Chapter Nineteen: Launching an Offensive Against the Yin Family

Time passed swiftly—fifteen days went by.

The patriarch of the Jiang family, Jiang Fuyan, accompanied by Liao Chen and others, arrived at the City Lord’s Mansion. Along the way, they made no attempt to hide their purpose, arousing the curiosity of many onlookers who eagerly followed to witness the spectacle. Clearly, the penchant for gathering around drama was not unique to Earthlings; it was just as prevalent in the world of cultivation.

Soon, the group reached the Yin residence. The guards at the gate dared not block their entry; upon learning they were from the Jiang family, they immediately allowed them through. Someone then entered the mansion to report the visitors to Yin Tianxiong. Upon hearing that members of the Jiang family had arrived, he promptly came out of the inner hall to greet them.

Yin Tianxiong, smiling warmly upon seeing Jiang Fuyan, said, “Clan Leader Jiang, we meet again so soon! And who is this—could he be the head of the Morning Light Sect?”

Jiang Fuyan replied solemnly, “City Lord Yin, this is none other than Lord Liao, the Sect Leader of the Morning Light Sect.”

Yin Tianxiong was somewhat taken aback when he saw Liao Chen. At first glance, he found it hard to believe—the youth’s bone age appeared far too young. No matter how well one concealed their cultivation, bone age was difficult to hide. He was certain that Liao Chen’s bone age was under a hundred years. Someone so young could not possibly have cultivation at the Saint realm, no matter how well hidden. A trace of disdain crept into his heart.

“So, you are the Morning Light Sect Leader Liao. My apologies for my earlier oversight.”

Liao Chen, noticing Yin’s condescension, inwardly scorned him. To think such a useless man could occupy the position of City Lord of Wanxiang City—this Yin family was surely doomed. He made no pretense and summoned a man named Pi San.

“Pi San, tell us about the connection between Qingfeng Village and the eldest son of the City Lord’s mansion.”

Though fearful of the City Lord’s mansion, Pi San dreaded Liao Chen even more. The Morning Light Sect leader from the Demonic Beast Mountains was no ordinary figure; anyone with common sense could guess his true stature.

Bolstered by Liao Chen’s presence, Pi San recounted in detail the crimes committed by Yin Tianxiong’s son. As Yin Tianxiong listened, his face shifted from flushed red to pale blue. He had suspected his eldest son was no good, but never imagined he had committed such vile deeds behind the scenes.

Yin Yaozu had robbed passing merchants and even murdered, disposing of the bodies without a trace. Such conduct was intolerable by any moral standard. If the citizens of the city learned that the Yin family had committed such despicable acts, how could they maintain respect and authority in Wanxiang City?

“Pi San, you’re talking nonsense! How could my son be such a person? Do you have any proof? Without evidence, this is slander!”

Yin Tianxiong would never admit to Pi San’s accusations so easily. Were it not for Liao Chen’s presence, he might have had Pi San eliminated immediately. These matters must remain secret; now, he had to find a way to conceal everything.

However, the moment Liao Chen and his group entered the City Lord’s Mansion, they activated a synchronized recording stone—a device similar to live streaming, broadcasting simultaneously to every street and alley in the city.

Yin Tianxiong had not yet noticed this, but even if he had, he could not have stopped the spread of the footage. Soon, every citizen in Wanxiang City witnessed the scene unfolding, finally realizing the true nature of their City Lord’s “good son.”

As the crowd watched, Pi San produced ledgers—records of Qingfeng Village’s robberies and the profits shared with Yin Yaozu. With physical evidence in hand, the townsfolk were certain Pi San’s claims were true. Yet Yin Tianxiong blatantly denied the authenticity of the evidence. Liao Chen sneered, “City Lord Yin, is this how your mansion answers accusations? If so, then hand over your son, Yin Yaozu, for a soul probe. That will reveal the truth.”

Yin Tianxiong immediately refused. “Absolutely not! Soul probing is taboo among cultivators; if mishandled, my son may not die but will be left a fool. Lord Liao, I respect you as a man of stature, but that does not mean I will tolerate you acting recklessly toward my family. Otherwise, do not blame the City Lord’s Mansion for showing you no courtesy!”

Seeing Yin’s refusal to surrender his son for punishment, Liao Chen gave a subtle signal to Qinglong. In an instant, Qinglong teleported away and soon returned, dragging Yin Yaozu back and flinging him onto the ground like a dead dog.

“Father, save me!” Yin Yaozu, realizing he could not escape this calamity, pinned his hopes on his father.

Yin Tianxiong, seeing his son in such a pitiful state, immediately understood the peril of their visitor and shouted, “If you dare soul probe my son, the Yin family will never let you go!”

After his fierce threat, he quickly produced a transmission stone to summon the family’s reclusive patriarch. At this point, his only hope rested on the old ancestor. Though he could not gauge Liao Chen’s cultivation fully, he was certain the man was a Supreme Emperor realm cultivator.

Liao Chen did not prevent the summons; he was curious to see the Yin family’s true strength. If a formidable opponent appeared, perhaps he could profit greatly from the encounter. Soon, the Yin family patriarch, Yin Zhiping, emerged. His cultivation had reached the seventh level of the Supreme Emperor realm—a top-tier power in the entire city. Yet, to Liao Chen, this was hardly intimidating.

“Who dares insult the Yin family?” Yin Zhiping shouted at the intruders. He had no interest in the petty affairs of Wanxiang City, but with his family humiliated, it was his duty to intervene.

Liao Chen, seeing the old man’s arrogance, could not help but slap him hard across the face.

Smack!

The slap sent Yin Zhiping flying, collapsing to the ground amid gasps from the assembled crowd. None had expected the Morning Light Sect leader to have such a fierce temper, resorting to violence at the slightest provocation. Though the Yin patriarch was a Supreme Emperor realm cultivator, he could not even withstand a single slap.

The onlookers finally understood: Liao Chen was no mere Supreme Emperor realm cultivator. To strike down such a figure with ease, he must be at least a Saint realm cultivator. This confirmed their suspicions that the Morning Light Sect was far stronger than sects like the Asura Gate.

After all, the Asura Gate’s master was only Supreme Emperor realm, and in Qianyuan Continent, that sect was a fourth-rate power—one of countless such factions across the land. Having been slapped, Yin Zhiping immediately subdued himself, clutching his face and remaining silent, fearing another beating that might even cost him his life. As a centuries-old elder, he valued his life greatly. As for Yin Yaozu, he was merely a junior family member; his death would matter little to the patriarch.

Seeing no further objections, Liao Chen disregarded Yin Yaozu’s desperate cries and proceeded with the soul probe. The scenes of Yin Yaozu’s past crimes were displayed for all citizens to see, irrefutably confirming Pi San’s earlier testimony.

Realizing his son was beyond saving, Yin Tianxiong suddenly attacked him. Even Liao Chen had to admire the City Lord’s decisiveness and ruthlessness.