C18 – Martial Grandmaster
The Qiu family estate, once a beacon of opulence, was now drenched in blood.
Bodies lay strewn before the gates, their eyes wide open in a ghastly sight.
City guards encircled the Qiu residence, barring onlookers from the gruesome scene.
“Castellan!” The guards saluted, dropping to one knee as the city master approached.
With a dismissive wave, the castellan focused on a particular corpse. If his memory served him right, this was the body of a Qiu family elder.
This elder had likely attained the pinnacle of the Martial Master realm.
“Impressive,” the city master murmured, scrutinizing the body. A clean strike through the heart—it was a swift and deadly assault, the work of someone far surpassing the elder’s abilities.
“Where is the Qiu family patriarch’s body?” he inquired, his voice grave.
“Master, the patriarch’s body is inside,” replied the guide, leading the city master to the site of the patriarch’s demise.
The city master paused, taken aback. The patriarch’s severed head lay before him, half of the skull gruesomely crushed.
“Is this the Qiu patriarch?” He stepped closer, inspecting the remains. The body bore no marks, yet the head showed signs of a brutal punch.
“Martial Grandmaster Realm!”
His exclamation echoed, startling the old butler at his side.
“Castellan, you mean to say a Martial Grandmaster did this?” the butler asked, incredulous.
The castellan nodded, “Only a Martial Grandmaster possesses the might to fell the patriarch with a single blow. And this wasn’t the work of any ordinary Grandmaster; among their ranks, this assailant is a force to be reckoned with.”
As dawn broke the next day, Yun Haoyan rose early. Opening the door, he was greeted by the hurried arrival of Yun Tiantian.
“Brother, there’s been a major incident in Silkbarrow. Have you heard?” Yun Tiantian’s large eyes sparkled with excitement as she beamed at Yun Haoyan.
Yun Haoyan gently patted her head and inquired, “What’s the big news?”
“Have you heard? The Qiu family’s been wiped out, and the whole of Silkbarrow City is abuzz with the news. People are even setting off firecrackers in the streets!” Yun Tiantian exclaimed with a certain excitement, pleased to share information her brother hadn’t yet heard.
“Is that so?” Yun Haoyan feigned surprise, playing along. “You must be the happiest about the Qiu family’s downfall!”
“Indeed! Now I won’t have to marry into the Qiu family. But it’s terrible, so many of them killed…” Her voice trailed off as a look of compassion washed over her face.
He stroked her head again, admiring her kindness. Despite the Qiu family’s mistreatment, she could still find it in her heart to feel for their plight. Yun Haoyan made a silent vow to protect his family at all costs in this lifetime.
Suddenly, Yun Tiantian huffed, her tone shifting. “Qiu Kuiwei even hit you. Those who bully you deserve to die. No sympathy for such people.”
Yun Haoyan touched his nose, amused by his sister’s swift change of heart.
“Brother, Father and the rest are deep in discussion in the council hall. It’s something about a pill. Should we go eavesdrop?” Yun Tiantian suggested.
“A pill?” Yun Haoyan raised an eyebrow. “Do you know what it’s about?”
Yun Tiantian shrugged. “I’m not sure. I was rushing to tell you about the Qiu family and overheard the elders and Father as I passed the hall. But I didn’t catch the details.”
Yun Haoyan nodded thoughtfully. In his past life, he hadn’t been involved in family affairs. But now, he was determined to help his father uphold the family’s legacy. As a Pill God, it was well within his means.
“Let’s go check it out.”