Library of Heaven’s Path 2: Eternal Destiny

Vol 2 Ch 24: Bu Xu Hall

Though it was unclear who was in the right, anyone who spoke with such disdain was unlikely to be a good person.

This didn’t seem like Zhang Xuan’s business, so he thought it best not to interfere. However, the voices below caught his attention again.

“Boss, this woman may have had a child, but she’s still quite the beauty. Why don’t we have some fun with her before killing her?”

“Agreed! Look at that figure, those hips... quite appealing.”

“Of course! Boss, even if you don’t trust my skills, at least trust my taste. As for the order, the usual—boss goes first, and we’ll draw lots for the rest.”

“You know your place!”

Zhang Xuan’s eyes narrowed.

From their words, it was clear they were accustomed to such vile acts.

“Bastards, I’ll fight you to the death!”

On the peak below, hearing the men planning to violate his wife, the young man roared and charged toward them.

He moved fast, but returned even faster, knocked back with ease. Though he was at the peak of the Body Tempering stage of the Source Pool Realm, his opponents were stronger. Within moments, he was sent flying and landed heavily, blood pouring from his mouth.

“Yu Fei...”

Seeing her husband gravely injured, the woman knew escape was impossible. She turned back, holding the child in her arms.

“Xiao Ying, go! Take the Red Leaf Grass and find a way to heal Xiao Zhuo... Forget about me! If they capture you, you and Xiao Zhuo are both doomed.”

Yu Fei struggled to get up, spitting more blood, and positioned himself between his wife and their pursuers.

“We go together...” Xiao Ying shook her head firmly.

“Go? None of you are leaving!” The group reached them, led by a rugged man in his forties with a beard.

“Please, sirs, we were wrong. You can have the Red Leaf Grass. We only ask that you spare us and let our family of three go!” Xiao Ying fell to her knees, bowing repeatedly. The child in her arms, now awake, wriggled free and knelt as well, crying out in a tender voice, “Please, I beg you!”

“What are you doing? We worked hard to find that Red Leaf Grass. If we give it away, Xiao Zhuo is doomed... Besides, they ambushed us for their own greed. Why should we hand it over?” Yu Fei gritted his teeth.

“Oh? So you have some spine? Too bad it’s worthless against real power. Yes, we’re after your Red Leaf Grass. So what? Weaklings like you don’t deserve such treasures!” The bearded man sneered, twirling his saber. “Get them! As planned—kill the man and the child, bring the woman back alive, and keep her face and body intact. Damaged goods are no fun.”

“Understood!”

“You’re wise, boss!”

With enthusiastic shouts, the group advanced, swords raised, exuding killing intent.

“It’s over...” Yu Fei’s face paled.

“Yes...” Xiao Ying’s eyes showed despair. Realizing pleading was useless, she slowly stood up, placing the child before her husband. “Husband, if we can’t escape, we go together. Don’t worry, I won’t let them defile me.”

“Agreed.” Yu Fei reached out, about to strike her and then himself, when a sharp eagle’s cry pierced the air.

“Chirp chirp...”

The powerful sound resounded across the mountain. They all looked up to see a colossal Black-Scaled Phoenix Eagle descending and halting above them. Two figures jumped down, landing smoothly.

One was a man in his forties with piercing eyes, while the other was round-faced and friendly-looking.

The bearded man frowned, glancing at the massive Source Beast in the sky before bowing. “Esteemed sirs, I am Lian Huo, an official blade-wielder of the First Grade from Bu Xu Hall in Hanyuan City. We are here on orders to capture these thieves who stole our medicinal herb. If we’ve disturbed you, please forgive us.”

“We’re not thieves! We worked hard to find the Red Leaf Grass. They’re the ones trying to rob us!” Yu Fei quickly retorted.

“Bu Xu Hall?”

Zhang Xuan ignored the dispute and narrowed his eyes.

Xu Xin’s memories hadn’t included such an organization. However, any group called a “Hall” held significant power, especially in Hanyuan City.

Halls like Baiyun Hall, Hanye Hall, and Mo You Hall were renowned, their influence enough to intimidate even the Hanyuan royal family.

Rumors said these halls were backed by powerful figures, but Xu Xin, as a Fate Guardian, wasn’t privy to such details.

“Indeed, Bu Xu Hall may not be as famous as Baiyun Hall or Hanye Hall, but it holds great potential and has many followers. Sir, if you’re merely passing through, here are 500 Source Coins as a token of respect. We hope you’ll let us handle this matter without interference.”

Lian Huo bowed again and held up a Source Coin bill.

Having reached his position, he knew when to push and when to pull, recognizing which figures to provoke and which to placate.

“500 Source Coins to spare a family’s life... Life sure is cheap.” Zhang Xuan remarked coolly.

“Oh, I see what you mean, sir!” Lian Huo breathed a sigh of relief and pulled out a larger wad of Source Coins, smiling ingratiatingly. “This is 10,000 Source Coins, all we can offer. We hope you’ll forgive this intrusion. While we’re not worthy of your friendship, Bu Xu Hall always welcomes strong allies. If you’re interested, I can vouch for your introduction.”

His practiced ease made it clear this wasn’t his first such negotiation.

“10,000 Source Coins and an introduction? A fair deal for ignoring this,” Zhang Xuan nodded before turning to Yu Fei and Xiao Ying. “And what about you? What can you offer? If it’s enough, I can kill them for you.”

“Sir...” Lian Huo gaped in shock.

“Silence!” Sun Qiang’s brows rose, his Divine Soul stage power pressing down, stifling any protest.

“I... I only have this Red Leaf Grass, willing to offer it if you spare us,” Yu Fei said, holding up the plant, which resembled red-tinted cilantro.

Xiao Ying glanced at the herb, then at their child, her eyes full of reluctance. Giving it away meant no cure for their son; not giving it meant they’d die now.

“I don’t want herbs, only Source Coins,” Zhang Xuan said indifferently.

“This...” Yu Fei hesitated, exchanging a look with his wife. They rummaged through their pockets and grimly said, “We only have 10 Source Coins...”

Zhang Xuan picked one up between his fingers.

“That’s enough,” he said.

With that, he raised his palm and sent it crashing towards Lian Huo.

“Sir, what are you doing? Attacking us is a direct challenge to Bu Xu Hall! Our Hall is backed by a Destiny Master, you’ll be digging your own grave!” Lian Huo shouted, lifting his weapon.

But before he could strike, the force of Zhang Xuan’s attack disarmed him, and a moment later, the energy struck his chest.

Thud!

His chest caved in, blood sprayed as he flew backward, convulsed mid-air, and died before hitting the ground.

One strike—fatal.

“Boss!” The remaining Bu Xu Hall members froze, shocked that he’d been killed without hesitation. Even Yu Fei and Xiao Ying were speechless.

Refusing 10,000 Source Coins only to take one... and not fearing the consequences of defying Bu Xu Hall?

“Run!” The rest of the men scattered. But before they could get far, Zhang Xuan’s strikes rained down, piercing their backs and draining their strength like deflated balloons.

In the span of three breaths, all ten blade-wielders chasing Yu Fei and Xiao Ying were dead.

“Sun Qiang!” Zhang Xuan called.

“On it!” Sun Qiang began rummaging through the corpses, collecting valuables. If they’d been able to offer 10,000 Source Coins, there had to be more on them. No sense in wasting it.

“Thank you for saving us...” Yu Fei and Xiao Ying fell to their knees, gratitude shining in their eyes.

Xiao Zhuo mirrored them, cheerfully bowing with his tiny hands. “Thank you, Uncle, for saving us...”

“I took your money to kill on your behalf. It’s a fair deal, no need for thanks,” Zhang Xuan said dismissively.

From the eagle’s back, he’d seen everything clearly. Lian Huo and his ilk were scum; killing them was just.

Yu Fei’s face flushed. “A single Source Coin couldn’t possibly be enough for your help... May we at least know your name, so my wife and I can honor you forever with offerings?”

“No need for that... But I do have a question: did you have previous conflicts with Bu Xu Hall? Were they after you just for the herb?”

Zhang Xuan looked at them curiously.

If there’d been past grievances, it would make sense. Pursuing them over one herb alone seemed excessively brutal, even for Hanyuan City’s cutthroat politics.

“We’ve heard of Bu Xu Hall but never had any prior dealings with them, nor any grievances. It’s just... all these halls operate similarly. If you don’t join, you’re extorted. There’s no way around it,” Yu Fei said with a bitter smile.

“So blatant... Is it true what they say, that Bu Xu Hall has the backing of a Destiny Master?” Zhang Xuan asked, intrigued.

“Yes, that’s right! The leader of Bu Xu Hall is a Destiny Hall elder. He’s supposedly from another dynasty and goes by the name...” Yu Fei paused, searching his memory before nodding. “Ling Buyang!”

Author's Note

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