving their just deserts.

“The Plum Blossom Sect’s Elder Hong was only a minor leader. Above him was the hall master, then the elders, and above them, the sect leader.”

“Do you want to keep killing?”

“Or is this the end?”

Su Yang looked at Chu You’er and asked.

“Kill!”

“All the people of the Plum Blossom Sect deserve death. In my lifetime, I will kill them all.”

Hatred and obsession burned in Chu You’er’s eyes.

“Your strength is too low. To kill a hall master, much less an elder, you’re far from strong enough.” Su Yang said.

“Master, I will reach rank eight within a month.”

“Good!”

Seeing Chu You’er’s resolute attitude, Su Yang was filled with joy. Having a determined goal was always good. With such hatred fueling him, Chu You’er’s strength would surely progress rapidly.

All the matters of the night were settled, and Su Yang took Chu You’er back home.

The next morning.

Chu You’er rose early to practice. Thanks to the many herbal medicines that nourished his blood and vitality, his cultivation advanced swiftly. His innate talent was class B, and a strong obsession drove him forward.

The first batch of rank seven mind-control insects was ready.

The first to be implanted were Li Yeniu, Zhao Shu, Hei Lian, Chun Fu, and Huo Luoluo.

These five were rank seven cultivators, and the newly bred mind-control insects were perfectly suited for them. Even if they later advanced to rank six, the insects would still be highly effective.

Moreover, Su Yang sensed that Huo Luoluo was close to breaking through any day now, as was Hei Lian. Since his severe injury, once Su Yang allowed him to recover, his cultivation speed had been extraordinary.

...

The Zhou family.

“Master, the only daughter of County Magistrate Li has secretly entered the Su estate without anyone knowing. She was taken away late at night in a single sedan chair. Our spies say she has been married off as a concubine to the Su family master.”

The magistrate’s advisor reported the intelligence gathered that day.

“A concubine?”

“Heh... That old Li is getting more pathetic by the day. Isn’t the Su family master only a rank seven?”

“By the way, I asked you to come up with a way to deal with this Su family master and avenge my son. Why haven’t you thought of anything yet?”

The county magistrate spoke impatiently.

“Master, I had already devised a plan to deal with Su Yang, but unexpectedly, Su Yang married a rank six warrior concubine—the head of the White Ape Martial Arts Hall, Bai Huihui.”

“Also, the Su estate has recently announced that Su Yang has advanced to rank six. They already have two rank six warriors at home. It will be much harder to deal with them now. We must rethink our strategy, which caused the delay.”

The advisor explained.

“Two rank six warriors?”

Upon hearing this, the county magistrate frowned deeply. “That scoundrel has dragged two rank six cultivators onto his bandwagon? This is bad news!”

“Master, are you suggesting that Su Yang and Bai Huihui have already become allies of County Magistrate Li?”

“The daughter has already married into their family. What else could you be naïvely thinking? They have certainly become trusted confidants. County Magistrate Li, the Wei family, and the Feng family are all collaborating behind the scenes. General Zhao and I have already been hard-pressed. If they bring in two rank six warriors, our pressure will increase further.”

The county magistrate’s brow furrowed tightly, a trace of unease flashing in his eyes. “Even if we know their plans and prepare in advance, we will suffer heavy losses. Sometimes, the last straw that breaks the camel’s back, even a single straw, can be crucial.”

“So... kill them?”

“After all, Su Yang has never claimed to be part of County Magistrate Li’s family, the Wei family, or the Chen family. If we strike first and kill the two rank six warriors of the Su family before their allies arrive, those three families will have no grounds to retaliate.”

The advisor with a mustache stroked his small beard, his beady eyes gleaming with murderous intent.

“How do we kill them?”

“At this stage, we cannot openly sever ties with County Magistrate Li and the other two families. We already know their moves and plans. If they proceed as planned, under our arrangements, they will surely be defeated.”

“But if we break the peace prematurely, both sides will become wary, and we will suffer heavy losses. If the rebels suddenly attack the city, we may be unable to hold.”

“Therefore, the best plan is to find a reason to kill Su Yang and Bai Huihui, so that County Magistrate Li believes we don’t know about their marriage alliance—that we killed them for other reasons.”

The crafty advisor spoke slowly, his face twisted with cunning.

“Do you have a good plan?” The county magistrate pondered for a long time, finally sighing deeply.

“Master, I imagine you already have an idea. Do as you see fit. Sometimes sacrifices are necessary.”

“Since you were born into the Zhou family and have enjoyed its benefits since childhood, when it’s time to serve the family, you cannot refuse.”

The advisor’s tone grew solemn. “Should I inform Bao’er, or will you?”

The county magistrate pondered again, then said, “Bao’er has been confined in the courtyard for a long time. I will tell him myself. It will be the last time I see my son.”

“This grudge, I will repay for Bao’er in the future.”

...

In a small courtyard of the Zhou family estate.

The county magistrate pushed open the door and immediately saw a rank seven warrior practicing martial arts in the yard—Zhou Bao.

“Father, why are you here?”

Seeing the county magistrate enter, Zhou Bao was delighted and hurried to greet him. “Father, is that brat Su Yang dead?”

The county magistrate remained silent and sat on a nearby chair. The scorching sun hung in the sky, burning fiercely, but Zhou Bao stood shirtless, his skin bronzed, unaffected by the heat.

“He’s not dead,” the county magistrate said calmly.

“Oh!”

Zhou Bao was slightly disappointed but pressed on: “Father, what made you come to see me today?”

“Bao’er, I want you to perform the Kaishan Fist I taught you for the first time, right here in front of me.”

“Yes, Father.”

Though puzzled, Zhou Bao complied, performing a rough set of the Kaishan Fist before the county magistrate.

“Bao’er, the Zhou family needs you now...!”

“Qing Shi is married.”

...

The next morning.

“Bang bang bang...!”

The Su estate gates rattled noisily. As the servants opened the door, a warrior kicked one of them fiercely in the chest, sending him flying and collapsing in pain.

A group of warriors quickly surged out to surround Zhou Bao and his men outside the gate. Su Yang emerged from inside, yawning. He had been up all night and hadn’t rested well, and now a crow’s caw outside only added to his irritation.

“Who are you?” Su Yang asked Zhou Bao disdainfully.

“Su Yang, don’t you recognize me so soon?”

“I am the Zhou family’s eldest illegitimate son, Zhou Bao.”

Jealousy and hatred filled Zhou Bao’s voice. He never expected that in the two days he had been confined by his father, the goddess of his dreams, Zhang Qingshi, had already been married off.

Hearing this from his father yesterday, Zhou Bao felt utter despair, as if life itself had lost meaning.

“What do you want from me?” Su Yang asked calmly, folding his arms.

“I am here to take my wife home.”

“Take your wife home? There’s no wife of yours here. Get lost quickly, or I’ll break your legs if you cause trouble.”

“My wife is Zhang Qingshi. I came to take her home. Didn’t you hear me, brat?” Zhou Bao said seriously, glaring fiercely at Su Yang.

“Boom...!”

At that moment, Su Yang’s fury surged like a tiger unleashed. His mind went blank, and he felt an urge to rush forward and crush this man to death.

“Why did you come here, really?” Su Yang said coldly, suppressing his anger.

“I told you—I’m here to take my wife home.” Zhou Bao stubbornly refused to relent.

“Heh, Zhou Bao!”

“You will pay the price for that statement, understand?”

“If I recall correctly, you do have a mother, right?”

Su Yang’s tone grew icily sharp. In the next moment, he exploded forward like a fierce tiger and struck Zhou Bao hard with a punch.

The air whistled as the fist flew freely.

Zhou Bao’s face changed drastically. He hastily raised both arms to block, but the next instant, the punch smashed him forcefully, sending him flying. A rank six warrior immediately stepped forward to catch his body. “The Su family is going too far, isn’t it?”

“Don’t interfere!”

“I’m here to take my wife home. No one can stop me. If anyone tries, I’ll kill them!”

Zhou Bao spat blood, his arms numb from Su Yang’s punch. If not for the silver insect armor his father had gifted him, those arms might have been shattered.

As he spoke, Zhou Bao charged at Su Yang again, eyes filled with a death wish.

“Master, I will take good care of your mother and avenge you.” The old servant who caught Zhou Bao said firmly.

“Haha, Zhou Bao, did you hear that?”

“Your family’s servant will take good care of your mother and will naturally climb into her bed at night to care for her...”

Su Yang bantered without losing ground in the verbal sparring.

“Su Yang, you deserve to die...”

Zhou Bao gritted his teeth. Though worried about his mother and the servant’s secretive behavior, he had suspected such things before.

But now was not the time to think about that.

He would fight with all his might.

Even if it meant death, at least he could severely injure Su Yang in return.

“Die...”

With a shout, Zhou Bao clenched a yellowish flesh-like object tightly in his hand and threw a fierce punch toward Su Yang.

No!

Seeing the yellow mass, Su Yang’s heart jolted, a chill running down his spine, and his hairs stood on end...!

“Swish!”

The next moment, a cold gleam flashed as Su Yang’s black snake dagger swiftly sliced off Zhou Bao’s hand holding the yellow object. Blood sprayed violently as the severed hand and the yellow flesh dropped to the ground.

“Smack!”

Zhou Bao felt his right hand lose control. Before he could sense any pain, a large hand clamped down fiercely on his neck, and a tremendous force pressed hard against his crotch.

“Bang!”

“Ahhh...”

A scream of agony burst forth. Zhou Bao had never felt such torment in his life. The pain pierced his very soul. Even losing a hand did not compare.

The yellowish-white object was shattered by the impact!

“Crack...!”

Bones snapped crisply one by one. Zhou Bao was like a puppet in Su Yang’s hands, his joints breaking and crushing, leaving him limp and helpless.

The entire sequence was dizzying but did not kill Zhou Bao. Instead, it broke all his major bones, rendering him unable to stand like a worm.

“Master...”

The rank six servant clenched his fists tightly and shouted, “Release my master immediately! How dare you treat him like this? Our lord will not let this go...”

“My master only came to take his wife home. What crime is that?”

...

“Heh...”

Su Yang sneered coldly, thinking to himself, “These people are truly sinister. They are probably just waiting to kill Zhou Bao.”

From the moment Zhou Bao came to make trouble, Su Yang felt something was off. Even if Zhou Bao was foolish, could he be this brainless?

A rival in love!

Exactly!

But now that Su Yang had reached rank six and the news was out, how could Zhou Bao not know?

He was only rank seven. Why come here and cause trouble?

Was he looking for death?

Yes. He was coming to die.

Zhou Bao knew from the start he was a pawn, coming here to die—likely to avenge himself for marrying his dream maiden, Zhang Qingshi.

Once Zhou Bao was dead, the Zhou family hiding in the shadows would make their move.

And that yellow flesh-like object...!