Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 413: Chapter 399: Find a Stronger Backing!

Ye Changkai was not yet dead; he was struggling to pull out the Mystical Iron Spear that had penetrated his chest.

Normally, he could have effortlessly pulled out the Mystical Iron Spear, but now it was embedded in his chest, piercing through his lungs, the heavy Mystical Iron Spear making him feel powerless.

Yang Zhenshan gripped the spear shaft and pulled the Mystical Iron Spear out.

”You~~”

Ye Changkai wanted to say something, but unfortunately, Yang Zhenshan had no interest in wasting words with him.

The spear tip plunged downward, piercing his throat.

Afterward, Yang Zhenshan gave Lu Ke and Fu Shanhong each an additional stab with the spear to ensure all four of them were utterly dead before he retrieved the Mystical Iron Spear.

By the time he finished all this, the Martial Artists gathered around reacted.

One by one, they looked at Yang Zhenshan as if they had seen a ghost.

Yang Zhenshan had killed the Shadow Bat, the Partridge, and the Poison Bee, which although shocking to the people, was still acceptable.

These three were assassins from the Mountain River Tower, and though they were experts, they only specialized in the art of assassination; in terms of raw strength, there was still a significant gap between them and the Half-step Innate experts.

But Ye Changkai, Fu Shanhong, Xiang Qiaohe, and Lu Ke were different; they were all Half-step Innate experts.

Yet Yang Zhenshan single-handedly fought against four and killed all of them, which was simply inconceivable.

The setting sun dipped below the horizon, and a sliver of the crescent moon hung on the branches.

The sparkling river water took on the cool moonlight, and the chilly evening breeze touched everyone’s hearts, making them involuntarily shiver.

Yang Zhenshan didn’t pay attention to their astonishment; he waved his hand, and the sound of horse hooves tapping arose.

Red Cloud came to his side, lifting its large head, its eyes the size of light bulbs, appearing extremely spirited.

Yang Zhenshan mounted the horse.

”General!” His personal followers also approached.

”Mm! Let’s find a boat to cross the river,” Yang Zhenshan said calmly.

This battle was considered over.

Although the ending was somewhat unsatisfactory, he still gained a lot from it.

After this battle, the Yimu Changchun True Qi in his body became more refined, and his body’s energy channels seemed more invigorated.

This meant he was one step closer to the Innate Realm.

Although he was not yet in the Innate Realm, Yang Zhenshan could feel that he was very close to reaching the Innate Realm.

He no longer needed to search for an opportunity, because he had just experienced it.

Next, he just needed to accumulate slowly; entering the Innate Realm was only a matter of time.

He had achieved the results he wanted.

As for people like Ye Changkai, well, the whetstone had lost its usefulness, and naturally, there was no need to keep them.

...

The night was deep.

On the Ru River.

A Tower Ship was slowly moving upstream against the current.

Luo Jingsong stood at the bow, looking at the drifting crescent moon in the water.

He had already learned the result of the battle at the dock.

Yang Zhenshan faced four Half-step Innate experts alone and killed all four.

This news spread like wildfire, covering Shanhe Province overnight and rapidly spreading in all directions.

”Hall Master!”

Ji Zhengfei, the fourth in command of Yuheng Star Hall, came up behind Luo Jingsong.

”Mm!” Luo Jingsong nodded slightly.

Ji Zhengfei’s face was serious, ”Hall Master, what should we do next?”

Today, they had killed Li Chunsheng, which meant they had completely broken with the Star Moon Sect.

Next, they would inevitably become the sworn enemies of the Star Moon Sect.

Given the Star Moon Sect’s style of doing things, they would certainly not let them go.

Luo Jingsong, however, looked relaxed, yes, relaxed, an unprecedented level of relaxation.

Parting from the Star Moon Sect felt to him as if he had thrown off shackles from his body, feeling an unprecedented sense of relief and freedom.

All along, their Yuheng Star Hall seemed to be servants to the Star Moon Sect, enduring the exploitation, following the commands of the Star Moon Sect, putting all their wits into completing the tasks assigned by the Star Moon Sect.

Not to mention, the annual one hundred thousand taels of Silver felt like a mountain pressing them so hard they could barely breathe.

Now they were finally free, feeling reborn.

”What to do? Simple, find a more powerful backing!” Luo Jingsong said with a smile.

”A more powerful backing?” Ji Zhengfei was puzzled.

Luo Jingsong turned his head towards him, his eyes flickering, ”What do you think of General Yang?”

Ji Zhengfei pondered, ”General Yang is powerful and benevolent, holding a very high reputation in Chongshan Town and Liaodong. If we were to align ourselves with him—”

”Only afraid he might not be willing to accept us; after all, we come with big troubles!”

”Hahaha,” Luo Jingsong laughed, ”You’re right.”

”In the eyes of General Yang, we Jianghu Martial Artists are probably no better than a group of military households!”

”However, we still have hundreds of Disciples. I’ve heard that recently the Camp in Chongshan Town suffered heavy losses and is currently recruiting troops. If we join the Camp now, do you think General Yang would accept us?”

Ji Zhengfei suddenly realized, ”The Hall Master has thought things through.”

Simply aligning with Yang Zhenshan might not necessarily be something he’s willing to undertake.

Yang Zhenshan is a major court official; he has no need to get involved with a force from the worldly society.

Furthermore, with the Yang family’s current strength, there’s no need to court a force from the worldly society.

But if Yuheng Star Hall is willing to join the Camp, that would be different.

Members of the martial community generally receive preferential treatment when joining the military, and an entire force from the worldly society like Yuheng Star Hall fully committing to the military would be very welcome.

Of course, to prevent worldly forces from grouping together in the military, the court generally disperses them, assigning them to different troops.

Now is precisely the time when Chongshan Town needs more people, and Yuheng Star Hall choosing this moment to join the military gives Yang Zhenshan no reason to refuse.

This is precisely what Luo Jingsong anticipated.

Once they join the military, what can Star Moon Sect do in its powerful position?

Would they dare to create trouble at Chongshan Pass?

...

Early morning.

Jizhou, Hengdao Sect.

Ji Zhen, holding a towel, was wiping the sweat from his face while Ji Hai stood by, attending to him.

”The general situation is as follows—Yang General has slain Shadow Bat, Partridge, and Poison Bee from Mountain River Tower, Tong Jiuxin from Yuan State, Xiang Qiaohe from Suzhou, Fu Shanhong from Nanshan Sect, Ye Changkai from Jiuhua Island, and Lu Ke from the snowy plains!”

Ji Hai spoke in a low voice.

Ji Zhen handed the towel to Ji Hai and said with a faint smile, ”It seems my teacher has saved his own life!”

”Why would master say such a thing?” asked Ji Hai, puzzled.

”If I hadn’t resisted the temptation of the Jade Dew Spirit Peach, I would just be another lost soul under the General’s spear!” remarked Ji Zhen.

Although he never intended to fight for the Jade Dew Spirit Peach from the beginning, he still couldn’t help but feel fortunate upon hearing the outcome.

Ji Hai fell silent; previously, he had wanted his master to kill Yang Zhenshan, but now it seems the master’s decision was the wise one.

”General Yang’s strength is that strong? Could it be that he has already broken through to the Innate Realm?”

Ji Zhen slightly shook his head, ”General Yang is unexpectedly powerful, but he has not yet reached the Innate Realm!”

”If he had reached the Innate Realm, then people like Ye Changkai wouldn’t have even had a chance to react!”

Half-step Innate and Innate sound like only half a step apart, but in reality, they are entirely different levels.

After all, Half-step Innate is still in the Postnatal Realm, representing the peak of the Postnatal Realm, and is fundamentally incomparable to the Innate Realm.

”Why is General Yang so dominant?” Ji Hai was very confused.

Ji Zhen pondered, then said, ”It might be related to the Cultivation Technique practiced by General Yang, or perhaps it is due to his exceptionally strong physique!”

”Although both are at Half-step Innate, the gap between individuals at Half-step Innate can be significant.”

Ji Zhen too was a master at Half-step Innate, and although he had only recently formed his Innate True Qi, it was undeniable that he had reached the realm of Half-step Innate.

In terms of strength, he considered himself inferior to Ye Changkai and Xiang Qiaohe, but the gap wasn’t significant.

Instead, it seemed like he wasn’t even in the same realm as Yang Zhenshan.

He couldn’t quite understand this, only attributing it to Yang Zhenshan’s unique physique and Cultivation Technique.

”Go prepare; in the next few days take a trip to Chongshan Pass, firstly to congratulate General Yang on his ennoblement, and secondly to help rebuild the Camp in Chongshan Town!”

”Our disciples from Hengdao Sect are quite capable; select a dozen who are willing to join the military and send them to Chongshan Pass!”

It’s not unusual for Sect Disciples to join the military, but generally, Sects hold a neutral stance— not supportive, nor opposed.

Simply put, if Disciples wish to join the military, they aren’t stopped; if not willing, they aren’t coerced.

The reason is simple; Sect Disciples seldom receive significant utilisation in the military.

The court always maintains a wary acceptance towards Jianghu Sects.

There have been instances in Da Rong’s history where Sect forces controlled military power and coerced the court.

This so-called prevention against Sect forces growing too influential in the military resulted in many restrictions being placed on them by the court.

Previously, Hengdao Sect had had disciples join the military, but the most senior position held was only that of a Deputy Commander—a secondary officer position, not a primary command.

This time, Ji Zhen’s support for Hengdao Sect’s disciples joining the Camp in Chongshan Town was also an attempt to curry favor with Yang Zhenshan.

”Disciple understands, I will make arrangements immediately!” said Ji Hai.

”Yes! Go ahead!”

Ji Zhen waved his hand, indicating Ji Hai could leave to attend his duties.