Chapter 7 Trouble is coming

Xiao Fan darted through the forest like a cheetah, his mind racing. As he sprinted along, he noticed others leaping across the treetops, all heading toward the back of the mountain. Sharp as ever, he quickly grasped their intent.

"It must be the surge of the evil soul within me and the birth aura of the Sacred Heart that attracted them. I can't let them suspect anything, or I'll be in serious trouble."

Muttering to himself, Xiao Fan picked up his pace toward the village. At the entrance, he saw Hong Dahai waiting, scanning the horizon anxiously. A warmth spread through Xiao Fan's chest.

"Xiao Fan!" Hong Dahai shouted, relief flooding his eyes. He hurried over, clapping Xiao Fan's shoulders, and examined him intently.

"Are you alright? Where have you been this past month?"

"I'm fine, Master Hong. Sorry for worrying you," Xiao Fan said, touched by the concern. Apart from his aunt-sister, Shangguan Lanruo, Hong Dahai was one of the few who genuinely cared about him. To the other villagers, Xiao Fan was weak and unremarkable, a liability in a place where only the strong commanded respect.

"I'm glad you're back." Hong Dahai said, his face lighting up with a smile before it turned thoughtful. He looked Xiao Fan over again and exclaimed, "Your muscles have filled out, and your tendons look stronger than ever. Don't tell me…you've broken through to the seventh level of the Body Refining Realm?"

Xiao Fan nodded, and Hong Dahai's eyes widened in disbelief. "For years, you barely progressed past the fourth level, and now, in just one month, you've advanced three whole levels! Incredible."

Hong Dahai chuckled with pride. "I knew you had it in you. Others may not have seen your potential, but I always did. You're destined for greatness, Xiao Fan."

Xiao Fan smiled, but his gaze softened as Hong Dahai asked,"I haven't seen your aunt for a month. Did she leave Zusheng Village?"

"Yes, she did," Xiao Fan replied, a glimmer of sadness crossing his eyes.

"Don't think too much. You will eventually go out into the world. As long as you keep getting stronger, you will definitely meet your aunt-sister."

Hong Dahai had always sensed a certain mystery about Xiao Fan's aunt. Since bringing Xiao Fan to this village, she had never disclosed her true identity. Over the past ten years, her appearance remained strikingly unchanged except for a maturing grace, suggesting an extraordinary background. Her beauty, refined manners, and elegant clothing all hinted that she was far from an ordinary villager.

"The world outside…" Xiao Fan's gaze drifted toward the distant horizon, a glimmer of wonder in his eyes. "They say the Longteng Empire has been at war for a decade. Perhaps the outside world isn't as beautiful as I imagine."

"It isn't something you need to worry about now," Hong Dahai said, placing a firm hand on Xiao Fan's shoulder. "Go back and rest. Train well, and if anything puzzles you, come to me."

"Thank you, Master Hong. I will," Xiao Fan replied, watching as Hong Dahai's comforting figure faded down the path. Then he turned and made his way back toward his cabin.

As he entered, the familiar presence of his aunt-sister seemed to linger in every corner. In the main hall, kitchen, and bedroom, traces of her graceful movements were subtly infused in the air. Xiao Fan's fingers brushed over the well-worn furniture. Moving into his room, he took in her fragrance lingering on the bedding, momentarily immersed in her memory.

"I'll reach the peak of Yunxian Mountain," he murmured with unwavering resolve.

Over the following days, Xiao Fan adhered to a strict regimen, climbing the mountains at dawn to train and returning at dusk, steadfastly pushing himself to the limits. His strength surged, finally reaching the peak of the tendon phase of the Body Refining Realm, on the cusp of breaking through to the eighth heaven, where he could begin tempering his bones.

Previously, his cultivation had mostly strengthened his meridians, but now, having reached their limit, he could finally advance like others. His rapid progress showed that his talent far outstripped those around him.

Meanwhile, disciples from the major sects were combing the mountains in search of something. They camped out nightly in the wild rather than disturb the village—though not all sect disciples held the same respect for the rule.

One day, the peaceful village was suddenly disturbed by the distant clatter of hooves and the unmistakable clang of metal. The sound grew louder, dense and urgent, echoing toward them. Alarmed, the villagers poured from their homes, eyes wide with worry and curiosity, trying to glimpse the oncoming threat.

"Oh no! Zusheng Village could be in grave danger!" whispered Village Chief Hu Yang, as he exchanged a worried look with martial arts master Hong Dahai. The villagers crowded together, gazing anxiously at the armed group approaching at full speed, their armor glinting under the sun.

Leading the group was a striking young woman in a vivid red dress, her face beautiful yet cold, with an air of haughty pride. Flanking her on either side were two imposing generals, swords strapped to their waists and long spears held confidently in hand.

"Herodiot!" The war horses whinnied as the soldiers entered the village. The woman in red cast a steely gaze over the villagers before her eyes settled on Hu Yang and Hong Dahai, recognizing them as the village's leaders.

One of the generals rode forward and surveyed the crowd. "What village is this?" he asked evenly.

"General, this is Zusheng Village. May I ask why you are here?" Hong Dahai stepped forward, his tone polite but concerned.

"Zusheng Village?" the general mused. "Yes, there are many strong men in the village. This time, I am here to recruit soldiers. The empire has been at war for ten years, and I need you and other good men to bravely fight on the battlefield and serve the empire loyally! "

"General, have mercy!" Village Chief Hu Yang bowed his head respectfully. "This is a small village, and we survive through hunting. If all our able men are taken, the rest of us won't be able to survive."

The general was silent for a moment after hearing this, and then turned to look at the other general. Both generals had regrets in their eyes. They had seen too many compatriots die in the ten years of war. This time they were ordered to recruit soldiers from all over the place, but they did not force anyone who was unwilling. This was indeed the case in this village, where people depended on the mountain to make a living. If those strong men were taken away, the remaining old, weak, women and children would not be able to survive.

"Very well," the general relented, "you need only send ten men from the village. Decide among yourselves who they will be."

But before Hu Yang could breathe a sigh of relief, the woman in red snapped, "Deputy General Xiao, your orders are to recruit soldiers, not to grant mercy. Hasn't enough blood been shed in these ten years?" Her cold gaze pierced through the two generals. "The empire needs soldiers, and it is your duty to bring back every able-bodied man you find!"

"Miss," the other general, Pang, interjected cautiously, "there are only thirty-two able men here. Taking too many will leave the villagers defenseless. They are citizens of Longteng as well."

"Lieutenant General Pang, don't you fear what my father would say if he knew of your leniency?" Her icy tone silenced them both. She was Zhao Zishan, daughter of Zhao Tie, the Empire's Grand Tutor, a name that inspired both respect and fear.

The villagers blanched at her words. If all the strong men were forced to leave, how would the elderly and children survive? The situation was turning desperate.

"Why should we join the army against our will?" a young villager shouted defiantly.

"That's right! You care nothing for our lives!" shouted another. Hu Fei and a group of other young men stepped forward, glaring at Zhao Zishan.

"Bang!" The air crackled as Zhao Zishan flicked a soft whip from her waist, snapping it across Hu Fei's face with blinding speed. Blood sprayed as he staggered back. Rising shakily, he pointed at her, eyes blazing.

But before he could speak, "Snap, snap!" Her whip lashed out again, striking him and several other villagers. They were thrown back, bruised and bleeding.

"Stop this!" Hong Dahai's voice was filled with fury.

Zhao Zishan ignored him, her whip cracking through the air again. But this time, a hand caught it mid-strike. Her eyes flared with anger as she tugged, yet the whip wouldn't budge.

"You insolent mountain boy," Zhao Zishan hissed, her voice laced with malice.

Hong Dahai shot a warning look at Xiao Fan, who released the whip at once. It snapped back, and Zhao Zishan recoiled, her eyes locked on the young man before her. Dressed in simple clothes yet unyielding in his stance, Xiao Fan's defiance infuriated her.

Seeing Zhao Zishan's eyes, Hong Dahai knew that it was going to be bad, and now it was even harder to make peace.

"This country boy is ignorant of etiquette. If I have offended the young lady, please forgive me!" Hong Dahai bowed and said, he didn't want Xiao Fan to get into trouble.

"Spare him?" Zhao Zishan sneered. The deputy generals on both sides were already sweating profusely. This kid is dead for having offended the daughter of the Grand Tutor.

"I want to dismount, but the horse is too high," Zhao Zishan said, tilting her head slightly as she looked down at Xiao Fan with a haughty gaze. "Come here, bend down and lie on the ground to serve as my footstool. If I'm in a good mood, I might even spare your worthless life."