Chapter 102: Traces of the Evil God

“Immortal, please wait… Immortal, please wait…”
Just then, Li Yang, who had not gone far, heard someone calling from behind.

“Do you have any business with me? I hope you have a good reason for stopping me; otherwise…”
Turning to glance at Zhou Xiong who had caught up to him, Li Yang frowned, his expression showing a hint of impatience.

“Forgive me, Immortal; I would not dare to impede your path without cause. It’s just that something occurred to me that might be related to the Earth Tribe you’re seeking, the one that worships Teng Tu.”
“Oh… speak then!”
Hearing this, Li Yang’s brow instantly arched, and his expression softened considerably.

“It’s like this: half a month ago, Marshal Xu of this city suddenly led his troops out. They say he discovered a spirit fruit in a remote mountain in the northwest, one that could prolong life. But before long, he returned to the city with heavy losses; many soldiers were killed or wounded, and even one of Marshal Xu’s enchanters was gravely injured—rumored to be because the Earth Tribe blocked their path.”
Zhou Xiong, nervous, glanced at Li Yang, gritted his teeth, and divulged everything he knew.

“What sort of Earth Tribe is this, so formidable? I’ve heard Marshal Xu commands elite troops with plenty of firearms—how could mere mountain savages stop him?”
Seeing Zhou Xiong speak so matter-of-factly, Li Yang raised an eyebrow, somewhat skeptical.

As for Zhou Xiong lying to him, Li Yang didn’t even consider it. Unless Zhou Xiong was mad or courting death, he wouldn’t dare rush out to deceive him.

“I’m not sure, I’ve only heard… heard…”
“If you have something to say, spit it out. Why are you beating around the bush?”
Seeing Zhou Xiong’s hesitant demeanor, Li Yang grew impatient and scolded him loudly.

“I heard they were blocked by an evil god. That spirit fruit tree that prolongs life is guarded by an evil god worshipped by an Earth Tribe.”
At Li Yang’s rebuke, Zhou Xiong no longer cared about the accuracy of his information and told everything he knew.

“An evil god!”
Upon hearing the crucial information, Li Yang’s eyes flashed with an intense brilliance that was visible even in broad daylight.

“Very good. This news is useful to me. Take this bottle of Blood Renewing Pills as your reward!”
With a gesture, a jade porcelain bottle appeared in Li Yang’s hand. He tossed it to Zhou Xiong and hurried away with Hua Ling.

“Phew… at least my efforts weren’t wasted!”
Watching Li Yang depart, Zhou Xiong breathed a long sigh of relief, his face alight with joy as he gazed at the pills in his hand.

He knew well the effects of these pills. Last time, Li Yang had rewarded him with a bottle; it replenished blood and energy, cleared the mind, and nourished the spirit—truly a precious medicine.

He’d heard Doctor Sun in the city mention these pills, saying Li Yang possessed a premium version. Unfortunately, Zhou Xiong had no money then and missed out on those treasures.

Doctor Sun’s ten pills were forcibly bought—five by Marshal Xu, while Doctor Sun refused to sell the remaining five, wanting to keep them as the shop’s prized stock.

Marshal Xu had considered seizing them by force, but Zhou Xiong, invoking Li Yang’s reputation, intervened and dissuaded him.

His intervention wasn’t out of kindness. Truth be told, if he hadn’t known Li Yang called Sun Yuran a friend and feared Li Yang’s wrath if he found Zhou Xiong indifferent, he would have considered seizing Doctor Sun’s five Blood Renewing Pills himself.

…

“Brother Li, this place is so lively!”

Strolling through Kun City with Hua Ling, Li Yang smiled as he watched her hands busy stuffing various snacks into her mouth, her eyes roaming curiously. “Of course. Kun City is the provincial capital; naturally, it’s bustling. Has your senior brother never taken you around the city all these years?”

“Brother Li, you know the rules of our Mountain-Moving Sect—grave robbers don’t take gold or silver. We siblings have traveled most provinces in the country, but mostly along secluded paths or deep forests. If we needed supplies, we’d choose small county towns. According to my senior brother, big cities are crowded and chaotic, full of restless hearts blinded by desire—not suitable for cultivators like us.”

Hua Ling looked up at Li Yang with innocent eyes as she spoke.

“Don’t listen to your senior brother’s nonsense. Desire-blinded hearts, restless souls—more likely he’s just short of money. As cultivators, we should not fear such things. Compared to ordinary folk, we must strengthen our hearts, and the turmoil of the mortal world is the best tempering. As long as you don’t get lost in it, it’s harmless.”

“To put it simply, cultivators are still human—and humans cannot escape emotions and desires. Excessive suppression can be counterproductive!”

Li Yang smiled as he patted Hua Ling’s head and explained.

“Mm, I’ll listen to Brother Li—I won’t suppress my feelings too much!”
Hua Ling nodded, suddenly hugging Li Yang’s arm, her large eyes curving into crescents, full of happy laughter.

“Ahem…”
Li Yang coughed awkwardly at Hua Ling’s gesture. After all his words, the little girl only remembered the least important part.

“Hua Ling, that’s not what Brother Li meant!”
Looking at the grease stains on his sleeve and the curious glances of passersby, Li Yang gave a wry smile, inwardly cursing himself for being too talkative.

He finally managed to get Hua Ling to let go and led her toward the center of Kun City.

As they walked, they unconsciously arrived at the Jimin Hall. Li Yang hesitated as he gazed at the pharmacy’s signboard, but then stepped inside.

“Little brother, it’s been so long! Last time, I owe you for saving my daughter’s life.”
Doctor Sun, busy at the counter, noticed someone enter. Seeing Li Yang, he greeted him with delight.

“Doctor Sun, you’re too kind. It was merely fate that allowed me to help.”
Li Yang waved his hand modestly.

He truly admired Doctor Sun’s character—there was a touch of old-fashioned righteousness about him.

“Brother Li!”
Just then, Sun Yuran walked out from the backyard. Seeing Li Yang in the hall, her icy expression melted, replaced by joy.

“Miss Sun, greetings.”
Li Yang nodded to Sun Yuran politely, not giving much further attention.

“Little brother, wait a moment. I’ll fetch something from the backyard.” Doctor Sun stood up and spoke to Li Yang.

“Yuran, come greet our guest!”
He beckoned to his daughter and went to the backyard.

“Brother Li, do you know her?”
Hua Ling looked at the tall Sun Yuran in her pink dress, then glanced at her own oversized Daoist robe, feeling a sense of defeat.

Sun Yuran’s gaze at Li Yang instinctively made Hua Ling wary. Though young and unaware of what such a gaze meant, she instinctively resisted this woman’s approach to her Brother Li.

“I forgot to introduce—this is my junior sister, Hua Ling!”

Seeing Hua Ling’s pout and unhappy expression, Li Yang felt puzzled, not knowing what was wrong. He then pointed to Sun Yuran and said, “This is Doctor Sun’s daughter, a friend of mine—Sun Yuran.”

“Hello, Sister Hua Ling!”
Sun Yuran was gracious, warmly extending her fair hand to Hua Ling as soon as Li Yang introduced her.

Hua Ling awkwardly shook hands, looking at Sun Yuran’s jade-like hand and then at her own rough one, feeling even more defeated inside.

“Little brother, you saved my daughter last time. I have nothing else to give in return but this hundred-year-old Red Lingzhi, which is quite valuable. Please accept it as a token of gratitude, and don’t disdain it!”

Just then, Doctor Sun returned from the backyard, handing Li Yang a redwood box with sincere words.

“Doctor Sun, you’re too generous. I do need this Red Lingzhi, but I cannot accept it for nothing. Let me purchase it at market price. Such old medicines are rare; your willingness to offer it is already a most sincere gift.”

Li Yang truly needed the century-old Red Lingzhi—it was an ingredient for refining Nirvana Golden Pills. He would not let it slip by, but he couldn’t shamelessly take Doctor Sun’s treasured possession for free.

If Doctor Sun were a wicked merchant, Li Yang would take it by force, even kill for it. But Doctor Sun was a rare, upright man.

Li Yang did not agree with nor emulate such people, but he respected them.

As the saying goes: Hell is empty, devils walk the earth.

In times as turbulent as these, people of noble character are rare. This tainted world relies on such individuals to shine a light for humanity; without their guidance, the world would descend into hell.

For such people, Li Yang would help as much as he could, but never harm. He was no saint, but he did not wish for a world full of villains. The darker the era, the more precious such human brilliance becomes.

“Oh… Doctor Sun, so you’re here! I heard you have some precious pills—bring them out for Young Marshal to see.”

At that moment, several men in earth-toned military uniforms entered the pharmacy.

Their leader was a sinister-looking young man with a slick, gleaming pompadour, swaggering up with arrogant steps.

“Ah! Miss Sun is here as well. Perfect. Those pills can serve as your dowry when I marry you.”

His eyes lit up as he looked at Sun Yuran, reaching out to touch her face, but she quickly dodged.

“Young Marshal Xu, please show respect!”
Doctor Sun’s expression darkened instantly as he spoke in a stern voice.

“Sun Haoran, don’t think you can act tough in front of me just because Zhou Xiong spoke for you. My father gives him face; I, Xu Shaodong, do not. If you cross me, I’ll take down his Blue Flower Society too!”

Seeing Doctor Sun unmoved, the youth’s tone grew cold. “Do you really think Young Marshal is some gentle soul? Being favored by me is your family’s blessing!”

“You’re the son of Marshal Xu of Kun City?”
Hearing the youth introduce himself, Li Yang’s heart stirred—fortune had delivered what he desired. He had been looking for Marshal Xu, and now his son had come to him.

“And who the hell are you, daring to butt in before Young Marshal?”
Seeing Li Yang seated with an indifferent expression, the sinister youth was instantly displeased.

He had never encountered someone so bold in his presence.