"If not for that one incident, Sun Yao Ren would definitely have been a Qi Cultivation Expert."
Li Yi also turned around to look at the newcomer.
The latter bore no hostility, only a resolute intention to die.
After all, his recent demand had explicitly called for the head of this man; now, as he rushed over on horseback, it wasn’t to fight but to offer his head.
Master Sun quickly reined in his horse and dismounted, then untied a sack from the horse’s back and calmly threw it towards the crowd.
As the sack hit the ground, nine bloody heads rolled out—all Blood Refining Warriors of the Sun Family, each with eyes wide in rage, dying with evident resentment.
"You wanted ten heads; I’ve brought them. May I ask Li Yi, the eldest senior brother of Zhao’s Martial Arts Hall, will you keep your word?" Master Sun asked loudly.
He needed Li Yi to answer in front of the crowd.
Only then would he not worry about being double-crossed, for experts always honor their word, as that is the only way to earn others’ respect. To be fickle in the presence of so many would surely damage one’s reputation.
Li Yi took a step forward and said, "Once your head is added to the tally, I, Li Yi, can assure you that the members of the Sun Family will be safe to leave Sanyang City. As long as you do not seek revenge on Zhao’s Martial Arts Hall in the future, our grievance ends here, with no further pursuit."
Seeing Li Yi agree, Master Sun sighed in relief, but then he laughed bitterly, "I didn’t expect someone as young as you to be so astute, with a single sentence causing my Sun Family to nearly implode."
Li Yi looked on calmly and slowly said, "This is the best outcome. Had I decided to slaughter in rage, the Sun Family would have been decimated."
"Indeed, this is the best outcome. A populous and unified Sun Family departing Sanyang City—Zhao Ge, you wouldn’t be at ease." Master Sun glanced at Li Yi and then at Zhao Ge.
Today’s downfall was indeed deserved.
The Zhao Family’s Martial Arts Hall had two Qi Cultivation Experts, and the successor was so young. In the next thirty years, no, at least fifty, Zhao’s Martial Arts Hall would dominate Sanyang City unchallenged.
"Master Sun, did you kill these men yourself? With your strength, it’s impossible to kill nine Blood Martial Artists," Zhao Ge said, frowning as he looked at the heads on the ground.
Sun Yao Ren’s Qi-Blood had severely declined, and he no longer possessed his former abilities; how could he kill nine Blood Warriors in such a short time?
At this moment, Master Sun laughed heartily, "I poisoned them with a toxin even Blood Martial Artists can’t withstand. Then, in front of the younger generation, I cut off the heads of their fathers and elders one by one. The blood debt of the Sun Family henceforth rests solely on my shoulders."
"Impressive resolve," commented Zhao Ge, unable to help but exclaim. "It’s a pity for someone like you not to enter into Qi Cultivation."
The others, upon hearing this, suddenly understood the situation. Master Sun had personally killed nine Blood Martial Artists of his own Sun Family. This would prevent the family from disintegrating, but it meant the end for Master Sun’s lineage since the blood vendetta would now lie with his relatives and descendants.
"My methods are nothing special. Zhao Ge, you’ve found a good disciple. From now on, Sanyang City is yours," Sun Yao Ren bellowed, summoning his Jin Qi and shattering his own heart meridian.
As a mouthful of blood spurted forth, Sun Yao Ren’s body could no longer maintain its posture, and he toppled backwards.
With this final head accounted for,
The Sun Family’s request was fulfilled.
The onlookers silently regarded Sun Yao Ren’s corpse. The Store Manager of Sanyang’s Sun Family had indeed been a significant man. It was only a pity that his strength had not reached Qi Cultivation level, leaving him without the right to choose sides, inevitably swept along by the tides and entangled in this deadly conflict, losing his life for no good reason.