Chapter 114: Encountering an Acquaintance
Inside the Mission Hall.
Due to the war a few years ago, the Mission Hall had been closed for a long time and only resumed normal operations over a year ago.
After its reopening, it had been using an assignment system for missions.
It wasn’t until a few months ago that the Mission Hall restored the bi-annual Inner Sect mission system.
Li Qian hadn’t been on a mission for several years.
Now, with the mission deadline approaching, he, as an Inner Sect Disciple, had no choice but to take one.
If he were an Elder like Pang Bai, he wouldn’t be required to do Inner Sect missions.
However, Elders were bored to death when they were idle, and once a major dangerous event occurred, they had to rush to the forefront.
Therefore, he wouldn’t become an Elder even if he were beaten to death.
The bi-annual Inner Sect mission, although a bit troublesome, offered more freedom.
With his current strength, there couldn’t be any missions that were too difficult.
After accepting the mission, Li Qian picked up the mission booklet and saw that it was a suppression mission that was challenging for Innate Martial Artists, generally only completable by Grandmaster Level cultivators.
His strength, according to Divine Sword Sect’s records, was already at the Initial Level Grandmaster.
After he told his Master about his strength, his Master immediately reported his cultivation progress to the Sect Master. This was to ensure that once Li Qian accumulated enough meritorious service, he could be directly promoted to Elder.
In recent years, due to the war, Divine Sword Sect’s territory had fallen into chaos. Divine Sword Sect had no time to attend to it, and many martial arts factions rose during the turmoil.
It wasn’t until the past year that Divine Sword Sect was able to free up its hands to clean up the various chaotic situations.
The suppression mission Li Qian took was to deal with a martial arts faction that had fled from another territory, called Black Spear Society. It was originally a martial arts faction within Purple Cloud Sect’s territory.
Since the He Family occupied the land, in order to establish their authority, they began to deal with the factions within their territory. Their methods were extremely ruthless, truly a case of “prosperity for those who comply, and death for those who resist.”
This Black Spear Society had some connections with the Purple Cloud Sect and was one of the factions that were heavily targeted. Only a group of remaining martial artists escaped into Divine Sword Sect’s territory.
According to the intelligence gathered by Divine Sword Sect, Black Spear Society was a powerful faction within Purple Cloud Sect’s territory. It was said that the Society Leader who founded Black Spear Society, Nie Shiying, was a Grandmaster. However, Society Leader Nie Shiying had already died in the He Family’s authority-establishing purge.
Nie Shiying’s son, Nie Yun, escaped with a group of subordinates. After entering Divine Sword Sect’s territory, he changed the name of Black Spear Society to Black Rider Gang. He didn’t restrain himself much and frequently clashed with local factions, acting with extreme ruthlessness.
Several local martial arts factions associated with Divine Sword Sect couldn’t tolerate the Black Rider Gang’s tyranny, but they lacked the strength to deal with them. They had no choice but to seek support from Divine Sword Sect.
This Nie Yun wasn’t a Grandmaster, but he was a Late Stage True Qi Realm Innate Martial Artist, possessing considerable strength.
Such a mission was naturally simple for Li Qian.
After accepting the mission, he left Divine Sword Sect directly and headed for Chuyun County in Sword Province.
This Chuyun County bordered Xuan Province. In the previous war, it was one of the most severely affected areas. Even now, it was still somewhat chaotic and far from recovered.
Chuyun County City.
Ten miles away, there was a village called Maple Leaf Village. Because the entire village was surrounded by various maple trees, it turned a vibrant red in autumn.
Within Maple Leaf Village, there was a large medicinal herb field where various medicinal herbs were planted, growing exceptionally well.
A group of children were playing in the maple forest next to the medicinal herb field.
The ground was covered with crimson leaves.
Clack, clack, clack.
Suddenly, a burst of rapid hoofbeats rang out.
Following closely, several black-clad riders galloped over and arrived at the village entrance.
Seeing the arrival of the unfamiliar black-clad riders, the children were all frightened and cried as they ran towards the village.
The several black-clad riders rode their horses, chasing them all the way, letting out unrestrained laughter.
Many people came out of the village.
But after seeing these black-clad riders, they all revealed expressions of fear.
These black-clad riders were members of the Black Rider Gang, notorious throughout Chuyun County.
Soon, a tall and sturdy man walked out.
“Daddy.”
A five or six-year-old little girl quickly rushed to the sturdy man’s side, hiding behind him and not daring to show her face.
“Don’t be afraid, Sisi.”
The sturdy man comforted his daughter and then walked out. He cupped his hands towards the several Black Rider Gang members riding tall horses and said, “May I ask what brings you gentlemen here?”
“Is that large medicinal herb field yours, Maple Leaf Village?”
One of the black-clad riders pointed his whip at the medicinal herb field not far away and asked arrogantly.
“Sir, this humble one planted this medicinal herb field.”
The sturdy man hurriedly said.
“Very well, I’m here to announce that this medicinal herb field has been requisitioned by our Black Rider Gang. From now on, you will cultivate medicinal herbs for our Black Rider Gang. We won’t mistreat you.”
The black-clad rider immediately said.
Hearing this, the sturdy man’s expression changed drastically. “Sir, how can this be done? This humble one spent all his family’s wealth to cultivate this medicinal herb field.”
“Hmph, don’t be ungrateful. Letting you cultivate medicinal herbs for our Black Rider Gang is already a great honor for you.”
The black-clad rider sneered. “I advise you to be sensible. Otherwise, opposing our Black Rider Gang will only lead to death.”
“Sir, I know your Black Rider Gang is powerful, but I also come from Divine Sword Sect. Moreover, these medicinal herbs have always been supplied to Divine Sword Sect.”
The sturdy man hurriedly said.
“Divine Sword Sect? Could it be that you’re an Inner Sect Disciple of Divine Sword Sect?”
The black-clad rider revealed a hint of apprehension and immediately asked.
“Although I’m not an Inner Sect Disciple, I also came from the ranks of Odd-Job Disciples.”
The sturdy man replied honestly.
“Haha, an Odd-Job Disciple, isn’t that just a servant? If you were still in Divine Sword Sect, I might have some apprehensions. But you, an Odd-Job Disciple who has left Divine Sword Sect, what are you?”
Upon hearing that he was just an Odd-Job Disciple, the black-clad rider immediately showed contempt.
Odd-Job Disciples of Divine Sword Sect reaching the level of Ranked Martial Artists was already their limit.
Perhaps to ordinary people, Ranked Martial Artists were strong. But in front of the Black Rider Gang, they were nothing worth mentioning.
Every one of their members was a Ranked Martial Artist.
Even they were just the lowest-level members. The Black Rider Gang’s higher-ups even had Innate Martial Artists.
The current Black Rider Gang was imposing within Chuyun County City. Even those powerful martial arts factions had to give them some face.
The other two Black Rider Gang members also burst into laughter.
The sturdy man’s expression turned somewhat unsightly.
Odd-Job Disciples truly weren’t considered Divine Sword Sect Disciples. Once they left, they had no further connection.
Although the medicinal herbs he cultivated were indeed sold to Divine Sword Sect, the person he could contact was still just a manager of Divine Sword Sect’s Hundred Herbs Garden.
Even that manager was only an Odd-Job Disciple.
“Husband, don’t be impulsive.”
A woman walked out from the crowd and pulled the sturdy man, whispering.
“But the Black Rider Gang is taking our medicinal herb field.”
The sturdy man’s forehead veins bulged, his heart filled with anger.
“If they want it, let them have it.”
The woman shook her head and said.
However arrogant the Black Rider Gang was now, they would definitely face consequences later.
She believed that Divine Sword Sect wouldn’t sit idly by. Moreover, those martial arts factions in Chuyun County City wouldn’t allow the Black Rider Gang to lord over them.
The sturdy man let out a long breath and finally calmed down. He knew that if he offended the Black Rider Gang, not only would his family suffer, but the entire Maple Leaf Village would be implicated.
◈◈◈
“Eh?”
Suddenly, a Black Rider Gang member looked at the woman with a lewd expression. “Hehe, Brother Chao, this little lady is quite something.”
The other two also revealed the same smiles.
Seeing their tone and expressions, the sturdy man immediately sensed that something was terribly wrong.
The woman’s expression also changed, and she quickly stepped back.
“What do you want to do?”
The sturdy man shouted.
“Hehe, have her come with us to discuss the management of the medicinal herb field. What, are you unwilling?”
The Black Rider Gang member narrowed his eyes, one hand already grasping the hilt of the saber at his waist.
The other two also revealed dangerous expressions.
“I’ll fight you to the death.”
Seeing this, the sturdy man couldn’t bear such humiliation. He immediately hooked his foot, bringing a stick into his hand, and assumed a starting sword stance.
“You’re courting death.”
The Black Rider Gang member’s eyes were filled with killing intent. He abruptly drew his saber, his entire body leaping from horseback, and fiercely slashed towards the sturdy man.
The man retreated, the stick in his hand shaking and thrusting.
But with a clang, the stick in his hand was cut off, leaving only a small section.
“Catch this.”
Suddenly, a woman’s voice came from behind.
He abruptly rolled, dodging the Black Rider Gang member’s saber attack, and then grabbed the long sword his wife threw over, starting to counterattack.
Seeing this, the other two Black Rider Gang members immediately took out their weapons and jumped down from their horses.
The woman hurriedly took up her sword in a defensive posture.
“Hehe, little lady, stop struggling. If you don’t want him to die, just come with us obediently.”
A Black Rider Gang member pressed forward with his weapon.
The woman glanced at her husband, who was already suppressed, and a resolute look flashed in her eyes. “Never! Today, either you die, or I perish.”
With that, she held her long sword and charged towards the two Black Rider Gang members.
“Hehe, this is even more exciting.”
The Black Rider Gang member chuckled strangely.
Soon, both the sturdy man and the woman were at a disadvantage. The three Black Rider Gang members seemed to be toying with them.
Ugh…
Suddenly, the sturdy man groaned, his long sword falling to the ground. A gash appeared on his arm, blood flowing out.
“Husband.”
The woman hurriedly shielded her husband, her heart filled with despair.
Both she and her husband were only at the Postnatal First Level of cultivation. The three Black Rider Gang members were clearly stronger in cultivation and even more so in combat experience. Moreover, with two against three, they had no chance.
“Haha, one last chance. Come with us immediately, or else offending our Black Rider Gang will not only mean your doom but the destruction of your entire Maple Leaf Village.”
A Black Rider Gang member let out an unrestrained laugh.
In their eyes, the woman was already fish on a chopping board, at their mercy.
Clack, clack.
At this moment, the sound of hoofbeats suddenly rang out from the village entrance.
Hearing the sounds of fighting and unrestrained laughter coming from the village, Li Qian frowned.
“Black Rider Gang?”
Surprise flashed across his face. He immediately stopped, turned his horse around, and ran towards the village.
His arrival immediately caught the attention of the three Black Rider Gang members.
“Black Rider Gang business! Outsiders, get lost immediately!”
One of the Black Rider Gang members shouted.
Li Qian didn’t look at the three Black Rider Gang small fries. Instead, his gaze fell on the woman shielding the sturdy man, a look of surprise on his face.
He didn’t expect to meet an acquaintance here.
The woman shielding her husband also saw Li Qian riding over. She was stunned at first, then a hint of joy appeared. She hurriedly shouted, “Cousin.”
Cousin?
Li Qian sighed inwardly. He hadn’t heard this address in many years.
He didn’t expect to hear it again here.
“Yingying, why are you here?”
Li Qian asked curiously.
Because this woman was actually Song Yingying.
“Six years ago, I left Divine Sword Sect’s Hundred Herbs Garden with my husband and came to his hometown.”
Song Yingying said.
Time flies.
She and her husband had left Divine Sword Sect for six years.
She originally thought she would never have the chance to see her cousin again. But she didn’t expect to meet him again under such circumstances.
“Is this your husband?”
Li Qian’s gaze fell on the sturdy man, who only had Postnatal First Level cultivation.
“Yes, his name is Wang Cheng. We met at the Hundred Herbs Garden.”
Song Yingying nodded slightly.
It was because of Wang Cheng that she decided to leave Divine Sword Sect.
In these past few years, the two supported each other, worked hard, managed the medicinal herb field, and even had two children. They lived a fulfilling life.
If it weren’t for the arrival of the Black Rider Gang, with the herbal cultivation techniques they learned at the Hundred Herbs Garden and their status as Ranked Martial Artists, their future would definitely be brighter.
“Well, that’s good too.”
Li Qian wasn’t surprised by Song Yingying’s choice.
If martial arts cultivation had no future, it was natural to choose a better path.
Moreover, their departure from Divine Sword Sect six years ago could only be described as fortunate. They just happened to avoid the subsequent war. Otherwise, if they had stayed within Divine Sword Sect, they might have been conscripted and ultimately died.
“Hey, are you done talking?”
Suddenly, a Black Rider Gang member spoke up.
This outsider not only ignored their previous warning but also chatted with that woman in front of them.
It was as if he didn’t take them seriously at all.
This was unbearable!
PS: Third update, asking for a wave of double monthly votes, please!!!!!